Present:
Mr. D. Jeffcoat Acting Chairman (vice Mr. Parnham)
Mrs. J. Macdonald
Mr. J. Rippin
Mr. B. Smith
Mr. D. Bevan Clerk
OCC Cllr. Levy, WODC Cllr. S. Cosier, Mrs.
Cosier (prospective candidate WODC by-election May 2025) OCC Cllr. A. Smith
(replacement OCC councillor for Cllr. Levy in forthcoming division changes), Mr.
A. Couper, Mr. R. Maxwell and 4 members of the public.
1.
APOLOGIES Mr.
Parnham, Mrs.
Knipe, Mr. Clements
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST None.
3.
PUBLIC ITEMS Mr. Jeffcoat closed the meeting at 7.35pm. Mr.
Jeffcoat said he was aware that Mr. Couper, Mr. Maxwell and other
members of the public were Aston Road residents concerned with the condition of
the road, heavy vehicles, speeding and safety. Mr. Jeffcoat said
the parish council was aware of their concerns and would support them, but the
resolution of the problems lay primarily with OCC and their questions should be
addressed to Cllr. Levy. Mr. Maxwell and Mr. Couper reiterated their concerns
to Cllr. Levy who assured them that he would arrange meetings between the
residents and parish councils concerned. However, he warned that a weight limit
would be difficult to implement as it was clear that most of the HGV vehicles
were accessing the immediate area and not using the road as a through route.
Mr. Couper questioned why other villages such as Bampton, Brize Norton, Aston and others had visible traffic calming measures and Standlake did not. The clerk answered this by saying it was a matter of cost and explained that the villages mentioned had undergone the construction of large developments which generated Section 106 funds for traffic calming; Standlake has had no large development and therefore no access to this kind of funding.
Cllr. Cosier recommended that, based on his experience,
residents should gather evidence such as traffic surveys, evidence of speeding
etc.; he would email residents with a list of suggestions. He also said that
the parish council could invite the Police and Crime Commissioner to a meeting
to explain his attitude to traffic and speed enforcement. Cllr. Cosier said he
would work with Cllr. Levy on this matter.
Mr. Jeffcoat re-opened the meeting at 7.50pm.
4. COUNTY and DISTRICT COUNCILLORS REPORTS - Full County and District councillor reports are available on the council website www.standlakepc.org.uk .
5.
PLANNING
25/00313/HHD: Erection of single storey rear extension and detached
outbuilding.: 10 New Lincoln Meadow Standlake Witney: Dr and Mrs J Gordon. No
objection.
Mr. Jeffcoat
noted that the fence adjacent to 138 Abingdon Road had not been moved despite
the WODC planning committees recent instruction to do so. Cllr. Cosier said he
would look into this, but it was pointed out that the applicant had three years
to comply with the ruling. Mr. Jeffcoat also noted that the residents of 138
appeared to be clearing land further down Shifford Lane. He was concerned about
this, and the possibility of more mature trees being felled. Cllr. Cosier said
he would investigate this to see if a tree preservation order was in place and,
if necessary, try to obtain an emergency order; he will also inform planning
enforcement about a possibility of an infringement. Mr Jeffcoat
said that he had taken photographs of the land in question and agreed to send
copies to Cllr. Cosier.
6.
MINUTES - Minutes of the Meeting held on Tuesday, 11th
February 2025, copies of which had been previously circulated to all members,
were agreed as a true record, and were signed by the vice chairman.
7.
MATTERS ARISING
Sewage/Flooding Nothing
further to report at this meeting.
Roads/Speedwatch/Aston Road Nothing further to report at
this meeting. For Aston Road see Public
Items.
Playgrounds/Recreation Ground Mr. Jeffcoat said that the
inspections of the recreation ground and playgrounds by himself, Mr. Parnham
and Mr. Clements would take place in the coming week.
Environment/Nature Recovery Network - Mrs. Macdonald reported the
following: Litter Pick -We had a good turnout of enthusiastic volunteers
(+20) who picked up more than 40 sacks of litter from around the village, plus
10 or so tyres and wheels from the ditch on the straight mile. The WI kindly
provided delicious refreshments. A successful event, which will be repeated
later in the year. Hedge Laying - We would like to thank Stuart Bridger
and the team of volunteers from the Wychwood Project for their expertise in
laying the remaining boundary hedge at the Church. They worked for two days
this month, and their work is of a very high standard. We assisted them in
their work, and on each of the days we collected 7 builders bags of brambles
which we took to Dix Pit. We also cleared away the mattress and doors that had
been dumped in the car park some months ago. Overall, the appearance of the car
park has been much improved. New Burial ground - Proposals are being
prepared to visually connect the new burial ground to the existing burial
ground with landscaping and improving the connecting footpath to the school
from the car park and improving access for pall bearers and wheel chairs. Planters
-The planters are colourful now with daffodils and will have more colour added
after the daffodils. LWVP Photos of the Pollinator Patch will be sent to
LWVP shortly, however more remedial work will be needed to restore the general
appearance of the beds, after the building work disruption last year. Dog
Litter Bins- The bin at the junction of Martins Lane and The Downs was
overflowing. Mrs Macdonald phoned WODC on Friday 7th March to report the
matter. On Monday 10th March following a 2nd phone call, reporting the matter
as extremely urgent, the bin was emptied the same day. Asked by Cllr. Levy if
any contact had been made by the Lower Windrush Valley Project and Mrs.
Macdonald said there had not been. Cllr.
Levy said he would follow this up.
8.
CORRESPONDENCE. The request
from Mr. R. Rollinson to place a bench on the raised bank on the west side of
the recreation ground in memory of his recently deceased son was discussed. It
was agreed that this should be granted. Mrs Macdonald raised concerns as to the
position of the bench, the hard standing required for the bench, and the
maintenance of the surrounding area to the bench. A site visit would be
required. Mr. Rollinson will be advised of this decision.
9. ACCOUNTS The clerk reported that, with the end of the financial year approaching, the accounts were in a very satisfactory state. The clerk said that the problems with Santander bank temporarily blocking the account were ongoing and he was actively working with them to resolve this.
Received: VAT refund for FY 24/25 - £1060.41
For payment/approved: (* already paid)
PWLB car park loan £2142.96
Standlake Youth Club hire 24/25 £241.50
D C Bevan clerk salary and expenses £1752.60
HMRC clerk PAYE £420.00
10.
YOUTH CLUB - Mr. Rippin said that because of falling membership, reluctance of
persons to come forward as committee members and lack of income, the future of
the club was in doubt. A number of scenarios were discussed but no firm
conclusion was reached. Mr. Rippin said he would give updates as the situation evolves.
11.
REQUEST FOR PART USE
OF THE RECREATION GROUND (2) Two requests have been received from persons
hiring the Village Hall for functions for permission to use part of the ground
for activities such as bouncy castles etc. This was agreed subject the usual
conditions regarding insurance and clearing up after the event.
12.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
It was agreed that the next meeting will be held in the Youth Club on Tuesday 8th
April 2025 at 7.30 pm.
13.
There being no further
business, the meeting closed at 8.50pm.
Vice Chairman .................................................................... Date