Present:
Mr. B. Parnham Chairman
Mr. D. Jeffcoat Vice Chairman
Mrs. A. Knipe
Mrs. J. Macdonald
Mr J. Clements
Mr. J. Rippin
Mr. B. Smith
Mr. D. Bevan Clerk
WODC Cllrs. Mr. S. Cosier, Cllr. Mrs.
S Cosier; Mr. A. Couper, Mr. P. Hudson, Mr. R. Maxwell.
1.
APOLOGIES – None
2.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS -
Mr. Parnham stood down as chairman. Mr. Jeffcoat assumed the chair and asked
for nominations for chairman.
Mrs. Macdonald proposed Mr. Parnham as chairman, seconded by Mr. Rippin; passed unanimously.
Mr. Parnham signed his acceptance of office and re-convened the meeting as chairman: he then called for nominations for Vice Chairman and Responsible Financial Officer.
Mr. Smith proposed Mr. Jeffcoat as vice chairman, seconded by Mrs. Macdonald; passed unanimously. Mr. Jeffcoat signed his acceptance of office.
Mrs. Knipe proposed Mr. Bevan (Clerk) as Responsible Financial Officer to the council, seconded by Mr. Jeffcoat; passed unanimously.
Mr. Rippin agreed to act as the council trustee on the Poor's Allotments Charity; agreed unanimously.
Mr. Jeffcoat agreed to act as the council representative on the Village Hall committee; agreed unanimously.
3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST – None.
4.
PUBLIC ITEMS – Mr. Parnham closed the meeting at 7.40pm. Mr. Hudson brought to the council’s attention
that there were hedges on Abingdon Road that were overgrow and impeding
movement on the footpaths. The clerk explained that, beyond bringing this to
the attention of the property owner, the council had no power to enforce the
trimming of the hedges; that power resided with OCC. Mr.
Parnham said that notices
would be put out on Facebook and Standlake News while Mr. Jeffcoat volunteered
to distribute leaflets to the offending properties.
Mr. Hudson also said he was concerned that many people were
not on social media and that any consultations, such as the recent 20mph
consultation, were not wide enough. Mr. Parnham said that the discussions in
council before that consultation ran over many months and were recorded in the
minutes. Mrs. Knipe pointed out that minutes were on both the website,
Standlake News and on the council’s notice board adjacent to the Post Office.
However, Mr. Parnham said
he would look again at the best way to consult in future.
Mr. Parnham re-opened
the meeting at 7.45pm.
5.
REPORT ON MEETING WITH THAMES VALLEY POLICE AND
CRIME COMMISSIONER (PCC) – The full report can be found under District
Councillor’s Report on the village website at www.standlakepc.org.uk .
Cllr. Mr. Cosier said that some 50 people were present at the meeting with PCC
held in Stanton Harcourt Village Hall on 12th May. Cllr. Cosier
thought that the meeting was positive, and a summary of the main points are as
follows: currently Speedwatch data is not being used by the police and the PCC
will look at ensuring this is collated in a meaningful way; reinstating visits
to parish councils by police on a regular basis; ensuring contact by letter
with parish councils, keeping them abreast of current information; formation of
a dedicated Thames Valley Police Road Safety and Speeding team, though it is
not clear at this stage what its remit will be.
Mr.
Couper also thought the meeting was positive and that the PCC had listened to
concerns. Mr. Couper then reported on the recent Aston Road residents traffic
monitoring activities. One of the main outcomes was that speed checks carried
out at random locations on Aston Road, not at Speedwatch approved sites, by
operatives not wearing high visibility jackets, showed a very different result
to ’official’ Speedwatch checks in that some 60% to 70% of vehicles were
speeding with Mr. Maxwell noting the highest speed recorded being 63mph in the
20mph zone. Mr. Couper recommended that this procedure was used on other village
roads and that the PCC had agreed to the use of random sites. Mr. Couper said
that any forward plan should include physical restrictions on the Aston Road as
well as a buffer 40mph zone between the 60mph and 20 mph zones.
Mr. Parnham
thanked Mr. Couper for his efforts and reiterated the council’s support in this
matter.
6. COUNTY and DISTRICT COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS – As a newly elected WODC councillor Mrs. Cosier said she had nothing to report except that she was now undergoing training before joining the licencing and waste committees. Cllr. Mr. Cosier said he had little to report except he had written to the Minister of State for Local Government & English Devolution regarding his concerns as to the position and function of parish councils in the forthcoming reorganisation into unitary authorities. He was particularly concerned that the council’s ability to represent local issues as the next layer of local government would now be even further removed from local people. See Cllr. Cosier’s full report on the village website at www.standlakepc.org.uk .
7.
PLANNING
–
25/00823/LBC: Internal and
external alterations to include replacement of front door and a first floor
timber window to side elevation, along with installation of secondary glazing
to two windows on front elevation: Lancotta Lancott Lane Brighthampton: Mr
Morris. No objection.
25/01048/HHD: Installation of
entrance gates and additional metal railings above existing walling: Standlake
Manor House 41 High Street Standlake: Alan Legge. No objection.
25/00986/LBC:
Installation of entrance gates and additional metal railings above existing
walling: Standlake Manor House 41 High Street Standlake: Alan Legge. No
objection.
8.
MINUTES - Minutes of the Meeting held on Tuesday, 8th
April 2025, copies of which had been previously circulated to all members, were
agreed as a true record, and were signed by the vice chairman.
9.
MATTERS ARISING
Sewage/Flooding – Nothing
further to report at this meeting.
Roads/Speedwatch/Aston Road – Mrs. Knipe reported the following: During April, 9
roadside sessions were held at various approved locations. 41 offenders
have been reported to TVP. Within the 20mph zone the average speed was
29mph and within the 30mph zone 39mph so a slight reduction. We are also
pleased to welcome 2 new members to the Speedwatch Team who have successfully
completed their training. To find out more or if you are interested in
joining please drop an email to speedwatch@standlakepc.org.uk - even if you can only give up one hour a month that would
be great.
Thanks to Steve Cosier for picking
up the issue of Aston Road [condition/HGV traffic etc]; residents are now
collecting data regarding traffic volumes etc and updates will follow. A
meeting with Matthew Barber (Police & Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley)
was on Monday 12th to discuss road safety and other issues; see
Cllr. Cosier’s report above. In addition, a meeting has been arranged to
include OCC and Ted Fenton [OCC Councillor] on Tuesday afternoon. Thanks
to all those involved, gathering data and giving up time to help move these
issues forward. On other matters, we have engaged with the PCSO team about
parking during school drop off/collections and we are in dialogue with OCC to
improve/extend the road markings.
Playgrounds/Recreation Ground – Inspection will take place on Friday, 16th
May at 11am.
Environment/Nature Recovery Network - Mrs. Macdonald reported the
following: Pollinator Patch at Village Hall - The bed has been tidied
and the plants are doing well. Village Hall Wild Flower Bank – Since
mowing the bank we have now identified the emergence of Knapweed, Common
Sorrel, Yellow Rattle, Lady’s Bedstraw, Plantain and Ox Eye Daisies.
Identification of more species will follow as “No Mow May” allows plants to
flourish. Planters – Plants to bring colour to the two village planters
will be purchased shortly. Plans to purchase two more planters for the Village
Hall from The Guide Post trust are in progress. Funds – The annual funds
from the Parish Council have been gratefully received. Plans are in progress to
purchase bird box kits with the funds, in order to have a workshop to assemble
the boxes with the school leavers. We are also considering the possibility of
arranging another village work shop later in the year, for villagers to make
bird boxes. LWVP – the refugias are providing sanctuary for field voles
at the moment, sightings of amphibians and reptiles will be reported to OxARG
when they occur. Dog Litter Bins – now being emptied regularly.
10.
CORRESPONDENCE. – Friends
of Standlake School (FOSS) have requested permission to use the Recreation
Ground, Rack End, on 12th July for their annual function. Agreed
unanimously.
St. Giles Parochial Church Council notified the council that the current grass cutting contactor will be leaving shortly and enquired as to a replacement. The clerk made it clear that the council does not employ the contractor, that is a matter for the PCC, and the parish council merely makes a grant to have the grass cut in the old churchyard as a public footpath is routed through that area. Mr. Parnham will reply to the PCC email in due course.
11. ACCOUNTS – The clerk reported that the accounts were in a very satisfactory state.
Received: Precept first half: £16,500.
For payment/approved: (* already paid)
SNRN - grant £500.00*
Abs Sols - playground repairs £377.33*
D Wileman - bus shelter cleaning £30.00*
C Cleland – church yard mowing £372.50*
Absolute Solutions - mowing £380.00*
12.
INSURANCE RENEWAL –
The clerk said that the insurance premium for 1st June 25 to 30th
June 26 was £1183.19 and this reflected the second of a 3-year agreement with
Hiscox Insurance through brokers A J Gallagher. This was approved unanimously.
13.
AUDIT FY 2024/25 – The
clerk presented the annual report (AGAR), previously circulated to councillors,
for approval. This was approved unanimously. The chairman then signed Part 2 of
the AGAR (Accounting Statements), previously signed by the clerk. The chairman
and clerk then signed Part 3 of the AGAR (Annual Governance Statement).
14.
CLERK RETIREMENT – As
previously notified to councillors, the clerk announced that he will be
retiring after 30 years and, ideally, before the end of this financial year;
this subject to the recruitment. of a new clerk. 'Mr. Parnham thanked the clerk
for all the hard work over the past 30 years but totally respects the decision
to retire. It was appreciated the clerk has given plenty of notice to
allow for the recruitment of a new clerk and a lengthy transition and handover
period. This was acknowledged by all councillors.
15.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING –
It was agreed that the next meeting will be held in the Youth Club on Tuesday 8th
July 2025 at 7.30 pm.
16.
There being no further
business, the meeting closed at 8.55pm.
Chairman .................................................................... Date …………………………………………………