Minutes of the Meeting of Standlake Parish Council, held in Standlake Village Hall, Rack End. on 17th February 2026 at 7.30pm

Present: 

 Mr. B. Parnham - Chairman                 

 Mr J. Clements

 Mr. B. Smith

 Mr J Rippin

 Mrs. C. Swan - Clerk designate.

 

1.         APOLOGIES – OCC Cllr. Mr. T. Fenton, WODC Cllr. Mrs. S Cosier. Mr. D. Jeffcoat. Mrs. A. Knipe. Mrs. J Macdonald. Mr. D Bevan, Clerk.

2.         DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST – None.

3.         PUBLIC ITEMS – The speedwatch team had been in touch with OCC Officers who confirmed they are currently prioritising consultation preparation and have agreed to update in time for next month’s meeting. They confirmed they had not received an update on the grant application. The Chairman expressed his thanks to all those involved.

4.         COUNTY and DISTRICT COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS – See Cllr. Cosier’s report on the village website at www.standlakepc.org.uk . The Chairman gave a summary on the report and highlighted the two key priorities, the mobile phone signal in rural areas and the flooding and sewage issues. The Chairman gave some background to the work which had already been conducted and acknowledged issues are ongoing. He expressed his sympathy with residents and explained the Parish Council had done all it can and was forwarding issues raised by residents to Cllr S. Cosier. A resident asked if any recent surveys had been conducted and the Chairman confirmed that none had been done for 2/3 years. The Chairman has written to Cllr Cosier and Thames Water. There was a brief discussion on if this would impact the proposed development on the Downs Road.

5.         PLANNING – 26/00117/CLP: Certificate of Lawfulness (formation of habitable room in roof space with front and rear rooflights); 17 Woodlands Standlake Witney: Mr & Mrs Rauh - No objection.

6.         MINUTES – Minutes of the Meeting held on Tuesday, 16th December 2025, copies of which had been previously circulated to all members, were agreed as a true record, and were signed by the chairman.

7.         MATTERS ARISING 

Sewage/Flooding – Mr. Parnham said he had heard nothing further from Thames Water but would continue to press for updates.

Roads/Speed watch/Aston Road/Traffic Calming – There had been delays to the program of checks as the speedwatch volunteers had been unable to use the gun due to poor weather conditions and Thames Valley Police rules regarding operating conditions.

Playgrounds/Recreation Ground – The new goal posts have arrived but there is a delay in installation due to the poor weather. Windrush Way bin has now been installed but the old bin is still in place and not being emptied, confirmation needed on who owns the bin before it can

be removed. Mr J Clements confirmed that the new village hall CCTV also covers the entrance to the play area, and that any requests for crime prevention footage should be addressed to Mr Charles Potter.

Environment/Nature Recovery Network – Nothing to report at this meeting.

New Website – Mr J Clements has spoken with the Village Hall web designer and needs to confirm the number of pages required to confirm a cost. Mrs C Swan is also obtaining a quotation.

Car park security – Mr. Clements has received some estimates for the CCTV. To the public carpark next to the church. The camera and solar panel estimated £265, a memory card £65 with £35.50 pa for cloud storage of the footage and £13.50 for 5 GB of data. All prices included VAT. The committee agreed these costs seems reasonable. Further investigation about the signal/Wi-Fi capabilities are needed but installation of Wi-Fi at the church was unlikely to happen before the end of the year. Absolute Solutions would be approached to install the pole required for the camera. The Chairman agreed to request a quotation for this work. Mr. B. Smith suggested that the gravel should be topped up and the Chairman agreed.

Litter Bins – Litter bins have been installed by the High street/Woodlands’ bus stop and Windrush Way Recreation Ground. WODC are responsible for emptying these bins. No further updates available.

Bike rack – The village hall has approved and are awaiting better weather for the installation to go ahead.

Clerk Handover – In progress, Mrs C Swan is due to meet with the current clerk in a week to start the hand over.

8.            CORRESPONDENCE. – None

9.            ACCOUNTS:

Received: S106 Bike racks - £792.97

For payment/approved: (* already paid)

Workplace Depot - bike racks                                       £129.56*

CPRE - subscription                                                         £36.00*

Citizens Advice - donation                                              £75.00*

Cottsway Housing - W'way ground rent                          £10.00*

HMRC - clerk PAYE                                                        £872.00*

Absolute Solutions - repair/maintenance                     £130.98*

Amazon - printer toner                                                   £40.78*

D Wileman – bus shelter/signs cleaning                         £50.00*

 

The above payments were approved unanimously.

10.          BANK MANDATE - It was agreed that Mrs C Swan be added to the bank mandate as signatory and account operator.

11.          PROVISION OF COUNCIL PHONE – it was agreed that a mobile phone was required and Mrs C Swan will gain a quotation. .

12.          NEW NOTICE BOARD - The costs for the new notice board - £1449.44 + £252.65 installation fees = £1702.99 was unanimously agreed.

13.          Date of the next meeting – 17th March 2026 at 7.30pm

There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.12pm

 

Chairman…………………………………. Date…………………….