PARISH
COUNCIL OF STANDLAKE
Minutes
of the meeting 16th June 2026 at 8.15pm
Present:
Mr J. Clements -
Chairman
Mr. D. Jeffcoat Vice Chairman
Mr. B. Smith.
Mrs. A. Knipe.
Ms. F. Smith
Mrs. J. Macdonald.
Mrs. C. Swan - Clerk
WODC Cllr. Mr. Steve Cosier, and members of
the public.
1. Apologies:
Cllr Mrs Sandra Cosier
2. Declarations
of interest: None
3. Public Items: None
4. County
& District Councillors Reports:
Cllr S Cosier
reported on three areas of work. The Biodiversity Duty Report 20242026 sets
out a strategy focused on protecting, enhancing, and connecting existing high‑quality
habitats to support nature recovery, with particular emphasis on woodland, semi‑natural
environments, and the development of Nature Recovery Networks. The report
highlights challenges such as habitat fragmentation and declining species, and
notes that successful national and local projects, together with Biodiversity
Net Gain, provide opportunities to fund and deliver practical improvements.
WODC is introducing
a new community grants scheme delivered through the Crowdfunder UK platform,
replacing Spacehive. The scheme will provide £120,000 per year across two
funding rounds, offering grants of up to £12,000 or 50% of project costs to
constituted not‑for‑profit organisations. Funding will be awarded
once projects reach their full crowdfunding target, with applications assessed
on community benefit, alignment with Council priorities and value for money.
The Financial
Performance Report for 2025/26 shows a stronger‑than‑expected year‑end
position, with higher income, increased reserves and no external borrowing
required due to lower capital expenditure. Funding has been carried forward for
key projects including waste fleet replacement, housing provision, and property
improvements. Pressures remain in housing services due to demand for temporary
accommodation, and the Council is expanding its property portfolio to reduce
reliance on emergency housing. Earmarked reserves have been reviewed and
consolidated to align with current priorities and risks.
5.
Planning:
Meadowcroft 32 Rack End Standlake
26/01205/S73 Discharge of condition 4 (obscured glazed screen details) of
Planning Permission 16/02473/HHD (retrospective) 16/02473/HHD PROPOSAL:
Alterations and extensions including raising the existing roof height to create
first floor accommodation. No objections
Cemex Witney Concrete Plant,
Hardwick Grave Pits, B4449, Standlake Road, Standlake OX29 7QF Certificate
of Lawfulness MW.0081/26 - Insert waste processing including the
recycling of concrete, brick, and soils of up to four thousand tonnes per
month, working 7.30 am to 4.30pm, Mondays to Fridays. No objections
Land On West Side Of The Downs Standlake
26/01251/OUT Outline planning application with all matters reserved, except for
access, for the construction of up to 200 dwellings (use Class C3), including
affordable housing, up to 300m2 of retail (Class E) use, public open space,
landscaping, area for biodiversity net gain, new agricultural track, and
associated infrastructure.
Cllr J Clements circulated a report prior
to the meeting summarising his proposed objections to the planning proposal. Councillors
were requested to send any additional comments or amendments by 19th
June 2026 directly to Cllr J Clements.
6. Minutes: Agree and Sign Minutes of May
19th, 2026 amendments were tabled and the minutes will be revised and
signed at the next meeting.
7. Village gate repairs A request to have
these are repainted by a professional contractor was put forward by Cllr J Macdonald.
It was agreed that four sets of wooden gates all require work. Cllr D Jeffcoat
will investigate possible painters to do this work.
8. Tennis court rental agreement A
proposal to increase the rental agreement for 2026-2028 to £800, reviewed in
two years time was unanimously agreed.
9. Infrastructure maintenance A proposal
to consider other contractor options for village infrastructure work was put
forward by Cllr D Jeffcoat. An advertisement locally was agreed and the Clerk
suggested that any contractors supplied appropriate RAMS. Cllr Cosier agreed to
find out which contractors are used by the councils in Aston and Stanton
Harcourt.
10. Quiet lanes Martins Lane/Croft Lane have
been suggested as a nomination for quiet lanes. The clerk will notify Cllr Ted
Fenton.
11. Bus shelter repairs Two bus shelters in
the village have been damaged. The Parish Council is responsible for repairs to
these two bus shelters. Cllr D Jeffcoat has been in touch with officers at OCC
and has requested costs to replace these with toughened PVC. Cllr D Jeffcoat requested
prior approval for spending up to £700, so that he can agree the repairs as
soon as possible. This was agreed.
12. Matters arising from previous minutes:
Flood/sewage; Cllr F Smith to meet and
discuss with Paula Gaffney the use of ground water loggers
Speedwatch/Roads; The clerk received correspondence
from OCC officer James Wright which outlined an increase in the costs for the
consultation work. The fee has risen to £4750 from the previously agreed sum of
£4224, (£3724 + £500 received from Cllr Fenton).
Mr Brian Parnham is awaiting
costs for the SID and will update the Parish Council.
An additional spend of £526 was not
agreed. Cllr James Clements will contact OCC officer James Wright and feedback
to the Parish Council at the next meeting.
Recreation grounds: The Clerk has
received a quotation for the replacement of the much-loved racing car which is
beyond repair. £ 1831 excluding installation or £3826 including installation. Cllr
J Clements will contact the OPFA and seek some grant options. The Clerk will ask
Absolute Solutions to remove the car as soon as possible. The Clerk will add
details to Facebook about the removal and replacement of the car.
Bike racks; The bike racks have now been
completed, and the Clerk has sent over photographs to WODC relating to the S106
funds provided.
Environment.
Cllr J McDonald provided the following
report. Village Planters - These have been tended and now display colourful
bedding plants Village Hall Swift Box Thanks to Mr Barry Barber the swift
box and speaker has now been installed on the Village Hall wall, overlooking
the Recreation Ground Village Hall Planters we are awaiting further
information as to the timescale for the delivery of the planters. Pollinator
Patch The pollinator patch at the front of the Village Hall is now well
established and plants attracting insects are flowering well. Wildflower Bank
The plants are growing on the bank, and we are in discussions with LWVP
Martyn Lane who hopes to help us with a working party to cut and rake up the
arisings on July 17th. Extra volunteers welcome. Mosaic Trail We are
assisting residents with the restoration project of the Mosaic Trail, a number
of which mosaics can be found along the Windrush Path Churchyard We are
continuing to give ongoing advice as to the appropriate grass cutting regime
and maintenance for the churchyard and new burial ground, in order to balancea suitable and sensitive environment for the benefit
for all users.
New Website: Cllr J Clements has made
some progress and is still pursuing a discount.
Car park security: Cllr J Clements is
looking into farm CCTV system costs and awaiting quotations.
Car park repairs: Cllr D Jeffcoat commented
that Fergal Contracting were really helpful as were Smiths of Bletchingdon.
There are some areas which require additional stone further up the car park and
he is in discussion with them about a further donation of stone.
Council Phone: Cllr J Clements was
unable to source a free handset. A refurbished basic model from Amazon Crica
£150 was unanimously agreed.
Standlake 800th Anniversary. Cllr
J Macdonald provided an update on the early plans. A suggestion that there
would be monthly events throughout the year. A further meeting is planned for
September.
13.
Correspondence: Memorial Bench
The Clerk has received a request from a resident
relative to purchase a memorial bench in the village. Agreement was reached that
a bench could be included in the recreation ground at the Village Hall and that
the Council approve any wording of plaques.
The Memorial bench will be of composite materials and should not need to
be maintained at a significant cost to the Parish Council. The bench and installation costs will be
passed on to the requestor by the Clerk.
14.
Accounts: *already paid for approval:
|
*Absolute Solutions fence repairs |
155.00 |
|
|||
|
Nature
recovery grant |
700.00 |
|
|||
|
Hiscox insurance
premium |
1202.33 |
|
|||
|
Wel medical
defib pads |
67.90 |
|
|||
|
Absolute Solutions Village Hall cycle racks |
838.25 |
|
|||
|
Absolute Solutions mowing litter pick strimming |
370.00 |
|
|||
|
OALC training |
105.00 |
|
|||
|
Sign wizzard
Speedwatch signs |
265.60 |
|
|||
|
C Swan salary |
585.93 |
|
|||
|
HMRC |
146.40 |
|
|||
|
EE |
15.60 |
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|||
|
Date
of next meeting July 21st, 2026, 7.30pm |
|
|
|
||