PARISH COUNCIL OF STANDLAKE

Minutes of the Meeting of Standlake Parish Council, held in Standlake Village Hall, Rack End. on 21^st April 2026 at 7.30pm

Present:

Mr. B. Parnham – Chairman.

Mr. D. Jeffcoat – Vice Chairman

Mr J. Clements

Mr. B. Smith.

Mrs. A. Knipe.

Mrs. J. Macdonald.

Mrs. C. Swan - Clerk

WODC Cllrs. Mrs. Sandra Cosier, Mr. Steve Cosier and members of the public.

1. Apologies: none

2. Declarations of interest: none

3. Public Items:

Speed watch

A summary of the current situation regarding the traffic calming proposals and agreed financial support was discussed for the benefit of having new members of the public in attendance. It was clarified that if work did not commence this year, the budget funds identified would last 3 years. The Chairman thanked the Speed Watch volunteers for all their efforts. A resident asked if TVP were aware of the proposals and it was confirmed that they are and the Speed watch volunteers are in regular contact with Lee Turner who is the TVP speed watch contact. Volunteer slots are available. Mr Jeffcoat raised concerns that the Council has not agreed formally with the proposals and requested further discussion before the proposals go out to public consultation. Mr Parnham queried this request and ruled that the proposals should go forward. Mr Jeffcoat objected to this decision.

2028 - St Giles 800^th Anniversary

A member of the public came to speak to the Council about the celebrations and the possible production of a book to mark the commemoration. A request was made that a member of the Parish Council become a member of the commemoration team. A request for funds was also put forward. Mr Brian Parnham suggested that the item should be added to the agenda of the next meeting. Mr Cosier will send some details about funds that could be available for the anniversary project.

Mr Bevan’s retirement

A presentation was made of a hamper to Mr David Bevan for his 31 years of dedicated work for the Parish Council. Mr Bevan thanked Mr Brian Parnham for being a very supportive Chairman. Mr Cosier also passed on his thanks and praised Mr Bevan for his support, excellent local knowledge and professionalism.

4. County & District Councillor’s Reports

Cllr Mr Cosier met with Thames Water to discuss ongoing sewage flooding. Their current proposal is to fit sealed manhole covers, but this does not include repairing the damaged pipes that are causing the long‑term problems. He stressed that cracked pipes, root ingress, and groundwater infiltration must be fixed first, otherwise pressure will simply build up elsewhere and could make flooding worse. He has asked Thames Water for full CCTV surveys, a clear repair plan and one consistent point of contact for residents. He continues to log all reports and will meet their infrastructure team shortly to push for proper action.

Mr Cosier had met with independent wastewater experts and the campaign group WASP to understand why sewage flooding and river pollution keep happening. The main cause is groundwater leaking into Thames Water’s old, cracked pipes, overloading the system even in dry weather. This leads to sewage spilling into rivers and, at times, back into streets and gardens. Experts and WASP agreed the only real fix is repairing or lining the damaged pipes and sealing manholes, work Thames Water has promised but not delivered. He raised long‑standing issues of sewage bubbling from manholes and cases being closed by Thames Water without proper investigation. WASP had advised that public pressure and media attention are often the only ways to force action. He will continue pushing for proper repairs.

Mr Brian Parnham suggested that some of the details Mr Cosier had been provided with during the meeting were not up to date and that he would update him on the work which has already been conducted.

5. Planning - 26/00887/HHD PROPOSAL: Erection of single storey rear extension and associated works 25 Rack End Standlake – no objection

6. Minutes – Minutes of the Previous meeting were approved and signed by Mr Parnham.

7. Matters arising from previous minutes:

Flood/sewage.

Mr Parnham has had no further correspondence from Thames Water.

Speed watch/Roads.

Volunteers needed, 1 hour a week would be of great assistance.

New Signage:

To be secured to the 'Village Gates' as follows:

2 - Rack End
2 - A415 coming in from Newbridge
2 - Aston Road
2 - A415 coming in from Witney
2 - Downs Road

Absolute Solutions will charge £85.00. Sign Wizard will be £340.00 [plus VAT of £68.00]. Lead time 7-10 days. Unanimously agreed.

Mr Jeffcoat suggested that the gates be cleaned before the new signs are installed. Mr Robert Maxwell agreed to clean the Aston Road gate and Mrs Fiona Smith the ones on The Downs. Mr Jeffcoat and Mrs Macdonald agreed to clean the remainder, although other volunteers would be welcome.

Slow Down/Horse Rider Signs

Andrew Couper has procured eight signs from OCC [at no cost to the PC] and with Fiona have identified positioning on Downs Road, The Downs, Standlake High Street, Rack End and Brighthampton. Absolute Solutions will charge £75.00 to erect the signs. Unanimously agreed.

Hi-Viz Jackets

Village Volunteer [marshalling/litter picking etc]: Hi-Viz, printed, delivered will be £5.42 (inc VAT £6.50) per unit so for 10 = £54.20 [£65.00] [AGM Print & Embroidery] unanimously agreed.

Rec ground/Bin emptying/bike racks;

New bin in the playground at Rack End will be emptied by Mr Rich Rollinson. Bike racks are still pending installation. This will be done once the ground has dried out and other work by Absolute Solutions has been completed.

Environment.

Village Planters - these have been colourful with daffodils and will shortly be planted with bedding plants. • Village Hall - the pollinator patches around the front and side of the Village Hall have been tidied, and the plants are growing well. • Swift Nesting Box - Nature Recovery have taken delivery of the Swift nesting boxes. Barry Barber has installed them at the Village Hall ready for the nesting season.

New Website.

Mr Clements has conducted further research and is seeking costs and demonstrations for two favoured options. 1) Parish Online 2) Netwise UK. These will be presented to the Parish Council for consideration.

Car park security.

Mounting of a camera quotation to be sought by the Clerk from Absolute Solutions.

Car park repairs:

Mr Jeffcoat has met with Fergal Contracting and they have kindly agreed to conduct all the work free of charge. Fergal Contracting has approached Smiths of Bletchingdon, and they have also agreed to provide all the stone chipping free of charge. Fergal will also provide the pipework for the soak away. The work is to be conducted later in April or early May. Ms Knipe suggested that May Half term would be a good option. Mr Jeffcoat said that the work would only take a single day, but that the school should be notified ahead of time so that parents can find somewhere else to park.

Notice Board:

The new notice board will be arriving 22^nd April and will be installed as soon as possible.

Council Phone

A new telephone has been provided, and the telephone number will be added to the website.

8. Correspondence: - None

9. Accounts:

Current position, received and for approval/payment;

Received: Precept 1st Half £20000

For payment/approved: (* already paid)

WODC - waste bins £288.79*

C Swan - pre-employment £323.30*

Abs Sols - goal posts install £328.26*

Abs Sols - Mowing, clerk move, b'ball work £420.00*

D C Bevan - unpaid March expenses £73.00*

B Parnham - chairman expenses £100.00*

HMRC - clerk PAYE £32.40*

HMRC - clerk PAYE £839.60*

EE - phone setup/monthly payment £16.71*

OALC - 26/27 subs £370.15*

OPFA - 26/27 subs £80.00*

Jake’s Gardens – churchyard mowing £372.00*

The payments above were agreed unanimously.

Mr Bevan suggested that it may be appropriate to pass the mowing funds directly to the church so they can administer the payments. (Note: I cannot be sure that this was the outcome but we need some conclusion here: There was agreement with this and Mrs White agreed to speak to the Church Warden about it).

The Parish Council unanimously approved the removal of Mr David Bevan from the Bank Mandate.

10. Approval of FY25/26 Annual Governance

The Annual Governance Statement was presented by Mr David Bevan, and this was approved and signed by Mr Parnham. The Parish Council approved this unanimously.

11. Approval of FY25/26 Accountability Return

The annual Accounting Statement was presented by Mr Bevan and approved and signed by Mr Parnham. The Parish Council approved this unanimously.

Date of next meeting; 19^th May 2026

Balances for meeting 21 Apr 26
Bank Balance 17 Apr 26			43,494.86
Payments included in bank balance above			From budget
WODC - bins installation and emptying jan - mar 26		288.79	CF
Mrs. C Swan pre employment services		323.30	CF
Absolute Solutions - new goal posts installation		328.86	RG
Absolute Solutions - mowing, clerk move, bball work		420.00	M, CF
D C Bevan - unpaid Mar 26 expenses		73.00	GA
B Parnham - chairman expenses 25/26		100.00	GA
EE - phone - setup/month payment		16.71	GA
OALC - 26/27 subscription		370.15	GA
OPFA - 26/27 subscription		80.00	GA
Jakes Gardens - mowing March		372.00	CU
Payments Pending
Total	0.00
Expected balance after above total paid			43,494.86
Balances in budgets	Available	Spent	Budget FY 25/26
General Admin GA	18,735.83	405.17	19,141.00
Grants & Donations: /Vhall/Misc GD/VH/M	900.00		900.00
The Butts,Hornsway cutting/Car park weed control TB CP	315.00		315.00
Mowing M	4,725.00		4,725.00
Tree/Ditch maintenance TM DM	1,200.00		1,200.00
Rec Ground , Playground Maintenance, RG	2,500.00		2,500.00
General Maintenance GM	500.00		500.00
Village Xmas tree XT	200.00		200.00
Churchyard mowing CU	2,608.00	372.00	2,980.00
PWLB Loan repayment (Oct 25 Mar 26) PW	4,285.92		4,285.92
Standlake Nature Recovery Network SN	700.00		700.00
Community fund reserve CF	22,684.93		22,684.93
	0.00
Total	59,354.68	777.17	60,131.85
Expected/Received Income to end of FY (31 March 2027)
Precept -	20000.00		40000.00
Tennis Club rent	750.00		750.00
VAT	109.82
Total	20,859.82
Expected Balance at 31 March 27 (assuming whole of budget is spent)			5,000.00
Required Reserve			5,000.00
Notes
£2553.08 from 26/27 budget + £19481.85 surplus from 25/26 + balancing error £650.00 = £22684.93