Minutes Council Meeting July 29 2025
Minutes of the Meeting of Stoodleigh Parish Council, held at 7pm on Tuesday July 29th 2025 in the Village Hall
Members present : Vice Chair Cllr J Widdowson Cllr J Mansfield Cllr G Parkman Cllr D Wotton Cllr B Wotton
District Cllrs C Adcock and M Stratton
1. Apologies – received from Cllr W Knowles, Cllr C Payne and County Cllr S Lodge
2. Declarations of Interest- none received
3. The Public – there were 4 members present. Mike and Brenda Howlett were confused with MDDC’s decision to object to the planning application 25/00621/CAT .The Tree Conservation Officer had initially appeared in agreement with the proposal to fell 2 and reduce the crowns of 6 other Sycamore trees. Following on from this decision safety issues and public liability was their concern should branches or trees fall across the highway. Lizzies Isaacs also had safety concerns with the road traffic outside of the Stoodleigh Inn. There had been several incidents in the past of lorries hitting the actual building and contractors driving with disregard to the width of the road when cars are parked outside. She requested that a minimum of 2 bollards should be placed outside of the gate to protect pedestrians. District Cllr Martyn Stratton said he would take the matter up with Highways.
4. Minutes of the Meetings held – 20th & 28th May were approved and signed as a true record
5. Planning reports and Outcomes –
25/00006/HOUSE Erection of 1 & 2 storey extensions, 3 Court Gardens – grant permission
25/00215/HOUSE Erection of a garage with a store above, Fairview – awaiting decision. Following a site visit the Parish Council were in favour of this addition.
25/00282/FULL Erection of an extension to building to create an office and worker apartment, Stud Thorne Farm – grant permission. Cllr Widdowson commented that the permission had only been granted for 3 years and was reliant on the business being proven as financially sound.
25/00328/HOUSE replacement of side gates, Church Cottage – grant permission
25/00567/HOUSE and 25/00567/LBC listed building consent for lean-to-utility room to include reducing external levels between garage and installation of a French Drain, Church Cottage – awaiting decision
25/00621/CAT Notification of intention to fell 2 Sycamore trees and reduce the crowns of 6 Sycamore trees within the conservation area, Little Daymer – object. District Cllr Adcock will look further into the reasoning behind this unexpected decision.
25/00772/CAT Notification of intention to reduce the main stem of one Oak tree 5-6 metres within the conservation area, Stoodleigh Court – no objection
25/00807/FULL Subdivision of a dwelling into 2 dwellings, 2 Court Gardens – permission granted
6. Reports
County and District Council
The 4 proposed affordable homes Quarryman’s Close, Bampton appear financially unviable and the developer seems likely to be released from any S106 obligations The State of the District Debate has been postponed until the evening of September 17th, it was suggested that the Chairman might attend. There is some additional assessment funding available to encourage projects for ecofriendly schemes.
Discussions are still in progress for local broadband improvements although progress appears very slow.
The resident’s option to attend a District Council Surgery immediately before the Parish Council meeting should continue. A Community Email should advertise this opportunity.
Parish Councillors
Cllr Wotton remarked that there is a tree in Stoodleigh Drive, which might be Washfield’s responsibility that looked in need of attention.
7. Snow/Road Warden – no one had expressed interest in volunteering for completing amateur pothole repairs. Should there be a nominated snow warden the council can have additional grit free of charge from DCC. The parish council will still have to purchase any additional salt bins. Cllr Widdowson will read more on the subject.
8. Stoodleigh Inn – the safety issues with the roadside and possible modifications will be further investigated by District Cllr Martyn Stratton
9. Defibrillator – The pads are not due to be replaced until July 2026 and the batteries until July and October 2028.
10. Swap Box – it was understood that the village really appreciated this facility. Shirley Cope had kindly sent a message that although the original idea was for surplus plants and vegetable exchange, other hardware items seem to appear from time to time.
11. Notice Board – the new one should be finished around the end of this month. The memorial plaque is being incorporated.
12. Councillor, Clerk situation – update. The continuing absence of Cllr Payne was given full approval. The council agreed for the Clerk to advertise her position on the DALC website to gauge interest and suitability of any applicants
13. Finance
HSBC current account as at 12/7/25 £10,232.02. The bank was dropping the £8 monthly service charge and so no more had been done about moving the account.
Unity Bank Savings Account as at 30/6/25 £4923.64. £2000 had been transferred across from the HSBC current account.
The expenditure to date against the budget prediction was explained. Cllr Mansfield pointed out that the total cost of the new notice board had been omitted on the spreadsheet.
Payments were approved to M Berry £350 J Larcombe £77.50
Tax & Accounts £56.88 Clerk £360 HMRC £94.95
It was commented that M Berry did an excellent job with ground maintenance.