Notice is hereby given of Stoke Row Parish Council Meeting to be held on 26^th November 2020 via Zoom at 7.30 for business set out in the agenda below.

If you wish to join the meeting please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 5pm Tuesday 24^th November and you will be sent the link.

1. Apologies
2. Members declaration of personal and prejudicial interest
3. Confirmation of the minutes 24^th September 2020
4. Public comment – members of the public are invited to raise issues and suggestions
5. Actions and Matters arising
6. OCC Highways visit re. Parking on Main St
7. Proposal for posts on Common
8. Noticeboard
9. Local Plan (Stoke Row)
10. Report from OCC – Cllr Kevin Bulmer
11. Report from SODC – Cllr Jo Robb, Cllr Lorraine Hillier
12. Planning
13. Applications
14. Decisions
15. Finance
16. Setting budget and precept for 2021
17. Bank balance
18. Bank reconciliation October / November
19. Payments made / income
20. CIL expenditure
21. Correspondence
22. Request from Oxfordshire Art Week for publicity
23. Request from Sure Start for grant / donation
24. Request from St John’s Church for a grant towards upkeep of the church yard
25. Request for deer signs
26. Request from Air Ambulance for donation
27. Request from Lendrums fair for permission to hold their fair 20.6.21 – 27.6.21
28. Stoke Row Parish Council Email Policy and email addresses
29. Website
30. Transfer across to new website
31. Clerk email
32. Sale of, and fencing plots of woodland; application for DMMO for footpath
33. Footpaths with parish council responsibility
34. Reports
35. Village hall
36. Stoke Row Sports Club
37. Footpaths
38. Playground
39. Dates for next year’s meetings
40. Chairman’s business

As many of you are aware an area of wood along Stoke Row Road leading down to Neals Lane has been sold off in small plots (about 20) to people who have been led to believe that they can get planning permission for dwellings on these plots. This is Ancient Woodland, it is protected by a Tree Preservation Order, outside the “Village Envelope” and it is highly unlikely that permission will be given for vehicular access off the Stoke Row Road.

Already some felling has taken place, plots have been fenced off and the existence of a well-used footpath and bridleway through the woods is threatened.

The Parish Council is taking steps to have the footpaths/ bridleways placed on the Definitive Map. Representations have been made to SODC and our local M.P. to see what action can be taken to stop areas of woodland like this being sold off in small parcels on false pretences. There is a similar issue in woodland at the bottom of Witheridge Hill.

It is unclear what rights of way the plot owners have to get to their land. The Parish Council have agreed with the land owner that a gate is placed across the privately owned track leading from Stoke Row Road to Neals farm near the junction with Stoke Row Road. In this way only those people with a legitimate right of way will be able to use the track.

People have in the past used the track as a bridleway to get between Stoke Row Road and Neals Farm. In fact the bridleway is clearly marked on the Definitive Map running north from Neals Farm but then tracking off at 45degrees when it gets to the footpath running through Busgrove Wood. (The fingerpost denoting a bridleway - which is often lying on the ground - has been wrongly located for over 30 years – it has now been correctly positioned.)

Tony Barry, the landowner has clearly marked the route with the help of the Parish Council, Rita Gregory from the Chiltern Society, and John Bentley from The South Chilterns Path Maintenance Volunteers.

At the north end of this route the bridleway crosses a bank (the Parish Boundary). The land between the bank and the road is Highway Land so it is possible to get in to the Woodland Trust Land without going on the road.

To discourage horses and cyclists churning up the footpath though Busgrove Wood some barriers have been put in place and clear signage established. We would encourage all riders whether on four legs or two wheels to respect the rules of the countryside and use the bridleway at all times – there is no excuse for not doing so.

Hopefully these actions will help us all to enjoy the beautiful woodland round our village for many years to come.

If anyone has any queries regarding this matter please contact me, our Clerk Ina Chantry,

Rita Gregory (On This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) , or Tony Barry on 01491 682000.

Roger Clayson                 Ian Chantry

{07787163361}                 { This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.}

for Stoke Row Parish Council

Fireworks safety in Oxfordshire on 5th November

As Bonfire Night approaches, Oxfordshire County Council is reminding residents that the safest way to celebrate is to attend a professionally organised public event that is confirmed as COVID-19 safety compliant, following local and national guidance.

However, as it will not be practical for everyone to attend organised public events, particularly this year, Oxfordshire County Council Fire and Rescue Service is providing guidance for anyone having their own fireworks display:

Top safety tips for Bonfire Night:

• Only buy CE marked fireworks from reputable and licensed shops.
• Keep fireworks in a closed, metal box.
• Light the firework at arm's length with a taper and stand well back.
• Keep naked flames, including cigarettes, away from fireworks.
• Don't put fireworks in pockets and never throw them.
• Never return to a firework that has not gone off, and never throw used or unused fireworks onto a bonfire.
• Never drink alcohol while lighting a bonfire or setting off fireworks.
• Always supervise children and don’t give sparklers to a child under five.
• Keep your bonfire at least 18 metres away from houses, trees and hedges. There should be a barrier around the bonfire to keep spectators five metres away. Before lighting a bonfire, check it is stable and that there are no children or animals inside.
• Only burn dry wood, never use paraffin or petrol on a bonfire and think about the direction of smoke travel.
• Keep some buckets of water nearby.
• Have consideration for those around you, including notifying neighbours who may have pets or farm animals.
• Consider where fireworks and debris might fall, ensuring safety distances are provided for people to keep safe. Safety distances are provided on each firework label or package.

This safety advice is part of 365alive, Oxfordshire County Council Fire and Rescue Service’s vision to work every day to save and improve the lives of people across the county. For more information, visit www.365alive.co.uk 

Pete Mackay, Community Safety Manager from Oxfordshire County Council Fire and Rescue Service, said:

“Organised fireworks displays are more fun, cheaper and far safer than hosting your own fireworks or bonfire party, but we know there aren’t as many to attend safely this year. If you are planning on using fireworks for a private event, please keep the Fireworks Safety Code in mind: www.saferfireworks.com/ as well as following the local and national COVID-19 guidance.

“Remember, only buy fireworks from a reputable retailer. Before purchasing, seek advice on the suitability of fireworks for the space available, and check that they meet current safety standards.”

To reinforce this safety-first approach, the County Council’s Trading Standards team will be inspecting all firework premises to give businesses advice on the responsible sale and storage of fireworks; checking they meet the necessary safety standards.

Anyone with concerns that retailers are not storing fireworks appropriately, selling fireworks that do not display a CE mark, or selling to anyone under 18; contact Trading Standards. They can also provide safety advice on disposing of unused or damaged fireworks. Do not put fireworks into your bin:

Trading Standards: 01865 895999.

Temporary Traffic Regulation Notice – S14 Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984

Temporary Road Closure at Checkendon, Lovegrove’s Lane

A request has been received from KCD / Thames Water for a temporary road closure to apply to a section of Lovegrove’s Lane whilst new water disconnection for outside new building works are carried out.

A temporary Notice is being made to implement the temporary closures and will operate from the 18 November 2020 up to and including the 20 November 2020. This is a 24 hour road closure.

Access will be maintained for emergency service vehicles and for those frontages within the closure area, subject to the progress of the works and liaison with the works supervisor. 

A copy of the drawing showing the extent of the closure and also the alternative routes for traffic is attached.

Further information regarding the works may be obtained by contacting Emile Baldauf-Clark on 02035 78332 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

T8100/AC

As you may be aware, the emerging South Oxfordshire Local Plan is currently at the Examination stage. Following recent examination hearings, the Planning Inspector has now asked South Oxfordshire District Council to prepare a ‘Schedule of Proposed Main Modifications’ to the plan.  The schedule reflects the modifications, or changes, that the Inspector considers necessary to make the plan sound before it can move to the adoption stage. These are the only changes that can be made to the plan now. You can find out more by visiting our Local Plan webpage www.southoxon.gov.uk/newlocalplan. Information about the consultation will be available on our website from Monday 21^st September.

To give people a chance to have their say on the Modifications, South Oxfordshire District Council is carrying out a six-week consultation which runs from Monday 21 September 2020 until midnight on 2 November 2020.

We are writing to you to seek your help in raising awareness about this consultation. We would be grateful if you could please print and display the attached poster during the consultation period (21 September to 02 November) on any noticeboards that you use to communicate with your local community. We would also be grateful if you could please forward/distribute this poster via any database of residents and/or local organisations you hold.

Thank you in advance for your help in engaging local communities. If you have any questions, please contact Dorottya Faludi on 07717271925 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Yours sincerely,

Adrian Duffield

Head of Planning

Dear Parish / Town Council,

The Digital Infrastructure Programme at Oxfordshire County Council has been awarded £1m from the MHCLG, ‘Getting Building Fund.’

We are using this funding to top-up the existing voucher scheme up to a value of £7,000 per qualifying property in Oxfordshire; both residential and business premises can receive this amount.

This presents a great opportunity to increase broadband speeds up to 1,000Mb/s on a full-fibre connection. All other terms and conditions remain and anyone interested should visit: https://gigabitvoucher.culture.gov.uk where the application process starts. We will readily help anyone if they have any questions and applications must still form part of a group project - two or more residents and/or SMEs combining their vouchers towards the shared cost of infrastructure build; single connections are not eligible for funding.

We expect the top-up fund to disappear fast, so please help to share this information with your residents and businesses wherever you can.

This is a chance to use HMG funding now, to get the best broadband connection possible!

Please see attached an updated A5 flyer to reflect the increase in voucher value.

Thank you in advance and if you should have any further queries, please do come back to us.

Kind regards

On behalf of the Digital Infrastructure Team

Oxfordshire County Council, Planning & Place Communities, County Hall, New Road, Oxford OX1 1ND

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web: www.oxfordshire.gov.uk
Web: www.digitalinfrastructureoxfordshire.co.uk

Dear Town and Parish councils, 

Important update on testing in Oxfordshire

We’ve been made aware of a worrying trend of people turning up at our hospitals in Oxfordshire, asking to be tested for Covid-19. This is possibly as a result of the national issue with testing capacity, where people have struggled to book a test online.  We are therefore supporting our NHS and Public Health colleagues in pushing out the extremely important message that people with symptoms must NOT go to a hospital.  Testing does not take place in hospital settings and by turning up people are putting extra strain on resources by having to turn people away and also potentially putting vulnerable people at risk.

We would be really grateful if you could also share this message in your towns and parishes. If you’re aware of anyone struggling to book a test online the advice is to keep trying as it’s only possible to book a slot when one becomes available. Slots become available throughout the day so it may take a few attempts at different times of the day. 

The other key message is to only book a test if you’re displaying symptoms.  You can book a test by calling 119 or by registering online via gov.uk/getting-tested-for-coronavirus. 

Smaller authority name: Stoke Row Parish Council

NOTICE OF PUBLIC RIGHTS AND PUBLICATION OF UNAUDITED ANNUAL GOVERNANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY RETURN

ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2020

Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 Sections 26 and 27

The Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015 (SI 2015/234)

Temporary Traffic Regulation Notice – S14 Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984

Temporary Emergency Road Closure at Checkendon, Lovegrove’s Lane, Reading, RG8 0NE

Oxfordshire County Council has been informed of a temporary emergency road closure on the Lovegrove’s Lane whilst ferrule exchange Cway to repair a ferrule works are carried out for public safety reasons.  

A temporary Emergency Notice is being made to implement the temporary closure and will operate from 06 August 20202 up to and including 10 August 2020. This is a 24 hour road closure.

A single Temporary Emergency Notice can last for 21 consecutive days maximum.

Access will be maintained for emergency service vehicles and for those frontages within the closure area, subject to the progress of the works and liaison with the works supervisor. 

Further information regarding the emergency works may be obtained by contacting Robert Buchan of Thames Water on 02035 779059 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The playground at Stoke Row has reopened, something we are sure many parents are happy to see. However, COVID-19 is still very much present in our lives and sensible precautions must be taken when visiting the playground.

• Only two family groups are permittted at any one time with a maximum of 10 adults or children. If the playground is busy please do not enter and wait until a quieter time.
• Please do not enter if you, or a member of your group, is feeling unwell or displaying any symptoms of COVID-19
• No food or drink is to be consumed on the site and all rubbish should be put in the bin
• Only one household, or bubble, per piece of equipment
• Bring your own sanitiser to keep your and children's hands clean. use this before and after using the equipment
• Avoid touching your face
• Wash your hands thoroughly as soon as you return home
• Stay safe by staying apart
• The Stoke Row Parish Council do not clean the equipment in the playground, feel free to wipe down pieces of equipment with wipes, please put used wipes in the bin.

As a provider of life essential supplies, Thames Water work hard to ensure water never stops flowing but from time to time, things can go wrong. In these events, we try to deliver bottled water to people with water-dependent medical conditions (i.e. at-home dialysis) and to those with mobility issues, first of all. As key workers, we support the NHS, the councils, our carers and charities in order meet the needs of our customers in vulnerable circumstances. You can benefit from our free priority services: get in touch by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (or ask a friend to email for you and we can call you back) - we would like to know that we can add that extra layer of support to help increase your feeling of wellbeing and independence at home knowing that we are here for you when you need us. If you have online access, you can find more about becoming a priority customer and register at thameswater.co.uk/extrasupport. If you have no internet access, we can register you over the phone (0800 009 3652 option 3) or send you a paper application form in the post with a free return envelope.

If you need help with paying your water bills, find out more at https://www.thameswater.co.uk/my-account/billing-and-payment/help-paying-your-bill 

And last but not least, we developed some fun water testing games to pass the time: https://youtu.be/oJ5DIE-3SKI I hope you enjoy them.