Parish Council

The civil parish came into being following the passing of the Local Government Act 1894. The first entries in the 'Parish Councillor's Declaration' book are dated 14 December 1894 and show 7 councillors making their declarations; the number of councillors remains the same today. The parish is in the West Oxfordshire District, which is headquartered in the market town of Witney; elections are held every 4 years.

Meetings are usually held on the third Tuesday of each month at 7.30pm in Standlake Village Hall, unless otherwise agreed by councillors at a previous meeting. Unless there is urgent business to discuss there is usually no meeting in August. Notification of meetings is placed on the website and on the council notice board by the bench near the Post Office & Stores.

Minutes are taken at all public meetings and displayed on the notice board by the bench near the Post Office & Stores. The copies placed on this site are drafts only — the legal copies are held by the clerk following their adoption by the council and signature by the chairman, and can be inspected at a time pre-arranged with the clerk, as can minutes of earlier meetings. Monthly minutes from 2017 to 2025 are being migrated from the previous site.

The council does not own any land or buildings; however it is the title holder of the Recreation Ground at Rack End, which is public land and cannot be sold; it is purely for the use of the community. The Village Hall, at the same location, is not administered by the council but is owned and run by an independent charitable trust. The council's assets are comprised almost entirely of the equipment at both the Recreation Ground and the Play Park at Windrush Way (land leased from Cottsway Housing Association), together with some street furniture and office equipment, all listed in the Asset Register held by the clerk.

The council's income derives primarily from a precept to West Oxfordshire District Council, funded from a central government grant and the Parish Charge paid by each household through the Council Tax. The only other income is a ground rent paid by the Lower Windrush Tennis Club for their courts on the recreation ground. The council sets a budget for the forthcoming financial year (commencing 6 April) in November of the previous year, and this forms the basis of the precept.

The council's accounts are subject to the Accounts and Audit (England) Regulations 2011 and the Audit Commission Act 1998. Basic accountability is effected by the councillors' scrutiny of a monthly rolling statement at each meeting when considering accounts due for payment. Internal audit is carried out by an independent person (a former councillor and local businessman), and the external audit by a firm of auditors appointed by central government. The latest audited statement and accounts, plus the previous seven years, can be inspected by contacting the clerk.

Standlake Parish Council adopted the standard code of conduct for councillors, effective 12 July 2022.

By post: The Clerk, Standlake Parish Council, 12 Heyford Close, Standlake, Witney, OX29 7TA.

By phone: 07961 269188.

By email: clerk@standlakepc.org.uk.