Parish Council Minutes
PRESENT
Cllr G Harper (Chairman)
Cllrs I Walker, Mrs J Rogers, Mrs V McPherson, G O'Neill and Mrs. D Brock
Mrs S Griffiths (Clerk)
1/ APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr Mrs. P Priestley.
2/ MINUTES
The Minutes of the previous meetings of the Parish Council, having been circulated were approved by the Meeting and signed by the Chairman.
3/ DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Members were asked to declare any personal interest and the nature of that interest which they may have in any of the items under consideration at this meeting. None were declared.
4/ MATTERS ARISING NOT OTHERWISE ON THE AGENDA
Tranquil project. A reply had been received from BCC in response to a letter sent asking for an update on the installation of the white gates and the relocation of the 30MPH sign at the entrance to the village from the Thame direction. It advised that following the speed limit review working group meeting on 16th December it was agreed that the limit should remain at its existing location. The speed limit working group's recommendations were put forward in a key decision report to the cabinet member for transportation and this was approved earlier this week. As it has been agreed that the speed limit will not move from its present location, Sean Pope will be making a site visit to see if it is possible to install a gateway feature. The Parish Council were very disappointed with the decision and the Clerk is requested to arrange a joint site visit with the Chairman and Sean Pope to discuss the matter further and enable the residents' views to be taken into consideration.
Soil Testing. The Clerk informed the members that Manor Estates are able to do soil testing and will do so before they decide what fertiliser to use on the playing field this spring.
5/ FINANCE
Accounts for Payment: None. Bank Balance £10,663.60.
6/ CAPITAL ITEMS AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES
Playing Field – Nothing to report.
Children's Play Area – The Clerk informed the members that a quote of £45.00 had been received to repair the missing rung on the log frame. A work order had been issued.
7/ ROADS, VERGES AND RIGHTS OF WAY
The Clerk is requested to raise the following concerns with the relevant authority:
- The road sign for the Lower Icknield Way on the right hand side towards Kimble after just leaving the roundabout has been damaged.
- The drain in Ilmer damaged by roots in the pipes is causing serious flooding.
Cllr V McPherson agreed to contact the dog warden about the extensive amount of dog waste being left on the verges of the Lower Icknield Way.
8/ CORRESPONDENCE
Correspondence: items of general interest on the table.
Correspondence to be discussed:
- A renewal quotation for the Parish Council Insurance Policy. The Clerk informed the members that this was a very competitive quotation offering excellent cover for the Parish Council. All present agreed to accept the quotation and to enter into a 3 year agreement saving a further 5% on the premium. The rates applied at the start of the 3 year agreement will be maintained at the same level throughout the period. The premiums will only increase slightly due to the sums insured being index-linked. The Clerk is requested to make the necessary arrangements.
9/ A REPORT FROM THE WEBSITE WORKING GROUP
Cllrs Mrs V McPherson and Mrs J Rogers gave a comprehensive report on the recommendations to the Parish Council for the design and menu. All present agreed that a Montage Masthead is the preferred design for the opening page. It was further agreed that the Parish Council accept the recommendations on the contents for the seven pages offered in the start up package. Members were asked to report back at the next meeting with the details of any local associations and contact numbers to be included on the Directories page. Cllr Mrs. J Rogers agreed to contact a parishioner to take photographs around the parish to be included on the website. The Clerk agreed to provide the financial information, code of conduct and the Freedom of Information Act. Cllr Mrs V McPherson agreed to liaise with Mike Henson to achieve the best results for the Montage. A further report from the Website Working Group will be received at the next meeting.
10/ REPORTS
- School Governors: Cllr G O'Neill advised the members that the school needed a Community Governor.
- Local Community Partnership: Nothing to report. The next meeting is on the 18th February at the Hughenden Village Hall.
- WDALC: Cllr G O'Neill requested that the Clerk respond to the request from WDALC for feedback on the Parish Council's views on the value of NAGS, CAGS (those that are in WDC Pathfinder) and the Local Area Partnerships. All present agreed to respond with the following comments: "There is a proliferation of committees which have ill-defined and overlapping agendas and little if any authority. It isn't clear who is responsible for their establishment (BCC, WDC, Thames Valley Police) and what efforts have been made to avoid the same issues cropping up."
- Neighbourhood Action Group: Cllr Mrs V McPherson informed the members that as the NAG has been in existence for a year, a further consultation is to take place to reassess the priorities in the Parish.
- Newsletter: Cllr Mrs V McPherson advised the members that the material for the next meeting is required by the 18th March.
11/ PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Progress on applications already considered:
- 08/07670/FUL: Mr Roger Miller, Hatters Barn, Stockwell Lane, Little Meadle. Installation of 2 x velux windows in first floor shower rooms and 2 x velux windows into first floor loft space above garage. Permitted.
- 08/07579/FUL: Mr Leo Smith, Ray Farm, Thame Road, Longwick. Conversion of outbuilding to form habitable annexe ancillary to main dwelling. Permitted.
New Applications to be considered:
- 09/05170/FUL: Land at Corner of Lower Icknield Way and Mill Lane, Monks Risborough. Construction of 4 x timber stables and tack room, feed box and hay store. The Clerk is requested to seek clarification as to whether the new stables are to replace the existing ones or are in addition to.
16/ AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING
A report from the Website Working Group.
17/ DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Parish Council will take place on 17th March 2009 in Longwick Village Hall at 7.30pm. There being no further business to discuss the Meeting closed at 9.15pm.