Parish Council Minutes

PRESENT

Cllr G Harper (Chairman)

Cllrs I Walker, Mrs J Rogers and Mrs V McPherson

Mrs S Griffiths (Clerk)

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr Mrs D Brock, Mrs. P Priestley and G O'Neill.

1/ ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

Cllr G Harper was proposed by Cllr I Walker. Seconded by Cllr Mrs V McPherson. All present agreed.

2/ DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE TO BE SIGNED BY THE CHAIRMAN

An Acceptance of office was signed by Cllr G Harper.

3/ ELECTION OF VICE CHAIRMAN

Cllr G O'Neill was proposed by Cllr I Walker. Seconded by Cllr Mrs V McPherson. All present agreed.

4/ NOMINATIONS FOR REPRESENTATIONS WITH OTHER ORGANISATIONS

It was proposed that:

• Cllr Mr Walker remains the representative for the WDALC.
• Cllr Mrs Brock remains a representative for the Monks Risborough and Princes Risborough Charities.
• Cllr Mrs Rogers remains a representative for the Monks Risborough Charities.
• Cllr Mrs McPherson is the representative for the Neighbourhood Action Group.
• Cllr Mrs Priestley is the representative for the Local Community Partnership.
• Cllrs G Harper, I Walker and Mrs J Rogers remain the representatives for the Village Hall committee.

All present agreed.

5/ MINUTES

The Minutes of the previous meetings of the Parish Council, having been circulated were approved by the Meeting and signed by the Chairman.

6/ 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. Cllrs Mrs V McPherson declared an interest in the Planning Application for 2 The Willows.

9/ MATTERS ARISING NOT OTHERWISE ON THE AGENDA

The following issues were reported to Highways:

• The first stile on Footpath number 18 from the Owlswick end behind the Shoulder of Mutton is unsafe for the less able to use.
• The stile across the playing field on footpath number 4 next to the Railway Bridge is loose.

10/ FINANCE

Accounts for Payment:

• Manor Estates: Ground Maintenance work £331.14 + VAT
• Manor Estates: Spring/Summer fertilizer application £350.96 + VAT
• Keith Dobson: Risk Assessment £14.10

Receipts:

• WDC – Precept £8,250.00
• VAT Refund £2,059.89

Bank Balance £16,931.44 (allowing for the above entries). The income and expenditure for May was examined by the Council. All present agreed that the necessary cheques be signed.

11/ CAPITAL ITEMS AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES

Playing Field – Cllr G Harper informed the members that there had been a report that the waste operatives had disposed of rubbish into the hedge. The Clerk had contacted the company, who investigated the allegation. The operative admits throwing green waste from the bin by the cricket square into the hedge as there was no normal rubbish in the bin. After a short discussion, all present agreed that Cllr I Walker would contact the Sports Club who use that bin for green waste to request that it is removed, as it gives the wrong impression to members of the public and is not a litter bin.

Children's Play Area – Cllr G Harper had noticed that the novelty litter bin in the Children's Play Area is being well used and is often full. All present agreed to request the Clerk to order another novelty litter bin for this area. The Risk Inspection Report highlighted that a square of safety surface appears to have been cut out under the swings. All present agreed for the Clerk to arrange for the repair to the safety surface. Cllr I Walker enquired about the timescale for the new memorial bench requested. The Clerk is requested to contact the company to ascertain the delivery date.

12/ ROADS, VERGES AND RIGHTS OF WAY

The Clerk distributed monitoring forms to record excessive movement of HGV/Lorries on village and unsuitable roads. The aim is to use the information to give a local perspective to the size and importance of the issue and thus influence County Council HGV strategy.

The Clerk is requested to raise the following concerns with the relevant local authority:

• The pot holes under the bridge on the Lower Icknield Way opposite Longwick Mill are very dangerous.
• The road sign on the Lower Icknield Way by the garage has been damaged.

13/ CORRESPONDENCE

To be discussed: a request for support from the Hemley Hill Action Group. After a short discussion, all present agreed to oppose the part retrospective planning application for the change of use of land to include the stationing of caravans for 9 gypsy pitches with utility/day room buildings and hard-standing ancillary to that use. The land is near the parish boundary and the members agreed to oppose the application, as it is the opinion of the Parish Council that the proposed development would result in an unsatisfactory and inappropriate form of development out of keeping with the character of the surrounding area. The development would have an adverse impact upon the special character, appearance and enjoyment of the Chilterns AONB and would result in the loss of open space that would detract from the openness of the Green Belt.

A request to use a bouncy castle on the Playing Field: Cllr G Harper has received a request from a resident to place a bouncy castle on the Playing Field as part of a birthday celebration. All present agreed. Cllr G Harper will advise the resident of the Parish Council's decision.

Letters of thanks from the Churches for the grants towards the maintenance of the Churchyards – comments noted.

14/ A REPORT FROM THE WEBSITE WORKING GROUP

The Clerk had contacted all the local organisations to confirm that it was in order for their details to be included on the Parish Council website.

15/ REPORTS

• School Governors: nothing to report.
• Local Community Partnership: nothing to report.
• WDALC: nothing to report. The Clerk is requested to send the apologies for Cllr I Walker for the next meeting of the WDALC, as it coincides with the monthly Parish Council meeting.
• Neighbourhood Action Group: Cllr Mrs V McPherson informed the members that she had received her training for the Community Speedwatch Programme and was to start in the next couple of weeks training the residents who had volunteered. The members requested Cllr McPherson to enquire at the next N.A.G. meeting why five drivers that had been caught speeding through the village by the police had received advice but not been fined.
• Newsletter: nothing to report.

16/ PLANNING APPLICATIONS

Progress on applications already considered:

• 08/07786/FUL: Horsenden Manor, Horsenden Lane, Princes Risborough. Amendment to original application. Erection of a detached four bay garage with separate room above. Permitted.

New Applications to be considered:

• 09/05787/FUL: The Old Forge, Thame Road, Longwick. Construction of part two storey side extension, part first floor extension and external alteration. The Parish Council has no observations.

Cllr Mrs V McPherson took no part in the following discussion and decision:

• 09/05738/FUL: 2 The Willows, Lower Icknield Way, Longwick. Construction of single storey rear extension. The Parish Council has no observations.

17/ AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING

To receive a report from the Website Working Group (Cllrs Mrs V McPherson and Mrs J Rogers).

18/ NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Parish Council will take place on Tuesday 16th June 2009 in Longwick Village Hall. There being no further business to discuss the Meeting closed at 9.30pm.