Parish Council Minutes
PRESENT
Cllr and G Harper (Chairman)
Cllrs I Walker, Mrs V McPherson, Mrs D Brock, Mrs P Priestley, Mrs J Rogers and G O'Neill
Mrs S Griffiths (Clerk)
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
No Apologies were received.
1/ ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN
Cllr G Harper was proposed by Cllr G O'Neill, seconded by Cllr Mrs P Priestley. 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 G Harper, seconded by Cllr Mrs P Priestley. All present agreed.
4/ DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE TO BE SIGNED BY THE VICE CHAIRMAN
An Acceptance of office was signed by Cllr G O'Neill.
5/ NOMINATIONS FOR REPRESENTATIONS WITH OTHER ORGANISATIONS
It was agreed that the current representations with other organisations would be left as standing.
6/ MINUTES
The Minutes of the previous meeting of the Parish Council on the 16th March 2010, having been circulated, were approved by the Meeting and signed by the Chairman.
7/ 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. Cllr Mrs P Priestley declared an interest in item 18, Planning Applications.
8/ MATTERS ARISING NOT OTHERWISE ON THE AGENDA
Repainting of the seats in the Parish: Cllr G Harper was pleased to inform the members that the paviors by the entrance gate to the Play Area that had been sinking were now raised to the correct height. Cllr G Harper is to meet the contractor concerning the repainting of the seats in the parish, requesting a second coat to be applied.
Zip Wire: Cllrs G Harper, G O'Neill and I Walker had met with the contractor to discuss the position of the Zip Wire, due to be installed on the 24th May.
Weed Killer on the Playing Field: Cllr G Harper confirmed that the weed killer would be applied on the 28th May and that Manor Estates will ensure that the appropriate signs will be in place. The Clerk is requested to contact Manor Estates to request that signs are also placed at the unofficial entrances to the playing fields.
9/ FINANCE
Accounts for Payment:
| Cheque | Payee / Description | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 359 | BALC – Annual Subscription 2010/2011 | £175.65 |
| 360 | MHP – Add last page updated & live news to website | £235.00 + VAT |
| 361 | Came & Co – Annual Insurance premium 31/3/10-30/3/11 | £1,333.79 |
| 362 | Whiteleaf Printers – Parish Newsletter | £395.00 |
| 363 | Manor Estates Groundcare Ltd – grass cutting (March) | £348.90 + VAT |
| 364 | P.C.C. Owlswick – Grant towards maintenance of the churchyard | £75.00 |
| 365 | St Michael's Church, Horsenden – Grant towards maintenance of the churchyard | £75.00 |
| 366 | St Peter's Church, Ilmer – Grant towards maintenance of the churchyard | £75.00 |
| 367 | WDALC – Annual Subscription 2010-2011 | £4.00 |
| 368 | Manor Estates Groundcare Ltd – grass cutting (April) | £348.90 + VAT |
| 369 | K Moore – Repair and painting of benches | £435.00 |
| 370 | K Dobson – Risk Inspection, April 2010 | £14.10 |
Income: £8,825.00 from W.D.C. – Precept; £0.01p interest – Bank of Ireland.
Bank Balance £16,689.51 (allowing for the above credits and cheques). The income and expenditure for May was examined by the Council. All present agreed that the necessary cheques be signed.
10/ CAPITAL ITEMS AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES
Playing Field – Cllr G Harper confirmed that there were no issues highlighted in the Risk Inspection Report for the playing field.
Children's playground – Cllr G Harper informed the members that the Risk Inspection Report had highlighted the wooden frame that had become wobbly as a low risk. All present agreed to monitor the frame and arrange for action to be taken when the RoSPA report is received next month.
11/ ROADS, VERGES AND RIGHTS OF WAY
The Clerk is requested to raise the following concerns with the relevant local authority:
- Potholes between Owlsick and Stockwell Lane Junction.
- The entrance sign to the village is missing.
These concerns have already been reported to BCC Highways under reference number 274256 in January and February:
- The 50 mph sign on the B4009 outside the Pettigroves is turned around the wrong way.
- The mile stone in Longwick on the Thame Road needs reseating after being lifted up in a car accident.
- Trees have fallen across the ditch by the Scouts Path.
The Clerk is requested to arrange a meeting with the Local Area Technician to discuss the outstanding concerns.
12/ CORRESPONDENCE
Items of general interest on table:
- Letter from Wycombe Community Stadium Project Team giving information on the Wycombe Community Stadium Proposals. Comments noted.
- Information concerning the Chiltern Way Walking Festival Programme 2010. Comments noted.
To be discussed:
- CD from WDC containing the updated WDC Emergency Plan (version 2). The Clerk will report on the content to the members at the next meeting.
- Letter from BCC concerning roadside grass verge cutting. Comments noted.
- Letter of thanks from the Coombe Hill Monument Appeal for the grant received from the Parish Council. Comments noted.
- E-mail from a resident requesting that a map of the Parish is placed on the website. The Clerk is requested to obtain the cost of placing a map on the website.
- A request from a resident at the Annual Meeting of the Parish for Little Meadle to be included on the footpath map. All present agreed that there would be a significant cost in reprinting the footpath maps at the present time which has not been budgeted for in the precept, and agreed to take no further action at the present time.
13/ REPORTS
- School Governors: nothing to report.
- NW Chilterns Local Area Forum: nothing to report. The next meeting to be held is on the 8th June to discuss the HS2.5 proposal.
- WDALC: nothing to report. The next meeting is on the 17th June.
- Neighbourhood Action Group: nothing to report. The next meeting is on the 20th May.
- Newsletter: nothing to report.
14/ WHETHER THE PARISH COUNCIL SHOULD TRY TO ACQUIRE/ADOPT THE PIECE OF LAND AT BELL CRESCENT/CHESTNUT WAY
Cllr I Walker distributed plans of how he suggests the piece of land could be used for the members to consider. All present agreed that before any decision is made, details of the cost should be obtained and a referendum held in the Parish to seek the views of the residents. Cllr I Walker agreed to obtain a quotation based on the plan circulated, and the Clerk is requested to contact W.D.C. to ascertain if it is possible to lease this piece of land and the cost involved.
15/ APPROVAL OF THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR 2009/2010 AND THE ANNUAL GOVERNANCE STATEMENT OF THE ANNUAL AUDIT RETURN
All present agreed to approve the accounts for the year 2009/2010 and the annual governance statement of the Annual Audit Return.
16/ THE HS2.5 PROPOSAL
Further to discussions at the Annual Parish meeting, all present agreed the following resolution: Longwick-cum-Ilmer Parish Council will work with the parishioners and other local groups to oppose the damaging impact of Route 2.5. It will join with other affected parishes to make representations related to High Speed rail, to the County Council and District Council, to ensure that consultation takes place on all aspects of the proposals and the views of the Parish are heard at Government level. It will make representation to HS2 Ltd and the County Council related to the proposed Exceptional Hardship Scheme (EHS) so that the views of the Parish are included within the consultation and that the interests of parishioners are protected. All present agreed a response to HS2 Ltd concerning the Exceptional Hardship Scheme.
17/ APPROVAL OF THE GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT RISK REGISTER AS PREVIOUSLY CIRCULATED TO THE MEMBERS
All present agreed to approve the Governance and Management Risk Register for Longwick-cum-Ilmer Parish Council as previously circulated to the members.
18/ PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Progress on applications already considered:
- 10/05512/MINAMD: Toppers, Thame Road, Longwick. Application for proposed non-material amendment to permission for demolition of existing dwelling and garage and erection of one pair semi detached 2 x 3 bed chalet bungalows with associated car parking, granted under planning ref 08/07382/FUL. Application Permitted.
- 10/05288/CTREE: Horsenden Manor, Horsenden Lane. Removal of 1 lower limb and crown reduction by up to 30% to 1 Ash tree (T1). Fell 6 Sycamore trees (T2, T3, T4, T8, T11 and T13) and 1 Horse Chestnut tree (T9). Remove torn limb and remedial works due to wind damage to 1 Ash tree (T5). Crown reduce by 40% and reduce weight loading on large limb to 1 Yew tree (T6). Removal of part of lower limb to 1 Horse Chestnut tree (T7). Remove 1 lower limb to 1 Ash tree (T10) and 1 Horse Chestnut tree (T12). Decision: Not to make a Tree Preservation Order.
- 10/05147/FUL: 2 Jubilee Cottages, Thame Road, Longwick. Householder application for single storey rear extension. Demolish existing detached garage. Application Refused.
- 08/06150/FUL: Apple Tree Cottage, Thame Road, Longwick. Demolition of existing dwelling and erection of 2 link-detached dwellings with car ports attached, creation of new access and parking area. Permission with Planning.
New Applications to be considered:
- 10/05733/FUL: Armour Farm, Stockwell Lane, Little Meadle. Construction of two storey side and rear extensions together with alterations. The Parish Council has no objections.
- 10/05625/FUL: The Rosary, Lower Icknield Way, Longwick. Householder application for insertion of new entrance door to front & construction of infill side extension at position of existing entrance door. The Parish Council has no objections.
- 10/05944/FUL: Meadowsweet Barn, Stockwell Lane, Little Meadle. Householder application for front porch. The Parish Council has no observations.
19/ AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING
To consider whether the Parish Council should try to acquire/adopt the piece of land at Bell Crescent/Chestnut Way. To receive an update on the HS2.5 proposal.
20/ NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Parish Council will take place on Tuesday 15th June 2010 in Longwick Village Hall at 8.00pm. There being no further business to discuss the Meeting closed at 9.55pm.