Parish Council Minutes
1/ PRESENT
Cllr G Harper (Chairman)
Cllrs G O'Neill, G Walters, I Walker, Mrs J Rogers, Mrs. P Priestley and Mrs V McPherson
Mrs S Griffiths (Clerk)
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
No apologies were received.
2/ MINUTES
The Minutes of the previous meeting of the Parish Council on the 15th February 2011, 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. Cllr Mrs P Priestley declared an interest in Planning Applications.
4/ MATTERS ARISING NOT OTHERWISE ON THE AGENDA
Lease of Land for School garden. The Clerk is requested to contact the pre-school concerning the return of the signed lease. SG
Car parking in the Village Hall Car park. Cllr G O'Neill confirmed that he had spoken to the school requesting that when the school allows events to be held on the site, the school must open the gates to allow parking on the school grounds to prevent congestion in the village hall car park.
5. FINANCE
A. Accounts for Payment
| Item | Description | Net | VAT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grass Cutting | Manor Estates - weed and feed in the playing field (May 2010) | £234.00 | £40.95 | £274.95 |
| Clerks Fees | S Griffiths - Clerks Fees and Expenses (Jan, Feb & Mch) | £1,285.00 | ||
| Admin | S Griffiths - Postage etc (Dec, Jan & Feb) | £28.58 | £1,313.58 | |
| Risk Assessment | K Dobson - Risk Assessment Duties - February 2010 | £14.10 | £14.10 | |
| Car Park lights & bulbs | G Harper - Light bulbs | £8.69 | £8.69 |
B. Income received
£50.00 – Wayleaves – UK Power Networks.
C/ Bank Balance £4,691.768 (allowing for the above cheques).
The income and expenditure for March was examined by the Council. All present agreed that the necessary cheques be signed.
6. CAPITAL ITEMS AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES
A. Playing Field
Cllr G Harper informed the members that the tree guard reported in the risk assessment has been removed. The seat on the zip wire is reported as being broken. The Clerk is requested to contact Safe and Sound to arrange for the repair of the seat. SG
The Clerk is requested to write to the Sports Club requesting the immediate removal of the garage roof that has been recently taken off.
B. Children's Play Area
Cllr G Harper confirmed that were no issues highlighted in the Risk Inspection Report for the play area.
7. ROADS, VERGES AND RIGHTS OF WAY
The Clerk is requested to raise the following concerns with the relevant local authority:- SG
- Potholes in Owlswick Lane from the B4009 on the right hand side, before the culvert and another in the bend to Owlswick
- Pothole in the Lower Icknield Way heading towards Bledlow from Longwick just under the railway bridge
- Report a light out in Centenary Cottages
- Request a plastic bottle bank in the lay-by outside of Longwick alongside the other recycling bins
8. CORRESPONDENCE
Letter from Friends of St Teresa's. A request to use the playing field on Saturday 14th May for a Family Fun Day. After a short discussion, all present agreed providing a risk assessment is carried out prior to the event, adequate insurance is obtained and that all litter is picked up afterwards. SG
9. REPORTS
A. School Governors – The Clerk is requested to write to the retiring headmistress thanking her for including the school in the community and wishing her every happiness in her retirement.
B. NW Chilterns Local Area Forum – Cllr G O'Neill informed the members that the Vehicle Activated Sign should be installed by the end of April. He further advised the members that the delegated budget fund for the County has been doubled from £500,000 to 1 million. The cut off date for new bids is the 2nd May 2011. The Clerk is requested to place this item on the next agenda for the members to decide on which highways project they would submit for funding. SG
C. WDALC – Nothing to report. Cllr I Walker requested that the Clerk send his apologies as he would be unable to attend the next meeting. Cllr G O'Neill agreed to attend in his place. GON
D. N.A.G – Nothing to report.
E. Newsletter – Cllr V McPherson informed the members that the next edition would be distributed by the end of the month together with an "Are you ready" booklet to help in the event of an emergency.
10. A REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE SUMMIT ON HIGH SPEED 2
All present agreed that Cllr J Rogers is to attend the summit on High Speed 2 representing the Parish Council. The Clerk is requested to arrange the booking of a place for Cllr Rogers. JR/SG
11. JOINING THE PUBLIC SERVICES MAPPING AGREEMENT (WHEN ELIGIBLE) WHICH ENTITLES THE PARISH COUNCIL TO RECEIVE ORDNANCE SURVEY MAPPING DIRECTLY.
Cllr G Walters informed the members that under the PSMA all English and Welsh parish, town, city, community councils are eligible to join the PSMA in their own right - all they have to do is apply via the OS website and sign their own licence agreement to become an Eligible Member. All present agreed to Cllr G Walters being the nominated representative who will make an application on the Parish Council's behalf. GW
Cllr P Priestley left the meeting.
12. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
A/ Progress on applications already considered:
- 11/05183/MINAMD — Decision: Application Permitted. Address: Old Orchard, Ilmer Lane, Ilmer. Proposal: Proposed non-material amendment to permission for construction of single/two storey side & rear extensions, single storey front extension, alteration to roof to form 2 x dormer windows in rear elevation and erection of attached double garage, garden store and carport and swimming pool enclosure (alternative scheme to p/p 10/06541/FUL) granted under Householder planning ref 10/07519/FUL.
B/ New Applications to be considered:
- 11/05041/FUL: Land At Ivy Farm, Lower Icknield Way, Longwick. Proposed: Construction of stables building with tack room & hay store. The Parish Council has the following concern with this application: the size of the stables building suggests a commercial use which the Parish Council opposes on the grounds of the potential increase in traffic that will require access to the site. If the application is likely to be approved, the Parish Council request that a condition is included, restricting the use to private use only and forbidding a commercial livery on the premises.
- 11/05372/FUL: Old School House, Thame Road, Longwick. Proposed: Demolition of existing conservatory and construction of single storey front extension and part two storey, part first floor side and rear extension to care home. The Parish Council object to this application. The proposal would have a detrimental effect on the neighbouring property with an increase in vehicles, noise and disturbance. A further concern is that the height of the proposed extension will overlook the property next door, affecting the privacy of the residents therein. The size and volume of the proposed extension would seem to constitute overdevelopment of the plot. The building is of historical significance in the village and therefore any alterations should be carefully considered when altering the appearance and the impact it will have on the street scene.
- 11/05387/FUL: Hazeldene Lodge, Thame Road, Longwick. Proposed: Householder application for raising of roof, roof extensions and alterations to create additional first floor living space and associated external alterations. The Parish Council has no objections to this revised application.
13/ AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING.
To discuss and decide on the preferred project to submit a bid for funding from the Delegated Budget.
14/ NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Parish Council will take place on Tuesday 19th April 2011 in Longwick Village Hall at 8.00pm preceded by the Annual Parish Meeting at 7.30pm.
There being no further business to discuss the Meeting closed at 9.15pm.
Chairman......................................... Date..................