Parish Council Minutes

Cllr G Harper (Chairman)

Cllrs G Walters, Mrs J Rogers, I Walker, G O'Neill, B Richards and Mrs V McPherson

Susanne Griffiths (Clerk)

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

No apologies were received.

2/ MINUTES

The Minutes of the previous meeting of the Parish Council on the 13th December 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. None were declared.

4/ MATTERS ARISING NOT OTHERWISE ON THE AGENDA

The work on the stream bank has now been completed.

5. FINANCE

A/ Accounts for Payment

B/ Income received

Bank interest £0.67; Wayleaves £50.00.

C/ Bank Balance £8,057.71 (allowing for the above cheques)

The income for December and expenditure for January 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 he had removed the guards from the trees and removed the dead oak tree.

B. Children's Play Area

Nothing to report.

7. ROADS, VERGES AND RIGHTS OF WAY.

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

• The VAS, which has been reported under reference number 343783, has now been out of operation for over one month. The Clerk is requested to write a formal complaint to the Highways Department that the VAS has not been repaired despite numerous requests.
• The collapsed drain in Ilmer, reported under reference number 348855, has still not been repaired.
• The finger post at the Stockwell Lane T junction on the road through Owlswick, previously reported under reference number CRN 341490, is now completely missing and has not been replaced.
• The four tyres left in Ilmer Lane, reported in December, are still there.
• The black and white posts at the T junction with Stockwell Lane in Owlswick, where there is a large grass triangle in the centre of the road, need replacing.
• The black and white posts outside "Restawhile" in Owlswick need replacing.

8. CORRESPONDENCE.

Letters from the Risborough Area Partnership (RAP) concerning the new Notice Board.

Cllr G O'Neill proposed that the Parish Council accept the apologies from RAP and agree to take no further action to remove the notice board in the verge on the Risborough Road. Cllr G Walters made a counter proposal that a question is put to the enforcement officer at WDC enquiring whether the correct planning permission had been obtained. The counter proposal did not receive a seconder to the proposal. A vote was taken. The motion to accept the apologies was passed 4 votes for the proposal, none against and with 3 abstentions. All present agreed that the Clerk is requested to write to RAP requesting a meeting with the Chairman Peter Keen, to discuss how the Parish Council can best work with the RAP in the future. All present further agreed for Cllr G Harper and B Richards to represent the Parish Council at this meeting. SG/BR/GH

Exhibition on plans for wind turbine at Lower Waldridge Farm, Ford.

Cllrs J Rogers and B Richards attended the exhibition and informed the members that a planning application is due to be submitted in the near future.

Jubilee Bunting.

All present agreed to request only the free allocation of bunting from B.C.C. as no other organisation had requested any.

Invitation for the Chairman and Clerk to attend the Chairman of Wycombe District Council's Civic Reception on the 13th March 2012.

All present agreed for the Vice Chairman Cllr G O'Neill and Cllr V McPherson to attend. GON/VM

9. REPORTS

• A. School Governors – Nothing to report.
• B. NW Chilterns Local Area Forum - Nothing to report.
• C. WDALC – Cllr I Walker reported on a presentation received on the Localism Act and informed the members that a contribution maybe required towards the hire of WDC offices for the meeting of the WDALC in the future.
• D. N.A.G – Nothing to report.
• E. Newsletter – Nothing to report.

10. APPOINTMENT OF THE INTERNAL AUDITOR FOR THE YEAR ENDING 2012

All present agreed to appoint Mr Don Timms. SG

11. THE LEVEL OF COVER OF THE PARISH COUNCIL INSURANCE POLICY AND WHETHER TO RENEW THE POLICY WITH AVIVA FOR THE COMING YEAR.

All present agreed that the present level of cover is sufficient and that the quotation received for a 3 year agreement with Aviva is considered to be the best value. All present agreed for the Clerk to sign the 3 year Long Term Agreement on behalf of the council. SG

12. CELEBRATING THE DIAMOND JUBILEE IN THE PARISH.

All present agreed that on Tuesday 5th June the Playing Field is to be made available and the Village Hall to be reserved for the use of the residents to meet and bring their own picnics. The free bunting will be used to decorate the field and hall. GH

Cllr Mrs V McPherson circulated copies of various mugs for councillors to consider. Other suggestions from councillors included official coins, pens and book markers. A vote was taken and the motion passed 6-1 to purchase mugs. Cllr Mrs V McPherson agreed to obtain prices for mugs similar to the mugs issued by the Parish Council celebrating the Golden Jubilee. VM

13. A REQUEST FOR MORE DOG WASTE BINS

Cllr G Walters has received a request from a parishioner for the Parish Council to provide dog bins in the village. The Clerk has contacted the Divisional Environmental Health Officer, (Control of Pollution Team), Environment Service at Wycombe District Council (WDC) on a previous occasion and was advised that there is no automatic system for the placing of dog bins as a result of requests received. WDC has 200 dog waste bins in the district but have funds for no more. Whilst they have in the past occasionally moved underused bins this is becoming more difficult as most bins are now in good positions and all bins are used. The Clerk was advised that it is acceptable for dog owners to use their normal refuse bins for the disposal of dog waste.

Cllr G Walters contacted the WDC in response to this latest request and was advised again that there is no WDC funding available now for new Dog Litter Bins. WDC sometimes consider moving existing ones around, that are WDC provided. However, there are no WDC provided ones in Longwick. The Parish Council has the power but not a duty to provide new bins. If a decision is made by the Parish Council to purchase a bin, it needs to obtain permission from the County Council to erect them either in highway verges or on public rights of way. The Parish Council would thereafter be responsible for the maintenance of the bins and would need to fund the emptying.

Cllr G O'Neill proposed that the Parish Council take no action in response to purchasing dog waste bins. Seconded by Cllr V McPherson. A vote was taken and the motion passed 6-1.

14. PLANNING APPLICATIONS

A. To consider New Planning Applications

• 11/07826/FUL: Armour Farm Barn, Stockwell Lane, Little Meadle, Buckinghamshire HP17 9UG. Proposal: Householder application for construction of first floor extension over existing garage and associated external and internal alterations. The Parish Council has no objections.
• 11/07858/FUL: Mill Barn, Thame Road, Longwick, Buckinghamshire HP27 9SU. Proposal: Householder application for construction of single storey extension, roof extensions and alterations to create additional first floor living space and associated internal and external alterations. The Parish Council has no objections.

B. To receive progress on applications already considered

• 11/07566/FUL — Decision: Application Permitted. Address: Druids Well, Thame Road, Longwick, Buckinghamshire HP27 9SF. Proposal: Householder application for erection of a single storey rear extension & new front porch.
• 11/07354/FUL — Decision: Application Permitted. Address: The Timbers, Chestnut Way, Longwick, Buckinghamshire HP27 9SD. Proposal: Householder application for construction of part two storey, part single storey side/rear extension comprising of garage and annexe accommodation.
• 11/07753/CTREE — Decision: Not to make a Tree Preservation Order. Address: The Stables, Horsenden Manor, Horsenden Lane, Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire. Proposal: Crown lift to 5 metres over drive & reduce branch ends extending over property to 1 Lime tree (T1) & fell to ground 1 Yew tree (T2).

15/ AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING.

To discuss and decide on how to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee in the parish.

The next meeting of the Parish Council will take place on Tuesday 21st February 2012 in Longwick Village Hall at 7.30pm.

There being no further business to discuss the Meeting closed at 9.50pm.

Chairman………………………………………… Date……………..