Parish Council Minutes
PRESENT
Cllr G O'Neill (Chairman)
Cllrs I Walker, B Richards, G Walters, Mrs J Rogers and Mrs V McPherson
Mrs S Griffiths (Clerk)
1/ APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr G Harper.
2/ MINUTES
The Minutes of the previous meeting of the Parish Council on the 21st August 2012, 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 V McPherson declared an interest in agenda item 11, Planning Applications.
4/ MATTERS ARISING NOT OTHERWISE ON THE AGENDA
As requested in agenda item 10 of the previous meeting, Cllr G O'Neill informed the members that he had raised the issue of the speed signs and the possibility of other speed reduction measures with the Highways Dept. and was waiting for a reply.
5/ FINANCE
A/ Accounts for Payment
| Cheque | Description | Net | VAT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S/O | Grass Cutting - Manor Estates - Grass cutting August 2012 | £369.07 | £73.81 | £442.88 |
| S/O | Clerks Fees - S Griffiths - September salary | £341.27 | £341.27 | |
| 48 | Clerks Fees - HMRC - Tax due 01/07/2012-30/09/2012 | £256.00 | £256.00 | |
| 49 | Admin - Mazars - External Audit Fee | £135.00 | £27.00 | £162.00 |
B/ Income
£5.00 Cllrs purchase of Jubilee Mug.
C/ Bank Balance £6,066.84 (allowing for the above credits and cheques)
The income for August and expenditure for September was examined by the Council. All present agreed that the necessary cheques be signed.
The Clerk presented the accounts together with the bank statements and bank reconciliation for the members' consideration. All present agreed that the accounts were being handled in a satisfactory manner and that the monies were all accounted for.
6/ CAPITAL ITEMS AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES
A. Playing Field
Nothing to report.
B. Children's play area
Nothing to report.
C. Community facilities
Cllr I Walker informed the members of an Art class to be held at the Scout Building on a Monday between 3pm and 6pm and that there was no parking facility specifically for the Scout Building. Concerns were expressed that attendees would use the Village Hall car park which is currently used by the parents of the school at the same time and that this would cause congestion in this area. All present agreed that the matter should be referred to the Village Hall Committee by Cllrs J Rogers and I Walker. JR/IW
7/ ROADS, VERGES AND RIGHTS OF WAY
Further to the request for the grass cutting schedule for Longwick from B.C.C., it was noted that there is no mention of grass cutting between the Railway Bridge and Summerleys Road on the B4009 and residents in this area feel quite strongly about their omission from regular grass cutting. The Local Area Technician advised that this area is part of a Rural grass cutting schedule and is only cut 3 times a season. All present agreed that the Clerk send a letter to the Highways Dept. requesting that this area is included in the normal schedule and to send a copy to County Cllr P Rogerson for his support of this request. SG
The Clerk is requested to obtain a progress report on the replacement sign post with only one sign and which should have three, previously reported under reference number 341490. SG
8/ CORRESPONDENCE
- Letter of thanks to the Parish Council for a Jubilee Mug. - Noted
- Invitation to the Buckinghamshire Playing Fields Association - Noted
- External Auditors Certificate and Opinion on the audit of the annual return year ended 31st March 2012
On the basis of the auditors review, in their opinion the information contained in the annual return is in accordance with the Audit Commission's requirements and no matters have come to their attention giving cause for concern that relevant legislation and regulatory requirements have not been met. On a matter not affecting the opinion of the Auditors which they draw to the attention of the council is the figure in Section 1, Box 9 where the insurance value has been used as a proxy; it should not be adjusted for an inflation increase. Noted.
9/ REPORTS
School Governors – Cllr G O'Neill has raised the issue of the Remembrance Service being held on a Sunday this year with the Head Mistress and whether the school children will be able to take part in the service in the village as in previous years. All present agreed for Cllr J Rogers to arrange the purchase of a wreath for the Parish Council. JR
NW Chilterns Local Area Forum – Nothing to Report. The next meeting is on the 19th September 2012.
WDALC. - Nothing to Report. The next meeting is on the 4th October 2012.
Neighbourhood Action Group - Nothing to Report. The next meeting is on the 20th September 2012.
Newsletter – Cllr V McPherson informed the members that the delivery of the next newsletter will take place in early October.
Risborough Area Forum - Nothing to Report.
Risborough Area Partnership – Nothing to Report.
Village Hall – Nothing to Report.
10. PLANS FOR A VILLAGE GREEN
Cllr I Walker proposed that the Parish Council lease the land owned by the District Council at the junction of Bell Crescent/Chestnut Way/Thame Road in Longwick to provide a village green for the residents. He further proposed that the site is scarified and drilled with seed as per the playing field to provide a green which would comprise an open grassed area with a low post and chain boundary fence inside an open ditch surround with existing trees and accessed by a sleeper bridge off Chestnut Way incorporating park benches for seating as appropriate. After some discussion, Cllr G O'Neill proposed that the Clerk approach WDC with this proposal to ascertain if they would lease the land and if so what the cost of the lease would be and the estimated cost of solicitor's fees in preparing the lease. All present agreed. SG
11/ PLANNING APPLICATIONS
To consider New Planning Applications
Cllr V McPherson declared an interest in application number 12/06989/FUL and took no part in the discussion or decision.
- 12/06989/FUL: 2 The Willows, Longwick, Buckinghamshire HP27 9RQ. Proposal: Householder application for construction of single storey rear extension. All present agreed for Cllrs G Walters, J Rogers and G O'Neill to visit the site and respond on behalf of the Parish Council due to the deadline for a response to WDC Planning Dept. GW/GON/JR
- 12/06947/FUL: Meadle Farm Cottage, Meadle Village Road, Meadle, Buckinghamshire HP17 9UD. Proposal: Erection of stables and tack room in field to rear. The Parish Council has no objections.
- 12/06951/FUL: Meadle Farm Cottage, Meadle Village Road, Meadle, Buckinghamshire HP17 9UD. Proposal: Householder application for insertion of 2 x additional roof lights on barn elevation to courtyard and enlargement of existing covered area. The Parish Council has no objections.
- 12/06952/LBC: Meadle Farm Cottage, Meadle Village Road, Meadle, Buckinghamshire HP17 9UD. Proposal: Listed Building consent for insertion of 2 x additional roof lights on barn elevation to courtyard and enlargement of existing covered area. The Parish Council has no objections.
To Receive Notice of Planning Applications Approved
- 12/06326/FUL — Decision: Application Permitted. Address: Hillview Farm, OS Parcel 7500, Lower Icknield Way, Longwick, Buckinghamshire. Proposal: Extensions to existing agricultural building on north west (lean to) and south west elevation to provide additional accommodation for cattle and hay and straw storage.
12/ AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING.
To discuss and decide on arranging for the boundary of the Playing Field to be strimmed. (Cllr V McPherson)
To discuss and decide on planting a tree to mark the Jubilee Celebration (Cllr I Walker)
13/ NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Parish Council will take place on Tuesday 16th October 2012 in Longwick Village Hall at 8.00pm.
There being no further business to discuss the Meeting closed at 9.25pm.
Chairman………………………………………… Date……………..