Ilmer Past

Parish Council Minutes

PRESENT: Cllr Mrs V McPherson (Chairman), Cllrs I Walker, G Walters, Mrs J Rogers, B Richards and G O'Neill, Mrs S Griffiths (Clerk), County Cllr B Bendyshe-Brown, 13 Members of the Public.

1/ WELCOME AND APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

No apologies were received.

2/ MINUTES

The Minutes of the previous meeting of the Parish Council on the 18th June 2013, having been circulated, were amended on page 729 item 6 line 7 to read "two benches" as opposed to "the benches" and then 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/ A REPORT FROM CLLR BENDYSHE-BROWN (BCC) ON MATTERS CONCERNING LONGWICK-CUM-ILMER PARISH COUNCIL

Cllr B Bendyshe-Brown informed the members of the ongoing road repairs in the village including the main road through Longwick and the B4009 under the bridge which is to be resurfaced this year. He reported on the BCC budgets and a service standard to be introduced into contracts between BCC and SWARCO to avoid similar problems as experienced with the VAS on the Thame Road in Longwick.

5/ MATTERS ARISING NOT OTHERWISE ON THE AGENDA

Fireworks in the Playing Field – Permission was agreed providing that he carries out a risk assessment, has adequate insurance cover in place and contacts the owners of the stables and properties adjacent to the playing field to advise them in advance of the event. A copy of the letter to the owners of the properties has been received for the council to approve. All present agreed to the draft letter. SG

The Risk inspection for May highlighted that a cover needs replacing on a lamp on the fence and repair of the light itself which is only working intermittently. A work order has been issued to an electrician. Cllr I Walker confirmed that the lamp has now been repaired and all present agreed for the invoice to be paid.

Graffiti on the underside of the skate park. The skate park has been painted and covered in anti graffiti paint. All present agreed that they were satisfied with the work and for the invoice to be paid.

The Risk inspection for May highlighted that a slat has split on the middle bench in the playing field. Cllr G O'Neill confirmed that the hazard has been removed.

6/ FINANCE

A. Payments

Cheque Item Description Amount VAT Total
85 Risk Assessment K Dobson - Risk Inspection June 2013 £14.60 £14.60
86 Risk Assessment WDC - RoSPA inspection fee £64.00 £12.80 £76.80
87 Play Area PRTC - Removal of graffiti, painting skate park & applying anti graffiti paint £209.68 £41.94 £251.62
88 Website MHP - Hosting of e-mail address £60.00 £12.00 £72.00
89 Car Park lights I Thompson - Replace damaged PL Bulkhead £69.74 £13.95 £83.69
S/o Clerks fees S Griffiths – July salary £396.93 £396.93

B. Bank Balance £12,564.78 (allowing for the above cheques)

The expenditure for July was examined by the Council. All present agreed that the necessary cheques be signed.

7/ CAPITAL ITEMS AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES

A. Playing Field – Cllr V McPherson reported that there had been a fire inside the green waste paper bin at the top end of the field where it had also caught some of the overhanging bushes. The bin had been destroyed. All present agreed to replace the bin with a fire resistant bin costing £261. SG

B. Children's play area – The RoSPA play area safety inspection report has been received. The Clerk is requested to action the necessary repairs. SG

8/ ROADS, VERGES AND RIGHTS OF WAY

Cllr J Rogers informed the members that the new Aylesbury Outer Ring which includes Bridleway 14 has been officially opened. Footpath 4 that is overgrown and reported last meeting (CRN: 412960) still requires work. SG. Cllr J Rogers has reported the black and white posts cut down in Owlswick to TFB and will forward the CRN reference to the Clerk. JR

9/ CORRESPONDENCE

Four letters of complaint from residents concerning the pavements, gutters and weeds in Bell Crescent. The Clerk confirmed that she had forwarded the complaints to B.C.C. and raised their concerns with the County Councillor Bill Bendyshe-Brown (CRN 414198), who confirmed that he personally will chase the Highways Department.

E-mail informing of a proposed planning application for a Solar Farm in Bledlow. Comments noted.

An application to fill the vacancy on the Parish Council. All present agreed for the Clerk to invite the applicant to an informal meeting on the 19th August at 8.00pm. SG

10/ THE FREQUENCY AND STARTING TIMES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETINGS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

Cllr G O'Neill proposed that future Parish Council meetings commence at 8.00pm throughout the year. Seconded by Cllr J Rogers. All present agreed. SG

Cllr B Richards proposed that the Parish Council takes a recess in August of each year in line with other Parish/Town Councils. Seconded by Cllr V McPherson. A vote by show of hands: For - 3; Against - 3; Abstained - 0. The motion was carried with the Chairman using her casting vote. SG. It was further resolved that planning applications during this period are delegated to three councillors to decide on the response to be submitted on behalf of the Parish Council. SG

11/ THE APPOINTMENT OF A THIRD PARISH COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE VILLAGE HALL COMMITTEE

All present agreed to defer this item to the next meeting. SG

12/ TO CLARIFY THE SITUATION WITH REGARD TO INSURANCE LIABILITY FOR THE STREAM & FOOTPATH BY SCOUT HUT

A response has been received from B.C.C. confirming that the path is currently in the ownership of B.C.C. but that a licence was granted to the Parish Council dated 2nd May 1984. Under the terms of the licence agreement, the Parish Council is required to keep the path clean and tidy and free from weeds and rubbish and to maintain the fences and does not specifically cover repairs to the path or snow clearance. If the Parish Council agrees to take on the additional maintenance/snow clearance obligations, it will be required to indemnify BCC against any claims arising from its failure to carry them out, in line with clause 2(10) of the licence agreement.

The footpath is not designated as a public footpath. The rights granted under the licence are limited to "the Licensee its servants agents invitees and all those duly authorised and so entitled" to gain access to and egress from the recreation ground, and the licence includes a requirement for the Parish Council to erect signs at either end of the path stating that it is not a public right of way.

Cllr G Walters proposed that the Parish Council should not take on the additional responsibility for maintenance/snow clearance and should erect the necessary signs. Seconded by Cllr B Richards. All present agreed. The Clerk is requested to obtain quotations for the signs. SG

13/ CHARGES/CONTRIBUTION TO THE NAG SPEED CAMERA

All present agreed to defer this item to the next meeting. SG

14/ A RESPONSE TO THE WYCOMBE DISTRICT LOCAL PLAN - SA DRAFT SCOPING REPORT CONSULTATION

All present agreed that the Parish Council did not have a response to make at this stage.

15/ PLANNING APPLICATIONS

To consider New Planning Applications

To Receive Notice of Planning Applications Approved

16/ REPORTS

17/ AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING

To discuss charges/contribution to the NAG speed camera (Cllr V McPherson). To discuss and decide on the appointment of a third Parish Council representative for the Village Hall Committee. To discuss and decide on the preferred candidate to fill the vacancy for a councillor by co-option. To discuss and decide on the purchase of a plaque for the village hall listing the Chairpersons that had served on the Parish Council.

18/ NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Parish Council will take place on Tuesday 17th September 2013 in Longwick Village Hall at 8.00pm.

There being no further business to discuss, the Chairman closed the meeting at 10.10pm.