Ilmer Past

Parish Council Minutes

PRESENT: Cllr Mrs Valerie McPherson (Chairman), Cllrs Ian Walker, Mrs Jane Rogers, Brian Richards and George O'Neill, Mrs S Griffiths (Clerk), County Cllr Bill Bendyshe-Brown.

1/ WELCOME AND APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr Graham Walters.

2/ MINUTES

The Minutes of the previous meeting of the Parish Council on the 16th July 2013, 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/ 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, Chestnut Way and the B4009 under the bridge which is to be resurfaced later this year. Following residents' requests at the last meeting, the work in Bell Crescent, cutting back the vegetation, weed spraying and category 1 defects have been completed. Extra funding has been given to repair a road in Owlswick, and he requested members advise him of any overgrowth needing to be cut back from footpaths and verges. He advised that fibre broadband timescales for the county can be found via a linked map.

5/ MATTERS ARISING NOT OTHERWISE ON THE AGENDA

None.

6/ FINANCE

A. Payments

Month Cheque Item Description Amount
Aug s/o Grass Cutting Manor Estates - Grass cutting £442.88
Aug s/o Clerks Fees S Griffiths - Aug salary £396.93
Aug 90 Risk Assessment K Dobson - Risk Inspection July 2013 £14.60
Aug 91 Sports Field Glasdon - new litter bin £356.37
Aug 92 Audit Fee Mazars - External Auditor's fee £120.00
Sep 93 Clerks Fees HMRC - PAYE tax £109.60
Sep 94 Website MHP - Website cost 30/07/2013-29/07/2014 £684.00
Sep 95 Admin S Griffiths post exp 01/01/13-31/08/13 £78.03
Sep 96 Risk Assessment K Dobson - Risk Inspection Aug 2013 £14.60
Sep s/o Grass Cutting Manor Estates - Grasscutting August 2013 £442.88
Sep s/o Clerks Fees S Griffiths - Sept salary £396.93
Sep 97 Play Area Safe & Sound Playgrounds – Repair safety surface for swing and slide £402.00
Sep 98 Play Area Safe & Sound Playgrounds – Repair safety surface for rotating net base £402.00

B. Bank Balance £8,205.25 (allowing for the above cheques)

The expenditure for August and 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 the monies were all accounted for.

7/ CAPITAL ITEMS AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES

A. Playing Field – No issues were highlighted in the Risk Inspection Report for August 2013. Cllr George O'Neill reported that the growth alongside the village hall needs to be cleared. Cllr Ian Walker agreed to raise this issue with the village hall committee. IW

B. Children's play area – Cllr Val McPherson reported that the safety surface repairs highlighted in the RoSPA report have been completed. No issues were highlighted in the Risk Inspection Report for August 2013.

8/ ROADS, VERGES AND RIGHTS OF WAY

The Clerk is requested to contact the local authorities concerning the following issues: Footpath 4 has been cut back at floor level but still has overhanging branches; the 30mph sign in Owlswick Lane approaching from Longwick is obscured by a hedge; Bridleway 5 has had some resurfacing work done, but still needs attention at the bottom of Walnut Tree Lane; Footpath 21c is completely overgrown; there are several potholes at the T junction of Stockwell Lane and Little Meadle Road; the chevron is broken in the middle of the roundabout on the B4009/A4129 by the Shell garage; bushes obscure visibility on the approach to the above roundabout when on the A4129 looking towards the B4009.

9/ CORRESPONDENCE

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

The external auditor's certificate and opinion on the audit of the annual return year ended 31st March 2013 has been received; no matters were raised for the attention of the Councillors.

A request for a grant from Buckinghamshire Age UK. All present agreed that the Parish Council is unable to issue any grants as the funds have now been allocated for this financial year.

Invitation from WDALC to a Councillor briefing event on the Data Protection Act and the Freedom of Information Act. Noted.

An invitation to the Chilterns AONB Planning Conference on Wednesday 9th October 2013 (£30.00 per delegate). Noted.

E-mail from WDC requesting initial programme CIL submissions and advising of a Stakeholder Event 1st October 2013. Noted.

New Local Plan – Briefing on Housing Needs and Economic Studies, 9 October 2013. All present agreed for Cllr George O'Neill to attend on behalf of the Parish Council. GON

Request from a resident for information on procedure for co-option, the website and Parish contributions to charities. The Clerk is requested to pass on the request for work to Ilmer Lane to TFB and County Cllr Bill Bendyshe-Brown and invite the resident to attend the next meeting for the councillors to answer his questions. SG

10/ THE PREFERRED CANDIDATE TO FILL THE VACANCY FOR A COUNCILLOR BY CO-OPTION

After a long discussion, Cllr Jane Rogers proposed that James Butler is the preferred candidate to fill the vacancy for a councillor. Seconded by Cllr Brian Richards. All present agreed. SG

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

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

12/ ON THE ACTION TO BE TAKEN REGARDING THE NOTICE BOARD FOR THE STREAM & FOOTPATH BY SCOUT HUT

Concerns were expressed by the councillors about the risk of litigation should a member of the public fall and injure themselves on the path and whether the erection of a sign would be sufficient to eliminate this potential risk. The Parish Council has the right to relinquish the licence giving 6 months notice to the BCC but then would be unable to influence the future use of the path. Councillors were keen to keep the path open for the community if possible, providing that the Parish Council is not liable for any claims. All present agreed to consult a solicitor for advice in this matter. The Clerk is requested to arrange an appointment. SG

13/ CHARGES/CONTRIBUTION TO THE NAG SPEED CAMERA

All present agreed that this agenda item is no longer relevant and a decision is not required.

14/ THE PURCHASE OF A PLAQUE FOR THE VILLAGE HALL LISTING THE CHAIRPERSONS THAT HAVE SERVED ON THE PARISH COUNCIL SINCE IT WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1934

All present agreed for Cllr George O'Neill to investigate the cost of a plaque for consideration at the Estimates meeting in November.

15/ THE PARISH COUNCIL CO-HOSTING "THE BIG LUNCH" WITH THE NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

All present agreed that it was outside the Parish Council's remit to organise and contribute towards "The Big Lunch" but is supportive of its aims. Cllr Valerie McPherson agreed to represent the Parish Council at the event. VM

16/ PLANNING APPLICATIONS

To consider New Planning Applications

To Receive Notice of Planning Applications Approved

17/ REPORTS

18/ AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING

To discuss and decide on the appointment of a third Parish Council representative for the Village Hall Committee.

19/ NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Parish Council will take place on Tuesday 15th October 2013 in Longwick Village Hall at 8.00pm.

There being no further business to discuss, the Chairman closed the meeting at 10.15pm.