Parish Council Minutes
PRESENT: Cllr Brian Richards (Chairman), Cllrs Ian Walker, Mrs Jane Rogers, James Butler and George O'Neill, Mrs S Griffiths (Clerk).
1/ WELCOME AND APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr Graham Walters and Cllr Mrs Valerie McPherson. Cllr B Richards welcomed Cllr James Butler to the Parish Council.
2/ MINUTES
The Minutes of the previous meeting of the Parish Council on the 17th September 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 sent his apologies as he was unable to attend the meeting.
5/ MATTERS ARISING NOT OTHERWISE ON THE AGENDA
Cllr G O'Neill reported on the meeting he attended at Wycombe District Council on the New Local Plan Briefing on Housing Needs and Economic Studies.
6/ FINANCE
A. Payments
| Cheque | Item | Description | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 99 | Risk Assessment | K Dobson - Risk Inspection September 2013 | £14.60 |
| 100 | Dog waste and litter bins | TBS Hygiene - Dog & Waste collection 07/06/13-30/08/13 | £332.64 |
| 101 | Newsletter | Whiteleaf Printers - Newsletter | £385.00 |
| s/o | Grass Cutting | Manor Estates - Grasscutting | £442.88 |
| s/o | Clerks Fees | S Griffiths - Aug salary | £396.93 |
| 102 | Sports Field | I Walker – Furniture stain & Hammerite paint | £20.46 |
B. Receipts – WDC Precept £8,388.00
C. Bank Balance £15,018.74 (allowing for the above cheques)
The expenditure for October was examined by the Council. Cllr George O'Neill proposed that the necessary cheques be signed. Seconded by Cllr Ian Walker. All present agreed.
7/ CAPITAL ITEMS AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES
A. Playing Field – No issues were highlighted in the Risk Inspection Report for September 2013. A quotation has been received to cut the hedges around end and left hand side of field and the car park hedge (£355.00). Cllr James Butler agreed to obtain details of another contractor for a second quotation. JB. The Clerk reported that she had been successful in obtaining a free tree pack from the Woodland Trust for Longwick-cum-Ilmer Parish Council. Cllr Ian Walker informed the members that he and his brother had refurbished the two seats in the playing field. Cllr James Butler advised that the surface on the approach to the zip wire is becoming slippery; all present agreed to contact the manufacturer for advice. SG
B. Children's play area – No issues were highlighted in the Risk Inspection Report for September 2013. The Clerk has obtained a quotation of £750.00 to fill an area of approx 8m x 5m in the play area with graphics such as hopscotch, number snake etc.
8/ ROADS, VERGES AND RIGHTS OF WAY
The Clerk is requested to contact the local authorities concerning a pothole in Owlswick Lane and flytipping on Bridleway 14 (6 black bags dumped in Green Lane, Owlswick). SG. Cllr Ian Walker reported on a meeting he had with Paul Renault, SWARCO, concerning the VAS on the Thame Road; the battery is not being fully charged due to a large ash tree obscuring the light, and a larger unit or relocation is possible. All present agreed to monitor the situation. Cllr George O'Neill agreed to obtain an estimate to repaint the railings outside the War Memorial. The Clerk is requested to enquire if a grant is possible to help with the cost. SG/GON
9/ CORRESPONDENCE
A letter from Longwick Village Hall secretary requesting the Parish Council to clear the vegetation at the rear of the Village Hall. The Parish Council does not believe it is responsible for this area and will not be taking any action. SG
A letter from the Chiltern Society inviting applications for grants for community projects. Noted.
Invitation from Red Kite Community Housing to an event on the 7th November. Cllr Jane Rogers agreed to attend on behalf of the Parish Council. JR
A request from BCC to complete a consultation on the County Council's priorities for the financial year April 2014-2015. All present agreed to make individual responses to the consultation. ALL
An invitation to apply for Devolved Services Budget from B.C.C. for the financial year 2014/2015, covering removal of fly posters, approval of charity event advertising signage, cleaning of traffic signs, minor traffic sign repairs, trimming vegetation obstructing pavements and footpaths, serving hedge cutting notices, and checking for obstructions to pavements and footpaths. All present agreed to apply. SG
10/ THE ACTION TO BE TAKEN REGARDING THE LEASE FOR THE STREAM & FOOTPATH BY SCOUT HUT
Cllr Brian Richards reported on the meeting with the solicitor concerning the lease for the footpath by the scout hut and presented 3 scenarios: (1) Terminate the lease; (2) Terminate the lease whilst applying pressure on the County Council to keep the path open for the convenience of the school and local residents; (3) Continue to maintain the footpath and accept liability. The solicitor recommended option 2, as he does not consider it the Parish Council's responsibility to maintain a school path. Cllr Ian Walker proposed option 2. Seconded by Cllr George O'Neill. A vote was taken and the motion passed with 4 votes for and 1 against. The Clerk is requested to give the required 6 months notice to the B.C.C. SG
11/ THE APPOINTMENT OF A THIRD PARISH COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE VILLAGE HALL COMMITTEE
It was agreed that there is no formal requirement to have a Parish Council representative on the Village Hall Committee. Cllr James Butler agreed to attend the next Village Hall meeting to ascertain what will be expected of him before making a personal commitment to join the committee. JB
12/ CLARIFICATION OF ISSUES RELATING TO LONGWICK VILLAGE HALL
There is a lack of understanding as to the role of the trustees and the legal position concerning the ownership of the land and building. Cllr Jane Rogers informed the members that the deeds of the Village Hall are with a solicitor. All present agreed that clarification is required. SG
13/ PLANNING APPLICATIONS
To consider New Planning Applications
- 13/07312/TPO: Mulberry House Meadle Village Road Meadle Buckinghamshire HP17 9UD. Proposal: Crown lift second lateral growth to 4 metres; remove low lateral growth growing towards house and reduce longest outreaching branches to Copper Beech T1; crown lift and crown thin Beech T2. The Parish Council will abide by the decision of the Arboriculturalist.
- 13/07306/FUL: 1 Beech Cottages Thame Road Longwick Buckinghamshire HP27 9SN. Proposal: Householder application for construction of part two storey, part single storey front/side extension and associated external alterations. The Parish Council has no objections.
- 13/07250/FUL: Orchard View Farm Stockwell Lane Little Meadle Buckinghamshire. Proposal: Change of use of Agricultural barn to a mixed use as farm shop A1 (Retail) with associated butchery and kitchen facilities & A3 (Cafe). The Parish Council has no objections.
- 13/07287/FUL: 1 Walkers Road Longwick Buckinghamshire HP27 9SS. Proposal: Householder application for erection of new close board fence panels (retrospective). The Parish Council has no objections.
To Receive Notice of Planning Applications Approved
- 13/06802/FUL — Application Permitted. Address: Five Acre Barn Chadwell Hill Farm Lower Icknield Way Longwick. Proposal: Erection of detached stables and hardstanding.
- 13/06803/FUL — Application Permitted. Address: Five Acre Barn Chadwell Hill Farm Lower Icknield Way Longwick. Proposal: Householder application for insertion of 2 x roof lights and external alterations in connection with part conversion of existing garage to create domestic office ancillary to main dwellinghouse.
14/ REPORTS
- School Governors – Cllr George O'Neill reported that arrangements for Remembrance Day are in hand.
- NW Chilterns Local Area Forum - Nothing to report, the next meeting is on the 30th October 2013.
- WDALC – Cllr Ian Walker reported on the meeting and the presentation received on Devolved Services. Nominations were required for Councillors who had completed more than 24 years on the Parish Council without prior recognition. Cllr George O'Neill proposed to nominate Cllr Jane Rogers, who joined the Parish Council in 1987. Seconded by Cllr James Butler. All present agreed. SG
- Neighbourhood Action Group – Nothing to report.
- Newsletter - Nothing to report.
- Risborough Area Community Forum – Nothing to report, the next meeting is on the 21st October 2013.
- Risborough Area Partnership – Nothing to report, the next meeting is the AGM on the 13th November 2013.
- Village Hall – Cllr Ian Walker informed the members that the ex Chairman George Harper has kindly offered to arrange for the Christmas tree to be positioned outside the Village Hall.
15/ AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING
To be advised.
16/ NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Parish Council will take place on Tuesday 19th November 2013 in Longwick Village Hall at 8.00pm.
There being no further business to discuss, the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.50pm.