Parish Council Minutes
PRESENT
Cllr Mrs Valerie McPherson (Chairman)
Cllrs Ian Walker, Mrs Jane Rogers, James Butler, Brian Richards and Graham Walters
Mrs S Griffiths (Clerk)
County Cllr Bill Bendyshe-Brown
1/ WELCOME AND APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
No apologies were received.
2/ MINUTES
The Minutes of the previous meeting of the Parish Council on the 21st January 2014, 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.
4/ A REPORT FROM CLLR BENDYSHE-BROWN (BCC) ON MATTERS CONCERNING LONGWICK-CUM-ILMER PARISH COUNCIL
Cllr B Bendyshe-Brown informed the members that the County Council had set its precept to include a 1.5% rise and that roads, including the filling of potholes, was a high priority. HS2 Ltd has identified the A4010 as a transport corridor to move construction materials to and from the proposed route. Cllr B Bendyshe-Brown advised the members of the HS2 Hybrid Bill petitioning process which is likely to start later this year.
5/ MATTERS ARISING NOT OTHERWISE ON THE AGENDA
Cllr Graham Walters confirmed that the Emergency Team list has been updated with the details from the review that had been discussed in the previous Parish Council meeting. The Clerk is requested to place the new Emergency Team list on the Notice Board and Website. SG
6/ FINANCE
A/ Payments
| Cheque | Item | Description | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 113 | Risk Assessment | K Dobson - Risk Inspection January 2014 | £15.03 |
| s/o | Clerks Fees | S Griffiths - February salary | £396.93 |
B/ Bank Balance £12,511.87 (allowing for the above cheques)
The expenditure for February was examined by the Council. Cllr Valerie McPherson proposed that the necessary cheques be signed. Seconded by Cllr Jane Rogers. All present agreed.
7/ CAPITAL ITEMS AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES
A. Playing Field. There were no issues highlighted in the Risk Inspection Report for January 2014. The Clerk is requested to ascertain if the usual contractor to cut the hedges in the Playing Field is in a position to commence the work in the near future. Cllr Ian Walker agreed to contact alternative contractors for quotations. SG/IW
B. Children's play area. There were no issues highlighted in the Risk Inspection Report for January 2014.
8/ ROADS, VERGES AND RIGHTS OF WAY
The Clerk is requested to contact the local authorities concerning the following issues:-
- 2 road signs are laying in the verge at the junction with Ilmer on the A4129.
- The signpost at Owlswick needs straightening again and the arms tightened.
- The Chestnut Way signs at the Red Lion end on each side and at Willow Way need to be cleaned.
- Chevrons on the Longwick roundabout B4009 are broken.
- Fly tipping in the lay by on the A4129 by the bottle bank. This seems to be a regular occurrence and the Clerk is requested to contact WDC to ascertain if a camera can be placed in this location to catch the offenders so that they may be prosecuted. SG
9/ CORRESPONDENCE
Letter from Rights Of Way, B.C.C. re Parish Clearance within the Parish on the Rights of Way network. The Parish Paths Clearance fund is intended to provide money to parish councils to allow them to employ their own contractor to strim or mow public rights of way (no hedge clearance) within their parish. The fund at present will not cover the cost of any other works, such as stile repairs or replacement with gates. The total grant will equate to the current cost to the County Council for undertaking these annual clearance operations within each parish. The idea is to enable parish councils to themselves manage the timing and frequency of this work. This will be a great benefit as a more rapid response can be given to this work during periods of wet weather when vegetation growth can be at its most vigorous. All present agreed to apply for this funding. SG
Letter from the Chiltern Society dated 31st January 2014 re Parish Paths Clearance Fund. All present agreed in principle to the Chiltern Society providing some path clearance in return for a donation but will await further information as to the size of donation before full agreement.
Invitation to a meeting in the village hall on the Solar Park proposals for Ilmer. All present agreed for Cllr Graham Walters to approach the planning department for advice on whether it is appropriate to meet with the prospective developers. GW
10/ UPDATING THE PARISH COUNCIL WEBSITE
Cllr James Butler presented various suggestions on how the website could be updated with the current provider. He asked that the councillors contact him with their suggestions and preferences and he will prepare a proposal including these suggestions to obtain a quotation from the webmaster to provide these additional services. JB
11. TO REVIEW THE IDENTIFICATION OF PARISH ASSETS.
Cllr Graham Walters confirmed that the War Memorial is situated on land owned by Briants. He further confirmed that the Ilmer Green half of the pond in the Parish Council ownership is not registered. Cllr Brian Richards agreed to research the Parish records to obtain evidence of the Parish Council ownership with a view to registering these assets. BR
12. THE ACTION TO BE TAKEN CONCERNING DOG FOULING ON THE PLAYING FIELD.
Cllr Val McPherson informed the members that she had received a complaint concerning dog fouling on the Playing Field. All present agreed that the Parish Council was unable to police the field and it relied on dog owners taking responsibility for their dogs.
13. THE ACTION TO BE TAKEN CONCERNING ADVERTISEMENT BOARDS IN THE PARISH.
Longwick-cum-Ilmer Parish Council agreed in October 2013 to undertake devolved services on behalf of B.C.C. in return for an income which included the removal of fly posters and other illegal signs within the public highway or attached to street furniture and approval of charity event advertising signage. Cllr Jane Rogers proposed that these services are publicised on the website and notice board and agreed to write an article in the newsletter. JR
14 THE PREFERRED COMPANY FOR THE RENEWAL OF THE PARISH COUNCIL INSURANCE.
Further to confirmation from the insurance broker that Aviva offers the best value for money for this Parish's requirements, all present agreed to renew the policy for a further 3 years to benefit from the long term agreement discount. SG
15. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
To consider New Planning Applications
- 14/05276/FUL: Sheredon Thame Road Longwick Buckinghamshire. Proposal: Erection of two storey 4-bed detached dwelling with detached single garage & car parking to front (alternative scheme for the rear most dwelling permitted under 12/07012/REM & 12/06226/OUT). The Clerk is to request an extension to the deadline to send a response to allow the members to make an informed decision. SG
- 14/05370/FUL: 13 Bell Crescent, Longwick, Buckinghamshire. HP27 9SE. Proposal: Householder application for raising of roof of existing garage with front parapet and canopy to front over existing flat roof. All present agreed to defer this application to the next meeting to allow time for a site visit. The Clerk is requested to seek an extension to the deadline for the consultee comments. Cllrs Graham Walters, Val McPherson and Ian Walker agreed to visit the property. GW/IW/VM/SG
To Receive Notice of Planning Applications Approved
None.
To Receive Notice of Planning Applications Refused
- 13/07972/FUL — Decision: Application Refused. Address: OS Parcel 9547 Owlswick Buckinghamshire. Proposal: Demolition of existing barns and erection of a single storey 5 bed dwellinghouse with detached car port and creation of new vehicular access.
16/ AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING.
To appoint an Internal Auditor for the financial year 2013/2014. To discuss and decide on a response to the consultation on the Local Plan. (Cllr Graham Walters). To discuss and decide on updating the Parish Council website. (Cllr James Butler). To discuss and decide on filling the vacancy for a councillor by co-option.
17/ NEXT MEETING.
The next meeting of the Parish Council will take place on Tuesday 18th March 2014 in Longwick Village Hall at 8.00pm.
There being no further business to discuss, the Chairman closed the meeting at 10.00pm.