Parish Council Minutes
PRESENT
Cllr Brian Richards (Acting Chairman)
Cllrs Ian Walker, Mrs Jane Rogers, James Butler and Graham Walters
Mrs C Page (Clerk)
County Cllr Bill Bendyshe-Brown
1/ WELCOME AND APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr Mrs Valerie McPherson.
2/ MINUTES
The Minutes of the previous meeting of the Parish Council on the 18th February 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
A report was received from Cllr B Bendyshe-Brown on roads and footpaths in the parish. He is requesting local councils to arrange meetings with local farmers and landowners to encourage them to clean out culverts and drains on their land, to reduce flooding in the future. It was agreed to place a small article in the Parish magazine regarding this.
Cllr J Rogers reported that this is made worse by fly tipping, including items left from works by Transport for Bucks. Cllr Bendyshe-Brown will report this. Cllr J Rogers also requested that Cllr Bendyshe-Brown arranges collection of flood warning signs which have been left in the ditch in Bar Lane.
5/ MATTERS ARISING NOT OTHERWISE ON THE AGENDA
None.
6/ FINANCE
A/ Payments
| Cheque | Item | Description | Net | VAT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 115 | Risk Assessment | K Dobson - Risk Inspection February 2014 | £15.03 | £15.03 | |
| 116 | Insurance | Broker Network - Annual Insurance Premium | £1,255.55 | £1,255.55 | |
| 117 | Website | MHP-Website cost updates | £30.00 | £6.00 | £36.00 |
| 118 | Dog waste and litter bins | TBS Hygiene - Dog & Waste collection 06/12/13-28/02/14 | £257.40 | £51.48 | £308.88 |
| 119 | Clerks Fees | HMRC - PAYE tax | £109.40 | £109.40 |
B/ Bank Balance £9,978.12 (allowing for the above cheques)
The expenditure for March was examined by the Council. Cllr B Richards proposed that the necessary cheques be signed. Seconded by Cllr J Rogers. All present agreed.
7/ CAPITAL ITEMS AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES
A. Playing Field. There were no issues highlighted in the Risk Inspection Report for February 2014. The Clerk is requested to ask Manor Estates to carry out weed killing on the Playing Field. Cllr I Walker reported an issue with residents bringing dog waste from home to put it in the dog waste bins, which leads to the bins over-flowing. Cllr Walker will draft an article for the next Parish magazine explaining that the bins are strictly for the use of dog owners while using the playing field. The Clerk was requested to ascertain whether it would be possible for the maintenance team to clear the ditch along the north boundary of the playing field, under devolved services.
B. Children's play area. There were no issues highlighted in the Risk Inspection Report for February 2014.
8/ ROADS, VERGES AND RIGHTS OF WAY
The Clerk is requested to contact the local authorities concerning the following issues:- Recent fly tipping by the recycling bins in the lay-by on the A4129. The two road signs are still lying on the verge at the junction with Ilmer on the A4129.
9/ CORRESPONDENCE
Community Rights Information Exchange: Invitation to a workshop which is being run by the Department for Communities and Local Government to explain how community rights can help elected councillors and their communities they work with. To be held at The Gateway, Gatehouse Road, Aylesbury on Wednesday 26th March 18:30 – 20:30. Noted.
Invitation from English Heritage to comment on a Consultation Report to assess the Longwick War Memorial for statutory listing. English Heritage has advised that they have completed the initial assessment of the above building to consider whether it has special architectural or historic interest and have sent a copy of their consultation report, which sets out the factual information upon which they will base their recommendation to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. They request that if there is any further information or observations on the consultation report which the Parish Council believe might be relevant to the assessment. They will notify the Parish Council of the Secretary of State's decision in due course. The Councillors had no further information to add.
10/ UPDATING THE PARISH COUNCIL WEBSITE
Cllr J Butler circulated copies of his email giving suggestions. It was agreed to defer this item to the next meeting while Cllr Butler obtains accurate costings and members consider his suggestions.
11. AN UPDATE ON THE PARISH ASSETS
Cllr B Richards visited County Hall looked at records of meetings between 1934 and 1991 and found a reference to filling in half of Ilmer pond in July and August 1938. The Green (common land) is the half which was filled in. The Clerk is requested to write to the Rights of Way Officer about registering this as a village green. SG
12. APPOINTMENT OF AN INTERNAL AUDITOR FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2013/2014.
All present agreed to appoint Mr Don Timms as the Internal Auditor for the Financial Year 2013/2014. SG
13. A RESPONSE TO THE CONSULTATION ON THE LOCAL PLAN.
Cllr G Walters proposed the following wording for the response: 'Longwick-cum-Ilmer Parish Council, taking into account the views expressed at the public meeting on 18th February, has serious concerns about future development around Longwick for these reasons:
- much of the surrounding land is susceptible to surface water flooding and drainage problems
- road safety/traffic concerns related to increased movements
- potential change in character from essentially a quiet linear village where directly adjoining neighbours are few
- loss of views of the open countryside'
Cllr J Rogers seconded the proposal. A show of hands was taken and all present agreed. SG
14. VACANCY FOR A COUNCILLOR
Only been one application has been received. Cllr James Butler proposed inviting the applicant to the next meeting and Cllr Jane Rogers seconded. A show of hands was taken and all present agreed. 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 Parish Council is unable to comment as it has not yet received a reply to their query about this application.
- 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. The Parish Council has no objections.
To Receive Notice of Planning Applications Approved
- 13/07517/FUL — Decision: Application Permitted. Address: Land Adjacent Lapetra Thame Road Longwick Buckinghamshire HP27 9SF. Proposal: Erection of an attached 3 bed house adjoining the south eastern elevation of Longwick Post Office and upper floor flat, with associated car parking and landscaping.
- 13/08073/FUL — Decision: Application Permitted. Address: OS Parcel 0038 Stockwell Lane Little Meadle Buckinghamshire. Proposal: Continued mixed use of land for agriculture and dog training (including siting of caravan for use as equipment store) and retention of polytunnel.
- 13/07773/FUL — Decision: Application Permitted. Address: Water Springs Meadle Village Road Meadle Buckinghamshire HP17 9UD. Proposal: Householder application for construction of two storey infill extension, raising of roof over existing garage barn and insertion of 6 velux windows to existing barns.
To Receive Notice of Planning Applications Refused
- Case Ref: 13/08044/FUL — Decision: Application Refused. Address: Vale Edge Farm Owlswick Lane Owlswick Buckinghamshire HP27 9RJ. Proposal: Householder application for raising of roof with roof extensions, insertion of a dormer window to front & alterations to accommodate additional first floor rooms (alternative scheme to pp/12/06434/FUL).
16/ AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING.
To discuss and decide on updating the Parish Council website (Cllr James Butler). To discuss and decide on the method of approaching landowners about clearing ditches (Cllr Jane Rogers).
17/ NEXT MEETING.
The next meeting of the Parish Council will take place on Tuesday 15th April 2014 in Longwick Village Hall at 8.00pm and will be preceded by the Annual Parish meeting at 7.30pm.
There being no further business to discuss, the Chairman closed the meeting at 10.00 pm.