Parish Council Minutes
PRESENT
Cllr Mrs Valerie McPherson (Chairman)
Cllrs Ian Walker, Graham Walters, Mrs Jane Rogers, Rolf van Apeldoorn, Brian Richards and Sally Whitworth
Clerk Mrs Susanne Griffiths
B.C.C. Cllr B Bendyshe-Brown
1/ APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
None were received.
2/ MINUTES
The Minutes of the previous meeting of the Parish Council on the 21st October 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. None were declared.
4/ A REPORT FROM CLLR BENDYSHE-BROWN (BCC) ON MATTERS CONCERNING LONGWICK-CUM-ILMER PARISH COUNCIL
Cllr Bill Bendyshe-Brown reported that he had visited the parish with the Local Area Technician to identify areas vulnerable to flooding, take preventative action and agree work to be carried out over the winter months by the TFB gang. He was pleased to advise that the funding for the Devolved Services trial had been agreed with effect from 1st April 2015.
Cllr Bill Bendyshe-Brown advised that the Rights of Way team have considered the footpath leading to the school and will not accept responsibility as the surface is in a poor condition and would not wish (or would be able to) take on such a maintenance liability. They have consulted colleagues in Transport for Bucks and they too have stated they would be unwilling to adopt it as public highway. The Parish Council consulted a solicitor last year concerning the footpath and was advised against accepting liability for the footpath but he suggested applying pressure on the County Council to keep the path open as he did not consider that it is the Parish Council's responsibility to maintain a school path. All present agreed that every effort must be made to keep the path open for the residents and parents of the school children to use and requested that Cllr Bill Bendyshe-Brown obtain quotes and possible avenues for funding for the maintenance of paths. BBB
5/ MATTERS ARISING NOT OTHERWISE ON THE AGENDA
A letter has been sent to Risborough Rangers explaining the problems created by them using the playing field and requesting that they limit the number of children to 15 and use the field for 2 hours maximum. No response has been received to date.
Cllr Val McPherson reported that dog fouling signs had been placed on some lamp posts but more were required to place around the village. Cllr Rolf van Apeldoorn agreed to place the remaining signs around the village once they had been received. RvA
6/ FINANCE
A/ Payments
| Cheque | Item | Description | Net | VAT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 164 | Grass Cutting | Manor Estates - Grass cutting Oct | £369.07 | £3.81 | £442.88 |
| 165 | Subs | WDALC - Annual Sub | £10.00 | £10.00 | |
| 166 | Admin | S Griffiths - Postage Sept 2013 -31st Oct 14 | £132.96 | £132.96 | |
| s/o | Clerks Fees | S Griffiths - Nov salary | £433.37 | £433.37 | |
| 167 | Risk Assessment | K Dobson - Risk Inspection Sep 2014 | £15.18 | £15.18 | |
| 168 | Admin | S Whitworth - Travel expenses | £11.45 | £11.45 |
B/ Receipts - Nil
C/ Bank Balance £18,912.24 (allowing for the above cheques)
The income for October and expenditure for November 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. There were no medium or high risk issues highlighted in the Risk Inspection Report for October 2014. Cllr Ian Walker reported that a car had hit the fence and damaged the 2nd post in. All present agreed for Cllr Ian Walker to obtain quotations to repair that section of the fence immediately and also a quotation for Estimates to replace the whole fence during the next year. IW
B. Children's play area. There were no medium or high risk issues highlighted in the Risk Inspection Report for October 2014. No other issues were reported.
8/ ROADS, VERGES AND RIGHTS OF WAY
The Clerk is requested to contact the relevant authorities to action the following issues:- A bent sign next to Bridleway 14. The road sign name and supports for Bell Crescent needs replacing. SG
9/ CORRESPONDENCE
Potential Devolution of Green Space management within Longwick-cum-Ilmer Parish. All present agreed that the Parish Council would be interested in managing the two areas currently maintained by W.D.C. for a fee but would not consider transferring the land to the Parish Council's ownership at the present time. The Clerk is requested to advise W.D.C accordingly. SG
E-mail from resident re dog fouling. An e-mail from a resident has been received regarding dog owners whose pets had fouled outside the resident's house. They do not feel that it is their duty or have the time to clear the mess and wish to bring the matter to the Parish Council's attention. All present sympathised with the resident but it is outside the Parish Council's remit as it has no jurisdiction in this area. It is suggested that the resident obtains the names of the dog owners and the dates of the incidents and reports the information to the dog warden at W.D.C. who will be able to prosecute the owners. SG
Letter concerning the poor condition of pavements in Longwick Village. A letter has been received from the School Travel Plan Team requesting that the Parish Council apply for funding from the Local Area Forum for repairs to the footpaths in Longwick. The Councillors are aware of the poor condition of the paths and have brought it to the attention of the County Councillor. The Clerk agreed to investigate if funding for the repair of the paths is available through the Local Area Forum. SG/BBB
Offer to collect and install the Christmas tree for the Carol Service. George Harper has offered to collect and install a Christmas tree for the Carol Service. All present agreed and thank George for his kind offer. Cllr I Walker agreed to liaise with George. IW
E-mail from Lynne Maddocks, Community Engagement Officer, Aylesbury Vale District Council. AVDC has informed the Parish Council that The Woodland Trust has 3000 free tree packs to give away to schools, community and youth groups. The free tree packs are available for planting on a publicly accessible site. The packs available are; Small (30 saplings); Medium (105 saplings); and Large (420 saplings). Packs will be awarded on a first come first serve basis. All applicants need to do is find a suitable site and supply the volunteer planters and tree protection. Cllr Val McPherson proposed that the Parish Council apply for a small pack to plant in the Playing Field as a small copse. Cllr Rolf van Apeldoorn agreed to ask the Scouts if they would volunteer to plant the saplings. A vote was taken and the motion carried with 6 votes for and 1 abstention. The Clerk is requested to apply on behalf of the Parish Council. SG/RvA
10. A REPORT ON THE FUTURE OF LONGWICK AND TO DISCUSS AND DECIDE ON HOW TO RESPOND TO ANY REQUEST FOR COMMENTS THAT WOULD NEED TO BE BACK BEFORE DECEMBER MEETING ON THE CONSULTATION REPORT.
Cllr Graham Walters reported on the progress of the consultation. A response may be required on the second draft of the consultation report before the December meeting and all present agreed that the councillors would meet informally to agree the wording, if this was required. ALL
11. ON WHETHER THE PARISH COUNCIL IS PREPARED TO TAKE ON THE OWNERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT OF A MOBILE VEHICLE ACTIVATED SIGN.
Cllr Graham Walters has thoroughly investigated the cost to the Parish Council for the installation and ongoing maintenance of mobile vehicle activated sign if it was to come under the ownership of the Parish Council. Cllr Val McPherson proposed that the Parish Council did not proceed with the offer to take on the ownership and management of a mobile vehicle activated sign due to the costs involved being prohibitive. A vote was taken and the motion carried.
12. THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING DATES FOR 2015
All present agreed on the following dates at the new starting time of 7.45pm:-
Tuesday 20th January 7.45pm
Tuesday 17th February 7.45pm
Tuesday 17th March 7.45pm
Tuesday 21st April 7.30pm Annual Parish Meeting
Tuesday 21st April 8.00pm Council Meeting
Tuesday 19th May 7.45pm Annual Meeting of the Parish Council
Tuesday 16th June 7.45pm
Tuesday 21st July 7.45pm
NO COUNCIL MEETING IN AUGUST
Tuesday 15th September 7.45pm
Tuesday 20th October 7.45pm
Tuesday 17th November 7.45pm
Tuesday 15th December 7.45pm
13 AN UPDATE ON DEVOLVED SERVICES FROM B.C.C.
Buckinghamshire County Council is holding a meeting to update local councils on the Parish Devolution proposal on December 4th, 2014 at the Coach House, Green Park Conference Centre, Aston Clinton. The focus of this meeting will be on the arrangements for local councils which have indicated that they may be ready to implement the proposal from April 2015. Cllr Sally Whitworth and the Clerk agreed to attend. SW/SG
14. RESPONSES TO THE RECENT COMMUNICATIONS QUESTIONNAIRE
The Clerk informed the members that 142 replies had been received to date. The Clerk is requested to advise the members of the number of responses from each area in the parish and to place this item on the next agenda. SG
15/ PLANNING APPLICATIONS
To consider New Planning Applications
- 14/07841/LBC: Woodbine Cottage, Chestnut Way, Longwick, Buckinghamshire. Listed building application: Construction of single storey side/rear extension. The Parish Council will abide by the decision of the Conservation Officer.
- 14/07729/FUL: Hunters Lodge, Bar Lane Owlswick Buckinghamshire HP27 9RG. Proposal: Householder application for construction of conservatory to rear. The Longwick-cum-Ilmer Parish Council has no objections.
Notice of Planning Applications Approved
None.
To Receive Notice of Planning Applications Refused
- 14/06582/FUL — Decision: Application Refused. Address: Land North Of Bumpers Farm Ilmer Lane Ilmer Buckinghamshire. Proposal: Construction of a ground mounted solar farm including supporting infrastructure comprising 14 x inverter enclosures, Distributor Network Operator (DNO) cabin, security fencing and CCTV system, underground cabling, landscaping and associated works to include creation of access tracks.
15/ AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING.
An update on devolved services from B.C.C. To discuss and decide on responses to the recent communications questionnaire.
16/ NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Parish Council will take place on Tuesday 16th December 2014 in Longwick Village Hall at 8.00pm.
There being no further business to discuss the Meeting closed at 9.30 pm.