Parish Council Minutes
PRESENT
Cllr Mrs Valerie McPherson BEM (Chairman)
Cllrs Ian Walker, Mrs Jane Rogers, Rolf van Apeldoorn, and Brian Richards
Acting Clerk Mrs Jayne Mylchreest
4 members of the public
1/ APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies received and accepted from Cllr Graham Walters.
2/ MINUTES
The Minutes of the previous meeting of the Parish Council on the 19th May 2015 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 was unable to attend.
5/ MATTERS ARISING NOT OTHERWISE ON THE AGENDA
The age restriction sign for the playground: the Risk Inspection Officer declined to offer advice on a recommended age. The Clerk has contacted Bucks Playing Field Association for advice but has not received a response; the Clerk is requested to contact the Play Equipment providers for their recommendation.
6/ FINANCE
Payments:
| Cheque | Payee / Description | Net | VAT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| s/o | PRTC – Grass cutting, May | £300.00 | £60.00 | £360.00 |
| s/o | Salaries, June | £441.75 | £441.75 | |
| s/o | K Dobson – Risk Assessment, May | £15.30 | £15.30 | |
| 201 | HMRC – PAYE Apr/May/June | £118.60 | £118.60 |
Receipts: £907.24 HMRC VAT repayment.
Bank Balance £20,985.60 (allowing for the above cheques). The expenditure for June was examined by the Council. All present agreed that the necessary cheques be signed.
7/ CAPITAL ITEMS AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES
Playing Field – there were no medium or high risk issues highlighted in the Risk Inspection Report for May 2015. All present agreed that the Choral Society be allowed to use the playing field for car parking as in previous years, subject to suitability at the time. All present agreed for Cllr Rolf van Apeldoorn to approach the Longwick Scout Group to ask if they would be willing to clear the weeds by the newly planted trees. The Clerk is requested to contact Alastair Cunningham at Wycombe District Council to advise the timescale of the Tree Survey.
Children's play area – there were no medium or high risk issues highlighted in the Risk Inspection Report for May 2015.
8/ ROADS, VERGES AND RIGHTS OF WAY
The Clerk is requested to contact the relevant authorities to action the following issues: two piles of soil are still in the lay-by on the Thame Road. Cllr Jane Rogers has reported the following issues not yet resolved:
- A large pothole near some buildings on Owlswick Lane. Ref 506836.
- A black and white warning post knocked down adjacent to a road junction in Owlswick. Ref 506839.
- The road is subsiding opposite the entrance to a new barn conversion called Sans Close. Ref 506838.
- A 12 inch x 2cm pothole close to The Bungalow, Owlswick, in the middle of a car lane. Ref 506129.
- A 24 inch x 4 inch pothole on Owlswick Lane close to the verge in line with a car tyre. Ref 506133.
- A 24 inch x 6cm pothole on Owlswick Lane near a verge in the middle of a car lane. Ref 506130.
- A 24 inch x 5 inch pothole near a house called Tifnams in the middle of the car lane. Ref 506131.
The Clerk is requested to contact The Chiltern Society to ask if they will clear Footpath No 4.
9/ CORRESPONDENCE
- Letter from Wycombe District Council requesting the Community Covenant to be signed. All present agreed that Cllr Brian Richards sign the Covenant, a statement of mutual support between the civilian and local armed forces community, aiming to help service personnel families and veterans within RAF High Wycombe access help and support.
- Email from the Longwick Village Hall Committee stating that trees belonging to the Parish Council are hanging over the car park, blocking a parking space. Cllr Val McPherson proposed that the Parish Council has no objection to the Village Hall Committee cutting back the trees themselves. Seconded by Cllr Brian Richards. All present agreed.
- Invitation from Wycombe District Council to attend Armed Forces Day – Flag raising ceremony, Monday 22nd June 2015. Noted; all present agreed for Cllr Brian Richards to attend.
- Email from Bucks County Council to advise that the footpath in Walnut Tree Lane has been declared "surplus to requirements" by Longwick School. It has been confirmed that BCC hold the title to the property, and BCC Property Services have confirmed they will undertake necessary resurfacing works with a view to the path being adopted by BCC Highways. Noted.
- Letter from The Pensions Regulator re Automatic enrolment, staging date 1/1/2016. All present agreed to include this as an agenda item for the next meeting.
- Email request to install a bouncy castle on grass outside the Village Hall, 25th July 2015. All present agreed, subject to a risk assessment and public liability insurance being provided in advance.
- Email received from a resident regarding the ownership of the plot of land outside Bell Crescent. The resident has been advised that the land is owned by Wycombe District Council.
10/ A REPORT FROM THE STEERING GROUP ON THE NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN
Please see Appendix 1 for the new page on the Longwick-cum-Ilmer Parish website from the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group.
11/ THE PREFERRED CANDIDATE TO FILL THE VACANCY FOR A COUNCILLOR BY CO-OPTION
Sally Whitworth applied to be considered to fill the vacancy for a councillor by co-option; there were no further applications. Cllr Jane Rogers proposed that the council co-opt Sally Whitworth. Seconded by Cllr Rolf van Apeldoorn. All present agreed.
12/ A REVIEW OF THE BANK SIGNATORY LIST
A review of the bank signatory list was undertaken. It was agreed to remove two signatories no longer Councillors and to add Cllr Sally Whitworth.
13/ THE REQUEST FOR A TRAFFIC CALMING INITIATIVE FOR CHESTNUT WAY TO BE FUNDED THROUGH THE LOCAL AREA FORUM
Cllr Rolf van Apeldoorn proposed that the Clerk request a meeting between Cllrs Val McPherson and Rolf van Apeldoorn, Bucks County Councillor Bill Bendyshe-Brown and the Local Area Technician to discuss the possible options. Seconded by Cllr Val McPherson. All present agreed.
14/ A REVIEW OF THE STANDING ORDERS
All present agreed for the Clerk to circulate a version of the updated standing orders for the members to consider and approve at the next meeting.
15/ COMMERCIAL ADVERTISING IN THE PARISH NEWSLETTER
All present agreed to trial commercial advertising in the newsletter to pay for an outside source to produce the newsletter. Cllr Brian Richards proposed that the Clerk arrange a meeting with Princes Risborough Town Council to discuss the options. Seconded by Cllr Rolf van Apeldoorn. All present agreed.
16/ LITTER IN THE VILLAGE
Cllr Val McPherson stated the litter in the village is a problem, particularly by the garage and the village shop, and proposed that the Clerk contact Wycombe District Council to request a free "Take your Litter Home Sign".
17/ PLANNING APPLICATIONS
New Planning Applications:
- 15/06161/OUT: Boxer Road/Barn Road (OS Parcel 9166 Boxer Road & OS Parcel 6576 Walnut Tree Lane). Outline application (including details of access) for residential development of up to 160 dwellings with vehicle access from Boxer Road/Barn Road, pedestrian and cycle access to Walnut Tree Lane, parking, public open space and landscaping. Cllr Val McPherson proposed the following response, seconded by Cllr Brian Richards, all present agreed: Longwick cum Ilmer Parish Council urge the District Council to refuse this application, as it is not very different from the earlier application 14/06965/OUT which the District Council unanimously recently decided would have been refused. The reasons for objection: it does not conform to the visions, objectives or site allocations of the Draft Neighbourhood Plan, which proposes development on a number of smaller sites spread through the main area of the village rather than one larger site; it is out of scale and character within the settlement; it would increase traffic and risk to road safety due to site access concentrated through one route; it would not be sustainable, as there is no bus service and it would be too reliant on private cars; and it does not provide a direct safe cycle route to Princes Risborough rail station.
- 15/06445/MINAMD: The Old Stables, Meadle Village Road, Meadle. Proposed non-material amendment to householder application for construction of a single storey glazed rear infill extension linking store and replacement garage, granted under 12/07849/FUL. Noted.
- 15/06332/OUT: Land adjacent Holly Tree Poultry Farm, Askett Village Lane, Askett. Outline application with all matters reserved for demolition of all buildings and structures and redevelopment to provide up to 152 dwellings and public open space. Cllr Val McPherson proposed the same objection as above (visions/objectives/site allocations; scale and character; traffic and road safety; lack of bus service; no safe cycle route to the station). Seconded by Cllr Jane Rogers. All present agreed.
- 15/0658/FUL: Chiltern, Chestnut Way, Longwick. Householder application for construction of single storey front and rear extensions and associated alterations. All present agreed for Cllr Rolf van Apeldoorn to make a site visit before a decision could be made; the Parish Council has no objection.
Notice of Planning Applications Approved:
- 15/05872/FUL: Risborough Re-upholstery, Walkers Yard, Thame Road, Longwick. Change of use & alterations to Unit D from 1 B1 (Light Industrial) unit to create 2 x B1 (Light Industrial) units & construction of new porch canopy. Application Permitted.
- 15/05969/FUL: The Flint House, Owlswick. Householder application for construction of part two storey, part single storey extension to south elevation with extension to terrace and steps. Application Permitted.
Notice of Planning Applications Refused: none.
Notice of Applications Withdrawn: none.
Notice of Appeals in Progress:
- 14/06965/OUT: Boxer Road/Barn Road (OS Parcel 9166 Boxer Road & OS Parcel 6576 Walnut Tree Lane). Outline application for residential development of up to 160 dwellings.
16/ AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING
To receive a report from the Steering Group for the Neighbourhood Plan and decide on any actions to be taken. To approve the review of the Standing Orders. To discuss and decide on the action to be taken regarding The Pensions Regulator automatic enrolment.
17/ NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Parish Council will take place on Tuesday 21st July 2015 in Longwick Village Hall at 7.45pm. There being no further business to discuss the Meeting closed at 9.33pm.
Appendix 1
NOTES OF THE LONGWICK-CUM-ILMER PARISH NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN STEERING GROUP MEETING, 28th May 2015, Longwick. Steering Group: Cllr Val McPherson, Cllr Brian Richards, Cllr Sally Whitworth, Janet Marsh and Tony Bravery. Apologies: Graham Bucknell. Also attending: Rosie Brake (WDC), Louise Thomas (TDRC) and Cllr Graham Walters (Liaison Officer).
1. Review of Action – RB to incorporate Environment Agency comments on the SEA and circulate; matters from the last meeting incorporated into the Draft Plan; landowners/developers suggesting additional sites had been advised of the decision not to include them; the Steering Group and Parish Council answered questions from residents at the Longwick Fete on 2nd May; the Parish Council considered the Draft Plan at its meeting of 19th May and referred a number of changes to the Steering Group.
2. Amendments on the Draft Neighbourhood Plan – each Councillor's suggestion for change was considered, and some agreed for inclusion; LT to make the agreed changes.
3. Questionnaire to prompt response to the Neighbourhood Plan – questions agreed; LT to set up the questionnaire online.
4. Consultation – the consultation period would run from 8th June to 20th July; an exhibition would be held on 25th, 26th and 27th June; LT to liaise on exhibition content, VM to organise attendance; comments via online questionnaire (LT), written questionnaire (TB) and email (GB) to be summarised; leaflets to be delivered to all residents and businesses; a ballot box for written responses to be provided at the Post Office, with copies of the Draft Plan deposited at agreed locations.
5. Next Meeting – Tuesday 11th August, Longwick School, 19:45.
Also published: a new "Parish Neighbourhood Plan" page on the LCI Parish website, explaining that the Parish Council decided to prepare a Neighbourhood Plan in January 2015 to guide development up to 2033; the Draft Plan was open to consultation from 8th June to 20th July, viewable at Longwick School, the Post Office, the Red Lion, the Parish Council offices, the Princes Risborough Information Centre and Library, and Orchard View Farm Shop; an exhibition was held at Longwick School on 25th-27th June; views could be submitted via an online questionnaire, a printed leaflet, or by emailing [email protected].