Ilmer Past

Parish Council Minutes

PRESENT: Cllr Val McPherson BEM (Chair), Cllrs Brian Richards (Vice), Richard Myers, Alex Barter, Rolf van Apeldoorn, Jane Rogers, Tracey Martin (Clerk). One member of the public present.

  1. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Cllr McPherson welcomed all to the meeting. There were no apologies.

  2. MINUTES OF MEETINGS HELD 16th MARCH 2021: A minor amendment to item 6c — the action should have read Cllr Barter and Cllr van Apeldoorn. Subject to the above amendment the minutes were approved by all Councillors.

  3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: None declared.

  4. MATTERS ARISING NOT OTHERWISE ON THE AGENDA: Cllr van Apeldoorn asked if there was any update on the new gate which has appeared from 'Haymarket Court' on the Harrow Road in the Wickfield's estate; the Clerk responded that she is in talks with Bellway and the management company who have taken over the development. Cllr van Apeldoorn asked if there was any update on the car parked on Boxer Road which is an eyesore; Cllr McPherson stated that it has been reported to the Police, and it was agreed the Clerk would write to Buckinghamshire Council. Action: Clerk

  5. TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON TRAFFIC CALMING PROJECT: Cllr McPherson reported that there has been no progress from the Traffic Consultant. Cllr McPherson and Cllr Richards are pushing the matter and requested it be minuted that the Parish Council is disappointed in the speed of responses.

  6. TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON KISSING GATES: Cllr Richards reported that the kissing gate in Dickies Lane has been installed and many compliments have been received. The remaining gate in storage has been allocated to a site on footpath 16; the contractor is in talks with the landowner, who will need to drive in some new posts before the gate can be installed. Cllr Richards stated that an enquiry had been received from an Ilmer resident, and the contractor is going to arrange to visit the site; it is hoped that if any other landowners in Ilmer are interested they would make contact with the Parish Council as soon as possible, so that the required number of gates can be ordered more cost-effectively. Cllr Richards reported that Buckinghamshire Council have been very happy with the Parish Council's contractor and have requested his details, which he is considering.

  7. PLANNING

New applications reviewed and discussed:

Applications whose status changed:

8. FINANCE

The following accounts for payment were reviewed and approved:

Payee Net VAT Gross Comment
Keith Dobson £16.00 £16.00 Risk assessment, March 2021
Came and Company £825.50 £825.50 Insurance renewal (paid ahead of 31 March due date; for information)
Tracey Martin £527.83 £527.83 Salary
Earth Anchors £1,343.00 £268.60 £1,611.60 3 x benches for play area
DCK Accounting £50.00 £10.00 £60.00 VAT advice
DCK Accounting £25.00 £5.00 £30.00 March payroll
Kevin Wharton £330.00 £330.00 Supply and fit kissing gate
Whiteleaf Printers £820.00 £820.00 Newsletters
TBS Hygiene £160.00 £32.00 £192.00 Bin emptying March
DCK Accounting £25.00 £5.00 £30.00 Year-end payroll processing
PRTC £191.70 £38.34 £230.04 Grass cutting 31 March 2021 (unable to strim bank at Walnut Lane due to parked cars)
HMRC £18.20 £18.20 Tax
Oxford Oak £400.00 £80.00 £480.00 Removal of split tree, playing fields
Total £4,732.23 £438.94 £5,171.17

9. TO NOTE AND APPROVE END OF YEAR ACCOUNTS: The previously circulated end-of-year accounts were approved by all Councillors. Thanks were given to the Clerk for getting the accounts in order. Cllr Myers asked who would be inspecting the accounts next year; as there were no other volunteers, Cllr Myers will continue to do quarterly checks of the accounts.

10. APPROVAL OF ASSET REGISTER: The addition of the new benches at a value of £1245 to be added to the asset register. Subject to the above addition, the asset register was approved.

11. CCTV UPDATE: Cllr McPherson reported that the CCTV is installed and up and running, with Cllr McPherson, Cllr Myers and the Clerk having received training. Cllr Myers stated that further clarification is required on data usage, as it would be better to view from a laptop at home than on a phone; Clerk to enquire. Action: Clerk. Cllr van Apeldoorn requested additional CCTV signs; Clerk to request. Action: Clerk. A demonstration of the CCTV was requested, but it was confirmed that only those who had received training by Camsec could access the system, per Data Protection requirements. Cllr Myers suggested a piece in the newsletter on the CCTV, but in the meantime something could be put on the website.

12. APPROVAL OF CCTV POLICY: The previously circulated CCTV Policy was approved.

13. TO DISCUSS AND CONSIDER APPROPRIATE ACTION TO TACKLE THE ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR AT LONGWICK PLAYING FIELDS: Cllr McPherson reported that the police had been called many times to the playing fields due to anti-social behaviour. The CCTV has a clear picture of all areas apart from the shelter, which is blocked by the previously discussed tree, so either the tree needs to be removed at a cost of around £300 plus VAT or the shelter possibly moved; it was agreed to look at the cost of having security onsite for a few weeks to break the cycle of anti-social behaviour. It was also reported that barbecues had been taking place on the field, which is both a fire hazard due to the dry grass and a safety issue with children running around.

14. COMMUNITY SPEEDWATCH IN THE VILLAGE – CONSIDER PURCHASING EQUIPMENT: Cllr McPherson reported that she had been speaking with the Police Coordinator for Speedwatch, who informed her that a resident has completed the required course and registered Speedwatch for Longwick; the new PCC is also looking into purchasing units for use across Thames Valley. As a resident has registered Longwick in the scheme, this will be left with them to pursue for the time being.

15. TO CONSIDER AND APPROVE DEVOLUTION OF GREEN SPACE IN THE WYCOMBE AREA: All Councillors approved.

16. TO CONSIDER AND APPROVE THE NUMBER OF GRASS CUTS REQUIRED IN THE PARISH: Cllr McPherson asked Councillors whether the number of grass cuts in the parish should be reviewed. Currently the field and Ilmer Green are cut 22 times, while other areas such as Bell Crescent and Walkers Road are cut 8 times in the growing season. After discussion it was agreed to reduce the number of cuts at Ilmer Green to 8. Clerk to inform contractor. Action: Clerk

17. TO CONSIDER AND APPROVE QUOTES FOR GARAGE FASCIA: The Clerk reported that she had contacted many builders, but all had either been too busy to quote or had visited the site and then not quoted. The Clerk had managed to get one quote but declared an interest, as her husband is a partner in the building company; it is the only company to have quoted, at a total cost of £1300. All Councillors were in agreement to proceed.

18. TO REVIEW QUOTES FOR PLACING NEW BINS AND MOVING BENCHES AT THE PLAYING FIELDS: Cllr McPherson will follow this up.

19. TO CONSIDER A GRANT APPLICATION FROM LONGWICK VILLAGE HALL FOR REPAIRS TO BALCONY POSTS: The previously circulated grant application was considered and the Council resolved to award the grant at a cost of £1,000; all Councillors were in favour.

20. TO DISCUSS AND APPROVE A PLAN FOR MEETINGS GOING FORWARD: The Clerk reported that a High Court ruling had overridden this agenda item, as online meetings would no longer be legal from 7th May 2021. Discussions were had and the Parish Council will hold their next meeting at Longwick Village Hall — cleaning will be required before and after the meeting. Cllr Myers will be sending his apologies, but at this time all other Councillors will be attending.

21. AGREE A RESPONSE TO GOVERNMENT CONSULTATION ON REMOTE MEETINGS: The government is running a consultation on the effectiveness of remote meetings. It was agreed that the Clerk will submit a response on behalf of the Parish Council and share the link with Councillors, should they wish to submit their own response. Action: Clerk

22. TO DISCUSS AND DECIDE ON ANY RESPONSES TO CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED AND/OR ISSUED BY THE PARISH COUNCIL: The Clerk reported correspondence from a resident requesting that dogs be kept on leads; Councillors had discussed this previously and the Parish Council's position has not changed — the playing fields are open to all, including walkers with dogs off leads. Cllr McPherson stated she had only received one response from residents following the newsletter article asking for recommendations for under-3s play equipment — suggestions were a mini climbing frame with slide, a fire engine or a pirate ship. Cllr McPherson reported that she'd had to ask a child to take their dog out of the children's park area and asked whether bigger "no dogs" signs should be considered; it was agreed the current signage is appropriate. The Clerk raised the question of where a bus shelter could be placed with s.106 monies, following emails from Buckinghamshire Council; Cllr Rogers suggested Chestnut Way along the verge from the junction opposite the Red Lion towards Bell Crescent, where there is a concrete slab she believed a bus shelter had previously stood. Cllr van Apeldoorn offered to meet Buckinghamshire Council's officer to discuss options; Clerk to arrange. Action: Clerk. Cllr Rogers raised a concern that no report had been received from the Parochial Charities; Clerk to follow up. Action: Clerk

There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.51pm.