Parish Council Minutes
PRESENT: Cllr Val McPherson BEM (Chair), Cllrs Brian Richards (Vice), Jane Rogers, Richard Myers and Alex Barter, Tracey Martin (Clerk). Buckinghamshire Councillor: Matt Walsh.
203. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Cllr McPherson welcomed all to the meeting. Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr van Apeldoorn and Cllr Wilkes. Buckinghamshire Councillors: Cllr Turner and Cllr Hall.
204. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD 15th FEBRUARY 2022: Approved by all Councillors.
205. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: None.
206. UPDATE FROM BUCKINGHAMSHIRE COUNCILLORS: Cllr Walsh stated that Buckinghamshire Council have been busy dealing with the Ukrainian refugee crisis, including locating translators, healthcare provision and the "home a refugee" initiative, which the government have confirmed they will cover the costs of. A meeting had taken place on the Transport Vision, and Cllr Walsh confirmed the Parish Council is due £69k in CIL over the next 18 months. Cllr Walsh stated that monthly meetings take place with the Local Area Technician, so any FixMyStreet-reported issues not rectified should be emailed to the Risborough Councillors, who will raise them directly. Councillors with concerns about a planning application can email the Risborough Ward Councillors to book a 20-minute slot with planners. Cllr McPherson asked when confirmed works on Bar Lane would commence; Cllr Walsh to find out. Action: Cllr Walsh. Cllr Walsh reported the Community Boards will have significantly less funding next year, around £170k across all boards, and suggested local organisations apply early. A concern was raised about the pile of green waste on the corner of Askett Lane/Lower Icknield Way; Cllr Walsh responded that an enforcement notice has been served to stop the burning of such waste, and he will contact the Member for Enforcement for an update. Residents are also increasingly frustrated at the slow response to closing the adjacent unauthorised mobile home settlement, with mobile generators now causing further noise; Cllr Walsh suggested the Council write to the three Risborough Ward Councillors raising concerns.
207. TO RECEIVE MATTERS ARISING NOT OTHERWISE ON THE AGENDA: The Clerk reported that the direct debit for EDF Energy is increasing to £25.
208. TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON KISSING GATES: Cllr Richards stated that footpath 16 is still outstanding; it has been reported to Rights of Way, who have made contact with the landowner, but no progress has been made. A representative of the Chiltern Society had also walked the footpath and shared comments with the Rights of Way Officer.
209. PLANNING
New applications reviewed and discussed:
- 22/05437/FUL: The Old Forge, Thame Road, Longwick: No comment to make
Applications whose status changed:
- 21/08744/FUL: White Gables, Thame Road, Longwick: Application permitted
210. TO NOTE ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BUDGET
The following payments were presented for approval:
| Payee | Net | VAT | Gross | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tracey Martin | £503.03 | £503.03 | Salary | |
| Tracey Martin | £26.85 | £26.85 | Mobile top-up, home allowance, postage | |
| HMRC | £5.29 | £5.29 | PAYE | |
| DCK Payroll Solutions | £25.00 | £5.00 | £30.00 | February payroll |
| AJGIBL | £870.17 | £870.17 | Insurance renewal 22–23 | |
| Orchard View Farm | £59.30 | £6.25 | £65.55 | Hire of meeting room, 16/02, and refreshments |
| Shield Maintenance | £143.00 | £28.60 | £171.60 | Bin emptying |
| Reids Playground | £890.00 | £178.00 | £1,068.00 | Rubber mulch, gym equipment |
| Longwick Village Hall | £120.00 | £120.00 | Hall hire for meetings, Oct 21 to Mar 22 | |
| Brian Richards | £11.64 | £1.33 | £12.97 | Stationery expenses |
| Valerie McPherson | £25.10 | £5.02 | £30.12 | Transport Vision Plan printing |
| Total | £2,679.38 | £224.20 | £2,903.58 |
Already-approved invoices previously paid: Robert Kirby £14,585.83 net (£17,503.00 gross), 1st instalment, paid 4th March 22; Playdale Playgrounds £2,959.50 net (£3,551.40 gross), paid 04/03 as agreed at the December meeting.
All payments were approved. The Clerk reported that she had received an overpayment of £6 last month due to a calculation error; £6 will be reduced from this month's expenses.
211. TO NOTE NATIONAL SALARY INCREASE OF 1.75%, BACKDATED TO APRIL 2021: Noted.
212. TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON THE JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS: Cllr Barter reported that the Parish Council will not now purchase ice creams, as an ice cream van will attend; there will be a crafting area, a chairoplane ride, bunting made by Parish children, music still to be decided, and advertising to be produced soon. It was decided to purchase mugs as the commemorative gift for children in the Parish.
213. TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON THE TRAFFIC CALMING PROJECT: Cllr McPherson reported that maps have been produced showing desired changes to certain speed limits. A further meeting will be scheduled to agree proposals, followed by a meeting with the Risborough Ward Councillors to finalise them; Councillor comments to be submitted to Cllr McPherson by 6th April.
214. LONGWICK CHURCH OF ENGLAND COMBINED SCHOOL – TO CONSIDER PROPOSALS FROM THE SCHOOL AND APPROVE THE RELEASE OF FUNDS GRANTED IN MARCH 2019 – TOTAL GRANT £35,000: All Councillors present agreed to approve the release of funds, to be added to the payment schedule. Action: Clerk
215. CONSIDER RESPONSE TO THE YEAR 6 PUPILS' IDEAS FOR IMPROVING LONGWICK COMMUNITY: Cllr Richards stated that Year 6 religious studies on Ummah (being part of your community) had resulted in children writing letters to the Parish Council, highlighting four key areas: a foodbank (not a direct Parish Council responsibility, but the Council could write to appropriate authorities highlighting the children's concerns); a Village Hall drop-in centre with a café, worship area and games room (Cllr Richards suggested writing to the Village Hall to share the idea for consideration once works are complete); picnic tables on the field for socialising (the Parish Council could consider this); and a community garden. It was agreed that Cllr Richards would write to the students thanking them for their comments, which will be passed on. Action: Cllr Richards
216. TO CONSIDER QUOTE FOR ADDING STEPS TO THE ENTRANCE TO THE WAR MEMORIAL: Only one quote had been received; it was agreed more quotes were required. Action: Clerk
217. TO DISCUSS AND DECIDE ON ANY RESPONSES TO CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED AND/OR ISSUED BY THE PARISH COUNCIL: The Clerk reported an email from Ilmer requesting use of the Village Green for their Jubilee event on 5th June; all Councillors were in agreement. The Clerk reported an email from Princes Risborough Town Council regarding grass cutting of the playing field, with the price increasing 2% to £3009; all Councillors agreed to proceed. Cllr Barter stated the preschool will be running an Easter egg trail around the village using the telegraph poles. Cllr Barter asked for an update on the previously discussed Community Engagement event; the Clerk stated a date is needed from Cllr Barter and Cllr Wilkes. Cllr Myers had been confronted in the Village Hall car park by a member of the Village Hall committee who shouted at him about the boiler not working, and had also phoned the builder on a Sunday; all Councillors agreed this was inappropriate and unacceptable, particularly as the Village Hall Committee had agreed that only the four members of the working group (2 Councillors and the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Village Hall) would deal directly with the builder. It was agreed Cllr McPherson, as Chairman, would write to the Chairman of the Village Hall Committee stating the above. Cllr McPherson asked whether the Parish Council would support showing solidarity with Ukraine by providing donation details on the website and Facebook; all Councillors agreed.
218. TO RECEIVE REPORTS FROM COUNCILLORS ON MEETINGS THAT THEY HAVE PARTICIPATED IN ON BEHALF OF THE PARISH COUNCIL: None attended.
219. TO CONSIDER AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING: Agenda items to be emailed to the Clerk.
220. DATE OF NEXT MEETING – 19th April 2022: It was agreed the Annual Parish Meeting would start at 7pm, with tea and coffee available, and the Parish Council meeting starting at 8pm. A flyer will be distributed in the newsletter and information put on Facebook to encourage attendance.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.45pm.