Parish Council Minutes
The Parish Council Meeting started at 8.40pm due to the Annual Parish Meeting overrunning.
PRESENT: Cllr Val McPherson BEM (Chair), Cllrs Brian Richards (Vice), Rolf van Apeldoorn, Alex Barter, Jane Rogers, Richard Myers and Tracey Martin (Clerk). Buckinghamshire Councillor: Alan Turner.
- WELCOME AND APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Cllr McPherson welcomed all to the meeting. Apologies were received from Buckinghamshire Councillors Matthew Walsh and Gary Hall.
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: Cllr Barter questioned whether she had an interest in agenda item 8, Longwick C of E School grant application. It was agreed that Cllr Barter does not have an interest.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD 21ST MARCH 2023: The minutes were approved by all Councillors and the minutes were signed.
4. UPDATE FROM BUCKINGHAMSHIRE COUNCILLORS: No further update as provided in the Annual Parish Meeting.
5. TO RECEIVE MATTERS ARISING NOT OTHERWISE ON THE AGENDA:
- Cllr McPherson reported that she had received an email from St Peter's Church in Ilmer asking whether they could apply for a grant for repairs to the Church roof. The Clerk has made enquiries with BALC and they have responded that the Parish Council is not permitted to spend money on property relating to affairs of the church. St Peter's Church have been informed of this.
- Cllr McPherson had been contacted by the Speedwatch group asking if Speedwatch signs could be placed on the village entrance gates. The Clerk responded that this had been considered previously but because we have planters in front of the gates it would not be suitable.
6. PLANNING:
The following new applications were reviewed, discussed and comments approved:
- 23/05534/FUL: 1 Innkeepers Court Longwick — No comment
- 23/05638/FUL: Wellington House Lower Icknield Way — Objection (see planning portal for full details)
- 23/05660/ADRC: Hill View Longwick Road — No comment required
- 23/05774/FUL: September Cottage Ilmer Lane, Ilmer — No comment
- 23/05819/CLP: Dunster Chestnut Way Longwick — No comment
- 23/05970/CTREE: Horsenden Manor Horsenden Lane — No comment
- 23/05973/MINAMD: Bumpers Farm Ilmer Lane, Ilmer — No comment required
All comments were approved.
The following applications' status has changed:
- 23/05370/FUL: The Old Forge Thame Road Longwick — Application permitted
- 23/05651/CLP: 36 Wayfarers End Longwick — Grant certificate, proposed development
- 23/05624/MINAMD: Land to the South of Rose Farm Thame Road — Application permitted
- 22/08062/FUL: Old Berkeley House Owlswick — Application permitted
7. TO NOTE APRIL PAYMENTS FOR APPROVAL:
| Payee | Net | VAT | Gross | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tracey Martin | £686.90 | £686.90 | Clerk Salary | |
| Tracey Martin | £20.00 | £20.00 | 9 weeks home allowance | |
| Cashplus | £406.80 | £406.80 | Reinstate Balance | |
| HMRC | £68.40 | £68.40 | PAYE | |
| Everything Figures | £125.00 | £125.00 | Payroll Processing | |
| Shield Maintenance | £143.00 | £28.60 | £171.60 | Bin Emptying |
| PRTC | £1,338.67 | £267.73 | £1,606.40 | Grass cutting playing field and Ilmer |
| Bucks Council | £5,838.82 | £5,838.82 | Toll Bar Corner Improvements | |
| Total | £8,627.59 | £296.33 | £8,923.92 |
CashPlus Card: Flags and Flagpoles £403.80 (Flag Pole and Flags); GiffGaff £6.00 (Monthly Top Up). Total £409.80.
Direct Debits/Standing Orders: EDF Energy £25.00 (Electricity monthly payment); Nest £41.80 (Pension Contribution). Total £66.80.
Payments Under Delegated Authority: Print Now £604.00 (Newsletters invoice received late).
Receipts: Bucks Council £3,482.77 (Devolved services).
All payments were approved.
8. TO CONSIDER GRANT APPLICATION: LONGWICK C OF E SCHOOL – LIBRARY AREA IMPROVEMENTS: Discussions were had on the application which had been circulated prior to the meeting. A vote was taken and all Councillors were in favour of approving the grant for £5,000, however, the Clerk to inform the school that the Parish Council will only consider one grant application in any financial year as per our grants policy. A Councillor also suggested that it would be good to have a tour of the school to see where funds had been spent. Clerk to arrange. Action: Clerk
9. TO DECIDE WHERE TO PLANT THE DONATED REDWOOD TREE ON THE PLAYING FIELD: Cllr van Apeldoorn provided Councillors with details about the tree and after discussions it was agreed to place the tree between the garage and zip wire. Cllr van Apeldoorn to share details of the resident donating the tree with the Clerk so she can send a letter of thanks. Action: Cllr van Apeldoorn / Clerk
10. TO DISCUSS AND DECIDE ON ANY RESPONSES TO CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED AND/OR ISSUED BY THE PARISH COUNCIL: The Clerk had received the following correspondence:
- Concerns about visitors to the fete seeing the condition of the footpath by the scout hut, the overgrown hedge and a request that the school tidy up the forest school area. The Clerk has responded the footpath is the responsibility of Buckinghamshire Council and has flagged this up to the Local Area Technician. Further details have been requested on the hedge to gauge ownership and, as the school is on private property, it is up to them how they maintain their forest school.
- Request to hire the playing field for a commercial event. Discussions were had and it was agreed not to hire the playing field for this type of event.
- Request to erect a gazebo for a child's party on the playing field. Discussions were had and it was agreed to permit this, however, it is a one off and the user is responsible for ensuring the marquee is erected safely and not used in strong winds. The Clerk recommended against the use of a gazebo due to insurance and risk assessment concerns.
- Concerns about the level of accidents in Stockwell Lane. Contents noted.
11. TO RECEIVE REPORTS FROM COUNCILLORS ON MEETINGS THAT THEY HAVE PARTICIPATED IN ON BEHALF OF THE PARISH COUNCIL: None attended.
12. TO CONSIDER AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING: Send through to Clerk.
13. TO CONFIRM THE DATES AND TIMES OF THE NEXT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING: The Annual Meeting of the Council will be held on Tuesday 16th May 2023 at 7.30pm.
14. There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.20pm.