Parish Council Minutes
LONGWICK-CUM-ILMER PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 15TH OCTOBER 2024 AT 7.30PM AT LONGWICK VILLAGE HALL
PRESENT: Cllr McPherson BEM (Chairman), Cllr Myers (Vice Chairman), Brian Richards, Alex Barter, Mark Molson, and Jane Rogers.
Tracey Martin (Clerk)
Buckinghamshire Councillor: Alan Turner
2 members of the public present
A resident raised a concern due to a recent near fatal accident on the South bound fork of Stockwell Lane. Agree it is a difficult junction to visually see something coming and the Parish Council have raised this issue previously with Buckinghamshire Highways. Cllr Turner added that this has been flagged to highways previously and as part of the Risborough Expansion plans there is provision for making this a primary route and at that point that junction is ear marked for substantial change.
A resident raised a concern with planning application 07083/PNP3Q: Land Opposite St Michaels Church Horsenden Lane. The land is immediately beside the conservation area and the application is for two large houses. Views would be affected both in and out of the village and there is also concern about the negative impact on Horsenden Lane as there are no proper passing places in the lane which is used by walkers.
81. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Apologies were received from Buckinghamshire Councillors: Matthew Walsh and Gary Hall.
82. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: None declared
83. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD TUESDAY 17TH SEPTEMBER 2024: The minutes were approved by all Councillors and it was resolved to approve the minutes and they were signed.
84. UPDATE FROM BUCKINGHAMSHIRE COUNCILLOR:
- Solar Panel Farm in Ilmer, there had been an issue with the lighting installed which was outside of the condition permissions. The conditions have been tightened and they now have to use low level lighting with sensors.
- Bar Lane surfacing redressing has been confirmed for next week, weather permitting.
- The illegal signage along the Lower Icknield Way have now been removed.
- Buckinghamshire Council is now looking at next year's budget and like the majority of major councils it is going to be extremely difficult. The consultation on resident's preferences has now concluded and will feed into budget discussions.
- Cllr Richards asked for consideration of Councillors commitments to be given when setting a date for the Transport meeting with Councillors and Buckinghamshire Officers.
- Cllr Barter asked about winter works and reported an issue with a footpath.
- Cllr McPherson raised a concern with high grass across the Parish. Cllr Turner responded that this year financially they have had to focus on vision splay cutting.
85. PLANNING - TO CONSIDER AND APPROVE COMMENTS:
24/07083/PNP3Q: Land Opposite St Michaels Church Horsenden Lane: Objection
24/07205/FUL: Quercus Owlswick Buckinghamshire: No comment
24/07193/FUL: Stables Chadwell Hill Farm Lower Icknield Way Longwick: No comment
The following applications status has changed:
24/06741/FUL: Sarahs Cottage Thame Road: Application Permitted
24/06683/FUL: 32 Walnut Tree Lane Longwick: Application Permitted
24/06976/CTREE: Manor Farm Horsenden Lane: Not to make a Tree Preservation Order
86. TO NOTE PAYMENTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BUDGET:
| Payee | Net | VAT | Gross | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tracey Martin | £711.85 | £711.85 | Clerk Salary | |
| HMRC | £98.60 | £98.60 | PAYE | |
| OVF Community Garden | £2,059 | £2,059 | Grant – approval 77 | |
| PRTC | £382.80 | £76.56 | £459.36 | D/S Grass Cutting |
| Shield Maintenance | £169.22 | £33.84 | £203.06 | Bin emptying |
| Print Now | £182.00 | £182.00 | Printing services | |
| St Dunstan's Church | £60.00 | £60.00 | Hall Hire 16/05 & 18/09 |
Direct Debits / Standing orders: EDF £48.00 (Electricity); Nest £44.85 (Pension Contribution); GiffGaff £6.00 gross (Mobile Top Up).
Card Payments: Amazon £9.99 gross (Hi Vis Jackets); Royal British Legion £52.25 gross (Wreath for Service).
Receipts: Bucks Council £17,646.66 (2nd half of precept).
87. TO NOTE EXTERNAL AUDITORS REPORT AND CONFIRM THAT THE NOTICE OF CONCLUSION OF AUDIT WAS PUBLISHED ON THE 17TH SEPTEMBER 2024: Report and publication dates noted.
88. TO CONSIDER GRANT APPLICATION FROM LONGWICK CHURCH OF ENGLAND COMBINED SCHOOL: Discussions were had and it was resolved not to approve the grant application for £3,900 for tree works bordering the Village Hall Car Park this was primarily because CIL funds could not be used.
89. TO GIVE CONSIDERATION TO ESTABLISHING A PARISH EMAIL DATABASE, TO ASSIST WITH COMMUNICATION TO RESIDENTS: Discussions were had and it was resolved that a Parish email database will be held in order for communications to be sent out to those opted in through Mailchimp. The Parish Council will look to start this in the New Year. Clerk to advertise. Action: Clerk
90. TO CONSIDER ACTIONS FOLLOWING THE RECENT PARISH COUNCIL SURVEY: Cllr Molson had prepared some suggested actions ahead of the meeting which had been circulated to Councillors and posted on the website. Councillors worked through the actions and voted on each item:
- Additional Children's play equipment: It was resolved that the Clerk will seek feedback from the local primary school and disabled children's charities to gage what items children would like to see. Clerk to obtain quotes following information received above. Action: Clerk
- Control Of Dogs on Playing Field: It was resolved that additional signage would be displayed and the situation monitored. Clerk to order signage. Action: Clerk
- Anti-social behaviour: It was resolved that any anti-social behaviour should be reported to the police. This information will also be displayed on the Parish Council website. Clerk to add information on how to report any issues to the Parish Council website. Action: Clerk
- Speeding, Traffic Calming and Highways: Information has already been published on the Parish Council website.
- Issues with footways and / or pavements: Information on how to report issues are available on the Parish Council website. Cllr Richards and Cllr McPherson will walk the footways in the Parish to ascertain if any are overgrown and report where necessary. Action: Cllr Richards and Cllr McPherson
- Fly Tipping – Owlswick: Clerk to make enquiries with Buckinghamshire Council as to whether CCTV could be explored in Owlswick. Action: Clerk
- Use of Drugs: Thames Valley Police have been informed about the drug use concerns mentioned in the recent survey. They acknowledge that, while occasional drug issues exist in the Parish, it is no more prevalent here than in other parishes.
- Email: Create a survey to collect email addresses of parishioners. This was agreed under item 89.
- Research the placement of additional community noticeboard in the following locations and the costings: A community noticeboard could be considered as the Parish Council have one available in the garage. A resident who has expressed an interest previously in a noticeboard for this purpose will be approached to see if they would like to maintain it. Action: Cllr McPherson
- Review the last twelve months minutes item by item. Categorise each into either within or outside the Parish Council remit. For all those areas outside the remit, produce a "cheat sheet" of how each subject should be addressed with third parties. It was resolved that Councillor Molson will take on this project and report back to the Parish Council. Action: Cllr Molson
- In the survey, it was mentioned that Parish Councillors should attend more events. However, the Councillors believe this is not an accurate reflection, as they already participate in numerous events within the Parish, including the carol service, fete, light switch-on, and many more.
91. TO CONSIDER QUOTE FOR WORKS TO THE WAR MEMORIAL RAILINGS: The quote from Gommes Forge was considered and it was resolved to approve the quote at a cost of £2,500. It was also resolved to allocate £500 for the removal and refitting of the railings which will be carried out by D Hounslow.
92. TO DISCUSS AND DECIDE ON ANY RESPONSES TO CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED AND / OR ISSUED BY THE PARISH COUNCIL:
- Concerns were raised about Buckinghamshire Council not supporting the Parish Council's Traffic Calming Project, and road closed signs not being removed by contractors. Additionally, there were requests for a Vehicle Activated Sign (VAS) and a Speedwatch program in Stockwell Lane. The Clerk responded by providing Buckinghamshire Councillors' contact details to the resident so they could directly address their concerns. The Clerk also supplied information on how to register for Speedwatch and contacted the Officer responsible for approving locations, confirming that the site could potentially be used. This information has been shared with the Speedwatch Coordinator. Regarding the VAS, it was agreed that this could be investigated once the 1st Phase projects are completed.
- A request was made for a donation to Hope After Harm. It was resolved that, due to a lack of information on the direct benefit to residents, no donation would be made.
- Near fatal accident on the south bound fork of Stockwell Lane. This was discussed in the public participation part of the meeting.
- Complaint regarding out-of-control dog. This was discussed under item 90 and additional signage will be installed to remind dog owners to keep their dogs under control.
- The fete committee have asked if the Parish Council would consider matting at the entrance gate of the playing field as it can get very boggy when vehicles are entering. Councillors were in favour and the Clerk will obtain a quote. Action: Clerk They also requested if a fence panel could be removed for the fete to allow easier access. Councillors discussed and resolved that the fence panel could not be removed.
93. TO RECEIVE REPORTS FROM COUNCILLORS ON MEETINGS THAT THEY HAVE PARTICIPATED IN ON BEHALF OF THE PARISH COUNCIL: None attended
94. TO CONSIDER AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING AND TO CONFIRM THE DATES AND TIME OF THE NEXT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING: The next meeting will be Tuesday 19th November 2024 at 7.30pm at Longwick Village Hall.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.12pm.