Parish Council Minutes
LONGWICK-CUM-ILMER PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 19TH NOVEMBER 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: Gary Hall
Buckinghamshire Officer: Lead Enforcement Officer, Strategic Waste Management
Two members of the public
The Buckinghamshire Council Officer for Lead Enforcement, Strategic Waste Management provided Councillors and Members of the Public information on how fly tipping, enforcement and prosecution is dealt with. A presentation will be posted on the Parish Council website but the key points were the following:
- Buckinghamshire Council take a robust position on fly tipping as people have a duty of care to ensure that waste is disposed of correctly.
- Waste is only removed from public land but Buckinghamshire Council will investigate fly tipping on private land.
- If somebody sees fly tipping this should be reported on FixMyStreet, if possible, with the vehicle registration number and any photographic evidence, but only if safe to do so.
- There is surveillance at fly tipping hot spots.
- Buckinghamshire Council are also carrying out littering enforcement, tackling littering from vehicles. For this they will rely on dashcam footage from road users and this can be submitted as evidence on the FixMyStreet website.
- Questions were taken
95. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Apologies were received from Buckinghamshire Councillors: Matthew Walsh and Alan Turner.
96. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: None declared
97. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD TUESDAY 15TH OCTOBER 2024: It was resolved to approve the minutes and the minutes were signed.
98. TO CONSIDER ANY ACTIONS FOLLOWING THE PRESENTATION ON FLY TIPPING BY THE BUCKINGHAMSHIRE COUNCIL OFFICER: Cllr Barter or the Clerk will produce a Facebook and Website post with information. Action: Clerk / Cllr Barter
99. UPDATE FROM BUCKINGHAMSHIRE COUNCILLOR GARY HALL:
- The budget for 2025-2026 has been prepared but this is being rewritten due to the government's budget.
- Buckinghamshire Councillors have been working behind the scenes on the highway project and are seeing some progress and would hope to have some news within a week.
100. TO CONSIDER A GRANT APPLICATION FROM LONGWICK EVENING WI FOR THE CAROL SINGALONG: Longwick Evening WI had applied for a grant for £80 for costs associated with the Carol Singalong. Following discussions and a vote it was resolved to approve the grant up to £80 subject to receiving receipts following the event.
101. TO CONSIDER OUTSTANDING AND COMPLETED ACTIONS FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS:
- Establish Parish email database (90): The Clerk confirmed that this has been publicised.
- Survey for play equipment (90): This has been issued with a deadline of the end of November.
- Control of dog signage (90): This has now been installed.
- Anti-social behaviour, information on where to report concerns: The Clerk has added a page to the Parish Council website with details.
- Walking of footpaths in the Parish (90): Cllr Richards has completed some of the inspection up to Walkers Road and still has more to do.
- Fly tipping (90): Buckinghamshire Officer attended the meeting to provide information.
- Additional Parish Noticeboard (90): This will be discussed later in the meeting.
- Review of minutes / creation of cheat sheet (90): Cllr Molson evaluated this and after carrying out the report has come to the realisation that it is not possible to create a cheat sheet as there are many factors to each issue.
- Obtain quote for matting on entrance to playing field (92): This will be considered later in the meeting.
102. PLANNING - TO CONSIDER AND APPROVE COMMENTS:
24/07345/FUL: Meadle Farm Meadle Village Road Meadle: No comment
24/07346/LBC: Meadle Farm Meadle Village Road Meadle: No comment
24/07548/FUL: Seagrams Chestnut Way Longwick: No objection however, we would like to question why all new and existing walls are being rendered, and why a colour has not been specified. The current construction is brickwork, surrounded by other brick-built and brick-and-flint houses.
24/07587/FUL: Quercus Owlswick Buckinghamshire: No comment
24/07698/HPDN: Tall Trees Lower Icknield Way Longwick: No comment
The following applications status has changed:
24/05758/FUL: Land Adjacent to Anderdons Farm Thame Road: Application Refused
24/07041/CLP: 31 Wayfarers End Longwick: Grant Certificate - Proposed Development
24/06990/LBC: Sarahs Cottage Thame Road Longwick: Application Permitted
24/06662/CLE: Holly Tree Barn Owlswick Lane Owlswick: Grant Certificate of Lawful Use
24/06988/TPO: 2 The Green Ilmer Lane Ilmer: Application Permitted
24/07083/PNP3Q: Land Opposite St Michaels Church Horsenden Lane: Details Approved
24/07465/PNP6A: OS Parcels 2521 And 2927 Horsenden Lane: Details required to be Submitted
24/07091/FUL: Old Orchard Thame Road Longwick: Application Permitted
24/07028/CLE: Middle Barn Quercus Owlswick: Refuse Certificate of Lawful Use
103. TO NOTE THE CLERK'S ACTIONS MADE UNDER DELEGATED AUTHORITY: The following actions were noted and approved:
- The Clerk approved a quote of £110 + VAT from Safeplay for repairs to the foot plate on the Cross Trainer.
- The Clerk approved a quote of £114 + VAT from Robertsons of Risborough for new MUGA signage and installation due to the old sign being damaged.
- The Clerk approved a quote for "control your dog signage" at a total cost including fitting and VAT of £225.60 from Robertsons of Risborough.
104. 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 | |
| Shield Maintenance | £169.22 | £33.84 | £203.06 | Bin emptying |
| Robertsons of Risborough | £114.00 | £22.80 | £136.80 | MUGA Signage & Install |
| Robertsons of Risborough | £188.00 | £37.60 | £225.60 | Dog Signage & Installation |
| Zempler Bank | £242.25 | £242.25 | Reinstate Balance | |
| Valerie McPherson | £200.00 | £200.00 | Chairmans Allowance | |
| R Apledoorn | £50.37 | £6.99 | £57.36 | Update of flower boxes |
Direct Debits / Standing orders: EDF £48.00 (Electricity); Nest £44.85 (Pension Contribution).
105. TO NOTE QUARTER 2 ACCOUNTS: Quarter 2 accounts were noted and the Clerk confirmed that a quarterly check had been carried out by Cllr Richards.
106. TO NOTE NJC PAY SCALE BACKDATED TO APRIL 2024: The new rate for SCP 16 is £15.33. The increase and backdated pay will be paid in December. Noted by those present.
107. TO CONSIDER MOVING TO A .GOV DOMAIN AND WHETHER TO PRODUCE A NEW WEBSITE:
- .gov domain: Following discussions it was resolved to move to a .gov website with the current provider, TEEC. There will be no initial cost as this will be subsidised by the government grant of £100.
- Produce a new website: It was agreed that the Parish Council would move to a .gov domain, get the email addresses established and would consider a new website in the future.
108. TO CONSIDER QUOTE FOR MATTING UNDER THE GATE ENTRANCE TO THE PLAYING FIELD: A quote from D Hounslow was discussed and considered at a total cost of £1,270. Quote includes levelling of area, laying of matting with pins, laying of top soil and seed to grow through. This will cover 2m x 10m, 1m behind gate from car park and the rest going up into the field. Following discussions a vote was taken and it was resolved to accept the quote. As the coverage area may need to be extended it was resolved to add a £500 contingency to the overall cost for extra coverage if required.
109. TO CONSIDER A COMMUNITY MARKET STARTING IN THE NEW YEAR: Cllr Barter provided more information on the proposed plan. The proposal would be for local small businesses to be able to showcase their crafts. There would be no cost to the stall holders and stall holders would keep whatever they make on the day. It was resolved to approve the Community Market which Cllr Barter will organise and keep Councillors informed. Clerk will look into whether additional insurance cover is required. Action: Clerk
110. TO CONSIDER PURCHASING A COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD: The previously circulated quotes were considered and it was resolved to approve the quote from Greenbarnes for a 8 x A4 Aluminium noticeboard with signwriting at a total cost of £836.52 plus VAT.
111. TO CONSIDER WHETHER TO TRANSFER BANKS DUE TO THE NEW LLOYDS BANK CHARGES: Following discussions it was resolved to continue with the Lloyds account at a cost of £4.25 per month.
112. TO DISCUSS AND DECIDE ON ANY RESPONSES TO CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED AND / OR ISSUED BY THE PARISH COUNCIL:
- Cllr McPherson stated that a resident has come forward and they would be willing to produce a community newsletter. Cllr Richards suggested that two Councillors meet with the resident to discuss further and explore the options and what the costs would be. Cllr McPherson will wait for the resident to respond and then arrange a meeting.
- Cllr Richards had received some training information and would like to attend the Communicating with your Community Course. All were in agreement for Cllr Richards to attend.
- The Clerk had received correspondence from a resident requesting an improved bus service. It was agreed by those present that the Clerk informs the resident to contact Buckinghamshire Councillors.
113. TO RECEIVE REPORTS FROM COUNCILLORS ON MEETINGS THAT THEY HAVE PARTICIPATED IN ON BEHALF OF THE PARISH COUNCIL:
- Cllr McPherson, Cllr Richards and our Traffic Consultant met with Buckinghamshire Councillors in order to push for progress on the traffic proposal.
- The Remembrance Service was attended by all the Parish Councillors. Thanks was given to the organiser of the event, the WI, Logs and the Children of Longwick School for the excellent reading of the poems and the other groups involved.
- The subject of the Christmas tree was raised as this will need to be ordered along with new lights. All Councillors were in favour. Cllr Barter will make enquiries with regards to the tree. Action: Cllr Barter
114. TO CONFIRM THE DATE AND TIME OF THE NEXT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING: The next meeting will be Tuesday 17th December 2024 at 7.30pm at Longwick Village Hall.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.57pm.