Parish Council Minutes
LONGWICK-CUM-ILMER PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 18TH FEBRUARY 2025 AT 7.30PM AT LONGWICK VILLAGE HALL
PRESENT: Cllr McPherson BEM (Chairman), Cllr Myers (Vice Chairman), Cllr Richards, Cllr Barter, Cllr Molson, and Cllr Rogers.
Tracey Martin (Clerk)
Buckinghamshire Councillors: Gary Hall and Matthew Walsh
Eight members of the public
A) A resident asked when the flag will be replaced on the flagpole. Cllr McPherson confirmed that this will be replaced prior to the VE Day Celebrations.
B) A resident highlighted an issue with the speed camera coming into Longwick from Thame which isn't working. Buckinghamshire Council have been informed that it isn't working and Cllr McPherson asked Cllr Walsh to follow up on this. Action: Cllr Walsh
C) A resident raised a concern regarding the use of CIL spend on highways which are the responsibility of Buckinghamshire Council and also the spend on the playground and suggested other areas in which it could be used.
D) A resident raised concerns regarding the three grant applications on the agenda. They queried whether due diligence had been carried out as to whether the funding is actually required. The locality of the sports sessions and whether the preschool could use the forest school within the school.
Parish Council meeting started at 19.37pm.
144. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Apologies were received from Buckinghamshire Councillor: Alan Turner
145. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: Cllr Barter declared an interest in items 147 and 148 and will refrain from discussions and voting. Cllr Molson declared an interest in planning application 25/05264/MINAMD and will refrain from any discussions.
146. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD TUESDAY 19TH JANUARY 2025: It was resolved by all those present to approve the minutes and the minutes were signed.
147. TO CONSIDER A GRANT APPLICATION FROM LONGWICK PRESCHOOL FOR A FOREST SCHOOL: Following discussions in principle all Councillors were in favour however, further information is required. The actual amount being requested from the Parish Council was missing from the grant application. It was also felt that the actual area of land needs to be identified and details of a lease or rental agreement established.
148. TO CONSIDER A GRANT APPLICATION FROM LONGWICK PRESCHOOL FOR FUNDING TOWARDS A PARENT, BABY AND TODDLER SESSIONS: Following discussions a vote was taken and it was unanimously resolved to approve the grant of £780 for the parent, baby and toddler sessions.
149. TO CONSIDER A GRANT APPLICATION FROM PROMOTING SPORT IN COMMUNITIES CIC FOR FUNDING TOWARDS SPORTS SESSIONS: Following discussions a vote was taken and it was unanimously resolved to approve the grant of £233.50 for sports sessions. Councillors felt that it would be good to see the result of the pilot sessions.
150. UPDATE FROM BUCKINGHAMSHIRE COUNCILLORS:
- Cllr Walsh and fellow Councillors have been out around Longwick today and reported that Bar Lane works have been completed.
- It was confirmed that an extension had been granted for the CIL funds due to expire in March 2025. The extension is for one year.
- It was reported that there are pot holes down Chestnut Way and Stockwell Lane. Cllr Walsh stated that Stockwell Lane is being monitored.
- Buckinghamshire Councillors are going to be out in Longwick with the Local Area Technician and asked Councillors to let them know of any issues that need looking at.
- Cllr Walsh asked if there was any progress with Owlswick Village Green, the Clerk stated that herself and the solicitors have chased this numerous times but received no response from the Developer. Cllr Walsh will follow this up with the local MP. Action: Cllr Walsh
- Cllr Molson asked about the Consultation for Developers ended in January 2025. Buckinghamshire Councillors stated that the details can be found on the Buckinghamshire Council website however; the January consultation outcome will not be available yet.
- The question was raised about the Parish Councils Neighbourhood Plan which is dated to 2033. All Neighbourhood Plans need to be in line with the Local Plans but the Local Plan supersedes the numbers in the Neighbourhood Plan.
Cllr Walsh and Cllr Hall left the meeting at 8.02pm
151. TO CONSIDER OUTSTANDING AND COMPLETED ACTIONS FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS:
- Follow up on notes from drive around where the transport plan was discussed, Cllr Turner (133d): The notes have now been received by the Parish Council.
- Proposal for VE Day Celebrations, Cllr Myers (139): This will be discussed later in the meeting.
- Book training course for Cllr Richards, Clerk (142a): Cllr Richards booked the Communicating with your Community course directly.
152. PLANNING - TO CONSIDER AND APPROVE COMMENTS:
25/05151/FUL: Little Horsenden Farm Bungalow Lower Icknield Way: No comment
25/05264/MINAMD: Three Cottages Stockwell Lane Meadle: For information only, no comment required
The following applications status has changed:
24/07801/ADRC: Orchard View Farm Stockwell Lane Little Meadle: Split - detail Reserved by Condition
24/05616/FUL: Maccabee Kennels Bar Lane Owlswick: Application Withdrawn
24/07706/ADRC: Appletrees Meadle Village Road Meadle: Permit - detail Reserved by Condition
153. TO NOTE PAYMENTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BUDGET:
| Payee | Net | VAT | Gross | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tracey Martin | £739.37 | £739.37 | Clerk Salary | |
| HMRC | £105.80 | £105.80 | PAYE | |
| Shield Maintenance | £169.22 | £33.84 | £203.06 | Bin Emptying |
| Tracey Martin | £165.00 | £165.00 | Home Allowance x 33 weeks | |
| Bledlow cum Saunderton PC | £28.00 | £28.00 | Land Registry Searches | |
| Duckworth Arboriculture Ltd | £580.00 | £116.00 | £696.00 | Tree Inspection Playing Field |
| DH Landscapes | £1,000.00 | £1,000.00 | Dismantle railings on war memorial, fitting noticeboard & maintenance | |
| BMKALC | £40.00 | £40.00 | Training - Cllr Richards | |
| Brian Richards | £60.00 | £12.00 | £72.00 | Printing |
| DH Landscapes | £260.00 | £260.00 | Clearing log and spraying MUGA & Playground |
Zempler Card Payments: GiffGaff £5.00 net, £1.00 VAT, £6.00 gross (Mobile Top Up).
Direct Debits / Standing orders: EDF £45.06 net, £2.94 VAT, £48.00 gross (Electricity); Nest £46.77 (Pension Contribution).
154. TO CONSIDER HOW TO CELEBRATE THE 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF VE DAY AND ALLOCATE A BUDGET: Discussions were had on the VE Celebrations, it was resolved that a budget of £2,000 would be allocated. The event will take place on the 8th May 2025 on the playing field and will include children's entertainment, music, food and drinks and much more.
155. TO CONSIDER QUOTES FOR PLAYGROUND REPAIRS FOLLOWING ROSPA: Following discussions it was resolved to proceed with part of the quote from SafePlay totalling £1,983.70.
156. TO CONSIDER QUOTES FOR NEW PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT: Following discussions, it was agreed that further enquiries on the quotes are required to only include the following equipment. Accessible roundabout, accessible trampoline, trim trail and football goals. It was agreed at this time to obtain further information from contractor's A and B, contractors will be named once a decision is made. Action: Clerk
Cllr Barter thanked the Clerk for meeting with the Contractors and obtaining the quotes.
157. TO CONSIDER QUOTES FOR TREE WORKS FOLLOWING ARBORICULTURE REPORT: It was resolved to approve the quote from DH Landscaping at a total cost of £950.
158. TO CONSIDER HOLDING "PLAY IN THE PARK" SESSIONS RUN BY JR SPORTS: A quote had been received for one session over the Easter holidays and two sessions over the Summer Holidays. Following discussions, it was resolved to approve the sessions subject to the attendance levels at the Easter workshop and therefore justifying the further sessions. Each session will cost £400 + VAT.
159. TO RECONSIDER MOVING TO A .GOV DOMAIN IN LIGHT OF NEW INFORMATION: Following discussions it was resolved at this time to remain with the .org.uk domain and possibly look at producing a new website and moving to a .gov domain later in the year.
160. TO DISCUSS AND DECIDE ON ANY RESPONSES TO CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED AND / OR ISSUED BY THE PARISH COUNCIL:
- The Clerk had received an email expressing concerns with an increase in cold callers. It was agreed that the Clerk will point the resident in the direction of the Neighbourhood watch Area Coordinator who will be able to supply additional signage, stickers and provide further information. Details will also be added to the Parish Council website.
161. TO RECEIVE REPORTS FROM COUNCILLORS ON MEETINGS THAT THEY HAVE PARTICIPATED IN ON BEHALF OF THE PARISH COUNCIL:
- Cllr Myers, Cllr McPherson and Cllr Rogers were invited to a meeting of the Village Hall Committee. Cllr McPherson stated that she was taken aback with the accusations made about the Parish Council and herself and is still unsure as to what the meeting was about. It was also stated that some of the information and accusations were factually inaccurate.
- Cllr Richards had attended part 1 and 2 of Communicating with your Community training and has circulated information to Councillors and requested that there is an agenda item for the next meeting.
- Councillors attended an online meeting on Housing Needs as part of reviewing the Neighbourhood Plan.
162. TO CONFIRM THE DATE AND TIME OF THE NEXT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING: The next meeting will be Tuesday 18th March 2025 at 7.30pm at Longwick Village Hall.
There being no further business the meeting 9pm.