Parish Council Minutes
LONGWICK-CUM-ILMER PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 18TH MARCH 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: Matthew Walsh
Six members of the public
Representative from the Preschool
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A query was raised regarding due diligence with grants and the income of organisations which have had grants recently.
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Preschool representative was in attendance and advised that an area has been marked out for the forest school of 22 x 6m, this would not impact on the stream or zip wire. There would be no need for electric or water at this time however, may need to be considered at a later date if used by other groups. With regards to the toilet, investigations are being made into a chemical toilet as a composting toilet is not feasible due to the soak away. Enquiries are being made to planning and building control as to whether either are required. The representative also responded to the question which was raised regarding due diligence and would welcome a discussion with the resident. The representative left the meeting. A resident raised a concern with how tidy the area will be kept as the current outdoor play area can be messy. Cllr McPherson will discuss with the preschool. Action: Cllr McPherson
163. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Apologies were received from Buckinghamshire Councillors: Alan Turner and Gary Hall
164. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: No interests were declared.
165. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD TUESDAY 18TH FEBRUARY 2025: It was resolved by all those present to approve the minutes and the minutes were signed.
166. UPDATE FROM BUCKINGHAMSHIRE COUNCILLOR:
- It was reported that today is the date for the Election Notice period.
- Cllr Walsh stated that Buckinghamshire Highways are aware of the road issues from Bar Lane through to Owlswick, the Local Area Technician is aware of this and also that a number of pot holes have been filled but Buckinghamshire Highways are having to battle the weather.
- Cllr Walsh stated that an additional year has been permitted for some of the Community Infrastructure Levy funds which Longwick cum Ilmer Parish Council hold.
- Cllr Barter raised a concern with gullies which had been emptied, the work has been completed satisfactorily however they have subsequently dumped the waste in piles down the road. Cllr Walsh stated this should not happen and will look into this. Action: Cllr Walsh
- Cllr McPherson asked if there was any progress on the SID which is broken on the Thame Road. Cllr Walsh is still looking into this. Action: Cllr Walsh
- Cllr McPherson asked if there was any update on the transfer of Owlswick Village Green. Cllr Walsh stated that himself and the local MP are still trying to progress this. Action: Cllr Walsh
- Cllr Rogers raised resident's frustrations at the pace of Buckinghamshire Council in gaining Village Green status for Owlswick Village Green. Cllr Walsh will look into this. Action: Cllr Walsh
167. TO CONSIDER OUTSTANDING AND COMPLETED ACTIONS FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS:
- Cllr Walsh to follow up on a report that the SID on Thame Road is not functioning correctly (B): As above.
- Cllr Walsh to follow up on Owlswick Village Green (150e): As above.
- Clerk to obtain updated quotes for additional playground equipment (156): Quotes received
168. PLANNING - TO CONSIDER AND APPROVE COMMENTS:
25/05238/ADRC: Appletrees Meadle Village Road Meadle: For information only, no comment required
24/08069/LBC: Orchard Farm Meadle Village Road Meadle: No comment
25/05299/FUL: 15 Williams Way: No comment
25/05434/CTREE: Horsenden Manor Horsenden Lane: No comment, leave to arboriculturist
25/05340/FUL: 1 Jubilee Cottages Thame Road: No comment
25/05365/CLP: Royston House Thame Road: No comment
25/05451/FUL: Little Barn Longwick Road Longwick: No comment
The following applications status has changed:
25/05066/CTREE: St Michaels Church Horsenden Lane: Not to make a Tree Preservation Order
24/08080/TPO: 42 Bell Crescent Longwick: Application Permitted
24/07905/FUL: Rest Awhile Owlswick: Application Refused
24/07906/LBC: Rest Awhile Owlswick: Application Refused
24/07969/FUL: Maccabee Kennels Bar Lane Owlswick: Application Permitted
25/05264/MINAMD: Three Cottages Stockwell Lane Meadle: Application Permitted
169. TO NOTE PAYMENTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BUDGET:
| Payee | Net | VAT | Gross | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tracey Martin | £739.57 | £739.57 | Clerk Salary | |
| HMRC | £105.60 | £105.60 | PAYE | |
| Shield Maintenance | £169.22 | £33.84 | £203.06 | Bin Emptying |
| Longwick Preschool | £780.00 | £780.00 | Grant 148 | |
| Promoting sport in communities | £233.50 | £233.50 | Grant 149 | |
| BMKALC | £40.00 | £40.00 | Training Course Cllr Richards | |
| Starboard Systems | £345.60 | £69.12 | £414.72 | Scribe Software |
| Everything Figures | £135.00 | £27.00 | £162.00 | Annual Payroll Processing |
| NALC | £35.00 | £7.00 | £42.00 | Training Cllr Molson |
| DH Landscapes | £300.00 | £300.00 | Clearing trees / branches | |
| Thomas Design | £688.48 | £688.48 | Adjustment to invoice 02-01 | |
| Thomas Design | £6,403.50 | £1,280.70 | £7,684.20 | NP Services |
| DH Landscapes | £500.00 | £500.00 | Tree works |
The following payments were made via Lloyds in order to secure bookings for VE Day and the Clerk was unable to pay via card: 4FunGroup £280.00 (Marquee VE Day); 4Fun Group £179.00 (Bouncy castle for VE Day); Silverbird Entertainment £50.00 (Deposit for PA System).
Zempler Card Payments: GiffGaff £5.00 net, £1.00 VAT, £6.00 gross (Mobile Top Up); Ebay £8.99 (Handheld flags for VE Day); Flags and Flagpoles £37.95 net, £7.59 VAT, £45.54 gross (Flag).
Direct Debits / Standing orders: EDF £45.15 net, £2.85 VAT, £48.00 gross (Electricity); Nest £46.77 (Pension Contribution).
170. TO CONSIDER QUOTES FOR NEW PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT: Discussions were had on the quotes and designs which had been circulated. Councillors wanted the quotes updated to including two movable football goals, a wheelchair roundabout, a single basket swing and trim trail which will be placed out on the playing field. Cllr Rogers suggested that it would be good to see a pathway around the playing field. Clerk will obtain additional quotes. Action: Clerk
171. TO CONSIDER AND APPROVE INTERNAL AUDITOR FOR 2024-2025: Following discussions it was resolved to appoint T Goss for the Internal Audit at a cost of £250.
172. TO DISCUSS AND DECIDE ON COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES: Cllr Richards referred to the handouts which he had shared with Councillors from the recent course which he had attended on Communicating with your Community and asked Councillors are we doing enough, could we do anything differently. The following suggestions were made, adding questions to the newsletter, QR codes and hard copies of the newsletters in the shop. It was agreed that this will be added to next months agenda once further discussions have taken place. The following communication methods are currently being used: Facebook, E-newsletter, minutes and previously drop-in sessions which were not very successful.
173. TO CONSIDER AND APPROVE DEVOLUTION FOR 2025-2026: Following discussions it was resolved to approve and sign the devolution agreement with the Parish Council receiving £2985.47.
174. TO CONSIDER AND APPROVE PREVIOUS WDC AREAS FOR DEVOLUTION FOR 2025-2026: Following discussions it was resolved to approve and sign the devolution agreement with the Parish Council receiving £607.13.
175. TO DISCUSS AND DECIDE ON ANY RESPONSES TO CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED AND / OR ISSUED BY THE PARISH COUNCIL:
- The Clerk has received correspondence requesting that the charge for Longwick fete be waivered. Following discussions, it was agreed that no decision could be made until a meeting takes place between representatives of the Village Hall and the Parish Council. Clerk to contact the Village Hall and arrange a meeting. Action: Clerk
- The Clerk has received a request for 'Please Do Not Drive or Park on the Grass' at Ilmer Village Green, and possible further signage on other green areas. The correspondence has also requested the Council's views about 20mph within Ilmer. Following discussions, it was agreed that Cllr Molson will look into what other Parish Council's have done to prevent damaging of verges and greens. The Parish Council can only consider this for the Village Green and not highways as permission would need to be sought from Buckinghamshire Council. Action: Cllr Molson
Councillors considered the speed limit request of 20mph but unfortunately this is not something Buckinghamshire Council will consider. There is a proposal for the speed limit to be reduced from the national limit down to be reduced to 30mph. The Clerk in conjunction with the Chairman will draft a response. Action: Clerk / Cllr McPherson
176. TO RECEIVE REPORTS FROM COUNCILLORS ON MEETINGS THAT THEY HAVE PARTICIPATED IN ON BEHALF OF THE PARISH COUNCIL:
- Cllr McPherson attended the last meeting of the North West Chiltern Community Board. The Community Boards are being reduced from 16 to 8 and the current North West Board is merging with other areas and will be called the Western Region Community Board. Until after the elections there is no information on who the Chairman will be.
177. TO CONFIRM THE DATE AND TIME OF THE NEXT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING: The next meeting will be on Tuesday 15th April 2025 with the Annual Meeting of the Parish Starting at 7pm followed by the Parish Council Meeting at 7.30pm at Longwick Village Hall.
There being no further business the meeting 8.36pm.