Parish Council Minutes
LONGWICK-CUM-ILMER PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 15TH APRIL 2025 AT 7.30PM AT LONGWICK VILLAGE HALL
PRESENT: Cllr McPherson BEM (Chairman), Cllr Richards, Cllr Barter, Cllr Molson, and Cllr Rogers.
Tracey Martin (Clerk)
Buckinghamshire Councillors: Matthew Walsh and Gary Hall
36 members of the public present at the start of the meeting, residents left throughout the meeting.
Representative from ODBST
Meeting started at 8.15pm due to the Annual Meeting of the Parish.
- Concerns were raised about the grant application from the forest school and the application from ODBST.
- A resident asked how successful the Play in the Park session was and if there will there be a summer session. The Clerk responded that around 45-50 attended and this will be discussed at the May 2025 meeting.
- The representative from ODBST addressed the room and provided further information to residents and offered to answer any questions.
- WELCOME AND APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Apologies were received from Cllr Myers and Buckinghamshire Councillor Alan Turner
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: Cllr Barter declared an interest in item 4 of the agenda.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD TUESDAY 18TH MARCH 2025: It was resolved by all those present to approve the minutes and the minutes were signed.
4. TO CONSIDER A GRANT APPLICATION FROM LONGWICK PRESCHOOL FOR AN OUTSIDE FOREST SCHOOL AREA: Cllr Barter abstained from commenting and voting. Following discussions, it was resolved to approve the grant application of £24,310 for the forest school for Longwick Preschool. Some restrictions will be applied and these will be communicated and discussed with the preschool.
5. TO CONSIDER A GRANT APPLICATION FROM OXFORD DIOCESAN BUCKS SCHOOLS TRUST – LONGWICK SCHOOL FOR SOLAR PANELS: Discussions were had on the grant application and Councillors felt that they would have liked to have seen a couple more quotes and also whether ODBST could get some further funding from other sources. This will be deferred to the May meeting subject to further quotes and details about other sources of funding.
6. UPDATE FROM BUCKINGHAMSHIRE COUNCILLOR:
- Cllr Hall stated that they have spent a lot of time in Longwick talking to residents and people feel that Longwick is a nice place to live and that it is testament to all in the room.
- Potholes have all been reported and expect to see them repaired over the next few weeks.
- The repairs to the footpath by Jubilee cottages have been completed.
- Hedge cutting and siding out works needs to be carried out.
- Cllr Walsh thanked everyone for their support.
Cllr Walsh and Cllr Hall left the meeting 8.39pm.
7. TO CONSIDER OUTSTANDING AND COMPLETED ACTIONS FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS:
- Tidiness of Preschool Area (2), Cllr McPherson to follow up: Cllr McPherson has spoken to the preschool.
- Gully Clearance, dumping of waste (166d), Cllr Walsh to make enquiries: Clerk to follow up with Buckinghamshire Councillors via email. Action: Clerk
- SID on Thame Road not working (166e), Cllr Walsh to investigate: Clerk to follow up with Buckinghamshire Councillors via email. Action: Clerk
- Owlswick Village Green adoption of land (166fg), Cllr Walsh to follow up: Clerk to follow up with Buckinghamshire Councillors via email. Action: Clerk
- Village Green status for Owlswick Village Green (166g), Cllr Walsh to follow up: Clerk to follow up with Buckinghamshire Councillors via email. Action: Clerk
- Amended quotes for playground equipment (170), Amended quotes for playground have been received.
- Arrange a meeting with the Village Hall (175a), contact Village Hall to arrange a meeting: Email has been sent but no response received. Matter addressed during Annual Meeting of the Parish.
- Explore options for deterring driving on Ilmer Village Green (175b), Cllr Molson to explore options: Cllr Molson reported that inside the entrance of the church is shows where can people park around The Green.
- Respond to request for 20mph through Ilmer (175b), Clerk / Cllr McPherson to prepare response regarding reducing speeds: Email response sent.
8. PLANNING - TO CONSIDER AND APPROVE COMMENTS:
25/05571/FUL: Cotleigh Thame Road Longwick: No comment
25/05652/ADRC: Sarahs Cottage Thame Road Longwick: For information only, no comment required
25/05654/ADRC: Sarahs Cottage Thame Road Longwick: For information only, no comment required
25/05750/FUL: Mulberry House Meadle Village Road Meadle: No comment
25/05900/PNP6A: OS Parcels 2521 And 2927 Horsenden Lane: No comment
25/05791/FUL: Chadwell Cottage Owlswick Lane Owlswick: No comment however, all exterior lighting should be kept to a minimum and be directed downwards to preserve the rural appearance and protect wildlife from unnecessary disturbance.
The following applications status has changed:
25/05151/FUL: Little Horsenden Farm Bungalow Lower Icknield Way: Application Permitted
24/08069/LBC: Orchard Farm Meadle Village Road Meadle: Application Permitted
25/05365/CLP: Royston House Thame Road Longwick: Grant Certificate - Proposed Development
25/05434/CTREE: Horsenden Manor Horsenden Lane: Not to make a Tree Preservation Order
25/05238/ADRC: Appletrees Meadle Village Road Meadle: Refuse detail Reserved by Condition
25/05340/FUL: 1 Jubilee Cottages Thame Road Longwick: Application Permitted
9. TO NOTE INSURANCE RENEWAL FOR 2025-2026: Noted
10. 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 | |
| Clear Council | £1009.71 | £1,009.71 | Insurance Renewal 25-26 (paid 24/03/25) | |
| Orchard View Farm | £55.65 | £11.13 | £66.78 | Meeting Hire |
| WTG Consultants | £125.00 | £125.00 | Interim Internal Audit 24/25 | |
| Shield Maintenance | £169.22 | £33.84 | £203.06 | Bin Emptying |
| Gardens by Gathercole | £437.50 | £437.50 | Grass cutting | |
| Brian Richards | £9.50 | £9.50 | Mileage & Parking | |
| SafePlay | £1,983.70 | £396.74 | £2,380.44 | Playground Repairs |
| Tracey Martin | £57.39 | £57.39 | Expenses | |
| BMKALC | £326.26 | £326.26 | Subs | |
| Valerie McPherson | £10.00 | £10.00 | Expenses printing |
Zempler Card Payments: GiffGaff £5.00 net, £1.00 VAT, £6.00 gross (Mobile Top Up); Buckinghamshire Council £21.00 (TEN License - VE Day).
Direct Debits / Standing orders: EDF £45.48 net, £2.85 VAT, £48.00 gross (Electricity); Nest £46.77 (Pension Contribution).
11. TO CONSIDER PROJECTS FOR S.106 FUNDS HELD BY BUCKINGHAMSHIRE COUNCIL TOWARDS IMPROVEMENTS TO OPEN SPACE FACILITIES FOR THE PUBLIC INCLUDING REVIEWING OF QUOTES RECEIVED FOR PROJECTS: Following discussions it was resolved to recommend to Buckinghamshire Council Caloo for the playground equipment at a cost of £42,015.00 and MAC Groundworks for the footpath round the playing field at a cost of £27,491.12.
12. TO APPROVE ALLOCATION OF FUNDS FOR A FEASIBILITY STUDY / PRELIMINARY DESIGN FOR THE TRANSPORT INITIATIVE: Following discussions it was resolved unanimously to approve the £25,000 expenditure.
13. TO CONFIRM A DATE FOR THE LOCAL MAKERS AND ARTISTS FAIR AND RECEIVE AN UPDATE: Cllr Barter suggested the 7th June 2025, 11am-1pm. Numerous stalls have been lined up for the event and if successful Cllr Barter would like to do another event in September. Cllr McPherson thanked Cllr Barter.
14. TO DISCUSS AND DECIDE ON COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES: It was agreed to defer this item to the May meeting following the elections.
15. TO DISCUSS AND DECIDE ON ANY RESPONSES TO CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED AND / OR ISSUED BY THE PARISH COUNCIL:
- The Clerk had received a complaint regarding noise from the MUGA. Cllr McPherson stated that this has been addressed numerous times. No other residents located in the area have complained about the noise. Noise levels have been checked and discussions taken place with the Police. The resident is welcome to attend a Parish Council meeting and address the Parish Council and hear any suggestions as the Parish Council doesn't know what else we can do as we have already removed the rotunda.
- Cllr Barter read out a statement she had prepared regarding the preschool a summary of which is below: The preschool previously enlarged their garden area at the back of the village hall at a cost of £6,000 unfortunately, the preschool was informed they couldn't use this area long term due to plans for a storage room. As part of future forecasting, it was found that the remaining garden area was not going to be big enough to accommodate the numbers that the preschool has and a solution needed to be found. A plot in Meadle was explored but this was not viable due to transport factors. The school forest school would be the best solution and the preschool do use in the summer term only however, due to logistics i.e. access, toilets, Ofsted registration and other factors this is not possible. The school also now have a dedicated forest school teacher so will be using the facilities daily. The proposed building is to store equipment required to enjoy the area and will not be used as a classroom as it is not big enough. As well as the above issues the preschool have repeatedly asked for a more bespoke agreement with the village hall as at present the agreement is on a month-by-month basis which does not give any security to the preschool. There has been a preschool or playgroup in this hall since 1991 and not encouraging its growth and success doesn't represent a community spirit.
16. TO RECEIVE REPORTS FROM COUNCILLORS ON MEETINGS THAT THEY HAVE PARTICIPATED IN ON BEHALF OF THE PARISH COUNCIL:
- Cllr Richards, Cllr Molson and Cllr McPherson attended a meeting with Buckinghamshire Councillors and Officers on the 27th March 2025 regarding the Transport Proposal.
17. TO CONFIRM THE DATE AND TIME OF THE NEXT MEETING: The next meeting will be on Tuesday 20th May 2025 which will be the Annual Meeting of the Council at Longwick Village Hall starting at 7.30pm.
There being no further business the meeting 8.46pm.