Parish Council Minutes
LONGWICK-CUM-ILMER PARISH COUNCIL
PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY 21ST OCTOBER 2025 AT 7.30PM AT LONGWICK VILLAGE HALL
PRESENT: Cllr Smith (Chairman), Cllr Livingston (Vice-Chair), Cllr van Apeldoorn, Cllr Gummer, Cllr Greengrass, Cllr Atkinson, Cllr Ayre and Cllr Pennell
Buckinghamshire Councillors: Matthew Walsh and Gary Hall
13 members of the public present at the start of the meeting
A resident asked if a bus service could be considered for the Parish.
113. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Cllr Smith welcomed all to the meeting and recognised Cllr Goodchild efforts who has recently resigned.
114. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: No interests were declared.
115. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD TUESDAY 16th SEPTEMBER 2025: It was proposed by Cllr Pennell seconded by Cllr van Apeldoorn and it was resolved by all those present to approve the minutes and the minutes were signed.
116. UPDATE FROM BUCKINGHAMSHIRE COUNCILLORS:
- Bus Services: Cllr Walsh and Cllr Hall had met with the Head of Public Transport and plans for future services were discussed. Buckinghamshire Council are holding funds which have been allocated for Longwick for the future of a service. There is currently the Carousel service which links to the railway station and some of the funds held are allocated for this. An update is expected by the November meeting. It was highlighted that the service would need to be well utilised as they usually can run at a loss.
- Buckinghamshire Councillors have chased up Rights of Way on the footpath 5/1 that the Parish Council are looking to resurface but as yet have not received a response.
- The road closure for the Remembrance Service from Buckinghamshire Council has been permitted.
- A reminder that the Local plan deadline for submission is 29th October 2025. Discussions were had around the draft plan.
- Thames Water: A response was received stating that they believe that Longwick is operating at a small margin of capacity. The MP is asking for further clarification.
- Cllr Hall, Cllr Livingston and the Clerk attended a meeting over the proposed Toucan Crossing which was very worthwhile. Cllr Smith stated that the Toucan Crossing will not alleviate the issues around speeding traffic. It was highlighted that physical alterations are very difficult to achieve but dragon's teeth and similar initiatives are easier to be implement. Cllr Smith will send through suggestions to Buckinghamshire Councillors to be re-costed. Action: Cllr Smith
- Cllr Hall and Cllr Walsh have been exploring options for the B4444 which starts at the pub and ends in Risborough as there has been a number of complaints regard 32 tonne trucks. Unfortunately, they are not breaking any laws by using these roads however, Buckinghamshire Councillors are exploring a 7.5 tonne weight limit on Poppy Road and Chestnut Way with an estimated cost of £13k for each of these roads. It was reported that Buckinghamshire Council is expecting Parish Councils to fund any transport initiatives.
- The council tax increase for Buckinghamshire Council is going to be in the region of 5% however, there will need to be cuts of around £45 million next year due to the government making cuts under the Fair funding Review.
Cllr Walsh and Cllr Hall left the meeting at 7.56pm
117. TO CONSIDER ACTIONS FROM PREVIOUS MEETING:
- Review of playing field hire charges (60): Will be considered under agenda item 124.
- Linking of Longwick Playing Field and Wickfield Play Area (83c): Clerk has made enquiries with the management company and they raised the following questions: Would this require planning; Would the S106 agreement permit this? Clerk contacted Bucks Cllrs and they offered to make enquiries with regards to the s106 agreement but planning would need an official enquiry. Awaiting response from Cllr Walsh. Action: Cllr Walsh
- Purchase of Bollards & Signage for Ilmer (100): These have been ordered and delivered.
- Additional dog waste bin on exit of playing field. Exact location to be highlighted on map & sent through to the Clerk: Clerk has requested bin.
- Obtain specification of weed killing products (103): Circulated and approved
- Send Speedwatch details through to Cllr Goodchild (105): Clerk has sent them through.
118. PLANNING - TO CONSIDER AND APPROVE COMMENTS:
PL/25/2881/CONDA: Rose Farm Thame Road Longwick: To be decided under delegated authority
PL/25/3067/MDLA: Bellway Homes Wickfields Boxer Road Longwick: No objection
PL/25/3118/FA: Rest Awhile Owlswick: No objection
PL/25/3119/HB: Rest Awhile Owlswick: No objection
PL/25/3290/VRC: Orchard View Farm: Stockwell Lane, Little Meadle: No objection
Following a proposal by Cllr Gummer, seconded by Cllr Livingston a vote was taken and all Councillors were in favour and it was resolved to approve the comments.
CHANGE OF STATUS:
25/06349/ADRC: Appletrees Meadle Village Road Meadle: Permit - detail Reserved by Condition
25/06689/FUL: 10 Bell Crescent Longwick: Application Permitted
25/05791/FUL: Chadwell Cottage Owlswick Lane Owlswick: Application Permitted
119. TO APPROVE A COMMENT TO BE SUBMITTED FOR THE DRAFT LOCAL PLAN: Following discussions it was resolved that Cllr Smith will coordinate the final response and Cllr Smith requested that Councillors send at least 10 points through to himself by the end of the week. Action: All Councillors
120. PAYMENTS FOR APPROVAL OCTOBER 2025:
| 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 |
| BMKALC | £90.00 | £90.00 | Training Cllr Livingston | |
| Bucks Council | £6,975 | £1,395.02 | £8,370.12 | Ilmer Entrance Gates (min ref 99) |
| Bucks Council | £1,667.35 | £333.47 | £2,000.82 | Approved as per min ref 102 |
| BMKALC | £50.00 | £50.00 | Training Cllr Livingston | |
| BMKALC | £50.00 | £50.00 | Training Cllr Livingston | |
| Blades Turfcare | £1,850.00 | £370.00 | £2,220.00 | Verge & Playing Field & Spraying |
| D Hounslow | £500.00 | £500.00 | Stream Maintenance |
Following a proposal by Cllr Pennell seconded by Cllr Greengrass it was resolved to approve the payments.
Direct Debits, Standing orders & Card: GiffGaff £5.00 net, £1.00 VAT, £6.00 gross (Mobile Top Up); Amazon £49.98 (Ilmer parking signage); Birstall £1,650.00 (Bollards Ilmer); Robert Dyas £11.67 net, £2.33 VAT, £14.00 gross (Key cutting); EDF £45.83 net, £2.17 VAT, £48.00 gross (Electricity); Nest £46.77 (Pension Contribution); Lloyds £4.25 (Monthly bank charge).
Receipts: Bucks Council £18,646.66 (Precept - 2nd Half).
Transfers: Lloyds to Zempler £1,650.00 (To enable purchase of bollards).
121. TO NOTE QUARTER 2 ACCOUNTS: Quarter 2 accounts were noted.
122. TO REVIEW THE LLOYDS BANK MANDATE, REMOVAL OF RESIGNED COUNCILLOR AND ADDITIONAL OF COUNCILLOR: Following a proposal by Cllr Smith seconded by Cllr Pennell it was resolved to remove Cllr Goodchild and add Cllr van Apeldoorn.
123. TO CONSIDER RUNNING A PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION AND ALLOCATE A BUDGET FOR PRIZES: Following discussions it was resolved to approve a competition for all age groups. A budget has been allocated of up to £500 in order to purchase Amazon vouchers for the winners and runners up. This will be advertised on the Parish Council website, social media pages and newsletters. Cllr Livingston will produce the final plan and rules. Action: Cllr Livingston
124. TO CONSIDER AND APPROVE THE DRAFT PLAYING FIELD HIRE RULES AND REGULATIONS: Following a proposal by Cllr Pennell seconded by Cllr Greengrass it was resolved to approve the policy a copy of which will be placed on the Parish Council website.
125. TO CONSIDER A PUBLIC CONSULTATION FOR A POSSIBLE LONGWICK COMMUNITY PADEL TENNIS COURT: Following discussion, it was agreed that an online survey will be created to gather residents' views. A flyer directing people to the survey will be delivered to households, with a budget of £150 allocated for production and distribution costs. Once the survey results are in, Cllr Gummer will host a public meeting to share the findings and invite further discussion. Action: Cllr Gummer
126. TO RECONSIDER THE DECISION TAKEN UNDER MINUTE REF 11 ON THE 15TH APRIL 2025 – APPROVAL OF PROJECTS UNDER S.106 FUNDS – ADDITIONAL PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT AND EXTENDED FOOTPATH AROUND PLAYING FIELD: Following discussions it was resolved to await the decision from Buckinghamshire Council and then reevaluate the plans.
127. TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON THE REMEMBRANCE SERVICE AND CONSIDER QUOTES FOR ROAD CLOSURE: Cllr van Apeldoorn reported that while Buckinghamshire Council had granted permission for a road closure, the cost of formal traffic management was found to be too high. It was therefore resolved that an official closure would not go ahead. Instead, signage will be placed at the roadside asking residents to drive slowly due to the Remembrance Service. A budget of £200 has been allocated for the signage.
128. TO APPROVE THE PLAY INSPECTION COMPANY FOR THE ANNUAL RoSPA: Following discussions it was resolved to approve the Play Inspection Company at a cost of £245.
129. TO DISCUSS AND DECIDE ON ANY RESPONSES TO CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED AND/OR ISSUED BY THE PARISH COUNCIL: None received
130. TO RECEIVE REPORTS FROM COUNCILLORS ON MEETINGS THAT THEY HAVE PARTICIPATED IN ON BEHALF OF THE PARISH COUNCIL:
- Cllr Smith and Cllr Ayre met with Longwick School in order to meet the new head and increase community engagement.
131. PURSUANT TO SECTION 1 (2) OF THE PUBLIC BODIES (ADMISSION TO MEETINGS) ACT 1960, A RESOLUTION IS REQUIRED TO EXCLUDE THE PUBLIC AND PRESS TO PROTECT THE CONFIDENTIAL NATURE OF THE BUSINESS TO BE TRANSACTED DURING CONSIDERATION OF ITEM 132 ON THE AGENDA: Following a proposal by Cllr Smith seconded by Cllr Livingston it was resolved to exclude the press and public.
132. TO NOTE THE CLERKS APPRAISAL AND ANY ACTIONS REQUIRED: The Clerk's appraisal was noted.
133. PUBLIC BODIES (ADMISSION TO MEETINGS) ACT 1960: TO RESOLVE THAT THE PUBLIC AND PRESS BE RE-ADMITTED TO THE MEETING: Following a proposal by Cllr Smith seconded by Cllr Livingston it was resolved to re-admit the press and public.
134. TO CONFIRM THE DATE AND TIME OF THE NEXT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING: The next Parish Council meeting will be on Tuesday 18th November 2025 at 7.30pm at Longwick Village Hall.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.12pm.