Parish Council Minutes
LONGWICK-CUM-ILMER PARISH COUNCIL
PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY 16TH DECEMBER 2025 AT 7.30PM AT LONGWICK VILLAGE HALL
PRESENT: Cllr Smith (Chairman), Cllr Livingston (Vice-Chair), Cllr van Apeldoorn, Cllr Gummer, Cllr Atkinson, Cllr Ayre and Cllr Pennell
Buckinghamshire Councillors: Matthew Walsh and Gary Hall
25 members of the public present at the start of the meeting
PC Powell, Princes Risborough Neighbourhood Team
PC Powell provided residents and Councillors with an update on the local police station, which is based in Risborough. The team consists of half a Sergeant, three full-time Police Officers, and a PCSO, and collectively they cover seven parishes.
- The recommended way to contact the team is via the online web form. All submissions are reviewed by a member of the team.
- Community priorities are set locally and can be voted on quarterly through the online system.
- The team is happy to attend community events, give talks, and discuss issues—for example at fetes, school visits, or other local gatherings.
- The police are aware of the people living in the layby and have spoken to them. However, as the land belongs to Buckinghamshire Council, responsibility for the matter rests with the Council. Cllr Hall added that the homelessness team are aware and investigating.
Parish Council meeting started at 7.39pm
156. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Cllr Smith welcomed all to the meeting. Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr Greengrass.
157. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: No interests were declared.
158. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD TUESDAY 18TH NOVEMBER 2025: It was proposed by Cllr Livingston seconded by Cllr Pennell and it was resolved by all those present to approve the minutes and the minutes were signed.
159. UPDATE FROM BUCKINGHAMSHIRE COUNCILLORS:
- Budget: Buckinghamshire Council is facing a £42 million shortfall next year, which will require substantial cuts. A 5% Council Tax increase would generate approximately £15 million in additional revenue. It was noted that government funding has been reallocated from Buckinghamshire to other areas. Buckinghamshire is currently the second highest county in the country for Council Tax contributions, much of which is redistributed to counties with lower payments.
- Bus Service: An update on bus provision has been shared with the Parish Council at this stage only due to sensitive information. Progress is being made, and Buckinghamshire Councillors hope to provide a full report to residents, possibly at the February meeting.
- Traffic Calming (Thame Road and Meadle): Buckinghamshire Councillors have met with the Cabinet Member for Transport. A meeting with the Network Manager for Buckinghamshire Council is scheduled in the New Year.
- CIL Extension: Due to delays from Buckinghamshire Council with Traffic Calming projects, a request will be made for an extension to the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) timeframe.
- MP Meeting: A date has been set for a meeting with MP Greg Smith and Matt Barbour. Details will be shared with the Parish Council.
- Thames Water: No update.
- Wickfields: No update.
- Chestnut Way Weight Limit: No new update, but progress is ongoing.
- Local Plan: At a Conservative Group meeting, it was confirmed that the sites under consideration by Buckinghamshire Council are expected to be published in January 2026.
- Planning Application: Buckinghamshire Councillors have requested that planning application PL/25/4603/FA be called in if Officers are minded to approve
Cllr Hall and Cllr Walsh left the meeting at 7.53pm
160. TO CONSIDER ACTIONS FROM PREVIOUS MEETING:
- 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
- Plan and rules to be produced for photography competition (123): Action: Cllr Livingston
- Report of Horsebox in layby (PP): Clerk has reported on FixMyStreet and also flagged to Buckinghamshire Councillors.
- Parish Council to write to MP regarding Thames Water (138j): Clerk has written to MP
- Broken speed indicator device, Clerk to contact LAT (138k): Clerk has liaised with the LAT who has advised that a survey is being carried out of all SID's, once this is completed, they will advise of which can be repaired and which need to be replaced and any costings.
- Creation of public consultation for amenities (139e): The consultation has been produced awaiting response form Cllr Gummer: Action: Cllr Gummer
- Draft budget 2026-2027 (142): Updated by the Clerk and will be discussed later in the meeting.
- IT Policy – review (143a): Amended and will be discussed later in the meeting.
- Purchase of Defib for Meadle (145): This has been purchased, installed and is now active.
- ROW – Clerk to check they are happy for works to LCI/5/2 and BCS/6/1 (147): Rights of Way are happy for the Parish Council to proceed.
- Christmas Tree on Playing Field (151): This is now in place.
- Table tennis provision at Village Hall, Clerk to respond to resident (152a): The Clerk has responded and has seen further emails of the resident and Village Hall Committee engaging on this matter.
161. PLANNING - TO CONSIDER AND APPROVE COMMENTS:
PL/25/4624/VRC: Sans Paddock Owlswick Buckinghamshire HP27 9RH: Objection
PL/25/4603/FA: Chiltern Thame Road Longwick: Objection, please see the Parish Council website for the full objection.
PL/25/5243/FA: OS Parcel 4664 Lower Icknield Way: Concerns to be raised regarding access, increase in traffic and the suitability of the location.
CHANGE OF STATUS:
24/05758/FUL: Land Adjacent to Anderdons Farm Thame Road: Appeal dismissed
PL/25/3118/FA: Rest Awhile Owlswick: Conditional permission
PL/25/3119/HB: Rest Awhile Owlswick: Consent Approved
162. PAYMENTS FOR APPROVAL DECEMBER 2025:
| Payee | Net | VAT | Gross | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tracey Martin | £60.79 | £60.79 | Clerk Salary (minus 0.20p overpayment for April 25) | |
| HMRC | £111.20 | £111.20 | PAYE | |
| Shield Maintenance | £169.22 | £33.84 | £203.06 | Bin Emptying |
| Longwick Litterpickers | £30.00 | £30.00 | Grant (already paid) | |
| Longwick Evening WI | £80.00 | £80.00 | Grant - Awaiting receipts for final amount | |
| J Greengrass | £21.00 | £21.00 | Planter Expenses | |
| BMKALC | £50.00 | £50.00 | Training - TM, Data Protection | |
| BMKALC | £110.00 | £110.00 | Training - Cllr Livingston, Futureproof Planning | |
| Wel Medical | £1,295.00 | £259.00 | £1,554.00 | Defib Meadle (CiL) |
| The Chiltern Society | £653.80 | £653.80 | Cutting Footpaths Devolved | |
| BMKALC | £35.00 | £35.00 | Procurement Training - TM | |
| WTG Consultants | £137.50 | £137.50 | Internal Audit - Half Year | |
| Mark Harrod Ltd | £1,084.15 | £216.82 | £1,300.90 | Football Goals paid on proforma |
| B Ayre | £10.82 | £2.17 | £12.99 | Star for Christmas Tree |
Following a proposal by Cllr van Apeldoorn seconded by Cllr Pennell it was resolved by all those present to approve the payments.
Zempler Card Payments: GiffGaff £5.00 net, £1.00 VAT, £6.00 gross (Mobile Top Up); Amazon £413.79 net, £82.76 VAT, £496.55 gross (Laptop - Clerk).
Direct Debits, Standing orders: EDF £45.54 net, £2.46 VAT, £48.00 gross (Electricity); Nest £48.26 (Pension Contribution); Lloyds £4.25 (Monthly bank charge); Tracey Martin £700.00 (Clerk Salary - Standing Order); Tracey Martin £26.00 (Home Allowance - Standing Order).
Transfers: Lloyds to Zempler £500.00 (In order to purchase laptop).
163. TO NOTE THAT THE QUARTER 2 ACCOUNTS HAVE BEEN APPROVED: Cllr Ayre confirmed that the Quarter 2 accounts have been inspected and signed off.
164. TO CONSIDER AND APPROVE THE DRAFT BUDGET FOR 2026-2027: Following a proposal by Cllr Livingston seconded by Cllr Gummer it was resolved by all those present to approve the budget with an income of £50,953 and an expenditure of £390,155 which includes expenditure of CIL funds.
165. TO CONSIDER AND APPROVE THE PRECEPT FOR 2026-2027: Following a proposal by Cllr Livingston seconded by Cllr Smith it was resolved by all those present to approve the precept at an amount of £41,085.98 which is an increase of 4% on the tax base resulting a band d rate of £40.60 which is an increase of £1.56.
166. TO CONSIDER AND APPROVE AN IT POLICY: Following a proposal by Cllr Livingston seconded by Cllr Pennell it was resolved by all those present to approve the policy.
167. TO CONSIDER THE INSPECTION OF ALL KISSING GATES WITHIN THE PARISH AND TO APPROVE THE ASSOCIATED QUOTATION: Following a proposal by Cllr van Apeldoorn seconded by Cllr Pennell it was resolved following a majority vote to approve an inspection of kissing gates in the Parish costing £350, this will be carried out by Kevin Wharton Fencing and Gates.
Questions were raised about ownership of the gates which the Clerk will look into but it was felt it would still be worthwhile to proceed with the inspection. Action: Clerk
168. TO CONSIDER EXTENDING THE "ALL WEATHER PATH" TO INCLUDE LCI/5/2 AND BCS/6/1, INCREASING THE WIDTH BY APPROX. 16" OF BOTH SECTIONS. BY SCRAPING AWAY ALL OVERGROWTH: Following a proposal by Cllr van Apeldoorn seconded by Cllr Ayre it was resolved by all those present to approve the surfacing works of both footpaths at a total cost of £12,000 + VAT, this will be carried out by Garden Sure Ltd and works will be scheduled for January 2026. The Clerk will liaise with Buckinghamshire Council to see if they have any signage and the Clerk will inform Bledlow of the works. Action: Clerk
169. TO RECONSIDER AND FINALISE THE DECISION TAKEN UNDER MINUTE REF 11 ON THE 15TH APRIL 2025 REGARDING ADDITIONAL PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT AND AN EXTENDED FOOTPATH AROUND PLAYING FIELD. FUNDING FROM BUCKINGHAMSHIRE COUNCIL HAS NOW BEEN APPROVED: Following a proposal by Cllr Livingston seconded by Cllr Gummer it was resolved by all those present to proceed with the original costings but with the trim trail relocated to another location on the playing field, alternative moveable goals to be purchased and for the pathway to be slightly rerouted. Clerk to liaise with contractors. Action: Clerk
170. TO CONSIDER INSTALLATION OF SPEED SURVEY MONITORS TO PROVIDE DATA TO FORM PART OF NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN AND TO SUPPORT ACTION ON SPEED CALMING MEASURES IN THE VILLAGE: Following a proposal by Cllr Livingston seconded by Cllr van Apeldoorn it was resolved by all those present to approve the installation of speed survey monitors in three locations, one on Chestnut Way and two on the Thame Road at a cost of £824.60 per location inclusive of VAT, Total: £2,473.80, this will be arranged directly with Buckinghamshire Council.
171. TO DISCUSS AND DECIDE ON ANY RESPONSES TO CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED AND/OR ISSUED BY THE PARISH COUNCIL:
- The Clerk had received two emails raising concerns about the all-weather surfacing of footpaths LCI 5/1, LCI 5/2 and BCS 6/1. The concerns that the surfacing could be detrimental to the environment, future maintenance, vehicular access and questions about the spec and tendering process. The Clerk has responded answering the questions which have been raised.
- The Clerk had been contacted by Friends of Longwick School PTA asking if the Parish Council would be interested in working together to consider holding a fireworks or laser display in November 2026, this would be a community event either at the school or on the playing field for a bigger potential audience: All Councillors felt that this was worth exploring and the Parish Council would welcome discussions. Clerk will respond. Action: Clerk
172. TO RECEIVE REPORTS FROM COUNCILLORS ON MEETINGS THAT THEY HAVE PARTICIPATED IN ON BEHALF OF THE PARISH COUNCIL:
- Cllr Smith had a meeting on 27th November 2025 with Buckinghamshire Councillors to discuss traffic calming proposals and is awaiting costings.
- Cllr Smith had a meeting on the 1st December with a representative for Meadle regarding Traffic Calming. Suggestions have been made and passed to Buckinghamshire Councillors to progress.
- All Councillors met with an external consultant to review Neighbourhood Plan on the 4th December. A Working Group will be formalised which will include residents who have volunteered.
173. TO CONFIRM THE DATE AND TIME OF THE NEXT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING: The next Parish Council meeting will be on Tuesday 20th January 2026 at 7.30pm at Longwick Village Hall.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.05pm.