Parish Meeting Minutes

MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING OF LONGWICK-cum-ILMER PARISH HELD AT LONGWICK VILLAGE HALL ON 18th APRIL 2000 at 8pm

Present:- Cllr George Harper, Acting Chairman Mr Nigel Lord, Clerk Cllrs Mrs Dorothy Brock, Mrs Jane Rogers, Mr Malcolm Lawrence and Mr Ian Walker. Also there were two members of the Parish present. Apologies were received from Cllr Pam Priestly.

1. INTRODUCTION The Acting Chairman welcomed all those present and introduced himself, Mr Nigel Lord, the Parish Clerk and all of the Parish Councillors.

2. MINUTES The Minutes of the Annual Meeting held on the 20th April 1999 were confirmed and signed.

3. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT The Acting Chairman read out the previous Chairman's reports on the Apex meeting regarding the Haddenham sewage plant, the housing development in Princes Risborough, and the activities of the WDC and BCC as they related to the Parish.

The planning applications for the Parish during the year were reviewed. A total of 45 applications had been received, of which the Parish Council had objected to 9 applications and expressed concerns in a further 10 cases.

A Millenium tree was planted outside the Village Hall and a carol service was held around it before Christmas which was attended by many parishioners and in addition, the pre school group requested permission to plant a tree of their own which was duly granted by the Parish Council. Unfortunately the Millenium tree was uprooted by vandals shortly after the carol service. It was replanted by the local police and the Council sent a letter to P.C. Francis Austin and his colleagues thanking them for doing so.

The Millenium video has also been produced and has been warmly received by Parishioners. The Parish Council wish to thank the producers of the video for an excellent job. Sales have already begun and are going well. It is anticipated that that many will be sold at the village fete.

A new bus service began in Longwick in January 2000 linking the village to the station and market square in Princes Risborough. It is being subsidised by W.D.C.

The Council thanked the Village Hall Committee for keeping the hall in good condition during the past year and in addition the Council thanked the Walker family for the clock which has been placed in the roof of the hall above the entrance.

There have been several incidents of vandalism in the Parish during the past year, most notably when orange paint was used at various locations throughout Longwick. Councillor Harper thanked B.C.C. for helping to clear this up.

Councillor Harper thanked the previous Chairman, Mr Brian Butler for all his hard work as Chairman, in particular during the course of the last two years. He wished him and his family every happiness for the future.

4. PARISH ACCOUNTS AND PRECEPT The Chairman placed before the meeting a statement of the unaudited Parish Council accounts for the year ended 31st March 2000 and announced that the Parish Precept for 2000/2001 would be £8,350, an increase of 2% which was in line with inflation.This sum allows for the normal Parish Expenses and a further £500 to the Princes Risborough Burial Ground. No provision was made for elections as none were anticipated.

5. PAROCHIAL CHARITY ACCOUNTS The Chairman placed before the Meeting the report and accounts for both the Princes Risborough and Monks Risborough Risborough Parochial Charities for the year ending 31st March 2000.

6. QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR It was asked if 40mph signs could be painted on the new red road surfacing to emphasise the speed limit going into Longwick. In addition it was noted that trees were obscuring the speed limit signs and the signs themselves needed cleaning.

A question was asked as to which organisation was responsible for grass cutting, waste paper collection and litter picking. The meeting was informed that these areas were the responsibility of W.D.C.

The Council was asked if dog training sessions could be held on Sunday mornings on the sports field. The Council granted this request.

[Signature: G Harper]