Parish Meeting Minutes
LONGWICK-CUM-ILMER PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY 19TH APRIL 2022 AT 7PM
PRESENT
Cllr Val McPherson BEM (Chair)
Cllrs Brian Richards (Vice), Richard Myers, Alex Barter, Rolf van Apeldoorn, Jane Rogers and Roger Wilkes
Tracey Martin (Clerk)
20 members of the public present
Buckinghamshire Councillors: Cllr Alan Turner, Gary Hall and Matt Walsh
1. INTRODUCTION AND WELCOME BY THE CHAIRMAN
Cllr McPherson welcomed all to the meeting.
2. APPROVAL OF ANNUAL PARISH MEETING MINUTES HELD 28TH APRIL 2021
Approved.
3. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT 2022
Another strange year, Covid restrictions were lifted and yet a new variant arrives, and cases start going up across all the ages, so we are all learning how to live with the virus in an unusual way than previously.
Our last Annual Parish Meeting in April 2021 was held via zoom due to Covid, but as you note today, we are at last able to have face to face meeting with our residents.
Precept
We have decided again for this year 2022/2023 not to raise the Band D tax which means the Band D rate will remain at £37.19, and the Parish Council will receive £31,843.94.
CIL
Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) from 1 April 2021 – 31 March 2022 received £45,486.65 and have spent £67,593.81.
CIL Expenditure: Kissing Gates £3,197.20, Street Furniture £1,343.00, Playground £6,277.00, Transport Vision £12,157.87, Defibrillator £861.25, Village Hall £43,757.49.
Grant approved for School £35,000 Forest/Classroom and further payment towards Village Hall Conversion is £22,042.51 to the builder so the CIL balance will be £328,339.09.
Grants approved throughout the year in 2021: Longwick Village Hall - Railings - £1,000, Longwick Pre-School - Garden Works £2,250, Amazon Speed Gun donated to Speed Watch Group £201.10, Longwick Evening WI - Carol Concert £120.00, Tea at Three - £200.00. Total £3,771.10.
Full Planning Applications: 18: 4 Refused, 14 permitted. I have not included all the variations to do with planning applications in my report as this can be viewed on our website.
Longwick Transport Vision Plan which includes the whole Parish.
Our Parish Traffic and Travel Survey is the most predominant project, which is a long-term initiative and will hopefully be implemented over the next few years.
Zoom meetings took place in June by our Consultant for those who wished to ask further questions. Once everything had been completed a proposed face to face presentation was to take place on 23 July. Unfortunately, due to our consultant catching Covid, he was unable to take part, but the Parish Council decided to go ahead with a presentation via Information panels showing what the parishioners had suggested and further copies of the questionnaire were provided using a QR code to reply including hard copies for those who preferred this method.
In September, a draft report on LTV was circulated to the Councillors for discussions on the consultations, questionnaire, and site visits.
In November, the Parish Councillors received a Presentation by Steve Essex on the whole project to date, and the final report of eighty-three pages given to the Councillors and our Buckinghamshire Councillors at the beginning of the New Year.
The main issue was speeding and speed limits so Cllrs Richards and McPherson drove around the parish noting where the speed limits should be reduced prior to a presentation to the three Buckinghamshire Councillors.
Since then, the Council have produced maps to show the changes of speed across the whole parish and a further meeting is being arranged to meet the three Buckinghamshire Risborough Ward Councillors with our Planning Consultant to put forward the suggestions before doing a presentation to Steve Broadbent the cabinet minister for Transport.
Bar Lane.
Issues raised by residents and the Parish Council over the last two and half years concerning the number of accidents that have happened on the cross-roads and speed of traffic on this lane.
Originally the request was for a Vehicle Activated sign to be put by Bar Lane junction with the A4129 Thame Road but following further discussions it was agreed that signage and surface improvement are to be applied to Bar Lane and the junction with the A4129 Thame Road and the junction itself.
The Parish Council has now been successful in receiving match funding for this improvement work to take place with the North-West Chiltern Community Board. Total cost amounts to £11,677.65 which the Parish Council will pay 50%.
We are now waiting for a date when Transport for Bucks will be able to start this work.
Kissing Gates
The Parish Council to date has put in over 48 Kissing gate across the parish plus eight ordinary ones and some residents have given compliments on this project.
Village Hall Project - Conversion.
In August, a meeting was arranged to consider and approve quotes for the Village Hall Renovations. All quotes from a number of builders were redacted and a scoring matrix and report circulated to the Councillors ahead of meeting.
A vote was taken, and Contractor A chosen. At this stage, no Councillors were aware of the builder's name.
At the September meeting once, everything had been agreed with the VH Committee and Parish Council it was only then that the Councillors were informed that the Builder chosen was Robert Kirby Professional Building Services Ltd. Total cost of project is £65,800. Additional quote for smoke and heat alarms were approved at a cost of £1400. The conversion has already started and hopefully will be complete by the end of April in time for the fete.
The PC said thank you to Cllrs Richards and Cllr Myers for their work on this project.
Children's Play Area
The PC decided to add another piece of Play equipment for the younger children in the play area. A new Tractor was the favoured choice. The total cost was £4855 but received £2,400 from a parent fund towards this equipment.
We also added three new benches to this area and put new synthetic grass and timber edging around the new play equipment, to prevent children from having mishaps.
The PC thanked Cllr Barter and our Clerk Tracey Martin for their involvement.
Longwick Church of England School
From our CIL money we are giving a grant of £35,000 which had been agreed back in 2019 to develop a Forest School and create a permanent Outdoor Learning Space which will benefit all children improving their social skills and well-being.
Grant for Pre-school
We agreed a grant application of £2,250 from Pre-school for the picket fence they required to go around their Play Area.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA)
Our Annual RoSPA report on the Playing Field and children's play area requiring repairs to play equipment items, the cableway and MUGA topsoil on the Playing Field at a cost of £1730 has been completed.
Defibrillator
A Defibrillator had been requested by Ilmer residents and the Parish Council agreed to pay £1609.50, with the residents contributed £500 towards the cost.
Flower Planters
Our Flower Planters around the entries to the village have been maintained by Jane & Cllr Rolf van Apeldoorn, and the Parish Council would like to say thank you for doing this in all weathers, not an easy task when the grass is long and overgrown.
Waste Bins
We added extra new Waste Bins around the Playing field encouraging people to use the bins and not the field to leave their litter.
Anti-Social behaviour
Having received complaints from residents in the early part of the year with young people using their off-rode motor bikes and E-scooters going across the Playing Field it was decided to purchase two large A3 signs stating that these motorised bikes were not allowed to be rode or driven on the field.
On top of this there were a group of youngsters causing anti-social behaviour on the Playing field either playing loud music and drinking in the evenings and other times groups of youths gathering smoking drinking and dealing drugs by the Roundel.
The police had been called on occasions and came out to deal with the situations but were not always able to follow up due to having limited resources and being deployed elsewhere. Our local police however had been patrolling the Playing field at various times and the youths had been spoken to.
Our ANPR was valuable in picking up number plates of cars that were causing concerns with their actions especially extremely late at night and early morning. All details had been passed to Thames Valley Police.
The Parish Council investigated a possibility of hiring Security Guards to try and prevent the anti-social activities both in the Playing field and Car Park, but the Police advised against this idea.
Dog Waste
Complaints had been received stating that a minority of Dog owners do not pick up after their dog on the field and pavements. The PC decided to buy extra signs warning owners that they can be fined if they leave their dog mess behind, and an extra-large sign was placed in the Children's Play Area stating that No Dogs allowed as parents had complained that Dog Owners were not reading the small sign by the gate entrance into this area.
Safety around Watercourses.
Concerns had been raised over the water safety next to the gate by Wickfield's entrance to the field, so it was agreed to install a fence preventing a child or adult from slipping or falling into the water ditch below.
The bridge over the stream into the Playing Field also raised concerns especially when it has been raining as it becomes very slippery. Our Clerk Tracey Martin has contacted the Rights of Way to deal with this problem.
PC Remembrance Service
The PC thanked Rolf van Apeldoorn for doing an excellent Remembrance Service, the WI for decorating the War Memorial and the Logs for clearing the area.
Cllr McPherson stated that a pathway down to the War Memorial is being investigated because when it rains or there has been frost it becomes very slippery.
Christmas Tree
Lights bought for the Christmas Tree in the field did not display as instructed by the box, so it meant that any Parish Councillor who was on the field at any time would turn the lights off or on as required. Hasten to say new lights will be bought for this year.
Emergency Plan
The Emergency Plan now known as Community Resilience Plan has been updated, by Cllr Rolf van Apeldoorn and is now on or website.
Platinum Jubilee Celebrations
The PC Platinum Jubilee Celebrations is well underway, and the date chosen is Saturday 4 June from 12.00 – 4.00pm on the Playing Field. Everyone is welcome. We have added details in the Spring/Summer Parish Newsletter about the event which should have landed on every resident's mat within the Parish, and on our Facebook page and website. It should be a fun day for everyone.
Thank you
Before I close my report, I would like to say thank you to our Clerk Tracey Martin for all her hard work over the last year and beginning of this year and to all the Councillors who have taken on extra projects and ones that are still ongoing and not forgetting our three Buckinghamshire Councillors who have kept us informed and updated on concerns around the Area and taken concerns to the various Buckinghamshire Departments on our behalf.
Valerie McPherson BEM, Chair Longwick-cum-Ilmer Parish Council 19 April 2022.
4. BUCKINGHAMSHIRE COUNCIL REPORT FROM THE RISBOROUGH WARD COUNCILLORS
a) Cllr Turner stated that there are currently two large applications which have been received in relation to the Princes Risborough expansion which will impact the highways in Longwick. Between the two developments there will be around 1,500 houses and Buckinghamshire Council is ensuring that the developers keep to what has been agreed specifically in regards to infrastructure. In the short term there will be an increase in construction traffic on the Thame Road and this will be monitored.
Questions were taken:
Q: Is the 1500 homes part of the original plan. Cllr Turner confirmed that it was.
Q: Will the communities be integrated or separated. Cllr Turner confirmed that it would be integrated and that there will be lots of walking and cycling routes.
Q: Is the relief road as per the original plan. Cllr Turner confirmed it is as per the plan.
Q: A concern was raised in the increase in heavy traffic, pressure on the roads and the potholes and deterioration. Cllr Turner stated that a Road Traffic Management plan will be put in place before any development starts which will be monitored ongoing.
Q: The relief road brings issues to the Sportsman roundabout i.e., traffic, speed and volume which are already an issue, how will this be addressed. Cllr Turner stated that the Parish Council are looking at traffic measures and that once the planning applications have been received the impact on highways will be looked at as a top priority.
Q: Thame Road 20mph proposal only covers half of the road and it is an accident waiting to happen and asked whether speed cameras at both ends of the village be considered. Cllr Turner stated that the Risborough Ward Councillors support the Parish Council with their Traffic Consultation. Cllr McPherson added that the Parish Council are looking at various speed reductions in the Parish and once they have been discussed with the Risborough Ward Councillors a meeting will take place with the Cabinet Member for Transport.
Q: Why can the County Council not do something about the Sportsman roundabout where three people have been killed. Cllr Turner responded that the Unitary Council will be looking at the next local plan which will be critical and that highways will be an important area which requires a broad vision.
Q: Concern with the one entrance and exit to Wickfield's and vans and cars parked in Chestnut Way which obstruct drivers view when turning and it is an accident waiting to happen. Cllr McPherson stated that the Parish Council had raised the issue of cars parking near the junction with the Police. The entrance and exit to Wickfield's was raised as a concern when the planning application was reviewed by the Parish Council.
Q: How can residents report a cause of concern. Cllr McPherson stated that FixMyStreet can be used to report any issues or concerns.
b) Cllr Walsh stated that he is a member of the North West Chilterns Community Board and asked if there are any local community groups who require funding to make an application or contact him as there is £100k of funding available. Cllr Walsh referred back to the question on speed cameras and stated that speed cameras are expensive and require the support of the Police Commissioner. Cllr Walsh stated that if any residents have any issues to contact the Risborough Ward Councillor. Cllr Walsh thanked Cllr McPherson, Chairman of the Parish Council.
c) Cllr Hall who is also the Chairman of the North West Chiltern Community reiterated what Cllr Walsh had said about applications to the board and that the Parish Council had submitted a couple of projects.
Cllr Hall stated that he heads up Planning Enforcement across the whole of Buckinghamshire and that on Saturday morning he had received a call from Cllr McPherson regarding some heavy machinery laying concrete and pipes on the Lower Icknield Way on the corner of Askett. Cllr Hall confirmed that an injunction has been served along with a mandatory welfare questionnaire and that they have seven days to quit. Subject to the injunction/appeals Buckinghamshire Council have the authority to send in heavy machinery to clear the site for which costs incurred can be recovered as a charge on the land.
Questions were taken:
Q: What is the status of the two plots on the Corner Of Askett Lane and Lower Icknield Way. Cllr Hall stated that a barrister is in place and witness statements are being finalised and that Buckinghamshire Officers need to ensure that all boxes have been ticked and ensure that they operate within the law.
Q: The memorial garden at Chadwill Hill Farm was refused permission but permission was granted for the illuminated signage. Cllr Hall requested that Cllr van Apeldoorn email him on this matter.
Q: When planning permission is granted is there are requirements to communicate with the residents affected. Cllr Hall stated it would depend on each individual case.
Q: A concern was raised with the Rose Farm builders not communicating with residents. Cllr Hall asked the resident who raised the question to contact him directly.
5. THAMES VALLEY POLICE REPORT
a) PC Andy Ralph Neighbourhood Police Officer stated that speeding enforcement has been carried out in the Parish although less so recently due to staffing levels as it requires a minimum of three officers and that locations are identified due to having pull offs to deal with drivers who are speeding. PC Andy Ralph stated that Longwick is a relatively low-level crime area and welcomed questions.
Q: Will you be able to walk into the new police station that is being built. PC Andy Ralph responded that unfortunately not and that it will just be for police officers with the nearest walk in station either in Aylesbury or Wycombe.
Q: With the housing growth residents are not getting facilities. PC Andy Ralph responded that he understands residents' frustrations and that the team covering Longwick has been reduced from seven to two and that they are regularly having to cover Wycombe. Staff recruitment has been an issue.
Q: Is it an offence to park on a footpath. PC Andy Ralph stated that Officers work in live time and that they physically need to see the issue and urged residents to call in and report any concerns. Cllr McPherson thanked PC Andy Ralph.
6. OPEN FORUM – TO DISCUSS ANY PARISH BUSINESS
a) A resident raised a concern about youth development now that the sports club has closed. Following the closure of the sports club there are some funds held which could be handed over if somebody was interested in taking over. Cllr McPherson responded that the Parish Council are not responsible for youth development but would encourage and support it if somebody was to coordinate this. It was agreed to advertise in the newsletter to see if any volunteers would come forward.
b) A resident raised a concern hat 300 new houses have already been built in the parish and that land close to him has been sold which he suspects was to a developer. Cllr McPherson responded that the Parish Council have objected when more homes have been proposed but the Parish Council are the lowest rung on the ladder and that the Parish Council can only comment on the applications but the decision is down to Buckinghamshire Council. Cllr Richards added that the current Neighbourhood Plan will be in place until 2033 and that the figure of 300 houses had been imposed upon the Parish Council and that the Parish Council had input on where these developments and houses could go. Cllr Richards added that the Neighbourhood Plan means that the Parish Council receive additional money for developments.
Cllr McPherson thanked everybody for attending and the meeting was closed at 8.20pm.