Parish Council Minutes
1/ PRESENT
Cllr G Harper (Chairman)
Cllrs I Walker, Mrs V McPherson and Mrs J Rogers
Mrs S Griffiths (Clerk)
1 member of the public
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received and accepted from Cllrs Mrs. P Priestley and G O'Neill.
2/ MINUTES
The Minutes of the previous meeting of the Parish Council on the 21st September 2010, having been circulated were approved by the Meeting and signed by the Chairman.
3/ DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Members were asked to declare any personal interest and the nature of that interest which they may have in any of the items under consideration at this meeting.
4. PRESENTATION FROM SARAH ALLWOOD, PROJECTS OFFICER, COMMUNITY IMPACT BUCKS ON COMMUNITY LED PLANNING
Sarah Allwood gave a presentation on Community Led Planning and how it can benefit residents of the Longwick-cum-Ilmer Parish.
5. MATTERS ARISING NOT OTHERWISE ON THE AGENDA
The footpath to Dorrells Road: the headmistress of Longwick Primary School said she would contact the appropriate person on the County Council to get permission for the Parish Council to make the alteration requested.
Letter from WDC solicitor re agreement with Longwick Pre School: the hourly rate for the WDC solicitor to assist with the preparation of an agreement to lease a piece of land to Longwick preschool is £57. All present agreed to proceed with the assistance of the WDC solicitor.
Devolved Services from B.C.C.: the Clerk contacted B.C.C. as requested to enquire about the possibility of Longwick-cum-Ilmer Parish Council applying to have services devolved to the Parish Council. The Clerk was informed that this was an area likely to have funding reduced and that any future agreement would require at least matched funding. A new Local Area Technician had been allocated to deal with Highways issues in the Parish and this should improve the speed of resolving issues.
Carol Service: the Clerk is requested to produce a poster for the Carol Service on the 14th December at 6.30pm and to contact the local papers with the details. Cllr G Harper agreed to organise the tree and the lights. Cllr J Rogers agreed to organise the refreshments.
6. FINANCE
Accounts for Payment:
| Cheque | Payee / Description | Net | VAT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 392 | C M Spittles – Hedge cutting around playing field and car park | £210.00 | £210.00 | |
| 393 | MH-P – Add News link and newsletter | £30.00 | £5.25 | £35.25 |
| 394 | Manor Estates – Grass cutting September 2010 | £348.90 | £61.06 | £409.96 |
Income received: WDC – Precept £8,250.00.
Bank Balance £8,648.22 (allowing for the above cheques).
Cllr G Harper proposed that the Parish Council move the bank account to Lloyds TSB from the Bank of Ireland due to the uncertain financial position in Ireland. All present agreed. The Clerk is requested to make the necessary arrangements.
7. CAPITAL ITEMS AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES
Playing Field – Cllr I Walker requested that dog walkers carry a torch when walking their dogs in the dark to enable them to see and clear their dogs' waste. Cllr V McPherson agreed to include the request in the next edition of the newsletter.
Children's Play Area – the Clerk is requested to contact Safe and Sound to ascertain when the loose bolt reported in the risk inspection is to be mended.
8. ROADS, VERGES AND RIGHTS OF WAY.
Cllr J Rogers informed the members that none of the previous issues reported to Highways on Call have yet been dealt with. The Clerk is requested to contact BCC as a matter of urgency concerning these matters:
- The directional signs at the junction of Bar Lane have been knocked giving the wrong direction to Longwick, previously reported under Ref 274526.
- On the opposite pavement to the shop and right of the turning to the Village Hall is a sunken drain or inspection cover, which is a tripping hazard, previously reported under Ref 293185.
- The weight limit sign in Owlswick Lane has been knocked down at the junction with the B4009, previously reported under reference number 300188.
Cllr J Rogers reminded the members of the planned litter pick of the parish on Sunday 7th November at 10.00am. The Clerk is requested to produce a poster advertising the litter pick.
9. CORRESPONDENCE.
- Letter from WDC giving the Parish Council permission to take action to fill the Casual Vacancy on the Parish Council by co-option. All present agreed to proceed with the process of co-option. The Clerk is requested to advertise the vacancy with a closing date of the 9th November 2010.
- Results of the overview and scrutiny review into Winter Maintenance from B.C.C.: Cllrs G Harper and J Rogers agreed to contact local farmers to ascertain if they would be willing to assist in extreme weather conditions, and pass this information back to B.C.C. to compile a register of volunteers.
10. REPORTS
- School Governors: the head teacher, Chris Sharples, has resigned and will be leaving at the beginning of April at the end of the Spring term. The position has now been advertised, and the Governors hope to interview and make an appointment in early December.
- NW Chilterns Local Area Forum: nothing to report.
- WDALC: nothing to report.
- N.A.G: a speed enforcement operation was carried out by officers from the local Neighbourhood Policing team and Thames Valley Safer Roads Partnership in Thame Road, Longwick, whereby 13 motorists were dealt with by way of Fixed Penalty Notice; the fastest speed recorded was 45mph. A section 59 warning was issued to a motorbike rider from Aylesbury whose noise was waking residents up in Longwick and Kimble very early in the morning; if deemed to be driving in an anti-social manner again he is liable to have his bike seized.
- Newsletter: nothing to report.
11. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Progress on applications already considered:
- 10/06641/FUL: Orchard View Farm, Stockwell Lane, Little Meadle. Erection of agricultural glass house. Application Permitted.
- 10/07013/CTRE: Bank Farm, Meadle Village Road, Meadle. Works to a variety of trees at the property. Decision: Not to make a Tree Preservation Order.
- 10/06894/FUL: Cozens Holdings, Owlswick. Householder application for insertion of new casement and dormer windows to existing detached garage and conversion of roof space into habitable accommodation. Application Permitted.
- 10/06625/FUL: Land Between Scalene And Harvest Barn, Thame Road, Longwick. Erection of new single storey 3 bed semi subterranean dwelling and new access. Application Refused.
New Applications to be considered:
- 10/07107/FUL: The Birches, Lower Icknield Way, Longwick. Householder application for alterations to fenestration & front door. The Parish Council has no objections.
- 10/07313/FUL: Vale Edge Farm, Owlswick Lane, Owlswick. Householder application for raising of roof, roof extensions and alterations to accommodate first floor living space. The Parish Council has no objections.
12/ AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING
To be advised.
13/ NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Parish Council will take place on Tuesday 16th November 2010 in Longwick Village Hall at 7.30pm. There being no further business to discuss the Meeting closed at 9.45pm.