Ilmer Past

Parish Council Minutes

1/ PRESENT

Cllr G Harper (Chairman)

Cllrs I Walker, Mrs V McPherson, G O'Neill, Mrs. P Priestley and Mrs J Rogers

Mrs S Griffiths (Clerk)

1 member of the public

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies were received and accepted in advance from Cllrs Mrs. P Priestley and Mrs V McPherson for their late arrivals to this meeting.

2/ MINUTES

The Minutes of the previous meeting of the Parish Council on the 19th October 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. MATTERS ARISING NOT OTHERWISE ON THE AGENDA

Carol Service: the Clerk has produced a poster for the Carol Service on the 14th December at 6.00pm which has been circulated for the members' consideration. All present agreed on minor amendments and for the poster to be displayed around the parish.

Moving the bank account to Lloyds TSB from the Bank of Ireland due to the uncertain financial position in Ireland: the Clerk has prepared the necessary paperwork for the members' signatures.

The footpath to Dorrells Road: the headmistress of Longwick Primary School has contacted the appropriate person on the County Council to get permission for the Parish Council to make the alteration requested, and this has now been granted. Cllrs I Walker and G O'Neill agreed to obtain quotations for the work.

The Litter pick of the parish: Cllr G Harper thanked the members for their help with the litter pick of the parish on Sunday 7th November, and informed them that 10 black bags of rubbish had been collected. The Clerk is requested to contact B.C.C. to request that the industrial rubbish left in the Longwick Mill lay-by is collected.

Remembrance Day: the Clerk is requested to write a letter of thanks to the school for their part in the Remembrance Day ceremony.

5. FINANCE

Accounts for Payment:

Cheque Payee / Description Net VAT Total
395 MH-P – Add Map £15.00 £2.63 £17.63
396 Manor Estates – Grass cutting October 2010 £348.90 £61.06 £409.96
397 K Dobson – Risk Assessment Duties, October 2010 £14.10 £14.10
398 British Legion Poppy Appeal – Wreath for Remembrance Day £20.00 £20.00

Income received: none.

Bank Balance £8,648.22 (allowing for the above cheques). The Clerk presented the accounts together with the bank statements and bank reconciliation for the members' consideration. All present agreed that the accounts were being handled in a satisfactory manner and that the monies were all accounted for.

Cllr V McPherson joined the meeting at 7.55pm.

6. CAPITAL ITEMS AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES

Playing Field – Cllr G Harper confirmed there were no issues highlighted in the Risk Inspection Report.

Children's Play Area – Cllr G Harper informed the members that the bi-monthly Risk Inspection Report had highlighted the wooden frame that had become wobbly as a low risk. After inspecting the loose bolt reported, Safe and Sound advise that the timber climbing frame is beyond repair as it has become rotten beneath the wet pour, and that to repair it would not be practical or safe; they suggest removing the frame altogether. All present agreed to arrange for the frame to be removed.

Cllr P Priestley joined the meeting at 8.05pm.

7. ROADS, VERGES AND RIGHTS OF WAY.

A new sign has been ordered to replace the weight limit sign in Owlswick Lane that has been knocked down at the junction with the B4009, previously reported under reference number 300188. The Clerk is requested to raise the following concern with the relevant local authority: the sign at the Mill Lane junction of the B4009 has been knocked down.

8. CORRESPONDENCE.

Letter from B.C.C. advising that they have launched a consultation "Get involved: Developing libraries for the future"; copies of the leaflet with details of the consultation can be requested by contacting [email protected] or 01296 382160. The consultation will close on the 1st February 2011.

9. REPORTS

10. THE NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH HAVING A PAGE ON THE PARISH COUNCIL WEBSITE.

Due to the additional costs involved, all present agreed not to allow the Neighbourhood Watch to have a page on the Parish Council website. It was further agreed to review the content on the website and to discuss a policy for the website at the January meeting.

11. THE ACTION TO TAKE CONCERNING THE PHASING OF THE TRAFFIC LIGHTS ON THAME ROAD.

Cllr P Priestley informed the members that she had been approached by members of the public concerned about the length of time it took for the traffic lights on the Thame Road to turn red. The Clerk is requested to raise this issue with the Highways Department.

12. THE MEETING DATES FOR 2011

All present agreed to continue meeting on the third Tuesday of each month for the monthly Parish Council meeting. All present further agreed to hold the Annual Parish Meeting on the 19th April 2011 at 7.30pm and the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council on the 17th May 2011, unless the elections are postponed due to a referendum, in which case a provisional second date was set for the 7th June 2011.

13. THE PREFERRED CANDIDATE TO FILL THE VACANCY FOR A COUNCILLOR BY CO-OPTION.

Three extremely well qualified candidates put themselves forward for consideration as a councillor. After a long discussion, all present agreed to co-opt Mr. Graham Walters.

14. THE DRAFT LEASE FOR THE LAND AGREEMENT WITH LONGWICK PRESCHOOL.

All present agreed to proceed with the preliminary draft lease previously circulated to the members.

15. PLANNING APPLICATIONS

Cllr P Priestley left the meeting at 9.10pm.

Progress on applications already considered:

New Applications to be considered:

16/ AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING

To be advised.

17/ NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Parish Council will take place on Tuesday 14th December 2010 in Longwick Village Hall at 7.30pm. There being no further business to discuss the Meeting closed at 9.20pm.