Ilmer Past

Parish Council Minutes

Cllr G Harper (Chairman)

Cllrs G Walters, Mrs J Rogers, I Walker, G O'Neill and Mrs V McPherson

Susanne Griffiths (Clerk)

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

No apologies were received.

2/ MINUTES

The Minutes of the previous meeting of the Parish Council on the 18th October 2011, 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. Cllr G Walters declared an interest in agenda item 14, application number 11/07354/FUL.

4/ MATTERS ARISING NOT OTHERWISE ON THE AGENDA

Remembrance Sunday. Cllr G Harper thanked Cllr G O'Neill for his work in organising the service at the war memorial and asked him to pass on the councils' thanks to the Longwick Combined School for their part in the service.

5. FINANCE

A/ Accounts for Payment:

Cheque Description Net VAT Total
Nov 453 RBL - Wreath (Sect 137 payment) £20.00 £20.00
Nov 454 Manor Estates - Grass cutting July, replacing cheque 441 (lost in the post) £358.32 £71.66 £429.98
Nov 455 Manor Estates - Grass cutting October 2011 £358.32 £71.66 £429.98
Nov 456 Transfer to Lloyds TSB account £11,000.00
Nov S/O S Griffiths - Nov Salary £341.27 £341.27
Nov 457 S Griffiths - Expenses June-Aug £33.02 £33.02
Nov 458 Whiteleaf Printers Ltd - Parish newsletter £420.00 £420.00
Nov 459 WDALC - Training session for councillors £15.00 £15.00

B/ Income received: Bank interest £0.60.

C/ Bank Balance £10,840.60 (allowing for the above cheques).

The income for October and expenditure for November was examined by the Council. All present agreed that the necessary cheques be signed.

6. CAPITAL ITEMS AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES

A. Playing Field. Cllr J Rogers researched the costs for six 6ft potted trees as requested and found the costs to exceed the amount agreed in the previous meeting. All present agreed to defer the decision to purchase new trees until the spring.

B. Children's Play Area. Cllr G Harper informed the members that he has repaired the gate again, which has been damaged by children swinging on it.

7. ROADS, VERGES AND RIGHTS OF WAY.

The Clerk is requested to raise the following concern with the relevant local authority: the finger post at the Stockwell Lane T junction on the road through Owlswick is lying in the verge, previously reported under reference number CRN 341490.

8. CORRESPONDENCE.

Letter from Buckinghamshire County Council re supporting community celebrations over the Diamond Jubilee and the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games across Buckinghamshire in 2012. The Parish Council welcomed the offer of free bunting for the celebrations and agreed that red, white and blue would be the preferred choice. All present agreed to be a broker and distribution point for additional orders for community groups.

E-mails from MH-P offering additional services for the Website. All present agreed that due to the low level of visitors to the website, the Parish Council could not justify spending money for additional facilities.

Letter from BCC advising of the final consultation concerning switching off street lights to save energy trial. Responses requested by the 11th December 2011.

E-mail from B.C.C. informing of a newly acquired Vehicle Activated Sign that they are able to loan to Parish Councils. Comments noted.

E-mail from Manor Estates advising that there is moss on the playground at Longwick. All present agreed for Cllr G Harper to inspect the playground and treat the moss if deemed necessary.

9. REPORTS

A. School Governors – Cllr G O'Neill informed the members that three new teachers and a new Deputy Head teacher had been appointed.

B. NW Chilterns Local Area Forum – Nothing to report.

C. WDALC – Nothing to report.

D. N.A.G – Cllr V McPherson informed the members that a new Speed Indication Device had been introduced in various locations around the villages.

E. Newsletter – Nothing to report.

10. WHETHER TO REQUEST A CHANGE TO THE SPEED LIMIT ON THAME ROAD.

Cllr G O'Neill informed the members that the cost of reducing the speed limit on the Thame Road between the roundabout on the A4010 and the Red Lion Public House from 40mph to 30mph is £7,380. He advised that there is a chance for the amount to be funded from the LAF Delegated Budget in 2012/2013 if the bid for funding was successful. To improve the chances of the bid being successful, Cllr G O'Neill proposed that a contribution towards the cost of the project is offered to B.C.C. All present agreed to consider this proposal at the Estimates meeting when the budget for 2012/2013 is discussed.

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

A vote was taken on co-opting Mr B Richards to fill the vacancy on the Parish Council. The motion was passed with a majority of 4-2. The Clerk is requested to advise Mr Richards.

12. THE MEETING DATES FOR 2012

All present agreed to continue meeting on the third Tuesday of each month for the monthly Parish Council meeting.

13. THE PRIORITIES TO TAKE TO THE NEXT LAF MEETING

All present agreed the following Longwick-cum-Ilmer return for the Priorities Review:

1. Traffic management focusing particularly on speeding: continued speeding along many parish roads. 2. Public transport in rural areas (both availability and suitability of routeing): would like to see the Community Bus service at least continued and if possible extended. 3. Youth activities / provision: support for the Scouts, Cubs and Beavers needed; the groups in the village are struggling to keep going or have had to stop, and there are no other alternatives for young people.

14. PLANNING APPLICATIONS

A/ New Applications to be considered:

Cllr G Walters took no part in the discussion or decision for the following application.

B/ Progress on applications already considered:

12/ AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING

To decide on the budgets for the financial year 2012/2013 and the setting of the precept. To decide on the expenditure allowed under L.G.A. 1972 Section 137.

13/ NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Parish Council will take place on Tuesday 13th December 2011 in Longwick Village Hall at 7.30pm, following the Carol Service at 6.00pm.

There being no further business to discuss the Meeting closed at 9.45 pm.

Chairman......................................... Date..................