Ilmer Past

Parish Council Minutes

Cllr G Harper (Chairman)

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

Caroline Page (Clerk)

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

No apologies were received.

2/ MINUTES

The Minutes of the previous meeting of the Parish Council on the 17th January 2012, 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. None were declared.

4/ MATTERS ARISING NOT OTHERWISE ON THE AGENDA

A presentation was made on behalf of Longwick Scout Group by Alan Inglis (Treasurer) and David Floyd (Beavers Leader). The group is facing possible closure because of a lack of available leaders and they are carrying out a mail-shot to all addresses in the Parish. They pointed out that the Scout Group is a valuable and popular asset to the Parish and asked if the Parish Council could help them in their search for leaders. Cllrs V McPherson and B Richards suggested including a brief job description with the mail-shot, and Cllr McPherson offered to put a piece in the next Parish newsletter. Copy would be needed by 19th March 2012. Cllr G O'Neill recommended that the Parish Council write to BCC explaining the situation and asking for a rent holiday. The Scouts will need to make a decision on whether or not to close by mid-May 2012.

Mr Jeremy Elgin gave a presentation about his application to erect a wind turbine at Lower Waldridge Farm, Ford, outlining his reasons for installing the wind turbine.

Cllr B Richards gave an update on his recent visit to RAP (Risborough Area Partnership). RAP is divided into 5 subgroups; 'Communications' will be the most relevant to the Parish Council. There will be a meeting of the Communications subgroup on Tuesday 28th February, which Cllr Richards will attend.

Cllr V McPherson reported a lot of litter by the skate park despite bins being supplied. It appears that either the bins are full or that people are not using them.

5. FINANCE

A/ Accounts for Payment

Cheque Description Net VAT Total
S/O Clerks Fees - S Griffiths - February Salary £341.27 £341.27
15 Risk Inspection - K Dobson - January 2012 report £14.60 £14.60

B/ Income received

Bank interest £0.02.

C/ Bank Balance £7,701.86 (allowing for the above cheques)

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

6/ CAPITAL ITEMS AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES

A. Playing Field

Risk Inspection Report dated 28th January 2012 – Cllr I Walker reported that the only issue highlighted is that the paviors going down to the gate are becoming quite overgrown with weeds and moss. Cllr G Harper replied that it is too early to spray but when appropriate he will attend to this. The hedges will be cut in the next few weeks.

B. Children's Play Area

Risk Inspection Report - Cllr G Harper confirmed that there were no medium or low risk issues highlighted.

7/ ROADS, VERGES AND RIGHTS OF WAY.

Cllr J Rogers reported that the only matters attended to since the last meeting were that the flashing speed sign now works, the white lining at the junction of Chestnut Way has been done and the tyres in Ilmer have been picked up.

8/ CORRESPONDENCE.

Invitation to attend the Chairman of Wycombe District Council's Civic Service on the 25th March 2012.

This was not addressed.

The Parish Council has received an e-mail from the Ford Action Group Against Turbine (FAGAT) to elicit its opinion on the proposed wind turbine at Lower Waldridge Farm (the subject of the talk by Mr Jeremy Elgin). Cllr J Rogers had attended a meeting at Waldridge Manor, at which approximately half the residents of Owlswick expressed their concern. She also understands that the residents of Dinton and Ford are very much against the proposal. Cllr G Walters pointed out that the Parish Council will be notified of this as a normal planning application and therefore should delay any discussion until it knows that it is to be consulted. He suggested that a member of FAGAT be invited to make a presentation to the Parish Council so that it can see both sides of the issue.

Cllr G Harper has received an e-mail from Ralph Dadswell about Wycombe Cycling Club hiring Longwick Village Hall on 14th April from 12.30 to 8.00 pm. They are concerned about parking and want to know if they can use the Playing Field. Cllr J Rogers commented that the Music Society use it for parking and its suitability really depends on the weather. All agreed that using the Playing Field for parking would be OK as long as actual playing surfaces are not used.

Cllr G Walters has received an e-mail from Louise Willis of BCC making him aware of the success of the Snow Saviours Appeal. She wonders whether the data they gathered for this would be valuable for a Community Plan. Cllr Walters proposed writing back to say that the Parish Council would be interested in the data when a decision has been reached as to whether or not to prepare a Community Plan. All agreed. GW

Cllr V McPherson asked if the Parish Council could have a word with the people who are doing a barn conversion at Walkers as they are leaving a lot of litter which is blowing over a wide area. Cllr G Harper replied that work on the barn is now complete, so the problem should stop. He will keep an eye on it and if necessary have a word.

9/ REPORTS

Cllr G Walters proposed adding an 'F' to 'Reports' – 'To Receive a Report on Meeting with RAP'. All agreed.

10/ THE DESIGN OF THE MUG TO CELEBRATE THE DIAMOND JUBILEE IN THE PARISH.

There was much discussion on the best way to distribute the mugs and to whom they should be given. Cllr G O'Neill recommended that mugs should be given to all children at the school. A note should be printed in the Newsletter saying that any child in the Parish not at school who would like a mug should contact the Parish Council. Cllr O'Neill will state this in his piece for the Newsletter. Cllr V McPherson suggested that children at Pre-School should be included. Cllr G Harper proposed that mugs are given to every child in the Parish aged 0-11 years. There are approximately 110 in the age range 5-11 years. Cllr J Rogers said it would be nice to include the elderly of the Parish. Distribution and age range is still to be definitely decided. Cllr V McPherson gave estimated prices from David Lockett for the mugs in bone china as: £4.50 a mug x 200 = £900 plus £40.00 delivery charge = £900.40, or 250 x £4.50 = £1,125 + £40 = £1,165. Cllr McPherson will contact Mary Shuttle after 1st March for a firm quotation. Cllr G Harper said a figure of £1,200.00 had been budgeted for the whole Diamond Jubilee event. All agreed to let Cllr McPherson decide on the final design and to order 220 mugs.

Regarding making the field available for anyone who wants to use it for a Diamond Jubilee event, Cllr G Harper has received expressions of interest from 34 people. Two of these, Catherine Trout and Emma Thornsley, have volunteered to organise an event. Cllr J Rogers suggested approaching them to see if they are prepared to take this on. Cllr O'Neill replied that he would contact them and also let them know that £450.00 would be available for this.

11/ PLANNING APPLICATIONS

A. To consider New Planning Applications

B. To receive progress on applications already considered

12/ AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING.

The Value of a Community Resilience or Community Plan. Andy Foreman from WDC will give a talk and answer questions.

To decide whether to move forward with a Parish Emergency Plan or not.

To decide on method of distribution and age range of Diamond Jubilee mugs.

13/ DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Parish Council will take place on Tuesday 20th March 2012 in Longwick Village Hall at 7.30pm.

There being no further business to discuss the Meeting closed at 9.35 pm.

Chairman………………………………………… Date……………..