Parish Council Minutes

PRESENT

Cllr G Harper (Chairman)

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

Mrs S Griffiths (Clerk)

1/ APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

No apologies were received.

2/ MINUTES

The Minutes of the previous meeting of the Parish Council on the 17th July 2012, having been circulated and 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

None.

5/ FINANCE

A/ Accounts for Payment

Cheque Description Net VAT Total
46 Risk Assessment - K Dobson - Risk Inspection July 2012 £14.60 £14.60
47 Admin - Post Office - Redirection of mail £110.00 £110.00
S/O Grass Cutting - Manor Estates - Grass cutting June 2012 £369.07 £73.81 £442.88
S/O Clerks Fees - S Griffiths - August salary £341.27 £341.27

C/ Bank Balance £7,263.69 (allowing for the above cheques)

The income for July and expenditure for August 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 – Cllr G Harper confirmed that the following items were highlighted as requiring action in the Inspection report:

B. Children's play area

Cllr G Harper confirmed that there were no issues highlighted in the play area.

7/ ROADS, VERGES AND RIGHTS OF WAY

The Clerk is requested to raise the following concerns with the relevant local authority: SG

Footpaths

Footpath 20, Bar Lane to 20A is overgrown and blocked with a fallen tree across the path next to a house called Elm Trees.

Bridlepath 14 Green Lane, Owlswick to Ilmer is overgrown.

Footpath 4 under the Railway line is overgrown and has branches that have fallen down. The section from the playing field to the Railway line is very overgrown also.

Sign posts

The 30MPH speed limit sign at the north west end of Owlswick is leaning after being knocked by the grass cutting contractor.

The sign post that has been recently replaced under reference number 341490 has only one sign to Meadle and is missing the other two signs to Longwick/Owlswick and Ford/Dinton.

Cllr Rogers reported that speeding has increased through Owlswick especially during the rush hour period. Cllr V McPherson agreed to raise this problem at the next NAG meeting. VM

8/ CORRESPONDENCE

An invitation to comment on the Gambling Act 2005 – Policy Review Statement.

Copies of the policy are available from WDC 01494 421222. The deadline for comments is 25th September 2012.

An invitation to comment on the proposed use of a legislative reform order to reform legislation on payments by parish and community councils and charter trustees.

The deadline for comments is 11th September 2012. All present agreed to respond as a Parish Council, agreeing that the two signature rule for parish and community councils and charter trustees should be removed from legislation providing that a process of checking remains in place and approval is given at the Parish Council meeting prior to the payment being made.

9/ REPORTS

School Governors - Nothing to Report. Cllr G O'Neill agreed to contact the school to clarify if the pupils will be taking part in the Remembrance Day Service this year. GON

NW Chilterns Local Area Forum – Nothing to Report.

WDALC. – Cllr I Walker reported on the meeting held 19th June 2012.

Neighbourhood Action Group - Nothing to Report.

Newsletter – The next newsletter is due to be published at the end of September.

Risborough Area Forum - Nothing to Report.

Risborough Area Partnership – Nothing to Report. There is some interest being shown in combining the Risborough Area Forum with the Risborough Area Partnership Communications group. Cllrs B Richards and G O'Neill will keep the members informed of any changes.

Village Hall – Photographs of the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations in Longwick are now on display in the village hall.

10. SPEED LIMIT ON THE THAME ROAD

Cllrs J Rogers and G O'Neill met with the Local Area Technician to discuss options to reduce the speed of traffic between the garage and the Red Lion on the Thame Road in Longwick. Whilst the LAT understood and agreed with the concerns of the councillors, he could not offer a legal solution to display warning signs that there was about to be a reduction in the speed limit. Some members questioned if this was correct. Cllr G O'Neill agreed to raise this point with the B.C.C. and progress a request for 'slow' to be painted on the road. GON

11/ PLANNING APPLICATIONS

To consider New Planning Applications

To Receive Notice of Planning Applications Approved

12/ AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING.

To discuss and decide on plans for a Village Green (Cllr I Walker).

13/ NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Parish Council will take place on Tuesday 18th September 2012 in Longwick Village Hall at 8.00pm.

There being no further business to discuss the Meeting closed at 9.25pm.

Chairman………………………………………… Date……………..