Parish Council Minutes

Cllr G Harper (Chairman)

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

Susanne Griffiths (Clerk)

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies were receive and accepted from G Walters and Mrs V McPherson.

2/ MINUTES

The Minutes of the previous meeting of the Parish Council on the 20th November 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

The Clerk has received an update on the enforcement complaint in Owlswick. The only breach of control on the site relates to the residential occupation of the garage. The officer will update the councillors regarding the outcome of the application in due course. SG

Cllr G Harper thanked Cllrs G O'Neill for organising the school Carol Service and Mrs. J Rogers for providing the refreshments at the service.

5. Finance

A/ Accounts for Payment

Cheque Description Net VAT Total
55 Clerks Fees - HMRC - Tax due 01/10/2012-31/12/2012 £256.00 £256.00
56 Website - MHP - Domain renewal £15.98 £3.20 £19.18
57 Dog waste and litter bins - TBS Hygiene - collections 07/09/12-30/11/12 £228.80 £45.76 £274.56
S/O Grass Cutting - Manor Estates - Grass cutting Nov 2012 £369.07 £73.81 £442.88
S/O Clerks Fees - S Griffiths - December salary £341.27 £341.27
58 I Walker - Purchase of 12 Laurel Hedging £48.00 £48.00
59 G Harper - Purchase of tree for playing field £63.99 £63.99
60 Longwick Village Stores - Refreshments for the Carol Service £52.89 £52.89

B/Receipts - £50.00 - Wayleaves.

C/Bank Balance £10,349.29 (allowing for the above cheques)

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

6. CAPITAL ITEMS AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES

A. Playing Field

Cllr G Harper confirmed that the three trees for the playing field had been purchased as agreed in the October of minutes and planted. Cllr I Walker confirmed that he had purchased the laurel hedging which had also been planted. The Clerk is requested to contact the police concerning the following issues: SG

  1. Shoes being placed in a tree in the playing field.
  2. An abandoned car in the Village Hall car park.
  3. Inconsiderate parking on the corner of the road leading to the Village Hall and the Thame road.

Cllr G Harper confirmed that he had actioned the following points raised in the Risk Assessment inspection report for November:

The seat on the Arial runway which is reported as a low risk for showing signs of wear and tear has been repaired.

The broken light cover on the fence which is reported as a low risk is to be replaced.

The Clerk is requested to obtain a quotation to repair the surface reported as low risk due to the paviors that are sinking and may cause a very minor trip hazard. SG

B. Children's Play Area

The Clerk is requested to obtain the prices of a Wendy house for the play area. SG

Cllr G Harper confirmed that there were no issues highlighted for the Children's Play Area.

7. ROADS, VERGES AND RIGHTS OF WAY.

Cllr J Rogers informed the members that she had received a request for the Parish Council to support a farmer who has had a complaint made against him accusing him of planting a crop over the footpath 17. Cllr J Rogers confirmed that this was not the case and that in fact it was grass that had been laid. Cllr G Harper agreed to investigate the allegation and report back to the Parish Council at the next meeting. GH

The Clerk is requested to contact the B.C.C. concerning Bridleway 5 which needs resurfacing from the end of Walnut Tree Lane to the Railway Bridge. SG

The Clerk is requested to obtain a progress report on the replacement sign post with only one sign and which should have three, previously reported under reference number 341490. SG

8. CORRESPONDENCE.

Quotation for River Banks works on Field.

This quotation was considered to be too expensive.

Quotation for Tree works on the River Bank.

Cllr G Harper agreed to obtain an alternative quotation to cut down the willow to knuckle and remove the bow closest to path. GH

Submission of Oxfordshire Minerals and Waste Plan.

The Oxfordshire Minerals and Waste Core Strategy has now been submitted. For more information contact the team on 01865 810431 or e-mail [email protected]. Noted.

A copy of the revised WDC, Planning Enforcement Statement of Service Provision.

Noted.

Notification of the death of a resident who was an active volunteer in the community.

All present agreed to send a letter of condolence to his widow. SG

E-mail from NASLC re The Localisation of Council Tax.

E-mail regarding the Government's response to its recent consultation on the localisation of council tax support and the impact this has on local (parish and town) councils. Noted.

9. REPORTS

10. WHETHER TO AGREE TO WYCOMBE DISTRICT COUNCIL'S REQUEST FOR THE PARISH COUNCIL TO MAINTAIN THE GREEN SPACE IN WALKERS ROAD IN EXCHANGE FOR THEIR CONSIDERATION OF THE PARISH COUNCIL'S PROPOSAL FOR THE GREEN SPACE ON THE THAME ROAD.

All present agreed to respond that the Parish Council is not prepared to maintain both open spaces as there is a concern over the costs involved for a small Parish Council. The Clerk is requested to obtain some indications as to the cost of the legal fees in the preparation of a lease agreement between the Parish Council and District Council. SG

11. A RESPONSE TO THE CONSULTATION ON WYCOMBE DISTRICT COUNCIL'S REVIEW OF THE LOCAL PLAN

All present agreed to defer this agenda item until the next meeting as the comments are not required until the 1st February 2013.

12. AN UPDATE ON THE PARISH EMERGENCY PLAN

All present agreed to defer this agenda item until the next meeting.

14. PLANNING APPLICATIONS

A/ New Applications to be considered

B/ Progress on applications already considered:

None.

12/ AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING

To discuss and decide on whether to provide a copy of the newsletter to residents.

To discuss and decide on a response to the consultation on Wycombe District Council's review of the Local Plan.

To receive an update on the Parish Emergency Plan (Cllr G Walters).

To discuss and decide on the budgets for the financial year 2013/2014 and the setting of the precept.

To decide on the expenditure allowed under L.G.A. 1972 Section 137.

13/ DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Parish Council will take place on Tuesday 15th January 2013 in Longwick Village Hall at 7.30pm.

There being no further business to discuss the Meeting closed at 9.13pm.

Chairman………………………………………… Date……………..