Ilmer Past

Parish Council Minutes

PRESENT: Cllr Mrs V McPherson (Chairman), Cllrs I Walker, G Harper, G Walters, Mrs J Rogers, B Richards and G O'Neill, Mrs S Griffiths (Clerk).

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

No Apologies were received.

1/ ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

Cllr V McPherson was proposed by Cllr G O'Neill. Seconded by Cllr G Walters. A vote was taken and the motion was carried with 6 votes for the proposal and 1 against.

2/ DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE TO BE SIGNED BY THE CHAIRMAN

An Acceptance of office was signed by Cllr V McPherson.

3/ ELECTION OF VICE CHAIRMAN

Cllr B Richards was proposed by Cllr G Harper. Seconded by Cllr G O'Neill. All present agreed.

4/ MINUTES

The Minutes of the previous meeting of the Parish Council on the 16th April 2013, having been circulated were approved by the Meeting and signed by the Chairman.

5/ 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.

6/ NOMINATIONS FOR REPRESENTATIONS WITH OTHER ORGANISATIONS

It was agreed that the current representations with other organisations would be as follows:

7/ MATTERS ARISING NOT OTHERWISE ON THE AGENDA

Hedge cutting - Further to the request for the Clerk to obtain a date from Mr Turney to set a date for the autumn, Mr Turney advised that he would cut the hedge in September. Cllr G Harper informed the members that November was the ideal time to cut hedges for them to retain the shape during the winter months. The Clerk was requested to obtain three quotations for the council to consider for hedge cutting in November. SG

A request to use fireworks in the Playing Field – The applicant has advised that the event will be held on 3rd August at approx. 10.30pm and will last between 3 and 5 minutes. All present agreed to grant permission providing that he carries out a risk assessment, has adequate insurance cover in place and contacts the owners of the stables and properties adjacent to the playing field to advise them in advance of the event. SG

Wycombe District Local Plan - Community Conversations – The Clerk replied to WDC as requested and has been advised that there is no date set as yet but will be advised when the North West Chiltern Community Area meeting is organised. Princes Risborough Town Council has invited members of the Longwick-cum-Ilmer Parish Council to an informal pre meeting Community Conversation. Cllr J Rogers agreed to attend on behalf of the Parish Council. JR

8/ FINANCE

A. Payments

Cheque Item Description Amount
s/o Grass Cutting Manor Estates - Grass cutting £442.88
78 Audit Fee D Timms - Internal Audit £30.00
79 Admin C Page - Fee for cover for April meeting due to Clerk's holiday £24.00
80 Risk Assessment K Dobson - Risk Inspection April 2013 £14.60
s/o Clerks Fees S Griffiths - May salary £396.93

B. Credits - VAT refund - £1,453.72

C. Bank Balance £14,276.16 (allowing for the above credits and cheques)

The income for April and expenditure for May was examined by the Council. All present agreed that the necessary cheques be signed. 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 the monies were all accounted for.

9/ CAPITAL ITEMS AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES

A. Playing Field – Cllr G O'Neill confirmed that the broken padlock on the gate had been replaced free of charge by Briants. Cllr J Rogers informed the members that she had received a report of graffiti on the skate park. All present agreed to request that the Clerk arrange for it to be cleared including any graffiti on the underside of the skate park. SG. The Risk inspection for April has highlighted that a cover needs replacing on a lamp on the fence. Cllr Walker informed the members that the light itself is only working intermittently. The Clerk is requested to contact an electrician to repair the lamp and cover. GH/SG

B. Children's Play Area – The Clerk advised the members that new playground equipment and surfaces were being installed in St Dunstan's park in Princes Risborough in July and suggested that the members view the equipment before taking any further action with the play area in Longwick Playing Field. All present agreed. SG

10/ ROADS, VERGES AND RIGHTS OF WAY

Cllr G O'Neill reported that the work to paint a "SLOW" sign on the road will commence the week beginning 3rd June 2013. The Clerk is requested to raise the following concerns with the relevant local authority: contact the B.C.C. concerning Bridleway 5 which needs resurfacing from the end of Walnut Tree Lane to the Railway Bridge for a progress report; the 30MPH sign in Owlswick that had been knocked by a council contractor and reported in November is still missing; the hazard sign on the roundabout by the Shell Garage has been knocked down and is lying in the middle of the roundabout. SG

Cllr G Walters confirmed that the VAS was working if a car was speeding at 38mph but not at 35mph and proposed that the Clerk contact Highways to request that the speed at which it is activated is reset to a lower limit. All present agreed. The Clerk is further requested to point out to Highways that it often does not flash until the car is level with the sign which is too late and that this problem is also investigated.

11/ CORRESPONDENCE

E-mail from WDC offering playground inspections by RoSPA at a cost of £64. All present agreed to request a playground inspection via WDC. SG

Invitation to Wycombe 2013 Planning Forum, 6 June 2013. All present agreed for Cllr G Walters to attend on behalf of the Parish Council. GW

Letters of thanks for grants received. Noted.

A request from Community Impact Bucks to respond in writing to a consultation by BHC. All present agreed for Cllr J Rogers to respond to the consultation online expressing their concerns that special provisions are made to allow people to register on BHC for Rural Exceptions Schemes if Band D is removed. JR

12/ REPORTS

13/ APPROVAL OF THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR 2012/2013 AND THE ANNUAL GOVERNANCE STATEMENT OF THE ANNUAL AUDIT RETURN

Cllr G Harper proposed that the Parish Council approve the accounts for the year 2012/2013 and the annual governance statement of the Annual Audit Return. Seconded by Cllr J Rogers. All present agreed.

14/ CLARIFICATION OF THE SITUATION WITH REGARD TO THE INSURANCE LIABILITY RE STREAM AND FOOTPATH BY THE SCOUT HUT

After a short discussion, Cllr G Walters proposed that the Clerk correspond with BCC and ask the following two questions: "Can the BCC confirm its responsibility for any liability if anyone has an accident on the path due to e.g. lying snow or slipping or tripping on the surface?" and "Can BCC confirm its policy regarding clearance of snow bearing in mind the path is used as an access to the school?" All present agreed. SG

15/ CHARGES/CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE NAG SPEED CAMERA

Cllr V McPherson proposed that this agenda item is deferred to the next meeting when she will have more information. All present agreed. SG

16/ PLANNING APPLICATIONS

To consider New Planning Applications

To Receive Notice of Planning Applications Approved

17/ AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING

To discuss the charges/contributions to the NAG speed camera (Cllr V McPherson).

18/ NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Parish Council will take place on Tuesday 18th June 2013 in Longwick Village Hall at 8.00pm.

There being no further business to discuss the Meeting closed at 9.55pm.