Parish Council Minutes
PRESENT
Cllr Mrs Valerie McPherson (Chairman)
Cllrs Ian Walker, Graham Walters, Mrs Jane Rogers and Brian Richards.
Mrs S Griffiths (Clerk)
County Cllr Bill Bendyshe-Brown
1 Member of Public
1/ APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr Sally Whitworth.
2/ MINUTES
The Minutes of the previous meeting of the Parish Council on the 17th June 2014, 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/ A REPORT FROM CLLR BENDYSHE-BROWN (BCC) ON MATTERS CONCERNING LONGWICK-CUM-ILMER PARISH COUNCIL
A report was received from Cllr B Bendyshe-Brown on roads and footpaths in the parish.
5/ MATTERS ARISING NOT OTHERWISE ON THE AGENDA
- Cllr Ian Walker has obtained a quotation of £120.00 to mend the gate post hinge in the play area and agreed to meet the contractor and request this work is done as soon as possible. IW
- Cllr Graham Walters provided a contact for a local person to give a quotation for the hedge cutting. The Clerk has contacted him to arrange a meeting with Cllr Ian Walker.
- The Clerk has obtained a quotation of £122.44 for the replacement of the missing bin lid. All present agreed to proceed with this quotation. The Clerk is requested to issue a work order. SG
- The Clerk confirms that the section of the ditch in the Playing Field has been cleared and has informed B.C.C. in order for them to clear the ditch in the land forming the northern boundary of Longwick School. SG
- The Clerk informed the members that the 2 signs that were lying in the verge on the Thame Road have been collected by TFB and new posts and signs have been ordered.
- Footpath 4 on the far side of the railway bridge which was overgrown has now been cut back.
6/ FINANCE
A/ Payments
| Cheque | Item | Description | Net | VAT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 139 | Risk Assessment | K Dobson - Risk Inspection June 2014 | £15.03 | £15.03 | |
| 140 | Dog waste and litter bins | TBS Hygiene Ltd - Collection of dog waste and litter 07/03-30/05/14 | £257.40 | £51.48 | £308.88 |
| 141 | Grass Cutting | Manor Estates - Grass cutting June | £369.07 | £73.81 | £442.88 |
| 142 | Website | mh-p - Parish Council Hosting 01/08/14-31/07/2015 | £15.00 | £3.00 | £18.00 |
| 143 | Admin | WDALC - Basic Planning Training for Cllr S Whitworth | £15.00 | £15.00 |
B/ Receipts £1,079.02 VAT refund
C/ Bank Balance £15,097.17 (allowing for the above credits and cheques)
The income for June and expenditure for July was examined by the Council. All present agreed that the necessary cheques be signed.
7/ CAPITAL ITEMS AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES
A. Playing Field. There were no medium or high risk issues highlighted in the Risk Inspection Report for June 2014.
B. Children's play area. There were no medium or high risk issues highlighted in the Risk Inspection Report for June 2014.
8/ ROADS, VERGES AND RIGHTS OF WAY
The Clerk is requested to write to Shell Garage requesting them to cut back the hedge which is encroaching on to the footpath. SG. The Clerk is requested to contact the enforcement officer Maria Whyte concerning a plot of land in Meadle where a gate has appeared. Cllr Jane Rogers agreed to provide the Clerk with the details. JR/SG. The Clerk is requested to contact Highways concerning the overgrowth of the hedge which is obscuring the warning sign on the B4009 at the Meadle turn. SG. The Clerk is requested to contact Highways concerning the overgrowth which is obscuring the 30mph signs on Summerleys Road from B4444 (Lower Icknield Way) to the railway station in Princes Risborough. SG
9/ CORRESPONDENCE
An invitation to meet with Gladmans Developments Ltd concerning their proposals to develop land off Barn Road. Cllr Brian Richards proposed to enter into dialogue with the developers. Seconded by Cllr Val McPherson. A vote was taken and the motion carried with four votes for and one against. The Clerk is requested to arrange a meeting date and venue for the meeting with the developers. SG
A request for permission to hold a fire walk in the Playing Field. All present agreed for Cllrs Jane Rogers and Val McPherson to meet with the applicant to discuss the proposal for permission further. The Clerk is requested to arrange a convenient date and time for the meeting. JR/VM/SG
An e-mail concerning the security of the Playing Field. The Parish Council thanks the resident for reporting the gate being open. Cllr Ian Walker confirms that the gate is locked and the padlock is in place.
An invitation to meet with Solar Planning concerning their proposals for a solar farm at Bumpers Farm. Solar Planning has offered a presentation to the Parish Council prior to the Parish Council's consideration of their planning application for a solar farm at Bumpers Farm. Cllr Val McPherson proposed to meet with Solar Planning prior to the public meeting. Seconded by Cllr Graham Walters. All present agreed. The Clerk is requested to arrange the meeting at 7.30pm on the 11th August in the Village Hall. SG
10/. UPDATING THE PARISH COUNCIL WEBSITE.
To qualify for a free makeover, the Webmaster requires a Minute and letter signed by the Clerk and Chairman agreeing to use the website for a period of five years. All present agreed that the Parish Council could not commit to a period of five years. The Councillors agreed to review the contact details on the website and advise the Clerk of any telephone numbers to update. ALL
11. THE CONTENT AND DISTRIBUTION OF A COMMUNICATIONS QUESTIONNAIRE
Cllr Brian Richards has prepared a paper communications questionnaire for the Councillors to consider and comment on the content. He suggests the questionnaire is to be included in the next parish newsletter which is due to be distributed in September/October. All present agreed for Cllrs Brian Richards, Graham Walters and Val McPherson to form a Working Group to produce a copy for the councillors' consideration prior to distribution. The Working Group is also requested to collate the information gathered from the replies and form a data base. All councillors were asked to advise the Working Group of any comments they had on the questionnaire. BR/VM/GW
12. FILLING THE VACANCY FOR A COUNCILLOR BY CO-OPTION.
Three well qualified candidates put themselves forward for consideration as a Councillor. Cllr Brian Richards proposed that the council co-opt Rolf van Apeldoorn to fill the vacancy for a Parish Councillor following the resignation of James Butler. Seconded by Cllr Val McPherson. All present agreed.
13. HOLDING A PUBLIC MEETING WITH PLANNING OFFICERS FROM WDC TO ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM THE RESIDENTS ON THE PROPOSED SOLAR FARM ON LAND NORTH OF BUMPERS FARM ILMER LANE, ILMER
Cllr Graham Walters proposed that the Parish Council hold a public meeting to facilitate a meeting between the residents of Ilmer and an officer from the Wycombe District Council. Seconded by Cllr Brian Richards. All present agreed to hold the meeting on the 18th August. Cllr Graham Walters agreed to draft a notice for the councillors' consideration and approval. All councillors agreed to post the notice in areas around the parish. The Clerk is requested to contact the residents via James Butler to inform them of the proposed meeting, confirm the date of the meeting with the WDC officer and place a notice prepared by Cllr Graham Walters on the website and notice board. SG/GW
14/ PLANNING APPLICATIONS
To consider New Planning Applications
- 14/06582/FUL: Land North Of Bumpers Farm Ilmer Lane Ilmer Buckinghamshire. Proposal: Construction of a ground mounted solar farm including supporting infrastructure comprising 14 x inverter enclosures, Distributor Network Operator (DNO) cabin, security fencing and CCTV system, underground cabling, landscaping and associated works to include creation of access tracks. The Parish Council has requested an extension date to submit a response to this application to allow a site meeting on the 6th August and listen to the residents' views at the public meeting on the 18th August in order for them to make an informed response to WDC. All present agreed for Cllrs Brian Richards, Val McPherson and Jane Rogers to form the response on behalf of the Parish Council after the public meeting is held on the 18th August 2014. BR/VM/JR
- 14/06581/FUL: Rose Farm Thame Road Longwick Buckinghamshire HP27 9SW. Proposal: Amendment to red edge in connection with change of use of part of land from Agricultural to Residential and part from Residential to Agricultural with erection of detached single garage and detached shed (previously permitted under 10/06626/FUL). The Parish Council has no objections.
Notice of Planning Applications Approved
- 14/06140/FUL — Decision: Application Permitted. Address: Mistlethrush Barn Rose Farm Thame Road Longwick Buckinghamshire HP27 9SW. Proposal: Householder application for construction of detached two bay garage.
- 14/06351/CTR — Decision: Not to make a Tree Preservation Order. Address: Water Springs Meadle Village Road Meadle Buckinghamshire HP17 9UD. Proposal: Reduction of upright growth of Malus T1 by 1 metre and crown thin by total of 10%.
- 14/06112/FUL — Decision: Application Permitted. Address: OS Parcel 9547 Owlswick Buckinghamshire. Proposal: Repair, refurbishment and conversion of barns to provide 1x4 bed dwelling with the erection of link extension and detached 2 bay garage and store, demolition of existing tack room, and associated works, including alteration and realignment of vehicular access and driveway, provision of turning, manoeuvring and private garden/amenity areas and installation of Klargester Bio Disc unit (alternative scheme to pp 13/05291/FUL).
To Receive Notice of Planning Applications Refused
None.
15/ AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING.
To discuss and decide on the content and distribution of a communications questionnaire.
16/ NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Parish Council will take place on Tuesday 16th September 2014 in Longwick Village Hall at 8.00pm.
There being no further business to discuss the Meeting closed at 10.15pm.