Parish Council Minutes
PRESENT
Cllr Mrs Valerie McPherson (Chairman)
Cllrs Ian Walker, Graham Walters, Mrs Jane Rogers, Rolf van Apeldoorn, Brian Richards and Sally Whitworth
Mrs Caroline Page (Acting Clerk)
1 Member of Public
1/ APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
None were received.
2/ MINUTES
The Minutes of the previous meeting of the Parish Council on the 16th September 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
Cllr Bill Bendyshe-Brown sent his apologies as he was unable to attend the meeting.
5/ MATTERS ARISING NOT OTHERWISE ON THE AGENDA
Cllr G Walters reported that Network Rail have now painted over the graffiti on the railway bridge. The Chairman reported that problems are being caused by Risborough Rangers Juniors training on the Playing Field on Saturday mornings. Many more children are playing than was originally envisaged and this is churning up the field, spoiling it for the Longwick players who play on Saturday afternoons. Also the parents' vehicles are taking up most of the room in the car park. Cllrs proposed that a letter is sent to Risborough Rangers explaining the problem and requesting that they limit the number of children to 15 and use the field for 2 hours maximum. All present agreed.
6/ FINANCE
A/ Payments
| Item | Net | VAT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| C Page - Fee for cover for Sept meeting due to Clerks Absence | £33.60 | £33.60 | |
| K Dobson - Risk Inspection July 2014 | £15.58 | £15.58 | |
| Manor Estates - Grass cutting Sept Longwick Rec ground | £369.07 | £73.81 | £442.88 |
| K Dobson - Risk Inspection Sep 2014 | £15.58 | £15.58 | |
| Briants of Risborough Ltd - Repair gate post to playing field & play area | £259.00 | £51.80 | £310.80 |
| Whiteleaf Printers - Questionnaire | £245.00 | £49.00 | £294.00 |
| Whiteleaf Printers Ltd - Newsletter | £420.00 | £420.00 | |
| S Griffiths - Oct salary | £433.37 | £433.37 | |
| S Whitworth - stamps for Questionnaire | £50.88 | £50.88 | |
| R Van Apeldoorn - stamps for Questionnaire | £53.00 | £53.00 | |
| J Rogers - stamps for Questionnaire | £53.00 | £53.00 | |
| I Walker - stamps for Questionnaire | £53.00 | £53.00 | |
| B Richards - stamps for Questionnaire | £53.00 | £53.00 | |
| V McPherson - cost of envelopes and stamps for Questionnaire | £103.00 | £103.00 |
B/ Receipts £8,804.50 WD - Precept
C/ Bank Balance £19,957.13 (allowing for the above cheques)
The income for September and expenditure for October 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 September 2014. Cllr I Walker reported that Matt Gomme has not yet contacted him concerning the hedge trimming. The Clerk was requested to chase this and to ask him to also inspect 2 trees along footpath 4 which are leaning.
B. Children's play area. There were no medium or high risk issues highlighted in the Risk Inspection Report for September 2014. No other issues were reported.
8/ ROADS, VERGES AND RIGHTS OF WAY
Cllr J Rogers has received a report from the Chiltern Society on work they have carried out on parish footpaths. The hedges are overgrown and obstructing the road signs on the B4009 in Meadle where Stockwell Lane joins the Lower Icknield Way. The Clerk was requested to report this to BCC Transport for Bucks.
9/ CORRESPONDENCE
A request from BCC to complete a consultation on what the Parish Council consider should be the County Council's priorities for the financial year April 2015- 2016. Residents to reply by the 9th November 2014. Cllr G Walters proposed that councillors respond to this individually. All present agreed.
Notification of a Polling District and Polling Places Review. WDC has set its consultation period from Monday 6 October 2014 until the 5 November 2014. Electronic access to the maps, electoral statistics and the current list of the polling places can be accessed via the council's web page. Noted.
Invitation to the Annual Chilterns Forum on Friday 7th November 2014. Places at the event are free but must be booked in advance: the deadline for bookings is 24th October 2014. Noted.
Invitation to Standards Training at Wycombe District Council – Tuesday 28 October at 7pm. Peter Keith-Lucas of Bevan Brittan, a specialist adviser to local authorities on standards issues, will be giving a presentation to update members on the current Standards regime, local codes of conduct, bias and pre-determination, declaring interests, and the Code's effect on planning issues. The session will take place at 7pm on Tuesday 28 October 2014 in the Council Chamber at Wycombe District Council offices, and all Parish Clerks and Parish Council Chairmen are welcome to attend. Noted.
Letter from a resident. A request from a resident to read out the first names as well as the surnames when reading the names of those who gave their lives in the WWI and WWII. All present agreed that both first names and surnames will be read out.
Letter from Local Area Forum giving details of money available to be spent locally. This had been received by Cllr J Rogers. The LAF will be holding workshops on 4th November 2014 at the Baptist Church, Bell Street, Princes Risborough at 7pm and are asking which areas Parish Councils would prioritise for spending, from a list of 6. Members agreed the following list, in order of priority:
- Traffic management with a focus on speeding.
- Lack of public transport in rural areas.
- Support for older people, social isolation, promote neighbourliness.
- Promote sport and leisure activities.
- Promote youth activities.
- Promote sustainable lifestyles.
It was agreed that Cllr Rogers will attend the workshop with the above suggestions.
10/ FEEDBACK FROM THE PUBLIC CONSULTATION MEETING ON THE 7TH OCTOBER.
Cllr G Walters gave an update on developments. He will circulate a draft report of findings to members by 26th October. WDC are asking for comments from the Parish Council by Tuesday 28th October. It was agreed for the following members to meet on the evening of Sunday 26th October at 7pm at Cllr S Whitworth's home to discuss this response: Cllrs V McPherson, G Walters, S Whitworth, R van Apeldoorn and I Walker.
11/ AN UPDATE ON DEVOLVED SERVICES FROM B.C.C.
Cllr J Rogers reported that the meeting scheduled for 15th October was cancelled.
12/ PLANNING APPLICATIONS
To consider New Planning Applications
- 14/07401/FUL: 1 Central Cottage Thame Road Longwick Buckinghamshire HP27. Householder application for construction of single storey rear extension following demolition of existing garage. The consultation date on this application expired on 17th October 2014.
Notice of Planning Applications Approved
- 14/06953/FUL — Decision: Application Permitted. Address: Crownridge Longwick Road Longwick Buckinghamshire HP27 9RX. Proposal: Householder application for construction of two storey side extensions, single storey rear extension, front porch and fenestration alterations.
To Receive Notice of Planning Applications Refused
- 14/06993/PA — Decision: Application Refused. Address: Owlswick Barn Owlswick Buckinghamshire HP27 9RH. Proposal: Prior notification application (Class MB) for change of use of existing agricultural building to a dwellinghouse (Use Class C3) to create a 3 bed dwelling and associated operational development.
- 14/06998/PA — Decision: Application Refused. Address: Poplars Farm Meadle Village Road Meadle Buckinghamshire HP17 9UD. Proposal: Prior notification application (Class MB) for change of use of existing agricultural building to a dwellinghouse (Use Class C3) and associated operational development.
Cllr G Walters advised members that the application for the Solar Farm at Longwick will go to committee on 29th October at 6.30pm, with officers' recommendation for approval. A councillor may speak for up to 3 minutes at the meeting. It was agreed that Cllr S Whitworth will speak at the meeting and Cllr G Walters will draft the text of her speech.
15/ AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING.
An update on devolved services from B.C.C. To discuss and decide on responses to the recent communications questionnaire.
16/ NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Parish Council will take place on Tuesday 18th November 2014 in Longwick Village Hall at 8.00pm.
There being no further business to discuss the Meeting closed at 9.40 pm.