Parish Council Minutes
LONGWICK-CUM-ILMER PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY 16TH JANUARY 2018 AT 7.30 PM IN LONGWICK VILLAGE HALL
PRESENT
Cllr Val McPherson BEM (Chairman)
Cllrs Brian Richards, Ian Walker, Jane Rogers, Rolf van Apeldoorn and Richard Myers
1 member of the public.
1. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from Councillor Sally Whitworth who was unwell.
2. MINUTES
The Minutes of the previous meeting of the Parish Council on the 2nd January 2018 having been circulated were approved by the Meeting and signed by the Chairman.
3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Members were asked to declare any pecuniary or non-pecuniary declarations of interest and the nature of that interest which they may have in any of the items under consideration at this meeting. Cllr Jane Rogers declared a non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item No 15 Planning application No 17/08332/FUL.
4. MATTERS ARISING FROM LAST MEETING NOT OTHERWISE ON THE AGENDA
None.
5. A REPORT FROM CLLR BENDYSHE-BROWN (BCC) ON MATTERS CONCERNING LONGWICK-CUM-ILMER PARISH COUNCIL
Cllr B Bendyshe-Brown reported on the following:-
- A letter from the Chief Executive of Bucks Health Care
- The Flooding issues at Bar Lane
- The VAS on the Thame Road not working
- Two new VAS's for the Parish
- The Capital Maintenance Programme - Owlswick Lane to be resurfaced; Meadle lanes to be resurfaced in the financial year 2019/2020
- The access issues at the Solar Farm development at Ilmer
- Gritting has taken place
- Investments for roads, footways and weed spraying
6. FINANCE
The income for December and the expenditure for January 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 together with a copy of all standing orders and direct debits made from the Parish Council account. All present agreed that the accounts were being handled in a satisfactory manner and the monies were all accounted for.
| Date | Ref | Payee / description | Net | VAT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | s/o | Jan salaries | 385.67 | 385.67 | |
| Jan | s/o | BCC Local Government pension scheme | 111.25 | 111.25 | |
| Jan | s/o | K Dobson - Risk assessment Dec | 15.60 | 15.60 | |
| Jan | s/o | PRTC Maintenance duties 10/10 | 300.00 | 60.00 | 360.00 |
| Jan | 374 | TBS Hygiene Ltd - dog waste collection Oct Nov Dec | 304.20 | 60.84 | 365.04 |
| Jan | 375 | Whiteleaf Printers - printing NP leaflet | 98.00 | 19.60 | 117.60 |
| Jan | 376 | PRTC - DS sign cleaning/pond sign | 66.67 | 13.33 | 80.00 |
| Jan | 377 | Jinca Ltd - set up laptop | 140.00 | 28.00 | 168.00 |
Receipts: £50 Wayleaves. Bank Balance: £29,522.67 (allowing for the above payments).
7. CAPITAL ITEMS AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES
A. Playing Field. There is one medium risk issue highlighted in the Risk Inspection Report for December. The tape around the seat on the Aerial Runway is quite sharp and coming off. All present agreed to request the Princes Risborough Maintenance Team to attend. JM
B. Children's play area. There were no medium or high risk issues highlighted in the Risk Inspection Report for December.
8. CORRESPONDENCE
- An email has been received from the Chilterns Conservation Board regarding a Chalk Cherries and Chairs project. The Chilterns Conservation Board is developing specific projects to make a submission to the Heritage Lottery Fund. An invitation to Councillors and the local community has been received to attend a series of 6 events taking place in January and February. Noted.
- An email has been received from Oxfordshire County Council regarding the Oxfordshire Minerals and Waste Local Plan. Oxfordshire County Council adopted the Oxfordshire Minerals and Waste Local Plan: Part 1. The Council is now commencing preparation of Part 2 and is seeking comments and site nominations. This consultation will run for six weeks from 8th January - 16th February 2018. Noted.
- A phone call has been received regarding advertising in the Longwick Newsletter. A local business has requested to place an advertisement in the Longwick Newsletter. All present agreed to forward the request to the Longwick Fete committee. RvA
- An email has been received from a resident regarding the Bar Lane/Thame Road junction and CIL monies. The resident is concerned that a pampas grass shrub is obstructing visibility and requests that CIL monies be used for screening, traffic management and other improvements for residents adjoining the new developments. Also he would like improvements in parking provision for the Village Shop and suggests creating a lay-by. All present agreed to forward the issue of the Pampas grass to Bucks County Council who is responsible for highway matters and advise the resident. JM. The comments regarding the CIL monies were noted.
- A phone call was received from the developer Bellway Homes to request access to the playing field. Bellway Homes request permission to access the playing field and use CCTV to investigate a blocked drain. They will reinstate the field and make good any damage at no cost to the Parish Council. All present agreed. VM
9. PROJECTS FOR THE LOCAL AREA FORUM FUNDING 2018/19
Local Area Forum members are reminded of the opportunity for funding in 2018/19. The L.A.F. has local priorities around road safety, community health and wellbeing and economy and environment; there are a number of potential projects that could address these priorities that would be suitable for LAF funding. Cllr Jane Rogers proposed to apply for funding for Adult Fitness Equipment. All present agreed. JM
10. AN UPDATE ON THE NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN
Cllr Val McPherson updated the members that a leaflet has been distributed to the residents of the Parish to advise that the Decision Statement and Examiners Report had been received and is available to view on the Wycombe District Council website. The Neighbourhood Plan would now proceed to a referendum at a date to be advised. See appendix.
11. ISSUING THE CODE FOR THE PLAYING FIELD GATE TO ALL COUNCILLORS
All present agreed that all councillors would be given the code to the playing field gate on the strict understanding that the code will not be divulged to other parties. VM
12. A POLICY FOR THE FUTURE ALLOCATION OF CIL MONEY
Cllr Ian Walker proposed that the CIL monies received should only be used for the Longwick Village and not the whole of the Parish. No Councillors seconded the proposal therefore the motion failed. Cllr Jane Rogers proposed to establish a Future Allocation of CIL Money Working Group to consist of Cllr Val McPherson, Brian Richards and Richard Myers. Seconded by Cllr Rolf van Apeldoorn. A vote was taken with 5 votes for and 1 abstention. Therefore, the motion was carried. VM/BR/RM
13. ON WHETHER TO APPROVE A WAYLEAVE AGREEMENT WITH UK POWER NETWORKS
UK Power Networks request the Parish Council to sign a Wayleave agreement allowing new underground cables to be installed on land at the rear of Longwick Combined School Walnut Tree Lane Longwick to provide an electricity connection to a new housing estate. Cllr Val McPherson proposed to approve the Wayleave Agreement. Seconded by Cllr Jane Rogers. All present agreed. The Clerk is requested to contact UK Power Networks for an increase in the payment. JM
14. FORMAL AGREEMENT OF THE EXPENDITURE AND PRECEPT FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2018-2019
Estimates summaries were circulated to the members prior to the meeting. The Clerk explained that for this year the grant from W.D.C. to compensate for the Reduction in Tax Base for Localised Council Tax has been reduced to £149.77. Cllr Brian Richards proposed that the Council approve the budget and request a precept of £27,403.17 to enable the charge for a Tax Band D to be frozen at its present level. Seconded by Cllr Val McPherson. All present agreed. SG
15. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
A/ Notice of Planning Applications Received
- 17/08415/FUL. Address: Hatters Barn & Orchard View, Stockwell Lane, Little Meadle. Proposal: Householder application for provision of replacement path for access to Hatters Barn including all enabling works. The Longwick-cum-Ilmer Parish Council has no objections.
- 17/08288/FUL. Address: Orchard View, Stockwell Lane, Little Meadle. Proposal: Insertion of 2 x velux rooflights to front and 1 x velux rooflight rear of dwelling and 2 x velux rooflights to front of garage. The Longwick-cum-Ilmer Parish Council has no objections.
- Cllr Jane Rogers declared a non-pecuniary interest and took no further part in the discussion or vote. 17/08332/FUL. Address: Lamb Cottage, Owlswick. Proposal: Householder application for construction of single storey rear extension connecting existing double garage to main dwellinghouse and conversion of existing garage into habitable accommodation with associated alterations. The Longwick-cum-Ilmer Parish Council has no objections.
B/ Notice of Planning Applications Approved
- 17/08049/PN. Decision: Details Not Required to be Submitted. Address: Hillview Farm, Lower Icknield Way, Longwick. Proposal: Prior notification application (Part 6, Class A) to construct an agricultural building.
C/ To receive Notice of Applications Refused: None.
16. TO PASS A RESOLUTION TO EXCLUDE THE PUBLIC & PRESS IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 12 OF THE PUBLIC BODIES (ADMISSION TO MEETINGS) ACT 1960
Cllr Val McPherson proposed to pass a resolution to exclude the public and press in accordance with section 12 of the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 to approve the preferred contractor for a new Notice Board. A vote was taken and all present agreed.
17. AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING
- To appoint an Internal Auditor
- To discuss and decide on action to be taken regarding the purchase of two Vehicle Activation Signs for the Parish (Cllr Richard Myers)
- To discuss and decide on the location of the new Notice Board
- To discuss and decide on the preferred contractor to install the new Notice Board
18. NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Parish Council will take place on Tuesday 20th February 2018 in Longwick Village Hall at 7.30pm. There being no further business to discuss the Meeting closed at 8.50pm.
Appendix
6 January 2018
Dear Resident
I am writing to let you know the latest about the proposed Parish Neighbourhood Plan.
Following public consultation between 25th August and 9th October last year, the Plan had reached the examination stage and with the agreement between the Parish Council and the District Council on the choice of examiner, was accordingly submitted to the independent examiner Jill Kingaby from Intelligent Plans and Examinations. As part of the process, and to better understand what the plan seeks to achieve and to familiarise herself with the area, she made a visit to the Parish on 1st November.
Her report was received just before Christmas. She has made a number of recommendations to modify some of the Plan's policies and text, mainly to ensure that the Plan meets Basic Conditions and other legal requirements but does recommend that the Plan, once modified, proceed to referendum.
The District Council nor the Parish Council, or the Parish's professional adviser have any objections to the modifications, and at an Extraordinary Meeting of the Parish Council held on 2nd January, it was unanimously resolved to accept and adopt the (modified) plan and to request the District Council to commence the referendum process as soon as possible.
Once the process is underway, then there are strict rules governing campaigning and this may well be the last opportunity I have to write to you all about the Plan, although the lay members of the Parish Steering Group are not bound by these rules and may well be in touch during the referendum period.
The result is decided by a simple majority of those who actually vote and I therefore would urge as many of you as possible, regardless of your feelings in favour or against, to cast your votes so that the result best reflects the views of as many people as possible within the whole parish.
The great bulk of new housing is to be in and around Longwick itself and I am sure Longwick residents will wish to cast their votes but I hope also that those of you living within the hamlets of Ilmer, Owlswick, Meadle, Little Meadle and Horsenden will also get involved - it is true, that you are not under the threat of major housing developments and might feel removed from the process but the parish does stand to receive substantial funds by way of the Community Infrastructure Levy placed on developers and these can be used for the benefit of the entire parish.
This plan represents I believe the best opportunity for the parish to try and contain speculative housing approaches whilst accepting that we have to take our share of new housing to comply with the district council's developing Local Plan, and the Parish Council strongly urges you to vote in favour of it at the ballot box at the appropriate time.
Thank you for taking the time to read this through.
Val McPherson BEM Chair