Parish Council Minutes
PRESENT
Cllr Val McPherson BEM (Chair)
Cllrs Brian Richards (Vice), Ian Walker, Richard Myers, Alex Barter, Rolf van Apeldoorn, Jane Rogers, Bill Bendyshe-Brown (County)
Clerk
No members of the public.
- WELCOME AND APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Cllr Harriss, the representative for District Council, did not attend the meeting.
2. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 18th FEBRUARY 2020
Approved by all Councillors.
3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
None.
4. MATTERS ARISING NOT OTHERWISE ON THE AGENDA
None.
5. A REPORT FROM CLLR BENDYSHE-BROWN ON MATTERS CONCERNING LONGWICK-CUM-ILMER PARISH COUNCIL
The following points were noted:
- Transport for Bucks inundated with pot hole and flooding issues
- Bar Lane accidents – no update on petition from Parishioners to date
- Confirmation that County Council have implemented lockdown
- Unitary Council still on schedule for launch 1st April. Existing Councillors to remain till May 2021
- Winter works programme impacted by flooding and creation of more potholes
- Clearance of water courses/ditches is seen as the responsibility of landowners and would be more effectively enforced if legal action was instigated if landowners did not comply. Increased legal support for TfB has been resourced to accommodate this initiative
- Bledlow Recycling Centre planning application review by end of March
6. VILLAGE HALL CAR PARKING
In accordance with best practice 3 quotes had been obtained and circulated for review – one was 30% more expensive than the other and discarded - the Council agreed to proceed with the cost at £89892.40 from MAC Groundworks, which includes land clearance, drainage, electrics, security lighting, new fencing and resurfacing. A works order has been submitted. All costs to be met from CIL funding. Work scheduled to commence 21st July.
7. REVAMP PLAYGROUND
Quotes and permutations had been circulated for review. After more discussion it was agreed to proceed with the quotes from Caloo (£7395.00) and Fenland (£5642.56) and place the orders accordingly. It was agreed to proceed with a conventional replacement to the "Frog Bin" for £159.00 (pro forma) but an additional anchoring kit will be required.
8. WEB STRATEGY
Globalize have been notified of termination of contract and their response was circulated. It was agreed that the proposed termination date from Globalize was not acceptable. Clerk to inform them accordingly and agree to conference call with Cllrs Baxter and Myers to discuss the situation. Response from Jinca and Fasthost still outstanding.
9. NOTICEBOARD
Planning application has been submitted, awaiting publication. It was agreed to approach PA Spittles for removal of existing noticeboard next to entrance of Playing Fields.
10. PLAQUE FOR MEMORIAL GARDEN
Cllr Van Apeldoorn to engage with local stonemason for quote for revamp of existing plaque.
11. VE CELEBRATIONS
Cancelled in light of Covid 19 outbreak. Celebrating VJ75 was not considered appropriate at this stage.
12. EASY GATES
Delivery of a further 14 kits scheduled for delivery w/c 23 March. The thanks from a Parishioner was duly highlighted and noted. The Rights of Way officer has been duly informed of the proposed locations for this next tranche of gates. The next phase will focus on pathways of Longwick itself.
13. FLOWER TUBS
It was noted that Penn Nurseries had agreed to replenish the flowers for the tubs. It was agreed to provide Penn Nurseries an annual fee of £50.00 toward the maintenance of the tubs.
14. BUSHES/TREES FOR VILLAGE HALL/BELLWAY BOUNDARY
Order has been placed at the agreed cost of £119.20 – awaiting delivery.
15. ANNIVERSARY EVENTS FOR VILLAGE HALL, PLAYING FIELDS AND LAUNCH OF MUGA
Proposed date in September to reviewed in light of potential conflict with revised Fete date.
16. VILLAGE GATES
It was agreed to seek a quote from Paul Barratt for the repair and repainting of the Longwick Village Gates.
17. LITTER PICKS
Postponed for both Longwick and Owlswick in light of Covid 19.
18. RISK REVIEW
For circulation before next meeting.
19. BANK RECONCILIATION
Adverse variance of £170.00 still needs to be resolved.
20. MAY ELECTIONS
In light of the postponement of the May Elections, the Council discussed the need to increase Councillor representation from 7 to 9 in light of increased residential housing as detailed in the Neighbourhood Plan. A majority of Councillors agreed to engage with WDC/Bucks Council about the process for increasing Councillor representation in time for the elections in May 2021.
21. PLANNING
- 20/05516/FUL: 1 The Green, Ilmer Lane, Ilmer. Construction of front porch, 2 storey extension, detached outbuilding, parking, alterations to fenestration. Objection based on contrary to local Design Guidance and impact on adjoining conservation area.
- 20/05456/FUL: 1 Innkeepers Court, Longwick. Construction of single storey extension. No objection.
- 20/05499/FUL: Ivy Farm, Lower Icknield Way, Longwick. Conversion of detached garage to dwelling. Objection based on scale, form, alignment and non-authorised construction of original garage.
- 20/05581/FUL: Longwick Village Hall. Construction of single storey extension for storage, new WC facilities and Meeting Room with access. No objection but correction required regarding boundary and land ownership.
It was noted that the following applications had been permitted: 19/08099/FUL Tifnams, 19/08080/LBC & 08081/LBC Horsendam Manor, 20/05225/ADRC & 05226/ARDC Brook Cottage Meadle, 20/05290/ARDC Pennypot Kennels, 20/05376/MINAMD Land North of Bumpers Farm, 20/05358/ADRC Ashmead Stockwell Lane.
22. FINANCE
The following accounts for payment were reviewed and approved:
| Payee | Gross | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Robertsons (Play Equipment Signs) | 479.76 | |
| Jackson Fencing (Easy Gates x14) | 4138.18 | CIL |
| Stotts Nurseries (Trees for Village Hall) | — | VOID |
| Longwick Village Hall (Hall Hire) | 450.00 | 2018/2019 |
| F Post (Salary) | 418.77 | Feb |
| F Post Fasthosts (Email addresses) | 11.33 | Feb payments |
| F Post (Home Allowance) | 20.00 | Mar 4 wks |
| F Post (Expenses) | 51.47 | Postage, paper, print |
| Keith Dobson (Inspection) | 16.00 | Feb |
| TBS (Dog Bins) | 124.80 | Feb |
| Came & Company (Insurance) | 806.26 | Annual renewal |
| P A Spittles (Maintenance) | 25.00 | Bin removal |
| Wendover Computers Ltd (Admin) | 140.00 | Computer deep clean |
| St Michael Horsenden (Grant) | 150.00 | Reissue (Bledlow PCC) |
| PKF Littlejohn LLP (Annual Audit) | 1056.00 | Annual audit fee |
| Billy Stott (Trees for Village Hall) | 119.20 | Reissue |
| Total | 8006.77 |
Receipts: Interest (Feb) £8.77.
23. RESPONSES TO CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
It was noted that the project meeting relating to Traffic Calming had been postponed due to Covid 19. Preliminary costings will equate to £6k including informal consultation. It was also noted that the annual finance details submitted by the Village Hall needed more detail.
24. REPORTS FROM COUNCILLORS ATTENDING MEETINGS ON BEHALF OF COUNCIL
None.
25. AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING
Web Development, Risk Review, Village Gates, CIL Expenditure Review, Easy Gates, Playground Revamp, Car Park Extension, Bank Reconciliation, Audit.
26. NEXT MEETING [PROVISIONAL]
7.00pm 21st April Longwick Village Hall.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.15pm.