Parish Council Minutes
PRESENT
Cllr Val McPherson BEM (Chair)
Cllrs Brian Richards (Vice), Jane Rogers, Richard Myers, Rolf van Apeldoorn (Part), Alex Barter, Bill Bendyshe-Brown (Unitary)
Clerk
1 member of the public.
- WELCOME AND APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Cllr Ian Walker had made his apologies.
2. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 17th MARCH 2020
Approved by all Councillors.
3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Cllr Rogers declared her interest in the application relating to the Shoulder of Mutton.
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 were highlighted:
- The flooding issues with Lower Icknield Way are being reviewed
- The remedial action relating to Bar Lane was delayed during Covid 19, but the petition has been forwarded to Bucks Highways
- The Bledlow HRC CIC planning permission decision is scheduled for July 9th
- The Unitary Council representative for the Parish was confirmed as Cllr Bendyshe-Brown
- The Traffic calming proposals being developed by the Parish Council could align to a Community Speedwatch initiative
6. VILLAGE CAR PARK EXTENSION
The only outstanding item was the provision of the safety mirror which had been approved at a cost of £111.71. Positive comments from a variety of Parishioners have been received. The Chair noted the significant efforts by Cllrs Richards and Myers in co-ordinating this project and commended them for their efforts.
7. NEW FENCING AND PLAY EQUIPMENT
Payments to MAC Groundworks (Fencing - £13650.00 (nett)), as per Cllr Myers note circulated, detailing all three quotes, and Caloo (Replacement Play Equipment - £7395.00 (nett)) were approved. Cllr Barter agreed to review what outstanding issues still prevail from the Inspection report.
8. WEB COMPLIANCE AND EMAIL FRAMEWORK
Cllr Myers confirmed that direct debit arrangements for the provision of gmail addresses should be completed by next week. The appointed provider for website (Six Hut Digital) would proceed with transitioning of the contract from Globalize two weeks before the conclusion of the contract on 1st August. The payments to Fasthost for the existing email addresses would be retained until testing of new email addresses is complete.
9. KISSING GATES
It was noted that the project to provide kissing gates for Owlswick and Meadle was nearly complete. Cllr Richards indicated that in conjunction with Cllr van Apeldoorn they have identified that the requirement for Longwick was likely to be in the region of 10-12 locations. Expenditure to date (paid and committed) amounted to £19262.00, so it was estimated that a further c£10k spend (gates and installation) would be necessary to meet the requirements for Longwick.
10. PLAQUE – MEMORIAL GARDEN
It was confirmed that the existing plaque had been renovated and remounted.
11. REPLACEMENT BIN AND ANTI-GRAFFITI APPLICATION
The costs of the bin (£174.76) and anti-graffiti application (£900.00) were approved as pro forma payments. The need for clearance on both sides of the garage before the anti-graffiti application was discussed and Cllr Richards undertook to identify a suitable provider.
12. ANNIVERSARY EVENT FOR VILLAGE HALL CAR PARK, AND NEW PLAYING FIELD PROVISIONS
Council agreed to review at July meeting, pending Covid 19 developments.
13. CIL EXPENDITURE
The reports from the Clerk and Cllr Myers (13/06) had been circulated. In summary funding received to date equated to £573k and spend to date (paid and committed) £281k. It was also agreed to transfer monies back into the CIL account to reflect a balance of £299572.32 into the account to optimise interest.
14. GRASS CUTTING – ILMER GREEN
The Chair noted concerns expressed by a Parishioner regarding the grass cutting provisions for Ilmer. It was agreed to notify the Parishioner that the existing provisions through Princes Risborough Town Council Devolved Services were deemed as adequate, and that any concerns should be shared with the Council, not the team delivering the service.
15. RISK REVIEW
It was noted that Cllrs had approved the Risk Review which was delayed due to Covid 19.
16. INTERNAL AUDIT
It was noted that the Internal Audit report had been circulated, identifying prevailing issues with historic bank reconciliations and the shortfall in some approval processes. Cllrs undertook to review the findings and the response from the Clerk, also circulated, to the report. Resolving the financial variances were seen as of paramount importance and responding to the internal audit before reviewing the Annual Governance Report and Accounts.
17. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
The following applications had been reviewed:
- 20/05795/FUL — Old Berkeley House. No comments beyond previous submission.
- 20/06067/FUL — Quakers Farm, Meadle. No comment.
- 20/05499/FUL — Quakers Farm, Meadle. No comment.
- 20/06033/FUL — Tanglin, Longwick Road. No objection.
- 20/06078/FUL — Twin Oaks, Lower Icknield Way. Objection tabled.
- 20/06083/FUL — Hill View, Longwick Road. Objection tabled.
It was noted that further investigation of the application relating to Brooke Cottage was required.
Permitted: 20/05441/MINAMD The Old Pigeons, Thame Road, Longwick; 20/05456/FUL 1 Innkeepers Court, Longwick; 20/05581/FUL Longwick Village Hall, The Green, Longwick; 20/05631PNP6A Ray Farm, Thame Road, Longwick; 20/05712/VCDN & 20/05706/ADRC Orchard View Farm, Stockwell Lane, Little Meadle; 20/05923/MINAMD Land North of Bumpers Farm, Ilmer Lane, Ilmer; 20/05928/ADRC, 20/05929/ADRC, 20/05942/ADRC, 20/05939/ADRC, 20/05940/ADRC, 20/05944/ADRC Brook Cottage, Meadle Village Road, Meadle; 20/05565/FUL Ivy Farm, Lower Icknield Way, Longwick.
Refused: 20/05499/FUL Ivy Farm, Lower Icknield Way, Longwick; 20/05288/ADRC, 20/05289/ADRC, 20/05749/ADRC Brook Cottage, Meadle Village Road, Meadle.
18. FINANCE
The following accounts for payment were reviewed and approved for June:
| Payee | Gross |
|---|---|
| Central Source Ltd (Safety Mirror) | 111.71 |
| F Post (Salary) | 419.17 |
| F Post (Home Allowance) | 20.00 |
| F Post Fasthosts (Email addresses) | 11.33 |
| MAC Groundworks Contractors Ltd (Village Hall Car Park) | 107870.88 |
| Kevin Wharton (Kissing gates installation) | 615.00 |
| TBS (Dog Bins) | 180.00 |
| PRTC (Devolved Services) | 885.00 |
| Cllr Richards (Pruning) | 150.00 |
| F Post (Expenses) | 3.70 |
| Red Kite Radio (Grant) | 250.00 |
| Total | 110516.79 |
19. RESPONSES TO CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
It was noted that Bucks Unitary are undertaking the review of increasing the number of Councillors from 7 to 9 for the Parish Council, as requested.
20. REPORTS FROM COUNCILLORS ATTENDING VIRTUAL MEETINGS ON BEHALF OF COUNCIL
None.
21. AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING
Internal Audit, Approval Processes, Annual Governance Report and Accounts, Event for Car Park & Playing Fields, Web Site, Planning, Recruitment.
19. NEXT MEETING (VIRTUAL)
21st July 2020 at 7.30pm.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.10pm.