Parish Council Minutes

PRESENT

Cllr Val McPherson BEM (Chair)

Cllrs Brian Richards (Vice), Richard Myers, Alex Barter, Rolf van Apeldoorn, Jane Rogers, Bill Bendyshe-Brown (County)

Tracey Martin (Clerk)

One member of the public.

  1. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Cllr McPherson welcomed all to the meeting. Cllr Walker offered his apologies as unable to log in via telephone or web.

2. MINUTES OF MEETINGS HELD 20th OCTOBER 2020

Approved by all Councillors.

3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

None declared.

4. MATTERS ARISING NOT OTHERWISE ON THE AGENDA

The Parish Council thanked Jane van Apeldoorn for her work on the flower boxes. Discussions were had on the cleaning of the gates; Princes Risborough Town Council have been asked to clean the gates then the Parish Council will review whether they need painting. Cllr Bendyshe-Brown thanked Cllr van Apeldoorn on the Remembrance Day organisation.

5. A REPORT FROM CLLR BENDYSHE-BROWN ON MATTERS CONCERNING LONGWICK-CUM-ILMER PARISH COUNCIL

Cllr Bendyshe-Brown reported on the planned A4129 closures and stated that he had worked with the permit issuers to reduce the hours that the traffic lights will be operational, however there will be 24/7 traffic control in place. Discussions were had on the new VAS planned for Bar Lane which will be 50% match funded by the community boards; Cllr Myers to contact Westcotec to confirm whether the VAS has to be installed in the 30mph zone or whether it can be installed prior to entering the 30mph zone. Cllr Bendyshe-Brown reported on the HWRC CIC meeting which took place on the 16th November 2020, stating the meeting went well; the planning application should be heard on the 17th December, otherwise the CIC will be going to appeal. Cllr Bendyshe-Brown reported that the police attempted to carry out speed checks on Chestnut Way but a large funeral in the area prevented this; the Police will return on another day. Discussions were had on fly-tipping reported through FixMyStreet.

6. UPDATE ON WEB COMPLIANCE AND EMAIL FRAMEWORK

Cllr Barter reported all Councillors now have Parish Council email addresses. There are still some updates needed to the website including history, photos and issues with the planning applications; Cllr Barter to contact a member of the public who has written a book about Longwick who may be able to help with the history. It was confirmed that Globalize have agreed a refund of £73.75 and no further payments will be taken from Fasthosts.

7. TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON TRAFFIC CALMING PROJECT

Cllr McPherson reported that a walk around the village had taken place with the Transport Consultant. Due to Covid restrictions a meeting is not possible with residents; consultation is going to be conducted via email initially with local groups i.e. WI, Scouts, Village Hall, Neighbourhood Watch, with LOGs to be added to this list. Consultation with residents will take place after Christmas.

8. KISSING GATES FOR LONGWICK

Cllr Richards reported that there are just three gates left to complete and no new requests had been received.

9. PLANNING PERMISSION FOR NEW NOTICEBOARD

Discussions were had on the proposed new location of the new noticeboard – corner of Walker's Road by The Elms. Clerk to liaise with Buckinghamshire Council.

10. TO CONSIDER THE ADDITIONAL BINS REQUIRED FOR THE PARK

Discussions were had on the previously circulated quotes for bins. It was agreed to purchase 3 x Elipsa bins in black at a cost of £130 + VAT per bin. Locations to be agreed.

11. TO CONSIDER REPLACING BENCHES IN THE PARK

All Councillors were in agreement that the benches need replacing however, as they are memorial benches with either a plaque on or engraving it was agreed to attempt to make contact with the families in the first instance.

12. TO REVIEW QUOTES FOR REPAIRS TO THE ROOF/FASCIA BOARDS ON THE GARAGE

Discussions were had on the previously circulated quotes. There was some concern that one of the quotes was considerably cheaper. All councillors were in agreement that the Clerk will confirm that the quote from LPB Builders includes supplying materials and if so then to proceed with the quote at a cost of £516 + VAT. If the quote does not include all the materials then the work will be given to the second cheapest quote, Ben Morgan.

13. PLAYING FIELD SHELTER – TO DISCUSS AND CONSIDER CCTV

Cllr McPherson reported that she has a meeting on the 18th November onsite to discuss CCTV options.

14. TO DISCUSS AND CONSIDER QUOTES FOLLOWING THE ANNUAL RoSPA

Work had been previously carried out by Caloo on the cable runway however, a problem was picked up on the report; Clerk to liaise with Caloo. Repairs to joints on Bendcrete equipment: Caloo stated they would not be able to provide a quote as the equipment is not theirs; Cllr Myers had previously arranged work on the equipment and will share the quote with the Clerk.

15. TO CONSIDER OPTIONS FOR SUPPORTING LOCAL FOODBANK

Discussions took place on how and if the Parish Council could support local children; all Councillors agreed this initiative is something Buckinghamshire Council should be supporting. Cllr McPherson stated she had been contacted by Bledlow-cum-Saunderton Parish Council who are asking residents to donate laptops, reconditioning them and then donating them to Bledlow Ridge school. All Councillors were in agreement that it was an excellent initiative for Longwick to participate in.

16. TO CONSIDER NEW SIGNAGE FOR THE PARK (PICK UP AFTER YOUR DOG)

Discussions were had on the previously circulated sign from Cllr van Apeldoorn. Some amendments to the poster are required including the fine and also the contact details for reporting need to be checked. As the quote was for supply only, Cllr van Apeldoorn to approach Robinsons for a quote to supply and fit.

17. DEBIT CARD PROVISION

Clerk reported that Lloyds were not opening new accounts due to the pandemic. It was agreed to look at alternatives such as a Post Office top up card.

18. TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON THE PROGRESS OF SETTING UP ONLINE BANKING

Clerk reported that this has now been set up and will be used this month to pay invoices.

19. PLANNING

Status changes: 19/08093/FUL OS Parcel 6576, Walnut Tree Lane — Application withdrawn. Cllr Myers reported that application 20/07220/FUL – Pinegrove had been permitted.

20. FINANCE

The following accounts for payment were reviewed for October and approved:

Payee Net VAT Gross Comment
DCK Accounting Solutions (Admin) 220.00 44.00 264.00 Accounting services 2nd Quarter Jul-Sep 20
Kevin Wharton (CIL) 640.00 640.00 Supply and fit 2 x kissing gates
Kevin Wharton (CIL) 496.00 496.00 Supply & fit wooden field gate and posts
HMRC (Salary) 142.60 142.60 Tax Oct 2020
Tracey Martin (Salary) 554.00 554.00 Sept back pay and October salary
DCK Accounting Solutions (Admin) 51.50 10.30 61.80 Payroll Oct 2020 setting up TM
Kevin Wharton (CIL) 317.00 317.00 Inv 4310: footpath 6 - accessories & fit
Tracey Martin (Admin) 70.53 2.69 73.22 Fasthosts, GiffGaff, electricity
K Dobson (Inspection) 16.00 16.00 October Playground Risk Assessment
Kevin Wharton (CIL) 940.00 940.00 Supply & fit 3 kissing gates - Inv 4321
TBS Hygiene (Bin Collections) 165.00 33.00 198.00 Bin emptying July 2020
MJW Fencing Limited (CIL) 5000.00 1000.00 6000.00 Parish Council/Longwick C of E School perimeter fencing
Mrs J M van Apeldoorn (Maintenance) 62.00 62.00 Flowers for four boxes at Longwick gates
Val McPherson (Admin) 192.00 192.00 Expenses - newsletter, admin calls
Total 8866.63 1089.99 9956.62

21. TO CONSIDER AND IF THOUGHT FIT TO ADOPT GPC

Discussions were had and it was resolved for the Parish Council to adopt GPC.

22. TO CONSIDER AND APPROVE FOR THE CLERK'S SALARY TO BE INCREASED BY ONE SCALE FOLLOWING SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF CiLCA

All Councillors were in agreement.

23. APPOINTMENT OF TRUSTEE FOR PAROCHIAL CHARITIES

Following the advert in the newsletter for a Trustee for Princes Risborough Parochial Charities an application was received from Caroline Elderfield. Cllr Rogers proposed the appointment and Cllr van Apeldoorn seconded, and the Parish Council resolved to appoint Caroline Elderfield.

24. TO RATIFY THE REMEMBRANCE DAY RISK ASSESSMENT

The Parish Council ratified the Risk Assessment which had been approved by email.

25. TO DISCUSS ANY RESPONSES TO CORRESPONDENCE

Cllr McPherson reported that she had been contacted by a resident who is arranging litter picking in the parish, and asked for a thank you in the next newsletter; Cllr McPherson to liaise with the resident to ensure a sufficient risk assessment is in place. Ilmer Village Green – parking on the green: it was confirmed that the Parish Council own the green following a hearing by the Commons Commissioner on 27th Nov 1973, and in the absence of any claim to ownership it was agreed that the land known as Ilmer Green shall be registered in the name of Longwick-cum-Ilmer Parish Council; Clerk to inform the resident who raised the parking query that no parking is allowed on the green due to the damage it will cause to the grass. Cllr Barter stated that details of land and buildings that the Parish Council owns is required for the website; Clerk to investigate. Benches chained to fencing on Longwick Playing Field: the Clerk has been liaising with the Village Hall, who have chained benches to the railings; it was agreed to ask whether they would like the benches moved onto their property or handed to the Parish Council to locate somewhere more suitable, pending the Village Hall's meeting on 1st December.

26. RECEIVE REPORTS FROM COUNCILLORS ON MEETINGS ATTENDED

No meetings have been attended.

27. AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING

Cllr van Apeldoorn raised Maccabee Kennels and the Environmental Health officer from Buckinghamshire Council who had been in the village testing noise levels; it was agreed this was not a matter for the Parish Council and for Cllr van Apeldoorn to liaise with Cllr Bendyshe-Brown.

28. NEXT MEETING [VIRTUAL]

7.30pm 15th December 2020.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.40pm.