Parish Council Minutes
PRESENT: Cllr Val McPherson BEM (Chair), Cllrs Brian Richards (Vice), Rolf van Apeldoorn, Jane Rogers, Richard Myers, Alex Barter, Roger Wilkes, Tracey Martin (Clerk). Buckinghamshire Councillor: Cllr Alan Turner.
20. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Cllr McPherson welcomed all to the meeting. No apologies.
21. MINUTES OF ANNUAL COUNCIL AND FULL COUNCIL MEETINGS HELD ON 18TH MAY 2021: The minutes were approved by all Councillors.
22. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: Cllr Barter declared an interest in agenda item 15, Grant Application from Longwick Preschool, and will abstain from discussion or voting.
23. UPDATE FROM BUCKINGHAMSHIRE COUNCILLORS: Cllr Turner reported: the traveller's site in Askett/Longwick has been allocated an officer to start the eviction process; on the Memorial Garden, Enforcement have been informed but found no signs of it being advertised to the public, so Councillors are to share any evidence including use of a building (not just the garden) with Cllr Turner (Action: All Cllrs); the residents who reported the Dog Kennels, Bar Lane issue have been in touch and are liaising with Noise Pollution/Environmental Health; Cllr Turner is meeting with Highways next week to run through outstanding issues; and, asked by Cllr Rogers about the Community Bus, Cllr Turner reported that its return is imminent and will make enquiries and report back.
24. TO RECEIVE MATTERS ARISING NOT OTHERWISE ON THE AGENDA FOR INFORMATION ONLY: None.
25. TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON TRAFFIC CALMING PROJECT: Cllr McPherson had circulated a summary of the consultation responses prior to the meeting. Zoom consultations are taking place the following evening with residents, and a face-to-face consultation is proposed for 23rd July, with two sessions scheduled — one in the afternoon and one in the evening.
26. TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON KISSING GATES: Cllr Richards reported that discussions are ongoing with Rights of Way and the landowners regarding the obstruction on footpath 14, and a solution has been offered by Rights of Way. On footpath 16, the Council is awaiting the landowner driving in two support posts before the contractor can proceed. Cllr Richards reported that 2 sets of gates have been ordered for Ilmer.
27. PLANNING
New applications reviewed and discussed:
- 21/06522/ADRC: Quakers Farm, Meadle Village Road, Meadle: For information only, no comment required
- 21/06587/ADRC: Quakers Farm, Meadle Village Road, Meadle: For information only, no comment required
- 21/06644/PNP6A: North of Armour Barn, Stockwell Lane, Little Meadle: No comment
Applications whose status changed:
- 21/05780/FUL: Horseshoe Cottage, Meadle Village Road, Meadle: Application permitted
- 21/05781/LBC: Horseshoe Cottage, Meadle Village Road, Meadle: Application permitted
- 21/05815/FUL: 3 & 4 Central Cottage, Thame Road, Longwick: Application permitted
- 21/05689/ADRC: OS Parcel 2075, Thame Road: Permit — detail reserved by condition
- 21/05966/FUL: 11 Walkers Road, Longwick: Application permitted
- 21/06087/ADRC: Ivy Farm, Lower Icknield Way, Longwick: Permit — detail reserved by condition
Cllr Rogers reported that the Solar Farm planning application is now live on the Aylesbury Vale website.
28. FINANCE
The following accounts for payment were reviewed and approved:
| Payee | Net | VAT | Gross | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tracey Martin | £496.83 | £496.83 | Salary | |
| Tracey Martin | £28.34 | £1.66 | £30.00 | Home allowance, 4 weeks, & mobile top-up |
| HMRC | £31.00 | £31.00 | Tax | |
| BMKALC | £30.00 | £30.00 | VAT training | |
| Keith Dobson | £17.50 | £17.50 | May risk assessment | |
| Jacksons Fencing | £659.90 | £131.98 | £791.88 | 2 x kissing gates for Ilmer (paid on proforma invoice, purchase agreed at 18/05/21 PC meeting) |
| Thomas Design Regeneration & Consultation Ltd | £2,478.70 | £495.74 | £2,974.44 | Professional services in support of the Transport Vision commission |
| Bledlow cum Saunderton Parish Council | £17.97 | £17.97 | Shared Zoom cost for March, April, May | |
| DCK Accounting | £25.00 | £5.00 | £30.00 | May payroll processing |
| IAC Audit Ltd | £150.00 | £30.00 | £180.00 | Internal audit services, 2020/2021 |
| Camsec | £20.83 | £4.17 | £25.00 | SIM rental |
| Transport Initiatives LLP | £3,300.00 | £660.00 | £3,960.00 | Longwick Village Vision — Stage 1 |
| Total | £7,256.07 | £1,328.55 | £8,584.62 |
Direct debits: EDF Energy £15.00 (electricity, monthly), Nest £29.20 (pension contribution, £16.22 from employer).
All payments were approved by the majority of Councillors. Cllr van Apeldoorn requested it be minuted that he did not approve payment of invoice number 1812 (Transport Initiatives), in his opinion due to the lack of work the Parish Council has seen. Cllr Richards highlighted the number of visits the Transport Consultant had made to the village, the report he had submitted and the Zoom consultations he is organising.
29. ANNUAL GOVERNANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY RETURN
- To consider, complete and approve section 1: the Annual Governance statements were reviewed and responses approved; the Chairman and Clerk signed the form.
- To consider and approve section 2: the drafted figures were approved and the Chairman signed the form.
- To approve elector rights of inspection dates of Monday 21st June to Friday 30th July 2021: dates were approved by all Councillors.
30. TO CONSIDER AND APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF ADDITIONAL PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT: Cllr Barter had shared examples of potential equipment; around £2,400 has already been fundraised. All Councillors favoured the tractor from Playdale Playgrounds at a cost of around £3,500; Cllr Barter and Clerk to make enquiries. Action: Cllr Barter/Clerk. Discussions were also had on a proposed picnic table and cutting back low-level hanging trees.
31. TO CONSIDER QUOTE TO LEVEL GROUND AROUND GYM EQUIPMENT: The Clerk had previously circulated a quote of £195 to level the ground around gym equipment. All Councillors were in favour of proceeding.
32. UPDATE ON ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR AT LONGWICK PLAYING FIELDS: Cllr McPherson reported that although the number of complaints has reduced, they are still being received. Over the bank holiday weekend some youths suspected of dealing drugs were reported to the police, who have been patrolling the playing fields in the evenings, though with limited resources. It was agreed the Parish Council would write to Greg Smith, Buckinghamshire MP, and Matthew Barber, the Police and Crime Commissioner. Action: Clerk
33. PARISH BOOKLET/UPDATED MAP: The Clerk reported that she had contacted the Definitive Map team at Buckinghamshire Council, who informed her that the maps would need to be obtained online from Ordnance Survey. Cllr Turner asked the Clerk to share details of what is required and will look into this with Buckinghamshire Council. Action: Clerk. Cllr Rogers to review the booklet for any updates or amendments. Action: Cllr Rogers
34. GRANT APPLICATION – TO CONSIDER AND IF THOUGHT FIT APPROVE LONGWICK PRESCHOOL APPLICATION FOR FUNDING: Cllr Barter abstained from discussion and voting. Discussions were had on the previously circulated grant application from Longwick Preschool to replace the picket fence at a cost of £2,250; concerns were raised about anomalies between the supplied accounts and those registered with the Charity Commission. A vote was taken with all Councillors in favour, and the Council resolved to approve the grant.
35. APPROVAL OF UPDATED GRANT APPLICATION FORM TO INCLUDE THE REQUEST OF TWO YEARS' ACCOUNTS: A small typo was pointed out; subject to this amendment the Council resolved to adopt the updated grant application form.
36. TO CONSIDER AND APPROVE THE NUMBER OF GRASS CUTS THROUGHOUT THE GROWING SEASON: Cllr McPherson had been contacted by a resident in Ilmer, as residents felt they should have been informed the number of cuts had been reduced. It was agreed the number of cuts will remain at 8 and the matter would not be reviewed again until next year at the earliest.
37. TO DISCUSS AND DECIDE ON ANY RESPONSES TO CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED AND/OR ISSUED BY THE PARISH COUNCIL: Cllr McPherson reported an email from the Village Hall regarding use of their Wi-Fi for the CCTV at a cost of £350 for the year. Cllr Wilkes has been looking into other options, including the Parish Council purchasing its own SIM card; all Councillors were in favour of this option. Cllr Wilkes to liaise with the Clerk once a suitable SIM has been found. Action: Cllr Wilkes/Clerk
38. TO CONSIDER AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING: None highlighted at the meeting; Councillors to contact the Clerk if they have items to add.
39. DATE OF NEXT MEETING: 20th July 2021.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.50pm.