Ilmer Past

Parish Council Minutes

PRESENT: Cllr Val McPherson BEM (Chair), Cllrs Brian Richards (Vice), Richard Myers, Rolf van Apeldoorn, Alex Barter, Roger Wilkes, Jane Rogers, Tracey Martin (Clerk). Buckinghamshire Councillor: Cllr Matt Walsh.

28. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Cllr McPherson welcomed all to the meeting. There were no apologies.

29. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: Cllr van Apeldoorn and Cllr Myers declared an interest in planning application 21/08188/PIP, and Cllr Barter declared an interest in planning application 21/07172/PNP3Q. Councillors who declared an interest refrained from discussion and voting.

30. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL COUNCIL MEETING HELD 17th MAY 2022: Approved by all Councillors.

31. UPDATE FROM BUCKINGHAMSHIRE COUNCILLORS: Cllr Walsh provided an update on waste collection issues — the service has been impacted by the new contractor changing routes, causing chaos, with fifteen people drafted in to handle calls; residents whose bins are missed should email Cllr Walsh, Cllr Turner and Cllr Hall. Cllr Walsh apologised for the level of service. Following the Buckinghamshire Council Annual Meeting, Cllr Hall has been appointed Deputy Cabinet Member for Enforcement, Cllr Turner to the Strategic Sites Committee, and Cllr Walsh as Chairman of the North West Chiltern Community Board. Cllr Walsh has been chasing Cllr Broadbent, Cabinet Member for Transport, to arrange a meeting on the Transport Vision with Longwick Councillors. Cllr Walsh has a meeting scheduled on s.106 monies and will report back. Cllr van Apeldoorn asked for an update on Askett Lane; Cllr Walsh stated it is going through the courts, with Buckinghamshire Officers confident the occupants will be moved on, though the process must be followed — Councillors raised concerns about the length of time this is taking. Cllr Walsh offered to arrange a meeting with Cllr Peter Strachan, Cabinet Member for Planning and Regeneration; Councillors to consider and Cllr McPherson to report back to Cllr Walsh. Action: Cllr McPherson

32. TO RECEIVE MATTERS ARISING NOT OTHERWISE ON THE AGENDA: Cllr Rogers asked for suggestions on tree placement under the scheme available through Buckinghamshire Council; Councillors to consider, including whether some could go in the hedgerow reduced by Bellway (which would need clearing first), for the next meeting's agenda. Cllr Richards provided an update on the BMX track he had been asked to look into — Haddenham's is about 70m by 25–30m of earth mounds in the corner of a large cricket field; Year 5 and 6 pupils showed a lot of interest, but it was agreed the playing fields would not be a suitable location, though it could be considered in future. Cllr Richards asked Cllr Wilkes and Cllr Barter about progress on the previously agreed drop-in surgery; they will arrange it. Action: Cllr Wilkes/Cllr Barter

33. PLANNING

New applications reviewed and discussed:

Applications whose status changed:

34. TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS: Cllr McPherson reported the Jubilee celebrations were a success, with more people attending than expected and £282.85 raised; funds from refreshments and mugs will be donated to the Woodland Trust and the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal. Cllr McPherson noted she had expected surplus mugs to sell for donations, but a number were handed out free to adults on the day, which was disappointing. Cllr McPherson thanked all those involved.

In order to approve payments, the Chairman brought forward agenda item 10.

35. TO RATIFY QUOTE FOR THE INSTALLATION OF 3 X PICNIC BENCHES: The quote was approved at a cost of £2,081.25 plus VAT.

36. TO NOTE ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BUDGET

The following payments were presented for approval:

Payee Net VAT Gross Comment
Tracey Martin £510.52 £510.52 Salary
Tracey Martin £77.44 £77.44 Mobile, home allowance, refreshments for Jubilee and APM
HMRC £26.60 £26.60 PAYE
FuturForm £1,332.00 £266.40 £1,598.40 3 x picnic benches
Shield Maintenance Ltd £143.00 £28.60 £171.60 Bin emptying
Valerie McPherson £8.00 £8.00 Milk for Jubilee
Jane van Apeldoorn £108.20 £108.20 Village planters
PRTC £217.30 £43.46 £260.76 Grass — Walkers Road cut and collect
PRTC £260.76 £52.15 £312.91 Grass, May 22 — devolved services
BCSPC £88.50 £88.50 50% SLCC & Land Registry search
Garden Affairs £2,081.25 £416.25 £2,497.50 Laying slabs & fixing picnic benches
PRTC £304.22 £60.84 £365.06 17/06/22 devolved services grass
Total £5,157.79 £867.70 £6,025.49

Approved payments already made: Funky Faces £55.00 (deposit, face painter); Valerie McPherson £94.08 (Jubilee t-shirts); Sunblaze £500.00 (band for Jubilee); Medic Paul £75.00 (medic for Jubilee); Pettigrove £450.00 (chair-o-plane ride for Jubilee); Funky Faces £77.50 (balance for face painter); JR Football Ltd £50.00 (football and games at Jubilee event) — total £1,301.58.

Standing orders/direct debits: EDF Energy £20.00 (electricity, monthly), Nest £29.72 (pension contribution) — total £49.72.

All payments were approved.

37. TO CONSIDER QUOTE FOR WAR MEMORIAL STEPS: Four quotes had been received and circulated ahead of the meeting. A vote was taken, with quote 4 receiving the majority; the quote was approved and the work awarded to DH Landscapes at a cost of £1,170 plus VAT.

38. TO APPROVE FOR THE CLERK TO APPLY FOR A CASHPLUS DEBIT CARD AT A COST OF £9.95 TO OPEN THE ACCOUNT: A vote was taken and all Councillors were in favour. Clerk to arrange. Action: Clerk

39. TO DISCUSS THE STREAM BY THE PLAYING FIELD AND ANY ACTIONS REQUIRED: With Bellway shortly to cease building on the estate, the Clerk reported a meeting arranged for 12th July to determine future responsibility for water flows through and off the estate. The Parish Council is also investigating the feasibility of dredging the stream along the playing field to remove a large build-up of silt and improve flow; Cllr Richards will meet DH Landscapes to gauge the work involved and likely cost, for discussion at the next meeting.

40. TO CONSIDER PERMITTING JR FOOTBALL TO HOLD SESSIONS ON THE PLAYING FIELDS DURING SCHOOL HOLIDAYS: It was agreed Cllr Barter, Cllr Wilkes and Cllr van Apeldoorn would meet JR Football onsite to discuss the number of days and area of field required. Councillors were in principle favourable and keen to see the playing field used; a suggested fee of £50 per week plus a £100 deposit was discussed, to be agreed at the onsite meeting. No football can take place on the field on 12th August due to Play Around the Parishes, and users must vacate the field during grass cutting.

41. TO DISCUSS AND DECIDE ON ANY RESPONSES TO CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED AND/OR ISSUED BY THE PARISH COUNCIL: Cllr McPherson reported the Scouts will hold a farewell party on the playing field on 15th July, cordoning off an area. Cllr van Apeldoorn raised concerns that with the Scouts closing there is nothing for the Parish's youth to do; all agreed the Parish Council would be happy to fund youth initiatives, but volunteers are needed to lead them. Cllr Richards stated the Village Hall accounts for 21/22 have not yet been received; Clerk to request. Action: Clerk. Cllr McPherson congratulated the fete committee on their event, which raised a record £6678.96.

42. TO RECEIVE REPORTS FROM COUNCILLORS ON MEETINGS THAT THEY HAVE PARTICIPATED IN ON BEHALF OF THE PARISH COUNCIL: None attended.

43. TO CONSIDER AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING: Agenda items to be emailed to the Clerk.

44. TO CONFIRM THE DATES AND TIMES OF THE NEXT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING: 19th July 2022.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.10pm.