Parish Council Minutes
PRESENT: Cllr Val McPherson BEM (Chair), Cllrs Brian Richards (Vice), Rolf van Apeldoorn, Alex Barter, Richard Myers, Jane Rogers, Tracey Martin (Clerk). Buckinghamshire Councillor: Alan Turner.
76. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Cllr McPherson welcomed all to the meeting. Apologies were received from Buckinghamshire Councillors Matt Walsh and Gary Hall.
77. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: Cllr Rogers declared an interest in planning application 22/07295/FUL and refrained from discussion.
78. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD 27TH SEPTEMBER 2022: Approved by all Councillors.
79. UPDATE FROM BUCKINGHAMSHIRE COUNCILLORS: Cllr Turner confirmed a Buckinghamshire Councillor will attend the Remembrance Service. On behalf of Cllr Walsh, Cllr Turner stated space outside the shop is being made for a salt bin. Cllr Turner reported that costings for the Bar Lane works have increased, and it is the three Buckinghamshire Councillors' recommendation that the Community Boards pick up the increased costs. Cllr Rogers requested an update on the heap of rubbish at the Lower Icknield Way/Askett junction, the small caravans that have appeared there, and the abandoned mobile home; Cllr Turner will get an update. Action: Cllr Turner. Cllr Turner stated they are aware of issues in the field off Summerleys Road, including motorbikes, caravans and horses; this field is encompassed in the Princes Risborough expansion plan.
80. TO RECEIVE MATTERS ARISING NOT OTHERWISE ON THE AGENDA: Cllr McPherson updated Councillors on the salt bin mentioned under item 79b; Councillors felt it would be appropriate for the Parish Council to pay for ongoing filling. The increased costs for Toll Bar Corner (item 79c) are £5238; it is hoped the Community Boards will cover this. Cllr van Apeldoorn reported an issue with the footway on Lower Icknield Way by the railway bridge; agreed this should be reported through FixMyStreet.
81. PLANNING
New applications reviewed, discussed and comments approved:
- 22/07295/FUL: Quercus, Owlswick: No comment
- 22/07321/FUL: OS Parcel 9166, Boxer Road & OS Parcel 6576, Walnut Tree Lane, Barn Road: No comment
- 22/07389/CLP: Barn Cottage, Horsenden Lane: No comment
- 22/07441/FUL: September Cottage, Ilmer Lane, Ilmer: No comment
Applications whose status changed:
- 22/07189/ADRC: Bumpers Farm, Ilmer Lane, Ilmer: Permit — detail reserved by condition
82. TO NOTE OCTOBER PAYMENTS FOR APPROVAL
| Payee | Net | VAT | Gross | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tracey Martin | £510.52 | £510.52 | Clerk salary | |
| Tracey Martin | £15.00 | £15.00 | Home allowance | |
| CashPlus | £37.22 | £37.22 | Reinstate balance | |
| HMRC | £26.60 | £26.60 | PAYE | |
| DH Landscapes | £1,170.00 | £1,170.00 | War Memorial steps | |
| Shield Maintenance | £143.00 | £28.60 | £171.60 | Bin emptying, October |
| Thomas Design | £939.44 | £187.89 | £1,127.33 | Transport Vision services, Oct 22 |
| Thomas Design | £2,345.00 | £469.00 | £2,814.00 | Transport Vision services, May 22 |
| Print Now | £664.00 | £664.00 | Autumn/Winter newsletter | |
| Oxfordshire Garden | £1,870.00 | £1,870.00 | Clearing of ditch & hiring equipment | |
| Oxford Oak | £450.00 | £450.00 | Tree works, Ilmer | |
| Total | £8,170.78 | £685.49 | £8,856.27 |
Cashplus card: WDS Components £26.01 net/£31.22 gross (locks, cap & keys for noticeboard); GiffGaff £5.00 net/£6.00 gross (monthly top-up) — total £31.01 net/£37.22 gross.
Direct debits/standing orders: EDF Energy £20.00 (electricity, monthly), Nest £29.72 (pension contribution) — total £49.72.
Receipts: Buckinghamshire Council £15,921.97 (precept, 2nd payment); JR Football £30.00 (payment for use of playing field) — total £15,951.97.
83. TO CONSIDER GRANT APPLICATION FROM LONGWICK EVENING WI FOR A CAROL CONCERT: Following a vote with one Councillor abstaining, it was resolved that the Parish Council would fund up to £75, subject to receipts following the event. The Clerk will also request the surplus amount from the previous year.
84. TO CONSIDER ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE REMEMBRANCE DAY SERVICE: Cllr van Apeldoorn circulated the order of service; only the road closure and coffees afterwards remain to be arranged. Discussions were had on the War Memorial railings, which need repairing, cleaning and painting — options include on-site work, removal for off-site work, or possible replacement; quotes to be obtained and discussed at the next meeting.
85. COMMUNITY BENCHES – NW CHILTERN COMMUNITY RESILIENCE GROUP: Cllr McPherson reported the North West Chiltern Community Board are offering benches with a plaque thanking NHS staff and care workers. A vote was taken, with all Councillors agreeing that the installation cost is too significant and there wasn't a suitable location within the Parish.
86. TO NOTE EXTERNAL AUDITOR'S REPORT AND CONFIRM THE NOTICE OF COMPLETION OF AUDIT HAS BEEN PUBLISHED: The Clerk reported the audit found the Parish Council did not have a Risk Assessment in place at the time of submission; this has since been rectified, and the notice of completion of audit was posted on 1st August 2022.
87. TO CONSIDER OPTION TO OPT OUT OF THE SAAA CENTRAL EXTERNAL AUDITOR APPOINTMENT ARRANGEMENTS: The Clerk had circulated a report and recommendation ahead of the meeting. A vote was taken and all Councillors were in favour of not opting out of the scheme.
88. TO CONSIDER APPOINTMENT OF INTERNAL AUDITOR: The Clerk reported the current auditor is no longer offering auditing services, and provided details of an internal auditor used by another parish. Following discussion, the appointment of Jane Olds was approved at a cost of £250.
89. PURSUANT TO SECTION 1(2) OF THE PUBLIC BODIES (ADMISSION TO MEETINGS) ACT 1960, A RESOLUTION IS REQUIRED TO EXCLUDE THE PUBLIC AND PRESS TO PROTECT THE CONFIDENTIAL NATURE OF THE BUSINESS TO BE TRANSACTED DURING CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS 90 AND 91 ON THE AGENDA: A vote was taken and it was agreed to remove the press and public from the meeting.
90. TO CONSIDER INCREASING THE CLERK'S WEEKLY HOURS: Following discussion and a vote, it was agreed to increase the Clerk's hours from 10 to 13 per week.
91. TO CONSIDER ALLOCATING A BUDGET FOR LEGAL COSTS: Following discussion, it was agreed this was not required at this time and no budget was allocated.
92. PUBLIC BODIES (ADMISSION TO MEETINGS) ACT 1960: TO RESOLVE THAT THE PUBLIC AND PRESS BE RE-ADMITTED TO THE MEETING: A vote was taken and it was resolved to readmit the press and public, although none were in attendance as Cllr Turner had left the meeting at item 89.
93. TO NOTE ANNUAL RoSPA REPORT AND APPROVE QUOTES FOR WORK: The RoSPA report was noted and recommended works approved, including a quote from Reids Playground Maintenance totalling £1105 plus VAT. Cutting back of the trees by the shelter by Oxford Oak was also approved, at a cost of £450.
94. TO REVIEW QUOTE FOR CUTTING DOWN TREE NEAR THE STREAM INCLUDING REMOVAL OF ROOTS: The quote from Oxford Oak was discussed and the works approved at a cost of £950. The Clerk reported she has instructed an arboriculturist to carry out a report on all the trees on the playing field.
95. TO NOTE QUARTER TWO ACCOUNTS: Accounts had been circulated ahead of the meeting for review, and Councillors noted them.
96. TO DISCUSS AND DECIDE ON ANY RESPONSES TO CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED AND/OR ISSUED BY THE PARISH COUNCIL: Cllr McPherson confirmed she had circulated comments received from residents in favour of the Rectory Homes development at Maccabee Kennels. A short discussion was had on the number of new homes in the village now exceeding 300; Councillors were reminded that this figure was not itself a specific target not to be exceeded. The Clerk reported the Village Hall had asked whether the Parish Council would change its meeting day to a Wednesday, or remain on Tuesday but use the Platinum Room; due to other commitments Councillors could not move to Wednesday, but would be happy to use the Platinum Room, subject to the large hall remaining available for the Annual Meeting of the Parish.
97. TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON PARISH TRAFFIC PLANS: Cllr McPherson reported she is awaiting costings for speed surveys, to be carried out directly by TfB/Buckinghamshire Council. The Clerk was asked to request an update from the Speedwatch group on progress.
98. TO RECEIVE REPORTS FROM COUNCILLORS ON MEETINGS THAT THEY HAVE PARTICIPATED IN ON BEHALF OF THE PARISH COUNCIL: None.
99. TO CONSIDER AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING: Send through to the Clerk.
100. TO CONFIRM THE DATES AND TIMES OF THE NEXT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING: The next meeting of the Parish Council will be on Tuesday 15th November 2022 at Longwick Village Hall, Platinum Room.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.05pm.