Ilmer Past

Parish Council Minutes

PRESENT: Cllr Val McPherson BEM, Richard Myers, Alex Barter, Jane Rogers, Brian Richards and Tracey Martin (Clerk). Buckinghamshire Councillor: Alan Turner.

38. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Cllr McPherson welcomed all to the meeting. Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr van Apeldoorn.

39. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: Cllr McPherson and Cllr Rogers declared an interest in planning application 23/06112/FUL. Cllr Barter declared an interest in agenda item 51. It was agreed that these were personal interests and that Councillors could speak on the matter, take part in discussions and vote.

40. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD 16TH MAY 2023: The minutes were approved by all Councillors and the minutes were signed.

41. UPDATE FROM BUCKINGHAMSHIRE COUNCILLORS:

42. TO RECEIVE MATTERS ARISING NOT OTHERWISE ON THE AGENDA: The Clerk reported the following spend under delegated authority: installation of the Community Bench at a cost of £320; bag of seed and levelling to be laid when pile by garage is removed, £130; bricks around the flag pole, £75; clearance around village entrance gates, £60.

43. PLANNING:

The following new applications were reviewed, discussed and comments approved:

All comments were approved.

The following applications' status has changed:

44. TO NOTE MAY PAYMENTS FOR APPROVAL:

Payee Net VAT Gross Comment
Tracey Martin £668.10 £668.10 Clerk Salary
HMRC £87.20 £87.20 PAYE
SLCC £93.50 £93.50 50% membership shared with BCSPC
Shield Maintenance £143.00 £28.60 £171.60 Bin emptying
DJ Hounslow £1,225.00 £1,225.00 Clear pile removed from stream, seeding, laying slabs for new bench & bricks to secure flagpole
DJ Hounslow £60.00 £60.00 Work around village entrance gates
Total £2,276.80 £28.60 £2,305.40

CashPlus Card: GiffGaff £6.00 (Mobile Top Up). Direct Debits/Standing Orders: EDF Energy £25.00; Nest £41.80. All payments were approved.

45. TO AGREE TO FORM A STAFFING COMMITTEE, APPOINT MEMBERS AND APPROVE TERMS OF REFERENCE: Discussions were had and it was agreed that Cllr Myers, Cllr Barter and Cllr Rogers would form the staffing committee and adopt the Terms of Reference. Clerk to arrange date for appraisal. Action: Clerk

46. GRANT APPLICATION: DEMENTIA CARERS RESPITE: The grant application was discussed. Unfortunately, as it's a new charity and there is no evidence that the charity supports families in Longwick, it was agreed unanimously not to approve the grant application. Clerk to write to the charity stating the above and suggesting that if they can evidence that it supports families in Longwick in the future to make a further application. Councillors thanked the charity for their application and wished them well.

47. TO CONSIDER SIGNING UP TO THE CIVILITY AND RESPECT PLEDGE: It was agreed to defer this item until all Councillors were present.

48. TO CONSIDER UPDATING THE LLOYDS BANK MANDATE TO ADD CLLR MYERS: Approved.

49. TO CONSIDER OPENING ADDITIONAL SAVINGS ACCOUNTS AND NOMINATING SIGNATORIES: The Clerk had circulated details of additional accounts. It was agreed to open the following accounts with Cllr McPherson and Cllr Myers as signatories along with the Clerk for operating purposes, with three signatures required to approve transactions: The Cambridge Building Society Council Saver Account, Skipton Building Society Instant Access Account, and Charity Bank Instant Access Account.

50. TO CONSIDER ADOPTING THE NORTH WEST CHILTERNS COMMUNITY GARDEN PROJECT: Discussions were had and it was not clear who would be leasing the land and under whose insurance it would come. Cllr McPherson to discuss further with the Community Board Manager and report back.

51. TO CONSIDER REQUEST FROM LONGWICK PRESCHOOL TO EXTEND THE GARDEN SPACE BY ADOPTING LAND FROM THE PARISH COUNCIL: Discussions were had and concerns raised about the restricted means of escape if there was a fire due to the two pinch points. It was agreed that the preschool would not adopt the land but lease from the Parish Council on an ongoing basis subject to safety inspections and appropriate risk assessments being carried out.

52. TO CONSIDER ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS AND WHETHER TO PROCEED WITH PREVIOUS REQUEST TO INCREASE COUNCILLOR NUMBERS FROM 7 TO 9: Discussions were had and it was felt that due to increase in population in the Parish it would reflect the population to see an increase in Councillors. It was unanimously agreed to proceed with the request to increase from 7 to 9 Councillors. Cllr Richards and the Clerk will prepare a report for submission. Action: Cllr Richards / Clerk

53. TO DISCUSS AND DECIDE ON ANY RESPONSES TO CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED AND/OR ISSUED BY THE PARISH COUNCIL: The Clerk reported that there has been a number of issues with the quality of the grass cutting in the Parish by the Devolved Services appointed Contractor. Alongside this they have also damaged a couple of residents' fences and a sign. The Clerk and Cllr McPherson will meet with the Contractor next week. The Clerk is also making enquiries for a quote from another Contractor.

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

55. TO CONSIDER AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING: Send through to Clerk.

56. TO CONFIRM THE DATES AND TIMES OF THE NEXT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING: Tuesday 18th July 2023 at 7.30pm at Longwick Village Hall.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.42pm.