Parish Council Minutes
LONGWICK-CUM-ILMER PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY 18th JULY 2023 AT 7.30PM AT LONGWICK VILLAGE HALL
PRESENT: Cllr Val McPherson BEM (Chairman), Richard Myers (Vice Chairman), Alex Barter, Jane Rogers, Brian Richards, Rolf van Apeldoorn and Tracey Martin (Clerk).
Buckinghamshire Councillor: Gary Hall
North West Chiltern Community Board Coordinator
Two representatives from Bubblewrap After School Club Ltd
Two members of the public
A member of the public raised concerns that Redline is dropping the Princes Risborough / Longwick pickups taking school children to Lord Williams School which is a paid for service. This is currently affecting around 20-30 children and not all parents will be able to drop off and collect due to work commitments.
Cllr Hall stated that he would liaise with the resident offline and mediate with the Education Portfolio. It was added by the resident that the lack of buses makes this situation worse.
The representatives from Bubblewrap After School Club Ltd provided further information on the grant application which will be discussed under agenda item 67. The application is for £40,000 which will be used to repurpose the Stem Lab. The area would be used in the daytime by Longwick School and then Bubblewrap After School Club.
Members of the public and representatives from Bubblewrap After School Club left the meeting and the official Parish Council meeting started at 7.43pm.
57. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Cllr McPherson welcomed all to the meeting. Apologies were received and accepted from Buckinghamshire Councillor Matt Walsh and Alan Turner.
58. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: None declared.
59. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD 20th June 2023: Cllr van Apeldoorn queried the Staffing Committee. The Clerk confirmed that it had been agreed by all Councillors at the May meeting to form a committee and members appointed at the June meeting. The minutes were approved by all Councillors and the minutes were signed.
60. UPDATE FROM BUCKINGHAMSHIRE COUNCILLORS:
- Cllr Hall provided an update on the heap of rubbish in Askett. Quotes had been received to clear the rubbish which has come in at a very large sum of money. The procedure would then be for a charge to be put on the land however, the land isn't worth anywhere near that value. Enforcement notices have been issued and the next possible step would be prosecution.
- Cllr Hall reported on the antisocial behaviour in Princes Risborough which is also affecting Longwick. Work is being done in liaison with the Police to address these issues.
- Cllr Rogers again raised concerns with the verges in Owlswick which have been cut up to the 30mph sign where it then stops and the cutting restarts when out of the 30mph zone and reported at the last meeting and also on FixMyStreet. Cllr Hall will discuss with the Local Area Technician.
Cllr Hall left the meeting at 7.55pm.
61. TO RECEIVE MATTERS ARISING NOT OTHERWISE ON THE AGENDA:
- Cllr Richards raised his personal concerns about the discussion at the last meeting during the nominations for Chairman and Vice-Chairman. He expressed concerns about things that Cllr van Apeldoorn had said which, in Cllr Richard's view, were not warranted. Cllr van Apeldoorn expressed an apology to Cllr McPherson which was accepted.
- Cllr Barter reported that the layby on the footpath on the layby on Thame Road which was being damaged by lorries turning has finally been repaired.
62. PLANNING:
The following new applications were reviewed, discussed and comments approved.
23/06483/FUL: The Cart Shed Rose Farm Thame Road Longwick: No comment
23/06484/FUL: Mistlethrush Barn Rose Farm Thame Road Longwick: No comment
23/06518/CLP: 1 Jubilee Cottages Thame Road Longwick: No comment
23/06618/FUL & 23/06474/LBC: Quakers Farm Meadle Village Road Meadle: No comment
22/07563/FUL: Maccabee Kennels Bar Lane Owlswick (amended plans): The Parish Council has the same concerns as previously submitted.
23/06650/ADRC: Old Berkeley House (Shoulder of Mutton): For information only no comment required
All comments were approved.
The following applications status has changed:
23/06195/FUL: 3 Wayfarers End Longwick: Application Permitted
- Discussions were had on the proposed application to set up a small campsite, known by the Camping and Caravanning Club as a certified site at Glebe Cottage. Buckinghamshire Council have confirmed that no planning application is required. It was agreed that the Parish Council would submit a comment with the following concerns: The Parish Council have concerns with access issues. Horsenden Lane is extremely narrow with very few passing points with ditches on either side and is also used by a number of cyclists and walkers.
- Discussions were had on planning application 23/05819/CLP: Dunster Chestnut Way Longwick where work has already commenced. The application is for a Certificate of Lawfulness and unless the application is refused there is no action required.
- Discussions were had on the scout hut which has been converted to offices and whether change of use is required. As its on Diocesans land and the Parish Council are unaware of the original conditions and at this time no action is required.
63. TO NOTE JULY PAYMENTS FOR APPROVAL:
| Payee | Net | VAT | Gross | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tracey Martin | £667.90 | £667.90 | Clerk Salary | |
| HMRC | £87.40 | £87.40 | PAYE | |
| BMKALC | £288.92 | £288.92 | BALC / Annual Subs | |
| Shield Maintenance | £143.00 | £28.60 | £171.60 | Bin emptying |
| Total | £1,187.20 | £28.60 | £1,215.82 |
CashPlus Card: GiffGaff £6.00 gross (Mobile Top Up).
Direct Debits / Standing Orders: EDF Energy £25.00 (Electricity monthly payment); Nest £41.80 (Pension Contribution).
All payments were approved.
64. TO NOTE QUARTER 1 ACCOUNTS: The Clerk provided an update on the circulated report which had accidently included two July payments which meant the payments didn't match up to the bank reconciliation. Councillors noted the accounts.
65. TO CONSIDER ADOPTING THE NORTH WEST CHILTERN COMMUNITY BOARD GARDEN PROJECTS: The North West Chiltern Community Board Coordinator provided Councillors with an explanation of the project which originally was set up under the Community Resilience Action Group and they are now looking to hand the project over to the Parish Council. The final project will be a Community Garden which will be teaching people how to grow food which they can take home or donate to food banks. Extensive discussions took place with the biggest concern being around insurance. It was agreed this requires further exploration.
66. TO CONSIDER SIGNING UP TO THE CIVILITY AND RESPECT PLEDGE: All Councillors agreed with the statements and it was resolved to sign up the pledge. The Clerk will complete the online form and the Parish Council will receive a certificate.
67. TO CONSIDER GRANT APPLICATION FROM BUBBLEWRAP AFTER SCHOOL CLUB LTD: Discussions were had and concerns were that the school has already received extensive funding recently and that the works seemed very expensive. A vote was taken and Councillors unanimously agreed not to approve the grant.
68. TO CONSIDER QUOTATION FOR GRASS CUTTING CONTRACT: Discussions were had on the current quality of grass cutting which has not been up to standard. Cllr McPherson and the Clerk met with the Clerk and Team Leader for Princes Risborough Town Council recently and the subsequent cut has improved. The new quote was discussed and Councillors felt that the cost was high and that the current contractor should be given an opportunity to improve their service. A vote was taken and all Councillors were in favour of remaining with Princes Risborough Town Council.
69. TO DISCUSS AND DECIDE ON ANY RESPONSES TO CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED AND / OR ISSUED BY THE PARISH COUNCIL: The Clerk had received a request to hold a fete type event on the playing field on the 23rd September for a newly established CIC charity business school which will be free for residents to attend. A vote was taken and it was agreed to approve the event subject to a contribution from the organiser to cover for wear and tear to the playing field. This would be offset against the Activity Days the Parish Council has arranged over the summer holidays. The Clerk will liaise with the organisers and ensure they have adequate insurance and risk assessments in place.
70. TO RECEIVE REPORTS FROM COUNCILLORS ON MEETINGS THAT THEY HAVE PARTICIPATED IN ON BEHALF OF THE PARISH COUNCIL: None attended
71. TO CONSIDER AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING: Send through to Clerk
72. TO CONFIRM THE DATES AND TIMES OF THE NEXT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING: As there is no meeting in August the next meeting will be on Tuesday 19th September at 7.30pm at Longwick Village Hall.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.16pm.