Parish Council Minutes
PRESENT: Cllr Val McPherson BEM (Chairman), Richard Myers (Vice Chairman), Alex Barter, Jane Rogers, Brian Richards and Tracey Martin (Clerk). Buckinghamshire Councillor: Gary Hall. Sixteen members of the public.
Before the formal meeting, residents raised the following:
- A member of the public thanked the Parish Council for following up with Thames Valley Police regarding average speed cameras.
- A concern was raised with the July 2023 minutes. The Clerk confirmed that the minutes had been amended by the Clerk and that the correspondence received on this matter would not be dealt with within the meeting, as per the email that had been sent confirming this.
- The speed of vehicles travelling down Bar Lane following the new tarmac which has been laid was raised. This will need to be addressed with Buckinghamshire Highways as they carried out the work.
- It was asked when the 1st Phase Proposals would be approved. The Parish Council is still awaiting confirmed costings from Buckinghamshire Highways but is actively chasing this.
- A resident asked when the public meeting would take place for residents to view the traffic survey results. The results are on the Parish Council website. If residents feel a public meeting is required this should be put in writing to the Clerk for the Parish Council to consider.
- It was requested that the Parish Council use CIL money to produce a Longwick Village Website for sharing information. It was requested that the resident put the request in writing to the Clerk for the Parish Council to consider.
- Concerns were raised by a resident regarding the level of community integration/innovation.
- The speed of vehicles travelling through the village was raised as a concern.
The Parish Council meeting started at 7.51pm.
73. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Cllr McPherson welcomed all to the meeting. There were no apologies.
74. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: None declared.
75. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD 18th JULY 2023: The minutes were approved by all Councillors and the minutes were signed.
76. UPDATE FROM BUCKINGHAMSHIRE COUNCILLORS:
- Cllr Hall reported that budgets are being looked at for next year; at the moment Buckinghamshire Council is looking stable, however there are likely to be cuts.
- Concerns were raised that road closure/diversion signs were not being removed after works completed, or were in the wrong place. Cllr Rogers to send through some examples of where this has happened and Cllr Hall will raise this issue with the relevant Cabinet Member. Action: Cllr Hall
- There are still concerns that grass cutting is not taking place within the 30mph speed limit areas. The Clerk confirmed that these areas are not devolved to the Parish Council. Cllr Hall to follow up. Action: Cllr Hall
- Concerns were raised that the Parish Council has been requesting information/a meeting with the relevant Buckinghamshire Council Officer to discuss s.106 monies. There are concerns that funding could be lost or could be considered for future transport proposals, however a meeting has not been forthcoming. Cllr Hall will arrange a meeting with the Buckinghamshire Council Officer. Action: Cllr Hall
Cllr Hall left the meeting at 8pm.
77. TO RECEIVE MATTERS ARISING NOT OTHERWISE ON THE AGENDA: Cllr Rogers reported that the Owlswick residents have formed a resident's association as they had been led to believe that the Village Green would be handed over to the Parish Council once building works had been completed at the Old Shoulder of Mutton, however the land is now being advertised as a private green. It was agreed that the Parish Council would write to the planning department drawing attention to the Neighbourhood Plan which lists the green as a community green space.
78. PLANNING:
August planning application responses were submitted under delegated authority as the Parish Council did not meet in August:
- 23/06923/CTREE: Cozens Holdings, Owlswick — No comment
- 23/06901/MINAMD: Twyn Elms Thame Road Longwick — For information only, no comment required
- 23/06996/CTREE: Meadle Farm Meadle Village Road — No comment
August change-of-status applications: 23/06518/CLP (1 Jubilee Cottages) refuse certificate of proposed use; APP/K0425/W/22/3294482 (Barn Longwick Mill) appeal allowed; 23/06484/FUL (Mistlethrush Barn, Rose Farm) permitted; 23/06483/FUL (The Cart Shed, Rose Farm) withdrawn; 22/07563/FUL (Maccabee Kennels, Bar Lane, Owlswick) refused; 22/07646/ADRC and 22/08044/ADRC (Bumpers Farm, Ilmer) permit, detail reserved by condition; 23/06421/ADRC (Horsenden Manor) permit, detail reserved by condition.
The following new applications were reviewed, discussed and comments approved:
- APP/K0425/C/23/3325221: Saddleback Barn Lower Icknield Way Longwick — No comment required
- PR202308-328821: Thame Road Layby (street trading consent, replacing existing trader) — No objection, subject to a condition that the layby is kept free of litter and rubbish from the food van every day
- 23/07055/CTREE: Lamb Cottage, Owlswick — No comment (submitted under delegated authority)
- 23/07174/CTREE: St Michaels Church, Horsenden Lane — No comment (submitted under delegated authority)
- 23/07185/ADRC and 23/07248/MINAMD: Land to South of Rose Farm Thame Road — For information only, no comment required
- 23/07215/CTREE and 23/07216/CTREE: 1 and 2 The Cottages, Owlswick — No comment
- 23/07179/ADRC: Land to the South of Rose Farm Thame Road — For information only, no comment required
All comments were approved.
The following applications' status has changed:
- 22/07389/CLP: Barn Cottage Horsenden Lane — Grant certificate, proposed development
- 22/07716/ADRC: Bumpers Farm Ilmer Lane, Ilmer — Permit, detail reserved by condition
- 23/06432/ADRC: Rose Farm Thame Road Longwick — Part allow, part refuse
- 23/05954/FUL: Orchard View Stockwell Lane, Little Meadle — Application permitted
- 23/06901/MINAMD: Twyn Elms Thame Road Longwick — Application permitted
- 23/06923/CTREE: Cozens Holdings Owlswick — Not to make a tree preservation order
79. TO NOTE AUGUST PAYMENTS MADE UNDER DELEGATED AUTHORITY:
| Payee | Net | VAT | Gross | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tracey Martin | £668.10 | £668.10 | Clerk Salary | |
| HMRC | £87.20 | £87.20 | PAYE | |
| Tracey Martin | £90.00 | £90.00 | Home Allowance, 18 weeks | |
| Shield Maintenance | £143.00 | £28.60 | £171.60 | Bin Emptying |
| PKF Littlejohn | £420.00 | £84.00 | £504.00 | Annual External Audit |
| PRTC | £1,338.67 | £267.73 | £1,606.40 | Playing Field Grass Cutting and Ilmer |
| PRTC | £645.30 | £129.06 | £774.36 | D/S Grass Cutting 27/07/23 |
| PRTC | £406.30 | £81.26 | £487.56 | D/S Grass Cutting 14, 16, 26th June |
| PRTC | £358.50 | £71.70 | £430.20 | D/S Grass Cutting 18th May |
| Total | £4,157.07 | £662.35 | £4,819.42 |
CashPlus Card: Flags and Flagpoles £45.54 gross (Union Jack Flag). Direct Debits / Standing Orders: EDF Energy £25.00 (Electricity monthly payment); Nest £41.80 (Pension Contribution).
80. TO NOTE ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BUDGET:
| Payee | Net | VAT | Gross | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tracey Martin | £667.90 | £667.90 | Clerk Salary | |
| HMRC | £87.40 | £87.40 | PAYE | |
| Shield Maintenance | £143.00 | £28.60 | £171.60 | Bin Emptying |
| JR Sports Group | £450.00 | £450.00 | Play in the Park | |
| PRTC | £693.10 | £138.62 | £831.72 | D/S Grass Cutting 15 & 31/08/23 |
| Total | £2,041.40 | £167.22 | £2,208.62 |
Cashplus Card: GiffGaff £6.00 gross (Mobile Top Up); GiffGaff £6.00 gross (Mobile Top Up). Direct Debits / Standing Orders: EDF Energy £25.00 (Electricity monthly payment); Nest £41.80 (Pension Contribution).
The Clerk added that a late payment had been received for £60.00 for the Remembrance Service wreath. All payments were approved.
81. TO CONSIDER ADOPTING THE NW CHILTERN COMMUNITY GARDEN PROJECT: Cllr McPherson reported that this is now withdrawn.
82. TO NOTE COMPLETION OF ANNUAL GOVERNANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY RETURN AND CONFIRM NOTICE OF COMPLETION OF AUDIT: Annual Governance and Accountability Return noted and dates of completion of audit confirmed.
83. TO NOMINATE COUNCILLORS TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MONTHLY PLAYGROUND INSPECTIONS: Cllr Barter and Cllr Myers volunteered and will split the duty on an alternate monthly basis. Clerk to circulate template inspection report. Action: Clerk
Cllr McPherson thanked the Councillors for volunteering.
84. TO CONSIDER A HIRING POLICY FOR THE PLAYING FIELD AND POSSIBLE HIRING COSTS: Deferred.
85. TO CONSIDER OPTIONS FOR CUTTING OF GRASS/WEEDS UNDER THE FENCING BORDERING THE CAR PARK AT THE PLAYING FIELD: The Clerk reported that the current contractor is unable to cut under the fencing without damaging it. It was agreed to get a quote for using safe pesticides to kill the grass and weeds.
86. TO DISCUSS AND DECIDE ON ANY RESPONSES TO CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED AND/OR ISSUED BY THE PARISH COUNCIL:
- The condition of the footpath outside the Shell garage on the Thame Road is being damaged by HGVs parking on the roadside. This has been reported on FixMyStreet but no action taken yet. The resident had suggested small posts or stones to deter parking. It was agreed the Clerk would write to the Local Area Technician, copying in Buckinghamshire Councillors. Action: Clerk
- Additional screening bordering the Miller Homes Development. Councillors raised this with Miller Homes at the opening of the development.
- Anti-social behaviour at the playing field around the rotunda. The Clerk confirmed that Buckinghamshire Council have just launched some new guidance and Cllr McPherson is attending a briefing session on this. It was proposed that the rotunda could be relocated to a better-lit area of the playing field which would be covered by the CCTV, or alternatively completely removed from the playing field. Clerk to obtain quotes for both options. Action: Clerk
- Installation of a turning mirror at Chestnut Way junction. The Clerk reported that she had discussed this with the Local Area Technician and Buckinghamshire Council do not consider turning mirrors, as there is a strong sense that they can result in over-reliance, and if the factors mentioned also play a part, this can lead to even more issues with pulling from the junction than there was to begin with.
87. TO RECEIVE REPORTS FROM COUNCILLORS ON MEETINGS THAT THEY HAVE PARTICIPATED IN ON BEHALF OF THE PARISH COUNCIL:
- Cllr Rogers reported that the North West Chiltern Community Board Meeting and Walking and Cycling Provision had been attended.
- Cllr McPherson provided an update on the Community Garden and Horse Therapy projects.
- Cllr McPherson and Cllr Richards met with the Senior Road Safety Team Leader for the Transport Proposal and are now awaiting costings.
- Cllr Richards confirmed that he had met with Buckinghamshire Council Officers and Councillors regarding safety measures for the house at the corner as you enter into Meadle.
- A meeting had taken place with Buckinghamshire Councillors to consider measures for traffic turning out of Wickfield to stop accidents and near misses. Proposals are being made.
88. TO CONSIDER AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING: Send through to Clerk.
89. TO CONFIRM THE DATES AND TIMES OF THE NEXT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING: The next meeting will be on Tuesday 17th October at 7.30pm at Longwick Village Hall.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.41pm.