Parish Meeting Minutes - 30 Mar 1976
Minutes of the Longwick-cum-Ilmer Parish Meeting on 30th Mar 1976.
Minutes of Annual Meeting of Parish held on Tuesday, 30th March, 1976 in Longwick Village Hall.
Present: Mr. W.G. Underwood (In the Chair), Councillors. D. Brock, L.E. Metcalfe, H.C. Restall, T.G.T. Taylor, and J. Walker. There were nine members of the public present.
Minutes: The Minutes of the previous Annual Meeting were read, agreed and signed.
The Chairman informed those present of a number of matters which had come before the Parish Council during the last year:
There had been a change of Chairman. The Council's thanks were recorded for the work done during the past years in which Mr. Walker had served as Chairman.
The Chairman reported that the question of the land at the corner of Bell Crescent was under attention both by the Parish Council and the District Council and it was hoped that the combined efforts would lead to this area being tidied up in the near future.
It was reported that negotiations were in process between the local bus company and the County Council which it was hoped would result in an improved bus service to the village.
Planning applications - 40 applications had been received during the year; Comments had been made on about 25% of these, the remainder having been for the most part applications for extensions and garages, etc.
Local Societies - On 1st December 1975 the Parish Council had met the Chairmen and Secretaries of the various local organisations to promote closer liaison between the Parish Council and these organisations.
Bell Farm Development - It was reported that the Parish Council had opposed the application to develop this site further by erecting 66 detached houses and garages, as did also the District Council. Roy Cutler Homes Ltd had appealed against this decision and the appeal had been heard by an Inspector on 17th February 1976. To ascertain the feelings of the residents of Longwick a questionnaire had been circulated asking whether the residents were in favour of a development of this nature at the present time or if they felt that further development of the village should be deferred until such time as a village plan could be prepared. 417 Questionnaires circulated 8 Replies received in favour of the development; 121 Replies received against the development.
School Playing Field - The Chairman reported that provision was to be made by the Education Authorities for a footpath to link the Playing Field with Dorrells Road thereby giving access to the Village Playing Field.
Youth Services - The Buckinghamshire Council for Voluntary Youth Services conducted a Rural Survey in an effort to examine the provision of youth service facilities throughout the rural areas of the county. Following our reply to the questionnaire and the summary of the replies received generally, the Youth and Community Officer was to contact the Youth Leader.
Association of Local Councils - four meetings had been held during the year, all of which had been attended by a representative from the Parish Council. A Seminar for Councillors and Clerks was also held and our Parish was well represented on this occasion also.
Conservation areas - The Parish Council were pleased to learn that Meadle village was on the list of areas designated as conservation areas. Work on this particular village would be put in hand when staff time permitted; this was not likely to be within the next twelve months as work on the local plans has to be given first priority, but as soon as the present programme of work was complete, the section would concentrate on conservation area work.
Elm Trees - Negotiations were in hand for the planting of trees within the Parish to fill the void caused by the Dutch Elm disease. These trees would be ready for planting in 1977.
Traffic experiment - The County Council conducted a survey on the control and regulation on the movement of vehicles in a zone south-west of Aylesbury, which zone included this Parish. During the Before Study, a total of 461 trips were recorded in the zone in the 12 hour period 6.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. In the same period during the After Study (carried out approximately six weeks after the introduction of the prohibitions) a total of 376 trips was recorded - a reduction of 19%.
Draft County Structure Plan - Mr. Walker gave a report on a meeting he had attended in Aylesbury to discuss the Draft County Structure Plan.
Matters brought up by members of the Public:
Playing Field Equipment - Mrs. Priestley asked if more play equipment could be provided on the village playing field. It was agreed that this item should be brought before the Playing Field Committee.
Royco Estate - Mr. Conran asked if the question of landscaping this estate could be raised with the District Council.
Street Lighting - Mr. Bravery raised the question of street lighting; this matter was deferred as it was felt that public opinion had not changed dramatically since the last public meeting.
Speed Limits - Mr. Bartin raised the question of the speed limit by the bridge on the Icknield Way. Agreed to take this up with the County.
Bar Lane - Mr. Bravery thought the positioning of the sign 'Major Road Ahead' was too close to the junction of Bar Lane and Thame Road, being a major cause of the number of accidents at this point. Agreed to take up with the County.
Speed Limit - It was agreed to take up with the County the question of the speed limit on the Thame Road through the village - it was felt that very few drivers conformed to this limit
W G Underwood. 9 May 1977