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Parish Meeting Minutes - 19 Apr 1994

Minutes of the Longwick-cum-Ilmer Parish Meeting on 19th Apr 1994.

MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF LONGWICK-CUM-ILMER PARISH HELD AT LONGWICK VILLAGE HALL ON TUESDAY, 19th APRIL 1994 AT 8.00PM.

Present: Mrs S J Rogers (Chairman) Mr J V Maude (Secretary) Cllrs Mrs Brock, Mrs Priestley, Mr Butler, Mr Harper, Mr Lawrence and Mr Walker. Also present were Mr C Mansfield (Snr Planning Off, WDC), Mr R Blaikie (Development Off, Health and Housing Dept, WDC), Mr B Everett (Rural Initiatives Manager, Warden Housing Assn), Mr N Hunt (Bucks Free Press) and 8 electors of the Parish.

1. MINUTES. The Minutes of the Annual Meeting held on 20th April 1993 were read, confirmed and signed.

2. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT. The Chairman introduced the Councillors, Clerk and outside visitors. She explained the reason for the Meeting, and how it differed from a normal Parish Council Meeting. She then reviewed the past year, reporting that during the year, the Parish Council considered 19 planning applications; to 14 of these there were no objections, but to 5 the Council objected. To date, the planning authority (WDC) had given conditional permission to 10 applications, had refused 2, and decisions on the other 7 applications were still awaited.

The Chairman went on to state that 1994 was the Centenary Year for Parish Councils, including Longwick-cum-Ilmer, although she pointed out that 100 years ago the Parish only consisted of Illmire (Ilmer) and that in those days Longwick came under Princes Risborough, and Owlswick and Meadle under Monks Risborough (ie, the old ecclesiastical parishes). Nevertheless, the Parish retained the continuous record of Meeting Minutes, which would be on display at this year's fete (30 Apr). In addition to this display of Parish memorabilia, the Parish Council intended to comemorate the Centenary of the Parishes in the following ways:

1. By planting commemorative trees at the entrance to the Playing Field, and other trees and shrubs along the Playing Field Annex boundary and on land at the junction of Thame Road and Chestnut Way. (This had already taken place during March this year, when a total of 70 trees and some 80 shrubs had been planted.)

2. By purchasing 2 commemorative seats to be positioned on the Playing Field for the benefit of spectators.

3. By organising a Commemorative Walk round footpaths of the parish, lasting about 1 1/2 hrs, on the morning of 1 May, and,

4. By having a Commemorative Church Service in St Peter's Church, Ilmer on the evening of Sun, 1 May (followed by Cheese and Wine on the Green); local village organisations had undertaken to decorate the church for this event, and these decorations would also be on display throughout the weekend of the Fete.

Finally, the Chairman thanked the WI for providing refreshments at the Meeting, and the Parish Clerk for his continuing efforts on behalf of the Parish Council.

3. BRIEFING ON PROPOSED LOW-COST HOUSING SCHEME FOR LONGWICK. Mr Blaikie began by explaining the role of his department in liaising with Housing Authorities to fulfil the low-cost housing needs of the District. He explained that these houses (partly Government funded via the Housing Corporation) had replaced Council Houses, and that WDC had an on-going programme to meet a target of 1500 units in 5 years of which approximately one half had been started or scheduled to date. For rural housing, one major criterion was that all nominations for tenancy or shared-equity purchase must have a connection with the Parish concerned. Regarding timescales, bids for grants were normally submitted in October for consideration by the Housing Corporation by the following April; in these bids, WDC was competing with all other authorities, but had had a good record of success so far.

Mr Mansfield then explained the Planning System, and how identified housing needs could be met. He explained Rural Exception Sites (ie, sites in the countryside not normally available for private housing development) and detailed the criteria applicable to these sites, ie, a proven need, sites integral to the village and near to facilities, harmonisation with existing properties, and the fact that all normal detailed planning considerations and constraints would still apply to these sites. He finally emphasised the need for close cooperation between all parties, not least the parishes concerned, to ensure that the right development took place.

Finally Mr Everett explained the background and role of his Housing Association, how they had undertaken, in conjunction with the Parish Council, a Housing Needs Survey which had established a need in Longwick for 6 housing units (3 x 1-bed and 3 x 2-bed). He reiterated the tenanting policy which was based on the essential connection of potential tenants with the local community, and explained how this was achieved with the continuous active participation of the Parish Council. He went on to explain the funding arrangements (50/50 Housing Association/private), the tenancy systems (rented/shared equity), and how the Association's commitment to a Section 106 Agreement ensured that the property remained available to the village in perpetuity. Finally, he mapped out the way ahead; the identification of suitable land (which process had already started), the preparation of a sketch scheme to present to WDC (Sep 94), agreement with WDC on a finalised scheme (Spring 95 to coincide with funding availability) and a start on site in Autumn 95 (all being well).

The Chairman then opened the discussion to questions from the floor:

Mrs Kerrod asked how the parishioners would know what was going on? The answer was; via attendance at Parish Council Meetings, and by possible items in the Village Newsletter (Mr Everett undertook to provide information for this, or seperate Information Sheets).

Mr Bannard asked for further clarification of the "exception scheme" and whether it could set a precedent for further private development? Mr Mansfield explained that the scheme permitted land which would not normally be allowed for development because of planning policies to be made available to meet a proven rural housing need. In no circumstances would any extension of development be allowed by the Planning Authorities, so there was no fear of setting any precedent.

Mrs Brock asked what price was normally paid for land for a low-cost housing scheme? Mr Everett replied that prices slightly above agricultural land values could be expected, but nothing like private, commercial development values.

Mrs Priestley asked if any local schemes were up and running? Mr Everett replied that the nearest completed scheme by his Association was in Bedfordshire, with the majority of others south of the Thames, mainly in Sussex. He and Mr Blaikie agreed to see if photographs of completed schemes could be made available for general information.

Mr Holloway questioned the procedures for the sale of part-equity houses, particularly as tenancy was restricted to persons with a local connection? Mr Everett replied that, normally, sales would be the same as any other house, ie, at prevailing market values (but accepting the limitations of "local" ownership). He also pointed out that a scheme would not seek to fully satisfy a perceived need, and that there could usually be expected to be more local people wanting houses than could be accommodated at any one time. Nevertheless, shared-equity did not provide any absolute guarantees, but was driven by the market.

4. PAROCHIAL CHARITY ACCOUNTS.

In accordance with the Charities Act, 1960, the accounts of The Princes Risborough Charity and the Monks Risborough Parochial Charities were laid before the Meeting. Mr Maude summarised the accounts as follows:

The Chairman advised the meeting that Mr Gilman, the Clerk to the Trustees of the Charities had sadly passed away shortly after completing the above accounts; she wished to place on record her appreciation of the sterling work he had undertaken for the Charities for many years. Her feelings were supported unanimously.

5. ACCOUNTS 1993/4 & PRECEPT 1994/5

Mr Maude placed before the Meeting the Statement of Accounts 1993/4 of the Parish Council (see Annex), and advised the Meeting that the Parish Precept for 1993/4 would be £4334.00.

6. QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR.

There were no questions from the floor.

The Meeting closed at 9.15pm.

LONGWICK-CUM-ILMER PARISH COUNCIL

STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS - 1993/4

PRECEPT - £3980.00

EXPENDITURE

Clerk's Salary £500.00 Clerk's Home Office Allowance £100.00 Clerk's Phone £ 93.94 Clerk's Car Mileage £ 27.24 Petty Cash (inc Duplicating) £ 94.33

REGULAR EXPENDITURE Village Hall hire (PC Mtgs) £ 67.00 Village Hall Grant Aid £1000.00 VH/PF Renewal/Repairs £489.95 PC Insurance (inc Village Hall) £488.66 Audit Fee (Reserve) £100.00 Footpath Rent (to BCC) £ 10.00 Pr. Ris. New Burial Ground (Reserve) £500.00

SUBSCRIPTIONS & DONATIONS Bucks Assn of Local Councils £ 94.99 Bucks Assn of Youth Clubs £ 10.00 Wycombe Dist Assn of Local Councils £ 4.00 Bucks Playing Fields Assn £ 10.00 Bucks Council for Voluntary Services £ 5.00 Council for Preservation of Rural England £ 15.00 Ilmer PCC (Graveyard Maintenance) £ 30.00 Horsenden PCC ( " " ) £ 30.00 NALC Centenary Appeal £ 20.00 Society of Local Council Clerks £ 19.00 ACRE Magazine £ 10.00

NON-REGULAR EXPENDITURE Playpark Grant (Balance) £ 57.77

FREE RESOURCE Longwick Village Newsletter (Grant) £ 45.00

Balance cf £158.12 Total £3980.00 ------------------------ RESERVE FUNDS Princes Risborough New Burial Ground (total) c/f £1000.00 Audit Fees (total) c/f £206.50 Free Resource Balance c/f £367.29

[Signature: B. W. Butler] 18 APR 95