PARISH OF STOKENCHURCH
Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held on Wednesday 21st September 2011 at Longburrow Hall
Attendees: Mr Penny (Chairman), Mrs Baker, Mrs Cripps, Mr Conran , Mr Davis, Mr Elliott, Mr Jones, Mr Parkinson, Mr Randall, Mr Saunders, Mr Capell (Clerk) and 4 members of the public.
1. Apologies were received from Mr Thomas and WDC Cllr Michelle Neudecker.
2. Declarations of Interest. None.
3. Village Christmas Celebrations (Mr Callum Stewart and Mrs Jan Elson in attendance) Mr Stewart distributed a paper with proposals and costings for this year’s Village Christmas Tree. Members noted that for similar arrangements as last year, but including a sound system (i.e. microphones and loudspeakers to counter traffic noise), the total cost will not exceed £1120, but Mr Stewart expects to achieve lower costs; further details will be provided at a meeting in October. In answer to questions from Members, Mr Stewart clarified arrangements for stabilising the tree and its removal and undertook to see if a local contractor could provide a 6m tree at cost. It was proposed by Mr Penny, seconded by Mr Conran and agreed by majority decision, that Mr Stewart’s offer and costings be approved; Mr Elliott and Mr Parkinson voted against.
Mr Stewart and Mrs Elson described local support for a Christmas Fayre to take place on 26th November, when the Christmas Tree lights are switched on and residents enjoy the carol singing. The Fayre will feature festive fare, Christmas products, Santa’s grotto, reindeer etc, but in addition, Miss Betty Messenger had generously offered to fund a giant, illuminated “Bouncy Snowman” and an ice-skating rink in the car park at the Kings Hotel – this would be available to villagers, but also one of the stars of TV’s Dancing on Ice had promised to give a demonstration. Profits from the Christmas Fayre will be donated to the Ian Rennie Hospice. Members warmly welcomed this proposal and recorded their thanks to Miss Messenger, Mrs Elson and Mr Stewart.
4. Minutes. It was proposed by Mr Conran, seconded by Mr Davis and agreed by majority decision, that the Minutes of 7th September be approved. Mrs Cripps abstained.
5. Matters Arising. Mr Elliott advised that he had not had an opportunity to consider the issue of the doorbell.
6. Reports & Actions. Mr Jones reported that he had met with Cty Cllr Frank Downes and officers from Bucks Highways re street lighting on the A40 in Studley Green and hoped that some improvement could be effected. Mr Davis reported on the ‘village tour’ for Parish Councillors, which had been very informative; the Chairman had contacted Calor and on Calor’s advice, Bucks Fire & Rescue about discarded gas canisters in the yard behind the former Four Horseshoes public house. Mr Elliott’s caveat about illegal entry onto private property was regarded as of secondary importance to the paramount safety issue. The clerk was asked to follow up on rubbish dumped on the premises and a broken boundary fence.
7. Other Parish Matters. Members listed the following matters: Football club container, posts, Longburrow Hall, Bowling Green, village gates, dangerous umbrella, bulbs, post office wedding .
8. Planning. Five applications were considered: 06994 (3 George Road) No objection. 06965 (Beechwood, Horsleys Green Road) No objection. 07062 (Conway, St Francis Road, Studley Green) No comment. 07019 (4 Malet Close) No objection. 07030 (Track at Coopers Court Farm) “Subject to the agricultural access being gated, Stokenchurch Parish Council ‘has no problem’ with this application, but please refer to BCC Rights of Way Officer” – Mr Elliott asked that his exact wording be reported the Planning Authority. Various planning decisions made by the District Council were noted; Mrs Baker sought clarification about a decision relating to Springfield
9. Finance. It was proposed by Mr Jones, seconded by Mr Conran and agreed by majority decision, that the Bills Payable (in the sum of £1427.04) and the Accounts for August be approved. Mr Elliott abstained. In the case of an application for grant from Bucks Age Concern, it was agreed that a donation of £50 be made – proposed Mr Penny, seconded Mrs Cripps.
10. Correspondence. An invitation was received from the Bucks Playing Fields Association to attend its AGM on 4th October; it may be possible to apply for a small grant towards the MUGA floodlighting. An application for an indoor Bouncy Castle for an infant’s birthday party on 9th October was agreed; Mr Parkinson abstained, when this matter was voted upon. Information was received from Bucks Highways concerning the supply of winter road salt. A resident had written about potholes in the track across Bowling Green Common and Members agreed to consider this issue further in the budget estimates for 2012/2013. A report was received from the caretaker about the kitchen and toilets being left in an untidy state following a recent hire by ‘Splat Cooking’ As a Parish Councillor had not corroborated the allegation, it was decided not to withhold any of the good condition deposit, but the clerk was asked to write to the proprietor about future hires. An e-mail was received about the request from the Football Club to install a container for use a store on Longburrow field.
11. Scouts & Guides Headquarters. No new developments, except that Mr Parkinson reported that the premises were being used by the Baby Clinic, whilst Longburrow is being redecorated
12. to 14. MUGA, Travellers’ Sites and Vantage Land. Nothing to report
15. Stokenchurch Library Mr Cripps reported that 230 survey forms had been analyzed, but more were expected when 550 forms are dispatched to parents by the local primary school. A variety of opinions on the future of the library had been received but Mr Cripps was gratified to report a substantial number of volunteers willing to help keep the library open.
16. Slade Road School Site. Mr Elliott reported that he had spent several days reading the consultation paper on strategic planning in the future, issued by the District Council and was able to advise colleagues that 0.9 hectares of the former school site was reserved for housing development and a similar area was intended for leisure use by children. He opined that the Council “should watch this space”
17. Allotment Rules. Following representations from some plot-holders, the Chairman had made some minor revisions to the allotment rules, including requirements concerning bonfires and the maintenance of paths. Mr Elliott was concerned that the rules should be more explicit about inconsiderate parking in Cricket Ground Lane, the legal right to inspect for storage of prohibited chemicals on allotment plots and the cultivation of plants injurious to health. Mrs Baker suggested that allotment gardens be limited to one plot per household unless there are unclaimed plots, but after further careful consideration, it was proposed by Mr Penny, seconded by Mr Randall and agreed by majority decision to adopt the new rules. Mr Elliott abstained
18. Other Parish Matters. The following matters were raised:-
· Mrs Baker elucidated on a claim of ownership of a small area of land near the Old Bakehouse on the Bowling Green; a meeting is to be held with Bucks Housing.
· The soakaway on the car-park at Longburrow Hall needs repair
· Posts on the Common near Lloyds Bank should be replaced
· It was agreed that doors and skirting boards in the Hall be painted white, (instead of brown) at a cost of £100 extra on the contracted price.
· The Football Club container/store shall be a recurring item on future agenda papers
· The Freemasons Lodge has agreed to repaint the gates at the entrances to the village
· There is a garden umbrella in a perilous condition at the Four Horseshoes
· Mr Davis proposed that members of the Youth Club and the Scouts be asked to plant spring bulbs on roadside verges
· A request from the local postmaster for a “dummy run” at laying out tables for an Asian wedding was approved.
· A stage was available on loan from the Methodist Hall for use at the wedding or the Theatre in the Villages production as required – arrangements via Mr Jim Casper
· The refuse bin near the Fleur d’Lys should be moved to nearer the Youth Shelter to encourage responsible depositing of litter.
· A list of items noticed by Mr Thomas during the village tour was received – to be referred to the Finance Committee and considered at a future meeting of the Council
· The clerk was asked to arrange for road closure support at the Remembrance Service
· It was agreed that Mr Chadwick will represent the Parish Council at the Planning Conference organized by the Chilterns Conservation Board.
· No information has yet been received about revisions to the local bus service.
· Mr Cripps confirmed that the local Youth Club is alive and thriving, despite the withdrawal of funding by BCC
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.50pm