PARISH OF STOKENCHURCH

Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held on Wednesday 17th November 2010 at Longburrow Hall

Attendees: Mr Penny (Chairman), Mrs Baker, Mr Conran, Mr Davis, Mr Elliott, Mr Harding, Mr Jones, County Cllr. Frank Downes, District Cllr Chris Watson, Mr Capell (Clerk) together with 10 members of the public.

Before the start of the meeting, the Chairman warmly welcomed Mr and Mrs Wareham, the newly- appointed residential caretakers at Longburrow Hall

1.  Apologies. Mrs Cripps, Mr Dunn and Mr Randall.

2.  Declarations of Interest. Mr Elliott declared a non-pecuniary interest in item 8.5 concerning hire charges for the Rendezvous Play Group

3.  Minutes. It was proposed by Mrs Baker, seconded by Mr Davis and agreed unanimously, that the Minutes of the meeting held on 3rd November be approved.

4.  Matters Arising. Members noted that two quotations in connection with tree pruning at Bowling Green Common had been obtained; a meeting with a third contractor was to be held on 25th November and advice had also been requested from the WDC Arboriculturist. It was accepted that since no firm plans had been received in respect of the Slade Road school site, no action could be considered in respect of the play area

5.  Reports & Actions. Mr Dunn was currently attending a meeting with BCC representatives concerning proposals for the future of the Stokenchurch library. There will be a working party organized by the local Lodge of the Freemasons to clear undergrowth at Marlow Road cemetery on this coming Sunday.

6.  Other Parish Matters. Drain at Park Lane, Cricket Ground Lane, Longburrow Hall booking.

7.  Planning. Members resolved that they had no objections to two planning applications – 07511 (single storey rear extension at “Toweridge” Wycombe Road, Stokenchurch and 064747 (relating to access road material at 14 Mill Road, Stokenchurch). In the case of a revised application (07324) for the conversion of the Studley Arms, Members reiterated their previous recommendation of no objection, but asked that their disappointment that apparently no notice had been taken of concerns relating to a footpath, use of the car park and work on the Water End Road/A40 junction, be brought to the attention of WDC. Members recommended approval of an application by Globe Wines for use of “Karenza” Wycombe Road, Stokenchurch for licensed premises.

8.  Finance. (i) Bills Payable. It was proposed by Mrs Baker, seconded by Mr Jones and unanimously approved that the Bills Payable in the sum of £2,826.61 be approved. (ii) Accounts for October. It was proposed by Mr Conran, seconded by Mr Jones and unanimously approved that the accounts be approved. (iii) Photocopier costs. It was proposed by Mr Jones, seconded by Mr Conran and agreed by majority decision, that outside use of the photocopier be charged at 5p per copy. Mr Elliott and Mr Harding abstained. (iv) Leaf blower. It was proposed by Mr Davis, seconded by Mrs Baker and agreed by majority decision, that the purchase of a leaf blower in the sum of £165 be approved. MrJones abstained. (v) Dog Litter Bin. After careful discussion, Members decided not to proceed with the purchase of a Dog waste bin for use in the Mill Road area. (vi) Hall hire charges: Rendezvous Play Group. It was agreed that the current arrangements whereby the Play Group is accorded a discounted hire charge, be continued for a further period of 6 months.

9.  Correspondence. (i) Request for a car wash business at the Kings Hotel car park. Mr Zafir Ali and two colleagues in attendance; the Chairman read a letter from Mr Ali asking for exclusive use of 6 spaces plus a space for a portakabin at the public car park. Whilst Members applauded the commercial initiative, it was pointed out that the car park was heavily used and that it was situated in the Conservation Area as well as on Common land, which should not be used for commercial enterprise. With regret, the request was refused and it was suggested to Mr Ali, that application could be made to the Studley Green Garden Centre, where a car wash business had been previously sited. (ii) Request from Stokenchurch Scouts & Guides. Mrs Joan Timms, Chairman of the Management Committee in attendance. Member unanimously approved a proposal from the Scouts & Guides Management Committee that the Parish Council staff assist with bookings and other administrative duties at the new Headquarters. The appropriate wage (currently £7.82 per hour) will be claimed for all hours worked on behalf of the Scouts & Guides.

10. Scouts & Guides HQ. Mrs Timms reported that completion of the building was expected in mid-February; the formal opening will take place on 23rd April. Discussions about an over-flow car park were continuing.

11. MUGA. The clerk was asked to contact Mr Ken Armstrong about pursuing the planning application for the floodlights.

12. Travellers Sites. Nothing further to report.

13. Vantage Land. An e-mail, received today, from Mr Alistair Nicholson, Senior Planning Officer at Wycombe District Council was read to the great disappointment of Parish Councillors and members of the audience. Although it may be the case that no illegal sales of land had occurred, Green Belt regulations were being flaunted, the landscape around the village was being scarred and access rights abused. Cllr Chris Watson, who arrived with colleagues from the Library consultation meeting at 8.50 pm said that he will raise the matter with Mr Nicholson, and also with the WDC Cabinet. He felt that the WDC officers had acted tardily in relation to enforcing an Article 4 notice concerning fencing on the land. Other concerns included the erosion of the village boundary, improper use of prime agricultural land, conversion of footpaths/bridleways into access roads and entry/egress onto the highway at dangerous locations. Radnage residents were equally concerned. It was agreed that representations will be made to Mr Lidington MP and appropriate Country organizations.

14. Stokenchurch Library. Cty Cllr Frank Downes, who had also attended the consultation meeting about the future of the local library described the background financial position faced by the County Council, whereby expenditure reductions of £90 million had to be achieved over the next 4 years. It is likely that unless local arrangements to run 14 village libraries on a voluntary community basis can be made, these libraries will be closed within the next 3 years. The County Council hopes that volunteers will be forthcoming and has offered appropriate training and IT support for the book loan and reservation system. Sadly due to short notice and other factors, the meeting tonight at the Community Centre had only attracted about 30 residents, so it was suggested that the Parish Council invite the BCC representatives to give another presentation, hopefully at a time when more villagers would be able to attend. The focus would be to discover what support there is, in the village, for the library to continue on a ‘voluntary’ basis; the Parish Council would publicize the meeting widely and if support is manifest, consider taking the lead in making the necessary arrangements to set up a group of volunteers, following appropriate negotiations with the County officials.

15. Slade Road Development. Nothing further to report.

16. Other Parish Matters. The clerk reported that he had not heard further concerning the drainage leak in Park Lane. It was agreed that ‘Cricket Ground Lane sign’ appear as an agenda item for the next meeting. Information concerning the Hall being left in an unsatisfactory condition following use by the Stokenchurch Juniors FC disco party was reported. Members agreed that the organizers should be contacted before consideration was given to withholding the Good Condition deposit. In future, any such incidents should be reported to 2 Members of the Council who will inspect the premises and decide whether the deposit, or part of it should be retained. Mr Cripps informed Members that he will shortly meet the webmaster to discuss improvements to the website.

There being no further business, the meeting concluded at 9.30pm.