Minutes of a Meeting of the Parish Council held at 8pm on Thursday 5th February, 2015

The Fairford Leys Community Centre, Hampden Square, Fairford Leys

Present: Cllrs Cole (Chairman), Pattinson, P Hughes, Jarvis, Heberer, Eastwood, Whittaker,

Martin

Keith Gray (Clerk to the Council)

1 ResidentCllr M Smith (AVDC)Chloe Lambert (Bucks Herald)

  1. Apologies for Absence

RESOLVED: To receive and accept apologies for absence from Cllrs Lambert (prior engagement), C Hughes (illness), Yates (work commitment).

  1. Declarations of Interest

To receive any pecuniary or non-pecuniary declarations of interest

To receive written requests for dispensations for disclosable pecuniary interests (if any)

To grant any requests for dispensation as appropriate

  • Cllr Jarvis declared an interest in item 11 in respect of planning application 15/00147/APP due to his previous work for the applicant.
  1. Minutes of the Previous Full Council Meeting 4/12/14

There was no full council meeting in January 2015.

RESOLVED: To accept and sign the minutes of 4/12/14as a true record.

  1. Clerk’s Report

To receive a report from the Clerk on matters dealt with and taking forward

on behalf of the parish council

  • The clerk has met with officers from Bucks County Council and the Ernest Cook Trust to address the issues of land ownership namely Trebah Square and grassed areas in front of properties. It is agreed that these areas are not in the ownership of properties but are adopted land by the County Council, AVDC or the Parish Council and legal documents/Master Plan shows this. County Council were given £300 (by developer) for each tree planted on Fairford Leys. BCC are responsible for the trees near the highway.
  • The clerk updated the council on works in connection with the wooden fence on Jeffrey Walk and were in agreement that this fence should be removed in keeping with the other side of the riverine and landscaping areas. The fence is severely damaged and needs to be removed for safety reasons. The developers have been contacted and work is to begin shortly.
  • The clerk reported on the work of the maintenance team in the following areas:
  • Changing to Summer bedding plants
  • Removing large amounts of rubbish in the riverine, banks, parks and surrounding footpaths
  • Dog fouling continues to be a problem even though we have 18 dog bins across Fairford Leys.
  • Community Payback teams have assisting parish council in various works
  • Park maintenance continues with weeding, painting, repairs to equipment
  • Snow Action Plan put in place with team out on Fairford Leys roads from 6am to ensure all roads clear as well as clearing the main road not in the parish to allow vehicles to drive as many were slipping on bridge near scrap metal works.

RESOLVED: Chairman to suspend Standing Orders to allow questions from the public and any reports from councillors

Haretwell

  1. Questions from the Public & Reports
  • Resident asked for an update on the adoption of the riverine corridor. The clerk stated that various representations have been, and still are being, made to AVDC for speedy adoption of the riverine corridor and open spaced across Fairford Leys.
  • Cllr M Smith (AVDC) reported that the Hs2 meeting held at the Fairford Leys Centre had been a successful event and the mitigation for measures on Fairford Leys had been explained to residents who attended.
  • Cllr S Lambert (BCC) sent a written report on the following matters:

HS2 - the mitigation plans worked up with The National Trust and Bucks County Council were out for a public exhibition on Monday 26th January. The event was well attended and lasted just over four hours. The main thrust of the mitigation is that Instead of a ‘Land Bridge’ there will now be a high banked gulley with considerable planting and screening. The 1km of line past Fairford Leys will still not be visible under these plans and sound mitigation materials will be used in the construction.

Comments were raised on flood mitigation, leisure space, sound barrier bunding and tree planting. On planting There are three distinct bund areas which run from the gentle slopes towards the houses roughly at the end of the football pitches, one near Cooks Road and the other near Portman Mews. Two of these are also rights of way access which will lead to a bridge over the line towards Hartwell House.

The Football pitches should remain open all the way through the build works, though the land has been safeguarded by HS2 just in case it temporarily needs it for storage of earth works. The basic idea for planting is a gentle slope to a security barrier with mature trees, shrubs and copse planting getting more dense towards the ridge of the cutting. At the far end of the village at Grosvenor Way, because of the undulation of the land, the line will be visible and on a viaduct. This cannot be mitigated on the Fairford Leys side, but on the Hartwell House side, will have planting raising up along the Avenue of trees.

The main issue will be the re-siting of the A418 Oxford Road and the traffic movement impacts on the Coldharbour Spine roads as well as the Ellen Road A4010. Construction work will begin in the early stages of the development and will be open before the rail line is constructed. The issues arising from this are the levels of truck movements – estimated at 740 a day. The Old Oxford Road will be landscaped and de-classified as a road with the potential for the historic gatehouse entrance to Hartwell House being restored at the existing roundabout site.

Broadband provision and withdrawal of Connected Counties funding/TPON lines:

While TPoN has been removed from Fairford Leys, some Openreach Cabinets have not been upgraded to Fibre from Copper, this can have an impact on Broadband speeds. Connected Counties have advised the following:

“Our Openreach contact confirmed that the cabinets in Fairford Leys are no longer served by TPoN technology and now form part of the copper network”

And that:

“[low] broadband performance is therefore most likely caused by the elapsed length of the copper lines and the distance from the telephone exchange. As mentioned previously, parts of Fairford Leys have received fibre broadband upgrades (see here - which includes former TPoN cabinets with the 'T' prefix, with one location awaiting completion.

Other cabinet locations in the area are not currently scheduled to be upgraded, given they do not meet the necessary criteria for investment (variables informing value for money assumptions). It is possible that these will be included as part of further broadband investment, either via incremental extensions achieved through the Connected Counties project or Aylesbury Vale District Council funding that was secured at Full Council in December 2014.”

Cllr Lambert reported that he is taking up the issue of fibre upgrades with Connected Counties and AVDC.

Supporting People in Sheltered Housing consultation The county are carrying out a consultation on services for people in sheltered housing, which will run until 31 March 2015.The consultation document proposes a prevention-focused model for sheltered accommodation services.Currently, sheltered accommodation support services are commissioned by the County Council through nine providers, employing almost 30 full time equivalent staff at a total value of £956,637. Following consultation, a decision will be made on the new service model which is planned for implementation in September 2015. Details of the consultation can be found at

  • Cllr Eastwood reported on a matter relating to disability issues/concerns from a resident. There was a problem with a “dropped kerb” and this was being looked into by AVDC/BCC and had also been reported to Cllr M Smith (AVDC). She also raised concerns about speeding vehicles accessing the car park entrance from the side road (public house and gym area) and residents were reporting concerns about possible vehicle collisions due to speed. Reports were also made about people parking on double yellow lines and pavements causing difficulties for disabled residents – advice was given that these issues should be reported immediately to police to deal with. She also made a report on difficulties contacting the local police for updates on youth/care home matters.
  • Cllr Heberer stated that she was dissatisfied, and concerned, with the way the Hs2 mitigation public meeting had been arranged and n parish councillor had been informed the meeting was taking place. She stated, and parish councillors agreed, that the meeting should have been arranged with the parish councillors in attendance and clear notice to the public should have been made to ensure higher numbers of attendance. She reported that some residents were not pleased with the way the meeting had been arranged as they were not aware it was taking place. She reported that it was not correct to be informed of this meeting taking place by a political leaflet.

Cllr Heberer reported that a new event was to take place this year and managed by the Leisure Committee. It is called “Music in the Square” and arrangements have been made to have 3 live bands playing in the square with deck chairs, bar facilities and people can bring their own food. Money will also be raised for a local charity operating from Fairford Leys once they have agreed.

  • Cllr Pattinson stated that the next edition of Coldharbour News would be at the centre on 19/2/15 for councillors to collect and deliver to residents.
  • Cllr P Hughes reported that a number of street lights were still not working and he has been have discussion with BCC about this. He expressed some frustration at the process and lack of professionalism by BCC on this matter. He also reported that he was disappointed at the way the Hs2 mitigation meeting had been arranged and that no parish councillors had been informed. He asked that the National Trust be contacted to express the parish council’s dissatisfaction at the way the event had been notified to some residents with no parish council involvement. The proposal was seconded by the Chairman. The Clerk advised against this approach based on the fact that the parish council were being represented as its representatives for Hs2 matters were Cllrs Lambert and Cole. He advised that although cllrs may be dissatisfied with the way the meeting was arranged, it would be seen by the National Trust that the parish council were represented. Council agreed not to approach the National Trust to express any disappointment.
  • Cllr Cole reported that he too was disappointed at the way the Hs2 public meeting had been arranged. He also reported that Dalwood Mews Garden had been affected by anti-social behaviour and residents had informed the police. The clerk advised that the police must be called on every occasion so that the matters of concern are noted and listed.

RESOLVED: Chairman to reconvene meeting under Standing Orders

  1. Decisions by the Resources & PersonnelCommittee and Leisure Committee Meetings

Council is asked to receive and approve the minutes & decisions of the above Standing Committees. Minutes of the committees have been copied to all councillors.

RESOLVED: Council received and approved the minutes of the Leisure Committee and it was noted that Youth Services Committee minutes were being issued by the Clerk in due course.

  1. Finances and Orders for Payment

RESOLVED: To agree and authorise the following orders and retrospective orders forpayment:

  • C H MorganMaintenance£109.62
  • Fresh Design & PrintPrinting£90.00
  • Abbey Roofing ContractorsRoof Repair£1,158.00FL Centre
  • Sally PattinsonExpenses£15.00
  • Hartwell Fencing & PavementMaintenance£180.00
  • Jones & CocksMaintenance£328.21

£465.84

  • Playsafety LtdRoSPA Checks£470.40
  • K GrayExpenses£90.00
  • George Browns LtdMaintenance£175.00
  • Graham PlumbingMaintenance£2.69

RESOLVED: To receive, accept and agree the financial report (on all areas of the council’s finances) presented by the Clerk and Finance Officer as correct.

Haretwell

  1. Main Play Area

To agree the final arrangements for the refurbishment of the football area and decide whether there should be further consultation with residents on the work decided.

RESOLVED: Council to consult with residents and issue the consultation leaflet designed by Cllr Jarvis.

  1. Hs2 & Petition

To receive an update and agree any further actions necessary

Cllr Cole reported that various meetings had taken place and we await the hearing date for representation at Parliament. A meeting with Hs2 representatives was also being planned.

  1. Youth Services Training

Proposal from the Youth Services Committee that CPC pays (at reduced cost) BCC £1,000 for the training of one of its youth leaders to do a Level 3 Youth Leader Award scheme.

BCC are paying for one place at £1,500 and reducing the fees for the second youth leader.This money, if agreed, would need to come from council reserves.

RESOLVED: Unanimously, not to pay for the additional training for the youth leader but to assess the situation later in the year once the senior youth leader had received the training.

  1. Planning Applications

To receive, comment and to either object, support or oppose the following planning

Applications. To consider late applications presented by the Clerk.

All applications are sent to councillors electronically and cllrs should look at the AVDC website for details of all applications prior to decision at parish council meeting.

  • 15/00147/APP28 Pottery Close, Fairford Leys

Two storey and first storey side extension and

single storey rear extension.

RESOLVED: To Oppose/Object to this application

At a meeting of Coldharbour Parish Council held on 5th February, 2015 the parish council unanimously resolved to Object to the planning application 15/00147/APP on the grounds that the proposed extensions would result in the overdevelopment of the site and change the street scene.

• Over Development of Site - The proposed development by reason of its size, depth, width, height and massing would have an unacceptably adverse impact on the amenities of the properties immediately adjacent to the site and the surrounding area by reason of overlooking, loss of privacy and visually overbearing impact.

•The proposed design would result in an overly assertive and uncharacteristic form of development that would not sit comfortably in the street scene and which would appear unduly dominant to the detriment of the character and appearance of the area.

This would be contrary to policies GP9 and GP35 of the Aylesbury Vale District Local Plan and the Design Guide for Residential Extensions and the advice contained within the National Planning Policy Framework.

•Overbearing in size and design

The proposed extension, by reason of its size and siting, would have an adverse impact on the dwelling.

•Not in Keeping with the overall design of Fairford Leys and is in breach of the Fairford Leys Design

Guidelines. Fairford Leys development is a relatively high density urban concept which is already fairly intensively built up and while there may be scope for extending houses, placing large extensions on properties has an impact on the street scene and aesthetic character as the proposal does not comply with GP9. The proposed extension would be out of keeping with the design and character of neighbouring properties. This proposal does not “sit well” with other properties and gives an unwanted look on the street and design of the properties.

GP8 – Residential Amenity

GP9 – Extensions of dwellings

GP24 – Car Parking Standards

GP35 – Design of new development proposals

  • ERNEST COOK TRUST COVENANTS

The Parish Council refuses permission under the Ernest Cook Trust Covenants. The Property Owner is reminded that should they sell their property this permission will be asked for by the purchaser’s solicitors and if no permission is given this could cause problems with the sale. Although this is not a planning reason for refusal – historical evidence shows the non-application for ECT Covenant permission, and certainly refusal, does have an impact on the sale of the property.

  • 14/03695/APPThe Honey Bee PH

Internally illuminated sign, two externally illuminated fascia signs and one internally illuminated totem sign.

RESOLVED: No Objections

There being no further business of the Council, the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.05pm

Signed: ______Date: ______

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