MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

held in The Library Room, Wendover

on 5 February 2007 starting at 7.45pm and concluding at 8.55 pm

PRESENT Cllrs Mrs Gregory, Mrs Ballantine, Dr King, Mrs Kearney, Mrs McKechnie, Bowles, McPartland, Weston, Wilkinson and Worth
County Councillor Mrs Clayton, District Councillor Richards, a member of the press and 12 members of the public

Chairman: Cllr Richard Gridley

Clerk: Fiona Lippmann

07/177 AMENDMENT TO AGENDA

The Chairman requested an alteration to the agenda for item 9a to be brought forward with additional Public Participation for comments on the proposed cycle route.

07/178 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Cllrs Peeler sent his apologies.
Cllr Mrs Myers was not present due to illness.

07/179 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
None were declared

07/180 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

The Chairman adjourned the meeting to allow members of the public to speak.

Dr Ian Toplis requested that the Council sponsor the dedication on the seat that had been donated by his late wife, and Clerk, Jane. This was AGREED by members present. Dr. Toplis thanked the Council.

The Chairman then reconvened the meeting.

07/181 COUNTY COUNCILLOR'S REPORT
Cllr Mrs Clayton expressed her view that the Local Committee Meetings were extremely useful, especially regarding highways maintenance and that the Cluster Meeting was now well attended.

Cllr Mrs Clayton commented on changes to planning PPP3 to PPPS3, in that development on brownfield sites did not count towards new housing figures.

In trial areas, overhead lights were being replaced by upgraded cats' eyes. This would be happening gradually over the next couple of months.

The County Council would be increasing their tranche of Council Tax by 4.5%.

All five local councils had signed up for the, 'Pathfinder Service'. This would enable the councils to work together.

Cllr Mrs Clayton had attended a sit visit with the engineers concerned with the proposed new cycle path. She was concerned with the width of the pavement in the area beyond Victory road and down Wharf Road. She had recommended that a diversion would appear a much safer option on the last stretch.

Cllr Mrs Clayton reported to the council that George Powell, a previous councillor, had passed away, aged 96. She requested that the Parish Council put in a small item in their next Parish Council Newsletter.

07/182 DISTRICT COUNCILLOR'S REPORT
Cllr McPartland commented on the Cluster Group Meeting and the Youth
Funding Scheme, along with a scheme for older residents, utilising school
buildings after school hours.

He commented on the cycle route proposal, emphasising how important it
was that the Council support it, his prime concern though, was for the
safety of cyclists and pedestrians. He believed that it had to be acknowledged
as a safe route for all.

07/183 MINUTES OF THE MEETING held on 8 January 2007
It was AGREED that the minutes were a true record of the meeting,
The Chairman then signed the minutes. Proposed by Cllr Mrs McKechnie
seconded by Cllr. McPartland

07/184 FINANCE COMMITTEE held on 8 January 2007

Cllr Mrs McKechnie gave a verbal report of the meeting on 8 January 2007.

07/185 CLERK'S REPORT

The Clerk presented her report.

07/186 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION regarding the proposed cycle route.
The Chairman adjourned the meeting to allow members of the public to speak.

Seven members of the public spoke on the proposed cycle route.

The Chairman then reconvened the meeting.

07/187 PROPOSED CYCLE ROUTE
Members of the Council commented on the proposed cycle route.

The Chairman summed up with the following comment, "The Parish Council supports this proposal subject to an amendment to take the route down Victory Road and through Bankside, along the Paddocks and/or along the towpath, with a long term plan to provide a bridge in the future and look to whether the route should be extended as far as Halton Lane, thereby balancing the risk of conflict between cyclists and pedestrians and motorists"

07/188 SWITCHING OFF OF HIGHWAY LIGHTS
The Parish Council support the switching off of Highway lights to reduce light pollution and reduce the County power bill. This will be judged on health and safety reports that will be monitored over 3 years.

07/189 CONSERVATION AREA

Cllr Weston reported on the meeting with AVDC regarding the Conservation Area. He advised that there will be further consultations.

07/190 PRECEPT

The precept was approved for 2007/8 at a figure of £203.934. An increase of 2.02% on 2006/7.

07/191 CHRISTMAS 2007

This was deferred to Property Management and Tourism Committee.

07/192 PLANNING APPLICATIONS

07/03172/APP Erection of new summerhouse and log/coal store - Fleming House,
High Street. The Parish Council had no objections

07/00015/ACL Continued use of the buildings and land for Class B1 (light industrial) and Class B8 (storage and distribution) purposes - Hideaway Farm, Wendover Road. The Parish Council feels that as this is open countryside the Local Planning Authority consider carefully any decision.

07/00016/ALB Internally illuminated replacement fascia and projecting signs - Lloyds TSB, 11 High Street - APPLICATION WITHDRAWN

07/00105/APP Two dormer windows to the side and rear, two velux windows to front and single storey rear extension - 14 Forest Close. The Parish Council ask that the Local Planning Authority are satisfied that they address the reasons for previous refusal.

07/00143/APP Erection of replacement detached garage and ancillary accommodation and single storey side extension to plant room - Drywick, 91 Ellesborough Road. The Parish Council have no objections.

07/00162/APP Rear conservatory - 7 Bryants Acre. The Parish Council have no objections.

06/02454/APP To consider the Appeal lodged on 24 January 2007 of 2 storey side extension, single storey rear extension and new front porch - 8 Colet Road. No comment

07/193 MATTERS OF REPORT

a) A welcome was given to the new local police constable, PC Andy Greening.

b) It was noted that the Youth Council were no longer operating.

c) The Environment Agency had offered to restock the Hampden Pond with fish.

d) St. Mary's Church had requested a stand on the Manor Waste to celebrate
Freedom Day.

e) Wendover Junior School had been awarded a mark of 'Outstanding' in the latest
OFSTED report.

f) Air Commodore J. Harrison was leaving Halton. The Parish Council wished
him every success. He would be replaced by Group Captain R. Gammage.

g) The Mayor of Aylesbury would be hosting a Curry Night, if any councillors
wished to attend.

h) David Liddington, MP, had noted the possible staff movement from RAF
Halton.

07/194 DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS

Planning Committee will meet on 20 February at 7.30

Recreation Grounds Committee will meet on 20 February after Planning Meeting.

Finance Committee will meet on 5 March 2007 at 7.30 pm

Parish Council will meet on 5 March 2007 at 7.45 pm

07/195 CLOSURE OF MEETING

There being no further business to be transacted, the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.07pm.

Signed:
Date: 5 March 2007

Chairman