MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

held in The Library Room, Wendover

on 6 June 2005 starting at 7.45pm and concluding at 9.02pm

PRESENT Cllr Gridley (Chairman)

Cllrs Mrs Ballantine, Mrs Clayton, Mrs Gregory, Mrs Kearney,

Mrs McKechnie, Mrs Toplis, Worth and Wilkinson

3 members of the public; Press; Clerk: Ann Hooton

05/97 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE were received from Cllr McPartland, Mrs Myers and Peeler. Cllr Mrs Kearney sent apologies for her late arrival.

05/98 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Cllr Mrs Clayton recorded her interest in the planning application to renew the provision of temporary classrooms. However, as the interest arose out of her involvement with another authority, it was deemed not to be prejudicial.

05/99 COUNTY COUNCILLOR'S REPORT

The local member reported that there had been changes to the constitution of the Cabinet with Planning and Transportation being divided between two portfolio holders; Strategic Planning and Waste and Transportation. Other areas of community involvement covered issues relating to the long standing water leak at Library Approach Road, poor quality of grass cutting, pavement repairs in Aylesbury Road, revision of hiring charges for the Memorial Hall and the distribution of grants as the Parish Council representative on the Wendover Community Trust.

05/100 DISTRICT COUNCILLOR'S REPORT

District Cllr Richards arrived at this point and reported that, after a meeting with the relevant Minister, AVDC was still awaiting a decision on whether it would be capped on its precept.

05/101 MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 3 May 2005

It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Ballantine and seconded by Cllr Mrs Toplis that the minutes were a true record of the meeting. This was AGREED and they were signed by the Chairman.

05/102 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

a) Minute 05/87 The Goodson Map; No further progress has yet been made on identifying better ways to protect the map.

05/103 FINANCE COMMITTEE held on 6 June 2005

The Acting Chairman of the Finance Committee gave a verbal report on the recommendations which were - to appoint a Vice Chairman at the next meeting and to arrange for that councillor also to have access to the electronic bank statement. The cheques were AGREED and signed as listed and a transfer of £70,500 from the Bank of Ireland to the deposit account was also authorised. It was noted that the dedicated reserves for the Memorial Hall, held in the fixed term account, may only be accessed on 10 October 2005 when the account will be closed and the reserves transferred to the deposit account.

05/104 RECREATION GROUNDS COMMITTEE MEETING held on 17 May 2005

The minutes were received and the recommendations AGREED.

05/105 PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING held on 17 May 2005

The minutes were received and contents noted.

05/106 PLANNING APPLICATIONS

a) Bulletin 17

05/01170/APP Two storey rear extension; 54 Dobbins Lane

The Parish Council has no objection to this application providing that the Environment Agency is satisfied that it will not compromise the water course

b) Bulletin 19

05/01281/ATP Crown lift and thin one lime by 25-30%

47 Wharf Road

The Parish Council considers that trees represent a significant local amenity and can only condone works where it is absolutely necessary. The Parish Council will therefore be guided by the District Arboriculturalist.

c) Bucks County Council

Proposed renewal of two double temporary classroom units 507 and 527 for a further 3 years, or following completion of phase 3 proposed construction of a new two-storey teaching block

The John Colet School, Wharf Road

The Parish Council approves this application as a temporary measure and will be pleased to see the removal of the temporary units as soon as the new accommodation is in place. The Parish Council would not like to see another similar application.

05/107 PRINCESS MARY HOSPITAL SITE

GOSE has informed the Local Planning Authority that the application for 400 houses will not be called in and the Chairman of Planning expressed the view that it was therefore unlikely that a public inquiry will be held. She thanked Wendover district councillors for their work but felt let down by AVDC officers whose objectives were at variance with the Parish Council's. The Parish Council will need to lobby strongly for additional car parking.

Councillor Mrs Kearney arrived at this point.

05/108 FLYING ACTIVITIES AT RAF HALTON

a) Halton Consultative Group; the representative will inquire about the progress of the noise survey at the meeting which will next meet on 15 June 2005.

b) Working Party Report; the work of the Working Party is in abeyance until AVDC has carried out its survey and the information on noise profiles is available. Reports were noted of aircraft overflying residential areas.

05/109 GRASS CUTTING

a) Highway Verges

i) The verges had recently become very overgrown and the subsequent grass cutting had not been to a high standard. The Clerk reported that this view was confirmed by other parishes. It was AGREED that the Clerk will write to AVDC which arranged for the service to be carried out and also to Bucks County Council which is the Highway Authority. The Clerk will also seek to find out about the progress of sponsored roundabouts.

ii) The Wendover Society had requested that the Parish Council funds additional cuts so that this situation does not occur again. This will be delegated to the Lighting and Highways Committee for further consideration.

b) Grass cutting of Parish Council land

The current grass cutting of recreation grounds was capable of improvement and the Chairman of the Recreation Ground Committee will meet with the contractor, groundsman and Clerk to sort out the procedure for mowing. This will be further discussed at the next Recreation Ground Committee meeting.

05/110 HONEYDENE PLAY AREA

The briefing note from AVDC which contained plans to provide housing on the site of Honeydene was noted.

05/111 VACANCY FOR COUNCILLOR

The Clerk reported that a by election had not been requested and that the Parish Council will be able to fill the vacancy by co-option. The vacancy will be advertised on village notice boards and the Council will consider applications at the July meeting.

05/112 POLICE AND PARISH COUNCIL CONSULTATIVE GROUP

The report on the meeting held on 17 May 2005 was received and it was AGREED to write to the Chief Superintendent, with a copy to the Chief Constable, expressing the Council's extreme concern at the proposed loss of one car and officer which will result in a reduction of the police presence in the area and is viewed as a backward step. Because of the significant future development scheduled for Wendover, an increase in police cover is necessary.

05/113 CLERK'S REPORT

The Clerk's report was received and the contents noted.

a) It was AGREED that, due to staff sickness, the CIO/TIC will close on 8 May 2005.

b) Parish Council Promotion; Peter Stride spoke on 3 Counties Radio regarding the article on Gravity Hill outside Wendover and Ian Gosling has done a guided walk and talk to local teachers at an inset day about what his work for the Council entails.

c) Fire Extinguisher check; All the fire extinguishers have been checked and those situated at the site safe, shed and garage have been replaced.

d) Smith's Fair; the fair will be visiting for a shorter period this year, arriving on 24 July and leaving on 1 August 2005. The Police have been informed.

e) Web Site visits; In April 2005, there were 265 pages accessed on our web site.

f) Summer Entertainment; this year, the free AVDC entertainment will take place on Friday 19 August in St Anne's Hall. Cllr Mrs Ballantine volunteered to open up at 10am and close the hall afterwards.

05/114 MATTERS OF REPORT

a) Fly tipping; the hippo bag is still on the verge of the old Tring Road and the matter has been reported to AVDC.

b) The Beeches; a tree has blown down in The Beeches resulting in a near miss incident. Cllr Richards will pursue this with AVDC.

c) Litter; the problem with litter was noticeably absent over half term and it was reported that it re-appeared when The John Colet School was the only one open due to inset days. It was felt that Wendover does not receive the same level of service as the areas surrounding the schools in Aylesbury and the Clerk will write requesting details of the frequency of litter picking.

d) End of the World; a planning application is forthcoming to allow the sale of cars on the premises

e) Facilities for youth; it was suggested that the Parish Council should set aside funds for a youth worker or other facilities for youngsters. This will go on the next agenda for discussion.

f) Charity Market; the Chairman of Property Management and Tourism committee thanked everyone who helped with the market. She felt that there had been too many raffles and tombolas and the future of the market will be discussed at the Property Management Committee meeting to be held on 21 June 2005.

05/115 CLOSURE OF MEETING

There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.02pm

Signed:

Date: 4 July 2005

Chairman