MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

held in The Library Room, Wendover
on 7 November 2005 starting at 7.50pm and concluding at 9.30pm

PRESENT Cllr Gridley (Chairman)

Cllrs Mrs Ballantine, Mrs Clayton, Mrs Gregory, Mrs McKechnie, McPartland, Weston, Wilkinson and Worth
8 members of the public

Clerk: Ann Hooton

The Chairman informed members of the resignation of Cllr Mrs Jane Toplis. He paid a special tribute to Cllr Mrs Toplis commenting on her professionalism, energy and commitment over many years as both Clerk and Councillor. This was wholeheartedly endorsed by members of the Parish Council who agreed that Jane's contribution to Wendover had been immeasurable and that her participation in the work of the Council will be sorely missed.

05/189 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE were received from Cllrs Mrs Kearney, Mrs Myers and Peeler.

05/190 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
The Chairman adjourned the meeting to allow members of the public to speak.

a) Consultation with young people; Jane Nicholson, Youth Worker, commented on the survey carried out to identify the needs of young people. The Pavilion in Hampden Meadow is particularly valued and users were willing to take responsibility for it. They believed that most of the problems were caused by others coming into the village. It would be a good community project to revamp the pavilion and a request had been made for lighting and bins to be provided. This will be considered by the Recreation Grounds Committee to which Jane will be invited.

b) Colet Cuisine - a Youth Business Enterprise; Pupils from John Colet School explained that they are carrying out a project to publish a cookery book which will involve liaison between the compilers and local businesses. They explained the status of the project at the moment and asked members of the Parish Council to fill in a questionnaire about preferences for the content of the book.

05/191 COUNTY COUNCILLOR'S REPORT
The County Council is currently concentrating on setting a budget. The council tax position is critical with a £12m gap in funding. The change in how the Government is funding schools will cause major difficulties to the Local Education Authority.

The present disruption in Manor Crescent is primarily caused by development at the John Colet. Temporary parking restrictions have been put in place on the bend in Manor Crescent.

05/192 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
None were declared.

05/193 MINUTES OF THE MEETING held on 3 October 2005
It was AGREED that the minutes were a true record of the meeting, and they were signed by the Chairman.

05/194 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

a) Minute 05/173 - Cluster meeting: the Chairman felt that there had been some useful information imparted at the meeting

b) Minute 05/181 - Litter collection, Manor Crescent; a reply has been received from AVDC, stating that this will be considered pending the outcome of talks between parish councillors and John Colet School. It was reported that the new AVDC worker now seemed to be collecting litter in that area.

b) Minute 05/183b - Hampden Pond; the Closure Order is being processed and residents whose properties abut Heron Path, the PCC and Friends of the Ridgeway have been informed.

05/195 FINANCE COMMITTEE held on 7 November 2005
The Acting Chairman gave a verbal summary, reporting that it was RECOMMENDED that:

a) the budget for the Chairman's Function be increased to £500,.

b) a maintenance contract with KCS be entered into

c) £10,000 be transferred from the Bank of Ireland to the current account

The recommendations were AGREED.

05/196 COMMITTEES

a) PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE held on 18 October 2005
The minutes were received and the recommendations contained therein were AGREED. In particular
i) the agreement for Parish Piece was signed
ii) the agreement for the Thursday market was signed

b) FOOTPATH COMMITTEE held on 25 October 2005
The minutes were received and the recommendations contained therein were AGREED.

05/197 PLANNING APPLICATIONS
The following responses were AGREED

a) Bulletin 39

05/02456/ATP Reduce limbs of one ash (nearest to dwelling) by 3m and remove deadwood; 27 Aylesbury Road
The Parish Council will be guided by the District Arboriculturalist. No objections

05/02463/APP New Agricultural building for storage of tractor, animal food store and game larder - Amendment to Planning permission 05/01710/APP Wing Flat, New House, Hale Lane. No objections

b) Bulletin 40
05/02482/APP Single storey rear extension and replacement porch. 13 St Anne's Close
No objections subject to the Local Planning Authority being satisfied that the application will not have an adverse impact on adjacent properties.

05/02585/APP Single storey side extension; 108A Aylesbury Road.
No objections.

b) Bulletin 40 Consideration was deferred to the Planning Committee to be held on 15 November.

05/198 NEW CHAIRS FOR THE LIBRARY
It was AGREED that £400 be contributed towards the cost of chairs for the Library Room in order to give added value to the quality of the seating.

05/199 FORWARD PLANNING
Several projects had arisen from the meeting and it was AGREED that 4 priorities will be put on the agenda for the December meeting, requiring further information. These are:

a) Public tennis courts. It was reported that the facilities at the school may be available for public use and this needs to be confirmed.

b) Fencing for parking area at the Memorial Hall

c) Youth facilities, including the pavilion, and formation of Youth Council

d) provision of Police Community Support Officers and CCTV.

It was AGREED that the Police Liaison Group should be convened and Managers from Budgens, Tesco and Threshers be invited to attend. Cllr Wilkinson offered to liaise with Sgt Terry Mitford and PC Mike Griggs to set the date.

05/200 DROPPED KERBS
It was AGREED that the Parish Council supports the request from the Wendover Scooter Group for dropped kerbs at various sites. A bid will be made for funding from the Local Committee budget.

05/201 SPEED INDICATOR DEVICE
It was AGREED that this will be carried out in the spring when there are more daylight hours.

05/202 LATE NIGHT SHOPPING
It was AGREED that £100 be made as a contribution towards the entertainment planned to coincide with late night shopping, subject to receiving confirmation of details.

05/203 30mph REPEATER SIGNS
It was AGREED that the Chairman of the Lighting and Highways Committee would present the following resolution at the AGM of the Bucks Association of Local Councils;

"This Council believes that, where street lighting is not obvious to drivers in the daytime as an indication of speed restriction, repeater signs showing a 30mph limit should be permitted. The suggestion that any light shining on the highway, whether private or public, prohibits the use of 30mph repeater signs which is at variance with Police Speed Awareness training is viewed with great concern."

05/204 RAF HALTON CONSULTATIVE GROUP
The minutes of the recent meeting were circulated. It was noted that the results of the noise survey may be available by the end of the month. It was also noted that steps were being taking to identify the offenders committing trespass on the airfield and attempting to create radio interference.

05/205 CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTS
It was AGREED to purchase new white, static lights at a cost of £490.

05/206 CLERK'S REPORT
The Clerk's report was received and the contents noted.

05/207 MATTERS OF REPORT
a) Vandalism; Concern was expressed at the vandalism which had resulted in The Clock Tower window being broken and damage to a parked car

b) Flicks in the Sticks; Interest was expressed in bring the mobile cinema unit to Wendover. It was AGREED that the information would be drawn to the attention of the Memorial Hall Committee.

c) Local Area Committee; the representative reported that the committee had discussed housing and road accidents and that he had drawn attention to the poor maintenance of the bollards outside the Rose and Crown PH on the Tring Road.

05/208 CLOSURE OF MEETING
There being no further business to be transacted, the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.30pm.

Signed:
Date: 5 December 2005

Chairman