MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

held in The Library Room, Wendover on 1 November 2004

commencing at 7.45pm and ending at 9.05pm
(To be confirmed)

PRESENT      Cllr Gridley (Chairman)

Cllrs Mrs Ballantine, Mrs McKechnie, McPartland, Mrs J Myers, Peeler, Mrs Toplis, Wilkinson and Worth

 5 members of public; PC Griggs  

Clerk: Ann Hooton

135/04   APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

              Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Mrs Gregory, Mrs Kearney and Searle.

136/04    PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

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

a) Mr Wilding, Halton Lane Neighbourhood Watch, reported that 4 parishes had been represented at the recent meeting convened by CHASE to explain its role and how it can help parish councils. CHASE intends to hold another such meeting before the start of next season's flying activities.

b)  District Cllr Richards explained that AVDC is going through a consultation process to find out tenants' views on the future management of what is currently council housing. Two options are being given; to manage housing stock via a housing association or to retain the present management structure as a statutory function of the housing authority. The process is being driven at Government level and the tenants are required to vote on their choice of management.

     Cllr Richards also reported that public participation is being extended to Cabinet and Scrutiny Committee meetings of the District Council, providing prior notice is given and the input is relevant to the debate.

The Chairman reconvened the Parish Council meeting.

137/04   DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

              There were no declarations of interest.

138/04   MINUTES OF THE MEETING held on 4 October 2004

              Amendments to the Minutes; Minute 119/04 was amended to include apologies for absence from Cllr Mrs Clayton. Minute 123/04 was amended to read 'The Station Commander had agreed to ask course organisers to ensure that this would not happen again.'

Following these amendments, the minutes were AGREED and signed by the Chairman as an accurate record of the meeting.

139/04   COUNTY COUNCILLOR'S REPORT

              The County Council has been considering the council tax requirements, balancing what is required when set against Government grants. The Aylesbury Vale Transport Symposium had proved to be very interesting and concern was expressed that the Parish Council had not been aware of the event. The Clerk will obtain background papers.

140/04   DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT

              The follow-up event organised on 30 November 2004 as part of the Wendover Healthcheck/Emerging Vision has resulted in one or two volunteers to lead working groups. The Young Wendovians team in the quiz are interested in participating in youth issues.

 

141/04   STATEMENT OF LICENSING POLICY

              Cllrs Mrs Myers, McPartland and Worth had met to formulate a response which has been circulated to all councillors. This was AGREED and the group were thanked for their work

142/04   ADDITIONAL FLYING ACTIVITIES AT RAF HALTON

a) A list of questions asked by David Lidington MP to the Minister, Ivor Caplin, had been circulated. A copy has been displayed on the notice board.

b)  Questions for the next Consultative Group meeting will be considered at the January meeting.

143/04   FINANCE

a) Finance Committee meeting held on 1 November 2004: The Chairman of the Finance Committee gave a verbal report on the meeting. She confirmed that she had verified the totals on the financial statement against the bank balance and a random proportion of cheque totals against invoices. As a matter of urgency, the Clerk was asked to set in motion the repair to the window in the Parish Council office.

       The RFO's report was as follows:

a)    Cheques agreed at October meeting; The RFO reported that the carried forward figure was incorrect due to an error in the spreadsheet formula. The correct figure should read '£87,037.26'.

b)    Financial Statement: market rent for two months had been received in October.

c)    Village of the Year; Bucks Association of Local Councils have sponsored the lunch and income of £125 has been received for this purpose.

d)    Transfer of funds from Wendover Review account to deposit account: It was AGREED that the sum of £3,101.13 should be transferred from the Wendover Review account to re-imburse the Parish Council for expenditure incurred as a result of the Wendover Healthcheck.

144/04   MINUTES of the Lighting and Highways Committee meeting held on 19 September 2004

The minutes were noted and the recommendations, other than the precept, AGREED.

145/04   MINUTES of the Property Management and Tourism Committee meeting held on 19 September 2004

              The minutes were noted and the recommendations, other than the precept, AGREED.

146/07   MINUTES of the Planning Committee meeting held on 21 September  2004

              The minutes were received and the contents noted. The Chairman of the Committee drew members' attention to

a)    the response from the Enforcement Officer classifying the neon signs at Timpsons as 'deemed consent'

b)    the decision to refuse the application to extend the house opposite Ashbrook Recreation Grounds because of the unduly oppressive impact of the balcony on the neighbouring property.

 

147/04   PLANNING APPLICATIONS

The following applications were considered and responses made as follows.

a) Bulletin 40

04/02590/AAD     Internally illuminated double sided projecting sign and ATM surround; Star Wendover, Wendover Service Station, Aylesbury Road               No objection

04/02710/ALB      Alterations and renovations to listed buildings including insertion of replacement windows to front, replacement and repositioning of windows and door to rear, new staircase, bathroom, porch and front door and lining of chimney;7 Coldharbour, Tring Road   

                            The Parish Council will be guided by the Historic Buildings Officer.

04/02750/APP     Single storey side and front extension and rood extension to front porch. Amendment to planning approval 03/02373/APP               

                            60 Bryants Acre                                   No objection

 

b) Bulletin 41

04/02461/APP     Erection of shed (retrospective)

                            94 Longcroft Avenue

                            The Parish Council would ask that the Local Planning Authority be satisfied that this application will not detract from the amenity of neighbouring properties and that off-road parking provision is not compromised.

02781/APP          Single storey rear extension and dormer extension to side; 27 Lionel Avenue

                             The Parish Council would ask that the Local Planning Authority be satisfied that this application will not impinge upon the amenity of neighbouring properties.

02284/AOP          Demolition of existing buildings and site for three detached dwellings; land adj. Chinook Nash Lee Lane

                            Amended plans

                            The Parish Council withdraws previous objection as the proposed dwellings are now shown as single storey.

148/04   FORWARD PLANNING

a)  Cllr Wilkinson proposed that a sum of £1,500 be set aside in the precept to cover contingencies. As the will be a cross-committee project, the set- up costs and annual maintenance will be required for consideration at the December meeting.

b)  Following letters in the Bucks Herald, information has now been obtained from previous organisers of the Wendover Carnival. Interest has been raised but so far no commitment has been received.

149/04   CODE OF CONDUCT FOR EMPLOYEES/RESTRICTIONS ON POLITICAL ACTIVITIES

              No comments have been received and, as a result, no response will be made.

150/04   SPEED LIMIT REVIEW

              Cllrs Mrs Myers and McPartland will be attending on behalf of the Council.

151/04   CHILTERNS CONSERVATION BOARD  

              It was AGREED that the Parish Council will cast its vote in favour of Cllr Searle.

 

152/04   CLERK'S REPORT

The Clerk's report was received and the contents noted. It is appended to these minutes.

153/04   MATTERS OF REPORT

a)  Serious damage was caused to cars parked in Pound Street and Dobbins Lane on 29 November 2004. PC Griggs commented that manpower in Wendover had been up to strength but, as a result of injuries and a bereavement, was now reduced by 3 officers. Extra staff are being brought in. This will be brought forward at the Police Liaison Group for further consideration.

b)  The Chairman of the Youth Centre Management Centre had reported that there was a cut in Youth Worker provision with the full time post not being filled. The Clerk will write in support of the request for a replacement.

c) The so-called 'Boot Camp' at RAF Halton will deal with youngsters who are at risk. It is not a precursor for prison itself.

d)  An unauthorised sign has been placed on one of the bypass roundabouts.

e) Parking problems and levels of litter appear to have reduced around the school.

154/04   COMPLAINT AGAINST CLERK

              It was AGREED that this would be delegated to the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Council and the Chairman of the Personnel Committee.

155/04   CLOSURE OF MEETING

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signed:  __________________________________________ Date: 6 December 2004

     Chairman