Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting 2005

held in The Library Room

on 26 April 2005 at 7.00 pm

PRESENT: Chairman Cllr Mrs Myers

27 members of the public

Clerk: Ann Hooton

Prior to the start of the meeting, the Chairman asked everyone to hold a minute's silence in memory of Cllr Barrie Searle who had recently died following a long illness.

APM/05/1 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

The Chairman gave apologies for the absence of the Chairman of the Council, Cllr Gridley, who has acute inflammation of the foot and is unable to walk.

Apologies for absence were also received from Mr Statham, Mr Brown, Mr Belton, Mrs McKechnie and Mrs Toplis.

APM/05/2 MINUTES OF THE MEETING held on 20 April 2004
It was proposed by Mrs Ballantine and seconded by Mrs Clayton that the minutes be taken as read and they were signed by the Chairman.

APM/05/3 CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting. She explained that the format of the meeting had changed this year to allow greater community involvement. She reported that there had been some delay to the restoration to Hampden Pond but that completion of the project is due to take place later this year.

The Chairman reported that the series of summer entertainments which took place last year had proved to be successful as had been the introduction of monthly Local Produce Markets.

Increased flying activities at RAF Halton had been a major issue during the year and the Parish Council has formed a working group to consider any problems in greater detail.

The Parish Council and Wendover Society have continued to work together on matters relating to the Princess Mary Hospital site development and have put forward joint submissions.

The Chairman ended by thanking councillors, committee chairmen, members of staff and all those who had helped the Council in its work over the past year.

APM/05/4 WENDOVER COMMUNITY TRUST
The Chairman of the Wendover Community Trust, Mr Mogford, gave the background to the Trust which has been in existence for 28 years. During this time £840,000 has been distributed and many local organisations have benefited from the Trust. Reports and financial accounts are publicly available in Wendover library. Mr Mogford thanked Lionel Abel-Smith for his generosity in setting up the trust and for providing the property as a source of income.

APM/05/5 WENDOVER MEMORIAL HALL

Work has now started on the major refurbishment of the Memorial Hall and the completion date is estimated as the end of August. Mr Mogford explained that the hall would comply with disabled access requirements by providing a new ramp and that an induction loop is also to be fitted. An engineer's report had confirmed that the hall is of a basically sound construction.

APM/05/6 WENDOVER TWINNING ASSOCIATION
Mrs Jefford explained that the Twinning Association had started off as a school twinning arrangement. It was one of the longest standing Associations with its charter being set up in 1976. Monthly meetings are held with a variety of speakers and there are also summer events. Liffré, Wendover's twin town, is similar in size but covers a larger area. There is one exchange visit per year and the Association is very dynamic. She encouraged everyone to join.

APM/05/7 WENDOVER REVIEW
Mr Myers gave the background to the Wendover Review, the Local Strategic Partnership which aims to create local initiatives. Its function is to identify issues pertinent to Wendover and to seek solutions. The aim of the Review is to concentrate on issues, such as parking, Princess Mary Hospital Site, parking on pavements and the Wendover Health Check. The Health Check seeks to identify challenges for the future and has consulted residents and visitors via an open day. Over 300 people responded to what they thought those challenges will be and the replies have been analysed. As a result 4 working parties have been set up to look at economy and vibrancy, youth issues, transport and the environment. Mr Myers explained that there is some funding available from GOSE (Government of the South East) which may be available for a major project resulting from the work of the 4 working groups. One particular cause for concern is the proposed extensive development around Aylesbury which may absorb Stoke Mandeville.

APM/05/8 POLICING IN WENDOVER
Sgt Terry Mitford reported that good progress has been made in the past few months with the force achieving the best record in Thames Valley Police for its detection rates. In particular, resources have been concentrated on anti social behaviour, youths and auto crime. The problem of youths coming from Aylesbury has been eliminated by arrests and troublemakers being met at the station. Sgt Mitford stressed again the need for residents to report incidents. He was proud of these achievements and praised the work of Wendover Community Policeman, PC Griggs. This was endorsed by the meeting.

Success has been achieved in dealing with auto crime. Incidents had been analysed and the relevant areas targeted. Sgt Mitford reinforced previously given advice about not leaving valuables in cars.

Several detections of cannabis use have occurred and he felt that improvements in the intelligence from communities had been achieved. There are no plans for a Community Support Officer in Wendover but Sgt Mitford felt that this was only a matter of time although a good detection record is a disincentive to this.

APM/05/9 THE WENDOVER SOCIETY

Mr Leake, Chairman of the Society, explained that the Society comprised 500 members and is a registered charity. It was started 40 years ago and exists to maintain the character and sustain the viability of Wendover. It stages public meetings when necessary and makes representation to the Local Planning Authority.

In recent months the Society has been working on issues surrounding the additional flying activities from RAF Halton and the development of the Princess Mary Hospital site.

APM/05/10 OPEN FORUM

a) Aylesbury Vale District Council; District Cllr Richards explained that one of his particular interests is the growth agenda and economic development in Aylesbury Vale. Aylesbury Vale District Council is currently trying to attract major Asian manufacturers to the area. The District Council gives grants to encourage businesses to set up and expand.

A private rent scheme has been set up to help those about to be made homeless with Aylesbury Vale District Council guaranteeing the private rent, trying to help people out of the spiral downwards.

b) Access to schools; Mr Furphy questioned the creation of a new access to serve the school campus. County Cllr Mrs Clayton explained that there is such a proposal 'on the books' for pedestrian and cycling access to encourage children from the Princess Mary Hospital site to walk or cycle to school, thus reducing congestion in Manor Road. No firm route has yet been decided and it will be subject to the planning process and public consultation.

Mrs Sue Atkins asked for confirmation that the primary school will be extended at Halton to provide educational facilities for the Princess Mary Hospital site residents. Mrs Clayton confirmed that this will be so and that there will be no increase in the number at the John Colet School. The plan at present is for the catchment area to be adjusted to exclude those outside the village.

e) Trees in Coombe Avenue; Mr Ian Barker reported that Bucks County Council contractors had appeared and started heavy pruning of the trees. He asked the Parish Council to pursue the matter with the Highway Authority which will be inspecting the site this week.

f) Traffic Issues; Mr Alan Baker reported the growth of road rage in Wendover. The speed of traffic had increased especially since the speed camera was destroyed. He also reported on the problems caused by motorists parking on pavements.

g) Youth provision; Mr Myers reported that Bucks County Council has found some funding for youth activities and possibly Wendover may be provided with a youth worker which will result in a more active youth centre.

APM/05/11 CLOSURE OF MEETING
There being no further business for discussion, the Chairman closed the meeting at 8.15pm.

Signed
Date
Chairman