Minutes of the meeting of the Edlesborough Parish Council held on Thursday 16th February 2012 at Edlesborough Memorial Hall commencing at 7.30pm.
Open Forum
A parishioner was concerned regarding the permanent parking of a Campervan on the lay-by in Brook Street. He had taken this matter up with Bucks CC who own the land and asked the Parish Council for advice. Unfortunately, like Bucks CC, the Council stated there is nothing within the law than can be done. Concerns were expressed that if this type of parking was allowed it could lead to other vehicles being left in the lay-by. The Clerk was requested to write to Bucks CC requesting they consider preventative measures such as overnight parking restrictions.
Present Cllr Wilkinson, Cllr Williams, Cllr Wilson, Cllr Holt, Cllr Mrs Ratheram, Clerk-Lin Sargeant, District Cllr Chris Poll and 1 parishioner.
Vice-Chairman Cllr Wilkinson chaired the meeting.
Apologies:
Cllr Cubbage, Cllr Nevard, Cllr Mrs Prys-Jones, Assistant Clerk: Beverly Sage
Declarations of Interest – None declared
Minutes of Previous Meeting
Alterations were made to ‘The Villages’ second Edlesborough agenda item where the first sentence was deleted. The minutes then read "Complaints from parishioners regarding dog fouling continue to be reported…….." An amended copy of the minutes would appear on the website.
Matters Arising from the previous Minutes
There were no matters arising
Finance Reports:
Accounts for the month of January were presented, explained and approved.
Authorisation of cheques (February including VAT)
The following cheques had been authorised for payment:
Administration & Office expenses (incl: telephone & website) 174.24
Memorial Hall/Pavilion expenses (incl:electricity & electrical repairs) 2,044.30 Salaries (including PAYE/NIC) 1,418.66
Cemetery expenses 80.00
Chldrens’ play area 30.00
War Memorial 30.00
Streetlight repairs 1,647.50
The Chiltern Society membership 25.00
The Green expenses 21.45
Allotment expenses 28.09
Taken from Donations to Dagnall & Northall Village Halls:
Dagnall 633.43
Northall 302.40
£ 6,435.07
District Councillor’s Report
This month I can report that members of AVDC voted by majority to freeze council tax for the financial year 2012/13. I thought long and hard on this matter and changed my mind more than once but in the end the deciding factor was were we to increase tax this year and refuse the government grant, it would have taken £1m from the economy of the Vale over the course of the medium term (4 year) financial plan.
I reported on the use of Twitter during council debates and mentioned that I am not a user of this type of social media. Well a month is a long time and I have signed up. I did monitor what was being said at the budget setting meeting on the 2nd February and can report it is not vital information being passed. I did however consult with colleagues and have decided to give it a try. So far it seems quite useful with much information being shared between councillors and various departments with relevance to my work as your councillor. My username is @CllrPoll and I hope to find some residents of Edlesborough there.
Planning
The following applications had been received, were discussed by the meeting and the following responses were agreed to be submitted to AVDC
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12/00080/ACL 16th January 2012 |
37 Cooks Meadow Edlesborough |
Proposed Rear dormer |
No Objections |
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12/00313/APP 9th February 2012 |
The Bell Ph Church End Edlesborough |
Change of use of restaurant to single dwelling (C3), alterations to listed building and demolition of single storey extensions (resubmission ref 11/01707/APP) |
The Parish Council remains strongly opposed to this application on the grounds that it represents the loss of the last public house within the village of Edlesborough. The issue is clearly whether or not the various actions taken by the Applicant to remove the pub from the protection normally afforded by GP32 and PPS4 are legally valid. The Council requests that in addition to the advice already received from AVDC Legal Department the planning officers seek confirmation (or otherwise) of that interpretation from DCLG or Planning Inspectorate as appropriate and to be considered alongside the previous advice when reviewed by the Development Control Committee |
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12/00317/ALB 9th February 2012 |
The Bell Ph Church End Edlesborough |
Change of use of restaurant to single dwelling (C3) and alterations to listed building (Resubmission ref 11/01708/ALB |
The Parish Council remains strongly opposed to this application on the grounds that it represents the loss of the last public house within the village of Edlesborough. The issue is clearly whether or not the various actions taken by the Applicant to remove the pub from the protection normally afforded by GP32 and PPS4 are legally valid. The Council requests that in addition to the advice already received from AVDC Legal Department the planning officers seek confirmation (or otherwise) of that interpretation from DCLG or Planning Inspectorate as appropriate and to be considered alongside the previous advice when reviewed by the Development Control Committee |
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11/02477/APP MINOR AMENDED PLANS |
43 Main Road North Dagnall |
Single storey rear extension to garage |
No further comments |
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The following decisions had been received from AVDC
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11/02071/APP 21st September 2011 |
12 Church End, Edlesborough |
Single storey rear extension |
OPPOSE and that if the officers are minded to approve it, there should be a condition that the roof must not be used as a roof terrace, balcony or similar amenity without the grant of further specific permission from the Local Planning Authority |
Permitted |
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11/02367/APP 24th October 2011 |
Hall Farm Main Road South Dagnall |
Installation of 16 photvoltaic solar panels over South facing roofslope of brick built barn |
No Objections |
Permitted |
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11/02468/APP 8th November 2011 |
Oakley Lodge Ringshall Road Dagnall |
Single storey rear extension |
No Objections |
Permitted |
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11/0219/APP October 2011 |
Land Adjacent to Little Orchard Chapel Lane Northall |
Erection of detached two storey dwellinghouse with detached garage |
OPPOSE contrary to AVDLP policy RA12 |
REFUSED |
Affordable Housing (Rural Housing Exception Scheme)
Cllrs Wilkinson, Williams and Holt attended a meeting with Jean Fox, the Bucks CC Rural Housing Enabler, and explained the Council’s view on numbers and its reservations about the eligibility criteria relating to rural housing exception schemes in general. The recent Neighbourhood Plan survey identified that parishioners are generally supportive of a scheme that is strictly for the benefit of existing parishioners but very much opposed to a scheme to support the social housing needs of the District in general. The Council has obtained a copy of the standard S106 agreement used by AVDC for rural exception schemes and will comment on any amendments they would like to see before taking the matter to the next stage.
EDaN Report
The Traffic Management team are considering updating the Speedwatch equipment to Sentinel equipment.
Community Car Scheme is going well, two members of the team have recently given a presentation to another village.
It is hoped to form a Lunch Club visiting The Swan at Northall and The Red Lion at Dagnall. EDaN are looking for people in these villages to coordinate the scheme.
A good response has been received for parishioners willing to join the ‘Friends of Edlesborough Church’
A Cello Concert is being organised at Edlesborough Church.
The Licence has been granted for cycle racks to be positioned at the corner of Brook Street, Edlesborough.
An invitation has been sent by John Bercow MP for members to join him for tea at The House of Commons.
Status on Registration of Green
Further Information regarding the original registration of the Common Land part of the Green has been gained but more research is required. There now appears to be some doubt regarding the validity of the original common land registration of Britten’s Field.
The Villages – (issues other than Traffic Calming and matters delegated to the GPC)
Edlesborough:.Concerns had been raised regarding traffic driving over grass verges, particularly in Cow Lane but
also in other areas of the village. Clerk requested to write to Bucks CC requesting that bollards be
installed on the Cow Lane verge before dealing with other areas.
Dagnall: Clerk to write to B & H Autos at Dagnall regarding the parking of vehicles on the grass verge
in front of their premises.
Dagnall Cllr Holt was concerned that no updated information had been received regarding the installation
of the VAS equipment in Dunstable Road. Cllr Wilkinson referred to the February Transport for
Buckinghamshire LAF Report which states that these are expected to be installed February/March
2012
Dagnall: A Dagnall parishioner has raised concerns regarding the Luton Airport expansion which had been
raised by Luton Borough Council. Cllr Wilkinson explained in detail what effect this might have on
the Villages and advised the meeting that a public consultation event explaining the proposals is due
to take place at Linslade Community Hall on 22nd February.
Traffic Calming
Edlesborough: White lining has been marked out in the High Street and at the junction of Pebblemoor to identify
critical no parking areas. Bucks CC have confirmed that the Bus Stop cage at the top of the High
Street can be extended by 5mts each end and the marking refreshed at no cost to the Council.
This work is due to take place within the next 4 weeks.
Northall: Cllr Wilson was concerned that no further information had been received regarding the
Implementation of the Area 13 Speed Limit Review. Cllr Wilkinson referred to the February Transport
for Buckinghamshire LAF Report which states that the new speed limits in Area 13 are due to be
Installed by the end of March 2012.
Communication with Parishioners
Meetings to discuss the way forward have not yet taken place.
Correspondence received
Bucks CC – Temporary Prohibition of through traffic Orders for various roads in Aylesbury Vale District, Wycombe District, South Buckinghamshire District, Chiltern District
Bucks CC – Revision to Aylesbury Vale’s bus network – not affecting EPC areas.
The Chilterns – Chilterns Access Conference, Bellingdon Village Hall, near Chesham Friday 9th March 9.30am – 1pm.
AVDC – Change of Date for The Vale of Aylesbury Plan – Stakeholder Forums from 29th March to MONDAY 26TH MARCH.
Bucks CC – 4 further community Library partnerships at Flackwell Heath, Ivinghoe, Long Crendon and Wing currently working with the County Council to finalise plans to secure savings of £53,000 and improve local facilities.
Bucks CC - Proposed changes to Health service in Buckinghamshire. Consultation document can be viewed on Bucks CC website.
Bucks CC – NSL Ltd to take over the enforcement of on-street parking restrictions in Chiltern District from 1st February 2012 acting as contractor for Transport for Buckinghamshire., 5 year contract.
Bucks CC – Annual Monitoring Report 2010/2011 – internet link
http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/amr which includes Waste Management capacity and trends; Mineral Extraction and sales; Development Control trends; Enforcement cases, and Minerals and Waste Local Plan policy usage.E-mail from Bucks CC on HS2
The Chilterns Conservation Board – Seeking financial support between £25 - £500 to the work of the Conservation Board
Bucks CC changes to Citizencard holders aged 16/17 with increase in charges.
Thames Valley Police:
Be aware of e-mail scam entitled ‘Population Census: a message to everyone – act now’.
Appeal for witnesses to accident which occurred on 21st January on A4146 Leighton Road, Edlesborough.
List of items which were
placed on the Councillors tableThames Valley Police – Neighbourhood Policing Newsletter
Eaton Bray Parish Council draft Minutes of February meeting.
Local Area Forum Refresh meeting Feedback
Council agreed the analysis of priorities the first three being:
Speeding through villages
HGVs are an issue
Footpaths/Cycleways between villages
General Purpose Committee
Councillors had received copy of the GPC meeting held on 1st February and approved the expenditure of £1,262.00 for the refurbishment of the floor surface on which the roundabout is situated, this to include the cutting out of a dangerous area and a new wet pour surface around the edge.
Local Area Forum Report
Pitstone, like Winslow are taking a very strong line about the New Homes Bonus because they also feel they are being disadvantaged by accepting growth but not getting the financial rewards that should accompany it.
2012 Events
Vanessa King, Organiser for Bucks Events outlined plans in 2012 related to the Olympics and the Diamond Jubilee. Full information is on the Bucks website.
Community Libraries
Representatives from Ivinghoe and Wing gave an update on the transition from Bucks CC control to community control of both libraries. Ivinghoe will change over in April and Wing in September. The Ivinghoe representative informed the meeting that several of the surrounding parishes including Pitstone and Cheddington have agreed to help with the funding.
Trading Standards
Two Trading Standards officers gave a presentation, items of note were:
There is a statutory 7 day cooling off period for any deals over £35 made on your doorstep. If the seller does not make you aware of that cooling off period at the time, the contract is not valid.
The Consumer Protection Act specified that the credit card company carries a liability for any purchases over £100 made using a credit card if the goods or services are substandard.
There is a Mail Preference Service (similar to Telephone Preference Service) that controls unwanted mail, but only UK mail and not mail from overseas.
Home to School Transport
A presentation was given on how the budget cuts will affect the funding of home to school transport. Bucks policy has in the past been much more generous than the statutory minimum and in future the policy will be much closer. It means that transport will only be provided to the nearest qualifying school and not to other schools that they are entitled to attend. It means that children who go to the Aylesbury schools will no longer get free transport even though they are the closest grammar schools unless the proposal is extended to define the nearest grammar school as the nearest secondary school for those who qualify for a grammar school place. That question was part of the recent public consultation for which the results have not yet been published and if adopted would double the charge for those pupils who do not qualify for free school transport from £10-£12.50 per school week to £20-£25 per school week per child. Bucks CC are still wrestling with the problem on how to make the changes as fair as possible and to keep them as low as possible. This means either a few people paying a relatively high charge or a lot of people paying a lower cost.
Thames Valley Police Update
Crime is down in the Wing South area yet again. Our LAF area has gained an extra PCSO and a replacement PC for Jared Levens who is now the Acting Sergeant for this area. The replacement PC is Steve Brisley. When Jared’s period of acting sergeant comes to an end, he will once again, in theory, revert back to being a PC for our area, which will mean we will have gained an additional PC as well.
Bucks CC Highways Report
Dagnall VAS signs are on order and expected to be installed during Feb/March 2012
Main Road South (A4146) in Dagnall is planned to be surface dressed during the 2012/2013 budget period.
Items for the Agenda for the Council meeting to be held on Thursday 15th March 2012
Neighbourhood Plan
The Meeting closed at 10.30pm
NEXT MEETING THURSDAY 15th March 2012 commencing 7.30pm at Edlesborough Memorial Hall