Nash Parish Council
Present: Cllr C G Tomkins (Chairman), Cllr D Gillow, Cllr T Shadbolt, Cllr Sir John Southby Bt, Cllr A Taylor Cllr E Watts
Apologies: Cllr G F Culverhouse
The Minutes of the meeting on 19 July 2007 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
40 Discussion with PC Nicola Tipping
PC Tipping explained that there was a new Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) for the villages, PCSO Nicole Bruce, who would be starting on September 24. She would walk around the villages within her area. From the NAG meetings the police were aware that speeding and parking were some of the major concerns in the villages, but some also had concerns with graffiti and other anti-social behaviour. The Parish Council explained the parking problems near the Pond, which the Council would be discussing later in the meeting. PC Tipping said that obstructing a pavement was an offence. She would normally give one written warning and then impose a £30 penalty on the next occasion. Given that Nash had no public venue such as a pub open on regular basis, there was some discussion about possible events which the police representatives could attend to get to meet villagers and be known. This would be followed up outside the meeting. The Council thanked PC Tipping for her attendance.
41 Matters arising from the Minutes
(i) Motocross activities at Barnhill Farm (Minute 23(i)): Cllr Southby reported that, according to his records there had been eleven motocross and six 4x4 events so far this year. The situation would continue to be monitored.
(ii) North Bucks Way(Minute 23(ii)): The work had still to be undertaken. Cllr Watts reported that Rev King took the view that, as he owned the land, it was up to him to decide what had to be done with it.
(iii) Emergency Plan (Minute 23(iii)): Cllr Gillow reported that only a small number of details remained to be added to the plan. Then we would be in a position to test the plan with a table top exercise.
Cllr Shadbolt raised the matter of water quality of the various wells in the village that would need to come into service if Nash’s water supply was contaminated or cut-off. The Clerk had told her that cost had inhibited any testing. Furthermore, a test at one time would not guarantee the quality some months later, especially if the well was not pumped regularly. Cllr Shadbolt reported that Amanda Collings had one or two wells on her land and she had volunteered to have them tested at her own expense. The Clerk was asked to take Mrs Collings up on this offer.
(iv) Parking at the Pond (Minute 23(iv)): The Council noted Cllr Culverhouse’s report that had been circulated in advance. After discussion, the Clerk was asked to write to the occupiers of Corner View Cottage. If that was not effective, then the Council would alert PC Tipping (see also Minute 40).
(v) Reeds at the Pond (Minute 23(v)): Cllr Watts reported that Mr Madkins intended to start the work at the Pond and on the Waterhouse’s land on Saturday 29 September.
(vi) Drainage of water from the Pond (Minute 19): The Council noted Cllr Culverhouse’s written report and that from Cllr Watts (see (v) above)). The Council agreed that, when Mr Madkins had completed his work, the Clerk should write again to the Wykes about clearing their ditch.
(vii) Street Light No 8: Cllr Southby reported that the new lamp had been installed. The Clerk would write about the change in tariff, which should reduce our electricity bill.
Cllr Southby also reported that he was in discussion with the owners of The Cross who were considering possible work on their house that could involve a request to have the street light outside their house moved a short distance. Cllr Southby had obtained a quote for the cost which house-owners should meet. However, if the pole was moved, then the Council should consider whether it should, at the same time, replace the light as with Street Light No 8.
(viii) BALC Training course for new councillors (Minute33). Cllr Shadbolt said that when she rang up to book a place the course was already fully booked. She hoped to be able to attend a future course in 2008.
(i) Payments authorised/approved: The following payments were authorised/approved:
a) NJ Blackwell Garden Services: Grass-cutting, July 07 £233.10
b) NJ Blackwell Garden Services: Grass-cutting, August 07 £235.10
c) UHY Hacker Young Audit Fee (year ending 31 March 2007) £135.00
d) DR Gillow: Timber for fence repairs, Recreation Ground £7.90
e) Acme Pest Control: Mole Treatment, Recreation Ground £152.00
f) Playdale Playgrounds: new playground equipment £630.79
g) Playdale Playgrounds: new playground equipment £1,948.00
h) ABB Alterations to Street Light No 8 £200.00
i) ABB Ltd Public Lighting maintenance to 30/09/07 £37.77
j) Ian Watts: Repair to Playground Equipment £20.00
(ii) Financial position: Cllr Taylor reported that the funds in the Parish Council accounts were
Current Account £153.63
General Reserve £2,387.61
Recreation Ground Reserve £64.95
Total £2,606.19
Cllr Taylor reported that the funds were depleted because of the expenditure on the new play equipment. The second half of the annual precept (£4,000) would be received at the end of September. The application for a grant of £1,346.70 (30% of the total) towards the cost of the new play equipment had been acknowledged by AVDC and would be considered on 24 September. The VAT reclaim would be made in February and received before the end of the financial year.
(ii) Requests for donations: Cllr Taylor reported a request for a donation from the Buckinghamshire Branch of Age Concern. The Council had not previously made a donation to Age Concern. After discussion, on a proposal by Cllr Tomkins, seconded by Cllr Gillow, the Council agreed to make a one-off donation of £50.
(iii) Annual Audit: Cllr Taylor reported that this had been completed without any queries. Cllr Taylor was thanked for his work.
(iv) Annual Accounts of village societies: Cllr Taylor reported that no further accounts had been received. Those of All Saints’ Church, the Village Hall and the Youth Club were outstanding.
(i) New Applications: The Council noted the new applications and the comments made on them as follows:
a) 07/01800/APP Elm Farm, Stratford Road: Siting of mobile home for residential use – retention: Nash Parish Council opposed this application because no agricultural work appeared to be taking place at this farm.
b) 07/02306/APP Land adjoining 20 High Street: Erection of two storey dwelling: Nash Parish Council made no objections or comments (Cllr Southby declared an interest)
(ii) Applications approved: The Council noted the following:
a) 07/01417/APP 87 High Street Erection of conservatory
b) 07/01474/APP Orchard House, 2 Thornborough Road: Erection of detached garage
(iii) MK Urban Development Supplementary Planning Document: The Council noted that the Chairman had responded on behalf of the Council emphasizing the need to mimimise the impact of “rat running” through the villages.
(iv) AVDC: Affordable Housing Draft Supplementary Planning Document: Public participation (Regulation 17) Consultation Stage: The Council noted that a response to this consultative paper had been prepared by Cllrs Gillow and Southby and approved by the Chairman. It would now be submitted.
(v) AVDC: Core Strategy and Aylesbury Allocated Sites Development Plan Documents: Preferred Options (Regulation 26) Consultation Stage: The Council noted that the Chairman had responded on behalf of the Council.
There was nothing to report.
(i) New Equipment in the Playground (Minute 28(i)): Cllr Southby reported that the equipment had been installed and officially opened on Sunday 9 September. Playdale had been a good firm to deal with. Nash’s playground was proving very popular and served children from other villages.
(ii) Repairs following the Play Area Safety Inspection Report (Minute 28(ii)): Cllr Southby expressed his gratitude to Ian Watts for his prompt repair to the climber when it broke. Cllr Watts reported that the other work was deferred but would be done in due course.
(iii) Little Swings: Cllr Southby said that these needed to be replaced because they were leaving black marks. He would investigate the cost of replacements and then consult with Cllr Taylor.
(iv) Recreation Ground Hedge: The Council agreed to ask Mr Ian Watts to cut the Recreation Ground hedge and the bushes, but to leave the willow tree this year
(v) Safety surface: The Council asked Cllrs Gillow and Southby to make a further repair to the safety surface.
(vi) New Seat in Recreation Ground (Minute 28(iii)): Mrs Hedges reported that Graham White wished to donate a seat in memory of his daughter Annabel. Cllr Gillow reported that the Youth Club planned to donate two seats for the Recreation Ground, one funded from Youth Club funds and one from funds raised by Youth Club members. The Council agreed to accept both these offers on the understanding that the seats would be of sufficient quality as to require minimal maintenance in the near future. It was envisaged that there would be one/two seats just outside the play area looking over the rest of the Recreation Ground and one/two under the trees on the west side of the Recreation Ground. It was hoped that the donations would include funds to cover the cost of fixing the seats into the ground.
(vii) Seat on path to Pond (Minute 28(iv)): Cllr Watts reported that this repair would be done in due course.
(viii) Use of Recreation Ground by Milton Keynes Play Association (Minute 28(vi)): Mrs Hedges reported that, following the discussion at the last meeting, a risk assessment had been provided and Cllr Shadbolt had taken responsibility for unlocking the gate. Cllr Southby reported that the Play Association was intending to come on Monday afternoons for the foreseeable future and he believed that it was not reasonable to expect Cllr Shadbolt to open the gate each week. Some Councillors were reluctant to give the Play Association a key to the Parish Council’s padlock. However, there would be no objection to adding a third padlock to the gate which the Play Association could use when they came. Mrs Hedges would contact them to arrange this.
(ix) Use of Recreation Ground on 9 September for picnic (Minute 20(vii)): The Council noted that the Village Hall Social Committee had decided that it did not wish to pay for the grass to be removed from the Recreation Ground before this event. The Council noted that this had been a very successful event and had been well supported.
(x) Moles in the Recreation Ground: Mrs Hedges reported that Acme Pest Control had been employed to catch the moles before the new play equipment was installed and before the picnic. However, new moles had appeared. She explained that only in February/March at the nesting season could mole clearance be guaranteed to have a lasting effect. Accordingly, provided the moles did not become active in the Play Area where they would cause problems, the Council agreed to defer further action until the spring.
(i) Water Leak outside 43 High Street (Minute 16(ii)): The Council noted that the work had commenced and would involve a substantial improvement in the drainage in that part of the High Street as well as repairing the longstanding leak. The Council were concerned that it had not been informed of the nature of the work involved, which should considerably reduce the likelihood of flooding for certain residents in the High Street, despite the fact that Nash Parish Council had made representations on behalf of those residents back in 2005. The Council agreed that, once the work had been completed, the Clerk should write thanking BCC for the work but regretting the lack of information about what BCC intended to do.
(ii) Chapel Lane Pole: Highways on Call ref 177914: The Council noted that the pole had been replaced
(iii) A new deal for Buckinghamshire: The Council noted that, after consultation, the Chairman had responded on behalf of the Council to this document setting out a model for the working relationship between BCC and District, Town and Parish Councils. He had asked about the financial effects of any change in the responsibility for services.
(iv) BCC Rights of Way Improvement Plan: The Council noted that BCC was consulting on this document and was holding an open day from 1 to 8pm on October 11 in Buckingham Community Centre. The Chairman had replied on behalf of the Council saying that the report was an excellent document.
(v) Aylesbury Vale Transport Users Group Meeting: 11 September: Mrs Morgan had attend that meeting. The Clerk reported that Mrs Morgan had raised the issues of having a direct bus service to Bletchley once a week and of having recognised stops on the A421 to enable people who had gone via Buckingham and Milton Keynes to come back on the Bletchley/Buckingham bus. However, this did not seem very likely.
(vi) Vehicle Activated Signs: The Council noted the letter dated 3 September from BCC that had been circulated. However, the new arrangements still involved Parish Councils meeting the cost of these signs which would be considerable for a village such as Nash.
(vii) Switching off Street Lights: Mrs Hedges tabled a letter dated 13 September seeking views on this experiment. The Council agreed that Cllr Southby should draft the Council’s response and Councillors should send comments to him in the first instance.
(viii) Buckinghamshire Waste and Minerals Plan: The Council agreed to ask Cllr Watts and Cllr Taylor to prepare the Council’s response to this consultative document.
(i) Children’s Entertainment 16 August 2007 (Minute 31 (iv)): Cllr Gillow reported that this had been an excellent event but no Nash families had attended. The audience had consisted of people from Whaddon and his family whom he had invited personally. The Council thanked Cllr Gillow for his report and agreed that it would need to consider seriously whether it should host this event again if there was no support for it from residents.
(ii) Review of Polling Districts and Places (Minute 31(v)): The Council noted that the review has been completed and no changes were proposed for Nash or the Great Horwood Ward.
(iii) Licensing Policy Statement: The Council noted that the Chairman had replied on behalf of Nash Parish Council with an essentially nil return.
(iv) Office Moves: The Council noted that the AVDC staff who worked in the Exchange Street and Friars Square Offices had moved on 17 September to The Gateway, Gatehouse Road Aylesbury, HP19 8FF
(v) Dog Bin: The Council discussed the request from the Wykes for a dog bin near the Pond. After noting the capital and recurrent cost involved the Council agreed not to support this request.
(vi) AVDC Services Exhibition: The Council noted that this exhibition was taking place on Wednesday 26 September 2007 from 3 to 8pm in the Maxwell Hall, Civic Centre, Aylesbury.
The Council noted that the remaining meetings in 2007/08 were: 15 November 2007; 17 January 2008; and 20 March 2008. (Minute 18)
Cllr Shadbolt pointed out an article in the newspaper about a village that was organising a poll on the EU constitution. Nash Parish Council agreed that it was a non-political organisation and would only consider organising a vote on matters of immediate consequence for Nash village
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.40 p.m.
MH 24.09.07