Nash Parish Council

Minutes of the Meeting of Nash Parish Council held on Thursday 18 November 2010 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.

 

Present:            Cllr A Taylor (Chairman), Cllr B Dewhurst, Cllr D Gillow,

                            Cllr Sir John Southby Bt, Cllr E Watts .

Apologies:        Cllr G F Culverhouse, Cllr B Wyke

In Attendance:         Mrs M S Hedges (Clerk)

 

42.  Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting on 16 September 2010

The Minutes of the meeting held on 16 September 2010 were approved and signed.

 

43.  Matters arising from the Minutes

Local Governance Consultation (Minute37): The Council noted that the Clerk’s letter to the Chief Executive of AVDC had been acknowledged but that a substantive reply was awaited.

 

44.  Finance

(i)          Payments:  The following payments were authorised/ approved: 

                                                                                                                                                                      £

Nash Village Hall Cttee: Hire of Nash Village Hall: April to Sept 2010                          157.50

NJ Blackwell Garden Services:  Grass Cutting September 2010                                  225.60

EON:  Electricity Supply Sept 10 (with a rebate to correct Aug 10)                                  21.10

NJ Blackwell Garden Services:  Grass Cutting October 2010                                        136.05

Mrs M S Hedges:  Plaque for Tomkins bench (Dearden Trophies)                                  40.47

EON:  Electricity Supply October 10                                                                                    24.12

(ii)        Financial position:  Mrs Hedges reported that the funds in the Parish Council accounts were:

                                                                                                                                  £

Current Account                                                                          992.52

General Reserve                                                                     7,410.31

Recreation Ground Reserve                                                  3,653.75

       Total                                                                                 12,056.58

The Council noted that these figures included the second half of the precept (£5,000), the grant from AVDC towards the cost of the playground repairs (£800), and the Village Hall Committee’s contribution to the web-site (£77.50).

(iii)      Donations: Mrs Hedges reported that two request for donations had been received:

Aylesbury Vale Dial-Ride: After noting that the Council had made a donation of £50 for each of the last five years but that currently no-one in Nash used the service (though it was potentially very useful) the Council agreed to make a donation of £25 this year.

North Bucks Care of Carers Partnership (Cllr Taylor declared an interest as he could potentially benefit from this organisation): The Council noted that North Bucks Carers provides practical help for many unpaid carers in Buckingham and the surrounding villages who have responsibilities for family members including organising social mornings twice a month. The funding of £1,200 per annum for a therapist provided by Carer Bucks was being withdrawn and they were seeking support to continue this service.  The Council agreed to make a donation of £50.

(iv)      2011/12 budget and precept request:  The Council considered the paper prepared by Mrs Hedges showing the projected out-turn for 2010/11 and an estimate of expenditure for 2011/12.  The likely out-turn for 2010/11 was in line with the original estimates, namely a small deficit after a transfer to reserves.   

For 2011/12, if the Council replaced a further two street lamps with more efficient part-night bulbs, replaced the Notice Board by the Allotments, and made the usual transfer of £1000 to reserves the out-turn would be a deficit of about £900 if the precept was left unchanged at £10,000.  The Council also noted that, if Nash Parish Council were to have a contested election in May 2011 (though this was thought to be very unlikely) there would be an additional expense of £600 to £1,000. 

After discussion, the Council agreed to keep the precept unaltered at £10,000 (recognising that because of a small increase in the number of houses occupied this would result in a 1% decrease in the charges to each Nash household for the Nash part of the council tax). This decision was subject to any major unforeseen expenditure commitments arising before the deadline for submitting request to AVDC on 21 January 2011, the day after the next meeting.

 

45.  Planning

(i)      New applications: The Council noted the following new applications and the comments it made on them:

a)        10/01950/ACD & 10/01951/APP 1 Wood End Demolition of existing building and erection of two storey dwelling Nash Parish Council had offered no objection on the understanding that:

·    As many of the old bricks as possible are re-used and where new bricks are used they should be as similar as possible.

·    Window frames and door frames should be of wood (not UPVC)

·    The development of the site will be sympathetic to the environs of the Pond and Wood End as this is part of the Nash Conservation Area and Nash Village Pond is a key asset of the village.

·    On a practical level of parking, the site should be landscaped to contain space for at least four cars to prevent any blocking of Wood End for farm and emergency vehicles. Because Nash has no daily bus service most Nash households have a car for each adult member of the family so four cars for a household (parents and two adult children) is not uncommon. Three adults with cars plus visitors’ cars (possibly overnight) is very common.

·    During building work, care will be taken to avoid damaging the Pond environs and the Village Green and the Green will be as a safe children’s play area throughout.   NPC would expect all vehicles and materials to be on site during the construction work, with no parking on the verge or blocking of Wood End.  If any damage is caused NPC would expect it to be made good.

b)          10/02248/APP: The Barn, The Rectory, Stratford Road : Application to extend the time limit of 07/03023/APP - Conversion of barn to form granny annexe NPC made no objection

c)          10/02216/ALB Little Acre 11 Winslow Road Amendment to 09/0656/ALB Alteration to porch and eaves: NPC made no objection

(v)        Application approved: The Council noted that the following application had been approved.

a)        10/01950/ACD & 10/01951/APP 1 Wood End Demolition of existing building and erection of two storey dwelling

10/00680/APP Land opposite Causter Farm, Nash Road, Great Horwood Change of use of land from agricultural use to use as a residential caravan site by stationing on the land of 11 mobile homes in residential use, 11 touring caravans, 11 utility dayrooms and associated roadways, hardstanding and drainage works.

The Council noted that this application had been refused by a unanimous decision of the AVDC Development Control Committee on 4 November 2010.  The Council noted further the wide variety of dates on which people who had objected had been notified of this decision.  Accordingly, the Council agreed that a short notice should be put in the next edition of the Nash Newsletter, the deadline for which was the following day, informing residents of the decision and thanking all those who had contributed to making Nash’s strength of feeling on this matter known to AVDC. The applicants had the right to appeal this decision and Mrs Hedges reported that the Head of AVDC’s Enforcement Team had told her that the applicants had six months in which to appeal.

 

(vi)      Other Planning Matters

a)        AVDC Core Strategy Development: The Council noted that the Government had approved AVDC’s request to withdraw its core strategy. AVDC Cabinet had discussed a paper entitled “The Way Forward with the Planning Policy Process” at its meeting on 9 November and approved its recommendations.  NPC had been invited to send representatives to seminars to be briefed on the new policy. Cllr Culverhouse and either Cllr Watts or Cllr Taylor would attend the briefing in Winslow on 16 December.

b)        MK Core Strategy: Revised Proposed Submission Publication: The consultation period had been from 6 October to 17 November. The Chairman, in consultation with Cllr Gillow, had agreed that NPC did not need to comment as the comments made in March on an earlier version would be carried forward. It was understood that NBPPC had commented.

c)        Proposed installation of solar panels at Potash Farm, Beachampton: The Council noted that an exhibition had been held in Beachampton by the firm proposing to install solar panels on Potash Farm near the sub-station.  The panels would be some six feet high and sheep would be able to continue to graze on the land.  However, subsequently there had been reports in the press that the government would amend the regulations for feed in tariffs for green energy to exclude commercial solar energy farms.  The Council agreed to keep a watching brief on the situation and to ask to be consulted on any formal planning application in Beachampton parish.

d)        Possible breaches of development regulations: Clerk to report

(1)     Church Farm: The Council noted the information about a possible breach of the terms of the listed building consent that had been circulated previously.

(2)     Open Market Rental of Agricultural Dwelling on Nash Road , Great Horwood: Mrs Hedges reported that this property had been advertised to let without any apparent restriction on the occupation of the lessee, contrary to the terms under which planning permission for the property had been granted.  Great Horwood Parish Council had drawn this to the attention of AVDC who were investigating.

(3)     Land adjacent to Winslow Road :  The Council endorsed the action of drawing AVDC’s attention to the fact that the new stables required planning permission as they were more than simply shelters. The Council re-iterated its policy that all developments should be treated equally with regard to the rules for development.

 

46.  North Bucks Bridleway

The Council received copies of letters dated 22 October and 25 October by Mr and Mrs Sofair concerning the erection of a fence intended to mark the edge of the bridleway but that was reputedly not on the agreed boundary line of the bridleway. The width of the Bridleway had been specified in Definitive Map and Statement approved by BCC on 15 March 2005, although there was always likely to be some ambiguity because of the width of the hedge on the north side of the bridleway.

Mrs Hedges reported on her discussion with a Rights of Way officer at BCC. She also reported a letter from Mr Cook (who had purchased a paddock including the Bridleway from the Harwoods) seeking information about a letter she had sent in August 2003 in response to a request for background information from BCC. 

After discussion, the Council agreed:

·    To write to BCC to say that NPC supported BCC in ensuring adherence to the Definitive Map and Statement.

·    To reply to the Sofairs saying that the responsibility for the Bridleway lay with BCC but NPC had written to BCC to say that the Council wished the Definitive Map and Statement to be adhered to.

·        To reply to Mr Cook on the lines already drafted by Mrs Hedges.

 

47.  North Bucks Parishes Planning Consortium

Cllr Culverhouse had circulated a note saying that NBPPC had met on 11 November. The only significant matter to report was that an announcement concerning the HS2 route would be made early the following month and that it was understood that the Government still favoured the Chiltern route. Cllr Dewhurst reported that John Bercow, MP, opposed the new railway line.

 

48.  CPRE

The Council noted the letter dated 1 November 2010 from Nick Dunkley, recently appointed Chairman of Bucks CPRE. 

49.  Recreation Ground and other maintenance

(i)          Repairs to the Playground (Cllr Watts declared an interest): 

a)   A quote from Mr Ian Watts for repainting the pipes, the metal seat and the goal posts for £300 (ex VAT) was received. The Council agreed to accept the quote, subject to the work being completed by the end of March 2011.

b)    Following receipt of the £800 Micro-community grant from AVDC, the order had been placed with Playground Facilities Ltd.  The work on the safety surfaces was weather dependent.

(ii)        2011 Annual Inspection: After discussion the Council agreed to continue using RoSPA for the annual inspection of the Playground, but agreed to consider moving to a different inspector in 2012 to get a different point of view.

(iii)      Emptying of the dustbin during 2011: The Council agreed to continue sharing the emptying of the dustbin in the Recreation Ground on a voluntary basis. Councillors who were present volunteered for certain months and Mrs Hedges would contact Cllrs Culverhouse and Cllr Wyke to complete the rota.

(iv)      Grass Cutting arrangements for 2011: The Council agreed that, if possible, three quotations to cut the grass twice a month from March to October should be obtained for consideration at the January meeting. The debris should be removed after the first and last cuts and the cut immediately prior to the fete.  The contract should include a certain amount of weed-killing both in the Play Ground and round the pumps.

 

50.  The Local Government Boundary Commission

The Council noted that the Local Government Boundary Commission had commenced an electoral review of BCC.  NPC had been invited to comment on the size (currently 57) of the Council. The aim of the review was to equalise the number of electors represented by each county councillor. The first stage of the review concerned the total size of BCC and the closing date is 22 November 2010. The Council agreed that it had no comment to make on the size of the BCC believing it to be broadly correct.

 

51.  Buckinghamshire County Council

(i)          Local Area Forum: The Council noted that Cllr Culverhouse’s report on the meeting on 23 September had been emailed to Councillors on 24 September and that Cllr Culverhouse would attend the next meeting on 9 December.

(ii)        Speed Limit Review Area 14: Mrs Hedges reported that the public consultation was expected to take place in January and February 2011.  The Council would be kept informed.

(iii)      Salt Bins: The two bins provided by BCC had been delivered and filled without consultation on the precise location. Residents of Thornborough Road had objected to the position of the bin there and the bin intended for the south end of the High Street should not be on the other side of the Stratford Road .  Residents had been asked for comments on the position of the salt bins in the last Newsletter.  The Council agreed that the bin to be used at the south end of the High Street should be located on the grass at the bottom of the slope outside 7 High Street and the back the OEG garden, and the one for the Thornborough Road, be moved to the Stratford Road on the land outside Oxlease. Cllr Watts agreed to move the bins. Cllr Southby agreed to talk to the residents of Oxlease and 7 and 9 High Street to ensure that they were informed and any objections taken into account before the bins were moved.

(iv)      Get involved: Developing Libraries for the future: A consultation leaflet had been received. The consultation period ran until 1 February 2011. The Council agreed that Mrs Morgan and Mr Eggleston should be given copies of the leaflet and asked to convey any comments to the Council before the January meeting.   Mrs Hedges reported that the time of the Mobile Library (which visited Nash fortnightly) had been moved to Thursday mornings.

(v)        Temporary Prohibition of Traffic order in the Parishes of Thornborough, Beachampton and Nash:  The Council noted that there would be various road closures to enable trees to be pruned.

(vi)      Temporary Prohibition of Through Traffic order 2011: Whaddon Road , Nash The Council noted that the Whaddon Road would be closed for five days, probably from 31 January 2011, to enable BT to undertake works.

52.      Aylesbury Vale District Council

Freighter Service:  The Council noted that the freighter service would next visit Nash on Thursday 27 January 2011 from 7.30am to 11 am.

53.      Plaque to commemorate the former Wood Yard in Nash

Mrs Hedges reported that Mrs Unwin had suggested that it would be appropriate to mark the location of the former Wood Yard by some sort of plaque.  She had been prompted to suggest this by the likelihood that the current house at 1 Wood End would be pulled down and replaced.  The Council was supportive of this proposal, provided agreement could be reached between Mrs Unwin, whose family had previously run the Wood Yard, and the current owners of the property.  In due course, the Council would be willing to consider a contribution to the cost of a plaque.  The parallel with the plaque for the Bretch Well was mentioned.

54.  Dates of meetings etc:

(i)          2010/11: The Council noted that the dates of the two remaining meetings this fiscal year were 20 January 2011; and 17 March 2011. (Cllr Southby gave his apologies for the 20 January meeting).

(ii)        The Council noted that Parish Council Elections would be held on 5 May 2011.

(iii)      Dates of meetings in 2011/2012:  The Council agreed to meet on the corresponding dates in 2011/12, namely the third Thursdays of alternate months:

     2011:      19 May; 21 July; 15 September; 18 November;

         2012:      19 January; 15 March

Annual Parish Meetings: 12 May 2011 and 10 May 2012

55.  Any other urgent matters for consideration: None

 

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9 p.m.

 

MH.19.11.2010