MINUTES OF A MEETING OF ASHLEY GREEN PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON 2015, AT THE OLD SCHOOL ASHLEY GREEN

Transcription

1 MINUTES OF A MEETING OF ASHLEY GREEN PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON 20 th May 2015, AT THE OLD SCHOOL ASHLEY GREEN Present: Councillors Axon (JA), Tucker (Vice Chairman) (RT), Hollylee (JH), Watts (RW), Trickett (JT), Ship (Chairman Elect) (JS), County Councillor Shaw (MS), District Councillor Garth (AG), B Pomells (Clerk) (BP) Residents and visitors: G Watkins (GW), M Smith (MS), C Edenborough (CE), S Wragg (SW and D Hicks (DH) Sunscredit Solar Power, M Fletcher (MF) and L Fletcher (LF) Broadway Bowls Club Presentation re proposed Community Solar Farm at Grove Lane, Whelpley Hill. In advance of the formal agenda Cllr JA decided to start with the presentations from the visitors: Suncredit (re the Solar Farm proposal off Grove Lane) and Broadway Bowls Club, who were exploring the possibility of using the former football pitch next to the lay-by off the A416. Suncredit had previously ed slides of their proposal to Cllr JA which had been distributed to councillors. Suncredit (represented by Simon Wragg and Dominic Hicks) were seeking to develop a solar farm of between 4 and 8 megawatts. A proportion of the income generated could be used to fund local community projects. Suncredit would provide the risk capital, deal with obtaining planning consent, expertise and construction. The company claimed they were not looking for investment from residents as in some schemes. The reasons for siting the solar farm near Grove Lane were:- Convenient access to the National Grid Not located in Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) No immediate residential neighbours or public rights of way issues Low visibility of solar panels Site of low ecological and archaeological value No security cameras necessary Sheep would be able to graze under/around the panels Land could leased for 25 years and restored to full agricultural use afterwards. Cllr JS asked where a completed project could be viewed and SW confirmed that a site was currently being built in South Wales, but the rest of the company s projects were currently in planning. Cllr JA spoke about the history of the parish and explained that the Council was made up of residents and that the Council s acceptance of such schemes should not be assumed even if the scheme s merit s looked good. SW confirmed that Suncredit had approached local farmer Mr D Harman about the project. Cllr JA observed that Chiltern District Council (CDC) were unlikely to give permission for such projects because of the precedents created for partial industrial use of agricultural land. SW confirmed he had met with CDC and that the land was classed as green belt but did not need an EIA (environmental impact assessment). Cllr JA stated that the Parish Council did not have planning powers and could only make recommendations on planning applications. Cllr JA suggested that the Parish Council might well be unwilling to get involved with the implementation of a solar farm. Cllr JA also suggested that a future article in Community Call to update residents on the two local solar farm proposals might be useful. SW and DH thanked the Parish Council for listening to their proposals and departed. 1

2 Presentation by Broadway Bowls Club MF reported that the Club was planning to purchase the land alongside the A416 Chesham Road, subject to planning permission being granted for a bowls club there. Not all the former football pitch would be used but did include a car park. Copies of the Club s plans were distributed and LF confirmed that they were looking to open in April/May 2016 and hence were looking for the support of the Parish Council. After brief discussion Cllr JA confirmed that the Parish Council did not have an objection to the proposal of a bowling club in the Parish but it was important to remember that no consultation with residents had taken place and their views were not known. MF and LF thanked the Parish Council for their time and left. The formal meeting then commenced at 8.55pm 1. Apologies: these had been received from Parish Warden D M-G 2. Declarations of interest in matters to be discussed: Cllr JA confirmed a non-financial interest in planning items 7.2c and e. 3. Minutes of previous meeting and matters arising: (3.1) Minutes of previous meeting on 18 th March 2015 were agreed and signed by Cllr JA. (3.2) Matters arising: Item 4.1bi Donation cheque had been sent to St John s Church. Item 4.1bii Donation cheque had been sent to the Coronation Hall, WH. Item 4.1biii The Clerk was awaiting responses for toilet redesign at the AG Memorial Hall and quotes for the cost of fixing potholes at its car park. Cllr JA asked GW to pass details of builders used at Coronation Hall to Clerk for the toilet redesign. Item 6.2 The Clerk had contacted Latimer PC Clerk, who had given details of a local company reported as owning lorries that were driving dangerously along Two Dells Lane Item 7.5iii The Clerk had ed the Bucks Rural Needs Enabler (Jean Fox) and had forwarded their response to Hightown Praetorian (promoters of social housing schemes). Item 8.1a Cllr JH had purchased a gate post for the allotments gate would be rehung, Cllr JH had also asked for a copy key for the new tap. Item 8.3 The Clerk had requested that the boundary gates and white posts along the A416 both be cleaned by the Warden prior to village fair date. An additional litter bin had been ordered. Item 8.4 The Parish Council notice board had now been moved to the bus shelter at WH, and A3 format footpath maps had been distributed to local pubs. Item 10 Cllr JA ed the footpath map to the Clerk, who had sent it to the Web host for uploading to the AGPC website. Item 12 BALC had responded re question as to whether complete minutes had to be posted on village notice boards with the message: leave a note on the board stating that complete minutes can be viewed on Parish website 4. Finance and Official Business: (4.1) Current Finance: Clerk/RFO s report & cheques for signature a) Bank Accounts: Clerk/RFO Balance at Bank as at 19 th May , Cheques to be signed at meeting ( ) Outstanding cheques ( ) 2

3 Net balance 11, Fixed Term Account 11, Petty Cash ( 0.00) Payments since Chq No Date Payee VAT Net Amt Allotment expense Bollard keys Dbt E-on Broker Network (parish insurance) Smartwheelie (WH bin stickers) FISCO (grass cutting March) Coronation Hall (donation) Salaries CDC (dog waste bins) Allotment expense) BALC (subscription) SLCC (subscription) St John s Church (donation) Dbt E-on Expenses Salary and expenses AGGNG (annual donation) Kew Bookbinding (minute book) Adj Expenses Total Payments , , Cheques to be signed at meeting Chq Date Payee VAT Net Amt Bus shelter and noticeboard PW fees Allotment overpayment Chiltern Society (subscription) Internal auditor Receipts since Date Payee Amount CDC (grass cutting reimbursement April) Plot 6 (allotment payment) Plot 7 (allotment payment) Plot 8 (allotment payment) Plot 4 (allotment payment) Plot 5 (allotment payment) Plot 3 (allotment payment) Plot 3a (allotment payment) CDC (Precept 1st of 2) 7, Plot 2 (allotment payment) Plot 2a (allotment payment) CDC (grass cutting reimbursement March) CDC (grass cutting reimbursement February)

4 HMRC (VAT reimbursement) Total Receipts 9, b) End of year accounts 2014/15: Approved and signed by Cllr JA ACTION: Clerk to send to Mazaars (external auditor) c) Chilterns Conservation Board Notice of Vacancy: Cllr JS stated an interest. ACTION: Clerk to send nomination form to Chilterns Conservation Board 5. Countryside : (5.1) Update Clerk had ed Nora Maw requesting clearance of nettles along footpath 7. Cllr JS requested that the Whelpley Hill end of footpath 7 also be cleared. Cllr JA to order copies of the new footpath map as copies are being requested by residents ACTION: Clerk to Nora Maw re footpath 7. Cllr JA to get maps printed. 6. LAF and Highways: (6.1) LAF The spring meeting had been cancelled due to national/local election commitments. (6.2) Highways Resident CE complained about the footpath from Hog Lane to the Golden Eagle pub saying it was still unsafe. CCllr MS confirmed that this had been brought to his attention and that TfB had resurfaced the worse section. Cllr JA stated that it was clear that TfB would not resurface the entire length of the footpath from Hog Lane to the Golden Eagle due to cost. Cllr RW asked that the following be put to TfB:- - Blocked drains A416 at j/w Two Dells Lane - Damaged drain on Two Dells Lane in front of St John s Church - Loose kerb stone near St John s Cottage - Damaged surface at Paddock Way j/w Two Dells Lane It was agreed that a Highways meeting with TfB be scheduled for September. ACTION: CCllr MS to speak with TfB Local Area Technician. Cllr JA to contact TfB 7. Planning RT: (7.1) Applications since last meeting - None (7.2) Applications for discussion - a) CH/2015/0506/FA Land adj. Two Dells Lane Change of use of agricultural buildings to provide three dwelling houses and retention and completion of access track Previously refused, to be called in by DCllr Garth b) CH/2015/0705/SA Woodfield Spring Farm, Hog lane AG HP5 3NX Application for a Certificate of Lawfulness for a proposed single storey front extension and two single storey rear extensions no objection c) CH/2015/0786/PNE 4 Moors Farm Cottages, Orchard Leigh AG HP5 3QX Single storey extension 4 mtrs beyond existing rear wall of original dwelling no objection d) CH/2015/0803/FA Tunfield Farm, Hog Lane AG HP5 3PY Change of agricultural use to storage objection Cllr RT to write to CDC planning e) CH/2015/0851/PNE 3 Moors Farm Cottages, Orchard Leigh AG HP5 3QX Single storey extension 5 mtrs beyond existing rear wall of original dwelling no objection 4

5 (7.3) Planning applications permissions and refusals since last meeting a) CH/2015/0056/FA 3 Moors Farm Cottages, Orchard Leigh, HP5 3QX - permitted Two storey extension b) CH/2015/0152/FA Berry Farm, Whelpley Hill, HP5 3RW - permitted Change of use from agriculture to equestrian purposes, construction of ménage c) CH/2015/0165/SA Woodfield Spring Farm, Hog Lane, AG HP5 3NX granted but refused in part App for certificate of lawfulness relating to single front and rear extensions, habitable accommodation in roofspace, and fenestration alterations d) CH/2015/0340/FA The School House, Little Grove, AG HP5 3QQ - refused Redevelopment to provide two detached dwellings with one detached and one attached garage served by altered access drive, landscaping (amendment to approval CH/2014/0674/FA) e) CH/2015/0376/FA 1 Willow Wood Cottages, AG HP5 3PY - permitted Replacement outbuilding f) CH/2015/0495/FA Cassett House, Two Dells Lane, AG - refused Construction of garden walls and fencing f) CH/2015/0629/AGN Land adj. Two Dells Lane refused Creation of access from Ashley Green Rd and formation of track to serve existing agricultural buildings. (7.4) Enforcement/Appeal update: a) CH/2013/1954/FA Pynest Green Cottage, AG HP5 3RB Detached outbuilding to front of dwelling Appeal dismissed b) CH/2014/0793/OA Thorn Barton Farm, AG HP5 3PQ Redevelopment to provide two detached dwellings Appeal pending (7.5) General planning matters: a) Broadway Bowls Club update dealt with at beginning of meeting. b) Solar Farm, Grove Lane, AG dealt with at beginning of meeting. 8. Village matters: (8.1) Parish items and update: a) Allotments JH Cllr JH had been contacted by an allotment holder who requested a receipt for her allotment rent. Cllr JH noted that some pathway grass needs strimming. Cllr JH to re-hang allotment gate and was awaiting the key to the new tap. ACTION: Clerk to send receipts to holders who require them. Clerk to Nora Maw s details to Cllr JH for grass strimming. b) Recycling bin at Memorial Hall for Thames Valley Air Ambulance JA Cllr RW confirmed that the Community Association were not in agreement with this. ACTION: Clerk to objection c) Dog Waste Bins RT Cllr RT reported that all dog waste is now sent to landfill and queried costs being paid to CDC for a service that previously had such waste incinerated. Clerk confirmed that the contract was now with contractors SDK. ACTION: Clerk to query costs with environmental health and copy CCllr MS 5

6 (8.2) Parish Warden: a) Report DMG. None received. Cllr JS asked to be copied into the list of outstanding works for the Parish Warden ACTION: Clerk to outstanding works to D M-G and copy Cllr JS (8.3) Ashley Green - JT Cllr JT confirmed that a resident at Snowhill Cottages had had her parked car written off there when the offending driver had collided and had not stopped. It was also noted that the postcode for The Bellcote restaurant was incorrectly stated on Google and therefore some customers were ending up in Snowhill Cottages. It was noted that the AG bus stop no longer has a printed timetable. Clerk has had a response from Stuart LaBrosse at TfB and was awaiting his call to discuss solar lights at the AG bus stop. Clerk had also met with Andrew Woods from Woodland Trust re trimming back the trees along A416. He had put out for tenders and hoped to have the works undertaken during the summer. (8.4) Whelpley Hill RT The bus shelter had been painted and the Parish Council notice board moved to the bus shelter. Most agreed it all looked very good. The White Hart pub was getting very busy. Unfortunately the monthly coffee mornings at the Coronation Hall had ceased due to lack of attendance. Cllr JS asked who owned the tree near the WH pond as it needed to be cut back. 9. Website: Updated regularly by the Clerk 10. Future Dates - None 11. Any Other Business: Councillors thanked Cllr JA for his hard work as Chairman and presented him with a gift. Councillors also thanked BP (Clerk) and presented her with a gift of flowers. The Clerk confirmed her last working day as 31 st May. Welcome flowers were also given to Ann Black the new Parish Clerk who would start work formally on 1 st June Date and venue of next meeting: Wednesday 15 th July 2015, The Old School, Ashley Green Signed: Chairman Date: 6