PITSTONE PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 23 August 2012 
In the meeting room at the Memorial Hall, starting at 7pm and concluding at 9.35pm

71/12	ATTENDANCE AND APOLOGIES
	
PRESENT:  Cllr Saintey (Chair), Cllr Blunt (Vice Chair), Cllr Ginda, Cllr Mrs Stack, 
Cllr Mrs Monaghan and Cllr Mrs Hawkins.   Clerk: Laurie Eagling.  
Three members of Bedfordshire Police Luton Airport team until after initial presentation.

	APOLOGIES: 	Cllr Richardson, Cllr Mrs Arney, Cllr Mattey and Cllr Nicholls (holidays) 

72/12	PRESENTATION FROM BEDFORDSHIRE POLICE FLIGHTPATH PROTECTION TEAM REGARDDING LUTON AIRPORT ANTI TERRORISM STRATEGY:  PC Ben Thomas headed the team from Luton Airport who gave a very information presentation with associated DVD.   A door-to-door leaflet drop will take place in Pitstone in approximately 4-6 weeks to raise awareness amongst the general public.  Residents will be able to sign up to the newsletter.   They would like everyone’s assistance when out in our beautiful open space to be vigilant for suspicious vehicles/people, anyone taking an unusual interest in passing aircraft or people/equipment that looks ‘out of place’ from that which you usually see.   Do not approach anyone, but take a note of clothing, registration numbers, equipment and behaviour then telephone the anti-terrorism hotline on 01234 842706.    It should be noted that there is no evidence of any specific or increased threat around Luton airport and the leaflet drop is part of an ongoing campaign.

The representatives from Bedfordshire Police Airport Unit were thanked for their excellent presentation then they departed the meeting.

73/12	QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC/PRESS:  None were present.

74/12	DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:  All councillors have an interest in the Recreation Ground redevelopment as the council is trustee of the Recreation Ground Charity and Pitstone Parish Charity.   For the purposes of this meeting, they are representing the local authority.
Cllr Ginda declared an interest in the item relating to the trustees for Pitstone Townsland Charity and Williamson Trust (being a trustee himself).

75/12	MINUTES OF THE MEETING held on 26 July 2012.

	It was RESOLVED that the draft minutes of the Pitstone Parish Council meeting held on 26 July 2012 were a true and accurate record.  The Chairman was authorised to sign them on behalf of the council.

76/12	CLERK’S REPORT
The content of the clerk’s report (Appendix 1) was noted.   To assist the public, the notes on matters arising are duplicated below:

1)	Minute 131/09.3 – Business Park Signs; Sian Thomas is now chasing up these signs on our behalf and will provide an update at the start of September
2)	Glebe Close Parking – The latest update from VAHT reads: “The parking is still in progress.  The strategic maintenance team who do the parking projects are in the process of meeting with Highways”.
3)	Minute 132/11.7 – Unmetered equipment inventory & 165/11.1 Street Lighting: waiting for UK Power to connect new LED lights, so can submit latest figures.   OLS still chasing.
4)	Minute 183/11.12 – Domino Pizza Knockdown:  Payment due by 20 July.   Chased but still no communication received to date.
5)	Community Cinema – initial meeting arranged for Tues 4 Sept at 8pm in the meeting room at the Memorial Hall (6 attendees including 2 councillors).
6)	Minute 198/11.4 – Computer back-up:  Cllr Nicholls still to set up back-up systems.
7)	Northfield Road Cycle/Pedestrian Path: No further update - HCC and BCC are drawing up a legal agreement to allow the transfer of funds between the two parties.   HCC is not yet in receipt of the funds from BCC as far as we are aware.
8)	Minute 32/12.1a – Silver Surfers Club:   Dave Clifford hoping to run a pilot scheme in September.  1 volunteer came forward as a result of PPP and 2 residents offered a donation of equipment.
9)	Minute 32/12.1b – Dog Bin on Windsor Road:  Application will be made to AVDC and TW once fence removed  
10)	Minute 45/12.1c - Additional hedge plants for recreation ground/Marsworth road boundary: no longer required, see note below.
11)	Minute 59/12 – community speedwatch/mobile VAS:  BCC arranged speedwatch sessions for 4-6pm on Wednesday 12 September on Marsworth Road and Cheddington Road.   Cllr Blunt & Cllr Stack will attend.  Everyone with an interest is welcome.
12)	Minute 65/12.2 – New web site launch: as soon as data populated, eta end September / October
13)	Minute 65/12.4 – Quarry 1: Smiths Gore are working with the tenant farmer to ensure quarry 1 receives the annual cut stipulated in the management agreement.   The situation will be monitored for a while before any further action is considered.
14)	Minute 65/12.5 – Pitstone-Marsworth Right of Way: Marsworth Parish Council will also seek to ring-fence a financial contribution within the 2013/14 budget.   MPC will also put together a grant application program and share the details with PPC once available.   The clerk is meeting with Claire Trantor (Rights of Way) and Bob Kennedy (Chair of MPC) at 2pm on 31/8/12 to walk the first part of the route.
15)	Minute 65/12.6 – Memorial Hall Redevelopment Plans: Memorial Hall Management Committee meeting scheduled for September.
16)	Minute 64/12.3 – AVYFC pre-term meeting:  arranged for Monday 3 September at 8pm in the meeting room – Cllr Mattey attending.
17)	Minute 64/12.4 – Youth cafe volunteer social evening:  arranged for Thursday 6 September at 8pm, 
Cllr Blunt attending
18)	Minute 64/12.2 – Youth cafe volunteers:  to date only 4 new volunteers returned their CRB paperwork & pencilled in any sessions at the youth cafe.   Several chase communications sent.   Notes will be published with likely dates of closures if volunteers don’t come forward.
19)	Minute 65/12.1 – PPP/Village Magazine: Ivinghoe Parish Council (IPC) discussed our request at their meeting and was in favour of investigating options further.   A meeting is being set up by IPC for mid to late Sept that will be attended by Cllrs Ginda & Blunt.
	
77/12	CORRESPONDENCE 
The correspondence received this month was discussed and noted (Appendix 2).

78/12	PLANNING MATTERS   

1)	Applications:
12/00562/APP – minor amended plans for single storey goods in extension to existing facility and provision of additional car parking to front at Goodrich Electrical Power Systems (AVDC not consulting for info only)
12/01708/ACC – alterations and extension to existing school to create new multifunction hall, new library and additional car parking at Brookmead School, High Street, Ivinghoe: the school has undertaken substantial local consultation.   After considering the application, the council RESOLVED to advise AVDC that they were in support of this application.

2)	Decisions: 
12/00562/APP –single storey goods in extension to existing facility and provision of additional car parking to front at Goodrich Electrical Power Systems: approved (PPC offered no objection)

3)	Consultation:
AVDC has issued the Vale of Aylesbury Plan Affordable Housing Consultation.   It was RESOLVED to respond in favour of the proposed plan to retain large developments over 15 units at 35% and introduce a 20% requirement for developments fewer than 15 dwellings.

79/12	PITSTONE PARISH DEVELOPMENT PLANS	

1)	Leisure Development on the Recreation Ground (Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 S19)

a.		Update: The updated information previously circulated was noted.

b.	  Existing Equipment:
Following interest from a village resident, it was RESOLVED to publicise the opportunity for people to place sealed bids for scrap items of play equipment.   The reserve prices would be set at the cost involved in the chosen supplier carefully uplifting the equipment.  The bidder will be responsible for collecting and removing any items purchased.  The council will accept no liabilities.

c.		Kicking Wall
Council RESOLVED that it wished to pursue the Hever Close option.   One letter of objection received from a resident to date.   Continue to monitor until the end of August.

d.		Youth Shelter
It was RESOLVED to pursue moving the youth shelter to the opposite side of the cricket nets, facing into the football pitch, retaining the existing back panel which will be less visible in the new location.   It was RESOLVED that the work should be undertaken by the firm that is awarded the playground removal contract, rather than specifically be handled by Monster.  

e.		Hedges / Trees
It was RESOLVED to purchase an identical replacement Royal Wedding Tree, to be located on the recreation ground close to the bus stop, and relocate the memorial plaque.   The cost of a new tree being less than the cost of moving the existing tree.    

It was noted that the open space outside the current development of Castlemead would be assessed once the security fencing was down, to see if there is a suitable space for the Jubilee tree arriving in the autumn.

f.		Bangles
It was RESOLVED to ask the user group to put together a grant request and attend the next council meeting to discuss the opportunity.

2)	Village Beautification / Daffodil Planting (Highways Act 1980)
Quotes of £1,175 and £2,600 were received for the supply and planting of 4,500 early flowering daffodil bulbs along the Marsworth Road verge.

The PPP article had generated a positive response with 14-16 members of the public & councillors willing to volunteer to plant the bulbs.  Interest has also been shown from the Brownies/Rainbows and the Guides.

It was therefore RESOLVED to source the bulbs direct (approximately £500) and plant using the volunteers that have come forward.   The proposed dates were Sat 29 Sept, 6 & 13 Oct from 10-12noon.   It was also RESOLVED to see if the Scouts would like to be involved, as the Guides & Brownies had offered.

3)	Pitstone Development Area

To be progressed in September.

80/12	PROPERTY ISSUES

1)	Pavilion (Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976)

a)		It was RESOLVED to accept the quotation from First Environment of £292 to carry out the bi-annual legionella risk assessment.

b)		It was RESOLVED to approve the Annual Review of the Water Treatment Control Systems, previously circulated and the Chairman was granted approval to sign on behalf of the council.   

c)		It was RESOLVED that there would be no charge for the Ben Wesley Memorial football match at the pavilion.

d)		The current tension between the two member clubs regarding the use of the larger pitch on Saturday mornings was noted.

e)		It was RESOLVED to approach Anglian Water for possible solutions to sewerage problem on bill eg separate meter.

81/12	OTHER ISSUES

1)	Pitstone Townsland Charity and Williamson Trust
In accordance with the terms of the original trust deed it was noted that two trustees had resigned.  It was RESOLVED to accept the offer made by the two trustees to stand for re-appointment.

2)	Code of Practice for Handling Complaints
It was RESOLVED to adopt the annual review of the above, previously circulated.  The Chairman was granted approval to sign on behalf of the council.

3)	Street Light Maintenance Contract (Parish Councils Act 1957 & Local Government Act 1972)
Both parties were happy to continue with the existing arrangement for a further year.  There were no price increases planned.   A full market review isn’t due for another 3 years.   It was therefore RESOLVED to extend the contract for a further period of 12 months.

4)	General Power of Competence (Local Government Act 1972 S111)
It was RESOLVED to accept the cost of £21.15 for the above training for the clerk provided by BALC.

5)	Arriva 61 Bus Service
The proposed changes were noted.   The two new bus stop locations along Westfield Road were welcomed, although council was disappointed that the service couldn’t be extended to Tring station during peak hours.   The provision of bus shelters at these locations may be considered as part of the budget process.

6)	Clerk’s Hours (Local Government Act 1972 S111)
It was RESOLVED to claim for the hours undertaken as part of the Leisure Development project, from July onwards, as part of the S106 claim from AVDC.
It was RESOLVED to pay £887 for 67 hours of pre-approved overtime between April and June.

7)	Code of Conduct (amended)
It was RESOLVED to adopt the latest version of the NALC Code of Conduct with the amendments to Appendix 1.   The Chairman was granted permission to sign on behalf of the council.    It was noted that non-council committee members would need to adopt the code and complete the register if they were granted a vote.

8)	Community Impact Bucks (Local Government Act 1972 S137)
It was RESOLVED to renew the annual membership at a cost of £50.

82/12	FINANCIAL ISSUES  

1)	Payments by Parish Councils Consultation
It was RESOLVED to respond offering support to the NALC/BALC proposal.

2)	Financial Information
It was RESOLVED to make the payments outlined in Appendix 3, and the cheques were duly signed by 3 members of the council.  The income, debtors and financial reconciliation/ summary information was noted.  

3)	Interest Refund 
NatWest has admitted a bank error in the payment of net not gross interest on the bonus saver accounts.  They will be making a refund for the current financial year and paying £150 compensation for the error.   The clerk will reclaim a further £269.26 for previous financial years from HMRC.

83/12	REPORTS (in addition to those provided in the Clerks Report)

1)	Primary Care Trust Rural Consultation
The response had previously been agreed electronically by council, stating that our classification should remain rural.

2)	Footpath 2
It was noted that footpath 2 had been ploughed, as previously notified by the land owner.   The owner is granted a set period to restore the path ground to suitable conditions.

84/12	THE FOLLOWING REMINDERS WERE NOTED

•	AVDC monthly litter picks on approximately 2nd of each month
•	Parish Council meetings: 27 September, 25 October, 29 November and the 27 December meeting will move to 3 January 2013.
•	BALC AGM 9/11/12 7.30pm
•	BALC Executive Committee 17/10/12 all 7pm at County Hall
•	AVALC meetings: 27/9/12 – Devolution of Public Services (held at County Hall), 3/11/12 AGM at Quainton Village Hall
•	Family Fun Days, including Play around the Parishes with sports and the portable skate park, booked for 10am to 3pm on Fri 24 Aug (Summer hols)
•	Pavilion Committee Meeting – set for 15 October at 7.30pm
•	New refuse collections start w/c 3 September
•	LCPLG meeting Thurs 20 Sept 2012 6.30pm The Gateway – Cllrs Saintey & Hawkins attending
•	Buckinghamshire Playing Fields Association AGM 9/10/11 7.30pm Aston Clinton Bowls Club
•	Chilterns AONB Planning Conference 10-3pm on 3/10/12 – venue tbc.
•	BCC Standards Briefing 2.30-4pm Fri 28 Sept – Clerk attending

85/12	DATE OF NEXT MEETINGS

	The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Thursday 27 September 2012.  There were no further items requested for the agenda.    The next pavilion committee meeting will be Monday 15 October at 7.30pm.

86/12	CLOSURE OF MEETING

	There being no further business to be transacted, the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.35pm.

Signed:			Date:	27 September 2012
	 Chairman