Archives: PPC News

Further to the recent Notice of Vacancy, AVDC has confirmed that the parish did not call for an election and therefore the parish council can now co-opt a member to serve the remaining term of office ie until May 2019.   In May, there will be an election for the whole parish council and all members are required to re-stand or stand down.

If you are passionate about improving the life of local residents, and have plenty of spare time to volunteer with the council (all councillors are volunteers) then you may like to read the documents below to find out a little more about what is involved and who is qualified to stand:

about council booklet

Become a councillor

PPC general leaflet Feb 18

PPC Key projects leaflet Feb 18

Code of Conduct May 2017 version

As a councillor, you also become trustee of two local charities, so you may also like to read:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-essential-trustee-what-you-need-to-know-cc3

If you would like further information, or to express an interest in joining the parish council, please get in touch with the parish clerk on parishclerk@pitstone.co.uk or 01296 767261 before Friday 10 August 2018 so that we can arrange an interview with you.

The parish council is looking to purchase two additional benches to install in the Local Green Space between Marsworth Road and The Crescent, so that more people can sit within the shade of the trees and enjoy this quieter open area.

The current bench was funded and donated by the Young Farmers a number of years ago and displays a plaque to commemorate this.

The new seats will duplicate the one currently installed at the end of Glebe Close (pictured above), which has 100% recycled cast aluminium ends with Amortec coating and strong recycled material slats to provide a strong, durable,  low maintenance, disability compliant bench which will last for many years to come.

There is an option for these benches to be supplied with laser etched stainless steel memorial plaques with your choice of dedication or wording (see illustrations below), and therefore the council would like to give residents the opportunity to sponsor a bench in this manner.

One bench with memorial plaque costs just over £1,000.

If you are a local company who would like to sponsor a bench in return for your company details on the plaque and publicity by the parish council, or a local family who would like to sponsor a bench in memory of a loved one, then please contact the parish clerk on 01296 767261 or parishclerk@pitstone.co.uk by Monday 13 August 2018.

Very many congratulations to Rob Spiller who was nominated the Pitstone Volunteer of the Year 2018 at the Annual Parish Assembly.   Rob has volunteered at the youth café almost every week since it launched many years ago, he is a very active member of the Pitstone Allotment Association committee and also the Site Manager for the allotments.  Rob is always ready to help out and lend a hand wherever required.

A huge thank you to Rob from both the members of Pitstone Parish Council and all the residents who have had the pleasure of benefitting from the hours of time that Rob has contributed.

There are many people in our village that give up lots of their time to help other residents or community groups.   If you know someone that deserves a special thank you, please send their details to the parish clerk so they can be considered for the 2019 award.    The winner is presented with a framed certificate and cheque at the Annual Parish Assembly and is also entered into the AVDC Volunteer of the Year scheme.

Come along to free training session

Our grateful thanks to the South-Central Ambulance Service who have agreed to come along to the Charity Football Match and Opening Celebration at the pavilion site on Sunday 29 July from noon til 3pm to provide free training on the use of the defibrillator to all the attendees. The charity event and the training are both free to attend. Do come along as see how easy the equipment is to use, and so that you are familiar with the equipment in case you should ever need it.

Where are our defibrillators?

A third emergency defibrillator is now active in the parish – this unit is located on the outside front wall of the Pitstone Sports Pavilion on Marsworth Road (opposite the junction with Westfield Road) and can be accessed via the pedestrian gate. The other two defibrillators are located at Pitstone Memorial Hall in Vicarage Road and the Village Health Centre in Yardley Avenue.

Why do we need emergency defibrillators?

Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) does not give warning symptoms like a traditional heart attack. The heart goes into an unstable rhythm called ventricular fibrillation, the heart stops beating effectively, and the person becomes unconscious. Less than 30% of the time someone will do CPR on a victim, which does help buy time. However, CPR alone cannot put the heart back in normal rhythm, only a defibrillator can. You lose 7-10% chance of surviving each minute you are in SCA and an emergency ambulance from Stoke Mandeville can take up to 20 minutes to arrive. Only 8.3% of victims survive neurologically intact because emergency medical services simply cannot get to the victim and shock them in the four to six minutes before brain damage occurs.

Do you need to be trained to use the defibrillator?

No. Dial 999 as soon as the patient is taken poorly. The emergency services will dispatch an ambulance and if appropriate, provide you with details of the nearest defibrillator. The operator will stay on the line and talk you using the equipment. The defibrillator itself also gives you voice commands to talk you through the process. The defibrillator will only shock the patient if it first detects abnormal rhythms that can be treated via shocking, so you don’t need to be worried about hurting the patient or causing any damage.

However, we have offered community training events on the use of the defibrillators in the past and the next event is on 29 July 12-3pm at the pavilion. We hope that all residents will take the time to attend an event and familiarise themselves with the equipment so that it does not seem as daunting in the event of an emergency.

The council is delighted to introduce you to Anil Mitra and Jack Hawkins who were both appointed as co-opted councillors on 24/5/18 to fill the vacancies that existed until the May 2019 elections.

Anil Mitra

Having moved to Pitstone in 2015, Anil Mitra is a retired Principal Civil Engineer with nearly 50 years of senior engineering management experience. Anil has spent most of his retired life engaged in voluntary work working with councils, NHS and charities, working with people from all generations and backgrounds. Having lived in Beaconsfield for over 30 years, Anil and his wife made the decision to move to our village of Pitstone to be closer to their daughter, son in law and grandchildren. With a passion for working in the community and voluntary activities, Anil is keen to work with the Parish Council to play an active role in the development of our beautiful village. As a sociable gentleman with incredible knowledge and experience, Anil brings opinions, advice and plenty of enthusiasm to our team and to our village.

Jack Hawkins

Born in 1992 I’ve lived in Pitstone all my life. I’m the 7th generation of both sides of my family to live and work in the village.  I spent my first 6 years of my education in Brookmead. From here I went onto Tring School and finished off my education with a national diploma in agriculture at Moulton college. Since then I’ve progressed through the ranks of Young Farmers. I was club chairman for 2 years and then county chairman and national council representative for a further 2 years. Since finishing college, I have worked alongside my father in the family business based in Pitstone. At 25 years old I’m the youngest current council member. I hope my youth and knowledge of the village and its surroundings will be a great asset to council.

We are sure that you will join us in making them both very welcome.   Another vacancy arose at the 28/6/18 council meeting, so if you share their passion for our village, have plenty of time to volunteer and would like to join the parish council, please contact the parish clerk (parishclerk@pitstone.co.uk or 01296 767261) for more information.

Applications for consideration on 28 June:

The plans may be viewed online by going to http://eplanning.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk and searching using the planning reference number.

Any comments, representations or objections you may have should be submitted directly to AVDC as the planning authority, by the date shown on the yellow site notice, quoting the planning reference number.  This can be done on-line or you can post comments to:

The Head of Development Control, Aylesbury Vale District Council, The Gateway,
Gatehouse Road, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP19 8FF

If you wish the parish council to take your comments into consideration when making our recommendation, please also supply the details to us before noon on the day of the meeting to allow sufficient time for the information to be circulated to all councillors.

Laurie Eagling, Clerk to Pitstone Parish Council

The cherries on the trees in the Local Green Space between Marsworth Road and The Crescent are beginning to ripen in the sun.  Almost ready for picking!

Sad to see the criminal damage inflicted to these trees on the recreation ground this week.  The perpetrator(s), removed the protective wire netting from around the tree trunk to get at the bark, and spent a considerable amount of time on the grounds with a sharp blade/implement.

Thames Valley Police has been made aware.  Please be vigilant on the Recreation Ground and report any suspicious activity to TVP by calling 101.

The parish council is delighted to announce that on 23 May 2018 the purchase of the parcel of land previously owned by Bucks County Council (BCC) was completed.

The triangle of land resides between Marsworth Road and The Crescent and has been utilised as open green space for many years.   Due to financial pressures, BCC was exploring the possibility of erecting residential housing on this land and as part of the Neighbourhood Planning process, the community indicated that this was against their wishes.   The parish council’s application to have this area designated as Local Green Space was accepted by Aylesbury Vale District Council, based on the strength of local support, prohibiting development on the land.  Subsequently the parish council entered negotiations with Bucks County Council to purchase the parcel and protect it for perpetuity.

Aylesbury Vale District Council has supported this purchase with the provision of a release of Section 106 leisure funds they were holding from the Castlemead and Lower End Garage residential developments, and the parish council has contributed £3k.

We hope you continue to enjoy this peaceful green space for years to come.

The parish council is delighted to confirm that a third emergency defibrillator is now active in the parish.   This unit is located on the outside front wall of the Pitstone Sports Pavilion on Marsworth Road (opposite the junction with Westfield Road) and can be accessed via the pedestrian gate.

Why do we need emergency defibrillators? 

Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) does not give warning symptoms like a traditional heart attack. The heart goes into an unstable rhythm called ventricular fibrillation, the heart stops beating effectively and the person becomes unconscious. Less than 30% of the time someone will do CPR on a victim, which does help buy time.  However, CPR alone cannot put the heart back in normal rhythm, only a defibrillator can.  You lose 7-10% chance of surviving each minute you are in SCA and an emergency ambulance from Stoke Mandeville can take up to 20 minutes to arrive.  Only 8.3% of victims survive neurologically intact because emergency medical services simply cannot get to the victim and shock them in the four to six minutes before brain damage occurs.

Do you need to be trained to use the defibrillator?  

No.  Dial 999 as soon as the patient is taken poorly.  The emergency services will dispatch an ambulance and if appropriate, provide you with details of the nearest defibrillator.  The operator will stay on the line and talk you through the use of the equipment.  The defibrillator itself also gives you voice commands to talk you through the process.   The defibrillator will only shock the patient if it first detects abnormal rhythms that can be treated via shocking, so you don’t need to be worried about hurting the patient or causing any damage.

We have offered community training events on the use of the defibrillators before and will be arranging a further session again soon.  We hope that all residents will take the time to attend an event and familiarise themselves with the equipment so that it does not seem as daunting in the event of an emergency.

How has this defibrillator been funded?

Our grateful thanks to Pitstone & Ivinghoe Junior Football Club for purchasing the defibrillator and donating it to the parish council for use at the sports pavilion site, and granting permission for this to be utilised by the wider community.

Our grateful thanks to the Women’s Institute for their grant to enable the purchase and installation of the external lock box (which makes the defibrillator available to all) and associated signage (currently being manufactured and will be erected shortly).

The parish council is meeting the additional costs associated with daily/weekly/monthly maintenance regimes, utility costs, consumable costs, insurance and regular status reporting to the ambulance service etc.

The parish council is currently working on a dedicated planning application section for the web site.   In the meantime, following your feedback, we will post details of applications in this news section so that you can find them more easily.

Applications for consideration on 24 May :

The plans may be viewed online by going to http://eplanning.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk and searching using the planning reference number.

Any comments, representations or objections you may have should be submitted directly to AVDC as the planning authority, by the date shown on the yellow site notice, quoting the planning reference number.  This can be done on-line or you can post comments to:

The Head of Development Control, Aylesbury Vale District Council, The Gateway,
Gatehouse Road, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP19 8FF

If you wish the parish council to take your comments into consideration when making our recommendation, please also supply the details to us before noon on the day of the meeting to allow sufficient time for the information to be circulated to all councillors.

Laurie Eagling, Clerk to Pitstone Parish Council

In case you have misplaced your copy of the Pitstone Parish Post, please find below the parish council updates it included:

New Footpath to Marsworth

Work commenced on 5 February and should be complete by the time you receive this edition of PPP.   We hope that you all make good use of the new safe route into Marsworth and up to College Lake Nature Reserve.   This project has taken several years to get implemented and funded, and we’d like to express our grateful thanks to all the parties and individuals that have been involved in pulling together and implementing this initiative.  Funding was made available via a New Homes Bonus Grant, a Community Leaders Grant, a Local Area Forum Grant and provision from both parish councils.   Look out for details on the website and noticeboards of an official opening ceremony and walk to Marsworth.

Ball Stop Netting and Fencing at the Sports Pavilion

We are also delighted that the installation of two sections of ball stop netting, and two sections of replacement fencing at the sports pavilion has now been concluded.   Work will shortly commence on the extension of the larger pitch.   Funding has been made available for this project by the Football Foundation, a release of Section 106 sports & leisure development funds from Aylesbury Vale District Council, donations from both the senior and junior football clubs and a provision by the parish council.

New Telephone Number

Please note that the parish council has a new telephone number, so please use 01296 767261 when trying to reach the parish clerk.

Playgrounds
There are long outstanding plans to update/replace the play equipment on the recreation ground once it has been possible to secure the purchase/use of the land.   We also operate two further playgrounds in Hever Close and Windsor Road.   The current residential development see further play equipment installed in the parish.   Did you know that we check all our playgrounds on a weekly basis to ensure they are in a good state of repair and safe for your enjoyment?  If you are the parent of a child with a disability and have any concerns relating to disabled access or have particular disabled equipment needs, please get in touch with the parish council on parishclerk@pitstone.co.uk.

Public Transport Infrastructure
Bucks County Council are currently investigating how best to utilize the Section 106 public transport funds provided by the residential developments in Vicarage Road and Rushendon Furlong.  We will keep you updated once the plans have been confirmed.

Pitstone Community Car Scheme

The parish council is still working with the existing car scheme members, other individuals, advisory bodies and local organisations to relaunch the car scheme.   If you can spare some time to volunteer as a driver or would like to take up the post of voluntary co-ordinator we would love to hear from you.

Should we have a Community Bus?

Bucks County Council and the parish council are jointly investigating whether there is a demand and support for a Community Bus amongst the local parishes.  In other locations, such buses might run trips to the supermarket, surgeries, libraries, day care centres, some do scheduled bus routes, some do day trip exercisions, some are used by schools/community groups etc.    If you feel a community bus would be of value or would like to volunteer to get involved as a driver/committee member/co-ordinator etc then please get in touch.  We will keep you updated with the outcome of the initial investigations.

Would you like to get involved?

Would you like to get involved with all the variety of work that falls under the scope of a parish council?   Do you have plenty of spare time to devote to improving life for the residents of our parish?  Perhaps you would like to consider joining the parish council?  For more information on what a parish council is, what it does and how you can be involved please check out the leaflet on : http://pitstone.co.uk/ppcpubs/pitstone-parish-council-general-information-leaflet/ or call the parish clerk and we will provide you with further information.    Please note that these are voluntary roles – all your parish councilors volunteer their time for the benefit of the community.

New Homes Bonus Micro Grants up to £1,000 are now available for voluntary and community sector organisations as well as parish and town councils!

An exciting development sees the introduction of a new NHB Micro Grant Funding Scheme which is open to voluntary and community sector organisations operating within a parish.  Easily accessible micro grants up to £1,000 are available for a variety of  capital costs including refurbishment and equipment purchases and are assessed on a monthly basis.  It is not necessary for the project to link to growth, although those that do may score more highly. Projects to be put forward for funding must evidence consultation at parish level and the application form must be endorsed by the relevant town or parish council prior to submission.  The closing date for applications is the 15th of each month.   For more information please visit the AVDC website.

To commemorate the opening of the footpath between the villages of Pitstone and Marsworth, a walk will be taking place on Saturday 12 May 2018.

Residents of Marsworth will be departing from the Millennium Hall car park at 12 noon and walking across to Westfield Road in Pitstone and back again.

Residents in Pitstone are invited to meet at the Westfield Road junction, ready to join the Marsworth residents for the return trip.   Anticipated departure time approximately 12.20pm.  The sports pavilion car park will be available for parking.

If you choose to stay in Marsworth for some lunch we recommend booking a place at your chosen venue since numbers may be greater than normal that day.  Alternatively, you can join the immediate return walk back to Pitstone.

As well as providing a safe walking route to Marsworth and the facilities available there, the route can also be used to safely access College Lake.

The path is the result of many years of work in a joint project between both parish councils and Bucks County Council.  It has been made possible via a large grant from the Aylesbury Vale District Council New Homes Bonus, a grant from the County Councillor Community Leader Fund, grants from the Bucks County Council Local Area Forum and funding from both parish councils.

We  hope that many of you will be able to join us.

As part of the residential development off Rushendon Furlong, the developer paid a sum of money to Bucks County Council specifically to provide two bus shelters and two real-time information panels to improve the public transport infrastructure close to Rushendon Furlong.

Bucks County Council have carried out two sites visits, assessed the local area/utilities/land ownerships/access to sunlight etc, drawn up proposals and obtained quotations for this work.

Bus Shelters

It is proposed to install two glass/green metalwork bus shelters, similar in style to those that exist further down Marsworth Road.

When travelling towards Ivinghoe, the shelter would be located on the county council verge by the existing stop at the corner of Rushendon Furlong.   When travelling towards Marsworth, a new stop would be created in the county council verge between the junctions of Rushendon Furlong and Glebe Close.   The existing stop by the Haldi will remain operational as there is a sector of the Ivinghoe/Pitstone communities who will find this valuable, but it is not possible to upgrade this location to house a shelter.

Full engineering details still need to be established for both sites and Bucks County Council will be responsible for dealing with everything relating to safety, visibility, access and other matters.

Real-time Information Panels

Both new shelters will also be fitted with solar-powered real-time information panels which will provide travellers with up-to-date information about the services provided at that stop, along with real-time information about the location and progress of the bus you are hoping to catch eg whether it is running on time/its current location, thanks to GPS trackers fitted to the buses.

As part of the residential development off Vicarage Road, the developer of that site paid a sum of money to Bucks County Council specifically to provide two real-time information panels at the existing bus shelters by the recreation ground.   As this site is not suitable for solar powered devices, they will both be mains fed.

We trust that you will find these improvements to the public transport network in the village to be of benefit.   Should you have any comments, whether to show your support or to raise queries, please email the parish clerk on parishclerk@pitstone.co.uk or telephone 01296 767261 before Sunday 13 May 2018.   After this date, we will respond to Bucks County Council.

The parish council is currently working on a dedicated planning application section for the web site.   In the meantime, following your feedback, we will post details of applications in this news section so that you can find them more easily.

Applications for consideration on 26 April :

The plans may be viewed online by going to http://eplanning.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk and searching using the planning reference number.

Any comments, representations or objections you may have should be submitted directly to AVDC as the planning authority, by the date shown on the yellow site notice, quoting the planning reference number.  This can be done on-line or you can post comments to:

The Head of Development Control, Aylesbury Vale District Council, The Gateway,
Gatehouse Road, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP19 8FF

If you wish the parish council to take your comments into consideration when making our recommendation, please also supply the details to us before noon on the day of the meeting to allow sufficient time for the information to be circulated to all councillors.

Laurie Eagling, Clerk to Pitstone Parish Council

Pitstone Parish Council, Buckinghamshire County Council and Community Impact Bucks, are currently exploring the possibility of establishing a Community Transport Scheme (eg mini bus) to serve Pitstone and the surrounding villages.

Pitstone currently has a voluntary car scheme, but this provides a service for medical appointments only whereas an enhanced Community Transport scheme could provide a wider range of uses eg used by the schools and local groups, offering new/extended services like dial-a-ride, possibly regular routes.

As this will be a community-led venture, it is essential that we get as much input as possible from the wider community in regards to the viability of establishing this scheme and the priorities in terms of need from the potential service users.

To this end we are arranging a stakeholders meeting to discuss the idea in more detail. The meeting will take place on Thursday 10 May 2018 at 7.30pm and will be held at the Millennium Room at the Memorial Hall in Pitstone.

We encourage you to come along and take the opportunity to give us your views and ideas.  If you’d like to offer your voluntary services to help set up, maintain or drive for any such scheme, please also come along and chat to us. Please RSVP by Monday 30 April 2018.

If you have any questions about this then please contact Mrs Laurie Eagling, Clerk to Pitstone Parish Council, on 01296 767261 or parishclerk@pitstone.co.uk

Mobile phone found on Pitstone  Recreation Ground yesterday.  If you think this may be yours, please call 07837 024175 and be able to provide details of the phone to prove ownership.

Thank you.

Following the resignations of Annie Stack (who has served on the council for 10 years) and Colin Starling (who joined us at the May 2015 election), there are now two vacancies on the parish council for individuals to serve their remaining term of office ie until May 2019 (next year) when there will be another full election.

Please find below the official notice of vacancies for the two posts.  If ten electors give notice in writing to the returning officer by 26 April 2018 then a by-election will be called to fill these posts.  If no election is requested, then the parish council will fill the vacancies via co-option of suitably qualified persons.

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If you are passionate about improving the life of local residents, and have plenty of spare time to volunteer with the council (all councillors are volunteers) then you may like to read the documents below to find out a little more about what is involved and who is qualified to stand:

about council booklet

Become a councillor

PPC general leaflet Feb 18

PPC Key projects leaflet Feb 18

Code of Conduct May 2017 version

As a councillor, you also become trustee of two local charities, so you may also like to read:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-essential-trustee-what-you-need-to-know-cc3

If you would like further information, or to express an interest in joining the parish council, please get in touch with the parish clerk on parishclerk@pitstone.co.uk or 01296 767261.

Thank you to everyone who attended youth cafe last night.  We are now closed for the Easter school holidays and look forward to seeing everyone again on Wednesday 18 April 2018.

Enjoy your holidays!

The parish council offers grants to local community groups and charities that benefit Pitstone residents.  Applications are considered quarterly.   The grant reviews for the remainder of this calendar year are: 26 April, 19 July and 25 October 2018.

Please see the grant policy on this web site for further information or contact the parish clerk.

Applications must be received at least 10 days ahead of the meeting date.

Did your child come back from sledging without their hat and ear phones?

Lost property in the Hever Close playground on the bench.

youth cafe poster march 18 b

Please click the link above for more information about the Pitstone Youth Cafe, providing a fun & safe place for our young people to meet and catch up with friends.

The parish council is currently working on a dedicated planning application section for the web site.   In the meantime, following your feedback, we will post details of applications in this news section so that you can find them more easily.

Applications for consideration on 29 March :

The plans may be viewed online by going to http://eplanning.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk and searching using the planning reference number.

Any comments, representations or objections you may have should be submitted directly to AVDC as the planning authority, by the date shown on the yellow site notice, quoting the planning reference number.  This can be done on-line or you can post comments to:

The Head of Development Control, Aylesbury Vale District Council, The Gateway,
Gatehouse Road, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP19 8FF

If you wish the parish council to take your comments into consideration when making our recommendation, please also supply the details to us before noon on the day of the meeting to allow sufficient time for the information to be circulated to all councillors.

Laurie Eagling, Clerk to Pitstone Parish Council

The parish council has received notice of a planning application by Anglian Water to provide a sewage pumping station at the junction of Cheddington Road and Wellington Place, to enable them to provide sewage services to the Pitstone properties in this location (which currently only have septic tanks and no pumped service).

Highway Land At Corner Of Cheddington Road, And Wellington Place, Pitstone: CM/0008/18: Construction of a sewage pumping station including a chemical dosing unit and telemmetry aerial and upgrade of existing layby

This application is being handled by Bucks County Council (not Aylesbury Vale District Council who deal with dwelling planning applications).

To view the application (ref CM/0008/18) and provide your response to this consultation please visit http://publicaccess.buckscc.gov.uk/online-applications/

Any comments, representations or objections you may have should be submitted directly to Bucks County Council as the relevant planning authority, by the closing date (9 March 2018), quoting the planning reference number.  This can be done on-line.

If you wish the parish council to take your comments into consideration when making our recommendation, please also supply the details to the council before noon on the day of our meeting (Monday 5 March 2018 at 7.30pm in the meeting room at Pitstone Memorial Hall) to allow sufficient time for the information to be circulated to all councillors.

Laurie Eagling, Clerk to Pitstone Parish Council

Every year the parish council hosts an Annual Assembly where residents can come along, find out what has been going on in the village over the last 12 months and what might be happening over the forthcoming year.  This year, the meeting will take place on Tuesday 15 May 2018 at 7.30pm in the main hall at the Memorial Hall.  This is not a council meeting (though chaired by the council), but a community meeting where residents can find out about all the things that happen in the village.  Some years community groups have asked us to hold volunteer fairs, have asked to present, or have asked to have stands so that you can promote your cause to residents, or even just to have leaflets available to those that attend.   If you are attending, we can also list your group on the agenda/leaflet that is delivered to all homes in the parish, as well as appearing on our website/facebook page/twitter feed, to try and drive footfall for you.

We would like to understand how we can best support your group/cause this year.    Do you have a message you want to get out to the community?  Would you like a table?  Would you like to provide leaflets for residents to collect if they are interested, but not to attend in person?  Do you have a special reason for wishing to give a presentation to the community?   Or perhaps you are not in need of support on this occasion.

There is no charge associated with this opportunity.  The parish council will meet the costs of hall hire, publicity and provide tables.   You would need to provide any materials you need to dress your table/display boards etc.

Could you please let the parish clerk know by 21st February (email: parishclerk@pitstone.co.uk) if this is opportunity that would be of interest to your group, so that the parish council can build the annual assembly program around the needs of our community.

Please note that the parish council has a new telephone number.   Please use
01296 767261 to reach the parish clerk.

ANNUAL NOTICE OF FEES FOR 2018/19

Both Pitstone Parish Council and Pitstone Allotment Association are delighted to announce that there will be no increase in membership or tenancy fees for the 2018/19 season.

The annual subscription to Pitstone Allotment Association will remain at £6.50 per quarter plot and the rental charge to the Parish Council will remain at £8.50 per quarter plot.   Therefore, the total charge for one quarter plot for the forthcoming year will be £15.00, as per the last six years.   Any funds collected by the parish council which are surplus to the running costs of the site will be ring-fenced for future maintenance and development work at the allotment site.

As per the terms and conditions of your Allotment Garden Tenancy Agreement, the renewal rental is payable in full on or before 25 March 2018.   New paperwork will be issued during February.

We hope that you continue to enjoy your allotment garden in this beautiful location and reap the benefits for your families.

If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact me at parishclerk@pitstone.co.uk.

The parish council is currently working on a dedicated planning application section for the web site.   In the meantime, following your feedback, we will post details of applications in this news section so that you can find them more easily.

Applications for consideration on 22 February :

The plans may be viewed online by going to http://eplanning.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk and searching using the planning reference number.

Any comments, representations or objections you may have should be submitted directly to AVDC as the planning authority, by the date shown on the yellow site notice, quoting the planning reference number.  This can be done on-line or you can post comments to:

The Head of Development Control, Aylesbury Vale District Council, The Gateway,
Gatehouse Road, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP19 8FF

If you wish the parish council to take your comments into consideration when making our recommendation, please also supply the details to us before noon on the day of the meeting to allow sufficient time for the information to be circulated to all councillors.

Laurie Eagling, Clerk to Pitstone Parish Council

Good news!

The work to install a footpath between Pitstone and Marsworth will commence on 5 February 2018, and is estimated to take approximately 8-10 weeks.

As you know, both parish councils have been working on this project for a number of years with Bucks County Council and Transport for Bucks.   The majority of funding has been supplied by a grant from the AVDC New Homes Bonus Scheme, along with a Community Leader Grant and funds from both parish councils.

It is likely that there may be some disruption to traffic between 09.30-15.30 during this period.  BCC/TfB are currently finalising traffic implications and we will let you know when we have more details.

Volunteer Poster – Car Scheme

In Pitstone, we have a number of residents that are unable to drive, don’t benefit from local relatives, and find it very difficult to access their medical and hospital appointments by the limited public transport services in the village.

Pitstone operates a Community Car scheme, where our residents can phone a central co-ordinator and see if there is a volunteer available to take them to their appointment.  We desperately need more drivers to keep the scheme operating.  It provides a much appreciated service and helps to reduce both stress and costs for residents during often worrying times of medical need.  The resident pays the driver a set fee for the destination they need, to cover the cost of petrol/parking.

Drivers only accept the journeys that they are able to accommodate/fits with their diary – so if you only want to accept journeys to Tring surgeries/clinics that is absolutely fine & if you are happy to drive someone out to Stoke or Oxford hospitals, that is also much appreciated.  There is no minimum or maximum commitment required.  The more drivers in the scheme, the lower the number of requests each individual may need to fulfil.  Please don’t feel that the time you may be able to contribute may be too small, every assistance is very valuable to the scheme.

Could you become one of our volunteer drivers, using your own vehicle?  Training and support will be provided.  Expenses paid.

Please get in touch with the parish clerk on parishclerk@pitstone.co.uk or 01296 660791 or at 9 Warwick Road, Pitstone, LU7 9FE by 23 February 2018.

Just a reminder that the Pitstone Youth Cafe re-opens tonight, 6.30pm-8.00pm in the hall/grounds of Brookmead School.

We look forward to seeing you there.

The parish council is currently working on a dedicated planning application section for the web site.   In the meantime, following your feedback, we will post details of applications in this news section so that you can find them more easily.

Applications for consideration on 25 January :

The plans may be viewed online by going to http://eplanning.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk and searching using the planning reference number.

Any comments, representations or objections you may have should be submitted directly to AVDC as the planning authority, by the date shown on the yellow site notice, quoting the planning reference number.  This can be done on-line or you can post comments to:

The Head of Development Control, Aylesbury Vale District Council, The Gateway,
Gatehouse Road, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP19 8FF

If you wish the parish council to take your comments into consideration when making our recommendation, please also supply the details to us before noon on the day of the meeting to allow sufficient time for the information to be circulated to all councillors.

Laurie Eagling, Clerk to Pitstone Parish Council

The parish council is currently working on a dedicated planning application section for the web site.   In the meantime, following your feedback, we will post details of applications in this news section so that you can find them more easily.

Applications for consideration at the 4 January meeting:

The plans may be viewed online by going to http://eplanning.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk and searching using the planning reference number.

Any comments, representations or objections you may have should be submitted directly to AVDC as the planning authority, by the date shown on the yellow site notice, quoting the planning reference number.  This can be done on-line or you can post comments to:

The Head of Development Control, Aylesbury Vale District Council, The Gateway,
Gatehouse Road, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP19 8FF

If you wish the parish council to take your comments into consideration when making our recommendation, please also supply the details to us before noon on the day of the meeting to allow sufficient time for the information to be circulated to all councillors.

Laurie Eagling, Clerk to Pitstone Parish Council

All your nominations for the Pitstone Volunteer of the Year 2018 need to be sent to the parish council by 15 January 2018, so if you know of someone that is giving up their time and making a difference to the lives of the people in Pitstone, then please let us know.

As well as being an opportunity for you and the parish council to thank them in public, they may win a £50.00 award, framed certificate and entry into the AVDC Volunteer of the Year award.

Previous winners include: Margaret Cole, Klaus Ginda, Dave Clifford, Mary Saintey, Joe Marling, Michelle Lee, David Hawkins, John Groom and Elaine Thorogood.

Please email or write to the parish clerk on: parishclerk@pitstone.co.uk or at 9 Warwick Road, Pitstone, Beds, LU7 9FE providing the full name of the person you wish to nominate and the reasons why you think they deserve to win.

To help us ensure that the street lights are all working, and get any issues reported quickly, are you able to check the street lights in your road once a month and report any issues you identify to the parish council?  We would then contact either our contractor, or the appropriate other party (eg Bucks County Council or Taylor Wimpey) to request a repair.

We would especially like to hear from you if you live in: Albion Road, Cheddington Road, Chequers Lane, Crispin Field, Rushendon Furlong,
The Green or Vicarage Road.

If you are able to help us, please get in touch with the parish clerk on parishclerk@pitstone.co.uk or 01296 660791.

Thank you.

The parish council offers grants to local community groups and charities each year.  Applications are considered quarterly.   The next grant reviews will take place on 25/1/18 and 26/4/17.

Please see the grant policy for further information and details of application deadlines:

Grant Policy

Brookmead have been in touch to tender their apologies but the hall/playground is not available for youth cafe to use on Wed 6 December as they have planned an evening concert by their choir and bands. Therefore unfortunately we need to cancel youth cafe for tomorrow night ie Wed 6 December.

The last youth cafe before Christmas is Wed 13 December and this session will still run.

There is no youth cafe on Wed 20 December as Brookmead is closed for the holidays.

To find out more about the youth cafe, click here: http://pitstone.co.uk/ppcinfo/youth-cafe/

The parish council is currently working on a dedicated planning application section for the web site.   In the meantime, following your feedback, we will post details of applications in this news section so that you can find them more easily.

Applications for consideration at the 19 December planning committee meeting:

The plans may be viewed online by going to http://eplanning.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk and searching using the planning reference number.

Any comments, representations or objections you may have should be submitted directly to AVDC as the planning authority, by the date shown on the yellow site notice, quoting the planning reference number.  This can be done on-line or you can post comments to:

The Head of Development Control, Aylesbury Vale District Council, The Gateway,
Gatehouse Road, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP19 8FF

If you wish the parish council to take your comments into consideration when making our recommendation, please also supply the details to us before noon on the day of the meeting to allow sufficient time for the information to be circulated to all councillors.

Laurie Eagling, Clerk to Pitstone Parish Council

The parish council is aware that some of the dog bins have not been emptied.  This problem has been reported to Aylesbury Vale District Council who have apologised for the inconvenience.  They have instructed their contractor to attend and resolve (they anticipate this will be done by close of 29/11/17), and are also investigating why the collections were missed in the first place.

In the meantime, please utilize an alternative dog bin or take your dog bags home with you.

If anyone left the recreation ground without their football boots at the weekend, they are still sitting on a bench (rather wet and muddy now).

There is no-one better placed to promptly know when a street light has gone out than the residents of that road.

Would you be willing to look at the lamp posts along your street and drop us an email/phone call at the start of each month to let us know of any problems?   This task was previously undertaken by a single volunteer, who has had to step down from the role, but it would be a much less onerous task if we can establish a ‘champion’ for each road.  It would just involve walking along the street once a month during the dark to identify any lamps not illuminating or flashing, and once during the daytime to identify any lamps stuck on 24hrs.  The parish council can then arrange with our contractor for any issues to be swiftly resolved, or notify BCC/Taylor Wimpey of any problems affecting their stock.

If you can help, please make contact with the parish clerk on 01296 660791 or parishclerk@pitstone.co.uk.

The chances of you being caught up in a major incident or emergency are low. Nevertheless they do and have happened.

Have you ever thought what you would do if you found yourself in a situation that was out of the ordinary? For example, if you were flooded by a burst water main, if you were evacuated from your home following a gas leak in your road or your home is cut off due to heavy snowfall.  It is often the loss of sentimental items that affect people the most – are your photographs stored high up within your property and do you have back ups stored at a different location?  If you run a business from your home, what would you do if all the internet in the village goes down for a week or more due to adverse weather?

Being prepared in advance means that you will deal with the issue more effectively at the time. If you know what to do you are more likely to make the right choices – and it can be very easy to prepare a plan for your home and family.

To help you plan for emergencies the Thames Valley Local Resilience Forum have prepared a booklet that informs you of how you and your family can be better prepared.   The parish council has obtained copies of this leaflet for every household and delivered them to you with your copy of PPP.   You can also read the guide, and find further information, online at http://thamesvalleylrf.org.uk/home-family.ashx

The parish council also needs your help to ensure its own emergency plan for the village is comprehensive and robust.  This considers wider issues, such as what might need to happen if a train derails by Cheddington Road bridge, or we have numerous homes affected by a gas explosion.  So please contact the parish clerk (on 01296 6607691 or parishclerk@pitstone.co.uk) with any of the following information:

• Please let us know if you store hazardous materials at your property eg for a hobby or if you work from home, that may cause an incident (for instance gases, diesel or chemicals)
• Please let us know if you have a supply of any equipment or products that may benefit the community in the event of an emegency (for example sand bags, 4x4s, welding equipment or saws/power tools)
• Please let us know if you have any skills that would be of assistance in an emergency (eg doctors, nurses, engineers, plumbers, tree surgeons etc).

The parish council is delighted to announce that grant funding has been secured to commence work on the first phase of improvements to the sports pavilion site on Marsworth Road.  Phase 1 will see the replacement of a section of perimeter fencing, the installation of two sections of ball stop netting and an enlargement of the senior pitch.   This will start to bring the site up to the specification required by the football league, improve safety for those using our site and help to make the site more attractive to users.

We are most grateful for all the support received.  This project has received £14,298 from the Premier League, through the Football Stadia Improvement Fund; £7,791 awarded by Aylesbury Vale District Council following a release of Section 106 developer contribution funds towards sport & leisure in the parish; Pitstone & Ivinghoe Junior Football Club have provided a donation of £300; Pitstone & Ivinghoe United Football Club (seniors) have provided a donation of £1,100 and the remainder has been contributed by the parish council.   After a lengthy tender process, AlphaFence Sports & Security Fencing will be engaged to install the perimeter fence and ball stop netting, and Agripower are being employed to carry out the pitch enhancements.  We anticipate that work will commence at the start of December.

Funded with £6.5m each year from the Premier League, the FSIF – the sister organisation of the Football Foundation – is the country’s largest provider of grants towards projects that help improve the comfort and safety of lower league football grounds in both the professional and amateur game. These improvements range from new football stands and turnstiles to floodlighting and improved provision for disabled supporters.

The council is in the early stages of scoping the development that may be able to take place as part of Phase 2, and we hope to come back to you in the new year with an update.

The first service of Remembrance at Pitstone Memorial Hall on 12-11-17

The parish council is currently working on a dedicated planning application section for the web site.   In the meantime, following your feedback, we will post details of applications in this news section so that you can find them more easily.

Applications for consideration at the 30 November planning committee meeting:

The plans may be viewed online by going to http://eplanning.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk and searching using the planning reference number.

Any comments, representations or objections you may have should be submitted directly to AVDC as the planning authority, by the date shown on the yellow site notice, quoting the planning reference number.  This can be done on-line or you can post comments to:

The Head of Development Control, Aylesbury Vale District Council, The Gateway,
Gatehouse Road, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP19 8FF

If you wish the parish council to take your comments into consideration when making our recommendation, please also supply the details to us before noon on the day of the meeting to allow sufficient time for the information to be circulated to all councillors.

Laurie Eagling, Clerk to Pitstone Parish Council

Sad to find some more new damage to our trees on the weekly patrol this morning: