Still lots of crab apples on the tree in the open space between Marsworth Road and The Crescent.

Any local groups/charities hosting events over the next few months that are open to all residents?

If you want them added to this village web site’s event page, please remember to email the details to the parishclerk (parishclerk@pitstone.co.uk)

A key has been handed into the parish council.  Looks like a front door key.  Distinctive keyring.  Found on Monday 9 October on the recreation ground.

If you believe it may belong to you, please get in touch on 01296 660791 or parishclerk@pitstone.co.uk.

We need your help.

We are sure that you will all agree that previous ‘Party in the Park’ events held on Pitstone Recreation Ground have been great events for the whole community.  There are a range of bands playing throughout the day, food, drink, activities for the children, a range of stalls to browse etc.  And it is completely free –  so you are able to bring along a picnic and enjoy a day of free entertainment.   However, putting on such an event requires an awful lot of planning and preparation (organising the stage & sound engineers, sourcing and booking bands, creating running orders, sourcing and booking stalls & activities, arranging site layouts, obtaining the necessary licences and insurances, organising food & drink vendors, arranging first aiders, preparing publicity/banners etc.) and a lot of extra people to help on the day directing traffic, showing stall/event holders where to set up, helping with the BBQ/bar/stands, organising the bands & all their equipment etc   We need volunteers in order to make it happen again this year.  If we don’t get that help, we simply won’t be able to put it on again next Summer.

 

So, if you’d like there to be a Party in the Park next summer and are willing to help with the organisation/on the day please contact the parish clerk in the first instance on 01296 660791 or parishclerk@pitstone.co.uk.

Bucks County Council Transport for Bucks are responsible for the maintenance of the highways.  They conduct periodic inspections of A & B roads and less frequent inspections of residential roads.  In between, they rely on residents reporting defects to them.  Therefore, if a pothole appears in your road, or a road you drive down, don’t assume that someone else has notice and reported it.  They have an easy online reporting tool so either (1) go to buckscc.gov.uk and click on “tell us about a highways problem” or (2) click on this link: http://www.transportforbucks.net/Report-it-pothole.aspx   The screen asks you a series of questions about the location of the problem, the size & depth of the pothole and its location in the carriageway.  You can also upload a photograph to assist them.  At the end of the form, you can choose if you would like to provide your contact details so that TfB can keep you advised of progress & provide you with the ability to track progress online.   TfB give priority to large/deep holes in the direct line of tyres which are classed as ‘Category 1’ and these are then fixed in a quicker duration than more minor defects.

With the last edition of Pitstone Parish Post every home received the leaflet asking for your help to stop the vandalism on Pitstone Recreation Ground where numerous trees were having their bark deliberately stripped.  Put quite simply bark stripping causes trees to die – water and nutrients can no longer be transported and the tree ‘starves’.  Whilst the pace of stripping seems to have declined, we are sad to report that we are still seeing some instances of further stripping.  We are also aware of vandalism to other trees in the parish, especially along the woodland walk which lies between Castlemead and Vicarage Road where some trees have had several whole branches removed, and to the trees in the open space between Marsworth Road & The Crescent.  Some of the identified individuals have been between 10-16yrs and therefore may not be aware of the importance of the trees or the potential damage to their health, so if your children are out-and-about with their friends, please make sure that you explain to them so they can act appropriately.  If you witness any damage please report the individual(s) to Thames Valley Police on Tel: 101.

The youth café meets each Wednesday from 6.30-8.00pm at Brookmead school during term time.  Children can join at the end of Year 6 just before they move up to Secondary School, and are eligible to attend until they leave school.  Most attendees are between 11 and 16yrs.  Children from our village can attend 6 different senior schools and the youth café provides them with a safe, warm environment to meet up in once per week.  Unlike a ‘club’ the café is a less structured drop in facility where the young people can join in with activities such as skate boarding, basketball, dodgeball, console games, crafts, board games, pool or table tennis etc, or they can just chill out and enjoy a snack and drink whilst chatting to their friends.  We need at least 8 adults on site each week and would love to hear from you if you are able to join our team of volunteers.  You do not need to be a parent of a teen to join us.  Many of our existing volunteers are retired, and enjoy coming to café each week as much as the youngsters do.  You can find more information about our youth café on: http://pitstone.co.uk/ppcinfo/youth-cafe/   Please do get in touch with the parish clerk on 01296 660791 or parishclerk@pitstone.co.uk and we’ll arrange for you to come along and experience what youth café is about.

 

You are now able to submit your nominations for the Pitstone Volunteer of the Year 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.  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.   All submissions must be received by the end of January 2018.

Support provided for a second defibrillator at Pitstone Memorial Hall, and for banners for Rainbows & Brownies

The parish council was delighted to provide donations to help both these projects:

• As you will probably remember, the time taken for an ambulance to reach the village from Stoke Mandeville is too long to provide the necessary immediate health care required in the event of a cardiac emergency. There is currently a defibrillator mounted outside the Village Health Centre in Yardley Avenue and there will soon be a second defibrillator outside Pitstone Memorial Hall which will enable even faster assistance to be given to anyone unfortunately suffering heart problems whilst at the hall or on the recreation ground.  In the event of a cardiac emergency, the 999 operator will provide the release code and the defibrillator will talk you through the process of giving life saving treatment to the patient whilst the ambulance is on its way.   Please make sure that you familiarise yourself with the location of both units, as you never know when you might need them.   The council was pleased to provide the requested 50% contribution towards the cost of £813.75.  The remaining funds are being raised via a Zone Cycle Studio sponsored spinathon on 11 November, and other fundraising events at the Memorial Hall.  We wish them every success with this event and thank them for their support of our community with the installation of this life saving equipment.
• 1^st Ivinghoe & Pitstone Rainbows and Brownies advised the parish council that the Rainbow unit had been running for 6 years but had never had an official banner to represent their unit at events such as the Remembrance Day service, furthermore the Brownie banner was now old and out-of-date. The council was pleased to be able to provide the requested 50% contribution towards two new banners, of £120.00.  We’d like to thank all the Rainbows, Brownies, their parents and their Leaders for showing their support of the fallen of the parish and attending important events such as the Remembrance Service.  We look forward to seeing the new banners in due course.

If you think your local community group could benefit from a donation, please read the parish council Grant & Donations Policy available on our website: http://pitstone.co.uk/ppcinfo/grant-policy/  or speak to the parish clerk.

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 2 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

 

We are pleased to say that youth cafe is back this week, 6.30-8.00pm on Wednesdays at Brookmead School during term time.

 

Due to circumstances beyond our control, there will be no youth cafe this week (Wednesday 13 September 2017).

The parish council offers grants to local community groups and charities each year.  Applications are considered quarterly.   The next grant review will take place on  2/11/17 & then again in January 2018.

Please see the grant policy available on this web site for further information and details of application deadlines.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, there will be no youth cafe this week (Wed 6 Sept)

Some of you will be aware that PCSO Paula Boston has left Thames Valley Police after working in the district for 12 years. We wish her luck for the future.

Our first community forum was held at Wing library which was very kindly provide free of charge by the trust. We would like to see residents of other villages at these so please look out the date and location of the next one which will be released soon.

During the meeting it was agreed that our main priority will be:

“REDUCE BURGLARY DWELLINGS AND SERIOUS ACQUISITIVE CRIME”.

I attended the local area forum (LAF) and provided up to date states covering various crimes. Below are the current states August 2016-August 2017:

                                                            2016               2017               increase/decrease

Burglary Dwelling                            69                    48                    -30%

Burglary Non Dwelling                   87                    74                    -15%

Theft of Motor Vehicle                     14                    15                    +7%   

Theft from Motor Vehicle                80                    75                    -15%  

Criminal Damage                             70                    87                    +24%

Drug Offences                                  26                    24                    -8%

The biggest decrease has been Burglary Dwelling. We have been working hard to keep this number down working with both our partners and bordering forces. We are having regular meetings with Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire police to identify those involved and sharing intelligence.

In August we completed a joint operation with Bedfordshire the results of this are contained within the good work section.

I did ask members of the LAF to speak with members of the parish and ask them how they feel the team could be more visible to you. Whether it be through social media, attending events etc. Please approach you parish council so they can feed any ideas back to the team.

Burglary dwelling

To help us reduce burglary even more please follow some of the below steps:

• When leaving your property ensure all windows and doors are locked.
• If you have a UPVC front door make sure it is deadlocked. Just lifting the handle doesn’t engage the locks you need to lift the handle and lock the door.
• Arm your burglar alarm. Your neighbours may not check when it’s going off but we will.
• Lock your back gate and remove any tools from the garden which could be used to force entry.
• Ask one of your neighbours to move your post if you are away for a period of time. If a burglar sees lots of post piling up by the front door they may come and have a look through your window.
• Put keys and electrical items such as ipads and laptops away and out of view.

Good new stories:

Joint operation

A total of 8 vehicles were seized for driving without insurance.

21 Intelligence reports were submitted.

18 TOR (traffic offence reports) were submitted for offences including no insurance and speeding offences.

1 person was dealt with for driving without due care.

1 person discovered without the required waste carriers licence and referred to the Local Authority.

Have Your Say’s

PCSO Jackie Dodson

Wednesday 6^th September 2017 at Pitstone Youth Café from 7.00pm until 8.00pm.

Tuesday 12^th September 2017 at Edlesborough coffee morning, Taskers Row from 10.30am until 11.30am.

Wednesday 13^th September 2017 at Pitstone Youth Café from 7.00pm until 8.00pm.

Wednesday 20^th September 2017 at Pitstone Yardley Lounge coffee morning from 10.00am until 11.00am.

 

Wednesday 4^th October 2017 at Pitstone Youth Café from 7.00pm until 8.00pm.

Tuesday 10^th October 2017 at Edlesborough coffee morning, Taskers Row form 10.30am until 11.30am.

Wednesday 11^th October 2017 at Pitstone Youth Café from 7.00pm until 8.00pm.

Wednesday 18^th October 2017 at Pitstone Yardley Lounge coffee morning from 10.00am until 11.00am.

 

Wednesday 1^st November 2017 at Pitstone Youth Café from 7.00pm until 8.00pm.

Tuesday 7^th November 2017 at Edlesborough coffee morning, Taskers Row from 10.30am until 11.30am.

Wednesday 8^th November 2017 at Pitstone Youth Café from 7.00pm until 8.00pm.

Wednesday 15^th November 2017 at Pitstone Yardley Lounge coffee morning from 10.00am until 11.00am.

Wednesday 29^th November 2017 at Pitstone Youth Café from 7.00pm until 8.00pm.

PCSO Frank Callaghan

Tuesday 5^th September at Nup End Café, Wingrave from 11.30am until 12.30pm

 

Offenders brought to justice:

A male from Stoke Hammond has been jailed for 2 years for being concerned in the supply of class B drugs.

Two people were arrested to suspicion of stealing a tractor from the Wing area. They are currently under investigation.

Two males issued with a Cannabis street caution in Stoke Hammond

One male issued with a Cannabis street caution in Slapton

Male charged with assault in Marsworth

If you see anything suspicious no matter how small of insignificant it may seem, if you think it’s not right or someone looks out of place please call us on 999 if it is a crime in progress or 101 if you have information. You can also email the team at greatbrickhillwingivinghoeNHPT@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk

Thames Valley Alerts

 

Thames Valley Alerts is the system for receiving crime and policing updates for your area. The state-of-the-art system allows anyone who signs up to choose what updates they receive and how they would like to receive it. A new option includes receiving information via text and more traditional landline and email messages will still be available. You can also filter the updates you receive by specifying the priority level of the messages you receive. To sign up to receive alerts visit www.thamesvalleyalert.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 at the September planning committee meeting (7pm on Thursday 14 September in the Millennium Room at Pitstone Memorial Hall)

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

 

Lots of lovely blackberries ready on the bushes at the end of the open space between The Crescent and Marsworth Road, some in the hedgerow by the Windsor Road playground and some up in the Local Wildlife Site off Westfield Road.

Pitstone has received a Certificate of Merit for achieving a Highly Commended grade in the De Fraine Cup of the Best Kept Village Competition 2017:

Our thanks to all our litter pickers, ground keeper, church & memorial hall volunteers and other members of the public who helped towards this achievement.

Pitstone Parish Council needs your help. 

A large number of trees on Pitstone Recreation Ground have been wilfully vandalised over the last two weeks, having their bark stripped to such an extent that it is likely to cause lasting damage or death to several trees, and others will probably require additional expensive tree surgery in the months to come.

The recreation ground is a village green and damaging it, or anything on it, is a criminal offence and the matter has been reported to Thames Valley Police.

A tree needs the inner Xylem to transport water from the roots to the canopy, and the Phloem to transport nutrients from photosynthesis back to the roots.  Once the outer bark is removed and the phloem damaged, the roots can’t be nourished and they die, causing corresponding death to the canopy above that had been fed by those roots.

If you know who has been causing this damage, please get them to stop immediately, or report them to Thames Valley Police on Tel: 101.

Please be vigilant if you are on the recreation ground and if you do witness anyone damaging the trees, please report them to Thames Valley Police on
Tel: 101.     Thank you.

Full details and photographs of some of the damage can be seen on the link below:

tree damage poster august 2017

 

How many different butterflies and insects will you spot when you walk around the Local Wildlife Site off Westfield Road this summer?  Just a few examples to look out for below:

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 August planning committee meeting (date tbc)

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 offers grants to local community groups and charities each year.  Applications are considered quarterly.   The next grant reviews will take place on 27/7/17 and 2/11/17.

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

Grant Policy

This Wednesday, 12 July, will be the last Pitstone Youth Cafe before the summer holidays.

There is no cafe on Wednesday 19 July (as the school premises are being utilised for another event and are therefore not available to us).

A big thank you to everyone who has been to cafe this academic year.  We hope you all have a very enjoyable summer holiday and we will see you again in September.

You are now able to submit your nominations for the Pitstone Volunteer of the Year 2018, so if you know of someone that it 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.

 

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.   All submissions must be received by the end of January 2018.

Just a reminder that residents have an opportunity to view the planning and other materials related to the proposed development around the Memorial Hall/Recreation Ground from 6-7pm tonight in the Millennium Room at the hall.

The planning committee meeting will then commence at 7pm to discuss the 3 applications that relate to this site (one full planning relating to the residential/leisure facilities, and two outline planning applications relating to commercial/community facilities).

Full details can be found by clicking here: http://pitstone.co.uk/ppcnews/local-planning-applications-pitstone-development-area-new-village-centre/

The met office has issued a heatwave alert for this weekend (Saturday to Tuesday).

NHS England have published a useful advice leaflet on staying safe during extreme temperatures, attached below.  It begins “Although most of us welcome the summer sun, high temperatures can be harmful to your health. In one hot spell in August 2003 in England and Wales there were over 2,000 extra deaths than would normally be expected. The heat can affect anyone, but some people run a greater risk of serious harm. As our climate changes, hot spells are expected to be more frequent and more intense.   This document will tell you how to stay safe in hot weather, including how to keep your home cool. It tells you who is at greatest risk of ill health from the heat, how to recognise when you or someone’s health may be affected, and what to do if you or someone else becomes unwell as a result of the heat.”

Also attached is a home checklist leaflet to help keep your home cool.

 

LOCAL PLANNING APPLICATIONS

PITSTONE DEVELOPMENT AREA / NEW VILLAGE CENTRE

• Land adjacent to allotment gardens, Marsworth Road, 17/01873/AOP, outline application with access to be considered and all other matters reserved for a Class D1 non-residential institution (day nursery) with access from Marsworth Road
• Land adjacent to allotment gardens, Marsworth Road, 17/01875/AOP, outline application with access to be considered and all other matters reserved for a pub/restaurant (Class use A3/A4) including means of access from Vicarage Road
• Land adjacent to allotment gardens, Marsworth Road, 17/01871/APP, residential development comprising 80 dwellings, creation of two new accesses, car parking, leisure facilities, landscaping and associated works.

 

 

These three planning applications apply to the site that is subject to Policy 2 of the Pitstone Neighbourhood Plan.  The Neighbourhood Plan can be found on the village web site: http://pitstone.co.uk/ppcpubs/7579/

 

The parish council is a consultee for all planning applications within Pitstone submitted to Aylesbury Vale District Council.  The above applications will be considered at a planning committee meeting scheduled for:

 

7pm on 29 June 2017 in the Millennium Room at Pitstone Memorial Hall

 

at which members of the public are welcome.  Following the meeting the council will submit any appropriate comments, based upon the specified material considerations, to the district council.  AVDC as the planning authority, will then take these comments (along with those directly submitted by interested parties) into consideration when determining the application.

 

The parish council conducts a Neighbour Notification Programme for all applications, to advise any immediately affected residents of planning.  Applications are also publicised via our notice-boards, website, Facebook & Twitter accounts and AVDC erect a poster near the site.

 

How can you see the plans?

 

The plans may be viewed online by going to http://eplanning.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk and searching using the planning reference numbers quoted above.  Please note that we are aware that AVDC are currently having some issues with the planning portal and therefore we encourage you to keep checking back if the documents you require are not visible.  However the parish council did not want to delay issuing these notifications to give residents as much time as possible to review the information.

 

We also invite you to view the plans between:
6-7pm on 29 June 2017 in the Millennium Room at Pitstone Memorial Hall

 

Alternatively, residents are able to make an appointment to view the plans by contacting either the parish clerk on parishclerk@pitstone.co.uk or the Chair of the Planning Committee on lunchlineuk@yahoo.co.uk

 

 

How can you comment on the plans?

 

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 time for them to be circulated to all councillors, or attend our planning committee meeting detailed above in person to make your views known in the public section of the meeting.

Funded by Pitstone Parish Council, so the activities can be offered to families free-of-charge.

You will be pleased to know that the first of the wild orchids are now in flower along Westfield Road, so do spare a moment to walk along the verge in front of Safran and the verge opposite Tunnel Way.

Lots of bee orchids in flower already (especially in front of Safran) and a few pyramid orchids.  More will come into flower over June and July.  Do also look out for the blue butterflies enjoying the wild flowers on the banks in front of Safran.

(For clarity, a revised plant count showed that the fledging orchids in the originally anticipated area at the end of Warwick Road had reduced to an insignificant volume, and a number of nearby residents had complained about the temporary suspension to grass cutting.  Therefore, it was agreed by all parties that the suspension could be lifted and the grass cut in this one area.   The updated count showed that the number of fledgling plants by Safran and the verge opposite Tunnel Way were still evident in sufficient volumes to continue with the preservation.)

Our thanks to Aylesbury Vale District Council, Bucks County Council, Taylor Wimpey and their contractors TDS and Dreamview for their support.

If you would like to see more orchids, you can walk around the old quarry site (now wildflower meadow) on the left hand side of Westfield Road where there is permissive access in place.  Or you can visit Pitstone Fen by booking onto a tour or collecting the keys from College Lake – see their website:  http://www.bbowt.org.uk/collegelake

 

 

Open Space by The Crescent

You will recall that Bucks County Council expressed a desire to build residential properties on the public open space between Marsworth Road and The Crescent.  This was strongly opposed by both residents and the parish council.  As part of the Neighbourhood Development Plan process, we were able to designate the land as Local Green Space, prohibiting its use for residential development.  We are now pleased to advise you that Bucks County Council has agreed to sell the land to the parish council so that it can be preserved for community benefit in perpetuity, and that Aylesbury Vale District Council has agreed to support this project with a grant of Section 106 funds which they hold for Pitstone arising from the development of the Castlemead estate.  Once the transaction has been completed, we will let you all know.

Best Kept Village Competition – everyone can help

The parish council will again be entering the above competition.  The prize is awarded for the village that is best maintained and shows evidence of community involvement, it isn’t an ‘in bloom’ competition.  The frontages of properties, restaurants, shops, village halls etc all play their part, along with grass cutting, noticeboard information, church yards, open spaces, playgrounds etc.   Judging takes place in June or July (we aren’t notified of the date), so it would be wonderful if all residents could keep their frontages well maintained, pick up any litter you see (our litter pickers will also be out regularly, but can’t be in every road every day) and generally help to keep our village clean, tidy and up-to-date.

Play areas

The equipment within our play areas is continuously under review and you will be aware that we still aspire to replace the the recreation ground playground as soon as we can secure the necessary land.   We try to provide a wide range of activities across the three playgrounds, to suit a variety of age groups and abilities.  Should you have a child with a particular disability or play need, please let us know so that we can take your requests into consideration within our long term play space planning.  You can find our play space policy on our web site.

Please remember that Fly Posting is a Criminal Offence

There has been a marked increase in the amount of posters and adverts fly-posted around the village.  As a reminder, fly-posting is defined as “displaying adverts and other promotional materials without permission, on buildings, posts, poles, litter bins and elsewhere in public”. Fly-posting is mainly done by businesses and community groups that want free advertising. However, before putting your local group or business at risk (especially as your contact details are likely to be on your poster!), you should also remember that fly-posting is illegal and measures to prevent fly-posting include:

• On-the-spot fines of up to £80
• Use of fixed penalty notices
• Prosecution in a magistrates’ court
• Special powers to tackle Anti-Social Behaviour
• Charging the offender for the cost of removing the posters

Therefore, please refrain from littering our village in such a manner.   You should also be aware that advertising your event via temporary signs in the grass verges, or by the highway (eg on the recreation ground fence or by the sports pavilion) is also subject to strict highways regulations.  Anyone considering this should apply to the parish council for a permit (under powers devolved to the parish by Bucks County Council).  Any signage that appears where a permit hasn’t been sought will be removed.

Re-development of the sports pavilion

The parish council currently has a planning application submitted for the installation of two sections of ball-stop netting at the sports pavilion off Marsworth Road.  The project to install the netting is also dependent upon external funding being secured, and grant applications to the relevant bodies are also in the course of being prepared.  This will form part of the initial works to improve health & safety and cost efficiency at the site, expand the internal capacity to match our boundary and thus enable other development at the site, and extend the football pitch to meet league requirements.  Work is just beginning to look at options for re-designing/expanding the building to enable a greater range of activities to take place and improving the parking, access and security etc.  We will keep you updated as the projects progress.

 

The parish council would like to introduce you all to Rachel Weber, who is taking over as the Distribution Co-ordinator for PPP from Klaus Ginda.  Our sincere thanks to Rachel for volunteering to take on this role, we are sure that you will make her very welcome.  We would also like to thank Klaus for previously undertaking this role for a number of years on behalf of the council.

Rachel has lived in the village for 6 years and has a keen interest in nature and the outdoors. Originally a midwife, she now runs a massage and healing business from home. She is also Treasurer of the Ivinghoe & Pitstone branch of the WI.

Rachel is looking forward to getting further involved in the local community via her involvement with PPP.  She can be contacted on 07717 471 584, and welcomes any suggestions on how to improve the experience for distributors.

Thank you to all the volunteers who helped the Memorial Hall Charity to plant out hanging baskets, tubs and the raised bed.  We are sure that these will brighten the outside area of the hall by the recreation ground throughout the summer.

Pitstone Parish Council would like to thank the Women’s Institute for the donation of the picnic bench located in the play area by the Memorial Hall to commemorate their 100th anniversary.  We are sure that many families will benefit from this provision over the course of the coming years.

We are sure that you will also join us in congratulating the WI on their recent Yarn Bombing which brightened up the parish.  A few example photographs below:

 

The unaudited accounts for the year ending 31 March 2017 have now been through internal audit by IAC and approved by the parish council.  They have subsequently been submitted to Mazars for external audit.

For full details, please see the ‘audit’ section within the Parish Council ‘All things financial’ section of the website (link below)

http://pitstone.co.uk/ppcinfo/exercise-of-electors-rights-accounts-for-year-ended-31317/

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 June planning committee meeting (Monday 12 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

 

Margaret came to the village in the 1960s and has held numerous volunteering roles within Pitstone throughout that time so we are sure that you will join us in recognising her devotion to our community.

Margaret currently runs the Over 60’s club, helps regularly at the Pitstone Youth Café, volunteers at First Thursday Friends, assists with the Festival of Art & Flowers at St Mary’s Church in Pitstone and is a volunteer driver for the Pitstone Community Car Scheme.

A huge thank you to Margaret from both the members of Pitstone Parish Council and all the residents who have had the pleasure of benefitting from the endless hours of time that Margaret 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 2018 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.

Just a reminder that today is the day of the County Councillor elections for our parish.  Polling station in the meeting room at Pitstone Memorial Hall.

http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/services/council-and-democracy/county-council-elections-2017/

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 9 May 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

 

We would like to thank everyone who responded to the housing survey.  The response rate was very low, but if you are in need of some housing advice, please see the recommendations below:

Shared Ownership
A number of the responses asked for a greater number of shared ownership properties to become available in the village.  These properties are designed for people who can’t afford to buy a home outright on the open market.  The schemes are run by housing associations and you buy a % share in the house and rent the remainder of the property at a susidised rate so as to be affordable, you can then increase the percentage of the property that you ‘buy’ over time.  We can confirm that a number of shared ownership homes will be included within the housing developments off Rushendon Furlong, Vicarage Road and around the Memorial Hall/village green and the parish council will be working with the developers and AVDC housing.  They will predominantly be 2 and 3 bedroom houses (as 1 bedroom properties/flats are not affordable options under this model).
All interested residents should register with HelpToBuyESE.org.uk as all shared ownership properties that become available have to be listed on this website, and you will then receive notification when properties that meet your criteria become available.

Residents interested in the properties that will become available in the Rushendon Furlong development should also register their interest with Hightown Housing Association (www.hightownha.org.uk) as they have been appointed to run this particular scheme.

Rental via AVDC
The housing officer at AVDC confirms that anyone interested in renting a council property should complete the application form on the BucksHomeChoice.gov.uk website to determine if you are eligible.  Even if you are over 18yrs and living in the parental home with your own bedroom, you may still be eligible under the ‘shared accommodation’ regulations, so AVDC encourage you to check.   AVDC give priority to applicants from the ‘East of Aylesbury’ sub-group within which Pitstone falls, but they are not able to grant a higher priority to existing Pitstone residents and the parish council has no ability to influence this.  We can confirm that a number of rental properties will be included within the developments in Rushendon Furlong, Vicarage Road and around the Memorial Hall/village green, ranging from 1 & 2 bedroom flats up to 3 bedroom houses, and the parish council will work with the developers and AVDC housing for these schemes.  We would therefore encourage you to register with Bucks Home Choice so that you are able to apply for these properties once they come on the market.

Charitable Flats
Pitstone Town Lands Charity currently operate 4 x one bedroom flats in the village which they offer for rental.  All flats are currently occupied but you can register your interest by contacting the Town Lands Charity (Gill Lowe (Chair) 01296668809).

The parish council will provide further updates as and when they are available.

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 27 April 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 Bucks and Milton Keynes Association of Local Councils are in the process of renewing their website and newsletter and would like to appeal to any talented amateur photographers in the area for photographs that capture our county.

They will need high quality resolution photographs with details of the location captured, the photographer, their contact details and permission to reproduce the photographs within our website and newsletter.  Ideally you should avoid pictures including recognisable images of people as we may not be in a permission to get their permission to use the photograph.

If you are interested in submitting photographs, please contact

Mel Woof

Council Assistant

Bucks & Milton Keynes Association of Local Councils

Tel: 01296 383154

BALC@bucksalc.gov.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 at the 30 March 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 daffodils are now out in bloom along the Marsworth Road verge and in the open space land by The Crescent.   Our thanks once again to all the volunteers that helped to plant them several years ago, and to those that gave up time in the autumn to plant replacement/additional bulbs opposite the end of Queen Street.

A cheerful, uplifting sight on a wet and windy morning!

 

Transport for Bucks have advised of the following roadworks:

Marsworth Road, Pitstone, Buckinghamshire

16 March — 17 March

Delays likelyTraffic control (two-way signals)

Works location: From Os Railway Cottages To 200m Towards To Pavilion Marsworth Road Pitstone Buckinghamshire Lu7 9ap

Works description: –

Responsibility for works: BT

Please be aware that as part of the proposed development of the new village centre (behind the playground near the Memorial Hall and the field to the left of the Memorial Hall) that geotechnical and archaeological investigations will be taking place over the next 3 weeks.

The works will include a series of trenches, that will need to remain open for the archaeologists to be able to work in them.  Each trench will have safety bunding & netting around it when not attended.

There are no public rights of way, or permissive paths, across any of this land.   These long, open trenches will obviously pose an additional danger.   Signs will be erected at the site.   For your own safety, please keep out of the sites.

As you are aware, the parish council offers grants to local community groups and charities each year.  Applications are considered quarterly.   The next grant review will take place on 27/4/17 so your fully completed application would need to be submitted no later than Thursday 13 April (prior to Easter weekend).

Please see the grant policy information for further information:

Grant Policy

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 March planning committee meeting (Mon 20 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

 

If you missed the public consultation held by Nicholas King and Wakelin Associates on 23 February, you can find a copy of their presentation materials below.

These show initial proposals and no planning application has yet been submitted.

A reminder that the housing survey closes on Sunday 5 March, so if you have a local housing need, please ensure all responses are submitted to the council by that date.

Do you have a local housing need? Please tell us about it

The annual village assembly is taking place on Tuesday 16 May 2017 at 7.30pm in the main hall at the Memorial Hall.  Doors open 7.15pm.

As with recent years, we are more than happy for any local groups/classes/charities that wish a free opportunity to talk to the public/appeal for volunteers/promote their services to have a display table at the event.  The public can browse your stand before the meeting commences and again during the refreshment interval.

There is no charge associated with this from the parish council. We would however need you to let us know if you do wish to come along so that we can provision for the right volume of tables and ensure everything fits within the layout of the hall.  Therefore, if your group would like to take up this opportunity, please contact the parish clerk on parishclerk@pitstone.co.uk.