Archives: PPC News

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:

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.

PPP will now have dropped through your letterbox.  Most of the parish council information that is included, has already appeared on our website, but the following brief updates below are now provided for completeness:

A quick update on other highway matters

Herts County Council continue to investigate a cycle path along Northfield Road to Tring station.  At the time of writing, we are waiting for the results of the Road Safety Audit relating to the Ben Hamilton-Baillie highway proposals, and for a quotation from Transport for Bucks towards the associated Feasibility Study.

 Sports Update

The council is actively progressing Phase I of a redevelopment program for the Sports Pavilion off Marsworth Road and hoping to install some ball stop netting, relocate and extend the senior pitch and replace a section of wooden fencing during the summer renovation period in 2017.  We are also seeking an architect to develop Phase II plans for a re-vamped building and grounds that will bring it up to the standard required by the football league and expand the use of the site.

Street light improvement progam

As you will be aware, the government are phasing out all SOX and SON bulbs, so all the street lights will be converted to LED, which is more energy efficient, better for the environment, requires less maintenance and offers improved illumination.  New lanterns are costly, so the parish council is developing a rolling program over the next few years.  You will already see these lanterns in many other communities and around the village including Glebe Close, The Pightle, Chequers Close and some in Cheddington Road and Church Road.  As well as having a structured roll-out program, lanterns will also be converted as and when they reach the end of their useful life.   The council is also currently investigating options for mitigating measures where determined necessary.  More information can be found in the street light policy on our website.  

Keeping up to date with Parish Council news

 Remember that the most efficient and timely way to keep up to date with news from the parish council is to like our new Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pitstoneparishcouncil/ follow us on Twitter @pitstone_pc or watch our website http://pitstone.co.uk/pitstone-parish-council/ which has copies of all our minutes and policies.

 Completion of road improvements

Our thanks to Transport for Bucks/Bucks County Council for now completing patching works on Yardley Avenue, The Crescent and Church Road.   Remember that you can report potholes and other highway problems to Transport for Bucks using the following link: http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/transport/tell-tfb/

Just a reminder that Wakeline Associates/Nicholas King will be hosting a public exhibition and consultation on proposals for the development of allocated site around the Pitstone Recreation Ground.

Further details can be found below:

Public exhibition & consultation on proposals for the development of allocated land around the Memorial Hall/Recreation Ground

Allotment+Advert+b 2017

Eat fresh food, grown yourself, with no hidden chemicals.

The pleasure of seeing your own crops grow.

Physical health from regular exercise, as part of a healthy lifestyle

Do your bit for the environment reducing the need for transport and packaging of your food.

Please click on the link above for full details.

Handy guide produced by Bucks County Council:

flood contact numbers

ANNUAL NOTICE OF FEES FOR 2017/18

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 2017/18 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 three 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 2017.   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.

Do you want your voice to be heard in your community?
On Wednesday 18th January the Youth Forum will be coming to youth café to ask you what you think the young people need in your area. Your answers will get passed onto the local council and allow your voice to be heard!
See you then!

A big thank you to everyone who supported any of the Christmas activities held in the village, many of which were raising funds for various charities.  Rennie Grove advised that their santa float raised nearly £5k this year (across all the towns, not just Pitstone!) raising vital funds to support their nurses and help some families spend a memorable last Christmas together.  The Church Road residents created an amazing light display and raised enough to provide Frankie, a local girl with Rett Syndrome, with a hoist to enable her to enjoy hydrotherapy to help maintain her mobility.  Pitstone Church opened for the first time this Christmas and raised over £200 with their memory tree.  The Scouts operated their Christmas post again, St Marys Church and Ivinghoe Hub both held Christmas Markets, there was a Charity Shopping & Pamper Evening for Macmillan Cancer Care, Friends of Brookmead hosted a Christmas Craft evening, Ivinghoe & Pitstone United Cricket Club arranged Christmas Bingo and the Pitstone Social Club put on a Christmas Eve event.  We’d also like to that those involved with the United Benefice Senior Citizens Christmas Lunch.

The parish council is currently seeking an architect to produce initial concept drawings and take our redevelopment project through to outline planning consent.

Please find attached our requirement brief.  If you believe that you have the relevant experience and expertise to assist us with this project, please contact the parish clerk for further information.

The parish council requests full responses from any interested parties by 31 January 2017.

Dr. Frearson moved to Pitstone with his family in 2007 and currently lives in Yardley Avenue.  He has two children, both of which attend Brookmead School.  Dr. Frearson is a member of the local Beacon Community Choir and has been involved with the Development of the Pitstone Community Plan.  Dr. Frearson works for a Water Hygiene Consultancy in Aylesbury and has back-ground in Environmental Science, Agricultural Research and Health & Safety.

Is someone in your household lucky enough to be getting a bicycle or scooter for Christmas?

The parish council has a number of bicycle security marking stickers available, supplied by Thames Valley Police.  Simply write your postcode in the box with a permanent marker and then wrap the sticker around your bicycle frame.

If you would like a sticker, please contact the parish clerk on parishclerk@pitstone.co.uk.

Keep your property safe this Christmas.

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 5/1/17:

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

During the summer, the parish council investigated replacement fencing and new ball stop netting for its sports ground at Pitstone pavilion.   We received a number of quotations on a variety of different bases, with differing recommendations.  The parish council is extremely grateful for the professional opinions of those that quoted.  We have now used these responses to formulate a precise specification for the new fencing and netting, so that all quotes received are on a consistent basis and can be easily compared.

We are now inviting quotations in line with our definitive requirements, which are set out in the attached document.

We look forward to hearing from you by 2 FEBRUARY 2017 (revised date) with your quotation and company information.  If a site visit would help you to assess the nature of the work, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

You are now able to submit your nominations for the Pitstone Volunteer of the Year, 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 2017.

We are advised that:

The airport is now up to 14 million passengers per annum, growth fuelled by the comparatively strong economy, business from Eastern Europe and attractive deals. Construction work to cope with increased numbers (up to 18mppa) is in its comparatively early stages.  A revised flightpath was introduced in 2015 for some departures in westerly winds and does not affect Bucks.  A combination of reducing the planes’ speeds and advances in new technology means changes could be made so that now the vast majority of the flights fly within 500m of the official centre line, which would be good news for many communities.

LADACAN – a community action group – explained that as well as significantly more flights, the fleet mix has altered and there are fewer quieter planes now at Luton.  The planes are carrying more passengers and perhaps freight, so they are heavier and therefore noisier.   Luton’s planes arrive and depart in bunches, and such bunches are lasting longer, and the planes are flying closer together.  Remember that if you are disturbed by aircraft noise, you should report it to the airport via the following email address: noise@ltn.aero

What would help most communities (apart from those who really are at the ends of the runway) would be if the planes could fly higher for longer. However, interaction with other flightpaths for other airports and holding positions (stacks) make this impossible most of the time.   Eventually they want to move the stacks further out and higher up, which would make a huge difference.  Heathrow is trialling a later deployment of the undercarriage and we understand that Luton are going to meet with Heathrow with a view to reducing their own deployment.  Some plane engines are being retro-fitted to reduce a whining/whistling noise.

Luton Borough Council  are currently consulting on a Mass Passenger Transit System to move passengers to and from Luton Airport Parkway railway station and the airport terminal.  It is anticipated that they will submit a planning application in 2017.  The airport has asked Arriva to review its bus service from Aylesbury to the airport (which currently requires several changes of bus service).

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 26/1/17 so your fully completed application would need to be submitted no later than 12 January 2017.

Please see the grant policy information for further information:

Grant Policy

Carriageway Surfacing Schemes – 2016/17 Pothole Action Fund Programme

A421 Buckingham Bypass, Buckingham (28/11/16 to 30/11/16)

Daytime targeted patching work using temporary traffic signals between 09:30 & 15:30.

Yardley Avenue (cul-de-sac), Pitstone (01/12/16)

Daytime targeted patching work using an informal road closure & localised traffic management between 08:00 & 16:00.

The Crescent (cul-de-sac), Pitstone (02/12/16)

Daytime targeted patching work using an informal road closure & localised traffic management between 08:00 & 16:00.

Church Road, Pitstone (5/12/16)

We understand that works are anticipated to take up to 8 days in each location.