MINUTES Parish Council meeting Monday 4th December 2023

Minutes of the Stewkley Parish Council Meeting held on Monday 4th December 2023 at 7.30pm at the Stewkley Village Hall

Cllr Keith Higgins (Chair), Cllr Gill Morgan, Cllr Andrew Arthur, Cllr Brian Bottomley, Cllr Phil Delafield, Cllr Henry Hunt, Cllr Andrew Pryke and Joanna Simonds, Clerk & RFO.

1. Apologies for absence
Apologies were received from Cllr Locke, Cllr Simeone, and Unitary Cllr Gomm.

2. Open Forum
Two members of public spoke in favour of planning applications on this evening’s agenda; those being Mount Pleasant Farm and, Land adjacent 1 Griffin Field.

3. To receive any declarations of interest
No declarations were received.

4. Update from Buckinghamshire Unitary Councillor, Phil Gomm
No update was received.

5. Update from the Clerk on Parish Matters

  • Whilst hoping our Community Board funding application for the Commemorative Garden would be signed off at last week’s CB meeting, sadly it wasn’t as the CB Manager advised that the panel had further questions. One these questions are shared with the PC, they will be answered immediately.
  • Following last month’s meeting when the Enforcement Officer said he had been given permission to close the 74 HSS case, Cllr Bottomley was looped in and following updated communications, they have re-opened the case.
  • The Dove Street bench has been taken away for repair by the Linksman.
  • Following months of chasing the street name plates, reported back in June, for Tythe Close and St Michaels Close, Highways have confirmed they are in the process of merging some services, previously provided by 4 different councils. They say this is a huge task as every area dealt with these enquiries differently and each had their own service standards. Highways will be creating one Council Standard Specification and have asked residents and parishes to bear with them as they go through this transition and that we will notice an improvement as time progresses.
  • Just two streetlight issues reported since the last meeting; both in Dunton Road.

6. To approve the minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Monday 6th November 2023
The draft minutes were approved and signed as a true record by the Chairman. Proposed: Cllr Bottomley / Seconded: Cllr Pryke / Agreed unanimously

7. Planning
23/03299/APP – Land Adjacent 1 Griffin Field, Stewkley
Following lengthy discussion, Cllrs resolved to SUPPORT this application.

23/03358/APP – 22 High Street South, Stewkley LU7 0HR
Cllrs resolved to SUPPORT this application.

23/03459/VRC – Land off Soulbury Road and Dove Street, Stewkley
Cllrs resolved they had NO OBJECTIONS to this application.

23/03432/ALB – Old Wood Hall, 8 Dean Road, Stewkley LU7 0ET
Cllrs resolved to SUPPORT this application.

23/03543/APP – Old Lower Dean Farm, Dean Road, Stewkley LU7 0EU
Cllrs resolved to SUPPORT this application.

23/03666/APP – 6 High Street North, Stewkley LU7 0HH
Cllrs resolved to SUPPORT this application, subject to the stair first floor window facing the adjacent property be semi-obscured glass and be non-opening.

23/03744/COUAR – Mount Pleasant Farm, Stewkley LU7 0LU
Cllrs resolved to SUPPORT this application.

23/03756/APP – 2A Ivy Lane, Stewkley LU7 0EN
Cllrs resolved to OPPOSE this application on the grounds that the extension into the roof space adds two more bedrooms therefore requiring 3 car park spaces (access and egress forward). As these are not shown, the application does not meet Bucks CC car parking requirements. Also, the rear dormer window is badly proportioned and is flat (should be pitched) and therefore does not meet the Bucks CC Design Guide requirement.

Cllr Pryke referenced the Land off Dean Road (23/03554 VRC) variation of condition, and whilst the PC have not been consulted this time, as it is not required for a removal of condition, Cllrs agreed the PC should submit an objection comment. Cllr Higgins agreed to draft something ahead of the 14 December deadline. Action Cllr Higgins

Cllr Morgan referenced 23/00070/REF – The Land at High Street South, which is now up for Appeal under Section 78. Cllrs agreed that whilst we wouldn’t normally respond to appeals, because the NP was referenced so much in the refusal report, it would be worthwhile reinforcing our own NP. It was also agreed it could be helpful to reach out to Neil Homer. Action Cllr Morgan

8. Enforcement Issues
No updates were received.

9. Finance
To approve the December payment run as circulated:

SPC payments december 2023

To approve the Accounts to 30th November 2023 as circulated
The payment run and accounts were unanimously supported by all Cllrs.

10. Stewkley Neighbourhood Plan
Cllrs resolved to defer this item to the January 2024 meeting agenda.

11. Recreation Ground
The minutes of the last Recreation Ground Association Meeting were shared on Dropbox.

12. Highways, Footpaths, and Lighting

  • Cllr Arthur confirmed his piece on lighting made the Grapevine. Cllr Morgan said she would additionally put something on FB as a reminder that if parishioners see a light out, could they please provide the reflective asset number when reporting to the Clerk. Action Cllr Morgan
  • Cllr Bottomley commented that watching the refuse lorry coming up out of Orchard Lane, in order to pull left onto the High Street, all front wheels went over the pavement. As we hope to have the pavements/footways, replaced next year, Highways may need to broach this subject with the Refuse Team.
  • A lot of the white lines are disappearing on our Stewkley roads, and it would be good to get these relined asap. Cllr Delafield said he mentioned this to our LAT last week when they met up regarding the MVAS and was informed that white lining is on Highway’s radar for next year.
  • The campervan by the war memorial is now being obscured by a transit van parked behind it meaning tractors and large vehicles have very limited visibility around that corner. Our PCSO continues to encourage people to report issues like this to 101, but Cllrs did express strongly that whilst taxed and insured, everyone has an obligation to leave their vehicles parked safely. Parishioners should be encouraged to raise this with the PCSO at his next “Drop-In” event in the New Year.

13. To report on any meetings of interest
Reports on the NBPPC and Community Board meetings were shared on Dropbox.

14. To agree the 2024 Parish Council Meeting dates
The next meeting will be held on Monday 8th January 2024 at The Village Hall.

The Chair confirmed the meeting closed at 21:21