MINUTES Parish Council meeting Monday 7th October 2024

Minutes of the Stewkley Parish Council Meeting held on Monday 7th October 2024 at 7.30pm at the Stewkley Village Hall

Cllr Keith Higgins (Chair), Cllr Andrew Arthur, Cllr Phil Delafield, Cllr Henry Hunt (from item 9),
Cllr Joanne Locke, Cllr Andrew Pryke, Cllr Virgilio Simeone, and Joanna Simonds, Clerk & RFO.
4 members of public were in attendance; 3 just during Open Forum and 1 for the full meeting.

1. To receive apologies for absence
Apologies were received from Cllr Brian Bottomley and Cllr Gill Morgan.

2. To receive any declarations of interest on this evening’s agenda
No declarations were received.

3. Open Forum

Following a recent meeting between the Rec Committee and a representative of the Diocese of Oxford regarding the possible acquisition of extra land, a representative of Community Impact Bucks who also attended that meeting, was present to explain her work as rural housing enabler and especially to identify any local affordable housing needs, which might be achieved through Rural Exception schemes. Cllr Higgins commented that the Diocese land in question is outside of the Stewkley settlement boundary, as established in the Neighbourhood Plan, and would be quite isolated from the rest of the village. He added that Stewkley have generally provided significant affordable housing in recent years so whilst that piece of land could be of benefit to the Rec Ground, it was not suitable for affordable housing. That said, we will be looking at updating our NP in the next year or two and a housing needs survey could benefit the local community, the last one having taken place approximately 10 years ago. Cllr Pryke, with his architectural experience, commented that a housing needs survey would be key, particularly the type of housing for the elderly. He also referenced the quality of new builds, most of which have no local character, so this would be something to bear in mind for any new builds. The CB representative said she would share with the PC a sample template of a housing needs survey for information purposes.

The owners of Pear Tree Cottage, whose planning application was on this evening’s agenda, spoke in support of their application. Cllrs had no questions in response.

4. Update from Unitary Councillor, Phil Gomm on Buckinghamshire Council matters
Cllr Gomm was not in attendance and there was no update provided.

5. Update from the Clerk on Parish matters

  • A date has not yet been confirmed for the vegetation and ditch clearance work in HSN but affected residents will be updated when we know more.
  • Footway marking has been carried out for the resurfacing of HSS, but again, exact work dates have not yet been communicated.
  • The 15 dwellings on the “Land Adjacent to Wing Road” have now officially been assigned the name Valentines Meadow.
  • A resident of HSN has reached out regarding getting a defibrillator installed at the North end of the village. A small group have researched match funding and plan to submit a funding request. If successful they will look to raise the necessary remaining funds, and work with the PC on the details of location and installation.
  • Boundary hedge maintenance in Stockhall Crescent and at the back of Manor Drive is on the contractor’s schedule of works.
  • The damaged street sign on the Soulbury Road was reported on FixMyStreet and acknowledged by Highways that it has been added to their list of works.
  • A resident of Sycamore Close has reached out to saying just how dark the area is for properties 4 – 10, and those on the opposite side, and could anything be done about increasing lighting in that area. This to be added to the Lighting Team’s list of future considerations.
  • Two faulty streetlights reported since the last meeting, and since repaired, one on Sycamore Close and the other at the top of Orchard Lane and HSS.

6. To approve the minutes of the Parish Council Mtg held on Monday 2nd September 2024
The draft minutes were approved and signed as a true record by the Chair.
Proposed: Cllr Arthur / Seconded: Cllr Pryke / Agreed unanimously

7. Planning

24/02301/ALB – 58 High Street South, Stewkley LU7 0HR
Cllrs resolved to SUPPORT this planning application
24/02414/APP – Land adjacent 1 Griffin Field, Stewkley
Cllrs resolved to SUPPORT this planning application
24/02743/APP – Breach Farm, 113a High Street South, Stewkley LU7 0HU
Cllrs resolved to SUPPORT this planning application
24/02810/ALB and 02815/APP – Pear Tree Cottage, 28 High Street North, Stewkley LU7 0EW
Cllrs resolved to SUPPORT this planning application
24/02830/VRC – Land adjacent Wing Road, Stewkley
Cllrs noted this Variation of Condition

8. Finance
To approve the October payment run as circulated:

SPC payments october 2024

Proposed: Cllr Delafield / Seconded: Cllr Arthur / Agreed unanimously

To approve the Accounts to 30th September 2024 as circulated
Proposed: Cllr Locke / Seconded: Cllr Pryke / Agreed unanimously

9. Community Projects

  • Cllr Simeone suggested installing a dog bag dispenser in the Lawn Cemetery car park. The Clerk was asked to get a quote from JRB who we purchase our dog bags from for consideration at a later date. Action Clerk
  • Cllr Delafield updated that he’d met with the Chair of the Trustees of the families who own the new land identified for the Wetland project and they seem keen for us to go ahead with the newts and copse projects and potentially the trees in the hedge project.
  • We now have the BKV Tindall cup and certificate ready for display in the VH cabinet.
  • The annual spinney tidy up will be a little later this year on Sunday 17th November at 9.30am

10. Anti-Social Behaviour Working Group

  • Cllr Locke provided an updated on the ASB working group, notes of which will be uploaded to Dropbox for Cllrs full review. In the meantime, the following points were noted:
  • Agreed to provide a 400-word article for the Nov issue of the Grapevine.
  • Speaking with members of public who may be interested in joining the ASB working group
  • A 10-question questionnaire has been produced, with input from TVP which will be included as part of the Grapevine article.
  • Following a meeting with our PCSO this morning, where the recent dog attack and acts of vandalism at the Rec were discussed, the PCSO has confirmed she plans to increase hers and her colleagues foot patrols in the area.

11. Recreation Ground

  • CCTV is still pending at the Recreation Ground. Quotes have been received and a contractor secured, they are just waiting on installation.
  • The Rec Committee are aware of cracks developing in the new footpath. This is being addressed with the contractors who are due on site this week with a view to putting it right.
  • The notice boards in the Wildlife Reserve are both looking rather worn and require a bit of a re-fresh. The PC will consider who is best placed to carry out this work.

12. To agree the date of the next Parish Council Meeting
The next Parish Council Meeting will be held on Monday 4th November ‘24 at The Village Hall at 7.30pm.

The Chair confirmed the meeting closed at 20:41