MINUTES Parish Council meeting Tuesday 2nd April 2024
Minutes of the Stewkley Parish Council Meeting held on Tuesday 2nd April 2024 at 7.30pm at the Stewkley Village Hall
Cllr Keith Higgins (Chair), Cllr Gill Morgan, Cllr Andrew Arthur, Cllr Phil Delafield, Cllr Andrew Pryke, Joanna Simonds, Clerk & RFO.
There were no members of public (MoP) in attendance.
1. Apologies for absence Apologies were received from Cllr Bottomley, Cllr Hunt and Cllr Locke. Cllr Simeone was absent.
2. Open Forum There were no members of public in attendance.
3. To receive any declarations of interest No declarations were received.
4. Update from Buckinghamshire Unitary Councillor, Phil Gomm Apologies were received from Cllr Gomm. No update was provided.
5. Update from the Clerk on Parish Matters
- An extension has been granted for planning application 24/00815/APP, Land South of 20 Wing Road, to ideally 8th April, when the Case Officer returns from leave, but latest by the determination date of 7th May.
- The Rights of Way Team have confirmed that works have now been carried out on the rusty footpath post at the Ivy Lane end of Footpath 20.
- Following a parishioner’s request, a privately rented occupant of Dove Street has been written to asking if they could cut back their hedge which is encroaching on the path.
- The Village Hall cabinet has been installed and now displays the Best Kept Village cup.
- There was just one faulty streetlight reported since the last meeting, that being opposite the Dunton Road junction, roughly where the post box is. This has now been fixed.
- The 2024 Best Kept Village entry form has been received and completed.
6. To approve the minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Monday 4th March 2024
The draft minutes were approved and signed as a true record by the Chair. Proposed: Cllr Delafield / Seconded: Cllr Morgan / Agreed unanimously
7. Planning 24/00815/APP – STEWKLEY Land South of 20 Wing Road, Stewkley LU7 0JB
After some discussion, Cllrs concluded they had a number of serious concerns, and are minded to Oppose the application. As however, an extension has been granted, the Clerk was asked to reach out to the applicant, Property Matters (Albion) Ltd, to request an urgent face to face meeting and for the applicant to provide large-scale plans. Action Clerk 24/00848/APP – Oak Tree Barn, Stewkley Lane, Mursley MK17 0JD Cllrs resolved they had NO OBJECTIONS 24/00982/AGN – Grange Farm, 3 Bletchley Road, Stewkley LU7 0ER Cllrs resolved they had NO OBJECTIONS
8. Enforcement Issues There were no updates received on enforcement matters.
9. Finance
a) To approve the April payment run as circulated:
b) To approve the Accounts to 31st March 2024 as circulated
The payment run and accounts were unanimously supported by all Cllrs.
10. Community Fund Application
With an overall score of 15, Cllrs resolved unanimously to support a £400 funding application from the Stewkley Local History Group to part fund the purchase of a new projector.
11. Policy review – Standing Orders and Financial Regulations
Cllrs agreed and re-adopted the minor changes to the Standing Orders as suggested by the Clerk. A review of the Financial Regulations was postponed following a recent meeting the Clerk had with a NALC representative, where she was informed that the Financial Regulations are receiving an overhaul and Councils were recommended to wait for the update which they anticipated would be ready for circulation in May.
12. Recreation Ground
A parishioner letter was received by email 30 minutes before the meeting. The Clerk read the letter aloud and the Chair agreed to pick the tractor related matter up with the Rec Committee. Action Chair
13. Highways, Footpaths, and Lighting
Nothing to report.
14. To report on any meetings of interest
Nothing to report.
The next meeting will be the Annual Parish Council Meeting to be held on Tuesday 7th May 2024 at The Village Hall at 7.30pm.
The Chair confirmed the meeting closed at 20:22
