Minutes of Parish Meeting held on 20th April 10 in Millennium Hall, Marsworth at 8pm. Present: Councillor McDonough, Kennedy, Brake, Kelly, Brown, Monks, Cashman (AVDC), Davies (BCC), Mike Frost (Church and Bridge Club), Sylvia Frost (WI), Ron Busby, Neil Waterman (Millennium Hall), Jayne Goldsmid (Pre-School), Sandra Costello (Local History Group), Brian Webb, PCSO Christine Baker, Richard Cooper and Lynne Rayner (Newsletter), Val Rayner and Josie Kempster Apologies: Councillor Kempster 1. Chairman’s Report -Welcome -Not a Parish Council Meeting, but an obligation the PC must fulfil. However I will start with the Parish Council’s report of its main achievements and activities this year whilst emphasising that a lot else has happened which would take too long to mention. Our income, technically known as the precept, this coming year is £14,900, a slight increase over 2009-10. This still leaves us requiring grant funding for any significant projects. However we were very fortunate last year to obtain around £9k big lottery grant funding for the new Kicking Wall, installed by Monster Play Systems, at the Recreation Ground, which virtually paid for it all. Much credit goes to Councillor Rod McDonough for his considerable work and persistence in achieving that result. We were approached by a group of villagers early in the year wanting allotments and believed we had almost achieved success by finding a landowner willing to lease land for this purpose. However this offer fell away after strong neighbours’ opposition and we are still searching for a solution. If anyone knows of suitable land in or near the village please tell us. I am pleased to report that vandalism to the Bus Shelter has been minimal this year, a result which vindicates our decision to install strong plastic windows. We have also arranged installation of a seat for shelter users to ease their wait. We rely on Buckinghamshire Highways Dept, now renamed Transport for Bucks, for a lot to be done by way of village improvement and maintenance but they have turned in a decidedly mixed performance. Whilst Vicarage Rd was substantially re-patched last year, this winter has ravaged local roads. We keep reporting problems, some of which are addressed sooner than others, and are probably luckier than most local villages in not having so many, but they are suffering budget cuts and it shows in the speed at which work is done. In particular the white railings along the road by Startops Cottages are suffering a long delay in their replacement. One encouraging piece of news is that we are now close to having the 30mph limit extended to Church Farm Lane in Lower End, and the roads in Cooks Wharf should be put under restriction shortly. Highways have also planned to move the 30mph limit on Church Lane down to the canal bridge, which is an improvement, but we are pressing for the entire length of Church and Watery Lanes to be included in that change. Many of our schoolchildren now come from Castlemead or go to Brookmead and have no safe cycle or walkway between the villages. So we have, in co-operation with Pitstone Parish Council, started the process to have a footpath and cycleway installed along the south side of LIW between Marsworth and the edge of Pitstone. This will need huge external funding and take a long time, but we believe it will be of significant benefit in the longer term. Marsworth South Airfield persists in throwing up problems for both our own village and those nearby. We are pleased the Planners rejected the appeal by the landowner to extend the temporary planning permissions for units 13,14, 15 and continue to encourage enforcement measures by AVDC. However the landowner has scant regard for planning rules and everyone must remain vigilant. I believe the biggest issue of the year for our village was and continues to be the proposed re-development of the BWB site formerly occupied by Fencrete. We were approached by BWB and their agents in April 2009 to ‘consult’ on a proposed re-development into 14 houses, following which we expressed our main concerns about increased traffic levels, impact on the conservation area and loss of the historic canal side features. Disappointingly their reaction was to come forward with a slightly revised planning application for 14 dwellings, with complete removal of the stone building, crane and canal users’ disposal facilities, and a futuristic building style. We, along with over 130 others, strongly objected re-stating the position we had taken last April, and this pressure, together with the historic buildings officer’s own criticism, led to the withdrawal of BWB’s application before it was formally heard. They are now in the process of ‘consulting’ before submitting their next application and have exhibited a slightly smaller scheme involving retention of the stone building, crane and disposal facilities. However this scheme still has 13 dwellings and 34 car park spaces which would more than double traffic along Church and Watery Lanes. It also keeps zinc roofs because the architect likes them. We shall be reacting to this scheme over coming days and urge villagers to do likewise if they have points to make. As well as pursuing this in the coming year we expect to progress the planned footpath to Pitstone, refurbishment of the Parish War Memorial, and fight proposals to switch the planned High Speed London-Birmingham Rail route from the Wendover corridor to the West Coast main Line along the east side of our own village. If anyone has particular ideas for improvements for Marsworth we would pleased to hear of them, just ask a councillor or phone Dawn our clerk. We welcome John Kelly as a new councillor this year, and thank Paul Hobart for his sterling service to Marsworth over previous years. Indeed I once again want to pay tribute to all my fellow councillors and clerk for the work they do. Councillors’ work is done their own time and at no cost to the village – I hope that all parishioners appreciate that. On a final note there is a village website www.Marsworth.Org.UK which displays information about various village and Parish Council activities. If anyone wants to have material put on that site, please let me know and I will, within reason, arrange it. 2. AVDC Report – Councillor Corry Cashman First, I would like to thank Marsworth Parish Council for always making me welcome to its meetings. Financial matters Council Tax The District Council element of Council Tax has increased by 1.95% for the coming year, 2010-2011. This element comprises approximately 9% of the total Council Tax bill. Other increases include the Bucks County Council element which has increased by 2% and which comprises the major portion of the total tax bill. The Police element has increased by 2% and the Bucks and MK Fire Authority by 2.5%. Overall the total Council Tax bill payable by Marsworth households (which includes the Marsworth parish council tax element) has increased by 1.95%. Icelandic banks The District has approximately £3,000,000 invested in financially troubled Icelandic Banks and their subsidiaries (out of a total of just over £100,000,000 worth of Council investments). When I reported on this to last year’s Annual Parish meeting it was anticipated that over half of the £3,000,000 would be recovered. In the meantime the situation has improved. The Council and other creditor Councils were given “preferential creditor status” which could result in 80 – 85% of the council’s money being recovered. However other creditors are not happy about this. There is an appeal case presently before Icelandic courts against this status being granted to Councils. The case could take up to a year to be heard, but the Local Authorities legal advisors believe that they can successfully defend the councils as “preferential creditors”. High Speed 2 Train from London to Birmingham. The Government recently announced details of its preferred High Speed 2 rail route from London to Birmingham. This would pass through Buckinghamshire to the west of Wendover, Stoke Mandeville, Aylesbury and Quainton. The line is planned to be built by 2026 and requires a new rail corridor 100 metres wide. Up to 36 trains per hour, travelling at 225 mph, will be able to carry over 1,000 people each or will carry freight. The District Council produced an explanatory leaflet for distribution to all Vale households, which stated that “a better value for money route would be along the West Coast Main Line corridor”. The West Coast Main Line (WCML) corridor would follow the existing West Coast main line from Euston to Milton Keynes via Tring and Cheddington. The County Council also produced a leaflet, which opposed the government’s preferred route, and claimed the support of the county and all district councils in Buckinghamshire for a West Coast Main Line alternative. I wrote to the Leader John Cartwright, expressing my concern about the content of the District Council leaflet, distribution of which was to begin before councillors had the opportunity to discuss the matter at a council meeting. When the council meeting did take place it became clear that there was a wide range of views on HS2. Many councillors felt that there was a need for much more information on the proposal. I asked the leader of the council, Councillor Cartwright to “set the record straight” by withdrawing his advocacy of the WCML corridor and to inform the people of Aylesbury Vale, other Buckinghamshire councils and the Secretary of State for Transport of this. The situation has now changed somewhat. Up to the time of writing (20th April) there have been the following developments: 1: The AVDC leaflet expressing the view that the West Coast Main Line corridor was “value for money” has been withdrawn. Apparently 5,000 or so may have already been distributed but the remaining 63,000 will not be. 2: The Bucks County Council leaflet, which also advocates the WCML corridor is, where possible, to be withdrawn from circulation. 3: The District Council’s Chief Executive is to write to the Secretary of State for Transport, to other Buckinghamshire councils, parish councils, residents and to other interested parties advising them of the cabinet's opposition to the HS2 in principle. 4: However the County Council and at least some of the district councils appear to continue (apparently with little evidence) to support a WCML corridor option. I shall continue to press for clarity and transparency in this matter. I will keep you informed on all aspects of the HS2 proposals. Useful information: http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/pi/highspeedrail/hs2ltd/routeengineering/ This refers to the WCML proposal via Tring and Cheddington (Route 4). For details see Chapter 7 page 177 onwards. By looking at chapter 3.4, page 104 available at http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/pi/highspeedrail/hs2ltd/hs2report/, you will see that the Cheddington/ WCML route is currently the Government's third favourite choice, behind the preferred one that goes near Aylesbury (route 3) and the preferred alternative which skirts Princes Risborough (route 2.5). Housing Developments The District Council’s “Core Strategy” proposals for housing development in the vicinity of Aylesbury are presently being examined by a government inspector. One of the more controversial proposals is for 9,250 housing units on land stretching in an arc to the east of Aylesbury. This would affect settlements such as Bierton, Weston Turville and Watermead. Winter Weather I am sorry for the inconvenience caused to residents of Marsworth on the occasions when their refuse and recycling collections were cancelled owing to this winter’s snowfalls. The refuse and recycling staff worked very hard to collect according to timetable but on some occasions because of snow or icy surfaces etc it was just not possible to provide a full service for health and safety reasons. Community Matters More and more village pubs are disappearing from the rural scene and with their departure village life is further weakened. A competition which recognises the community role that pubs can play in village life is the Aylesbury Vale Pub of the Year award. Nominations for this close on 30th April 2010. The judges are also looking for residents to volunteer to join the judging panel. Entry forms are available in many Vale pubs. Further details and entry forms can also be obtained from www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/pubcomp Pathfinder Initiative This aims to encourage Buckinghamshire’s five local authorities to work closely together so that efficiencies and low costs can be achieved. Over the past year it has made little progress. One initiative to outsource the work done by Information Technology and a couple of other council services came to nothing. The District Council would not support a move that would have caused significant job losses in Aylesbury with the additional impact that this would also have had on the Vale’s wider economy. Looking to the Year ahead It is generally accepted that future council budgets will come under serious pressure if central government, as is widely expected, reduces its financial support to local government by anything between 10 and 30% over the next three years. The issue of the HS2, its future and its route options is likely to dominate the news whatever government is elected on May 6th. The government inspector’s response to the Core Strategy particularly where it relates to Aylesbury town are likely to be controversial whatever is decided. Our Local Area Forum continues to work effectively debating issues of local importance be they train services (London Midland attend a meeting annually) or more contentiously perhaps at its next meeting, HS2. It is also proposed to set up a sub group to meet with councils on the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire sides of the county border to discuss issues of mutual concern. 3. BCC Report – Cllr Avril Davies Following the election June 2009, Cllr Davies was re-elected to serve a new term as the County councillor for the Invinghoe Ward. In order to have complete transparency, she signed the Code of Conduct, Declared Interests and allowances are published. Cllr Davies explained that the proposed HS” remains a possibility and could affect the Invinghoe Ward. Bucks CC has a cabinet system with a Scrutiny Committee to make recommendations in policy changes. It is responsible for Adult and Family Well-Being, Children’s Services, Transport, Planning, County Parks and the Local Economic Policy for the County. Home-to-School transport and Transportation has been put out to tender and are now under contract. The Scrutiny Committee has a duty to consider whether they are able to deliver the service. The Freight Strategy and the Local Transport Plan are major strategic decisions that are sometimes discussed at the Local Area Forum. Bucks CC has been transformed in recent years that should lead to further efficiency but has resulted in some disruption services. Finance, IT and HR were to be outsourced as part of the Pathfinder Initiative but this was found to be too expensive and has been withdrawn. The Household Refuse tip at Aston Clinton is good but is further away than Tring and so not as convenient. The Local Area Forum is proving to be a valuable link between AVDC, BCC and Councillors with paths and footpaths taking highest priority in the delegated budget scheme. A review of winter maintenance procedures is underway in which residents are welcome to participate. 4. Police Report - PCSO Chris Baker Criminal Damage 1 Dwelling 6 vehicles 1 other Burglary 2 Dwelling + 1 Attempt 5 Non Dwelling + 5 Attempts 1 Distraction burglary Assaults 5 Assaults Drug Offences 0 Thefts 18 from a vehicle (beauty spots and some in Vicarage Road) 1 from a dwelling 8 thefts not classified (not dwelling or vehicle related) 3 Theft of car Road traffic collisions 7 Horses on road 2 reports problems with chickens 1 report Suspicious people/ vehicles 8 / 2 Doorstep selling 0 ASB 3 reports – quad bike in snow, motor bike on tow path and loud music at village hall Parking 5 reports The TVP webpage has monthly updates for Wing South, and a crime map that shows the latest crime figures for our area. The monthly newsletter is sent to the Marsworth newsletter and emailed to everyone who receives community messaging. Any one who wishes to be added to the distribution list just needs to email the Wing South team via the web page. This year has seen a number of changes for us. We have a new Inspector Emma Garside and new Sergeant Paul Cladingboel. They can be seen on the posters which are displayed throughout the parish. The Wing South team are now split and work opposite shifts. This means the area has more coverage and we can fulfil the policing pledge by always answering enquiries within 24 hours. Monthly police surgeries have now been renamed Have your Say meetings. Our meeting for Marsworth will be held at Startops car park in August. This way we hope to see plenty of the residents and also remind visitors about security of their vehicles. On March 22nd the CoP (community and Police) card scheme started for Year 6 children and Brookmead school are participating in this. The pupils collect stickers for completing various tasks. The winning school will be announced in early July and prizes include a trip to lego land. 5. All Saints Church – Mike Frost This was the first full year working with Reverend Tracey Doyle and Reverend Carole Peters who were recently appointed to the parish. A survey of all villagers was undertaken to provide a framework for future developments. As a result, a children’s corner has been set up and a Monday morning “drop in” for coffee at the Church. Several major projects have been undertaking including the internal “kitchen and loo”, the old badly worn altar frontal has been replaced (thanks to Kaye McCausland for making this), the church noticeboard has been replaced. And the lectern plinth and a cupboard for electrical gear kindly made by Peter Stallabrass. The attendance at regular services remains constant although for special celebrations more people are present. The churchyard is kept in good condition by a rota of mowers although new recruits are always welcome. The Quinquennial Inspection took place but fortunately no serious defects were shown. The five yearly electrical inspection was also completed. World Vision continues as our support charity together with churches in Cheddington and Mentmore. The aim is to raise £1000 each year for 3 years. A sum of £700 was raised at the Christmas Tree Festival held in November. 2009 was the second year of support for the Eye Unit at Stoke Mandeville Hospital and £650 was donated. Under the Chairmanship of Ken Longhurst, the Flower Festival Committee raised funds and organised the “What aWonderful World” event which benefited the Church and village during the August Bank Holiday in 2009. £12,000 was raised and enabled All Saints to start the kitchen and loo project. All Saints Choir, the Sunday Club, a Mens Group and Bell Ringers help to support All Saints Church and provide regular activities for residents. Volunteers keep the Church running and without their help and dedication, important things would not get done. The Rev. Tracey Doyle thanks everyone who has supported All Saints Church in any way over this past year. 6. Badminton Club About 10 children aged 10-14years play regularly on Monday evenings in the Millennium Hall. Fewer adults attend the later session so advertising for social players will take place. 7. Marsworth Bridge Club – Mike Frost Social bridge is played on a monthly basis (the first Tuesday of the month) at 7pm in Millennium Hall. 3-4 tables play regularly but 4-6 additional players would make a difference. 8. Marsworth WI – Sylvia Frost During the past year, Marsworth WI has continued with a varied programme of speakers to keep members well informed, amused and entertained. The programme included a local GP explaining how General Practice has changed in recent years, a display by the Royal school of Needlework, Bedfordshire Basketmakers and Buckinghamshire lace. There has also been Flora Thompson`s Oxfordshire and entertainment by the All Saints Church choir at the December meeting. Marsworth WI belongs to bucks Federation and the overall national Federation with delegates being sent to the Annual Meeting. We also meet twice a year with five other local institutes for group meetings and to socialise. Rambles are organised, there are coffee mornings and an annual dinner, a book club theatre trips and money raising for a charity of our choice. Marsworth WI meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 7.30pm in the millennium Hall (except January) and can be relied upon to turn up at Village events, take part and nearly always make cakes and serve refreshments, we don’t just make jam. 9. Village Newsletter – Richard Cooper Due to increases in revenue from advertising and sponsorship, the Newsletter is financially stronger. Changes to the format have resulted in the costs of printing being halved and an anonymous donor has agreed to pay these costs. Tribute was paid to the Editor, Lynne Raynor who does a fantastic job and the team of distributors who deliver 325 copies around the Parish. Thanks were also given to Jason Goldsmid for organising the advertising. Recent changes to the format have been welcomed with a clearer, sharper print style and the possibility of coloured issues in the future. Improved software has been purchased for the Editor with a grant from the Bucks CC Community Chest. Regular articles appear from AVDC, Bucks CC, the Police and the Church. New ideas are always welcomed. 10. Marsworth C of E Infant School – G Monks Personnel: Miss E Denyer left us at the end of October 2009 Half term to start her maternity leave. She had a baby girl (Megan) in November 2009. Mrs Barbara Moroney joined us in November 2009 to cover Emma’s maternity leave. Mrs Carolyn Pankiw replaced Mrs Jackie Pritchard as office Administrator/Financial assistant in March 2010 and Mrs R Friedli (Parent) joined us as MDS as from April 2010. Group Membership: The school continues to be a member of the following groups: Ÿ Learning Community of Schools Ÿ Buckingham Sports Partnership Ÿ Small Schools Group This years activities with the Learning Community are an orienteering and problem-solving day for the Reception pupils at Green Park and Year 1 are going to Green Park for a Gruffalo day! There will also be a newly organised Numeracy Day at Green Park for Year 2. All the children thoroughly enjoyed making our Mini-Beast bench over 2 days with a Sculptor – funded by the Network Learning Community. Buckingham Sports Partnership has provided various sporting events for our Year 2 children: ¨ Multi-skills sporting events at Cottesloe School ¨ Small Schools Sports Festival at Stoke Mandeville Stadium ¨ A Sports Leader has taken a weekly Multi Skills group for Gifted and Talented children with Dagnall school children at Dagnall School in the Autumn/Spring term and at Marsworth School in the Summer term. ¨ A Skip2BFit event organised by the SSP in our School. We also gained a Sports Activemark for our contribution to the Sports Partnership. Facilities/Resources: Mrs Caron Owens (Premises Governor) carries out termly inspections of our premises with Mrs Yvonne Goodwin. She brings a great deal of expertise to this aspect of school life. Mrs Owens also supported Mrs Goodwin at our Health and Safety Audit last September which was a very successful one. New Building Project Thanks to a grant from the Government, we were able to start our building work on February 8th 2010. This will be completed in June 2010 and we will then have a new Resource/Classroom, improved staff facilities and a new Head’s Office. Marsworth School is moving into the 21st century. Inspections/Awards: The School was very pleased to achieve our FMSIS Audit (A Financial Management Audit – a Government initiative) in July 2009. Recognition was given to Mrs J Pritchard for her hard work on preparing the Governing Body for this Audit. We were awarded Healthy School status in July 2009. Miss Denyer, Mrs Monks (parent) Mrs Burks (parent) worked hard on our behalf to gain this much valued status. At the end of the Spring term 2010 we heard that our Travel Plan has been awarded a Level 3 status and would be receiving a grant from the Government to carry out this plan e.g. a shelter for Parents and a scooter/bike stand for children. Outside Activities: The school joined the village at All Saints Church, Marsworth for the annual Harvest Festival service. The children then distributed their Harvest gifts to people in the village. We also supported the Schools for Africa charity by preparing boxes of resources for children in Africa. For the UNICEF Day for Change the children came in ordinary clothes and paid to do this. Their contribution was then sent off to UNICEF for children in Mozambique. The children also baked biscuits for Cheddington Christmas Tree Festival in aid of World Vision. These activities, and through our RE lessons studying these countries, help the children to understand about life in other parts of the world. Our Friends of Marsworth School continue to hold a variety of events in aid of our school. We have purchased a number of resources for the school thanks to these events. Life at Marsworth School, as you can see, continues to be varied and enjoyable. We would also like to add our thanks to the whole village for their valued support of our school – it is much appreciated. 11. Marsworth Pre-School – Jayne Goldsmid This has been a successful year with changes and challenges welcomed and overcome. Staff has attended courses to keep up-to-date and develop new skills. A recent Ofsted inspection was good. The Committee meets once a month with an AGM in January. High numbers attend the morning and afternoon sessions with the Lunch Club also well attended. Children come from Marsworth and the surrounding villages, then go on the Marsworth School that has excellent links with Pre-School. Fundraising is vital for the success of the Pre-School to enable the purchase of new and up-to-date equipment. The Committee is grateful for the support of the community. A Toddler and Parent Group meet on Tuesday mornings with 20-30 children attending. Pre-School provides an important service for the local community and will hopefully continue to prosper. 12. Millennium Village Hall – Neil Waterman Committee meets monthly and currently consists of 13 members representing Pre School, WI, Parish Council, Church, School and Neighbourhood Watch. Committee Josie Kempster - Chairperson Evan Kempster – Parish Council John Kelly - Vice Chair Steve White – Neighbourhood Watch Neil Waterman - Treasurer Paul Egan-Carter – School Francis Brown - Bookings Secretary Vacancy – Church (John Kelly) Lynda Brake – Secretary Dick Brake – Co opted Tracey Kennedy – Pre School Michelle Churchill – Co opted Sue White – WI Helen Hickson – Co opted We have a paid caretaker / cleaner Michelle Churchill 6hrs per week Hall income is similar to previous year at circa £9k p.a. Regular user income includes: Pre School and Toddlers 65% (regulars) 50% (total income) 75% (hall usage) - Morning and Afternoons Badminton - Mondays Dance – Wednesdays, Thursdays Fencing – Friday (started 19th March 2010) Monthly etc - WI, Bridge, Theatre, School, Church, Parish Council Occasional income just off last year’s number – approx. 35 events per annum (last year 40) Complaints – 1 party. (Previous year 2) Our Income is supplemented with a few annual fundraiser events Fire works on the recreation ground – £110 Christmas Bazaar - £126 100 Club (230 members) - £1,077 In October 2009 the Hall celebrated its 10th anniversary. An open afternoon was held to mark the occasion and a redecoration / refurbishment program has been carried out and included: New carpets and arm chairs in the committee room, a repaint of main hall, kitchen and hallway, additional tiling in the kitchen and a new hot drinking water dispenser and oven flue. Plus the addition of dimmer lighting in the main hall. 2009/10 will see a net £2,000 cash outflow due to higher than normal refurbishment costs Other issue Upstairs room – Stairs and disability access has been designed and application for building regulations will be submitted imminently. Quote £20k build (over a year ago) plus stairs and stair lift will bring the project cost to circa £30k. 13. Marsworth History Society – Sandra Costello An archive of artefacts since the 1980`s has been collated and is available for all residents to view. Articles for the collection are welcome however trivial they may seem. An exhibition is held every 3 years with an occasional article appearing in the Newsletter. Displays are held at the Steam Rally and Flower Festival. 14. Members of the Public – the following matters were brought to the attention of the meeting: - · Bill Layton has decided to retire from his voluntary work litter picking in the village. Thanks were expressed for his work over the years and a request for volunteers to continue the good work was made · The public noticeboard outside the Millennium Hall requires attention as it is difficult to post notices · It is hoped that an s106 agreement will be made with the developers of Marsworth Wharf which will benefit villagers · The issue of parking for boaters was raised. As there was no further business, the meeting closed at 9.30pm. |