MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE STOKE POGES PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2018 AT 7.30 P.M. IN THE LIONEL RIGBY ROOM AT THE VILLAGE CENTRE, ROGERS LANE, STOKE POGES.
Present:- Cllr Carter (Chair), Cllr Cox, Cllr Finan, Cllr Fox, Cllr Lynch & Cllr Taylor
In Attendance:- Mrs J Simmonds (Clerk)
Also present:- PC W Ranford and 1 member of public.
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MINUTES
200/PC/18 – Police
Report table by PC Ranford and read out by Cllr Carter.
201/PC/18 – Public Session Time (7.30 pm-7.45 pm)
The meeting is open to the public and press and fifteen minutes will be reserved, if required, for public comment.
One member of public updated the council on the current situation with the new Allotment Association.
202/PC/18 – Apologies for Absence
APOLOGIES were received from Cllr Bagge, Cllr Crocker and Cllr Hoskins.
203/PC/18 – Declarations of interest
Members to declare any personal interest in any item of business as defined in the Code of Conduct 2012. If that interest is a disclosable pecuniary interest as defined in the Code; the member should withdraw from the meeting for that item.
None
204/PC/18 – Minutes
RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the Council meeting held on 8 January 2018 which were signed by the Chairman
205/PC/18 – County Councillor’s Report
Cllr Bagge left a written report which was read out by Cllr Carter as follows:-
The financial outturn predicted is for overspends in Adults and Children’s Services (approx. £5m). However these will be covered by releasing contingency funds.
Children’s Services was inspected by Ofsted in December and was rated as inadequate. This is a major blow as the Service has been given significant focus since the previous inadequate rating in 2014. The inspection noted significant and improvements, however, some of the case files they audited fell below expectations and the areas of ‘management oversight’ and staff ‘professional curiosity’ were identified as areas for improvement. The new chief executive and director of children’s services are taking swift action to remedy the shortfalls. County has 3000 children being safeguarded with 380 in care. Ofsted supported the council’s move towards increasing early help – prevention instead of remedial work
I have been invited to join the Council’s Regulatory and Audit Committee. At my first meeting we reviewed a contract exemption breach (not procuring under a contract or purchase order) and some fraud risks.
I am a member of a task and finish group inquiry into child obesity and have attended two evidence gathering sessions. The tools available appear inadequate against the marketing power of the confectionery and soft drinks industries. More to follow as the inquiry progresses.
The budget for next year goes to council on 22 February. The proposal will be to increase the precept by the maximum allowable of 5.99%. Even this won’t keep pace with the growth in demand for adults and children’s services.
At the LAF budget meeting last Wednesday, my request to carry over the Vine Road parking scheme was agreed as a recommendation to the LAF in March.
206/PC/18 – District Councillors’ Report
Cllr Bagge left a written report which was read out by Cllr Carter as follows:-
The consultation on the country park proposals were well received and a planning application will be coming forward. Also for the temporary homes at the Bath Road depot.
The Gerrards Cross police station is progressing, although the early construction costs from the framework contractor look excessive. More work is being done to improve this.
The council’s bid for additional funding for the Beaconsfield relief road was granted by MHCLG, which is good news.
I attended the wider south east summit on the Mayor’ London Plan. Whilst they aren’t proposing to meet all their need within their boundaries, it’s close and appears to be a negotiating ploy Treasury in return for funding for affordable housing. The Mayor is refusing to carry out a Green Belt review, which shire authorities believe is a flaw.
The Heathrow consultation is open until mid-March. There is an exhibition in Richings Park on Friday 2 March. There could be flight path and noise implications for our residents so it’s worth watching closely.
207/PC/18 – Chairman’s Update from last meeting.
Cllr Bagge left a written report which was read out by Cllr Carter as follows:-
I followed up with officers on speed roundels. No response as yet.
I asked Chester King for a ‘deal’ for our French delegation and he offered a generous 50% discount on the regular room rate. Etricourt-Manancourt have already made arrangements with a travel agent.
SPN layout is with the printers.
208/PC/18 – Khalsa School
Cllr Carter reported that construction work on the acoustic fencing had begun. Residents have reported to the school and SBDC that noise early in the morning and external lighting belonging to contractors are being left on all night is causing a disturbance. This is being monitored.
The Parish Council were invited to make comment on the pre planning consultation for outdoor sporting facilities. These were submitted to the consultants in January.
209/PC/18 – WW1 Celebration
Councillor Carter reported that most things were booked now and deposits paid. Arrangements coming along nicely.
210/PC/18 – Pergola
NOTED no offers received for the Pergola, AGREED Cllr Carter to try a contact who may be interested and try to get the best deal to get them to take it away.
211/PC/18 – Reception Cups
Cllr Finan proposed Bucks Vision to receive the Jubilee Cup, this was seconded by Cllr Fox, RESOLVED to agree all in favour.
Cllr Cox proposed Nick Courtney to receive the Caldecourt Cup, this was seconded by Cllr Fox, RESOLVED to agree all in favour.
Clerk to inform recipients.
212/PC/18 – Reception 23 March 2018
AGREED arrangements for Reception so that invitations can be sent out.
213/PC/18 – Outdoor Cinema
Cllr Lynch proposed to change the date to Friday 7 September due to the sunset being earlier and if that’s not available then revert back to 18 May 2018, this was seconded by Cllr Taylor, RESOLVED to agree all in favour. Clerk to confirm to councillors which date as soon as possible.
Cllr Taylor proposed the film ‘Hairspray’ unless Mamma Mia becomes available on licence before which ever date the event is and then go with that, this was seconded by Cllr Carter, RESOLVED to agree all in favour.
214/PC/18 – Road Markings/Enforcement
Report back from Cllr Bagge regarding roundels NOTED no response as yet.
AGREED all in favour to investigate Parish Council employing Bucks CC Enforcement for parking and bring back to the table with details,
215/PC/18 – General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
NOTED that there are new rules coming into place about GDPR and the Parish Council will need to appoint a Data Protection Officer. AGREED all in favour for clerk to attend meeting at County and report back. The Clerk made it clear that she does not want to be the appointed data Protection officer.
216/PC/18 – RMG
NOTED that a meeting has been set up by PCSO Fisher and residents of the flats for a representative of RMG (Management Company of Bells Hill Flats) to attend outside Thomas House on 14 February 2018 at 12.30 to answer questions about the site.
217/PC/18 – Meeting Dates May 2018 – April 2019
NOTED AND AGREED Meeting Dates as circulated.
218/PC/18 – Jogging Trail
NOTED that the grant money has been received. Work to start in April by the approved Contractors.
219/PC/18 – RECEIVED and ADOPTED minutes from previous meetings of sub committees and working parties:
(1) Planning Minutes – 11 December 2017 – Signed 15 January 2018
220/PC/18 – Finance
(1) NOTED Statement of Accounts – January 2018.
(2) RESOLVED to approve list of cheques/Bacs for signature January 2018 £6151.65
(3) RECEIVED & NOTED Bank reconciliations – January 2018
(4) NOTED Budget monitoring – January 2018
221/PC/18 – Circulars List/Correspondence and Items received by clerk but not on agenda.
List appended to the agenda of all circulars received in the office and available to view for one month after this meeting.
Correspondence:- None
222/PC/18 – NOTED Dates of Future Meetings
Planning Meeting – 19 February 2018
Recreation & Environment – 5 March 2018
Full Parish Council – 12 March 2018
Meeting ended at 8.56pm