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MINUTES OF THE HAMBLEDEN PARISH COUNCIL MEETING Held on Monday 13th July 2020 via Zoom

PRESENT: Mr J Jackson (Chair), Mrs L Mann, Mr C Hussey, Cllr S Webb, Mr D Broad, Mrs J Nixey, Mr G Rowley. Mrs L Coldwell – Clerk

1 member of the public (part)

The Chair welcomed all to the first virtual meeting of the parish council, and ran through the virtual meeting guidelines.

Minute 9331 Public Question Time - A resident talked about the Parish Council’s objection to planning application 20/05861/FUL and discussed his response to the points raised.

Minute 9332 Apologies for Absence Cllr Mrs Walker-Allies – apologies accepted.

Minute 9333 Declaration of disclosable pecuniary and personal interests by Members relating to items on the agenda Cllr Nixey declared a personal interest in agenda item 17, planning application 20/06527/OUT – Parmoor Park Farm, Parmoor Lane, Frieth. Cllr Jackson declared a pecuniary interest in agenda item 17, planning application 20/05823/LBC – Fingest House, Fingest Road, Fingest.

Minute 9334 To confirm and approve the minutes of the Ordinary meeting held 9th March 2020 The minutes for the meeting held in March were confirmed as a true record and will signed by the Chairman when possible.

Minute 9335 To Report on Matters Arising from Previous Minutes which are not on the Agenda Minute 9311 2. A representative from Steve Baker’s office has been in contact to say a full reply to the letter sent about cutting down healthy trees will be forthcoming. Minute 9311 5. Thames Water replied to the letter sent with a designated customer service contact. This person has been made known to Mill End residents. TW have said they expect to undertake repair works this summer. Minute 9319 Clerk spoke with South Central Ambulance Service who confirmed that working AEDs do not currently need to be reported, only if there is an issue with one. Minute 9324 All works have been completed at the play area following the inspection report. Minute 9326 The gate has been made good at Watery Lane, and the vegetation has been cut back. An invoice is expected. Minute 9328 1. Clerk reported the blocked drains in Parmoor, Frieth. Transport for Bucks attended 4th and 5th June to carry out works. Clerk has been communicating with Cllr Whitehead and Transport for Bucks following a complaint about ditch works that were carried out during the toad migration period on the A4155. Cllr Hussey contacted Bucks and Milton Keynes Environmental Record Centre to see if they knew a contact at BC, they are trying to ascertain someone. Elections in Buckinghamshire were cancelled due to Covid-19 and have been rescheduled to May 2021. This is for Parish and Buckinghamshire Councils. The existing District and County Councillors remain in place as Buckinghamshire Council Councillors. Clerk forwarded to Cllr Whitehead locations in the parish that do not currently have superfast broadband. HMRC have paid the VAT claim into the parish council bank account. Clerk has reported other various potholes, blocked drains, broken signs around the parish to TfB. This can be done by anyone via https://www.fixmystreet.com

Minute 9336 Correspondence received from to 8th June to 13th July 2020 1. Email re: Devolution: For Awareness – Anti-5G Posters with sharps or blades stuck behind them – forwarded to Cllrs. 2. Email re: road closure, Rockwell End – forwarded to Cllrs, added to website and Facebook page.

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3. Emergency TTRO Moor Common – forwarded to Cllrs, added to website and Facebook page. 4. Email from Hambleden Church warden – forwarded to Cllrs. 5. Email from Councillor re: broadband speeds – forwarded to Cllrs. 6. Parish & Town Council survey from Ordinance Survey – Clerk completed. 7. Email from Chris Whitehead re: Waste transfer station High Heavens – forwarded to Cllrs. 8. Buckinghamshire Council – free car parking – added to Facebook page and website. 9. Buckinghamshire Council – information about local libraries – forwarded to Cllrs, added to Facebook page and website. 10. HS2 e-update – forwarded to Cllrs. 11. Highway Maintenance planned road closures – forwarded to Cllrs. 12. Questions from Nettlebed Parish Council about the MVAS – Clerk responded. 13. Email from WDALC re: Proposed Amendments to Constitution – forwarded to Cllrs. 14. Thames Water Extra Support email – forwarded to Cllrs, information added to website and Facebook page. 15. Chiltern Society magazine – for info. 16. Buckinghamshire Council email about new Local Enforcement Plan – forwarded to Cllrs. 17. Email from BMKALC re: Council Meetings and Playground Update – forwarded to Cllrs. 18. Email from BMKALC re: Your chance to comment on proposed Code of Conduct – forwarded to Cllrs. 19. Email from Frieth Village newsletter re: white posts in Frieth – Clerk responded. 20. Email from the new Community Board Coordinator - Meeting Date and Introduction – forwarded to Cllrs. 21. Email from BC - Buckinghamshire welcomes three new Deputy Lieutenants – forwarded to Cllrs. 22. Countryside Voice magazine – for info. 23. War Memorial Trust magazine – for info. 24. The Clerk magazine – for info. 25. Email from BC re: Street Naming notification at Greenlands Farm, Dairy Lane, Hambleden – forwarded to Cllrs. 26. Email re: Wycombe Area Rural Forum - Time for a food partnership for Buckinghamshire? – forwarded to Cllrs. 27. Deputy PCC’s planned meeting – details forwarded to Cllrs. 28. Email from BMKALC - Opening of Multi Purpose Community Facilities and Council buildings – forwarded to Cllrs. 29. Buckinghamshire Council Planning Enforcement document from BMKALC – forwarded to Cllrs. 30. Email from BMKALC re: Parish Council carbon footprinting tool – forwarded to Cllrs. 31. Request from Hambleden Church to remove the sandbags from the Churchyard – Clerk organising with TfB. 32. Clerks and Councils Direct magazine – for info. 33. Email from BMKALC re: An update on Community Boards in Buckinghamshire – forwarded to Cllrs.

Minute 9337 To receive updates from any meetings attended since the previous ordinary meeting including any sub-committees Clerk has attended 2 virtual WDALC meetings and will be attending the first South West Chiltern Community Board meeting tomorrow evening.

Minute 9338 To discuss the highway resurfacing in Hambleden – update to be provided if available Clerk has had a response from TfB about their latest position which is as follows:

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There has been no firm decision taken about the resurfacing. TfB are finding it hard to source the correct Heritage product at an acceptable to them cost. They have so far been unable to find one that will give value for money, is safe and delivers on the expectations of residents. They are continuing to speak with supply chain partners until all options are exhausted. There are still some options, but they are limited and the following may be the best and final solution. In 2020, if the Parish Council is in agreement, they will complete some surfacing works with the standard blacktop material which will seal the road, stop potholes forming and “smarten up” the centre of Hambleden (this is the only place being mentioned). They will then return in 2021 to do the topping, if they can find a product that looks good, gives the requisite life span and isn’t too costly. There are issues with non-standard material as they are more costly and riskier to use – they may look good but not stick down as well when driven over. Cllr Webb said that to re-tarmac and then install heritage topping will surely cost a lot more money than just topping the surface in the heritage style. She also does not think that black tarmac is a suitable surface for Hambleden village. There are concerns raised that the heritage topping will never actually happen and the village will be left with the black surfacing. Clerk to approach TfB and ask for cost Action:Clerk differences between the surfaces and involve the BC Ward Councillors in this matter.

Minute 9339 To consider the white posts on Common Land, Frieth and decide a contractor to carry out the work to replace the current wooden posts with metal After discussions, Contractor B was proposed by Cllr Nixey, and seconded by Cllr Mann. All in agreement, Clerk to liaise with contractor to organise dates for Action:Clerk installation.

Minute 9340 To consider the play area at Ellery Rise, Frieth and its continued closure due to current Government guidelines Current guidelines set out by the Government can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-managing- playgrounds-and-outdoor-gyms/covid-19-guidance-for-managing-playgrounds-and- outdoor-gyms The play area has remained closed since March. It is not feasible for the parish council to meet all the guidelines as set out in the link above. The Association of Play Industry is heavily in favour of parental/carer responsibility for cleaning the equipment rather than that of the play equipment owner, as per their statement available here: https://www.api-play.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2020/07/APIStatementFinal.pdf. Cllr Webb proposed re-opening the play area, seconded by Cllr Rowley but to make it clear that it the responsibility of parent/carer to ensure hand sanitising and any cleaning of the equipment. The parish council will not be carrying out cleaning of the equipment at any time, and the equipment is used at parent/carers own risk. This is to be communicated via posters displayed at the play area. All in agreement. Clerk to erect signs at the play area to advertise this. Clerk to order new sign with updated details for the play area from Stocksigns at a cost of £61.88 plus VAT. All in Action:Clerk agreement.

Minute 9341 To discuss the junction at Fingest Lane and Oxford Road, Fingest including funding towards the signage costs incurred by the residents Clerk has been speaking with the residents and the Local Area Technician for TfB. The junction has been swept at last, the white lines are due for re-painting and the new signs should be installed in the next month or so. The hill is being included in a review to see if it can be included on the gritting route which is taking place this month. The residents have asked for a traffic survey to be carried out, this would cost £400 plus VAT for a 7 day survey organised by TfB. All in agreement to proceed. Invoices have been forwarded showing expenditure that the residents have incurred so far. Cllr Webb proposed funding at £175.32 to the residents for the signs they have purchased, Cllr Nixey seconded. All in agreement. Clerk to organise a traffic survey with TfB. Cllr Walker-Allies requested a traffic survey in Skirmett as there has been a Action:Clerk considerable increase in both traffic volume and speed. Future agenda item.

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Minute 9342 To consider purchasing signs to be displayed around the parish regarding litter Clerk has obtained quotations for banner signs. Cllr Webb proposed a banner to be placed on the wooden fence by the entrance to the Dene in Hambleden, Cllr Rowley seconded. All in agreement for a 6ft x 2ft banner. The exact wording to be finalised. Action:Clerk Clerk to order banner and organise permission to be displayed.

Minute 9343 To consider the possibility of hiring a portable toilet in Hambleden village following problems with the increased number of visitors Clerk has obtained quotations for hiring a toilet. All in agreement to not proceed at this time. 1. Minute 9344 To consider approaching SSE about the undergrounding of electricity cables located between Pheasants Ridge to Bacres Farm or any other location as appropriate This particular location would be tricky as part of it would need to be undergrounded beneath the Hamble Brook. Each Councillor to survey “their patch” to see if there is Action:Cllrs a more suitable place. 2. Minute 9345 To approve the accounts for July 2020 – see Appendix 2; to receive the Internal Auditors report; to complete Section 1 of the Annual Governance and Accountability Return 2019/2020; to complete Section 2 Accounting Statements of the AGAR; to approve and adopt the accounts for 2019/2020 in receipts and payment format; and to confirm the dates for the period for the exercise of public rights. Clerk proposes 13/07/20 – 21/08/20.

Accounts to be paid in July 2020 Mrs L Coldwell – salary (via standing order) 622.04 BCC Pension Fund (via standing order) 194.83 SSE – Quarter 1 197.80 ACL Armstrong – North Ward grass cut 336.00 ACL Armstrong – South Ward grass cut 668.57 Road signs at Fingest 175.32 Total 2194.56

Balance as at 1st June 2020 69830.23 Less June payments (4373.24) VAT Refund – HMRC 4048.13 Balance as 30th June 2020 69502.12 Of which CIL Funds 15865.38 Church Wall reserve 10000.00 Unrestricted Reserves 43639.74

Film Fund

Total of all funds at 1st June 2020 9075.87 Money ring-fenced for Frieth Village Hall clock works (1000.00) Balance as at 30th June 2020 9075.87 Unrestricted Reserves 8075.87 The Internal Auditor’s report was noted, which concluded that “all is in order with current regulations”. Sections 1 and 2 of the Annual Governance and Accountability Return were agreed and completed. The accounts for 2019/2020 were adopted and approved. The dates for the period for the exercise of public rights were confirmed as 13/07/20 – 21/08/20. 1. Clerk will keep a running total of expenses and provide for reimbursement at the next physical meeting to take place. 2. Minute 9346 Members questions: including any items for the next agenda 1. Cllr Mann – commented that HA15 is much tidier after the Chiltern Society attended and cut back the hedges, however there is a fence that has fallen. Clerk is trying to Action:Clerk contact the land owner for them to put right. 2. Cllr Broad – asked about the road surface at the top of Frieth Hill by Innings Gate, which has previously been requested for adding to the patch and plane programme Action:Clerk carried out by TfB. Clerk to chase

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3. Cllr Rowley – has been approached by a resident about a cedar tree in Pheasants Hill that is leaning and may be dangerous for people walking by. Cllr Hussey knows who the landowner is, letter to be drafted and sent asking for remedial works to happen Action:Clerk to make the tree safe. 4. The junction at the road leading to the Stag and Huntsman by the garage in Hambleden village is dangerous as many cars fail to give way to oncoming traffic as they should. The white lines are fairly faded. Clerk to report the white lines to be Action:Clerk repainted and to ask if a stop sign can be placed here. 5. Cllr Hussey – regarding ownership of Pheasants Hill Common. It may be possible for ownership to be transferred from Buckinghamshire Council to the parish council. Where there is no obvious or registered owner (such as the Common), the land Action: defaults to the local authority ownership. Cllr Whitehead has been progressing this Cllr Hussey with BC, Cllr Hussey to see what has happened. All in agreement to proceed. 6. Cllr Webb – the village green setts in Hambleden have been moved by lorries hitting Action: them whilst driving through. Cllr Webb will ask a local contractor to fix, with invoice to Cllr Webb follow. 7. Mr Baird will make a start on the ivy on the church wall in the next few weeks. 3. Minute 9347 To consider all recent planning applications received from Buckinghamshire Council detailed below:

20/06436/FUL – The Old Village School Skirmett Road Hambleden – Householder application for conversion of existing garage to residential annexe ancillary to the main dwelling, roof alterations to garage including replacement roof and insertion of 3 x conservation roof lights and associated external alterations – Hambleden Parish Council object to this application. This appears to constitute a standalone dwelling, being a residential development of a separate building with vehicular access. This is prohibited by the Local Plan (DM36). We also have concerns that it will mean a loss of parking space as well as regarding the increased traffic over a private road, both during construction works and afterwards.

20/06527/OUT – Parmoor Park Farm Parmoor Lane Frieth – Outline application (including details of access & layout) for erection of Agricultural Livestock and Straw barn with all other matters reserved – no objection, however we would like to see a condition imposed that if the application were permitted that the owner plants trees or hedges on the west and south sides of the site, so that the buildings are obscured when viewed from Parmoor Lane, Frieth and Frieth Cricket ground. This is because whilst understandably and necessarily large, modern agricultural buildings are constructed of non-traditional materials and therefore do not enhance or conserve the AONB.

20/05823/LBC – Fingest House Fingest Road Fingest – Listed building application for construction of single storey rear extension, new dormer window to west elevation and associated internal and external alterations – no objection

Planning Application Decisions

20/05837/FUL – Lower Woodend Farm House Roundhouse Lane Fawley – Conversion of part of ground floor of stable to enlarge existing Gardeners Cottage – Application Permitted

20/05605/FUL – 1A Dragonflies Colstrope Garden Cottage Skirmett Road Hambleden – Householder application for construction of single storey rear extension with pitched roof – Application Permitted

20/05364/FUL + 20/05365/LBC – Elmdown Farm Skirmett Road Skirmett – Householder and Listed Building Consent applications for demolition of stables, existing extensions and manege. Construction of 2-storey rear extension, 2-storey link extension. External fenestration alterations & (minor) internal alterations. Alterations to curtilage – Application Permitted

20/06148/FUL – 71 Hambleden Village Hambleden – Householder application for insertion of single casement window at first floor level to north-east elevation – Application Permitted

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Minute 9348 Date of Next Meeting The date of the next meeting was confirmed as Monday 14th September 2020, 8pm location to be confirmed, either via Zoom or at Skirmett Village hall, depending on the current Government legislation. The meeting was closed at 21.34.

Signed …………………………………………………………… Date …………………….