MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF BRILL PARISH COUNCIL

ON TUESDAY October 23rd aT 7.45PM

IN BRILL MEMORIAL HALL

Present: Cllr Springs (Chair), Cllr Tuffley, Cllr Slater and Cllr Judge. Cllr Rand of Buckinghamshire Council also attended as a member of the public.

The following questions and requests were presented to Cllr Rand of Bucks Council:

Q. Will there be a scheme for Palestinian or Israeli refugees arrive in the country, similar to the scheme for Ukrainian refugees?
A. No discussions have been shared currently.

Cllr Springs also raised the recent issue of Buckinghamshire Council not sharing contact details with bus companies so that parents can be informed of disruption to the school bus service. Cllr Rand agreed to chase this and will feedback to Buckinghamshire Highways.

023/067 To receive apologies for absence.
No apologies were received

023/068 To receive any declarations of interest.
Cllr Slater declared a Standing Interest regarding Brill with Ukraine

023/069 To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 19 September 2023.
Cllr Springs proposed the Minutes be approved as a true record of the meeting, seconded by Cllr Slater and unanimously approved

023/070 Planning applications
Applications for review

Planning Ref 23/02891/ALB
Address 14 The Square Brill Buckinghamshire HP18 9RP
Proposal Listed building application for replacement rear kitchen window
PC Comments Neutral – No comments required

Planning Ref 23/02802/APP
Address Hillside Farm Oakley Road Brill Buckinghamshire HP18 9SH
Proposal Conversion of three existing farm buildings to provide a total of four new dwellings and relocation of approved garage block to serve dwellings with associated demolitions, access, parking and hard and soft landscaping incorporating wider landscape and ecological enhancements
PC Comments Object – On the grounds based on the report from the Ecologist, and lack of information of evidence for bio-diversity net gain

023/071 Communications Database
To review the recent communications. The Communications database was reviewed by the Council with the majority of correspondence relating to items on the Agenda

  • Fairhive – Cllr Springs updated that there has been an email from a resident regarding parking on Colley Close. Cllr Springs confirmed that the car park is privately owned and therefore would be outside of the Parish Council’s jurisdiction.

  • Brill With Ukraine – Cllr Tuffley requested BWU funding to support a Ukrainian family in need. It was agreed that the funding received from Bucks Council would be an appropriate source for this matter. However, the Council agreed to look into the possibility of creating a hardship fund for other possible future requests from the village

023/072 Playing Field

  • ROSPA report new playground – Cllr Tuffley updated that the Play Area equipment is still under warranty from Discovery and that she will provide Discovery with the RoSPA report to identify the areas needing attention

  • Path to BSSC from Fire Station Alley – Cllr Tuffley proposed clearing the path of weeds through Vinegar and water and if this is successful then to pay for this to be done on an annual basis.

  • Football Field application form – Based on the quality of the pitch, the Council resolved to not pursue the Football Field application form. The Council did though agree for the pitch to be mowed weekly during the football season.

  • Trees – The Council agreed to visit the resident regarding the installation of the trees in the play area bordering their properties.

023/073 Parish Council Budget Management
The Parish Clerk suggested a new approach to preparing and managing the parish budget, to improve transparency and accountability. 

Several parish assets, such as the Common and the Windmill, are managed by groups of volunteers. Some of the work organised by these groups is funded by the precept, with work items approved ad-hoc by the parish council. This process introduces delays and a lack of transparency on responsibilities. 

The Parish Clerk suggested that the groups should submit an estimate of the funding needed for the next financial year; if approved by the Parish Council, groups would be authorised to spend up to that limit without further consideration by the Parish Council. The Parish Council would continue to process invoices, so there would no need to establish new bank accounts. Groups would be responsible for responding to questions about the assets they manage. Additional funding could be made available but would have to be applied for as Section 137 funding.

Advantages of the new system include clarity to residents of how the precept is spent and enabling village groups to focus on outcomes. 

Cllr Tuffley proposed adopting the plan in principle for budget setting for 2024-25 and then in full from 25-26. Cllr Judge seconded and the motion was unanimously approved.

023/074 Policy regarding the Recording of Parish Council Meetings

Cllr Tuffley proposed adopting the policy for recording Parish Council meetings with the amendment The basic principle of the policy is, if people wish to make recordings of public Parish Council meetings, they will need to make it known to the Chair, in order for the Chair to inform all those  present, and allow any attendees to object or to have the opportunity to leave the meeting.

023/075 The Common & Village Green
To review the offer for Gigaclear for the proposed Wayleave over the Village Green.

  • Gigaclear - The Council resolved to refuse to the route request from Gigaclear stating the route should not cross the centre of the Green, but around the border.

  • Tree Survey – A quote for the work of the ‘medium-risk’ trees identified on the hazardous tree survey will be obtained.

  • Ranger – Cllr Slater brought a tentative proposal to employ a part-time Ranger for the Common, to support the volunteer groups, help with scrub clearance and generally help protect this important village asset. It was agreed that this would be discussed further with the BCVAG Group and the costs estimated in detail. A proposal for inclusion in the 2024/25 budget may be put to the Parish Council by the BCVAG Group.

023/076 Road & Traffic
To receive an update on the current projects in the Parish

  • Speed Indicator Devices (SIDs) - The SIDs have both been installed. Cllr Judge and the Clerk to meet to download the data from the signs. 

  • Bollards – Cllr Judge has received a quote to install permanent bollards outside the Memorial Hall which is approximately £1,000. The Memorial Hall Committee will be contacted to confirm they are happy with the work to proceed.

  • Windmill Street – Cllr Judge has asked the LAT and Community Board about an alternative to double yellow lines and suggested in the short term to paint white lines on the Windmill Street T-Junction, avoiding the need for lengthy and expensive public consultation. Although unenforceable, this may deter some vehicles from parking in this area. The proposal is being considered by Buckinghamshire Council.

  • Village Signs - Cllr Judge updated that there has been little progress from Bucks Council on the new Village sign, but that he would continue to chase.

023/077 Unsung Hero Award
To nominate a member of the Parish for an Unsung Hero Award.

Cllr Slater nominated Patrick Shorten for an Unsung Hero award Brill education endowment Trust, for his support for laptops for the school during Covid and work at the URC.

023/078 Income & Expenditure

October 2023 Payments
R Timms – Emptying Bins £105.00
Hannah Hulme – Website £200.00
R Damerell – Clerk Salary £1,001.65
HMRC – PAYE £65.04
AJ Gallagher – PC Liability Insurance £3,103.15
ESPO – Play Area Bin Bags £39.36
Frances Brooman – First Aid Training £200.00
Oakley Informer – Community Market Advert £9.00
Phillipa Tawn – Brill With Ukraine English Lessons £200.00
Bucks Council – Bin emptying £30.70
BT - Utilities £36.33

Income
Interest £10.88
RPA – HLS Payment £2,881.85