Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Thursday 16.01.14
in the Village Hall, Castle Combe
Cllr’s: F. Winup (Chairman).
A. Bishop (Vice Chairman).
Mrs. J. Halliday.
J. Mackelden.
G.Ruggles.
D. Ryall (Clerk)
4 Parishioners.
1. Apologies for absence:
Apologies for absence were received from Cllr. B. Harvey
2. Declarations of interest:
The Councillors present all declared an interest in item G – precept 2014-5.
3. Minutes of the meeting held on 28.11.13
These were accepted as a true record and signed by the Chairman.
4. Matters Arising:
A. Area Board Meeting
The meeting on 6th January was not attended as there was nothing affecting the Council on the agenda.
B. Parking Review
Cllr Winup reported that have been no visits by traffic wardens on Friday evenings and that only one parking ticket was issued in December.
The Clerk confirmed there had again been no response from Cllr Scott regarding the following:
- The request by the Chairman to the parking authority to frequently attend the village on Friday evenings.
- To check if coaches could be banned from entering the village and forced to use the car park.
C. Neighbourhood Policing
The Chairman said Cllr. Halliday and himself had attended the recent neighbourhood police meeting which they both thought was very useful. He said the police will visit the village and place warning notices in the windows of cars causing a parking hazard. Occasional radar speed checks will be carried out by the police in the upper village and a presentation on ‘Speedwatch’ given at the next police meeting. The Council agreed that before this a request should be made for a strip line monitoring cable to be installed to determine if the village would be eligible for ‘Speedwatch’ which is about to be introduced into Yatton Keynell. There are now only two rural police personnel, PC Les Fletcher and PCSO D. Curren, covering 32 villages. It was reported that 10 burglaries had occurred recently with three suspects arrested.
D. Footpath/pavement – B4039 Whitegates to car park
The Chairman said that the recent investigation into ownership of the School Lane to Whitegates footpath has revealed that Wilts Council possibly own it as well as the footpath west from School Lane to the lower village. Wilts Council are continuing to examine records to obtain definite confirmation of ownership.
E. Village Flooding
Cllr.Winup said he had recently attended a flooding meeting at which someone was taken seriously ill and it became apparent that there was a lack of knowledge by those present of the action which should be taken. The meeting agreed that he should investigate the possibility of first aid training by an appropriate organisation and the cost.
He said that 400 houses had been flooded in Wiltshire with it being the first time in 100 years in some cases. In the lower village the water reached the top of the bank but did not flood any properties. He said that on Xmas Eve he was unable to get any replies to his request for help from anyone at Wiltshire Council. Mr Roberts bought sandbags and membrane as the 200 sand bags promised by Wilts Council were delivered too late to be of any use. The meeting agreed to reimburse Mr Roberts up to £150 on receipt of invoices. Cllr.Winup said that despite significant redundancies the Environmental Agency will be able to complete the modelling of the Bybrook and include rules for controlling the sluice gates in the Manor House grounds.
F. Street Scene
The Clerk said the promises given by Wilt Council on 28th November had not been kept and although some items had been completed others had slipped by 2 months. The Chairman ran through the list identifying the problem areas. (Copy of the latest position attached)
G. Precept 2014-5
The meeting discussed the recent latter from Cllr Tonge about precept capping and the proposed review of governance and boundaries. It will consider amalgamating small parishes, a community review of parish boundaries and the amalgamation of smaller parishes on a unitary basis. After discussion the Council unanimously agreed to
· A precept of £4688.81 for 2014-15 giving a total amount from Wiltshire Council of £4750 which includes the top up grant of £161.19
· To oppose any proposals of amalgamation or change of the Parish boundary. The Chairman agreed to write to Mr Watling, Wiltshire Council, giving the Council’s views.
H. Defibrillator.
The Chairman reported that a presentation was to be arranged by the Area Board in the next 2 months at which information about costs and possible grants will be given.
I. Half Marathon. 09.03.14
The Chairman attended a recent meeting at which the only problem appeared to be the work being carried out on the three local railway bridges. The organisation of the event was complete and professionally done with entry numbers deliberately lower than previously proposed.
5. Finance- £
Income
C.C. Social Committee 100.00
Expenditure
The Councillors checked and reviewed and approved the following invoices:
B. R. Wheeler – butter cross repairs 300.00
Mrs.Le.Coz – plants – War memorial 19.50
Cllr Halliday – plants 7.40
D. Ryall – stationary 3.40
St Andrew’a Church – donation 125.00
CC Socail committee –donation 125.00
Cllr Winup – newsletter printing. 16.20
Douglas Tonks – Clerks salary and payroll costs 432.28
Shawcross Bank – 1 year bond 20000.00
W. Brookman – repairs to play area gate post 315.00
Flourish & Bloom – maintenance 32.00
5A. Clerks Salary & Chairman’s Expenses.
The Chairman and Clerk agreed that in light of the current financial climate they would accept that both amounts should remain the same. The Clerk said that in light of the increases being given to senior executives and Councillors and that he had not received an increase for 5 years he had considered requesting a 30% increase. However he accepted that in the present situation this would be irresponsible.
6. Correspondence.
A. Victim Support – request for a donation.
The Council agreed to donate £20
B. Wiltshire Council – footpath 17 change of status.
The Clerk explained that this ran from the Pinetum near Shrub Farm to Nettleton Shrub and that Wilts Council, Rights of Way; believe that the bridle way is recorded on the wrong line and status.
The start of the bridle way as shown on the definitive map is on the wrong line and it is being further investigated.
Also as a result of the Act of Parliament 2006.the route may only be recorded as a restricted byway which prevents the use of any mechanically propelled vehicle along its route.
This was brought to the attention of Wilts Council by the Lysley estate who are also querying the route of the footpath from Castle Combe to Long Dean which is shown further from the Bybrook than the one regularly used.
7. Planning applications
P.C. Approved:
5, Waterside – various alterations
Brook House – tree surgery.
Middle Dene UCC – remove shed, oak replacement etc.
Cleeve House UCC – tree surgery.
P.C. Under Consideration:
The Old Forge UCC – rear single storey extension
P.C. Rejected: Nil
Unitary Council Granted:
The Malt House – convert garage.
Brook House – tree surgery.
Middle Dene UCC – remove shed, oak replacement etc.
Cleeve House – tree surgery
Unitary Council Rejected:
The Laurels UCC – rear conservatory
8. Unitary Councillor
No comments received about the Circuit Motors problem or the use by them of using the lay by in the upper village for parking vans etc.
9. Playing Field & CC Circuit
Cllr. Mackelden reported that C.C. Colts were painting the changing rooms in club colours and that there were no problems.
The Circuit had yet to reorganise the liaison meeting and have again said that it was in hand.
The Chairman said he had attended the recent Japfest/ Badminton liaison meeting for which a table top exercise is to be held. He said the work on the railway bridges will be a problem as it now is unlikely to be complete before March and possibly later.
10. Play Areas
Cllr Winup said the lower play area equipment has been inspected by a manufacturer who has said it would be uneconomic to repair having rotted badly at the base and being now 20years old. He is preparing a quotation for replacement with hardwood equipment for which the Council will seek grant aid if replacement is agreed to be financially viable.
11. Highways.
Cllr. Bishop said he had nothing to report as this is covered in item F.
12, Village Environment
Cllr Ruggles said he continued to walk the area every 2 weeks and the work list for Highways and Street scene covered all of the present problems. The Chairman said a notice was being issued by Wilts Council outlining the land owner’s responsibility for cutting hedges. Cllr Bishop agreed to include this in the village news latter. He said the hedge belonging to Upper Combe Farm was the worst problem as it overhangs the road.
The Chairman said the trees cut down at the edge of the village by the Lysley Estate had the approval of the Forestry Commission and have to be replanted.
13 Whitegates
Cllr Winup said that the Golf Course has again promised to cut back their hedge in the immediate future.
14. TV. Committee.
Cllr Winup reported that the completion date for the super fast broadband was still not known.
15. Village Hall
The Chairman said the first safety check of the year had been successfully completed.
16. Council Vacancy
The vacancy notification period expired on 15th January and the Council will be informed in the next few days as to whether an election will take place.
17. Date of next meeting.
This was confirmed as Thursday 20th March 2014 at 7.30 p.m. in the Village Hall.