Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Thursday 17.11.11
in the Village Hall, Castle Combe
Cllr’s: F. Winup (Chairman)
A. Bishop (Vice Chairman)
Mrs J. Halliday
B. Harvey
G. Ruggles
D. Ryall (Clerk)
Unitary Cllr. Mrs. J. Scott
4 Parishioners
1. Apologies for absence:
Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs. J. Mackelden and D. Taylor
2. Declarations of interest:
There were no declarations of interest
3. Minutes of the meeting held on 15.09.11.
These were accepted as a true record and signed by the Chairman.
4. Matters Arising:
A. Area Board Meeting
The meeting held on 14.11.11 was not attended as there was nothing relevant to the village on the agenda.
B. Traffic Calming and Speed Checks
Cllr Bishop reported that at the meeting with Highways on 16.09.11 it was agreed to position the 30mph speed limit signs on the B4039 near Dark Lane and the Manse. The work would take place in the spring 2012 and before that the verges would be cleared of obstructions.
C. Parking Review
Cllr Winup said that it was obvious from the monthly report that traffic wardens rarely visited the village. Cllr Scott replied that this was due to the loss of ten people for which replacements were being sought.
D. Neighbourhood Policing
The Chairman reported that P.C. Barham was retiring and it was agreed that although there was little apparent activity by the Police to retain this item on the agenda.
E. Cold Weather Plan
Cllr Bishop said the salt had now been delivered and that spreader would be kept in the Museum when Cllr Mackelden was away.
F. Tree replanting – Dunns Lane Car Park
The Clerk reported that he would continue to progress Lisa Price for a firm date from Scottish Power
for replanting the trees.
G. Council Vacancy
The Chairman welcomed Barrie Harvey to the Council. He asked Cllr Harvey to take over the responsibility for Whitegates and The Upper village together with Cllr Taylor
16. Flourish & Bloom
The meeting was satisfied with the work done to date.
6A. Leiston- cum-Sizewell Parish Council
The Clerk reported that he had written to James Grey MP asking him if he would support the planning reform proposed by Leiston Parish Council and received a reply that Mr Grey had forwarded the letter to the Localism Minister Greg Clark for comment.
5. Finance- £
Income
Dehlavi Films – donation 100.00
Expenditure
The Councillors checked and reviewed and approved the following invoices:
Wessex Water – ½ yearly bill 67.96
Cllr Taylor – plants 38.22
Cllr Ruggles – plants 15.00
Cllr Bishop – salt spreader VAT 61.94
Cllr Winup – newsletter printing 39.24
Play Safety – audit 151.20
J. Wright – notice board repairs 50.00
L. Taylor – plants 18.19
Cllr Halliday – plants 10.20
Southern Electric – 1/4ly bill 111.70
Flourish & Bloom 183.00
Mrs le Coz – plants War Memorial 15.00
Cllr Bishop – Remembrance Wreath 40.00
5A Precept 2012-13
The Chairman said the Council operating costs were about £5300 excluding any major projects and as the Council had assets in excess of £28K he thought the precept should stay at £4250 for the year 2012-13. Cllr.Ruggles proposed that the precept was £4250 which was seconded by Cllr.Halliday and unanimously agreed by the Council.
6. Correspondence.
A. CHAPS – Forum meeting on 30.11.11
The Chairman said he and Cllr Bishop would be attending.
B. Halifax Bond
The Clerk said the 2 year bond had matured and given interest of £1270.83 which has been moved into the Lloyds current account After discussion with the Chairman and examination of investment opportunities it had been decided to reinvest the £15 K capital in a Lloyds 2 year bond which will realise £841.15 at 2.8%.
C. War Horse Film
The film will be released in January 2012 and to coincide with this a concert of music from the First World War will be given in St Andrew’s Church on 27-28th January 2012. Tickets will be on sale at £15.00 each with the proceeds going to the British Legion and St Andrews Church.
7. Planning applications
P.C. Approved:
Corbetts Cottage – fell Hawthorn
Upper Combe Lodge – fell one Sycamore and one Leylandii
P.C. Under Consideration:
2, School lane – reduce Chestnut Tree
2, School Lane – replace rear extension
P.C. Rejected:
Nil
Wilts Council Granted:
Nettleton Mill – new garage etc.
11, Westway Close – install solar panels
Brookside House – reduce Ash tree
Brook House – coppice Laurel
The Old Smithy – fell Cypress
The Trimmels – fell 2 trees
Nettleton Mill – install new windows
Corbetts Cottage fell Hawthorn
Wilts Council Rejected:
Nil
Withdrawn.
Nil
Appeal
The Laurels UCC – single storey extension, succeeded with conditions
8. Unitary Councillor:
Cllr Scott said the recent restructuring had been successful and saved a significant amount of money. The revised core strategy was on hold waiting for finalisation of the revised planning guidance from Government after which the Unitary Council will be asking for neighbourhood plans from the Parishes.
The major changes to the Health system will result in the responsibility for public health moving to the Unitary Council and a significant amount of duplicity and bureaucracy being eliminated.
Cllr Scott also reminded the meeting of the public strike due to take place on 13th December 2011
9. Playing Field and Circuit Reports
The Chairman reported on behalf of Cllr Mackelden that there not been a Circuit liaison meeting for six months and said that with regard to the JAPFEST event a meeting with the Police etc was essential.
Castle Combe Colts had informed him that they were concerned about the number of people using the playing field for dog walking. The Chairman asked that this be mentioned in the village newsletter.
10. Play Areas Report
Cllr Halliday said that Cllr Taylor was taking over responsibility for both play areas. She said that weed killer had been applied at Whitegates and she had weeded the flower bed in the lower play area. The ROSPA report had identified potential rot on the base of the slide which she will check. The Chairman asked about repainting the Whitegates equipment, Cllr Halliday said that it had faded but other than one small place was not corroded.
11. Highways Report
Cllr Bishop said responsibility for Castle Combe had passed from Kristian Price to Jamie Kennedy (07920877922)
12. The Village Environment
Cllr Ruggles said he had removed all of the leaves from the pound and noted that all of the drains on the hill were blocked with leaves Cllr Bishop said this was a Highways responsibility but that self help by clearing them with a stick was the quickest. Cllr Ruggles said trees were overhanging and obstructing the road and footpaths it the following places:
Opposite Cllr Mackelden’s house, before the entrance to Colham Mill, and opposite the bus shelter near the top of the hill (B4039). The Chairman said he would speak to Mr Lysley.
The Clerk was asked to contact Highways and arrange for the rubbish bin near the bridge to be fitted with a lid
13. Whitegates
The Chairman said he had asked the Golf Course management to trim their hedge and the Clerk said he would again progress Highways to clear the gutters.
14. The Village Hall
The Chairman said that £350 had been received from the recent car boot sale and a donation of £150 from the Social Committee
15 Village Social Event
It was proposed by Cllr Bishop and seconded by Cllr Halliday that £100 be donated to this event and any monies remaining be used for the Carols at the Cross event if it takes place. This was unanimously agreed by the meeting.
16. Waste Collection
The Chairman reported that he and Mr Middleton had attended a meeting with Cllr Sturgis to discuss waste recycling particularly the justification for reducing the collection frequency to twice per month and the impact on villages. Cllr Scott said she knew about the meeting and the bottom line was that with the increases in land fill tax and Government penalties it was essential that recycling was increased significantly. The alternative would be an increase in Council Tax which was unacceptable in the present economic climate. After considerable discussion Cllr. Scott said she would speak to her colleagues regarding the frequency of collections in the lower village in view of the high visitor numbers and resultant economic benefits to the County generally. In the mean time any parishioners with compelling reasons for weekly collections could make an approach to Tracy.Carter@wiltshire.go.uk
17. Date of Next Meeting
This was confirmed as Thursday 19th January 2012 at 7.30 p.m. in the Village Hall.