Minutes of the Castle Combe Parish Council Meeting
On 20th July 2023 at The Village Hall.
Present: Cllrs: F. Winup (Chairman)
J. Prior, G Clegg-Littler, B. Blair, Mrs. J Halliday, & S. Bettles
Mrs S. Parker (Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer)
Unitary Councillor N. Botterill
5 members of the public
1. Apologies for absences Cllr. J Mackleden
2. Declarations of Interest. None.
3. To Approve Minutes of the meeting on 18th May and EOM 8th June Meeting 2023. Cllr. Halliday proposed them as a true record, seconded by Cllr Prior. All agreed.
4. Matters arising
4a. Area Board and Parish Forum meetings.
(i.) Area Board meeting on 27th June.
Cllr. JP attended the meeting and said there was nothing to report.
Next meeting 25th September 18.30 at the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre. Cllr. F. Winup will attend.
(ii) Parish Forum. These meetings recommenced on the 19.07.23. There was a useful presentation on cybercrime with slides to follow. Cllr. Winup said he will include it in Combe Courier if they are received in time, if not they will go into the next issue.
Neighbourhood policing restructured under acting inspector Jamie Bull and sounds promising (roadshow visited village today) Cllr. Winup passed on Cllr. Halliday’s concerns of young people racing through parish in the early hours of the morning.
4b Parking Review.
Cllr. Winup said there were 55 bookings in May, of which 27 were in the car park (13 on one day). There were 20 in June, of which 9 were in the car park. Dangers transposed from Hill to B4039.
Reluctance by WC to commission an external review as they consider themselves adequate despite evidence to the contrary.
Still no response from Sam Howell (Highways) regarding her unsustainable assertion that no problems arose as a result of charging.
CCTV: There was no prior discussion and the PC feel that the CCTV is in the wrong place, now the white boxes and clamping signs are in place they feel there is no need for them to be on The Hill, they should be on B4039 on peak days to assess whether double yellow lines required.
4c. Footpaths. We are waiting to hear about the proposed improvements to footpath 5.
4n Congregational Chapel car park. Following registration of the previously unregistered title, we are seeking removal of the 70 year old restriction on the car park re recreational use. In practice the car park has not been used for that purpose for many years. FPW has written to Karen Lysley who will discuss with the Estate’s solicitors. The playing fields will of course remain subject to that restriction.
5. Finance:- All approved the finances for payment.
Cllr. Winup requested a councillor to undertake quarterly reconciliations of the accounts in line with the revised financial controls. Cllr. J. Prior agreed to check them. Shawbrook:- Cllr. Discussed transferring £15000 from Shawbrook Notice Account to one-year fixed account, which would earn extra £450 per annum. Cllr. B. Blair proposed that £15,000 is moved into a high interest account, seconded by Cllr. J. Halliday, all approved. It was agreed to look at other high interest accounts with 1 – 2 withdrawals for the other £15001.46. To be discussed at the next meeting.
6. Correspondence – Email from WC Requesting PC comments on Yatton Keynells proposal for Long Dean. Cllr. discussed this and have no objections to the proposal.
7 Planning Applications Determined. PL/2023/02598 -: Woodbury Hill House, Conversion and extension of existing former double garages into home office Decision: Support with Condition
PC comments support the application, they are concerned about the height of roof and would like restrictions on future changes on site.
7.a Planning Applications Under Consideration:7b. PL/2023/04581 – Works to a Listed Building Address: South Cottage, Repair and Rebuilding of failing drystone wall on front elevation. Increase height and extend, install cock and hen toppers. PC Comments Support
7c. PL/2023/ 04062 4 The Old Dairy. Castle Combe. Solar panels and wood burner. P.C. Comments. Support the Solar panels, but have concerns about the chimney for the wood burner.
7d. PL/2023/04364 – Householder Application Address: the Weavers House, Waterside, Castle Combe, Replacement Garage & Store PC. Comments Support
7f. PL/2023/03703 Revisions to the Main Entrance Castle Combe Circuit SN14 7EY amended plans on new entrance. PC Comments Approve with a provision of replanted hedge of native trees and cutting back of vegetation on quarry corner to improve visibility, entrance should be wide enough for 3 lanes of traffic entering the site. Wall should be Cotswold stone faced, with removal of the old vehicles that are used to block the gates. Unfortunately
quarterly liaison meetings cannot be insisted upon as be part of the planning conditions
8. Unitary Councillor Report. Nick Botterill informed the council that the Local Plan has been moved for consultation, it has been approved by the Council. The level of buildings has been reduced over the next 7 years to 3.5%, it is all evidenced led and most of the new building will be in big towns. The final stage is an inspection by independent inspectors. The turning space at Whitegates belongs to Wiltshire Council but not to the highways department. Cllr Winup asked if No Parking restrictions were possible at this stage, Cllr. Botterill replied that area is not under consideration at the moment.
9. Playing Field and CC Circuit report. Playing Fields: Cllr. Mackelden and Prior have walked the boundaries and documented the current status at the beginning of the new lease. The annual tournament was again very successful, they are looking for more young people to play.
Circuit: Planning for new entrance has been submitted, please see above. it was agreed to add to the comments that have two entrances, to help get the traffic off the road faster.
Still no date for a liaison meeting at which instances of bad spectator driving, highways control and police attendance will be discussed
10. Play areas reports Cllr. Mackleden reported that the Rospa inspection is due in September, and Cllr. Beetles said he would spray the weeds next week.
Cllr. Prior said the upper play area is in good condition.
11. Highways report. Cllr. Halliday presented her report, the new parish steward has a good idea of the work needed in the parish, he has looked at the two blocked gullies and has booked the gully lorry to come out and clear them.
On behave of the parish council she bought a small retirement gift for Adrian, the previous PS.
The cones on the way to Ford are still there, but maybe need for the road closure in August. The red blocks and slow on the road by the golf club need repainting, and the clerk and Cllr. Halliday have checked the areas for metro counts which will be sent off next week.
12. Village Environment. Cllr. Clegg-Littler presented his report.
Dual recycling bins for the parish, cost £385. + vat. Cllrs. discussed who would empty them and agreed to defer the decision for the time being. The Whitegates defibrillator has been decommissioned as the homeowner has asked for it to be removed. Cllr. Halliday will put a request for a new site on Combe Watch, and Cllr. Winup will put it in the newsletter. New date from David Newton for annual maintenance review (12.00 27th July). As many councillors as possible should attend. New cabinet bought for sandbags. Cllr. Winup asked for help in setting the new cabinet up.
Cllrs discussed replacing the broken bench with a coronation one similar to that for the Queen. Cost £392 plus reclaimable VAT. Cllr. Winup proposed a new one is purchased, seconded by Cllr. Bettles. All agreed.
The Environment Agency has contacted the owners of properties thought to be at flooding risk to offer a free Property Flood Resilience survey which will make individual recommendations for options to reduce the impact of flooding. There is no obligation to proceed with any recommendations made but the Environment Agency are proposing to purchase and arrange for installation of the appropriate measures to the eligible properties. Their programme is to get works done in spring next year, 11 years and 4 months from the initial flood incident.
13. Whitegates. No report apart from the Golf Club hedge is over growing and needs cutting back. This is in hand.
14. TV Committee The system is working very well. The 5 year check is due this year, they have replaced part of the antennae but it is so bent they are looking at a resolution.
Mike Roberts is joining the committee. The accounts have had their quarterly check and are all in order.
15. Village Hall. The quarterly check on the accounts has been done, and the fluorescent lights have been removed.
16. Date of next meeting.
Confirmed as 21st September Thursday 2023 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall Castle Combe (revised from 21st September).