Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Thursday 21.07.11
in the Village Hall, Castle Combe
Present:
Cllr’s: F. Winup (Chairman)
A. Bishop (Vice Chairman)
Mrs. J. Halliday
J. Mackelden
G. Ruggles
D. Taylor
D. Ryall (Clerk)
3 Parishioners (Part time)
1. Apologies for absence:
Apologies for absence were received from Unitary Cllr. Mrs. J. Scott
2. Declarations of interest:
There were no declarations of interest
3. Minutes of the meeting held on 26.05.11 and extraordinary meeting on 23.06.11
These were accepted as a true record and signed by the Chairman.
4. Matters Arising:
A. Area Board Meeting
The Chairman reported that he and Cllr Bishop attended the last Board Meeting. The main points of interest were
- A petition presented which opposes the recent massive increase in Chippenham car park charges which is affecting trade in the town.
- Neighbourhood policing officer teams are being amalgamated. Although we are assured that this will have no adverse impact, it is difficult to see how this can be achieved.
- A proposal to create a campus to centralise local services. This requires buildings to be acquired to house Council officials and local volunteer groups. Cllr Bishop said this appeared to be a plan to move back to a District organisation using volunteer help.
B. Traffic Calming and Speed Checks
Cllr Winup said that ‘speed watch’ had been successfully tried again in parts of the County with about 20% of those caught being prosecuted. The meeting agreed that the possible introduction of this in the village should be deferred for a year until the revised speed limits are fully in place on the B4039.
C. Parking Review
Cllr Winup said that he would discuss the lack of Traffic Wardens with Cllr Scott and continue to monitor any Area Board proposals.
D. Neighbourhood Policing
The Clerk said he again tried to contact the officers concerned with no success.
E. Cold Weather Plan
Cllr Bishop said the grit bin had been installed in the Museum yard and now needed filling. The Clerk said he would obtain the name of the Council Official concerned. The meeting agreed to purchase a grit spreader at a cost of £300 approx…
F. Road closure and tree destruction
The meeting agreed that Unitary Council (Mandy Fyfe) and Scottish Power should be progressed in the autumn to ensure the replacement trees are planted as promised.
G. Queen Elizabeth II Field Challenge
Cllr Bishop said he had examined the latest documentation received and confirmed that the Parish Council land was not eligible and that the application process continued to be bureaucratic.
H. Best Kept Village Competition
The Clerk reported that the Village had come 2nd and read out the judges’ report which was very complimentary. The only areas of criticism were
· Difficulty in finding the Museum
· Bus shelters needed sweeping out
· A few weeds in the lower play area
· Footpath signs
Cllr Bishop proposed that next year at the village tidy each Councillor be given an area of the village to monitor. The meeting agreed with this proposal.
He said that the footpath signs were a problem as the Wardens were difficult to contact. The Clerk was asked to check the position with Wiltshire Council.
I. PAYE
The Clerk reported that the first payment hand been paid successfully using the accountants Douglas. Tonks.
J. Land at Whitegates
The Council discussed the letter from Mr Hunnybun, Wilts Council, regarding transferring land at Whitegates to the Parish Council as a Community Asset. After considerable discussion the Council concluded this would be too onerous but that specific areas might be considered at some later date if third parties appeared to show interest in acquiring any of the land identified.
5. Finance- £
Income
Nil
Expenditure
The Councillors checked and reviewed and approved the following invoices:
AON insurance 1555.00
D. Ryall – canon copier cartridge 73.00
Cllr Ruggles – plants 12.00
WALC subscription 110.28
Liz Taylor – plants 14.00
Wilts Wildlife Trust – donation 25.00
Wilts Bobby Van – donation 25.00
Cllr Winup – newsletter printing 27.00
Wilts Wood recycling – springer repairs 540.00
Cllr Halliday – plants, weed killer etc. 30.43
Mrs Le Coz – plants war memorial 30.00
Community First – subscription 36.00
Cllr Winup – AGM expenses 25.98
A Bee Pest – wasp nest removal 48.00
D. Ryall – salary 3 months 405.28
Douglas Tonks – payroll processing 16.20
6. Correspondence.
A. Request from CHAPS to give a presentation
The meeting agreed that this should take place prior to the meeting on 15th September at 7.00pm.
B CPRE membership renewal
The meeting agreed to renew membership (£29.00).
C. War Memorial Trust – request for donation
The meeting agreed to donate £20.00
7. Planning applications
P.C. Approved:
Lavender Cottage UCC – single storey extension
The Laurels UCC – single storey extension
1, The Old Dairy UCC – part demolition of listed wall
P.C. Under Consideration:
Nil
P.C. Rejected:
L, Whitegates – 2 storey extension
Wilts Council Granted:
Manor House – tree surgery
Manor House – illuminated sign
Dunn’s Lane Car Park – tree felling and replant
Parsonage Wood – tree sugery to clear TV mast
1, The Old Dairy UCC – part demolition of listed wall.
Wilts Council Rejected:
Nil
Withdrawn.
1 Whitegates – 2 storey extension
Appeal
The Cottage, UCC
8. Unitary Councillor:
Nothing to report.
9. Playing Field and Circuit Reports
Cllr Mackelden reported that there had not been a Circuit liaison meeting this year and when the next one occurred he would bring up the problem of the JAPFEST meeting and the failure to promptly remove signs. The Chairman repeated his intention to organise a meeting with the Police, Unitary Council and other affected Parish Councils to discuss the JAPFEST problem.
Cllr Mackelden said the recent C.C.Colts football tournament had been very successful and that he was pleased to hear the favourable comments made by the BKVC judges about the playing fields. The Chairman said it was a pity the Colts did not signpost the tournament in the Combe Courier as it was of interest to the village.
10. Play Areas Report
Cllr Halliday said after great difficulty she had obtained three quotes for repainting the Whitegates play equipment of £1850, £1236 and £552 including materials. She will discuss the lower estimate in more detail with the contractor before a decision is made.
Cllr Halliday said bulk purchase of playground bark might be the most economical way of purchasing and the Chairman agreed to assist in measuring the amount required.
She said with regard to the comment made by the BKVC judges the weeds in the lower play area were
a continual problem and to keep under control regular weeding was necessary.
11. Highways Report
Cllr Bishop said he had nothing to report.
12. The Village Environment
Cllr Ruggles said he was encouraged by the BKVC report and that recently there was less litter and fly tipping occurring
The Chairman reported that he was arranging a meeting with a company called Flourish and Bloom to discuss tidying parts of the village and would notify Councillors of the date.
13. Whitegates
Nothing to report
14. The Village Hall
Cllr Winup said the Committee had decided to increase its prices as these were below the local average and that the large photograph of the village from the 1960’s would be hung beneath the end window.
15. Council Vacancy
The Clerk said that the 21st July was the closing date for applications to fill the casual vacancy caused by the resignation of Cllr King. After which he will be notified by the Returning Officer of any applications and if an election will be necessary. If there are no requests then the Parish Council is able to freely co opt providing the person meets the qualifications.
The Council expressed its appreciation of Cllr King’s past services.
16. Date of Next Meeting
This was confirmed as Thursday 15th September 2011 at 7.00 p.m.in the Village Hall. The meeting will be preceded by a presentation by Julia Stacey on behalf of CHAPS.