Minutes for Thursday 21st March 2024 at 7.30p.m.
1. Apologies for absence. Cllrs. G. CleggLittler, S. Bettles, and J. Mackelden.
2. Declarations of interest. None
3. Approve Minutes of the meeting held on 18th January 2024. After making an amendment to the minutes, Cllr. JH proposed them as a true record, seconded by Cllr. JP. All Approved.
4. Matters arising – as numbered in minutes
4a. Area Board Meeting Cllr Bettles advises that there were no pressing issues for us at the 11th of March meeting. Next meeting is 10th June 18.30 at the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre. Attendee to be decided at next Parish Council meeting.
Parish Forum. FW attended on 21st February at which the police gave a very encouraging presentation on their plans for rural communities. There seems to be much more emphasis than in recent years. Recorded crime is down 23% year on year, with theft, criminal damage and violence against the person all reduced substantially. Burglary however is up 23% (from 35 to 45). The police will continue to attend the Forum regularly. Our local contact is PC Jess Swanborough on chippenhamareacpt@wiltshire.police.uk
Councillor Nic Puntis also gave an interesting update on the Operational Flood Working Group. Our emergency plan complies with their objectives.
Cllr. FW also attended on 20th March at which it was announced that Caroline Thomas, Cabinet Member for Highways, has resigned due to family commitments and has been replaced by Nick Holder. Richard Rodgers is now the Highways Portfolio Holder. The main topic was the proposed solar farm (see item 6 below).
Much discussion about the A420 Biddestone crosswords and who should pay for any improvements. Currently Highways say this is a Parish Council LHFIG matter despite it being a main through road.
The Local Youth Network is hosting a series of free events for teenagers on 27th and 28th April and full details will appear on the One Chippenham website shortly. Cllr Mackelden will let the Colts know as they have wide contacts.
4b. Parking Review
There was 1 booking in January and 7 in February, all in The Street. No bookings in the car park.
The replacement ticket machine is due to be installed before Easter. The new white hatchings near the toilets have been painted and the unauthorised “no parking signs” removed. The yellow lines will be refurbished shortly and the posts will be installed enabling clamp signs as on the hill.
We shall review the suggestion of wooden posts (similar to those by the Bybrook) to prevent parking on the green areas on the B4039 at the top of the hill.
4c. Footpaths
Still no news yet re the proposed work on footpath 5 by the Cotswold wardens. The wardens have repaired the kissing gate by the Roman Bridge and will lay scalpings when available.
They have offered to lay membrane and scalpings on the approach path and Cllr Halliday will check stocks with Cllr Bettles. A donation of £100 will be made to thank them.
There are still two large tree trunk across Trim Tram which Cllr Bettles is arranging to remove them.
Scalpings on the golf course footpath will now be deferred until stock levels rise.
4n. Congregational Chapel Car Park. We are still in discussion with our solicitors regarding the technicalities of a potential sale.
7. Update re land opposite Westway Close. The Stonewood planning application submission has been deferred yet again to April. Unitary Cllr Botterill will query reasons for the delay, he said the application for the farmyard will be retrospective.
Finance:- Reviewed Income and outgoings as per agenda. The accounts balance, but there are some invoices missing, the clerk will print them off ready for the year end audit.
The quarterly reconciliations have been reviewed by Cllrs Winup and Prior.
Shawbrook interest £330.74 received on the 100 day account. Now earns 4.15%.
A further interest receipt of £727.50 will be due 15th August on the fixed rate bond which pays 4.85%.
The Chairman’s expenses were agreed at £125, which is unchanged from last year.
5. Income
Lloyds current account at 20/2/24 £ 3434.53
Shawbrook 100 day act incl. interest £15,332.20
Shawbrook Fixed Bond act £15,000.00
The Lloyds account includes an unknown payment of £228.42 from WC, the clerk will ask them what it is
for.
Payments made since January meeting
Cllr. Winup hose 18.95
Cllr. Winup Digiprint 34.8
ES Electrical Defib. Wiring. 419.62
Batt Broadbent Solicitor 960
Cllr. Winup Digiprint 35.52
Cllr. Winup Hydrosnakes 449.64
Parish Town Council Website yearly contract 300
S. Parker wages + backpay 951.7
HMRC 468.13
SSE V. Hall electric 116.15
Village Hall Room Hire 52.5
Total: 3807.01
6. Correspondence:- James Gray MP email re the proposed 2000 acre Lime Down solar farm. This is the very early consultation stages but is strongly resisted by the affected parishes. It was agreed that we would support them in their objection. Cllr. FW will do a report for the parish newsletter and Cllr. JH will put it onto Facebook.
A trading application has been received for an ice cream van operating seven days a week in the small space between the Market Cross and the Castle Inn. It was agreed to object on the grounds of road safety, obstruction, pollution and nuisance. The land is believed to be in private ownership anyway with no approach having been made to the landowner. Cllr Winup will check this with them (subsequently confirmed that the landowner was not aware and will not allow).
Request for a fashion shoot, Cllr FW will respond asking for a donation.
7a. Planning Applications Determined. PL/2024/00269 – Proposed Works to Trees in a Conservation Area Address: CLEEVE HOUSE, Decision: No Objection. PC comments No Objection.
7b. Planning Applications under Consideration:
PL/2024/01743 – Proposed Works to Trees in a Conservation Area Address: HIGHWAY VERGE AROUND UPPER CASTLE COMBE. Proposal: Removal of ADB Ash trees from highway verge – some within Castle Combe Conservation Area but the majority are outside of the Conservation Area Applicant Name Wiltshire Council Highway Authority Case Officer: Sue Morgan PC Comments No objection
PL/2023/11060 – Works to a Listed Building Address: 3 Waterside, Castle Combe, SN14 7HX Proposal: Single storey rear extension together with internal alterations, re-rendering of front elevation and addition of secondary glazing. Applicant Name Mr Bechtloff & Mr Jefferson Case Officer: Kate Clark PC Comments. See PL/2023/10607 below.
PL/2023/10607 – Householder Application Address: 3 Waterside, , Wilts, SN14 7HX Proposal: Single storey rear extension together with internal alterations, re-rendering of front elevation, addition of secondary glazing and air source heat pump Applicant Name Mr Bechtloff & Mr Jefferson Case Officer: Kate Clark PC Comments. The new extension would be an improvement, but would like more information on why it needs to be larger, especially since this would have an impact on the historic fabric.
It would also have some adverse impact visually for adjoining properties. The proposed changes to the upper windows would also have an adverse visual effect on adjoining properties. There is currently insufficient detail to make an informed decision.
PL/2024/02494 Cedars, Park Lane, Proposed work to tree in conservation area. Yew Tree to be felled.
PC Comments No Objection.
8. Unitary Councillor Report. Cllr Botterill will arrange for Victoria Maloney to attend the July meeting to discuss the Wiltshire Tourism strategy and how it could dovetail with our own needs.
9. Playing Field No issues with the playing fields and the Colts continue to be excellent tenants.
Circuit Liaison meeting held 20th March. The new gate needs tarmac before fully opening and hedgerows will be reinstated with native species. Traffic lights will be set up the night before in future instead of early morning. Following last year’s problem on bike night, various steps are in hand to avoid a repetition. These include limited and ticketed numbers, no re-entry, and separation from bike days.
Other event numbers will be similar to last year and no significant planning issues contemplated.
Next liaison meeting is on 12th June.
10. Play Areas reports Cllr Mackelden will replenish the bark in lower playground.
Cllr Prior will spray the upper playground and will also obtain the blower from Hayley Reeves.
11. Highways report. Cllr. JH reported that Lee the parish steward has cleaned the drains and gullies, and she has requested the Vactor to come out on a regular basis. The salt boxes are being used as litter bins, these will be checked regularly. The results of the metro counts show the 85% percentile is within the speed limit. The Whitegates signs need replacing or repainting, and a sign for Dark Lane has been requested.
Cllr. N. Botterill said that the Fosse Way from Colerne to the Wiltshire boundary, past the Gibb is going to be re-surfaced in April.
12. Village Environment report. No significant issues.
The seat in The Pound has rotted and Barry Senneck has kindly offered to replace it.
The male toilets are still temporarily closed due to a leak.
Payments are due after 1st April re defibrillators electricity contribution, £24 each.
Litter pick to be discussed next time.
13. Whitegates report verbal report from Cllr. JP who said there are no major issues,
14. TV Committee Assets stand at £9394 but with several subscriptions outstanding.
The ground around the base of the mast has been cleared and Town & Country Aerials inspection showed no major issues with the system. A couple of minor issues including the cabinet are being dealt with.
Clarification is still being sought regarding wayleaves etc for the mast.
15. Village Hall Funds stand at £4963, a shortfall year to date of £542 after exceptional maintenance costs of £2358 (lighting and electrical repairs). The entrance to the field needs attention. Cllr Bettles will seek quotes for the hire of a digger and Cllr Winup will seek quotes for strong membrane. Cllr Bettles has offered to do the work when the weather improves. He will also undertake grass cutting shortly and remove the old bench and sandbag slats.
All parishes have been offered an official King Charles picture. Cllr Winup will apply.
16. Date of next meeting. 16th May 19.00 Annual Parishioners Meeting (30 minutes earlier than normal), followed at 19.30 by the Annual Parish Council Meeting in the village hall.