Draft Minutes of Castle Combe Parish Council Meeting on
Thursday 25th of September 2025 at 7.30p.m.
Present: Cllrs. F. Winup, J. Halliday, B. Blair, S. Bettles and G. Hare. Unitary Cllr. J Atkey. 8 members of the public, Clerk S. Parker
- Apologies for absence. Cllrs Blair and CleggLittler
- Declarations of interest. Cllr Hare re church donation request. Having declared an interest, as his wife is a member of the PCC, he is able to debate and vote since he has no direct pecuniary interest,
- Minutes of PC meeting on 17th of July 2025. Cllr. J. Halliday proposed they are correct seconded by Cllr. G. Hare. All Approved.
- Matters arising.
4A. Area Board. Cllr. FW said the September meeting was not attended. Next meeting is 10th November 18.30 at the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre. FPW will attend subject to relevance of items on the agenda.
Parish Forum. There was a very interesting presentation from The Bobby Van Trust, a charity which provides help to those over sixty to secure their homes via advice on home security and the installation of door and window locks, Ring doorbells, smoke and fire alarms plus in situ advice on internet security. All of this is provided free of charge and is not means tested. We shall insert an article in the Combe Courier including the 01225 256867 contact number. All this costs £330,000 per annum which is all raised by volunteers and donations including ours.
Sargeant Jamie Ball of the Neighbourhood Policing Team is a regular attendee and updated us on recent burglaries. There has been a slight reduction but those which do occur are serious and involve break ins at the rear of remote properties by teams which then spend up to 45 minutes ransacking the home. The main stretch at present is between Allington and Yatton Keynell but other parishes are also affected. These are known individuals but need to be caught in the act. He suggested that an ANPR camera would enable police to know when their vehicles had entered the area so that resources could be rapidly allocated. A camera would cost around £5000, half of which could be provided by Wiltshire Council with the rest split between the parishes most affected (Burton, North Wraxall, Grittleton, Yatton Keynell, Biddestone, West Kington and Nettleton). The various chairs will recommend to their fellow councillors. The chairman proposed that we should also contribute in view of the proximity, seconded by Cllr. G. Hare and unanimously agreed. The chairman will notify the Parish Forum.
There will be a further drop-in police session at Yatton Keynell on 29th September 18.15-19.15. Cllr Bettles agreed to attend.
4B. Parking Review.
There were 197 warden visits in July with 51 observations and 14 bookings.
There were 296 visits in August with 146 observations and 70 bookings, of which 40 were in the car park.
The posts on the B4039 at top of the hill have been installed.
Installation of a post at the Whitegates turning circle for a bus only sign has been chased again, as have the markings for two extra spaces by the toilets.
We have also chased for updates on the revisions to the area around the Market Cross to enhance safety by improved road markings and signage and have asked for a further site visit with the relevant officers and Unitary Cllr Atkey.
Several parishioners have suggested various further options to alleviate the visitor volume and traffic issues which are well worth investigation.
They include possible liaison with Visit Wiltshire (see below), an overhaul of the village website (including information for non-English speakers) to ensure that potential visitors have much more idea of what to expect (or not), including awareness of the issues with parking and the tricky journey to and from the car park. Use of QR codes could also be researched. Draven McConville kindly offered to action the necessary technicalities.
Resident only parking on the hill and lower village will be investigated. This needs the support of parishioners if it is to move forward. The chairman will discuss with Wiltshire Council.
Other suggestions included revised signage, one-way traffic, revisions around the Market Cross area (the PC will chase these again).
Bibury village has just received the unwanted award of “the prettiest village in the World” and are already suffering still further. They have contacted us to find out what we have done and are currently considering what to do and will be in touch again shortly.
4C. Footpaths. The Chairman has asked the Cotswold Wardens to clear Trim Tram if possible.
Cllr Bettles has cleared the golf course footpath.
4N. Congregational Chapel Car Park. Finally sold and the proceeds received as shown under finance. This is fortuitous as our statutory and other unavoidable costs exceed our income by £4000 p.a. in the absence of any unbudgeted filming income.
- Finance
A promised donation of £500 from filming has not yet been received. The chairman will chase.
We received £50,000 from the sale of the car park, less solicitor fees of £1072.00.
The quarterly finance review has been completed by Cllrs Winup and Blair. The next will be done shortly.
The 100-day bond pays 4.11% but is variable. The one-year fixed bond is 4.07%. We can switch from the former to the latter without penalty, but it was agreed that we should keep flexibility pending a review of playground and other potential costs.
Lloyds Bank balance on 22nd August 2025 9,615.09
Shawbrook 100 day balance 58,523.90
Shawbrook fixed bond balance 15,729.11
Payments during August/September.
Liz Taylor Flowers 70.20
Cllr. F. Winup Fixing Kit 19.49
Davies Meade fee for sale of car parking 3600.00
- G. Bufton repairs to Market Cross 175.00
Cllr. F. Winup clamp sign 19.77
Cllr. F. Winup Evo stick 7.89
Cllr. F. Winup weedkiller 8.99
Cllr. F. Winup Digiprint 86.36
Cllr. F. Winup playground bark 39.99
Total 4027.69
- Donation request from St Andrews Church
The Victorian era rules preventing Parish Council donations to churches have recently been removed in the case of major capital expenditure. After a discussion the council unanimously agreed to donate £10,000 and will arrange a withdrawal for that sum from the Shawbrook 100 day notice account.
- Visit Wiltshire re potential membership at a discounted £299 p.a. (normally £529). They have contacts with over 2500 domestic and international trade companies and 500 within Wiltshire. The objective will be to minimise publicity of Castle Combe and to direct potential visitors to other locations within Wiltshire. After lengthy discussion it was agreed to proceed on a trial basis subject to a regular review of what they achieve in practice.
- Planning Applications Determined.
PL/2025/05086 – Proposed Works to Trees in a Conservation Area Address: Gable Cottage, Upper Castle Combe, Proposal: T1 Birch – Fell. T2 Birch – Fell. T3 Copper Beech – 15% crown reduction to even crown shape. T4 Chestnut – Fell: WC Decision No Objection. PC comments Supported.
- Planning Applications Received.
PL/2025/06332 LBC and PL/2025/06188 Household consent Yew Tree Cottage, Park Lane. Proposed repairs to Yew Tree Cottage and internal and external alterations to the annexe”. PC comments. Support.
- Unitary Councillor Report.
Unitary Cllr Atkey advised that Wiltshire Council has formally reiterated its objection to the Lime Down solar park.
A trial reduction in the speed limit on the A420 at The Shoe will be implemented shortly.
Cllr Atkey and the chairman will liaise regarding a review of the 40 mph speed limit at the top of the hill.
- Playing Field & C.C. Circuit Reports. Cllr Mackelden reported that the playing fields continue to be well maintained by the Colts.
Around 8000 people attended the Circuit meeting on 19th July and there were still significant queues despite the revised entry procedures. We shall continue to push for improvements and to identify the exact causes of the problems. The police deployed two cars and the CCTV van, with several penalty tickets and traffic offence reports being issued. There have been problems with noise and tyre smoke from “drifting”, mainly affecting Yatton Keynell. This has normally been as a small part of club days but next weekend will be a specific drifting event. It may be that the current noise checks are inappropriate for this activity and will need review.
- Play Areas Reports. Cllr Hare reported that the lower play area is now largely in good shape. He will lay more bark shortly. The upper area has several problems which he will examine in depth and action repairs/suggest possible replacements as necessary.
The clerk has now received the Rospa reports for each playground and will circulate to councillors. There are no major risk areas.
- Highways
Cllr Halliday reported that the parish steward has filled numerous potholes. Others are in dangerous locations, and a works gang has been requested.
The steward has also sprayed weedkiller and strimmed the grass in several locations and cleared the drains.
The wall by the Packhorse bridge has again been hit by a vehicle and she has requested urgent repair.
Despite our concerns Highways consider the erosion on the riverbank to be low priority. Time will tell.
There will be several road closures on the B4039 and surrounding roads in the next few weeks.
13.The Village Environment Report. Cllr CleggLitttler provided a written report in his absence. We are still waiting to hear from Wiltshire Council regarding their responsibility for the riverbank. The Council informed our clerk that the environment agency was looking into carrying out the work which involves clearing saplings and shrubs on the roadside bank of the river. Wiltshire Council’s planning department have still not responded regarding the planning status of the felling of trees in Parsonage Wood. Mr Tanner was in attendance and said that so far as he was aware, all necessary permissions have been obtained. A larger waste bin will be installed near the Roman bridge with the existing one moved elsewhere.
14 Whitegates. Cllr Mackelden reported that there are no major issues. He will arrange to paint the bus shelter shortly. A parishioner Mr Reeves has kindly repaired the entrance signs to an excellent standard. Cllr. J. Halliday suggested buying him a gift for the work he has done. All approved.
- Village Hall. Cllr. Winup reported that new lighting has been installed in the toilets and entrance hall to match that in the main hall. He said the quarterly maintenance review was satisfactory.
- TV Committee. Cllr Hare reported that minor storm damage had been successfully dealt with. There are no other issues
Date of next meeting– Thursday 20th November 2025 at 7.30pm in village hall