CASTLE COMBE PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of meeting held 26th September 2024 in the Village Hall.
Present: Cllrs F. Winup, J. Mackelden, J, Halliday, J. Prior, B. Blair, S Bettles plus Unitary Cllr Nick Botterill, and 4 members of the public.
- Apologies for absence. Cllr CleggLittler
- Declarations of interest. Cllr SB re item 7a, the overdue Stonewood Planning Application.
- Minutes of 18th July 2024 meeting. Cllr SB proposed both they are approved, seconded by Cllr JH. All agreed.
- 4. Matters arising:
4A. (i) Area Board and Parish Forum meetings
Cllr Winup said there was a low Parish turnout at the Area Board meeting on 2nd September, including ourselves. Unitary Cllr Botterill said they discussed the Community Infrastructure Levy and S106 money and how to negotiate receiving it from developers. Unitary Cllr Botterill will speak to the Forum chairman Howard Greenman to consider whether the Forum dates should precede the Area Board instead of following them. This might increase parish attendance.
The next meeting is on 4th November 6.30pm at Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre. Cllr Winup will attend subject to relevance of any items on the agenda.
(ii) Parish Forum
Ten parishes attended.
Concerns were expressed by several at the recent proliferation of development proposals.
A presentation by The Road Safety Partnership advised that fifteen Traffic Surveys had been undertaken recently (including ours) but none had met the criteria for subsequent action.
A new speed monitoring team operating locally has resulted in 432 speed awareness courses, 55 fines and 3 court appearances.
In July alone 105 drivers had no insurance, 160 stopped for speeding, 157 using phones, 76 no licence and 59 no seat belt.
Attendees expressed strong views about the need for more automated Speedwatch (as used elsewhere) and will take this up with the Unitary Council.
A presentation by the police confirmed an increase in the number of burglaries, mainly in upmarket homes in the afternoon and early evening. The likely suspects are known but evidence is needed. Any suspicious activity should be reported to 999, not 901, to ensure a speedy response.
They mentioned that up to 50 valuable items (laptops, TVs, smartphones, pictures etc) can be marked with a product called SelectaDNA, which identifies the true owner of recovered property. Free supplies have been exhausted but can be purchased from the supplier for about £60.
Cllr Winup will meet with the police on 27th September on one of their regular visits.
4B. Parking Review:
Traffic wardens observed 51 vehicles on double yellow lines in July, and 166 in August. Of these 25 and 63 were booked, with the others moving on.
Cllr Winup expressed surprise that the Road Safety Partnership is not involved, even on an advisory basis, in any reviews of speed limits and whether they are still appropriate. The Unitary Council Highways make these decisions based on National guidelines, but flexibility can be applied. Unitary Cllr Botterill agreed to discuss with Highways, with reference to the top of the hill which currently remains at 40mph despite our previous request for a reduction to 30mph. He also mentioned that decisions can be subject to challenge as from January next year.
4C. Footpaths
Cllr Bettles has met with the golf course head greenkeeper to discuss the problems with the School Lane footpath. The club will cut back the greenery and lay scalpings on the path.
Cllr Winup has also asked for action at the other end of the path near Park Lane.
Cllr Bettles will deliver slabs to the Roman Bridge and liaise with Cllr Mackelden to lay them with help from Gareth Hare.
4N. Congregational Chapel Car Park.
Davis Meade have been briefed and we shall liaise with our solicitor on his return shortly.
8A. Impact of visitor volumes
A very long discussion took place on the three main issues: visitor volumes, vehicle movements and safety.
It was finally agreed that Unitary Cllr Botterill would produce a draft proposal for distribution prior to the next meeting.
- Finance:
Lloyds Bank balance 21.06.24 6758.56
Shawbrook Bank balance 21.06.24 30332.20
Lloyds current account at 19th Aug 24 4905.71
Shawbrook 1yr fixed 15729.11
Shawbrook100 days account 15332.20
Income:
Shawbrook fixed account interest 729.11
Payments:
HMRC NI Payee 253.41
Cllr. Mackelden woodchip 54.00
Cllr Mackelden woodchip 42.00
WALC membership 1 yr 141.84
Cllr. Winup Digiprint 56.26
Mrs. Parker stamps 20.40
SSE Electricity Village Hall 112.66
- Roberts Electric for Defibrillator 24.00
704.57
5A. Reconciliations have been reviewed quarterly by Cllrs Winup and Prior.
5B. Shawbrook fixed bond renewed at 5.02% as agreed at last meeting. Expires 15th August 2025.
We also have a 100-day account paying 4.51%.
- Correspondence External Auditor emailed confirming Exempt status for 2023 – 2024 accounts
- Planning Applications Determined:
PL/2024/04382 – Full Planning Permission. Units 1-3, The Barn, Upper Castle Combe, SN14 7HE
Proposed change of use to category E, for use as a veterinary rehabilitation clinic.
WC Decision. Approve with Conditions. PC comments Support
PL/2024/05915 and PL/2024/06148 Three Gables
WC Decision. Approve with Conditions. PC comments Support
PL/2024/06791 Church Cottage, Market Place. Remove 1no multi-stem Corylus Maxima Purpurea (Hazel) and shrubs. WC Decision: No Objection. PC comment Support.
7a. Planning Applications Received: None
The Stonewood planning application has been held up by the need for an Ecology report but is almost ready for submission.
The enforcement officer has again made contact regarding aggregate movements on the site.
Cllr Bettles confirmed that these movements now involve only removal of the existing material, with nothing coming in.
- Unitary Councillor. Unitary Cllr Botterill advised that a consultation is available online re Gypsy and Traveller sites (expires 4th October). He also spoke about the National Policy Planning Framework and that Wiltshire have to increase the number of developments by 81%. If the Local Plan is approved by Full Council on 15 October, it will then be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate. If this is done within 1 month of the publication of the current proposed changes to the NPPF consultation then the Plan will not have to incorporate the government’s revised increased planning target of 3,746 new homes per annum until the next review is due expected to be within circa 3 years.
- 9. Playing Field & C.C. Circuit Reports –
Playing field: The Colts are still operating successfully and maintain the premises well.
Circuit: The next Liaison meeting is on 23rd October. Cllr Mackelden will check the status of the hedge replacement plans. The Bike nights have settled down due to the controls on numbers attending.
- 10. Play Areas Report – The annual ROSPA inspection report is awaited.
Lower: Cllr Bettles has cut the grass, sprayed weeds and will lay compressed scalpings at the entrance.
Upper: Cllr Prior will obtain the blower from Hayley Reeves.
- Highways Report –
Overnight closures are currently in operation between Whitegates and The Gib whilst various major works are undertaken.
The police will be undertaking speed checks along the B4039 over the next few weeks.
Highways have installed the new parking meters in Dunns Lane. They now take payments via coins, cards, and phone app.
The Parish Steward has again cleared numerous drains and gullies plus pothole repairs.
The Unitary Council is checking the precise areas within which Circuit Motors vehicles can be parked.
Cllr Halliday will speak to WC about getting a bus service to the village on Sundays.
- The Village Environment Report – Unitary Cllr Botterill will enquire re the availability and collection arrangements of large bins in view of the vastly increased visitor numbers.
He is also investigating the possibility of a local by-law banning drone usage. Cllrs approved the idea of notices explaining the use of drones.
- Whitegates – The golf club will cut back the overhanging branches on Whitegates.
- Village Hall – Quarterly inspections will be done next week. Funds stand at £4944
- TV Committee – No current problems. Funds stand at £9664
- Date of next meeting. All agreed to Thursday 21st of November at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.
Meeting closed at 9.25