CASTLE COMBE PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Thursday 27.11.22
in the Village Hall, Castle Combe.
Present:
Cllrs: F. Winup (Chairman)
- Blair
- CleggLittler
- Mrs. J Halliday
- Mackelden
- Prior
Mrs S. Parker (Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer)
Unitary Councillor N. Botterill
16 members of the public
- Apologies for absence
Cllrs S. Bettles and J. Prior
- Declarations of Interest
None
- Minutes of the meeting held on 29.09.22
It was proposed by Cllr Halliday and seconded by Cllr Mackelden that these be accepted as a true record. This was unanimously agreed by the meeting and duly signed by the Chairman.
- Matters Arising
4A. Area Board Meeting and Parish Forum:
Area Board
Cllr. Winup reported that the next meeting is on the 12th of December at Sutton Benger. He will provide a written update regarding Dunns Lane.
Parish Forum
Still no news on recommencement.
4B. Dunns Lane car Park and Parking Review
Cllr Winup reported that illegal parking has increased exponentially since the charges were implemented. There were 26 bookings in September and 53 in October, which was the first month of charging. This compares to last year’s October figures when only 2 cars were booked.
The original statutory press notice in April read as follows : “The proposed charging in Dunn’s Lane Car Park will allow Wiltshire Council to improve the parking management arrangements in Castle Combe including the appropriate management of the supply of car parking in Castle Combe by increasing turnover of available spaces and discouraging long stay parking, generating revenue to contribute towards an efficient parking services operation in Castle Combe and surrounding areas and encouraging the use of sustainable travel modes in order to reduce reliance on the private car. “
In practice illegal parking has increased substantially (as we had forecast) following the imposition of charges in the car park. There are only three buses daily with none on Sundays and Bank Holidays!
Drivers are also parking in Whitegates to avoid paying charges.
We constantly stress to the Unitary Council that safety for villagers and visitors has been severely compromised as a result of their decision. They show no willingness to change despite being made fully aware of the potential consequences. The Unitary Council response to our latest Freedom of Information request is inadequate and we have requested a senior internal review.
Cllr. Winup presented the Unitary Council’s plans for the proposed yellow lines and road markings/signs in the parish, and residents were invited to look at these and then ask questions and give their comments on them. The overall responses were favourable and helpful, following which a number of suggested revisions will be made to Highways. The PC will inform parishioners of the progress of these plans when updates are received.
Other items raised by attendees:
The speed of the traffic on the B4039. Could the Parish Council work with Highways to get the limit reduced. Cllr. Winup said they had tried more than once to do so but the locale does not meet the National criteria. We were successful in reducing part to 30 mph in the locations where these criteria were met.
People still park on yellow lines, so it needs to be policed more. Cllr. Winup said the number of monthly traffic warden visits has doubled to 167. Five years ago, there were virtually none. The increase has been due to our consistent pressure.
Cllr Mackelden will speak to the playing field tenants regarding residents’ concerns about people parking on the road nearby.
The proposed double yellow lines at the Shrub junction were queried, but these are to ensure safe passage of emergency vehicles. There are spaces nearby for drivers to use as an alternative.
4C. Footpaths
The Cotswold wardens will begin work on the restoration of footpath 5 shortly. Cllr. Winup will remind them of the unstable supporting post on the gate at the top of Park Lane.
The Manor House hotel has withdrawn the Notice of Landowner Deposits.
Scalpings from Highways are awaited and will be distributed at key points in the parish.
4D. Congregational Chapel Car Park
The Land registry has confirmed registration is now on fast track, and the parish council solicitors still hold the unregistered deeds.
4Q. Ultra-Fast Broadband.
Cllr. N. Botterill said there is a new scheme coming out at the end of the year to cover the areas not being done by commercial fibre. Companies will be asked to tender to install fibre broadband on behalf of the Unitary Council.
6B. Community Governance Review.
Cllr. Blair explained the review and that the PC said the narrow strip of Grittleton Council land to the south of the Gib which includes Gatcombe Mill could be transferred to CCPC whilst part of CCPC to the north of the M4 would be better placed in Grittleton PC. Cllr. Blair will meet with the church as they have already agreed boundary changes with Church Authorities.
- Finance
Income:
Shawbrook Bank – interest 145.02
Expenditure:
- Ryall – salary 578.90
HMRC – tax 333.60
- Ryall – printer cartridge 11.18
Victim support – donation 30.00
St Johns Ambulance – donation 50.00
Cllr Winup – gratuity Gareth Hare 20.00
“ newsletter printing 44.75
Play Safety Ltd – audit fee 168.00
R.B.L Poppy – donation 60.00
SSE – quarterly invoice 155.19
Liz Taylor – plants compost for 3 planters 155.80
Lloyds current account @ 26.10.22 £27911.27
Shawbrook Bank bond £15001.46
- New Bank accounts update
Cllr. Winup said the new signatories for Lloyds Bank and Shawbrook are now Cllrs FW, JM, JH and the clerk SP. Cllr Winup said he had investigated terms for deposits with various banks but none of those paying good rates will open accounts for parish councils. The highest appropriate such account is with Shawbrook, the existing provider, a 100 day notice account at 1%. This was proposed by Cllr. Mackelden, seconded by Cllr. Halliday, all approved.
- Precept
2023/24 proposal – Cllr Winup discussed the precept and proposed it is increased to £6,000, an increase of £250.This is less than 2p per week per parishioner and remains at 25% of the average for a Wiltshire parish, saving the average household £130 per annum. The proposal was seconded by Cllr, Mackelden, all approved. It was agreed to set the budget in January.
- NALC new clerk pay scales
Following publication of the backdated pay scales, Cllr Winup proposed that David Ryall’s is back dated from April 1st to the end of November and Sheila Parker’s from the date of appointment. Seconded by Cllr. Macklelden, all approved.
- Correspondence.
Nil.
- Planning applications.
P.C. Approved:
The Castle Inn – boiler & flue replacement.
The Manor House – remove interior partition wall & erect new, replace external patio & install new glazed screens.
P.C. under consideration:
Nil
Unitary Council under consideration:
The Castle Inn – boiler & flue replacement.
The Manor House – remove interior partition wall & erect new, replace external patio & install new glazed screens.
Unitary Council rejected.
Land @ Littleton Drew – change of use to family travellers’ site.
Unitary Council Granted.
Garden Cottage – fell 1 Ash.
East Combe Farm – fell 1 Sycamore
April Cottage – fell 2 Ash, reduce Sycamore 5 metres.
11 Westway Close – reduce Birch 3 metres.
- Unitary Councillor Report
Cllr. Botterill gave a report on the Unitary Council finances, which are expected to have an overspend of £6m which is covered by reserves. Adult and Children’s services are being managed well and they have not lost any contracts. The latest budget allows councils to raise the precept by 5% if they wish.
- 9. Playing Field and CC Circuit reports
Cllr. Mackelden reported that he will take up the issue of cars parking on the road. He will walk the boundaries with Cllr. Prior as the lease is due for renewal on 1st June 2023.
Nothing major to report on the Circuit.
10.Play Area reports
Cllr. Mackelden reported that the playing areas are very quiet at the moment, the Rospa report said there are no major issues, but the moss needs treatment on the play area at Upper Castle Combe. The lower play area is looking unkempt, and he will action as necessary.
- Highways report
Cllr Halliday reported that the signs for flood warning keep falling over. She will contact WC to see if they can be made more secure.
She has asked the Parish Steward to remove the damaged marker post in front of the toilets and to cement in the new one. He continues to clear the gullies and drains on each visit but more visits by the Streetsweeper are required and she will pursue this.
There was a discussion on the speed of traffic from the Gibb to the Golf course. The Parish Council has asked for the whole road to be reviewed and reduced to 40 mph. Cllr. Botterill suggested they speak to Nettleton and Yatton Keynell Parish councils and to put in a joint issue sheet to the LHFIG committee for the whole road to have a speed survey done. It was agreed that Cllr. Halliday will contact both neighbouring parish councils to discuss plans for reducing the speed through all parishes.
The Electricity Board cones on the way to Ford should be removed this month.
- Village Environment
Cllr. CleggLittler is liaising with Karen Munnings to discuss Wiltshire Council’s climate strategy and to see what the parish council can do. Cllr Botterill said many parishes are improving their assets, putting in sustainable heating, collecting rainwater off the roofs. St Andrew’s church have changed their light bulbs to LED which has reduced their electric consumption. Cllr. Botterill said the new streetlights have made a 75% reduction for WC.
Cllr. Prior sent in a report suggesting landowners cut back their own hedges that are over hanging the road.
The grade 2 listed telephone box is going to be repainted next year and kept in working order due to the poor mobile reception in the village.
Cllr. Winup asked whether the council should replace the Waterside broken bench. It was agreed to replace it with a memorial bench for Queen Elizabeth. The cost will be £345 plus £30 for delivery and £60 for the inscription.
- Whitegates
Cllr. Prior has confirmed no major issues other than the parking mentioned above. The golf course will cut back the overgrown greenery shortly.
- TV Committee
Cllr. CleggLittler said the next step is to get another signatory on the account, at the moment it is in order as there are two people who can sign, but it would be better to have another one. Cllr. Winup said they also need another person to join the committee, preferably someone who uses the TV system.
- 15. Village Hall
Cllr. Winup said the cost of repairing the broken gate will be £355. Funds now total £4490.
- Village Xmas Social Evening donation
Cllr. Winup said the social is on the 15th December, and the group would like a donation for the wine. It is a free event for villagers. Cllr Winup proposed a donation of £125, seconded by Cllr. Halliday, all approved.
Date of next meeting.
Thursday 19.01.2023 at 7.30pm. in the Village Hall Castle Combe.