Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Thursday 29.09.22
in the Village Hall, Castle Combe.
Present:
Cllrs: F. Winup (Chairman).
- Blair
- Mrs. J Halliday
- Prior
- Mrs S. Parker (Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer)
6 members of the public
The meeting welcomed Mrs Parker as our new clerk, following the retirement of David Ryall after many years of sterling service for which we are most grateful.
- Apologies for absence
Cllr J Mackelden, Cllr G. Clegg Littler, Cllr S. Bettles, Unitary Cllr N. Botterill, D. Ryall (retiring Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer)
- Declarations of interest:
None
- Minutes of the meeting held on 21.07.22
It was proposed by Cllr Halliday and seconded by Cllr Prior 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.
The meeting on 26th September was attended by Cllr Winup at which he communicated the Parish Council’s concerns (see item 4B below) regarding the proposed implementation of charges in the Dunn’s Lane car park. Following a lengthy debate, the Chairman of the Area Board agreed to write, in his Capacity as Chairman of the Footpath and Highways Committee, to the Unitary Council expressing major doubts as to the wisdom of implementing charges before the necessary safety measures are implemented on the hill and B4039. The Unitary Council portfolio holder bluntly dismissed these reservations (made on behalf of the Committee and the Area Board attendees) despite having been made aware of the risks on numerous occasions.
Parish Forum.
These useful meetings will hopefully recommence after being suspended due to Covid.
4B. Parking Review.
We continue to receive statistics showing the number of vehicles observed contravening yellow lines. 25 vehicles were booked in July and 65 in August.
We continue to oppose the introduction of car parking fees in Dunn’s Lane in the absence of satisfactory proposals to reduce the potential additional safety issues on the hill and B4039. The public consultation produced universal opposition, but the results were ignored and misleading information given to the media. It was also stated that the decision was “evidence based” but no evidence has been produced despite our requests. We have therefore lodged a Freedom of Information request for the number of consultations undertaken by the Unitary Council since 2019, the number of these which had a majority of respondents opposing, and the number of proposals subsequently withdrawn. We have also requested details of the claimed “evidence” since all evidence available to us, including a failed identical implementation, points to the contrary. The Unitary Council has 20 working days in which to respond.
The Unitary Council’s heavily redacted response declining our previous Freedom of Information request (on the basis that it would become publicly available!) has been referred to the Information Commissioner’s Office. Councillors Winup and Mackelden took part in a live interview with BBC radio in which the Unitary Council portfolio holder finally admitted that the intention is to make all car parks chargeable in Wiltshire. This is despite the fact that they have been unable to identify any other community with a risk profile similar to that of Castle Combe. We consider that the Traffic Regulation Order for Dunn’s Lane conflicts with the provisions of the Road Traffic Act and the Highways Act and it was unanimously agreed that we should ask the Unitary Council whether they had taken legal advice on this.
4C Footpaths
The Cotswold Wardens will begin work on restoration of footpath 5 (between Trim Tram and Parsonage Wood) once the undergrowth has died back. They have also cleared footpath 14 (Woodbury Hill) and renovated the stiles, and will repair the unstable post supporting the gate at the top of Park Lane. The new barrier at the top of Trim Tram was vandalised but has been repaired with more robust fixings. Complaints regarding a partial barrier in Park Lane have been referred to the footpath warden.
The Manor Hotel has submitted a “Notice of Landowner Deposits” which will be reviewed.
4N. Chapel Car Park
The Chairman said we are still waiting for the Land Registry to confirm the registrations despite this having been added to their “fast track” system last November. Our solicitors continue to chase monthly.
4Q. Ultrafast Broadband
As reported at the previous meeting, following termination of the Gigaclear contract a revised scheme is being introduced for which tenders are being sought by the Unitary Council. Inevitably there will be further delays before any progress is seen locally.
- Queen’s Commemoration
Cllr Halliday proposed that we should consider a memorial to our late Queen, seconded by Cllr Prior and agreed unanimously. The preferred location would be the village bridge which would require Listed Building consent. Cllr Winup will investigate further with Cllr Clegg Littler as part of the latter’s environment portfolio.
- Finance
Income: Nil
Expenditure:
Sodbury Fuels – heating oil 682.08
SSE – quarterly invoice 137.68
- Ryall – printer cartridge & keys 23.19
Cllr Winup – springer repairs, bolts & nut caps 21.77
Roundwood Ltd – replace swing beam 876.00
Cllr Winup – defibrillator batteries x 3 364.35
PFK Littlejohn – external audit 240.00
Water2 Business – ½ year invoice 96.22
Lloyds current account @ 16.08.22 £ 30455.21
Deposit account £ 15001.46
The Shawbrook bond has now expired. In view of the likelihood that rates will continue to rise, Cllr Winup proposed that the funds should be re-invested in a short-term notice account rather than for a fixed term and rate. Rate movements will be regularly reviewed in the coming months. Seconded by Cllr Prior and unanimously agreed. The £15000 transfer from Lloyds can now proceed following clearance of the annual audit. Cllr Prior confirmed that Claire Fawkes has kindly agree to act as our internal auditor and will introduce her to our new clerk. He will also liaise with the latter regarding the periodic councillor accounts review.
- Correspondence
6A. The meeting agreed to donate £50 to St John’s Ambulance.
6B. The meeting agreed to respond to the Community Governance Review confirming our previous recommendation that the very narrow strip of Grittleton Council land to the south of The Gib, which includes Gatcombe Mill, could be transferred to Castle Combe Parish Council whilst the part of Castle Combe Parish Council to the north of the M4 would be better placed in Grittleton Parish Council.
6C. Our external auditors (PKF Littlejohn) have confirmed that the annual audit is complete with no comments.
6D. The meeting agreed to donate £30 to Victim Support.
6E. An application for change of route to footpath 7 (Lower Colham Mill) has been received and councillors were asked to submit comments to the clerk as soon as possible.
6F. The government has offered all parishes the option of selecting their own external auditor but in view of the existing centralised auditor’s familiarity with parish councils, the meeting agreed that no action is necessary.
- Planning Applications:
P.C. Approved:
Fuchsia Cottage UCC – increase width of patio doors & install S/S flue
Corbetts Cottage – 3m height reduction of copper beech
Garden Cottage – fell 5 Ash trees (die back)
East Combe Farm – fell 1 Sycamore
April Cottage – fell 2 Ash trees (die back) & reduce Sycamore by 5m
11, Westway Close – reduce Birch tree by 3m
Under Consideration:
Nil
- C. Opposed
Nil
Unitary Council Under Consideration:
Paddock Barn, The Gibb – replace porch, internal & external alterations, Convert out building.
Fuchsia Cottage UCC – Enlarge patio doors & install S/S flue
Brookside Cottage – reroof plus external & internal alterations.
Land at Littleton Drew – change of use to family travellers’ site.
Unitary Council Granted.
Court Cottage – single storey rear extension
Land at Leigh Delamere – change of use to solar farm
Paddock Barn, The Gibb – replace porch, internal & external alterations, Convert outbuilding.
4, Woodbury Hill – replace workshop/garage with games room/carport (with
significant conditions)
1, School Lane – replace conservatory, extend kitchen, centralise double doors etc
Corbetts Cottage – 3m height reduction of Copper beech.
Serendipity, Whitegates – internal alterations & new dormer roof.
Colham Mill – convert disused barn to holiday accommodation.
- Unitary Councillor
Cllr Botterill submitted a written update in his absence, advising that the Littleton Drew travellers’ application was likely to be determined in the next few weeks and that the applicants have been made aware that works already carried out may require restoration if the application is declined. Any interested parties can call Cllr Botterill on 07956 176255 to discuss.
He also reported that enhancements are planned to the Parish Steward scheme with details to come in due course.
The effects of inflation on the Unitary Council capital budget are significant and a number of projects may need to be reassessed or delayed.
- CC Circuit & Playing Field
Cllr Mackelden submitted a written report in his absence, advising that the next Circuit liaison meeting has yet to be arranged but there are no pressing issues.
Following completion of the 15 year playing field lease to the Colts, he and Cllr Prior will walk the boundaries to monitor and record their existing condition.
- Play Areas
The springers in the upper playground have been repaired with a considerable saving against the quoted cost of replacement. The meeting thanked Gareth Hare for his work on this and on other activities in the village and it was agreed unanimously that Gareth is given a gift of wine to the value of £20 -25.
The cross beam in the lower playground has been replaced and is now fully operational. An alternative company to that agreed at the last meeting was found with a resultant cost saving.
The annual independent safety inspection was due in September and the report is awaited.
- 11. Highways
Cllr Halliday reported that she continues to chase Highways for the repainting of yellow lines and for action on the subsidence next to the Bybrook. We await costings for replenishment of various road markings. Scalpings should be received soon from Highways which will be used to improve the surfaces of the Whitegates turning circle, key road verges and various footpaths. The salt boxes are checked regularly and will be replenished when necessary by the Parish Steward. A number of other tasks have been agreed with him for action over the winter months. The drains and gullies were cleaned by the tanker lorry last week and the streetsweeper has been promised by Highways for a visit once a month minimum. Instances of anti-social driving in the car park have been reported to the police.
- Village Environment.
The batteries in all three defibrillators have been replaced and the opportunity was taken to demonstrate to the meeting how the equipment should be used in an emergency. A reminder will also be placed in the Combe Courier. Cllr Clegg Littler is keeping an eye on the ash die back situation including where ownership appears to rest with the Unitary Council. He will also liaise with Karen Munnings regarding the Wiltshire Council Climate Change strategy.
- Whitegates
The golf club will cut back protruding greenery at Whitegates in the next month.
- TV Committee.
There are no current system problems. Barclays have introduced banking charges on new community accounts so the account transfer from Nationwide has now gone to Lloyds instead.
- Village Hall
The quarterly maintenance checks are complete and necessary remedial work undertaken.
- Telephone Box
This is grade 2 listed and needs refurbishment. Cllr Clegg Littler is in contact with British Telecom.
- Date of next meeting
This was confirmed as Thursday 17.11.2022 at 7.30 p.m. in Castle Combe Village Hall.