Minutes of Castle Combe Parish Council Meeting on
Thursday 17th July 2025 at 7.30p.m.
Present:
Cllrs. F. Winup,
J. Halliday,
B. Blair,
G. Clegg-Littler,
G. Hare.
1 member of the public,
Clerk S. Parker
1. Apologies for absence. Cllrs. J. Mackelden, S. Bettles and Unitary Cllr Jon Atkey
2. Declarations of interest. None.
3. Minutes of the meetings on the 15th May 2025.on the 19th June 2025. Cllr. J.H proposed both sets as correct, seconded by Cllr. B.B. All agreed.
4. Matters arising:-
(i) 4A. Area Board and Parish Forum meetings. Cllr. FW reported that the next meeting is on the 15th September 18.30 at the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre. FPW will attend subject to relevance of items on the agenda
(ii) Area Board Cllr. FW reported that the next meeting is on the 24th September 19.00 venue to be arranged
(iii) Parish Forum Nothing to report
(iv) 4B. Parking Review Cllr. FW reported that there were 358 visits in May with 143 observations and 76 bookings, of which 50 were in the car park.
There were 258 visits in May with 92 observations and 30 bookings, of which 18 were in the car park. For the first time there were none on the hill. The posts on the B4039 at top of the hill (like those by the river) and the short extensions to the yellow lines at the top of the hill have been marked out and are ready for installation. Installation of a post at the Whitegates turning circle for a buses only sign has been chased.
The markings for two extra spaces by the toilets were inadvertently forgotten by Highways and the double yellow lines were accidentally replenished. We have asked for this to be corrected.
We have again 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.
Further possible changes (such as restricting access to the village on peak days, possible ANPR, extension of the car park or use of overflow parking sites), will await the success or otherwise of these. Cllr Winup will ascertain whether ANPR is currently used anywhere in Wiltshire.
(v) 4C. Footpaths. Cllr CleggLittler will investigate the planning status of some of the work already undertaken at Rack Hill.
(vi) 4N. Congregational Chapel Car Park We await confirmation that the purchasers have signed their copy of the transfer deed
5. Finance:–
IncomePrecept £6600.00
Lloyds Bank balance 24/06/2025 £12,140.93
Shawbrook balance 01/01/2025 £8523.90
CCPC expenses May to July 2025
£
Octopus 39.02
Bank charges 6.25
Cllr. Winup repayment for I A 37.86
Cllr. Winup repayment for Screwfix 4.99
HMRC 320.00
Cllr. Winup repayment for Flag clips 4.59
Cllr. Winup repayment for UK Flag 101.99
Cllr. Halliday flowers 22.50
Cllr. Halliday compost 15.00
Cllr. Winup expenses 125.00
Cllr. Winup 14.00
Zurich Insurance 1163.25
Cllr. Winup AGM refreshments 57.25
Cllr. Winup refreshments 31.35
Cllr. Winup treatment for Box caterpillar 19.95
Cllr. Winup Digiprint 91.80
Cllr. Winup 6.80
Mrs S. Parker 880.45
Total2942.05
6. Correspondence.
a) Lime Down with another consultation date, Cllr. FW has responded.
b) Letter from Anne Chapman re bus stop location.
7. Planning Applications Determined:
PL/2025/04318 – Proposed Works to Trees in a Conservation Area Address: Brook House, Castle Combe, Proposal: T1 Ash – Fell. T2 Sycamore Maples (x2) – Reduce height c.5 meters. T3 Cyprus (x5) – Fell. Decision: 12 June 2025 No Objection PC comments Support
PL/2025/03844 – Householder Application Address: Brook House, Castle Combe, Chippenham, SN14 7HY Proposal: Replace existing greenhouse with a new greenhouse. Re-build foundation and move greenhouse footprint c.1 meter east and 1-meter south Decision Approve with Conditions. PC Comments Support
8. Planning Applications Received.
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. PC Comment Support
9. Unitary Councillor Report. Cllr. JA gave his apologies for the meeting.
10. Playing Field & C.C. Circuit Reports –
Cllr. FW read out Cllr. Mackelden’s report that he had sent in for the meeting, The Castle Combe Colts annual tournament was again a great success.
The latest liaison meeting with the Circuit on 24th June was also attended by Yatton Keynell PC and the police.
Following the traffic problems at the 29th March Action Day, the admission process has been revised so that 2500 vehicles now can park with attendees then presenting their tickets on foot. They have still not defined a contact for residents to escalate issues. Cllr Mackelden will continue to press for this. In the meanwhile, the police encouraged residents to phone 101 or 999 depending on the severity of the issue and said that any poor behaviour captured on camera can lead to prosecution.
Cllr Mackelden will chase for the regular lists of forthcoming events and their noise classifications.
11. Play Areas Report –
Cllr Hare has agreed to carry out regular scheduled monitoring of both playgrounds.
The next Rospa inspections are due in September, and a working party may be needed beforehand to help Cllr Hare deal with current issues. Rubber bark will be installed to reduce possible tripping hazards (but rated as low risk by Rospa).
Once the proceeds from the Chapel car park sale are received, some replacement equipment will be considered.
12. Highways Report –
Cllr Halliday reported the following: – Road markings have been refreshed but with some omissions which have been reported. The gulley tanker recently visited as part of its six-week rota and cleared the drains on the hill and upper village.
The number of tour buses, some without company logos, has increased substantially with consequent disruption in the lower village as drivers are remaining in situ instead of dropping passengers off. Cllr Halliday has compiled a list of known companies (some of which do behave properly but tend to coincide). The chairman will ascertain the addresses of all known companies and will liaise with the Unitary Council Director of Tourism to see what improvements can be made. Councillors will note whether unnamed courier vehicles have taxi licence numbers so that the Unitary Council can take steps if parking regulations are consistently being broken.
Cllr Halliday has again chased the Unitary Council regarding the erosion on the riverbank which has now lasted four years without action. The current low water levels make it an ideal time for rectification.
The Parish Steward continues to do an excellent job.
The police will carry out speed checks on the B4039 from The Salutation to Kents Bottom. A similar exercise on one day last month caught over 130 drivers in two hours.
13. Village Environment.
Cllr CleggLittler reported the following:
Extra new bins have been installed and added to the collection rota.
The Environment Agency has written to relevant householders to say that they do not have sufficient funding to deal with excess vegetation etc. Riparian owners are responsible for their side of the river up to the middle. Cllr CleggLittler will query whether this includes Wiltshire Council, particularly near the bridge where the problem is at its worst.
A water quality test has shown that water quality in the river is about average except at Long Dean where the phosphate level was high, presumably due to the sewage works and the current very low water level.
Cllr Winup said that since the new car park sign was installed, drone problems have reduced considerably. We were visited by BBC TV (local and national), The Times, The Daily Mail, The Telegraph, The Daily Express, local and foreign media. Useful contacts have been made for any other future issues.
We have requested the installation of free air monitoring equipment in the Market Place for a one-year trial period. We await news as to whether we have been successful.
14. Whitegates.
Cllr Mackelden has agreed to be the future point of contact replacing J. Prior in the newsletter.
15. Village Hall Report.
Cllr. FW reported that the quarterly inspections are satisfactory. A new electricity contract agreed at lower cost. The Village Hall has Assets of £5059.
16. TV Committee Report.
Cllr. GCL reported that nearly all subscriptions are up to date. This year will be subscription free and there may a discount for early payment for the coming year.
17. Date of next meeting is the 25th of September 2025 at 7.30pm in village hall (one week later than usual).
Meeting closed at 8.45