held on Monday May 14th 2007
Present; Stuart Campbell, Chairman Mary Stanhope, Hugh Delap, Rowena Wood, Richard Blamey, Betty Harris, Ray Benfield, Ann Ross, Mandy Knowles and Stephanie Jenkins, Clerk.1 Apologies for absence ; there were none. SC as former Chairman, congratulated re-elected Councillors and welcomed new Councillors, Ann Ross and Mandy Knowles to their first meeting.
2 Election of Chairman; Stuart Campbell was proposed as Chairman by Rowena Wood, seconded by Hugh Delap and elected unanimously. Hugh Delap was proposed as Vice Chairman by Richard Blamey, seconded by Betty Harris and elected unanimously.
3. Councillors’ Declarations of Interests and Acceptance of the Model Code of Conduct.
Councillors had signed their Declarations of Acceptance of Office before the start of the meeting. The question of whether to adopt the Standard Board’s New Model Code of Conduct or to remain, temporarily, with the old version was discussed. The Clerk stated that she had taken advice from a number of sources and there seemed to be no disadvantage in signing up to the new version, which simplified a number of issues. Advice had also indicated that Parish Councils should adopt the Code “with the addition of Paragraph 12(2)”, a move which would allow Councillors greater freedom in discussion of matters in which they could be perceived to have an interest, whilst not allowing them to vote on such an issue. Councillors agreed unanimously to follow this course of action and adopted the New Model Code with this rider. The Clerk was instructed to inform the Standards Board of this decision. Councillors then filled in their individual Registers of Interest, which will be held by B&NES’ Legal Services Department, with copies available for public view, held by the Clerk.
4. Minutes
The Minutes of the meeting of April 2nd were agreed to be an accurate record and were signed by the Chairman
5. Planning Matters
Planning Sub-Committee; this will consist of Rowena Wood, Ann Ross, Hugh Delap, Stuart Campbell and Ray Benfield.
Responses returned since April’s meeting; on the proposed Floodlighting at the Tennis Court the response was to comment that, “This Council is concerned that the lateral escape of light could be detrimental to neighbouring properties. The screening by the existing line of large conifers should not be seen as a mitigating consideration as the owner is intending to remove them.”
On the proposed change of use of the garage at Sharpstone House, the comment was that there was no objection in principle, providing that the change of use to residential status is not a permanent permission (as indicated in the design statement).5 Woodside Cottages; the Clerk is to return the considered Parish Council response, supporting the alterations to the rear and commenting on the garage replacement.
Village Pump Area; RW had circulated a report to Councillors. The area around the Pump has become neglected over the last few years. Use of skips has meant damage to stonework and overhanging trees need cutting back. Actions to be taken would be to establish ownership of the land, to investigate the possibilities of grants from Wessex Water (they have indicated unofficially that this could be so), to decide if the parking area should be retained, to decide on remedial work on the steps and stonework, to decide whether the area under the pump should be restored to the original cobbles, to encourage owner of trees to do more cutting back, to include a formal sign/history of the area on the noticeboard, to circulate a note to all residents in the immediate area pointing out the damage that can be caused by skips and delivery lorries using this as a parking area.Rectory Orchard/ replacement garage/ window and construction of pergola (07/00285/FUL permitted.
Hermitage replacement of section of wall; Appeal allowed. The wall will not be rebuilt.
Barker Review of land use planning/ letter to MP; a prompt and sympathetic response had been received from Don Foster to the Parish Council’s criticisms of changes proposed in the Barker Review.B&NES’ Constitution; Neil Butters, as new District Councillor, had alerted the Parish Council to proposed changes within B&NES’ Planning Department, under which the urban and rural Planning Committees are to combine. This would mean a much heavier agenda for those District Councillors serving on this committee and could undermine the input at parish Council level. SC offered to check with Neil Butters whether he would be a member of the Committee.6. Freshford Mill
A meeting has been arranged with Ludek Majer of B&NES’ Planning to discuss a list of concerns over the proposed development, subsequent to the Parish Council’s meeting with the developers, Ypres Rose. Councillors able to attend are Stuart Campbell, Hugh Delap and Rowena Wood. The Clerk will minute the meeting and the minutes will be circulated to all Councillors for information. It was agreed that a further attempt to obtain a new set of plans will be made at the meeting.
7. Parish Plan
HD reported that steady progress continues. The afternoon and early evening of Friday, June 22nd have been earmarked for a public display, in the Memorial Hall, of the work done by each group. This will give members of the public the opportunity of understanding what has been done and to contribute to the final stages of the Plan.
RJB stated that the date clashed with a Treasure Hunt which would be using the Hall Car Park on that evening. HD to check the options for rescheduling. 8. Village ShopFollowing several meetings initiated by the Shop Committee, it seems that it will be possible to relocate a Post Office service in the accommodation above the surgery for two full mornings a week. Both the Younghusband Trust and the Royal Mail Field Change Manager have agreed to this arrangement. It would not be possible to set this up until late July or early August at the earliest. The Action Group will be meeting again to discuss the decoration of the Younghusband room and whether additional non-PO services could be provided until the time when a new shop can be opened. RJB raised the suggestion of the former Morris’s Store, currently on the market, but it was agreed that this would be too expensive. The Memorial Hall was also suggested and RJB stated that there was nothing in the Hall’s Trust to stop a commercial venture being run from part of the Hall, as long as it was clearly of benefit to the community
9. Affordable Housing
HD reported that a group of Officers from B&NES had visited the village but had not seen fit to involve the Parish Council’s Affordable Housing group. They had decided that one of the sites (no. 4, off the corner of Crowe Lane) previously rejected as a traffic hazard could be reconsidered. They had also identified two new sites; in the field behind the village hall and in the car-park at The Inn and rejected the proposed site off Church Lane (Wilts). In response the Parish Council had expressed concern
- That the visit was made without the opportunity for Councillors to contribute.
- That the new sites are totally unsuitable.
10. Footpaths, Walls and Trees
Footpath/Limpley Stoke; MS reported that a formal letter had been sent by B&NES’ Footpath Officer asking the owners to cut back the hedge, exposing the full width of the footpath, within two weeks. B&NES would then be prepared to remove the tree stumps from the path.
Footpath/Pipehouse; complaints have been received about the Leylandii overhanging the footpath alongside Rentokil. Ann Ross was asked to contact the owner to ask him to cut the trees back. The Clerk is to ask Ian Croker to strim the path.11. Highways and Railways
Traffic Appraisal Project; RJB had circulated copies of the Hamilton-Baillie report to Councillors and had set up a meeting for May 24th at which Ben Hamilton-Baillie and Paola Spivac will explain the details and answer queries about the Shared-Space Traffic Scheme. Simon Coomb (Chairman/ Limpley Stoke PC) and Neil Butters had asked to attend and this was approved. The invitation was extended to Gitte dawson also and the Clerk was asked to contact her. HD asked whether the Survey could be released to the Parish Plan group dealing with transport and traffic, but SC and RJB felt that the public should not be involved until after the May 24th meeting, when the Parish Council will have considered their reactions to the scheme and what will be the best way to progress from that point. If the agreed Parish Council reaction is to try to implement the scheme, or perhaps a part of it, then will be the time to go for public consultation.
Drain Outside The Old Parsonage; ongoing.
Doctors’ Parking Bay; the Clerk reported that Highways had contacted her with a plan to relocate the parking space directly outside the surgery, up against the railings. The follow-on effect from this would be for all other parking to take place on that side of the road, possibly with white lines to prevent any parking along The Forge side of the road. Having consulted briefly with Councillors by email, she had informed Highways that this plan was not acceptable and asked him to delay any action until Councillors had discussed it at the meeting. After discussion, the consensus was that the preferred side of the road, which would maximise the amount of parking space, (as most traffic approaches the lane from the crossroads) was The Forge side. Two large driveways on the other side of the road meant that parking was severely limited on that side; drivers would also have to leave space by the wall in order to exit from their vehicles, further narrowing the access. Added to this, the parking bay had originally been sited outside The Forge and its removal had only ever been a temporary solution whilst construction had been underway. Councillors agreed to a meeting to examine the site, to make sure that these views were entirely accurate. The Clerk was instructed to ask Highways if one of their Officers could also attend, so that a professional approach to the problem could be obtained.Station Planting Scheme; RW reported that work was almost complete.
Station Lighting; RW reported that she had been in contact with Pete Jobson, Station Manager, who was investigating their Contractors’ claim that the lighting had been set to turn off. In the meantime, an independent witness, living on Murhill, had contacted the Clerk to complain about the light pollution at the station and the fact that the lights were still burning right through the night. RW hoped that there would eventually be a satisfactory resolution to this saga
Noticeboard; ongoing.
Parking at the Station; RW asked Councillors whether they wished to ask First Group to approach Mr Godwin about the possibility of acquiring some land by the station to provide extra parking. Councillors agreed that parking was a serious issue, but also agreed with HD’s view that it would need a very sensitive approach, given the rural aspect of the lane. Councillors were asked to visit the station area and contact RW with their views. 12. Councillors’ Areas of Interest/ Street Sweeping Admin.Returning Councillors had all indicated that they would be prepared to retain their existing areas of interest. It was suggested that Ann Ross should become a member of the Planning sub-Committee and that Mandy Knowles, with some input from the Clerk, should take over the admin for the Street Sweeper. Both new Councillors agreed to these proposals.
13. Village Fete.Saturday, June 9th. The Hall Committee had asked if the Parish Council intended to run a stall at the Fete. It was decided to follow the successful routine of the last two years with two games aimed at children. The Clerk was asked to return the form to the hall Committee and to check with Alison Cavaliero whether any prizes remained from last year. A number of Councillors indicated that they would be able to help with the stall.
14. Correspondence
B&NES Transport & Highways; Newsletter
Avon & Som. Police; Policing Plan 2007-08
ALCA Newsletter; Minutes of the ALCA meeting of Dec5th last.
Clerks and Councils Direct; Newsletter
West Wilts DC; Core Strategy Issues Paper now available online; Consultation Document on Minerals & Waste Core Strategies
B&NES Planning Services; Statement of Community Involvement- Consultation on Local Development Framework
First Great Western; replies to RW’s letter re parking at station.
CPRE; update plus invitation to farm visit.
Communities and Local Government; copy of new model code of conduct
Community Action; publications list and info on Fundfinder software that can be accessed through their office.
Cotswold Conservation Board; consultation on Management Plan and Strategic Environmental assessment.
B&NES Planning; notice of further proposed modifications to the Local Plan.
15. FinancePayments needing to be made in MAY
Ian Croker; Street Cleaning , £196.68
Allianz Cornhill; annual insurance premium, £479.71
Hamilton-Baillie Associates; balance owed for report, £1000 + extra copies, £80 +VAT £189. Total due £1269.
Expenses for Annual Parish Meeting, paid by Clerk, £89.70 (Refreshments and Photocopying)
Pam Cobb, Petrol for strimmer, £18.41
RJ Dewings, Clearing Tyning Bank and tidying cemetery, £275
Retrospective payment
Hamilton-Baillie, first instalment for Traffic Survey report, £2350
Income
Cemetery Fees; £20
SEC All-In Annual Lighting Maintenance Contract
We have been advised that, as from April 1st there will be a 3% increase.
Quarterly charge will be £154.34 + VAT.
The Clerk has asked for a break-down of what exactly this includes as the Parish Council might be better off reverting to the system of some years ago, where repairs were paid for on an ad hoc basis. An annual contract was negotiated because the lights were mostly old and constantly needing attention and the bills were unpredictable and constantly increasing. 29 out of 39 lights have been renewed so, theoretically, maintenance costs should be lower.
Audit Dates; Peter Davies is now completing the internal audit, following a successful end of year reconciliation of the accounts. Depending on his progress, the figures will be presented for approval at either the June or July meeting. The public will be notified of their rights to inspect the audit documents over a two-week period (July 23rd onwards) before they are sent in to Mazars, the official auditors.