MINUTES OF THE LYNEHAM AND BRADENSTOKE ANNUAL/PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 10th FEBRUARY 2009 AT BRADENSTOKE VILLAGE HALL

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Chairman M Petch, Cllr J Jardine (Vice-Chair), Cllr F Ball, Cllr S Palmer, Cllr D Potter, Cllr D Bunney,  Cllr T Webb, Cllr P Lightowler, Aileen Murphy - Parish Clerk

Cllr J Webb, Cllr D Turner, Wing Commander Snell. It has been noted that Richard Bullock has resigned from the Council, due to other commitments. There have been 2 applications to date.

Dist Cllr A Bucknell and two members of the public

The Meeting started at 7.15pm.

1. Apologies:

 Cllr J Webb, Cllr D Turner, Wing Commander Snell. It has been noted that Richard Bullock has resigned from the Council, due to other commitments. There have been 2 applications to date.

2. Minutes of the Council Meeting held on Tuesday 13th January 2009:

Minutes of the Council Meeting held on of the meeting held on the 13th January 2009 having been circulated were amended, approved and signed.

3. Register of Interests under the Parish Councils (Code of Conduct) Order 2001):

4. RAF Matters:

a. There was no representative from the RAF present.

5. One Council Update:

a. There will be a new council from 1st April, Area Boards up and running by July - currently in pilot phase. Cllr Toby Sturgis will be the interim cover for Lyneham and Bradenstoke until the elections on 4th June. Literature on Wilts Council available on request, and road shows dates issued.

6. To Receive Public Questions:

a. A request was made to the RAF( who were not in attendance) in respect to the condition of the hedging and ditching from Melsome to C side gate. It was also noted that water has been running from the Pintail Court playing fields, (prior to the snow) as the ditching is blocked, and the power station on Preston Lane hedgerow has not been cleared when last maintained.

7. Police Matters:

a. There was no representative from the Police present. 

8. Matters Arising from Previous Meeting:

1. Bradenstoke solar lights have been reported to be not working. - Clerk will contact Clarence.
2. Cllr T Webb will look into Deeds from the sale of land on Calne Road, to establish ditch ownership. Appointment made with Solicitors.
3. Cllr J Webb to look at the Parish Improvement grants.
4. Clerk has requested of NWDC that the Pintail Court area registered as a playing field, as it has been an open space for 20+ years. Response received, Pintail Court is recognised as a public open space, but not registered as a playing field. Possibility that MOD may want to dispose of this site for housing development, there are Tree Preservation orders in place on site, which may affect level of proposed development. All planning applications will go through normal planning channels, and Parish Council would have the opportunity to object to any proposal.

9. Public Toilets:

a. Revenue Grant for 2008-2009 received.  Transfer documentation registered with the Land Registry, awaiting confirmation of completion. Two quotes have been received to upgrade toilets, these have been forwarded to NWDC, Cllr Lightowler will update progress at next meeting.

10. Planning:

11. Highway Matters and Transport:

a) Bus Shelters (Slessor Road, Preston Lane, Bradenstoke)  - No issues
b) Seats - Letter received from S Skull regarding the seat in the Wild flower meadow, it has been explained to Mr Skull that this years budget has been set, and there are no funds available.
c) Maintenance Issues in Pound Close ( including Ditch) - Works started, on hold during snow period.
d) Other highway and Transport matters- Question raised about the possibility of provided a Grit Bin in Pound Close near to the elderly accommodation.
e) Hedging and Ditching -
1) Three quotations received for maintenance of hedgerow between Allotments and Church Park (costs to be split with Birchills), K Iles £300, N Freshwater £480, Allied Groundsmaintenance £1660. K Iles was awarded the work.                            
2) Melsome road Hedges and Ditching to C side gate, Parish Council believe this is sited on RAF land, Clerk to contact K Iles to get quotation. Severe flooding caused yesterday by ditching on A3102. Also to look at dredging ditch from Melsome Road to Hobbs Cottage .

12. Play Area & Open Spaces:

A) Lyneham Green - No issues
B) Play Area Updates inc Safety Inspections (Pound Close - Cllr Potter,  not completed. Bradenstoke - Cllr J Webb, not completed, Aeropark - Cllr Bunney - graffiti to Dish swing, and Balance beam still not replaced by Defence Estates.  Costs have been received for the updating in Pound Close, Clerk to make further contact.
Cllr Lightowler advised the Council that Defence Estates would be insuring the Aeropark, this has been confirmed as satisfactory by NWDC- in conjunction with National Lottery funding. Therefore Clerk has contacted Zurich to obtain refund on premium paid to year end.
C) Bradenstoke Dog Walking Field
Cllr Palmer reported that a number of residents have reported that a Dog walking company are using the facilities, not properly controlling dogs, or cleaning up after their dogs. Clerk to make contact and advise that this is unacceptable, as field is for use of residents of Lyneham and Bradenstoke. Possibility of involving Dog Warden.

13. Allotments:

a) There are 13  people on the waiting list.  Request from a resident in Dauntsey to go on waiting list, Clerk checked with other Parish Councils to confirm that this was acceptable practice.

14. Finance and Administration:

a) The Clerk updated the Council on the current financial position.
b) Payment of Invoices

c) Correspondence received - to review list                                                                                 

d) Agree Actions from point c
Clerk to contact S Skull - re Bench in wildflower meadow

15. Councillors’ Observations & Items for Next Meeting:

Cllr F Ball - Bradenstoke solar lights have been reported not to be working - Clerk will contact Clarence.
Cllr D Potter - Manhole cover in Bradenstoke, needs to be replaced for Health and Safety reasons. Parish Council believe this is sited on RAF land, Clerk to contact K Iles to get quotation.
Cllr P Lightowler - Melsome road Hedges and Ditching to C side gate, Parish Council believe this is sited on RAF land, Clerk to contact K Iles to get quotation. Severe flooding caused by ditching on A3102.
Cllr Palmer - Bushes  on Clack Hill - to be reported to Clarence.
Cllr Lightowler asked whether there had been a fuel leak from the base, as various contractors and water booms had been noticed over the previous weeks.   

16. Date of Next Meeting:

Date of Next Meeting: Tuesday 10th March 2009 at 7.15pm - Lyneham Village Hall

The meeting closed at 8.35 pm