MINUTES OF THE MEETING
OF THE LYNEHAM AND BRADENSTOKE PARISH COUNCIL
HELD ON TUESDAY 11TH APRIL 2006
AT LYNEHAM VILLAGE HALL

Cllr M Petch (Chairman)
Cllr F Ball Cllr P Potter
Cllr D Bunney Cllr D Turner
Cllr J Jardine Cllr T Webb
Mrs J S Copp - Parish Clerk

District Councillor A Bucknell

District Councillor J Webb, Squadron Leader Young (RAF representative -Item 6 only)

The Meeting started at 7.00pm.

1. Apologies:

Apologies for absence were received from District Councillor A Bucknell

2: Minutes of Last Meeting:

Minutes of the Council Meeting held on Tuesday 14th March 2006 - these having been circulated were signed as a true record of the meeting.

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

4: Resignation of Councillor:

The Chairman announced the resignation of Councillor Phillip Lightowler who was leaving for personal reasons. Members agreed that he would be greatly missed. Cllr Lightowler had agreed to finish off some of the play area strategy work he had started by writing any of the extra documents he had proposed so long as councillors made the key decisions. He would attend the Annual Council meeting as a member of the public in May if required. Councillors were pleased to accept this offer.

5. To elect Council Vice-Chair:

IT WAS MOVED THE CHAIRMAN AND RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: “That Councillor Jardine be elected as Vice-Chair of Council.”

6. RAF Matters:

a) To welcome the RAF Representative - The Chairman welcomed Squadron Leader Young.

Squadron Leader Young reported as follows:
A3102 Calne Road - speed limit - still waiting to hear from WCC Highways Dept but they have provided us with a design for warning signs (with flashing lights) which may be used at the B Site crossroads. The signs and electric supply for them are now being costed.

Possible footpath from Slessor Road families quarters to B site entrance - still under consideration. We are trying to establish how many people would use the path if it was constructed.

Ownership of land (C Site entrance past Melsome Place) - still waiting for confirmation from WCC Land charges Section.

Mears Contractor's Yard - this has now been tidied up by Mears and the RAF will arrange for the yard to be handed back to the MOD. Much of the debris reported last month was broken pipework and guttering removed from the building by vandals. Other vandalism has recently occurred at the RC Church and at the Scout Hut.

Scout Hut - whilst no firm promises can be made at this stage, I can confirm that the Scouting Organisation's interests will be taken into consideration in any discussion over the future of the old NAAFI site. We have been in contact with local Scout Leaders and have undertaken to keep them informed. The Lyneham Scouts are one of 3 beneficiaries named this year by RAF Lyneham Admin Wing Fundraisers. If fundraising activities this year are successful, they are likely to receive a donation in excess of £700 from the Station towards the end of the year.

Construction work inside the main gate - some work in the main entrance car park and Passes & Permits Building is now underway to comply with Disability Discrimination Act. A temporary Passes and Permits building will be in operation for the next 3 months. Work on improving lighting will start shortly and the CCTV installation work will start after Easter. Once the CCTV system is commissioned at the end of May, local residents will be invited to the RAF Police Ops Room to see that privacy in their properties is not compromised.

The Chairman thanked Squadron Leader Young for his report.

b) To receive questions on RAF matters - There were no questions.
Squadron Leader Young left the meeting.

7: Public Questions:

To Receive Public Questions:
Mr Humm had written regarding council procedure and the Chairman requested that the matter be taken at this point in the meeting. This was generally agreed.

Mr Humm felt that the term “vice-chairman” was politically incorrect. He also believed that there was inconsistency regarding when members of the public were allowed to speak in Council meetings. It was noted that Council Standing Orders required that members of the public could only speak at points in the meeting when regulations were set aside for that purpose and at no other time. It was agreed that in future the Chairman would make it clear at the start of the meeting that residents were allowed to speak at specific points only. It was further agreed that on occasion if residents wished to speak on agenda items then the items could be brought forward to the area in the agenda set out for public questions. Action: Cllr Petch

Mr Humm also believed the Chairman had agreed to deal with leaves and dog faeces on the footpath between Pound Close and St Andrew’s Church but the path was still not cleared. It was noted at the February meeting that the Chairman had cleared the path but that it had been just as bad the following day. It was generally agreed to ask North Wiltshire DC to include clearance of this path when the litter bins were emptied. Action: Clerk

8. Matters Arising from Previous Meeting

a) Purchase of Lyneham Green - update - Awaiting information from Land Registry. An article about the Viridor Credits given to the Village Green project had been published in the Community First magazine. However the sum given was stated as £6,000 instead of the actual sum of £3,000 received. It was agreed to write querying this. Action: Clerk

b) Update on lights suggested for Bradenstoke T junction - funding - District Cllr Webb was continuing to look into funding. The Clerk is to reply to Wiltshire County Council’s request for information on funding. She would complete a grant application form for North Wiltshire District Council. Action: Clerk

c) Notice board repairs - Cllr Bunney was looking into the repair work and the Chairman was seeking permission to move the board to the Library wall. Action: Cllrs Petch/Bunney

d) Request for mobile skateboard facility - District Cllr Webb was looking into the matter.

e) White Hart Inn: Fun Day in August - A committee meeting would be held shortly and it was agreed to place this item on the next agenda for further discussion following this.

f) Wiltshire County Council - Revising the Strategy for Wiltshire - The Chairman and Cllr Ball said this was a wish list which might be difficult to achieve. Cllr Ball would prepare a draft letter for the Clerk to send to WCC. Action: Cllr Ball/Clerk

9: Planning:

b) Works to 111 Chippenham Road, Lyneham - The Chairman, Cllr Potter and Cllr Webb had attended a site meeting with the owner and it was proved that the land belonged to him. He had made assurances that the earth would be cleared.

c) North Wiltshire District Council: Core Strategy Development Plan - The Chairman summarised the information and suggested that any new settlements should be put on old airfields where utilities already existed.

d) North Wiltshire District Council: Statement of Community Involvement - The Vice-Chair agreed to look at this document and report back. Action: Cllr Jardine

10: Highway Matters & Transport:

a) Request for bus shelter at entrance to Lillybrook Estate - Quotations for 3 and 4 bay shelters had been received at £6,014 + VAT and £7,506 + VAT respectively. The Clerk is to arrange a site meeting to include The Chairman and Cllr Potter. Action: Clerk

b) Request for sign at entrance to Bradenstoke: Restricted access - District Cllr Bucknell was seeking progress on this item.

c) Wiltshire County Council - report on visit from Parish Lengths men - There was no information.

d) Request re completion of footpath opposite Lyneham Village Hall - An investigation was being made by Wiltshire County Council.

e) Wiltshire Highways Partnership: Annual Highways Meeting 2nd May - The Vice-Chair agreed to attend the meeting. Action: Cllr Jardine

f) Wiltshire Highways Partnership: Correspondence re roadside ditches and overgrown vegetation - It was noted that the Parish Council has powers to write to owners.

g) Other maintenance issues:

i) 78 The Green building works - a complaint had been made by the Chairman following the churning up of verge during building works and the Clerk had passed this on to the Highways department.
ii) Wiltshire County Council - Speed limits 2006/07 - The programme for alterations to speed limits including A3102 North New 40mph and South lower part 50 to 40mph and now been approved by the appropriate Cabinet Member and would be assessed in more detail in conjunction with the Police. Further information was awaited.

11: Play Area & Open Spaces:

a) Extension/relocation of play area: Play area strategy by Working Party It was agreed that members would consider the information and discuss the matter at the next meeting. Action: All

b) Grass cutting:

i) update on Agreement with local Church - The Clerk read out a draft letter of Agreement.

IT WAS MOVED THE VICE-CHAIR, SECONDED CLLR POTTER AND RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: "To accept the Letter of Agreement provided for maintenance of the churchyards of Lyneham and Bradenstoke." The Clerk is to send the letter to Revd Fletcher. Action: Clerk

ii) - Contract for 2006 season: To sign grass cutting contracts -

IT WAS MOVED CLLR WEBB, SECONDED CLLR BALL AND RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: "To sign the grass cutting contracts with Envisage Ground Maintenance and Mr Ron Harper." The Chairman signed the documents.

12: Reports of meetings attended:

CPRE exhibition - Cllr Ball reported that staff had been on strike that day and the meeting had been cancelled.

13: Finance & Administration:

a) Accounts and Budget update and payment of invoices – IT WAS MOVED CLLR WEBB, SECONDED THE VICE-CHAIAR AND RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: "To approve payment of the accounts as follows:" 11/04
561 Lyneham VH 12.50
562 Clerk's pay 279.45
562 Clerk's expenses 18.33 VAT 0.76
£310.28 VAT £0.76

b) Receipt of requests for grant aid -

i) Bradenstoke Village Hall - A grant of £1,000 was requested towards the cost of roof repairs.

IT WAS MOVED CLLR BALL, SECONDED CLLR WEBB AND RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: "To approve payment of a grant of £1,000.00 to Bradenstoke Village Hall towards the cost of roof repairs."

ii) Bradenstoke Methodist Church - A grant towards the cost of maintenance was requested.

IT WAS MOVED CLLR BALL, SECONDED CLLR WEBB AND RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: "To approve payment of a grant of £150.00 to Bradenstoke Methodist Church towards the cost of maintenance."

c) To consider renewal of subscription to Society of Local Council Clerks - It was felt more useful to purchase the book “Law on Administration” by Charles Arnold Baker.

IT WAS MOVED CLLR TURNER, SECONDED THE VICE-CHAIR AND RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: "To purchase a copy of the book “Law on Administration” by Charles Arnold Baker."

14: Wiltshire County Council - Waste Site Allocation Development Plan document:

Cllr Turner agreed to look at the papers. Action: Cllr Turner

15: NWDC: Decision to close public toilets:

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Councillors were extremely concerned that this facility could be lost to Lyneham. It was agreed to contact Calne and Wootton Bassett Town Councils to see if they would take on the maintenance of Lyneham public toilet along with their own for a contribution. It was also agreed to inform North Wiltshire District Council that the Parish Council is looking into the problem. Action: Clerk

16: Lyneham Relief in Need Charity:

17: Correspondence Received:

a) To review the list:

b) Actions to be taken:

North Wiltshire DC: Dog Control Orders - It was agreed to seek further information.
Community First: Invitation to membership - It was agreed not to accept the invitation.
Mr A Humm: Flying our flag on St George's Day - Mr Humm requested that the Parish Council fly the flag. It was agreed to write back explaining that much as the Council would like to do so they do not have a public building or flag pole and so the RAF and local churches represent Lyneham in this matter. Action: Clerk

18: Allotments:

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a) Water supply - Thames Water requested a site meeting. It was agreed that the Chairman should attend. Action: Cllr Petch

b) Update - A tenant had given up an allotment and this was being reallocated

19. Councillors’ observations & items for next meeting

Cllr Potter mentioned Viridor lorries. He also mentioned that the cats eyes and white lines on Chippenham Road were badly worn.
Cllr Turner was concerned about the lack of planning permission for an extension built on to a local house which was now for sale.
The Vice-Chair informed members that some houses in Lyneham would be without electricity the following day due to electric wires being renewed.
Cllr Bunney was concerned that when the hedge in Preston Lane had been cut back debris had not been removed from the road.

20. Date of Next Meeting Annual Council Meeting
Tuesday 9th May 2006 at 7 pm at Lyneham Village Hall.

Confidential item

IT WAS MOVED THE CHAIRMAN AND RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY “That in accordance with the provisions of Section 100 A4 of the Local Government Act 1972 that the public be excluded for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 7 and 8 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

21: To consider Council’s own website
Awaiting further information.

The meeting closed at 9.30 pm