MINUTES OF THE LYNEHAM AND BRADENSTOKE PARISH COUNCIL
HELD ON TUESDAY 10th APRIL 2007
AT LYNEHAM VILLAGE HALL

Cllr M Petch (Chairman)
Cllr D Bunney
Cllr P Lightowler
Cllr D Turner
Cllr T Webb
Cllr K Witts
Mrs J S Copp - Parish Clerk

Parish Councillor J Jardine (Vice-Chair)

District Councillors A Bucknell and J Webb, Squadron Leader S Rea (Item 4 only), PCs Porter and Singfield (Item 5 only) and one member of the public.

The Meeting started at 7.00pm.

1. Apologies:

Apologies for absence were received from Parish Councillor J Jardine (Vice-Chair).

2: Minutes of the Council Meeting held on Tuesday 13th March 2007 :

IT WAS MOVED THE CHAIRMAN, SECONDED COUNCILLOR WITTS AND RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: "That the minutes be signed as a true record of the meeting."

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

4: RAF Matters:

a) To welcome RAF representative - The Chairman welcomed Squadron Leader Rea to the meeting.
The Squadron Leader reported that RAF Lyneham had taken over from RAF Brize Norton the repatriation of personnel killed overseas and she thanked everyone in advance for their support during these times. With regard to defence housing areas Sq Ldr Rae had access to plans and was now able to ascertain responsibility. The hedge by the old NAAFI has now been cut. Melsome Estate - grassed area outside the hedgerow on the Calne road - the Squadron Leader would check again.

b) To receive questions on RAF matters: Mr Blundell thanked the RAF for cutting the hedge but asked who is responsible for the litter there. Sqn Ldr Rae replied that the RAF is responsible for any litter on its land. There were concerns about a letter that had been sent out to residents containing instructions on hearing a siren . The Squadron Leader said this was a standard letter but she would speak with the Station Safety Officer and report back to the next meeting.
Cllr Bucknell asked what would happen to the information regarding responsibility for areas when the RAF moved out; Sqn Ldr Rae said this would be handed over when the RAF left.
A letter of complaint had been received from Mrs Haddican regarding the poor state of an MOD play area and the Squadron Leader would respond to this.

The Chairman thanked Squadron Leader Rea for attending the meeting.

5. To Receive Public Questions:

The following questions were put to the police officers - Youths hanging around the old NAAFI: this is an ongoing issue but it is being dealt with;
Cllr Bucknell said that in Tockenham three vehicles had been broken into and asked if there had been any incidence of this in Lyneham: she was told that there had been nothing so far;
Cllr Lightowler asked if the new speed signs could be policed: he was told that the police are under pressure at present but his comments would be passed on.

The Chairman thanked PCs Porter and Singfield for attending the meeting.

6. Matters Arising from Previous Meeting:

a) Update on lights at Bradenstoke T junction - It was noted that the Chairman of Castle Combe Parish Council had expressed interest in the lighting system. The Chairman and Cllr Ball are to change the hours on the timers. Action: Cllrs Petch/Ball

b) Further consideration of Council’s own website - Cllr Lightowler had done more work to the website He intended to take pictures for the site and would also deal with the Council minutes. Action: Cllr Lightowler

c) Request for memorial bench for Mr Stanley Taylor - In hand.

d) Ditch clearance adjacent to Pound Close - The Housing Association had not responded. Pensioners were irate about the overgrown brambles; also rats had been seen in the area. The Clerk is to report this to Environmental Health.. Action: Clerk

e) Lyneham public toilets - The cleaning contractor had decided not to take up the contract after all and no other cleaners had been found, therefore the toilets had been shut and explanatory notices posted until such time as cleaners could be found. One quotation had been received from a contractor for upgrading the toilets and it was noted that there was not enough room to provide a ramp for disabled access. Cllr Witts had details of further contractors but it was agreed that there was no point in pursuing this at present.

7: Planning:

a) Update on recent planning applications - The Chairman reported on recent applications.

b) NWDC: Clean Neighbourhood and Environment Act 2005 Briefing- Cllr Ball was absent.
Action: Cllr Ball

c) Wilts & Swindon Minerals & Waste consultation - It was felt sufficient to receive email agendas.

8. Highway Matters & Transport:

a) Request for bus shelter at entrance to Lillybrook Estate - It was noted that Wiltshire County Council no longer provided grant aid for shelters and therefore the funds were short by £1,500. IT WAS MOVED CLLR LIGHTOWLER, SECONDED COUNCILLOR BUNNEY AND RESOLVED FIVE IN FAVOUR, NONE AGAINST, ONE ABSTENTION: "To provide £1,500 extra funding from Play Equipment Reserves towards the cost of providing a bus shelter at the entrance to the Lillybrook Estate."

b) Relocation of Preston Lane seat - The seat would be installed within the next ten days.
Action: Cllr Webb

c) WCC: Works by Parish Steward - The works undertaken by the Steward were reported. The Clerk is to remind him to collect and reinstall the signs mentioned previously. Action: Clerk

d) Report of HGV lorries on the Chippenham Road - Viridor’s External Affairs Manager was adamant that his lorries were not being driven through the village. He asked if registration numbers could be passed on to the company via the Clerk for any lorries seen doing this. Action: All

e) WCC: Annual Area Highway Presentation 1st May - The Chairman and Cllr Webb agreed to attend. Action: Cllrs Petch/Webb

f) Other maintenance issues: WCC - Hedges and ditches letters - The Area Highway Engineer thanked the Council for their assistance in dealing with problems of overgrown vegetation and asked that the Council continue to help.

9: Play Areas and Open Spaces:

a) Play area strategy - Cllr Lightowler reported that a meeting would be held later in the week regarding proposals to attempt a major grant bid. An AGM had been held by YELL and everyone was extremely supportive. It was noted that the goal ends had been ordered.

b) Play area - litter bin - Cllr Lightowler would deal with this. Action: Cllr Lightowler

c) Signs at Bradenstoke play area entrance - The signs had been delivered and would be installed by councillors.

Pound Close Play area - The Chairman had checked Pound Close area and found that the site required totally new fencing. The Clerk is to seek quotations for the work. Action: Clerk

d) Bushes planted on Lyneham Village Green - The WCC solicitor was dealing with this.

10: Finance and Administration:

a) Accounts update and payment of invoices – IT WAS MOVED THE CHAIRMAN, SECONDED CLLR WEBB AND RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: "To approve payment of the accounts as follows:"

b) Audit: Objection raised by Mr R J Wright re. Purchase of Lyneham Green - Despite Mr Wright making numerous complaints about the Council the external Auditor had felt that there was only one issue which required comment, this being the need to demonstrate that it achieves value for money in any transaction, in particular where it determines to purchase land, it should ensure that it does obtain its own valuation.
For this work the Auditor charged as follows:-

Costs incurred in relation to consideration of the objections raised by Mr Wright

Time costs	£1,955.00
Legal fees	£481.25
Total+ VAT	£2,436.25

All costs to be borne by the Parish Council.

Members were concerned that Mr Wright’s objections had cost the Council this large sum of money, which would mean that less money was available for some village projects and some would have to be abandoned altogether. It was noted that Mr Wright had been aware beforehand that his objections regarding the purchase of Lyneham Green would have to be paid for by Parish Council funds but he had decided to go ahead anyway.

c) External audit for financial year 2006/2007 - The audit had been completed with a recommendation to review financial regulations and standing orders on a regular basis.

d) Financial regulations and standing orders - The Clerk had ordered a copy from Wiltshire Association of Local Councils at a cost of £3.

e) WCC: One Council for Wiltshire - The information was noted but it was agreed not to make any comments.

Grant application: Bradenstoke Village Hall - This had been received too late for the agenda and would be considered in May.

11: Correspondence Received:

a) To review the list:

b) Actions to be taken: none

12: Allotments:

a) Monthly update - The Chairman reported that one allotment requires working. The Clerk is to write to the tenant. Action: Clerk

13: Councillors' Observations & Items for Next Meeting:

Cllr Bunney reminded the Council that land leased to MOD by Annington Homes had not been discussed. This should have been brought up under RAF Matters.
Cllr Lightowler queried the ownership of the grassed area outside Piggy’s Café since the owner had placed tables and signs on the land. The Clerk is to check Action: Clerk

14: Date of Next Meeting:

Annual Parish Meeting and Annual General Meeting - Tuesday 8th May 2007 at 7 pm at Lyneham Village Hall.

The meeting closed at 8.53 pm