MINUTES OF THE LYNEHAM AND BRADENSTOKE ANNUAL/PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON
TUESDAY 14th APRIL 2009 AT LYNEHAM VILLAGE HALL

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

Wing Commander Snell, and RAF Station Commander

Three members of the public

The Meeting started at 7.15pm.

1. Apologies:

Apologies for absence were received from Wing Commander Snell, and RAF Station Commander

2. Minutes of the Council Meeting held on Tuesday 10th March 2009:

Minutes were signed and agreed a true record of the meeting. There was one omission by the Clerk, regarding an observation of the condition of the pot holes outside the Tesco store.

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

4. RAF Matters:

The ditch between Melsome Road and C side gate, as previously requested and minuted will be cleared later in the year by RAF contractors. Mr Humm asked if this would also include the vegetation and brambles that have been neglected and built up over time. Highways Agency states that the adjacent land owner owns and maintains ditching.

The speed hump on Preston Lane that has deteriorated due to the water leak has been passed to Brays ( MOD contractor ) to investigate and amend.
A number of trees with Tree preservation orders have been cut down by Modern Housing, it appears that the incorrect procedures were in place by the RAF as no written permission has been received by Council. This has been passed to the RAF Environmental Protection Office and Wiltshire Council.

Contact has been made with Cllr Potter regarding telecommunication cabling on his land, it has been recorded that the RAF Comms team, “have no concerns over the cable being uprooted”

Mr Humm asked if St Josephs Church had been closed, this is subject to confirmation of disposal, Parish Council will be contacted by Defence Estates once confirmation received.

Mr Blundell, a member of the public, asked if the garage in Arnhem Cross which has no door, metal and cardboard dumped etc will be made safe - PC J Brown stated that DHE had it in hand.

At the last meeting the Station Commander has asked the Parish if they would like a Hercules aircraft when the RAF leave Lyneham to replace the Comet aircraft, it has been decided by the Parish council to decline the offer. Clerk to contact the Station Commander.

5. Police Matters:

PC Brown stated that there has been a number of accidents  (particularly with Stagecoach buses) in the Village on the Zebra Crossing, proposal to Wiltshire Council to have changed to a Pelican crossing -  decision could be based on costing. Clerk has been asked to write to Stagecoach, Traffic Commissioner and VOSA. Police to undertake “Operation Road Worthy” in June. 

Cllr Lightowler updated the meeting on the current changes to the Road Traffic Act. It was also noted that there would be a significant increase in waste vehicles, when waste starts being moved from Compton Basset to Slough.

Telephone Box opposite the Texaco garage had been vandalised.  There had been a slight increase in anti social  behaviour due to school holidays. Police presence in Pound close due to the number of hedges that have been damaged.

6. To Receive Public Questions:

Mr Humm asked when the Parish Steward would next be working in the Villages, Clerk confirmed dates, delays due to Stewards driving gritters, and completing essential road maintenance due to snow falls in February.  Correspondence was received from Mr Skull regarding early cut of grass with snow drops, Clerk to contact grass cutter for confirmation.

Mr Humm asked if the Parish Council could contact Cllr Toby Sturgis to follow up on the meeting held regarding Dauntsey Bank and traffic weight limits - Clerk to contact.

7. Matters Arising from Previous Meeting:

a) Ditch on Calne Road to rear of Webbs Court - Cllr T Webb reported that when land sold to Westbury it included ditch. As Persimmon now own Westbury, and residents deeds state ownership only to line of fence, Land registry state ownership lies with Parish Council as part of Lyneham Green purchase. Parish council will in this instance will pay for the removal of undergrowth and brambles - in October 2009 - after bird nesting season. Clerk thanked Cllr T Webb for verifying with his solicitor. Clerk to contact local residents to advise on  outcome.

b) Removal of Bus shelter at Lily brook - this will be removed this month by  Cllr Potter, who we re-use rather that have it scrapped.

8. Public Toilets:

Cllr Lightowler shared details of quotes received to make the toilets DDA compliant. Wilkins was £13k approx, Sunberg £11k, however not all areas were quoted for.  Cllr Lightowler to contact Wiltshire Council to arrange for release of capital sum to pay for works.  On voting all the Councillors present were in favour of awarding the works to Wilkins.  Cllr Lightowler stated that one of the Councillors will need to project manage the works, as he does not work locally.

Cllr Turner reported that a member of the public reported to her that the standard of cleaning is excellent.

9. Planning:

10. Highway Matters and Transport:

a) Hedging and Ditching - The ditch between Melsome Road and C side gate, as previously requested and minuted will be cleared later in the year by RAF contractors. Mr Humm asked if this would also include the vegetation and brambles that have been neglected and built up over time. Highways Agency states that the adjacent land owner owns and maintains ditching.

Hedge along Bradenstoke playing field, has BT cables through must be looked at this Autumn, ditch may also need digging out.

b) Speeding vehicles - especially 55 Stagecoach buses - Clerk has been asked to write to Stagecoach, Traffic Commissioner and VOSA.

11. Play Area & Open Spaces:

a) Lyneham Green - No issues
b) Play Area Updates inc Safety Inspections (Pound Close - Cllr Petch, upgrade swings, shackles completed, latch missing from gate. Bradenstoke - Cllr S Palmer-  small hole in junior swing, crack on step thread of multiplay, quote for bark from Vastern Mill to be followed up. Goal nets to be swapped over, as one at end of park not used at often. Aeropark - Cllr F Ball - not completed  - Balance beam still not replaced by Defence Estates.

12. Allotments:

a) There are 15 people on the waiting list. Clerk to contact RAF and Management Company for the land in Preston Lane to ascertain if there is any land that could be rented. 3B has been re let. Cllr Palmer asked of the Council who was going to get involved in Allotments. Clerk to write to all holders to suggest that they start an Allotment society. Any problems need to be communicated through to the Council by the Allotment holders.

b) Request for the provision of a water butt, Cllr Potter to look to provide a barrel/tub.

c) Clerk checked prices of Local Allotments in Swindon, Calne and Chippenham, Parish Council need to increase rental by £5 per annum for a full plot, £2,50 for a ½ plot for the next three years to help fund general maintenance. This was proposed by Cllr Lightowler, seconded by Chairman Petch, all other Councillors were in agreement.

13. Finance and Administration:

a) The Clerk updated the Council on the current financial position, 2008-2009 accounts have been finalised. To be reviewed at the AGM in May.
b) Payment of Invoices:

c) Correspondence received - to review list

14. Councillors’ Observations & Items for Next Meeting:

Cllr Jardine - hedge at 31 Pound Close overhanging footpath - Clerk to contact Westlea
Cllr Turner - Thanks to Council for the new swings in Pound Close from Elaine Williams, also the Memorial Garden is looking well maintained.
Cllr Potter - to contact Clarence regarding standing water on the Chippenham Road.
Cllr Ball - scrubbed area at Church Farm Mews looks untidy.
Cllr Palmer - has contacted English Heritage regarding maintaining the War Memorial in Bradenstoke. Now awaiting a quote from a Stone Mason, Parish Council to look at funding some of the costs involved. Residents have commented on the improved standard of grass cutting this year.

15. Date of Next Meeting:

Date of Next Meeting including the ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING: Tuesday 12th May 2009 at 7.15pm - Lyneham Village Hall

The meeting closed at 9.15 pm