MINUTES OF THE LYNEHAM AND BRADENSTOKE ANNUAL/PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 8th MAY 2007
AT LYNEHAM VILLAGE HALL

Cllr M Petch (Chairman)
Cllr J Jardine (Vice-Chair)
Cllr D Bunney
Cllr R Bullock (from item 4)
Cllr P Lightowler
Cllr D Potter
Cllr D Turner
Cllr J Webb (from item 4)
Cllr T Webb
Cllr K Witts
Mrs J S Copp - Parish Clerk

Parish Councillor F Ball and District Councillors A Bucknell and S Still.

Wing Commander Collinson (Item 8 only) , Miss Lisa Mitchell (Item 14a) and one member of the public

The Meeting started at 7.00pm.

1. Apologies:

Apologies for absence were received from Parish Councillor F Ball and District Councillors A Bucknell and S Still

2. To Elect Chair

Cllr Potter nominated Cllr Petch as Chairman, seconded Cllr Jardine. There being no other nominations Cllr Petch was elected Chairman.

3: To Sign the Chairman’s Declaration of Acceptance of Office:

Cllr Petch signed the Declaration.

4. Results of uncontested parish election and need for co-option:

With only nine candidates for eleven seats the parish councillors had all been re-elected automatically. There were two vacancies and two applications had been received as follows -
Mr John Webb: Cllr Potter nominated Mr John Webb for co-option, seconded Cllr Jardine and it was unanimously agreed that Mr Webb be co-opted to the Council.
Mr R Bullock: Cllr Potter nominated Mr Bullock for co-option, seconded Cllr Jardine and it was unanimously agreed that Mr Bullock be co-opted to the Council.
District Councillors: It was noted that Cllr A Bucknell had been re-elected and Cllr S Still was newly elected as District Councillors.

5. To Elect the Following:

a) Council Vice-Chair: The Chairman nominated Cllr J Jardine as Vice-Chair, seconded Cllr Potter. There being no other nominations Cllr Jardine was elected Vice-Chair.

b) Committee members: IT WAS MOVED THE CHAIRMAN, SECONDED COUNCILLOR POTTER AND RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: "That council committees be agreed as follows." Click here for updated committee listing

6 Minutes of the Council Meeting held on Tuesday 10th April 2007

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Minutes of the Council Meeting held on Tuesday 10th April 2007 IT WAS MOVED THE CHAIRMAN, SECONDED COUNCILLOR BUNNEY AND RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: "That the minutes be signed as a true record of the meeting."

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

8: RAF Matters:

a) To welcome RAF representative - The Chairman welcomed Wing Commander Collinson to the meeting.
With regard to the bench placed recently at Bradenstoke corner on RAF land, the Wing Commander said that the underground services there should be checked out. Referring to comments made at the previous meeting he said that litter work parties would be deployed as and when necessary. He also referred to concerns mentioned about the instruction letter re hearing a siren. He said that due to a change in the law there was an obligation to notify residents and he would be pleased to speak with anyone about this. Referring to a letter from Mr Wright complaining about dog mess and litter he said that people should use the bins provided. With regard to Mr Wright’s comments on tree stumps the Wing Commander said he would investigate the problem.

b) To receive questions on RAF matters: On the issue of the overgrown footpath owned by Annington Homes he would investigate further.

The Chairman thanked Wing Commander Collinson for attending the meeting.

9: Chairman’s Annual Report

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The Chairman reported on the events of the year ended 31st March 2007.

10. To Receive Public Questions:

Mr Skull complained that the bench placed at Bradenstoke corner had been sited incorrectly and asked if it could be moved. It was generally agreed to move the seat and the Chairman apologised for the mistake. The Chairman, Councillors Potter and T Webb agreed to look into the problem. It was further agreed that the RAF should be kept informed in order that a survey of the site may be made. Action: Cllrs Petch/Potter/T Webb

Mr Skull also informed the Council about a damaged signpost at the top of Clack Hill which required replacing. Wiltshire County Council are to be informed. Cllr Potter offered to speak with a local signpost maker. Action: Potter/Clerk

11. Matters Arising from Previous Meeting:

a) Update on lights at Bradenstoke T junction - 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 the matter in hand. Action: Cllr Lightowler

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

d) Ditch clearance adjacent to Pound Close - Cllr T Webb had met with representatives of Westlea Housing who had agreed to investigate the problem.

e) Lyneham public toilets: to consider draft Head of Terms - It was generally agreed to consider this under Item 20. The Chairman reported that the Conservative District Councillors’ Election leaflet included a comment about the public conveniences remaining open and in the hope that the new District Council might have ideas to resolve the problem it was agreed to write seeking the District Councillors’ comments. Action: Clerk

12: Planning:

a) Update on recent planning applications - The Chairman reported on recent applications, all except Application no. 07/00833/FUL.

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

13. Highway Matters & Transport:

a) Request for bus shelter at entrance to Lillybrook Estate - The Clerk had completed an application for planning permission and a decision was awaited. She was investigating the possibilities regarding sources for grant aid. Action: Clerk WCC requested a meeting to discuss the proposed site and it was agreed that that the Chairman and Cllr Potter should attend, along with Mr Laurence Burchall. Action: Cllrs Petch/Potter

b) Relocation of Preston Lane seat - This had been discussed earlier in the meeting.

c) WCC: Works by Parish Steward - Nothing to report.

d) WCC: Annual Area Highway Presentation 1st May - The Chairman reported on the presentation.

e) WCC: Re. Request for completion of footpath opposite Lyneham Village Hall - WCC said this footpath is not a right of way and appears to be a private track. It was agreed to write back explaining that the Council sought paving of the area to complete the line of pavement. Action: Clerk

f) Complaint re boundary hedge on the corner of Bradenstoke junction - IT WAS MOVED THE CHAIRMAN AND RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: “To suspend Standing Orders to allow a member of the public to speak.”

Mr Skull believed the boundary hedge originally used to run alongside the brook but it appeared that the hedge had been moved out onto open land. It was generally agreed to report the matter to the County Council. Action: Clerk

IT WAS MOVED THE CHAIRMAN AND RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: “To reinstate Standing Orders.”

g) Other maintenance issues: WCC - Key bus route network improvements - Route 55 - Works to Bus Stop Clearways at various bus stops in Lyneham would be carried out. WCC: Community Area Highway Information - this was noted. WCC: Parking Restrictions - Cllr Witts would study the documents and report back to the next meeting. Action: Cllr Witts

14: Play Areas and Open Spaces:

a) Play area strategy - The Vice-Chair reported that a meeting had been cancelled but another date would be set. A meeting of NWDC Play Strategy for North Wiltshire was to be held on 17th May and the Vice-Chair would attend this important meeting to speak on behalf of Lyneham and Bradenstoke. Action: Cllr Jardine.

Cllr Lightowler was concerned that the new goal ends had been vandalised already.

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

c) To consider quotations for replacement fencing at Pound Close play area - Two quotations had been received and a third was awaited.

d) Bushes planted on Lyneham Village Green - Following investigation the Clerk was not aware of any statutory provision to prevent bushes being planted on Common land.

e) Comments received re grass cutting - the Clerk reported that there had been two complaints at the start of the season but she had spoken with the contractor and these had been resolved. The Chairman also said he believed that the equipment had broken a manhole cover.

f) NWDC: Play Strategy for North Wiltshire - meeting 17th May - this had been discussed earlier.

g) Query re ownership of grassed area outside Piggy’s Café - this belongs to the Council and the Clerk is to write asking for the café furniture to be removed from the land. Action: Clerk

15: Finance and Administration:

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

b) To consider financial statement for year ended 31st March 2007 - this was noted.

c) Grant applications received: Bradenstoke Village Hall - The sum of £800 was requested towards the completion of landscaping works to the rear of the hall. IT WAS MOVED CLLR LIGHTOWLER, SECONDED THE VICE-CHAIR AND RESOLVED NINE IN FAVOUR, NONE AGAINST, ONE ABSTENTION: "To approve payment of £800 grant to Bradenstoke Village Hall if lottery funds are awarded to the scheme. "

It was agreed to seek notice of grant requests before consideration of Council’s Budget in future. Action: Clerk

d) Local Authorities (Model Code of Conduct) Order 2007 - Following consideration, IT WAS MOVED THE CHAIRMAN, SECONDED THE VICE-CHAIR AND RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: "To adopt the Model Code of Conduct 2007 including paragraph 12(2).”

e) Review of Financial Regulations and Standing Orders - following consideration, IT WAS MOVED THE CHAIRMAN, SECONDED COUNCILLOR LIGHTOWLER AND RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: "To adopt the Model Financial Regulations.” IT WAS MOVED THE CHAIRMAN, SECONDED COUNCILLOR POTTER AND RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: "To adopt the Model Standing Orders.”

16: Correspondence Received:

a) To review the list:

b) Actions to be taken: Mr Wright’s letter - Builder’s materials on Lyneham Green - the householder had promised that the ground would be reinstated on completion of the work; cars parking on Lyneham Green - the Council had written on several occasions but Chippenham Motor Company owns the land. The Clerk is to inform Mr Wright Action: Clerk

17: Allotments:

a) Monthly update - Nothing to report.

18: Councillors' Observations & Items for Next Meeting:

The Vice-Chair reported that the speed signs at either end of the village were obscured by vegetation. The Chairman reported that the grass area over the road from Akers Garage requires cutting. The Clerk is to write. Action; Clerk

19: Date of Next Meeting:

Annual Parish Meeting and Annual General Meeting - Tuesday 12th May 2007 at 7 pm at Lyneham Village Hall.
Cllr T Webb left the meeting

The meeting closed at 8.53 pm

20:Confidential Item: Lyneham Public Convenience

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The Chairman had negotiated with Lyneham Co-op to create a monthly account for cleaning materials. It was generally agreed to hold a special meeting to discuss the matter further at 6.30pm on Tuesday 12th June prior to the next Council meeting. Due to consideration of staff matters the meeting would be held in Confidential session.

The meeting closed at 9.52 pm