MINUTES OF THE MEETING
OF THE LYNEHAM AND BRADENSTOKE PARISH COUNCIL
HELD ON TUESDAY 14th JUNE 2005
AT LYNEHAM VILLAGE HALL

M Petch (Chairman), K Pearce (Vice-Chairman) F Ball, J Jardine, C Pearce, I Plested, P Potter, D Turner, T Webb. Mrs S Copp (Clerk)

Parish Councillor D Bunney and District Councillor A Bucknell

Wing Commander Faulkes and Ms L Mitchell (RAF representatives), three members of the public.

The Meeting started at 7.00pm.

1. Apologies:

Parish Councillor D Bunney and District Councillor A Bucknell

2: Minutes of Last Meeting:

Minutes of the Council Meeting held on Tuesday 10th May 2005 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: RAF Matters:

a) To welcome the RAF Representative - The Chairman welcomed Wing Commander Julia Faulkes.

Wing Commander Faulkes announced that the clay pigeon shoot had been shut down. There were a few maintenance issues but they would be dealt with shortly. The youth shelter was on target to open the following Saturday.

b) To receive questions on RAF matters - There were no questions.

The Chairman thanked Wing Commander Faulkes for attending the meeting.

5. To welcome a pc from Wootton Bassett Police Station:

There was no pc in attendance. The Clerk is to seek an update on police matters in Lyneham. Action: Clerk

6. Public Questions:

a) To respond to previous questions – There were no previous questions to answer.

b) To receive public questions:

Grass cutting - There were complaints about the quality of grass cutting in several areas and a gate had been taken off its hinges to take access and had not been put back. It was generally agreed to contact the contractor as soon as possible to arrange a meeting with the Chairman to resolve the matter. Action: Petch/Clerk

Street Lighting - It was asked if the street light at Bradenstoke junction had been progressed. The Chairman replied that the final estimates had been given but the project shelved at present due to lack of funds. However the matter would be reconsidered when the next precept was calculated.

30mph Speed limits - The owner of the Old Rectory asked what could be done to extend the 30 mph speed limit beyond the bend on the A3102. There had been eleven accidents in seven years and he had written to WCC several times without success. The Chairman said the parish council felt strongly on this matter and had been trying to resolve the problem for years. Cllr Jardine commented that there were no signs to mark the bend and it was generally agreed to write again pointing out this fact. Action: Clerk

The resident was advised to contact his county councillor about the problem. It was noted that Dr and Mrs Dowdeswell had also written to WCC on this matter.

7: Matters Arising from Previous Meeting:

a) Lyneham Green - JCP had sent a final plan of the land to be purchased and sought the balance of the purchase monies. Members believed the plan to be incomplete and the Clerk is to query this. Action: Clerk

b) Community First capital grant - The Clerk had been in discussion with Community First to have grant aid allocated to the purchase of The Green and the application was in its final stage..

c) Village Websites - A copy of letters between Mr Humm and Mr Kline had been provided.

d) Litter bins - NWDC had now decided not to order any bins. However the officer promised that if a bin was supplied the district council would install and empty it. The Clerk provided information on the type of anti-vandal bin used by NWDC and it was agreed to contact the possible sponsors for funding of this. Action: Clerk

e) Youth Club - correspondence re. complaint - Mrs Scothern wrote that the youths in question had been banned from the youth club for two weeks. The group asked if the parish council would welcome a young person onto the council to enable two way communication between young people and the council. It was noted that a resident needs to be aged twenty-one to become a councillor but it was suggested that members of the club be sent as observers to council meetings and speak during the public participation period. It was agreed to write with this suggestion. Action: Clerk

8: Planning:

a) Update:

* 1) Damage could be caused to beech tree roots when digging out driveway. This tree has a TPO. 2) The plan is to create a hard standing on common land. 3) The land is still all common land and as such should come under common land regulations.

** 1) Not in keeping with building next door; 2) Ugly pipes on side of building - not in keeping; 3) Earth mound right-hand side will become unsightly - needs to be removed.

*** No objection to development although it appears there are queries about ownership of access.

**** It was generally agreed to recommend refusal on the same grounds as the previous application.

Notification of Appeal: 05/00088/OUT: Erection of two detached dwellings at Land to south of Hobbs Cottage, 37 Calne Road, Lyneham. Comments to reach Inspectorate by 3rd August.

Appeal Decision: 04/1154509: Land to the North of 78 The Green, Farthing Lane, Lyneham;
Decision: The appeal is allowed, and planning permission granted subject to conditions.

9: Highway Matters & Transport:

a) Pound Close traffic calming - Awaiting response from Mouchel Parkman.

b) Bus shelter - report on progress - Details of the shelter were agreed.

IT WAS MOVED THE VICE-CHAIRMAN, SECONDED COUNCILLOR C PEARCE AND RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY:

"To purchase a two-bay Heritage shelter from Glasdon Ltd with thermo-plastic top and green base, right-front opening at a cost of £3883 + VAT + delivery @ £484.”

The following contractors to install the base pockets were suggested - Mr Kevin Iles, Mr Ben Hide, Mr Webber. Quotations for the work are to be sought. Action: Clerk

The Vice-Chairman is to ask if the seat may be stored by the Church. Action: Cllr K Pearce

IT WAS MOVED THE VICE-CHAIRMAN, SECONDED COUNCILLOR C PEARCE AND RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY:

"That the Clerk be given delegated authority to authorise the contractor for the installation works.”

c) Other maintenance issues - There were no other issues.

10: Play Area & Open Spaces:

a) Extension/Relocation of play area : NWDC was concerned that the proposed play area is not overlooked and therefore a concern for safety and security and asked the parish council for their comments. Members of the council did not agree with this statement. However it was generally agreed to consult residents living near to the proposed new play area and to seek their comments. The Clerk is to write a letter to be distributed by the Chairman and Cllr Plested and the responses will be brought to the next council meeting. The Clerk is to inform NWDC of the parish council’s actions. Action: Petch/Plested/Clerk

b) Grass cutting contract and contributions -
The White Hart’s grass cutting contribution had still not been received. The Chairman agreed to speak with the landlord again. Action: Cllr Petch

The grass cutting contract had been discussed earlier in the meeting.

Revd Fletcher had spoken with the Chairman about the church grass cutting responsibility. It was generally agreed to check if the parish council has any responsibility for churchyard upkeep. Action: Clerk

c) Repairs to multi-climb - There was still no success in finding the play bark. The Chairman is to continue the search. Action: Cllr Petch

11: Reports of Meetings Attended:

The Vice-Chairman reported on the Waste Development Forum meeting. He would be unable to attend the next two meetings. The Chairman suggested that if anyone else wished to attend they should inform the Clerk.

12: Finance and Administration:

a) Accounts and Budget Update – The update was noted.

b) Audit reports - Annual Returns for 2001/02, 2002/03 and 2003/04 - The audits had been passed by Mazars.

c) Receipt of Requests for Grant Aid - There were no requests.

d) Payment of invoices -

IT WAS MOVED THE CHAIRMAN AND RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY:

"To approve for payment the accounts as follows:"

The following cheques were signed by the Chairman and Cllr Potter -

It was generally agreed to further discuss the items insured by Zurich. This is to be placed on the next agenda. Action: Clerk

13: Correspondence Received:

14: Allotments:

Uncultivated plot - It was generally agreed that provided the tenant cut down any weeds he could continue his tenancy until the end of September, otherwise he must relinquish the plot. Action: Clerk

Councillors Pearce had received queries regarding the future water situation since at present there was no water provision by the council. It was agreed that the matter be put on the agenda for the next meeting for discussion. In the meantime the Clerk is to look into the costs of water provision and the possibility of grant aid for this. Since there is already a water tank in position the water utility would be connected up to it. Action: Clerk

15: Councillors’ observations & items for next meeting:

Low/dangerous wire - Cllr Webb had checked this and believed there was no problem.

School buses - Cllr Jardine stated that the Phoenix buses were parking on the Chippenham Road during school start and finish times and residents were unable to access their properties . It was agreed to write to County Highways. Action: Clerk

16. Date of Next Meeting:

Date of Next Meeting Tuesday 12th July 2005 at 7 pm at Lyneham Village Hall.

The meeting closed at 9.20 pm