MINUTES OF THE LYNEHAM AND BRADENSTOKE ANNUAL/PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 12th JUNE 2007
AT LYNEHAM VILLAGE HALL

Cllr M Petch (Chairman)
Cllr J Jardine (Vice-Chair)
Cllr F Ball
Cllr D Bunney
Cllr R Bullock
Cllr D Potter
Cllr D Turner
Cllr T Webb
Cllr K Witts
Mrs J S Copp - Parish Clerk

Parish Councillors P Lightowler and J Webb

District Councillor A Bucknell and six members of the public

The Meeting started at 7.00pm.

1. Apologies:

Apologies for absence were received from Parish Councillors P Lightowler and J Webb

2. Minutes of the Council Meeting held on Tuesday 8th May 2007

Minutes of the Council Meeting held on Tuesday 8th May 2007 IT WAS MOVED THE CHAIRMAN, SECONDED COUNCILLOR BUNNEY 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:

Squadron Leader Rea sent apologies for absence from Wing Commander Collinson and herself.

Mr Humm had written suggesting that a comprehensive study be made to show responsibility for areas within the village. Squadron Leader Rea had previously stated that the RAF was now in possession of a number of maps and she had since commented that a representative of the local Defence Estates, Mr Ken Quick, has a good knowledge of the matter and that between them they could usually find the answer to questions regarding local land responsibility/ownership. Mr Humm hoped that this knowledge would not be lost after the demise of the RAF base. District Councillor Bucknell informed the meeting that the local county and district councils were also looking into land ownership/responsibility.

5. To Receive Public Questions:

Westlea Housing - Development proposals - Residents were concerned that the bad bend in the road adjacent to Pound Close would not take the increased volume of traffic if the proposed development went ahead. It was explained that at present these were only outline plans and that no plans had been submitted as yet for the twelve dwellings proposed as social housing.

Nettles and weeds in area adjacent to Pound Close - There was a complaint about nettles and weeds coming from Mr Webb’s fields. It was believed that the area should be kept clean to the boundary.

Preston Lane seat - Mr Skull asked for information on the progress of this and the Chairman told him that Mr Harper would move the seat in due course.

6 Matters Arising from Previous Meeting

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a) Further consideration of Council’s own website - Cllr Lightowler was not present. Action: Cllr Lightowler

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

c) Ditch clearance adjacent to Pound Close - Cllr T Webb would seek to progress the matter. Action: Cllr T Webb

7: Lyneham public toilets:

The Chairman reported that it was hoped to open the public toilets by 1st July with cleaning works being undertaken by a contractor.

8: Planning:

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

b) NWDC: Clean Neighbourhood and Environment Act 2005 Briefing - Cllr Ball had no comments.

c) NWDC: Notification re Fouling of Land by Dogs Order 2007 - The Order had come into effect on 4th June.

d) NWDC: Core Strategy Development Plan Document - this was noted.

9: Highway Matters and Transport

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a)Request for bus shelter at entrance to Lillybrook Estate - The site meeting had taken place and Cllr Potter reported that the county officers had declared themselves happy with the site and design.

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

c) WCC: Works by Parish Steward - the summer programme was announced.

d) WCC: Re. Request for completion of footpath opposite Lyneham Village Hall - Awaiting further comments from WCC.

e) WCC: Parking Restrictions - Cllr Witts commented on the document. Cllr Ball borrowed the papers for information.

f) Other maintenance issues:

Complaint re boundary hedge on the corner of Bradenstoke junction - This had been reported to WCC and a response was awaited.
Grass verges - The Vice-Chair asked when grass verges would be cut and Cllr T Webb informed her that the by-roads would be cut in June and the main roads cut in July. Road junctions had already been cut.

10. Play Area & Open Spaces:

a) Play area strategy - The Vice-Chair had attended the NWDC Play Strategy meeting on 17th May. A Lottery portfolio for £250,000 was to be drawn up for North Wiltshire area and bids were requested. Since Lyneham already has a strategy the Vice-Chair had been asked to speak to the meeting. Questionnaires had been completed and results were awaited. The new goal areas were being well used.

b) NWDC: Play Strategy for North Wiltshire - this had been discussed in the previous item.

c) Play area - litter bin - Cllr Lightowler was absent. Action: Cllr Lightowler

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

e) Query re ownership of grassed area outside Piggy’s Café - awaiting a response to the Clerk’s letter.

11. Finanace and Administration:

a) Accounts update and payment of invoices – An invoice had been received for £22.93 from Mr Spreckley for plants for the tubs at Bradenstoke. IT WAS MOVED THE CHAIRMAN, SECONDED CLLR POTTER AND RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: "To approve payment of the grant of £22.93 to Mr Spreckley for plants for the tubs at Bradenstoke."

IT WAS MOVED THE CHAIRMAN, SECONDED CLLR WITTS AND RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: "To approve payment of the accounts as follows:"

The grass cutters are to be reminded to cut the bank outside the church. Action: Clerk

b) To consider financial statements for year ended 31st March 2007- IT WAS MOVED THE CHAIRMAN, SECONDED CLLR WEBB AND RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: "To approve statements for Audit Commission‘s Annual Return for the year ended 31/03/07." The Chairman signed the statements.

c) Grant applications received: Bradenstoke Methodist Church - A grant towards the cost of maintaining the churchyard was requested. IT WAS MOVED THE CHAIRMAN, SECONDED CLLR BUNNEY AND RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: "To approve payment of £150 grant to Bradenstoke Methodist Church towards the cost of maintaining the churchyard."

d) Review of Council Risk Register, Internal Audit and Council Assets Register - The documents were considered, amended and completed where necessary. It was agreed to seek advice as to whether the new lights should be kept on the Asset Register when maintained by WCC.

e) Suggested attendance at Rural North Antisocial Behaviour Panel meetings - It was felt unnecessary for the Clerk to attend.

12: Correspondence Received:

a) To review the list:

b) Actions to be taken: Contact the Heneage family - it was agreed that the Clerk should seek the family’s permission for Mr Humm to contact them. Action: Clerk

13. Allotments:

To consider secure access following vandalism - Mr Ken Pearce had reported that youths were getting into the allotments and causing minor vandalism. He asked if the Council would consider buying a lock for the gate with keys provided to tenants. It was felt that if youths wished to enter the allotments they could climb over the gate and therefore there was no point in locking the gate. Cllr Bullock agreed to notify the police and to liase with other allotment holders. Action: Cllr Bullock

14: Councillors’ observations & items for next meeting:

Action: Clerk. - Cllr Ball had seen a Volvo parked on the Green. Cllr Witts said he had spoken with the owner.
Cllr Ball also reported that the path to Bradenstoke, between the car centre and post office, was quite rough underfoot. The Clerk is to report this to the Highways department.
Cllr Bunney asked if a progress report could be sought on the Annington Homes footpath. The Clerk is to speak with Squadron Leader Rea.
The Vice-Chair reported that lorries were still using the Lyneham Banks road and six lorries had been counted at one point. She was unsure what company they belonged to but they were not from Viridor.
Cllr Bucknell said that major road works are required there and the county council is aware of the problem. It was agreed to write asking why the new contractors were using the Banks and to see if it would be possible to get a weight limit installed. Action: Clerk
Cllr Turner reported a problem with the footpath at Bell Close. The Chairman asked her to contact Westlea or Clarence.

15: Date of Next Meeting:

Date of Next Meeting: Tuesday 10th July 2007 at 7 pm at Lyneham Village Hall

The meeting closed at 8.27 pm