MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
OF THE LYNEHAM AND BRADENSTOKE PARISH COUNCIL
HELD ON TUESDAY 11TH JULY 2006
AT LYNEHAM VILLAGE HALL

Cllr M Petch (Chairman)
Cllr J Jardine (Vice-Chairman)
Cllr F Ball
Cllr P Potter
Cllr D Bunney
Cllr T Webb
Mrs J S Copp - Parish Clerk

Cllr D Turner
Cllr P Lightowler
District Councillor A Bucknell

District Councillor J Webb, Squadron Leader Young (RAF representative - Item 4 only), Miss L Mitchell (YELL representative - item 12) and 3 members of the public

The Meeting started at 7.00pm.

1. Apologies:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors D Turner and P Lightowler and District Councillor A Bucknell.

Members were sorry to learn that Councillor Turner was in hospital at present. The Chairman suggested that flowers be sent to her with wishes for her speedy recovery, to be funded from the Chairman’s allowance. Councillors were pleased to agree.

2: Minutes of the Council Meeting held on Tuesday 13th June 2006 :

Minutes of the Council Meeting held on Tuesday 13th June 2006 IT WAS MOVED THE CHAIRMAN, SECONDED COUNCILLOR POTTER 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 the RAF Representative - The Chairman welcomed Squadron Leader Young.

Squadron Leader Young reported as follows:

CCTV Security System. The CCTV system is now fully operational. Local residents who expressed concern about the CCTV cameras overlooking their properties will invited by the RAF Police to view the system in operation from their Control Room, within the next 10 days. Anyone entering RAF Lyneham by vehicle or on foot will be monitored by CCTV, this will offer crime prevention benefits and ease concerns about personal security. The system is controlled by the RAF Police in accordance with strict guidelines.

Water Restrictions. A reminder that RAF Lyneham and most of the village are in the Thames Water geographic area, which is still covered by a ‘hosepipe ban’. Although welcome, the recent rainfall is unlikely to do anything to ease the situation in the immediate future. Local residents should not be using hosepipes to water gardens or wash cars. In recent weeks, the water towers at Lyneham have struggled to cope with demand at peak times.

Road Safety. In addition to the earlier concerns about eroded road markings raised with the Highways Dept, the Deputy Station Health and Safety Officer had recently written to the Dept, highlighting concerns raised by the Station Road safety Committee. Although the mini-roundabout opposite Tesco’s had been repainted recently, several other problem areas appeared to have been overlooked. The Highways Dept have assured us that their road marking contractors are working through a rolling programme of tasks and they are hopeful that the problem areas will be addressed by the end of September 2006.

RAF Lyneham Families’ Day - Tuesday 15 August 2006. Once again the Station will be holding an open day for families of personnel who work on the base. Regrettably, it is not possible to open the event to members of the Public, simply because it designed as an informal fun day for personnel who have worked extremely hard throughout the year. Mid-week is chosen mainly to ensure a reasonable selection of flying displays (these are often fully booked nearly 12 months in advance for weekend events). Local residents may wish to be aware of the likelihood of noise from display aircraft. These include the Red Arrows, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and the Army Air Corps Historic Aircraft Flight.

Approximate timings (highlights) are:

1315 Red Arrows arrive (quick fly past and landing)
1316 RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team
1317 Army Air Corps
1318 B of B Memorial Flight (Spitfire, Lancaster, Dakota, Hurricane)
1319 Red Arrows main display
1550 Hercules Display.

The Chairman thanked Squadron Leader Young for his report.

b) To receive questions on RAF matters - The Squadron Leader answered questions as follows:

The Old NAAFI Site on Preston Lane - It still remains part of our disposal plans and we share local residents’ concerns about vandalism and children playing on the roof. The disposal process is not a quick one and, whilst the future of the base is still under consideration, it is difficult to say what will happen but we will notify the Council as soon as firm plans have been made. Planning consent for any change of use will, of course, be required. We are hopeful that the MOD Police Constable post will be filled by early September – this should start to address some of the concerns about local vandalism.

Dropped Kerbs - I was asked who is responsible for the kerbs around the Families Quarters areas (there are apparently very few dropped kerbs around Melsome and Slessor Rds). I can confirm that Defence Estates Housing Directorate do not have responsibility for the roads around the Families Quarters, they believe that any requirement for dropped kerbs onto roads would be the responsibility of the Council Highways Dept.
Water Shortage – RAF Lyneham does have a contingency plan in the event of water supplies failing. The Station has plenty of water on site suitable for fire fighting and portable water would be tanked in, if required.

Squadron Leader Young left the meeting.

5. To Receive Public Questions:

Village Green - Mr Childs asked now that the Council owns the Green how will trespass be prevented? The Chairman said the Council will remain as vigilant as before.

6. Matters Arising from Previous Meeting:

a) Purchase of Lyneham Green - update - The Council’s title to Lyneham Green was now lodged with Land Registry and it was noted that there were four small areas which were excluded. It was agreed to ask Community First what publicity was required to meet the grant criteria. Action: Clerk

b) Update on lights suggested for Bradenstoke T junction - funding - North Wiltshire District Council had awarded a grant of £4,345 to the project and the lights had now been ordered as agreed previously with the Chairman being the local contact for the contractor.

c) Notice board repairs - The Vicar would seek permission from the Church Committee for the Council to place the board on the Library Wall. Action: Cllr Bunney

d) St Andrew’s Church - Request for permission to place notice board on common land - It was noted that the Council could not give permission but it was unlikely that it would have any objection to the proposal.

e) New parsonage plans: request for access across Lyneham Green - The Clerk advised that the Council could negotiate an easement with the owners for access across common land and that both parties may wish to appoint a valuer to agree terms. The Chairman suggested that the matter be further discussed in confidence later in the meeting and this was unanimously agreed.

f) North Wiltshire District Council - decision to close public toilets - The Principal Estate Officer Mr Tony Weeks said negotiations were still underway. District Cllr Webb stated that at present NWDC was resolved to close the Lyneham public toilet in winter but it might be possible for the Parish Council to pay to keep it open during that time if it wished - bearing in mind that NWDC would have to pay to drain down the system when it was to close. Further information awaited.

g) North Wiltshire District Council - Dog Control Orders - The Act gave discretionary powers to parish councils to enforce items on the list (which the Chairman read out) but it was agreed that it would be best to wait until everything was in place.

h) White Hart Inn Fun Day - It had been necessary to make a decision as to the Council’s preferred charity in advance of the Fun Day and therefore the Lyneham Infant and Junior Schools had been chosen. Members were happy with the choice.

7: Planning:

a) Update on recent planning applications:

* Comment: We object to the use of red brick when adjacent properties are built of local stone. The new access crosses common land which is owned by Lyneham & Bradenstoke Parish Council.

North Wiltshire District Council - Notice of Adoption of the North Wiltshire Local Plan 2011 - this was noted.

b) Wilts & Swindon Minerals & Waste Development Framework - consultation - The four documents were passed to the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Cllr Potter and Cllr Bunney for consideration and comments. Action: Cllrs Petch, Jardine, Potter and Bunney

8. Highway Matters & Transport:

a) Request for bus shelter at entrance to Lillybrook Estate - Cllr Potter agreed to obtain a site plan. Action: Cllr Potter

b) Wiltshire County Council - Speed limits 2006 - If the Parish Council did not approve the County Council proposals then the scheme would be delayed whilst its comments were taken to Committee. Members did not wish to delay progress in this and therefore it was unanimously agreed to accept the offered scheme but to continue to push for further reductions in speed and to query the statistics provided by the County Council. Action: Clerk

c) South West Regional Assembly - Draft Regional Spatial Strategy Consultation - It was agreed to defer this item until Councillor Lightowler was present. Action: Cllr Lightowler

d) Request for renewal of white lines in Lyneham area - In hand.

e) Request for dropped kerbs in Lyneham - The Chairman had established that dropped kerbs were required on either side of the RAF camp entrance and at the entrance to Melsome Road. The Highways Department agreed and had put the work in hand.

f) Other maintenance issues:

Repairs to surface of Preston Lane footpath - The Clerk had attempted to progress this item but had been informed that there was no budget at present and no action intended.

Parking in lane adjacent to 82 The Green - The owner of No. 82 Mr Shaw had been involved in an altercation with another resident of The Green regarding access through the lane in which he and his neighbour Mr Godfrey parked their vehicles. Following this he asked if the Parish Council would be prepared to support him in his request to the County Council to downgrade the byway to an access for the two adjacent cottages plus pedestrian access only. Before making a decision it was agreed to seek Mr Godfrey‘s comments.

9: Play Areas and Open Spaces:

a) - Play area strategy - The Vice Chair had been unable to contact Cllr Lightowler to arrange a meeting. Action: Cllr Jardine

b) Play equipment inspection - update - The Multi-Gym had not required repair following the previous inspection and therefore the Chairman agreed to ascertain if it was necessary to order repairs at this time. Action: Cllr Petch

The manufacturer was unable to identify the type of bin which required a new liner and District Councillor Webb agreed to investigate

10: Finance and Administration:

a) To consider quarterly Financial Statement - April to June 2006. IT WAS MOVED THE CHAIRMAN, SECONDED COUNCILLOR POTTER AND RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: "To approve the quarterly accounts as presented:"

b) Accounts and Budget update and payment of invoices – IT WAS MOVED THE CHAIRMAN, SECONDED THE VICE-CHAIR AND RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: "To approve payment of the accounts as follows:"

c) Request for grant aid - Swindon Children’s Scrapstore - It was unfortunate that there were no funds. The Clerk is to write. Action: Clerk

d) Request for funding towards travel vouchers - The Council has no funds to put towards this scheme. It was also felt that since Lyneham is on the main bus route it would be easier than for residents of Tockenham and Brinkwoth who are receiving vouchers. The Clerk is to write. Action: Clerk

11: To receive request for grant aid from YELL -It was agreed to take this item out of order:

Miss Mitchell was invited to speak. She explained that before October it was hoped to purchase and install special goal mouths incorporating extra features. This would cost over ten thousand pounds and it was hoped that the Parish Council could grant the sum of three thousand pounds towards the cost.

The budget set aside for play areas is intended for use on existing play equipment repairs and upgrades and it would be necessary to see what is required for this first. The Chairman explained that other Council funding is tied up until April 2007 . It was agreed that the Clerk should contact Community First to see if any funding could be provided through this. Action: Clerk

12: NWDC: The future of Area Committees:

A review of Area Committees is taking place and NWDC have provided a short survey for completion and return. This was completed.

13: WCC Mobile Library Service Consultation:

New routes/times would commence in November 2006

14: Correspondence Received:

a) To review the list:

b) Actions to be taken: Loss of litter bin outside Londis store - The Clerk had reported this.
Frequency of HGV traffic - The Council had written to Viridor and awaited a reply

15: Allotments:

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a) Water supply - Out of twenty-five allotment holders, eleven had agreed to the provision of water butts and two had not. IT WAS MOVED THE CHAIRMAN, SECONDED THE VICE-CHAIR AND RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: "To purchase twenty-five water butts for the Bradenstoke Allotments " The Clerk is to obtain three quotations and to choose the cheapest quotation. Action: Clerk

b) Update - At the request of Mr K Pearce the Clerk had written to all tenants since some plots were in an untidy condition.

16: Councillor's Observations and Items for Next Meeting:

A seat had been removed from the Bradenstoke junction and Councillor Potter had received requests for it to be replaced. It was agreed to discuss this with Squadron Leader Young at the next meeting.

17: Date of Next Meeting:

Date of Next Meeting: Tuesday 8th August 2006 at 7 pm at Lyneham Village Hall

18: To consider Council’s own website:

Awaiting information from Councillor Lightowler. Action: Cllr Lightowler

The meeting closed at 9.15 pm