MINUTES OF THE LYNEHAM AND BRADENSTOKE ANNUAL/PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 10th JULY 2007
AT LYNEHAM VILLAGE HALL

Printable version: You can download a PDF version of the Lyneham and Bradenstoke Parish Council minutes click here. If your computer has not got an Adobe PDF Reader to download the approved software click here

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

County Councillor T Sturgis

District Councillors A Bucknell and S Still, Squadron Leader Rea (Item 5 only), PC Porter, Mrs Smith (Item 7 only), fourteen members of the public for Item 6 only and one other member of the public.

The Meeting started at 7.00pm.

1. Apologies:

Apologies for absence were received from County Councillor T Sturgis.

2. Minutes of the Council Meeting held on Tuesday 12th June 2007

Minutes of the Council Meeting held on Tuesday 12th June 2007 IT WAS MOVED THE CHAIRMAN, SECONDED COUNCILLOR POTTER AND RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: "That the minutes be signed as a true record of the meeting."

3. Minutes of the Special Council Meeting held on Tuesday 12th June 2007

IT WAS MOVED THE CHAIRMAN, SECONDED COUNCILLOR POTTER AND RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: "That the minutes be signed as a true record of the meeting."

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

5. RAF Matters:

a) To welcome the RAF representative - The Chairman welcomed Squadron Leader Rea to the meeting.

The Squadron Leader thanked the Council and village for their continued support and understanding during repatriation of personnel killed overseas. She said the MOD would shortly proceed to sell off the old NAAFI site and land at Pintail Court and the Chairman asked for what purpose the land would be sold. Squadron Leader Rea said she would endeavour to find out.

b) To receive questions on RAF matters - Cllr Bunney asked if any progress had been made as to the land leased by Annington Homes and the Squadron Leader said she would check. A member of the public complained about engine noises from the camp on Sunday nights and she said she would check and inform the Clerk. Cllr Turner reported that the rubbish bin beside the shelter had not been emptied for six weeks and the Squadron Leader said she would deal with this.

The Chairman thanked Squadron Leader Rea for attending the meeting.

6. To Receive Public Questions:

Westlea Housing - Development proposals - Residents said they attended the meeting to voice their strong objections to the development proposal. They asked what comments the Council had to make about it and the Chairman replied that the Council had not received any formal proposal as yet and therefore could not comment. Further questions were asked on this matter and were mostly answered by Cllr Bucknell who has a seat on the Board of Westlea Housing. Rural Exception in the village has lasted as long as the Local Plan has been in existence and this is not identified until someone applies to build outside the village framework. People did not think that all those affected had been notified but the authorities believed that this was the case. It was noted that the land is presently owned by Mr Webb senior.

Residents were informed that they would have an opportunity to make comments when the planning application was made and it was noted that the Parish Council’s comments only count as one vote and there must be five objections before the application is brought to the District Council’s Committee. It was argued that Preston Lane would be a better place to build the houses and the land was shortly to be sold. Mr Franklin asked if it could be established who owns the road in Webbs Court which he believed to be still unadopted. Cllr Bucknell said she would look into the matter.

Parking outside Piggy’s Café and the Pizza shop - It was noted that the double yellow lines had been removed from the road and it was agreed to write to NWDC about this. Action; Clerk

Interruptions from members of the public during meetings - Mr Skull sought clarification as to when the public are allowed to speak in Council meetings since at the previous meeting Mr Humm had contributed quite a lot throughout the meeting. The Chairman said the public should only speak at the designated time “To Receive Public Questions” but that some people do interrupt when they should not.

7. Request for Youth Shelter for Bradenstoke

[Top]

Mrs Shirley Smith, Chairman of Bradenstoke Village Hall, said that the older children in Bradenstoke need somewhere to go and she asked for the Council’s support in providing a youth shelter on the Recreation Ground. She was happy to raise funds for this but believed she would get more support if it was known that the Council was backing the project.

It was generally agreed that the Council is in favour of the project in principle. The Chairman explained that there was no funding available at present but that a sum could be set aside in next year’s budget and the Council could seek grant aid. In the meantime it was suggested that Mrs Smith should seek advice from Lisa Mitchell who had organised the purchase of a shelter for Lyneham.

8: Matters Arising from Previous Meeting

[Top]

a) Further consideration of Council’s own website - Cllr Lightowler advised that there was a technical problem with the website but he would resolve this. 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

9: Lyneham public toilets - further consideration of cleaning contract:

The contractor had not taken into account certain factors when providing his quotation of £18.57 per day and had to withdraw it. At the Council’s invitation he now provided the Council with an updated quote of £22.85.

IT WAS MOVED COUNCILLOR LIGHTOWLER, SECONDED COUNCILLOR J WEBB AND RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: "To take up the revised contract offer from Mr Colin Cowdray to open/close and clean Lyneham’s public toilets for the sum of £22.85 per day subject to satisfactory references and insurance, contract to commence as soon as possible. " Action: Clerk

The Clerk asked if an extra clean was required before the toilets were opened to the public. It was generally agreed to give delegated authority to the Chairman to decide. Action: Cllr Petch

NWDC had provided a short list of contractors capable of taking on the toilets upgrade and the Clerk is to seek quotations for the work. Action: Clerk

10: Planning:

a) Update on recent planning applications - The Chairman reported on recent applications for Lyneham and Cllr J Webb reported on Bradenstoke applications.

11: Highway Matters and Transport

[Top]

a) Request for bus shelter at entrance to Lillybrook Estate - The planning application had been approved and the installation could now take place.

b) Relocation of Preston Lane seat - Awaiting action from Mr Harper.

c) WCC: Works by Parish Steward - no information available.

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

e) Concern at lorries using Lyneham Banks road - The Clerk had written to Mr Wyatt at WCC and a reply was awaited.

f) Poor state of footpath to Bradenstoke - WCC intended to repair the path before 9th August.

g) Boundary hedge on B4069/Bradenstoke road - This hedge is not situated on maintainable highway and WCC have no rights over it.

h) Missing fingerpost at Bradenstoke - the original fingerpost would be repaired and returned to site shortly.

i) Other maintenance issues: Nettles and weeds in area adjacent to Pound Close - There was a complaint the previous month about nettles and weeds coming from Mr Webb’s fields. Cllr Bucknell had said the law states that this is the responsibility of the landowner.

12. Play Area & Open Spaces:

a) Play area strategy - Cllr Lightowler reported that the Council’s lottery grant bid was on a short-list. List Mitchell had also completed an application form for Landfill Tax Credits and this would be considered in November. With regard to the MOD land to be sold it was necessary to ascertain whether this could be saved as public open space and Squadron Leader Rea had promised to check on the sale criteria.

b) Play area - litter bin - Cllr Lightowler would refurbish the bins. Action: Cllr Lightowler

c) To consider quotations for replacement fencing at Pound Close play area - Three quotations had been received as follows - all prices exclusive of VAT:

Pallisade fencing - Wyatt & Sons £5180.85, Kudos Fencing £5704.75, JT Fencing Services £6463.50;
Gates - Wyatt & Sons £645.65, Kudos Fencing £837.00, JT Fencing Services £513.00;
Removal of old materials - Wyatt & Sons £1076.75, Kudos Fencing £650.00, JT Fencing £318.00;
Totals - Wyatt & Sons £6903.25, Kudos Fencing £7191.75, JT Fencing £7294.50.

It was probable that the play area would not be extended and therefore it was agreed to go ahead with the fence purchase. It was further agreed to use one contractor only. IT WAS MOVED COUNCILLOR BALL, SECONDED THE VICE-CHAIR AND RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: "To accept the cheapest overall quotation for fencing works to Pound Close play area and this would be Wyatt & Sons at a total cost of £6903.25 + VAT.” Action: Clerk

It was noted that access could be taken through Mr Webb’s field throughout August.

d) Trespass on grassed area outside Piggy’s Café - The proprietor of the café replied that the tables and chairs were placed on The Green for the benefit of the community and requested that the Council reconsider the instruction to remove these and the signs. The Council noted both this response and information supplied by Cllr Bucknell and it was generally agreed to write back to Ms Strange explaining the problem of anyone using the furniture having an accident on Parish Council land with the possibility of a claim against the Council. In addition the furniture is part of a business on Commons land. The furniture on The Green constitutes trespass and therefore must be removed immediately. Action: Clerk

e) Report on NCAP meeting held 12th June - Cllr J Webb had attended the meeting and gave a report.

13. Finanace and Administration:

a) To consider renewal of insurance premium for 2007/08 - IT WAS MOVED THE CHAIRMAN, SECONDED CLLR T WEBB AND RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: "To renew insurance cover with Zurich Municipal at a cost of £1827.67 from 1st June 2007 to 1st June 2008."

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

c) To consider financial statements and Internal Audit report for year ended 31st March 2007 - IT WAS MOVED THE CHAIRMAN, SECONDED CLLR WEBB AND RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: "To approve financial statements and Internal Audit report for the year ended 31/03/07."

d) Grant applications received: Information re. Bradenstoke Village Hall - It was noted that a Lottery grant had not been awarded and therefore the Council grant could not be claimed at present.

e) Complaint from Mr S Wright re. Newspaper article - Mention had been made in a local newspaper of the costs charged to the Council due to a complaint made by Mr Wright to the Auditor and Mr Wright had complained to the Council that this was slander and that he would write to the Standards Board. He said he would also seek legal advice regarding Council minutes which he believed to be defamatory since they stated that the payment to the Auditor had been at the expense of other projects. It was generally agreed to write back stating that the Council did not believe the minutes to be defamatory since if the Council was obliged to spend funds on one item then it would not have funds for something else. Action: Clerk

14. WCC - Post Office closures - Government proposals

[Top]

The Government had announced that 2,500 Post Office branches in the UK are likely to close. WCC had drawn up a petition against closures and asked for the Parish Council’s support. Members signed the petition.

15: Correspondence Received:

a) To review the list:

b) Actions to be taken : Lyneham Relief in Need Charity - It was agreed to write to Mr Barter to apologise for the error in the newspaper. Action: Clerk
Wilts & Swindon Waste Forum - It was generally agreed that the Council should not be involved in the Forum in future.

16. Allotments:

The dog signs had been passed on to Mr Ken Pearce who would install them on the Council’s behalf. The Chairman had looked at the fence/hedge and these were still in place. He said that two plots require tidying.

14: Councillors’ observations & items for next meeting:

Cllr Turner reported that the grass area in Calne Road requires cutting. The Clerk is to contact Annington Homes. Action: Clerk
Cllr Turner also complained about the hedge and a pathway in Pound Close which were overgrown with brambles. She also requested the need for dropped kerbs to accommodate mobility scooters. Cllr Bucknell took these items on board.

The Chairman announced that he had received the Clerk’s resignation which was due to personal reasons. Cllr Bunney requested that a vote of thanks to the Clerk be recorded and this was agreed.

15: Date of Next Meeting:

Tuesday 14th August 2007 at 7 pm at Lyneham Village Hall

The meeting closed at 9.29 pm