MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
OF THE LYNEHAM AND BRADENSTOKE PARISH COUNCIL
HELD ON TUESDAY 10th OCTOBER 2006
AT LYNEHAM VILLAGE HALL

Cllr M Petch (Chairman)
Cllr J Jardine (Vice-Chair)
Cllr P Lightowler, Cllr T Webb
Cllr P Potter, Cllr K Witts
Cllr D Turner
Mrs J S Copp - Parish Clerk

Parish Councillors D Bunney and V A Ingall

District Councillors A Bucknell and J Webb, Squadron Leader Young

The Meeting started at 7.00pm.

1. Apologies:

Apologies for absence were received from Parish Councillors D Bunney and V A Ingall.

2: Minutes of the Council Meeting held on Tuesday 5th September 2006:

Minutes of the Council Meeting held on Tuesday 5th September 2006 IT WAS MOVED THE CHAIRMAN, SECONDED THE VICE-CHAIR 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 RAF representative
Squadron Leader Martin Young gave his report as follows: “Since PC ‘Jarra’ Brown started work at Lyneham last month he has been extremely busy. He has tried to devote as much time as possible getting around the village and Station meeting people and has concentrated particularly on getting to know the local teenagers. Unfortunately, he has also been extremely busy dealing with less pleasant tasks, following several fatal vehicle accidents involving young people from Lyneham.

Despite PC Brown’s presence, there has been further vandalism around the Thrift Shop on Preston Lane and at the rear of the RC Church. Regrettably, due to severe funding constraints on MOD at the moment, we have no alternative but to simply board up smashed windows rather than replace them with expensive glass – some shop windows cost thousands. There is an understandable concern that if this area deteriorates further it may attract further problems. The Station authorities are fully aware of this but Public money is unlikely to be spent on the Preston Lane site until the future of RAF Lyneham is known. Further details should be known by the end of the year.

At the September meeting, I was asked to consider if the RAF could assist with the relocation of the bench near the Preston Lane bus shelter to a new location at Bradenstoke. Having examined the bench, it is clear that the Bradenstoke location will need a very solid concrete base, otherwise further vandalism could occur. Before the base can be built, the ground will have to be CAT scanned for cables etc. Currently, our financial constraints mean that our contractors are unable to move the bench and suggest that the Parish Council consider other methods of relocating it.

A reminder that the RAF Lyneham Bonfire Night celebrations will be held on Friday 3 November (on Slessor Road playing field). Hot food from 5pm, bonfire 6pm, Fireworks 6.30pm.

Both Wing Commander Julia Faulkes and I are posted away from Lyneham in November. Both of us have replacements nominated but it is possible that no RAF Representative will be at the November meeting because of courses, and I apologise in advance. Both Wing Commander Faulkes and I have enjoyed working with the Parish Council and also our time amongst the Lyneham & Bradenstoke community. We wish to pass on our best wishes and feel sure that the mutually beneficial co-operation will continue.”

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

On behalf of the Council the Chairman thanked Squadron Leader Young for his reports and the time he had spent at Parish Council meetings. He wished him well in his new posting.

5. To Receive Public Questions:

No public in attendance

6. Matters Arising from Previous Meeting:

a) Lyneham Green - Ceremony on 15th September - Apologies from Councillors and others who had been unable to attend the ceremony were noted. Guests included Mr and Mrs Bernard Reed of Viridor Waste Management. Mr Reed had presented the Council with a plaque to mark the occasion. Refreshments had been provided and the Chairman thanked the Vice-Chair and the WI for these. He had made a donation from his allowance to the WI towards the cost of refreshments.

b) Update on lights suggested for Bradenstoke T junction - The lights would be installed commencing Thursday 12th October.

c) Notice board repairs - Cllr Bunney was absent.

d) NWDC - decision to close public toilets - The District Council had agreed to postpone closure of the public toilet until October 2007 and the Parish Council was invited to take over the ownership to prevent permanent closure (see Appendix). A decision was required by 3rd November. It was agreed that there was much research to be done before such a decision could be made. Action: Clerk

IT WAS MOVED COUNCILLOR LIGHTOWLER, SECONDED COUNCILLOR TURNER AND RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: "To agree in principle to take over the ownership of Lyneham public convenience from North Wiltshire District Council , but reserving the right to decline following investigation."

e) Further consideration of Council’s own website - Cllr Lightowler’s investigations are progressing. Action: Cllr Lightowler

f) Request for memorial bench for Mr Stanley Taylor - Cllr Bunney had reported that Mr Brannick is awaiting financial approval. Cllr Bunney would seek to progress. Action: Cllr Bunney

g) New parsonage plans: Request for access across Lyneham Green - The Council’s solicitor is progressing the Deed.

h) Ditch clearance adjacent to Pound Close - Westlea would accept responsibility on the production of proof and Cllr Webb agreed to provide this. Action: Cllr Webb

7: Planning:

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

b) Application no. 06/01618/FUL - Bakers Cottage development - It is still policy to neighbour and/or site notice of development and neighbours of Bakers Cottage had been notified.

8. Highway Matters & Transport:

a) Request for bus shelter at entrance to Lillybrook Estate - Cllr Potter had been promised that a site plan would be provided. He would ask again. Action: Cllr Potter

b) Vandalism to Preston Lane bus shelter and seat - There had been more vandalism to the area and therefore the seat would be removed, stored and refitted at the Bradenstoke junction at a later date. The Chairman could provide transport of the seat but quotations should be sought for the seat to be fitted. Action: Clerk

c) WCC: Wiltshire local Transport Plan - Delivery Report - Cllr Ball was absent.

d) State of grass area on the entrance to Victoria Drive - This had been resolved.

e) WCC: Introducing Parish Steward - WCC had provided a profile of the new Steward.

f) WCC: Temporary closure of: C120 Trow Lane Brinkworth and Lyneham - The Order would come into force on 16th October and last approximately fourteen weeks.

g) NWDC: On-Street Parking Enforcement in North Wiltshire - Council’s views were requested. It was agreed to request parking restrictions on the opposite side of the road to Lyneham School. Action: Clerk

Parking Attendants would visit the area around Piggy’s Café.

h) Other maintenance issues: There were none.

9: Play Areas and Open Spaces:

a) Play area strategy - The Working Party had been unable to meet as planned and another meeting would be arranged. Action: Cllrs Jardine/Lightowler

b) Play area - replacement litter bin - The Chairman would investigate. Action: Cllr Petch

c) Quotations for the following - (It was noted that the Clerk had only been able to obtain two quotations instead of three in this instance)

i) clearance of hedge/ditch Bradenstoke Play Area -

Mr R Harper £1,000.00
Mr K Iles £ 300.00

IT WAS MOVED COUNCILLOR POTTER, SECONDED THE VICE-CHAIR AND RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: "To accept the quotation from Mr K Iles for clearance of the hedge/ditch alongside Bradenstoke play area for the sum of £300."

ii) Clearance of undergrowth at Pound Close Play Area -

Mr R Harper £150.00
Mr K Iles £105.00 to include spray the following year.

IT WAS MOVED COUNCILLOR POTTER, SECONDED THE VICE-CHAIR AND RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: "To accept the quotation from Mr K Iles for clearance of the undergrowth at Pound Close Play area and to spray foliage the following year for the sum of £105."

iii) Work to two benches/tables - Bradenstoke Play Area - to fix to concrete pads -

Mr R Harper £150.00
Mr K Iles £100.00

IT WAS MOVED COUNCILLOR POTTER, SECONDED THE VICE-CHAIR AND RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: "To accept the quotation from Mr K Iles to fix two benches/tables to concrete pads at Bradenstoke Play area for the sum of £100."

d) To consider play area inspection report by RoSPA - It was noted that although RoSPA had recently advised on the distance play equipment should be sited from residences this had not been taken into consideration in the report. Members considered the report and it was generally agreed to seek quotations for works to the play areas. Action: Clerk

The Chairman agreed to treat the junior and cradle swings with oil. Action: Councillor Petch

e) Vandalism to barrier between Bradenstoke play area and allotments - The Chairman agreed to look at this and report back to the meeting. Action: Councillor Petch

10: Finance and Administration:

a) 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:"

Mr Humm had queried previous months’ accounts regarding grass cutting. The Clerk explained that on occasion grass was cut at the beginning and the end of a month so that two invoices might be presented for one month.

b) To consider amendments to future agendas - a timed agenda - It was generally agreed to try out a timed agenda in December. Action: Clerk

c) To consider Internal Audit Report for 2005 - 2006 - It was noted that Standing Orders and Financial Regulations should be reviewed and a VAT adjustment be made. Action: Clerk

d) Audit: Objection raised by Mr R J Wright re. Purchase of Lyneham Green - the External Auditor had received objections by Mr Wright that the purchase did not represent value for money and it was noted that the auditor’s costs in dealing with the objection would have to be met by the Parish Council. The Council was asked for comments on the matter and it was agreed to write back refuting Mr Wright’s objection. Action: Clerk

A second objection by Mr Wright that there was a conflict of interests would not be considered by the Auditor since Mr Wright had already raised this with the Standards Board and it had been dealt with.

11: Boundary Commission for England:

Electoral Review: Final Recommendations. The information was noted.

12: Correspondence Received:

a) To review the list:

b) Actions to be taken : There were no actions to be taken.

13: Allotments:

Update: Mr Luffman wrote that the hedges adjoining the allotments require cutting back. Chairman will look into this matter and report back to the Council. Action: Councillor Petch

Mr Newman complained about bonfires being lit inconsiderately. The Clerk is to ask Mr Ken Pearce to request that tenants be more considerate. Action: Clerk

14: Councillors' Observations & Items for Next Meeting:

Cllr Witts suggested that Farmers’ Markets be held on the Green. The Clerk is to check Commons rules. Action: Clerk

Cllr Turner reported that there is an overgrown hedge at 31 Pound Close. The Chairman suggested that she should contact Clarence.

Cllr Potter reported that the dog waste bin in Farthing Lane had gone. The Clerk is to check. Action: Clerk

15: Date of Next Meeting:

Date of Next Meeting: Tuesday 14th November 2006 at 7 pm at Bradenstoke Village Hall.

The meeting closed at 9.55 pm