MINUTES OF THE MEETING
OF THE LYNEHAM AND BRADENSTOKE PARISH COUNCIL
HELD ON TUESDAY 8TH NOVEMBER 2005
AT BRADENSTOKE VILLAGE HALL

Cllr M Petch (Chairman), Cllr K Pearce (Vice-Chairman), Cllr F Ball, Cllr C Pearce, Cllr D Bunney, Cllr P Potter, Cllr J Jardine, Cllr D Turner, Cllr P Lightowler, Cllr T Webb and Mrs S Copp (Clerk)

Parish Councillor I Plested and District Councillors A Bucknell and J Elford

Wing Commander Faulkes (RAF representative) Item 4 only,
One member of the public

Prior to the meeting Mr P Jeremiah, Legal Team Leader at North Wiltshire District Council instructed council members on the Code of Conduct.
The Meeting started at 7.00pm.

1. Apologies:

Apologies for absence were received from Parish Councillor I Plested and District Councillors A Bucknell and J Elford.

2: Minutes of Last Meeting:

Minutes of the Council Meeting held on Tuesday 11th October 2005 and of the Confidential Minutes of the same meeting - these 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 Faulkes.

Wing Commander Faulkes informed the meeting that the ground maintenance works mentioned at the previous meeting would be dealt with and the litter had already been collected.

b) To receive questions on RAF matters - Cllr C Pearce asked if the ditch along the RAF boundary could be cleared. Wing Commander Faulkes asked for sight of a plan or details of the deeds. This was agreed. Action: Clerk

The litter bins for the youth shelter had not yet arrived but litter was cleared on a regular basis.

Councillor Potter asked if it was really necessary to undertake engine testing late into the night and the Wing Commander said unfortunately it was. She would mention this but the decision to work late into the night was not taken lightly.

The Chairman thanked Wing Commander Faulkes for attending the meeting.

5. Public Questions:

Litter bins in Preston Lane - Bins on the fence by the school had been removed and their brackets remained protruding and were dangerous. It was agreed to report this to NWDC. Action: Clerk (report to Officer Barry Reid)

Preston Lane roundabout - the markings are fading. This was noted and the Chairman advised the resident to ring the CLARENCE helpline.

Hedge by Church End Cottage - It was agreed that the hedge needs cutting back. The Clerk is to report this. Action: Clerk

6. Matters Arising from Previous Meeting:

a) Lyneham Green - resolution re signatories to execute the Transfer Deed -

IT WAS MOVED COUNCILLOR C PEARCE, SECONDED COUNCILLOR LIGHTOWLER AND RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY:

“That the Transfer Deed for the purchase of Lyneham Village Green be signed by the Council Vice-Chairman and Councillor Ball.”

The Transfer Deed was signed.

The Clerk had sought advice on the law on commons and village greens and had been informed that new legislation was due to replace out of date Acts soon but in the meantime it was recommended that the Council purchase the book “Our Common Land” at a cost of £5.

IT WAS MOVED COUNCILLOR C PEARCE, SECONDED COUNCILLOR LIGHTOWLER AND RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY:

“To purchase the book “Our Common Land” at a cost of £5 .”

b) Litter- sponsorship of bin - The art work had arrived and the bin had been ordered.

c) Youth Club - correspondence re. attendance at council meetings - Mrs Boyd the Chaplaincy Community Worker would speak with the young people on this.

d) To further consider lights suggested for Bradenstoke T junction - A quotation had been received for three columns at a cost of £10,138 + VAT. Unfortunately the Clerk had been unable to trace any grants or sponsorship as yet but would continue to try. Various suggestions were made which she would follow up. Action: Clerk

Residents of the area are to be consulted and it was agreed to write letters to be hand-delivered by the Cllrs Pearce. It was generally agreed to make a decision on the purchase in two months’ time. Action: Cllrs C & K Pearce/Clerk

e) To request that Preston Lane hedgerow be cut - Mr Humm had provided details of the developer and the Clerk had written.

f) To consider the provision and maintenance of flower beds - It was agreed to defer this item pending further information on laws on commons/village greens.

7: Planning:

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

b) Works to 111 Chippenham Road, Lyneham - No reply had been received. The Clerk is to write again. Action: Clerk

c) Planning enforcement at 67 The Folly - Awaiting information.

The Chairman had received a call from Rev. Fletcher with regard to a planning application to build a new vicarage. The application was awaited.

8: Highway Matters & Transport:

a) Pound Close traffic calming - Mouchel Parkman offered a reduction in fee from £3,462-88 + VAT to £3,000-00 + VAT for the costs of time spent on scheme design.

IT WAS MOVED CLLR LIGHTOWLER, SECONDED CLLR C PEARCE AND RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY:

“To pay the reduced sum of £3,000-00 +VAT to Mouchel Parkman for costs of time spent on a traffic calming scheme design.”

b) To request 20 mph speed limit around Pound Close/Webbs Close - Wiltshire County Council had no funding available this year. The request would be considered for next year although hopes for a favourable outcome were not high.

c) To consider works to footpath along the Chippenham Road - WCC agreed that the footpath was showing signs of age and it would be considered along with other schemes next year.

d) Replacement signs at village entrances - Awaiting a response.

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

9: Play Areas & Open Spaces:

a) Extension/relocation of play area: play area strategy by Working Party Cllrs Plested and Lightowler were progressing the work and a scheme would be presented at the next meeting..

b) Play areas:

i) Repair - to report on site meeting - The Chairman had met the contractor at the two play areas and considered the problems, following which a quotation for repairs had been received.

From the available options the following were chosen -

Pound Close Play Area
Wicksteed Climbing Frame - To dig out existing fall area and remove weeds, old membrane and old edging, install 35m 250mm half round edging, install 68 sq.m. membrane, install 18 cu.m (300mm depth) 10-50mm playbark: £2,219-21

Swings (Junior and Toddler) - Option 1 Safagrass surface - Supply and install
top soil to make up ground and re-seed, 36sq.m Safagrass: £1,295-00

Bradenstoke Play Area

Junior Swings (Older) - Dismantle and remove swing frame from site : £276-00
Metal Climbing frame (Jungle Gym) - Dismantle and remove from site : £421-50
SMP Rope ladder - Remove and repair with steel reinforced rope and refit: £287-50
Total cost + VAT £4,499-21

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

“To order works to play areas as specified from MacVenture Play Co for the sum of £4,499-21 + VAT with a deposit of £2073-30 to be paid.” Action: Clerk

ii) future inspections - to be deferred until after repairs to play areas have been completed.

c) Grass cutting contribution - Mr Iles had informed the Clerk that he had cut one area outside the White Hart but had left another uncut. It was generally agreed not to pursue the matter any further.

d) Correspondence re shrubs planted on Lyneham Green - The Chairman left the room and the Vice-Chairman took the Chair.

A letter had been received from Mr Wright complaining that the area of The Green outside Cllr Petch’s property was being cultivated by shrubs. He believed this to be contrary to the Manorial waste/Common Land laws. Members considered the information provided in the Acts on encroachments on commons and greens and believed that the existence of the shrubs did not interfere with recreational use of the green. Due to the length of time the shrubs had been planted and having received no other complaints the Council did not believe any action should be taken. The Clerk is to write back to Mr Wright. Action: Clerk

The Chairman resumed the Chair.

e) Ditch clearance alongside play area - Cllr Pearce reported that one quotation had been received so far. It was generally agreed to defer the item to the next meeting.

10: Reports of Meetings Attended :

No meetings had been attended

11: Finance & Administration:

a) Accounts and Budget update and payment of invoices – The update was noted.

IT WAS MOVED CLLR WEBB, SECONDED CLLR C PEARCE AND RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY:

"To approve for payment the accounts as follows:" 8th November 2005

b) To consider level of precept required for year 2006/07 -

It was noted that Public Liability insurance would be required for Lyneham Village Green but this was likely to be at very little extra cost. It was also noted that Section 137 Expenditure allowed for the current year was £16,986-50 if required.

Members agreed the budget as per the appendix.

IT WAS MOVED CLLR C PEARCE, SECONDED CLLR LIGHTOWLER AND RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY:

"To precept the sum of £30,000 for the year 2006 - 2007"

c) Receipt of Requests for Grant Aid

i) St. Andrew’s Methodist Church - Cllr Bunney left the room.

Funding was required to convert the building for disabled access and a grant was requested. IT WAS MOVED CLLR C PEARCE, SECONDED THE VICE-CHAIRMAN AND RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: "To grant the sum of £1,500 to St Andrew‘s Methodist Church

Cllr Bunney returned to the meeting.

ii) Maslin Funeral Service- Christmas tree - The company would provide a Christmas tree for St Michael’s Church and a grant towards the cost of electricity was requested.
IT WAS MOVED CLLR C PEARCE, SECONDED THE VICE-CHAIRMAN AND RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: "To grant the sum of £50 to St Michael‘s Church"

d) Council audit - correspondence from internal auditor - The auditor accepted the Council’s wishes with regard to his recommendations and had signed off the internal auditor’s certificate in the 2004 - 2005 Annual Return. The papers would now be passed to the external auditor. Action: Clerk

12: Correspondence received:

b) Actions to be taken: Mr A Humm - Report on Council meeting - it was generally agreed to place an item on the next agenda “Council’s own website”; Safety surfacing brochures - These were passed to Cllr Lightowler

13: Allotments:

a) Water supply - The application was being processed.

b) Works to the old footpath - Cllr Pearce reported that the work was in hand

14: Councillors’ Observations & Items for Next Meeting: :

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Cllr Ball asked when the works to the trees on Lyneham Green would take place. The Chairman informed him that permission from North Wiltshire District Council was awaited.

15: Date of Next Meeting:

The meeting closed at 9.50 pm