MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
OF THE LYNEHAM AND BRADENSTOKE PARISH COUNCIL
HELD ON TUESDAY 14th NOVEMBER 2006
AT BRADENSTOKE VILLAGE HALL

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

District Councillor A Bucknell. Councillor Potter had apologised that he would be arriving late.

District Councillor J Webb, Wing Commander Faulkes, one member of the public

The Meeting started at 7.00pm.

1. Apologies:

Apologies for absence were received from District Councillor A Bucknell. Councillor Potter had apologised that he would be arriving late.

2: Minutes of the Council Meeting held on Tuesday 10th October 2006:

Minutes of the Council Meeting held on Tuesday 10th October 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 Wing Commander Faulkes reported that Sarah Ray would be taking Squadron Leader Young’s place at Council meetings in future and Dave Collinson would be taking over from her.

Criminal Acts - She was pleased to report that PC Jarra Brown had already had a good effect on the station. Future of RAF Lyneham - However there was still no information regarding the station’s long-term future. The Station bonfire - this had been well supported and enjoyed by local people. Extra air traffic - RAF Brize Norton had to undertake runway resurfacing to accommodate more aircraft and therefore RAF Lyneham would be busier whilst this was taking place. Speed limits - The Wing Commander asked the Council to keep up the pressure on the County Council to implement plans for a change to the speed limit.

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

On behalf of the Council the Chairman thanked Wing Commander Faulkes for her report and he wished her well in her new posting.

5. To Receive Public Questions:

Mrs Palmer had queries regarding the allotments as to the upkeep of a hedge, lighting bonfires, dog fouling and access. The Chairman said he intended to bring up for discussion the hedge and access queries under Item 12. With regard to the bonfires the Clerk confirmed that there were no tenants’ regulations preventing bonfires. It was believed that dog fouling might be prevented by denial of access although it could be possible to erect a sign to deal with this.

6. Matters Arising from Previous Meeting:

a) Update on lights at Bradenstoke T junction - The lights were now installed and the Chairman had received the keys and manual. One of the lights was not working and an engineer would meet with the Chairman to consider the problem. North Wiltshire District Council wished to issue a press release about the lights, a draft of which was read out, but it was agreed to defer this until all the lights were working.

b) Notice board repairs - Cllr Bunney reported that the notice board had now been made. He would discuss its siting with the Vicar. Action: Cllr Bunney

c) NWDC - decision to close public toilets - The District Council had now answered the Council’s queries and had also provided a copy of an audit of the works required to repair/update the toilet. It was generally agreed to consider this at the next meeting. Action: All

District Cllr Webb said the Parish Council would not be liable for the cost of the works. Cllr Tonge had offered to attend the January Council meeting to share the experiences of Colerne Parish Council and the offer was gratefully accepted. The Clerk suggested that a public meeting be organised and it was agreed to hold a meeting in the new year.

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

e) Request for memorial bench for Mr Stanley Taylor - Cllr Bunney passed on Mr Brannick’s apologies for the delay and reported that the order would now go ahead. The Clerk suggested that the bench be set in a concrete plinth to aid grass cutting. Cllr Bunney said he would ask Mr Brannick. Action: Cllr Bunney

f) New parsonage plans: Request for access across Lyneham Green - The Council’s solicitor had provided Mr and Mrs Steward’s solicitor with a draft Deed and awaited a response.

g) Ditch clearance adjacent to Pound Close - Cllr Webb had provided Westlea with the information but had received no response. He agreed to contact Westlea again. Action: Cllr Webb

h) Suggestion that Farmers’ Markets be held on Lyneham Green - Awaiting information.

i) Loss of dog waste bin in Farthing Lane - It was generally agreed not to pursue this matter.

j) NWDC: Neighbourhoods & Environment Act 2005 - Dog Control Orders - It was noted that the Parish Council could not afford to appoint its own dog warden. The Council completed a questionnaire on the subject, to be returned to the District Council. Action: Clerk

7: Planning:

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

b) NWDC: Further planning training sessions - The Chairman and Cllr Ball agreed to attend on 19th December. Action: Cllrs Petch/Ball

c) NWDC: Adopted North Wiltshire Local Plan 2011 - The Council’s copy is to be collected at the above meeting. Action: Cllrs Petch/Ball

06/01618/REM Baker’s Cottage, 97 Chippenham Road, Lyneham - Development of nine houses Parish comment - No objection to development of site. Design of houses rather plan - could do with addition of character features. In addition development is outside BLD limits.

8. Highway Matters & Transport:

a) Request for bus shelter at entrance to Lillybrook Estate - Cllr Potter had been provided with a site plan and he was thanked for this. The Clerk would now seek to progress the project. Action: Clerk

b) Vandalism to Preston Lane bus shelter and seat - It was noted that the seat had not yet been removed. The Chairman agreed to check with the resident involved. Action: Cllr Petch

c) WCC: Wiltshire local Transport Plan - Delivery Report - Cllr Ball would read the Report. Action: Cllr Ball

d) Works by Parish Steward - The new Steward had cleared all the weeds at the roundabout adjacent to The White Hart. The date set for his next visit is 27th and 28th November.

e) Invitation to Transport Evening Thursday 23rd November - District Cllr Webb is to attend and he offered to report back. This was agreed. Action: District Cllr Webb

f) Ownership of footpath from Preston Lane to Slessor Road play area - Cllr Bunney reported that the footpath is totally overgrown and asked for details of responsibility. The Chairman believed it belongs to Annington Homes and it was agreed to write to the company. Action: Clerk

g) Complaint re. HGV waste lorries’ use of B4069 Lyneham Banks Road - Mr Humm was concerned that the road is becoming dangerous. It was generally agreed to write to Viridor enclosing a copy of Mr Humm’s letter. Action: Clerk

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 be unable to order a replacement liner. Cllr Lightowler offered to try. Action: Cllr Lightowler

c) Vandalism to barrier between Bradenstoke Play Area and Allotments - The Chairman offered to liase with the Pearce brothers to erect temporary fencing and plant hawthorns. This was generally agreed. Action: Cllr Petch

With regard to the sign mentioned under Item 5, Cllr Witts offered to seek a quotation from System Signs for three signs - “No public thoroughfare; fouling by dogs prohibited.” He agreed to liase with the Clerk on this. Action: Cllr Witts

10: Finance and Administration:

a) Accounts update and payment of invoices– Members considered the quarterly Financial Statement up to October 31st. IT WAS MOVED THE CHAIRMAN, SECONDED THE VICE-CHAIR AND RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: “To approve the quarterly Financial Statement up to October 31st. Members considered the monthly

Financial Statement. IT WAS MOVED THE CHAIRMAN, SECONDED THE VICE-CHAIR AND RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: "To approve payment of the accounts as follows:"

b) Audit: Objection raised by Mr R J Wright re. Purchase of Lyneham Green - the Clerk had written to the external auditor and a response was awaited.

11: Correspondence Received:

a) To review the list:

b) Actions to be taken:
Christmas wishes 2006 - It was agreed to place an item on the website. Action: Clerk
Invitation to Civic Carol Service - Neither the Chairman nor the Vice Chair could attend. The Chairman asked that any members wishing to attend should inform the Clerk

13: Allotments:

a) To consider cutting back hedges - It appeared that tenants cut back the part of the hedge adjacent to their plot. Mrs Palmer had already cut back some of the hedge and she would organise work to the rest. The Clerk is to write back to Mr Luffman with this information. Action: Clerk

b) Monthly update - Nothing to report

14: Councillors' Observations & Items for Next Meeting:

The Vice-Chair had attended a recent Police Community Consultative meeting and reported that in the open session there had been many comments about traffic and speeding. She had received complaints about the manner in which the refuse collectors flung around the empty wheelie bins which sometimes resulted in the bins lying in the road and she asked that the contractors should replace the bins off-road. District Cllr Webb said he would report this matter. Cllr Turner was concerned about certain dog fouling incidents. The Chairman had noticed that a hedge along the Chippenham Road was overgrown and he would inform the Clerk of the details. Action: Cllr Petch
He had trimmed the trees on Lyneham Green which the Council had permission to deal with this year. The Clerk is to seek permission ready for 2007. Action: Clerk

15: Date of Next Meeting:

Date of Next Meeting: Tuesday 12th December 2006 at 7 pm at Lyneham Village Hall.

The meeting closed at 8.45 pm