MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
OF THE LYNEHAM AND BRADENSTOKE PARISH COUNCIL
HELD ON TUESDAY 12th DECEMBER 2006
AT LYNEHAM VILLAGE HALL

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

Councillor Turner and District Councillor A Bucknell.

District Councillor J Webb, Wing Commander Collinson, Miss Lisa Mitchell - Community Development Worker and one member of the public

The Meeting started at 7.00pm.

1. Apologies:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Turner and District Councillor A Bucknell.

2: Minutes of the Council Meeting held on Tuesday 14th November 2006:

Minutes of the Council Meeting held on Tuesday 14th November 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 - The Chairman welcomed Wing Commander Dave Collinson to Lyneham.

Future of RAF Lyneham - Wg Cdr Collinson said the station’s long-term future was still uncertain but that hopefully there would be new information in the new year. Health and Safety letter - a letter containing Health and Safety information would be going out to around four thousand residents and the Wing Commander left an advance copy with the Clerk.

b) To receive questions on RAF matters - Cllr Potter asked for details of the distribution area for the Health and Safety letter. The Wing Commander said he would bring the information to the next meeting.

On behalf of the Council the Chairman thanked Wg Cdr Collinson for his report.

5. To Receive Public Questions:

The Council was asked when the Perspex in the Preston Lane bus shelter would be replaced - the Chairman replied that when the new shelter was installed at Lillybrook the Perspex from the old shelter there would be transferred to the Preston Lane shelter. The resident offered to help with this and he was thanked for the offer. It was queried when the bench seat located at the end of Preston Lane would be moved to the grassed area at Bradenstoke Corner and the Chairman said that the resident who had offered to take down the bench had not yet done so. It was noted that the bin in Preston Lane was missing and this was probably due to vandalism. The resident said the bushes near the old NAAFI building needed cutting back and Miss Lisa Mitchell said she would inform the RAF. The resident complained about the rude words used on one of the Lyneham websites. He had also noted that the sign by the Preston Lane roundabout had been erected and almost immediately had been vandalised.

6. Matters Arising from Previous Meeting:

a) Update on lights at Bradenstoke T junction - All the lights were now working and it was agreed that North Wiltshire District Council could go ahead with the press release. It was further agreed to release payment for the lights. Action: Clerk

Mr Edwards of Mouchel Parkman had received two complaints regarding the location of one of the columns which it was said affected the sightline of motorists exiting from Bradenstoke onto the B4069. He had provided the Council with a safety inspection report which suggested that the column be moved back by one and a half metres. The Chairman explained that the columns had been placed where Mr Edwards had dictated. There were underground cables to the rear of the column in question and this had been taken into consideration when agreeing to the site. Members considered the report, following which it was generally agreed to write back stating that the Council considers the hedge to the left of the junction to be a far greater hazard and she should also detail the above points. It was further agreed to ask that measurements in the report be checked. Action: Clerk

b) Notice board repairs - Cllr Bunney reported that the notice board had now been made and he would discuss its site with the Vicar. Action: Cllr Bunney The Chairman would donate £25 from his allowance towards the works. Action: Cllr Petch

c) NWDC - decision to close public toilets - The audit report was noted and the Council now awaited the meeting with Cllr Tonge in January. The District Council had written accepting the Council’s offer to take over the facility. However the Clerk is to write back reminding the District Council that the offer had been in principle only and that no actions should be taken by them at this point. Action: Clerk

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 - Awaiting action by Mr Brannick.

f) New parsonage plans: Request for access across Lyneham Green - The Deed had been signed by Mr & Mrs Stewart and was now presented for Council approval. IT WAS MOVED THE CHAIRMAN, SECONDED THE VICE-CHAIR AND RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: "That the Deed of Easement relating to access across Lyneham Village Green be approved."

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 - The advice was inconclusive at present but further research could be undertaken. Following discussion Cllr Witts agreed to consider the matter further.

7: Planning:

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

b) NWDC: Clean Neighbourhoods & Environment Act 2005 Briefing: It was agreed to defer this item to the next meeting

8. Highway Matters & Transport:

a) Request for bus shelter at entrance to Lillybrook Estate - Awaiting permission from Wiltshire County Council. The owners of Lillybrook Estate had provided plans of the suggested site and requested that a shelter similar to that recently provided at Bradenstoke be purchased. The Councillors agreed to the suggestions.

b) Vandalism to Preston Lane bus shelter and seat - It was noted that the seat had still not been removed. The Chairman would check with the resident involved. Action: Cllr Petch Quotations had been received for the eventual installation but these would have to be revised. Action: Clerk

c) WCC: Wiltshire local Transport Plan - Delivery Report - Cllr Ball could not see the impact on or the relevance to Lyneham in the report.

d) Works by Parish Steward - The Steward had visited the area on 27th and 28th November.

e) Invitation to Transport Evening Thursday 23rd November - District Cllr Webb reported on the meeting. He was thanked for the report.

f) Ownership of footpath from Preston Lane to Slessor Road play area - Awaiting a response from Annington Homes.

g) Complaint re. HGV waste lorries’ use of B4069 Lyneham Banks Road - Awaiting a response from Viridor.

h) To consider concerns re. roundabout at Preston Lane - Mr Hawkins was concerned about the probability of accidents at this roundabout. It was agreed to write to Wiltshire County Council on this matter and to seek enhancement of the markings. Action: Clerk

i) Other maintenance issues: There were none.

9: Play Areas and Open Spaces:

a) - Play area strategy - The Working Party had met and the Vice-Chair reported on the Party’s recommendations - to seek quotations to bring existing play areas up to the RoSPA standard; to repair the vandalised YELL shelter and assist with the purchase of a goal unit. The Working Party would take into consideration RoSPA’s recommendation on the distance of play equipment from housing at the Pound Close play area.

b) Play area - replacement litter bin - Cllr Lightowler would collect the bin liners for refurbishment. Action: Cllr Lightowler

c) Vandalism to barrier between Bradenstoke Play Area and Allotments - The Chairman would liase with the Pearce brothers to erect temporary fencing and plant hawthorns in the new year. Action: Cllr Petch

d) To seek quotations for sign at Bradenstoke play area entrance - Cllr Witts would pass on information to the Clerk Action: Cllr Witts

Two quotations had been received for works detailed by RoSPA but the third had not yet arrived. It was agreed to defer consideration until the third quotation was submitted. Action: Clerk

10: Finance and Administration:

a) Accounts 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:"

b) Audit: Objection raised by Mr R J Wright re. Purchase of Lyneham Green - a response was awaited.

c) To consider level of Council Precept for year 2007/08 - Following discussion IT WAS MOVED THE CHAIRMAN, SECONDED THE VICE-CHAIR AND RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: "To precept the sum of £25,000.00 for the year 2007/08"

d) To consider effectiveness of timed agenda - It was generally agreed to continue with a timed agenda.

11: Correspondence Received:

a) To review the list:

b) Actions to be taken: Overgrown hedge Argosy Road - It was agreed to write to the company. Mr S Wright had complained that cars from the car sales company were still being parked on common land - it was agreed to write again. Mr Wright had also requested information on various items it was agreed to write to him reminding him of administration charges. Mr Kee commented on vandalism to bins and mentioned their replacement - it was agreed to inform Mr Kee of District Council comments that the Council did not have the manpower to empty replacement bins.

12: Allotments:

a) Monthly update - Nothing to report

13: Councillors' Observations & Items for Next Meeting:

There were no observations

14: Date of Next Meeting:

Date of Next Meeting: Tuesday 9th January 2007 at 7 pm at Lyneham Village Hall. The Chairman wished everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

The meeting closed at 8.55 pm