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Present:
Cllrs Roger Durie (Chairman), Gordon Stone, Jenny Clack, Jim Raff, Charles
Howell, Steve Hobson, Paul Knowler, Karina Nicholson, Tom Mallinson,
Nick Gibbins, Member Burbage and the Bedwyns, Cabinet member for Campus
Development and Culture, Stuart Wheeler, and approx. 18 members of the
public.
Apologies: Cllr. Tom
Mallinson.
Minutes: The minutes of the December monthly
meeting were approved, subject to an amendment noted by the clerk, and
signed.
Declaration of Interests: Councillors were
invited to declare any interest in items on the Agenda.
There were no declarations of
interest.
Public Discussion:
- Philip Blunt questioned the
wording, of the December minutes, relating to The Three Tuns, and asked
why he had not received an answer to his e-mail. The Chairman explained
that the Parish Council had been inundated with correspondence, and
stated that his e-mail would be dealt
with.
- Mick Goss stated that he
was against the proposed parking restrictions in The Knapp, calling it a
“wretched scheme”. He stated that Bus route problems should have
priority over resident parking and that parking spaces for residents and
carers, within The Knapp, are adequate.
- Jan
Thornton responded by
saying that the new proposals only displace 4
cars.
- Julie
van Haperen stated that she was also
against the proposed parking restrictions in The Knapp, and agreed with
the sentiments of Mick Goss.
- Karen
Gardener also
stated that she was against the proposed parking restrictions in The
Knapp, and queried the membership and validity of The Knapp Tenants
Association. Stating that she had not seen any published
documentation.
- Jan
Thornton responded by
saying that The Knapp Tenants
Association’s minutes etc. are available on
request.
- Karen
Gardener went on to say
how important the station was to the village and this was part of the
reason she had concerns about the scheme.
- The
Chairman then gave his response stating that the latest
proposal from WCC Highways was thought, by The Parish Council to be
acceptable, bearing in mind that it is very much in line with the PC’s
original request and that, coupled with the response from Network Rail,
constitutes the solution originally sought. The feasibility study from
Network Rail states that it is possible to extend the car park and
create an additional 23 spaces.
- Kevin
Challen
stated that he thought we were almost there with
the latest scheme, but added that residents of The Knapp would have
problems parking and that he thought that yellow lines would be better
kept to the mouth and bends only. He stated that there was not a “Health
and Safety” issue, as there had not been one reported accident in The
Knapp. He would welcome, and sought, an open public discussion. Kevin
also questioned the details of The Knapp Tenants Association, their
constitution, membership and minutes of their meetings, pointing out
that none of this appeared to be in the public
domain.
- Julie
van Haperen stated that the continuity
and viability of the station should be a priority.
- The
Chairman
stated that funding had to be sought for the car park
extension.
- Ruth
Francis requested a statement from
The Knapp Tenants Association, stating that they agreed with the Network
Rail car park extension.
- Jan
Thornton responded by
saying that they did now agree with the extended car park.
-
Councillor Gordon Stone
stated
that Karen Gardener had “hit the nail on the head” when she spoke about
the station, saying, “as the majority of the village would support
having the station, they must accept their share of the parking”. He
agreed with some of the other sentiments expressed, referring to those
against the extent of the yellow lines, and stated that work should be
undertaken to find a compromise.
- Phil
Gray a resident of
Little Bedwyn, stated that surrounding villages need to be considered,
when taking decisions regarding the railway
station.
-
Venessa Kenneth thanked
the Parish Council for all the work that has been carried out for the
good of the village.
- Julie
van Haperen referred to
the amount of correspondence that is having to be dealt with, expressing
concern that a large proportion of it was from one individual, and that
this almost constituted harassment in her view. She thanked the Parish
Council for their time and effort, pointing out that they are all unpaid
volunteers trying to make a
difference.
Matters Arising:
1. The Parish Council.
a)
Governance.
Following comment accompanying Wiltshire
Council’s response to a code of conduct complaint in mid 2011, the
Parish Council has reviewed the Standing Orders, Financial Regulations
and Risk Management strategy. The Clerk issued a revised
version of the Standing Orders which was unanimously accepted, Financial
Regulations required no amendments and Councillor Hobson will update the
Risk Management procedures to include a calendar of governance reviews
for the coming year.
The Chairman is also arranging to take up the
offer of training from Mrs. Nina Wilton, Head of Governance and Deputy
Monitoring Officer (Wiltshire Council).
b)
Councillor vacancy.
There is a vacancy for a new councillor, and an
election has been called for. The election will take place on Thursday
9th February 2012, providing 2 or more nominations are
received.
Post meeting note; No nominations were
received. Therefore the election has been
cancelled.
c) Resignation of Parish
Clerk.
The Parish Clerk has given 3 months notice. A new
Clerk is being actively sought. Adverts are to be placed in the Parish
News, on the Notice Boards, Local Businesses and WCC website. The Parish
Councillors are to review and discuss the contract details for incoming
clerk.
d) Dealing with
complainants.
A proposed Council policy for dealing with
complainants has been distributed and will be adopted at the next meeting, if councillors
agree that it is appropriate.
2. Allotments. (CAB/SH)
Of the 3 plots available,
as noted at the last meeting, one has now been taken. The other 2 are
being offered to the next 2 on the waiting list. We have now got our
first chickens.
3. Youth Club.
Report
summary;
There is a lack of volunteers, which is a concern
for the sustainability. However the club has been doing Christmas craft
and cooking activities and an Ice Skating trip. They have successfully
carried out a presentation to The Pewsey Area Board to run a film
project. The Area board gave their backing and awarded them a grant of
£750
4. Traffic
items
Bus route and station
parking.(RD/CAB).
See “public discussion”. Network Rail’s
feasibility study has shown that there is adequate room for
approximately 23 additional car parking spaces. The Clerk and Chairman
hope to receive the full report within the next few days for detailed
assessment. The updated plans reflecting revised parking restrictions in
The Knapp were received
from WCC Highways on Monday 9th January, and immediately
displayed on the Notice Boards. It was agreed that the public will be
given the opportunity to comment.
5. Three Tuns.
The Parish Council’s
planning committee objected to the proposed change of use. It is
believed that an offer to purchase has been
made.
6. The
Wharf.
British
Waterways have responded to our enquiry regarding the use of the grassed
area. They have stated that they favour The Bruce Trust development and
are still expecting revised plans for this.. The Bruce Trust has been
approached regarding use of their grassed are for The Queen’s Jubilee.
(Response awaited)
7. Budget Forecast.
(CAB)
The External auditor’s report was read out. Items
of interest were; “no matters giving cause for
concern”;
“Receipts and payments basis should be adopted”;
“Asset Register should be
updated”.
8.
2012 Queen’s Jubilee.
An e-mail was received from Judy Haynes giving
suggestions, including the closing and re-naming of the narrow part of
Farm Lane for the day. (It used to be called Jubilee Street). The use of
the Memorial playing field has been requested via The Village Hall
Committee Chairman, and Pewsey Area Board appears to be willing to fund
part of the event, up to £250. Grant to be applied
for.
An article is to be placed in the Parish News,
requesting volunteers and more ideas. (Afternoon and
evening)
9. Snow preparations.
Volunteers are still being sought. Adverts have
been placed on the notice boards, post office, bakery and in the Parish
News.
10. Sport relief
2012.
Parish
Clerk has withdrawn interest in organising Comic Relief “Sport Relief
Mile”. (Clerk has resigned)
11. Playground. (KN)
The
Rospa report highlighted several areas that needed attention. Most were
minor, but two items will require significant expenditure, these being
the tyres under the see-saw, and the toddler swings. The toddler swings
will probably need replacing in the next 18-24 months, at an estimated
cost of £3,000. The minor repairs are already in hand, and some remedial
work can also be carried out on the toddler swings. A new delivery of
bark will be required in Feb or March, at a cost of £520. A vote was
requested to make the funds available for the purchase of the bark and
the cost of the remedial work. The Councillors agreed unanimously to the
request. The Clerk has been requested to assure the Council, that the
funds to replace the toddler swings are still available from the initial
grant. (Ring fenced)
12. General upkeep of
Village.
The tree
on the corner of Brook Street and The Knapp has been
pruned.
Cobbled drain gulley in the High Street, outside
Cross Keys, has been treated.
Tree at The Chains needs some attention.
Condition to be monitored and assessed.
General gutter clearance to be
undertaken.
Litter.
Several
residents are known to collect litter on a regular basis, and the Parish
Council has expressed its appreciation on behalf of all residents. An
e-mail has been received from Anthea Rogers regarding her and her
children collecting rubbish/litter opposite the church by the canal.
Councillor Steve Hobson will respond with an offer to assist in
disposal/recycling of their
collection.
Correspondence received:
The correspondence received was then
reviewed. These included the following:-
1. E-mail from Anthea Rogers, regarding last night’s
meeting.
2. E-mail from Jan Thornton regarding proposed article in Parish
News.
3. E-mail from Steve Smith regarding Jan Thornton’s proposed
article in Parish News
4. E-mail from Mark Stephens regarding The
Wharf.
5. E-mail from Anthea Rogers regarding list of
e-mails.
6. E-mail from Wiltshire Council regarding their ground maintenance
service.
7. E-mail from Martin Rose regarding 20mph metro
counts.
8. E-mail from Stuart Wheeler regarding Pewsey Area Board
agenda.
9. E-mail from Caroline Brailey regarding Pewsey Area Board
agenda.
10.
E-mail from Caroline Brailey regarding Pewsey Area Board
agenda.
11.
E-mail from Anthea Rogers asking when Parish Clerk would be
working.
12.
E-mail from Anthea Rogers regarding litter
picking.
13.
E-mail from Anthea Rogers regarding telephone call with Parish
Clerk.
14.
E-mail from Anthea Rogers regarding response to telephone call with Parish
Clerk.
15.
E-mail from Philip Blunt regarding minutes of December
meeting.
16.
E-mail from Val Compton regarding minutes of December
meeting.
17.
E-mail from Anthea Rogers regarding telephone call with Parish
Clerk.
18.
E-mail from Val Compton regarding access to
documents.
19.
E-mail from Stuart Wheeler regarding reply to Anthea
Rogers.
20.
E-mail from Val Compton regarding access to
documents.
21.
Letter from Anne Ryan regarding 20mph and
“speedwatch”.
22.
Letter from The Knapp Tenants Assoc. regarding minutes of December
meeting.
23.
E-mail from Anthea Rogers regarding declaration of
interests.
24.
E-mail from David Harris regarding use of The
Wharf.
25.
E-mail from Jan Thornton regarding canoe
race.
26.
E-mail from Lucy Hawkins against the proposed restrictions in The
Knapp.
27.
E-mail from Anthea Rogers regarding answers to e-mails
etc.
28.
E-mail from Catherine Oldfield regarding damage adjacent to
allotments.
29.
E-mail from Rachel Bond against the proposed restrictions in The
Knapp.
30.
E-mail from Tim Richardson against the proposed restrictions in The
Knapp.
31.
E-mail from Paul Maloney against the proposed restrictions in The
Knapp.
32.
E-mail from Margaret Burden against the proposed restrictions in The
Knapp.
33.
E-mail from Alexandra Zeke against the proposed restrictions in The
Knapp.
34.
E-mail from Cathy King against the proposed restrictions in The
Knapp.
Planning: (JC)
Parish Council, no objection: (omitted
where approval is listed
below):
Bramble
Cottage, 14, Brook Street – Single storey
extension.
Parish Council, support subject to
conditions:
None
Parish Council objection/comment:
1, High Street, Three Tuns PH, object to change
of use.
Wiltshire Council full
planning:
Great Bedwyn Cricket Club – New Pavilion,
Demolition of existing pavilion.
Access
path / air source heat pump.
Wiltshire Council
refusal:
None
A.O.B.
1) Police Report Not available
2) Parish Council Data Store. The Parish Council Data Store/Web Site, can now be
accessed using the Great Bedwyn Web Site. (Kevin Challen has supplied a
direct link)
3) New Code of Conduct. Stuart Wheeler gave a brief synopsis of the The
Localism Act 2011-New Standards Regime, as issued by Wiltshire Council. It
was suggested that the Parish Council adopt the Wiltshire Council’s new
Code of Conduct and Standing Orders when they become
available.(28th February planned). It was stated that the
existing Standing Orders will be replaced by Wiltshire Council Standing
Orders. Copies of The
Localism Act 2011-New Standards Regime has been sent to all
Councillors.
4) Village Outline. The Planning Authority is to be contacted regarding
a rumoured adjustment to the village
envelope.
Cheques:
The
following cheques were approved:-
No.
973 for £308.46
to Plandscape for ground maintenance, December 2011.
No.
974 for £200.00
to HM Revenue & Customs for Clerk’s PAYE. (Oct to
Jan)
No.
975 for £800.00
to C.A.Brinsden for Clerk’s wages. (Oct to
Jan)
No.
976 for £10.00
to C.A.Brinsden for Clerk’s expenses. (Stamps, divider and
clipboard)
The meeting closed at 9.17
pm
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