1.       

Apologies

Apologies were received from Parish Councillors Mrs M Bawden, Mrs S Greenman,  Mr D Jones and District Councillor H Greenman.

2.       

Declarations of Interest

Name

Agenda Item/Application No.

Type of Interest

Action

There were no declarations of interest.

3.       

Minutes

The minutes of the meeting of 19^th September 2007 were signed by the Chairman and adopted as a true record.

4.       

Actions from the above Meeting

The Clerk reported on the following:

1.   Safe Routes to School Initiative

      It was reported that a meeting had been held at the School on Thursday, 20^th       September with the County Council Road Safety Officer, Headteacher, Governor Representative, Community Police Officer, Councillor Mrs M Bawden and the Clerk.  After discussing the options, it had been decided that the School would press ahead with its Safe Route to School Initiative and that the Parish Council would support this approach.  In addition the Parish Council would continue to press for a review of the speed limits in the village and environs.  ACTION:  COUNCILLOR MRS BAWDEN.

2.   Return of Signed Authority

      The issue of the responsibility for the receipt of building society funds based on original signatures was still ongoing although efforts had been made to resolve the matter.  Suggestions were made on the way forward.  ACTION:  COUNCILLOR HAFFENDEN.

3.   Visual Arts Project

      It was reported that the soundings taken by Councillor Mrs Dyson on the feasibility of a Visual Arts Project based on the concept of an Arts Trail in various locations, had generally found favour in the community.  The possibility of an addition to the existing Arts Festival or a freestanding event could be explored at a later date.  It was decided to proceed with further explorations on the feasibility of the project.  ACTION: COUNCILLOR MRS DYSON AND THE CLERK.

5.       

Planning Matters

1.   NWDC Decisions –

·         07/01867/TCA – Tree Surgery and Tree Felling.  Buckley Barracks, Hullavington, Chippenham, Wiltshire SN14 6BT.  Consent Granted.

2.   Applications received/ongoing matters –

·         07/01522/COU Amended Plans – Change of use of office, garage, workshop store outbuilding attached to the main house into ancillary accommodation to the main house.  Kingway Barn Farm, Corston, Wiltshire SN16 0HW

·         07/01523/LBC Amended Plans – Erect wooden lean-to to conservatory, external and internal alternations to main house and single storey building.  Kingway Barn Farm, Corston, Wiltshire SN16 0HW

·         07/01524/LBC Amended Plans – Internal and external alterations to barn associated with proposed pottery studio, including adding cast iron rainwater goods.  Kingway Barn Farm, Corston, Wiltshire SN16 0HW

      RESOLVED: That planning applications be noted but that in future, planning matters relating to properties outside of the geographical boundary of the Parish, be circulated in the normal way but only placed on the agenda if there are special circumstances.

6.       

Car Parking, Traffic & Highway Matters

(a)  Application for Speed Limit – It was reported that the County Council had responded to the request for a review of the speed limit in the village and the surrounding area.  There is to be a review of speed limits in the area within the next eighteen months, a process which emanated in part from a change in attitude to speeding vehicles.  The Council noted that the Safe Routes to Schools Initiative and the need to reduce speed limits in the village environment were linked and should be regarded as far as possible as aspects of the same endeavour.

      The meeting decided that as a review of speed limits would be considered by the County Council, that it would be prudent to ensure that a clear and united opinion should be presented.  It was agreed that the matter should be discussed in detail at a future meeting to ensure a precise message emerged from the Parish Council to the County Council’s highways Team.  ACTION: COUNCILLOR MRS BAWDEN.

(b)  Street Lighting – The question of street lighting in Hill Hayes Lane was raised, with particular reference to the absence of a street light by the Village Hall.  It was suggested that perhaps the allocation of street lighting might not be in accordance with the prevailing standard for the spacing of street lighting in village locations.  The meeting agreed to press for a review of street lighting in the Hill Hayes area coupled with a request for a public street light by outside the Village Hall.  ACTION: THE CLERK.

(c)  It was noted that the requested sign for Hill Hayes Lane, “Leading to the Village Hall” had been provided by the District Council.  A letter of appreciation at the prompt response will be sent to the District Council.  ACTION: THE CLERK.

7.       

Cemetery and Churchyard Matters

(a)   Planting of Donated Trees – Following amicable discussions, the donated trees had been planted in the designated area away from the car park.

(b)   The vandalised trees would be replaced by Mr Crag-Barber.

(c)   It was reported that the cemetery plans had been received from Mr Hadley and were in the possession of Councillor Gough who would update them.  The plans could then be archived.  ACTION: COUNCILLOR GOUGH.

(d)   An application had been received from the relative of a person interred in the “old” part of the graveyard, who wished to replace the existing gravestone with a 7’ by 3’ horizontal frame for flowers.  It was noted that the grave was contained in the area where different forms of gravestones were in existence.  The Council confirmed the existing rule that in the new burial area, the form of gravestones were limited to the agreed arrangement which made maintenance much easier.  After discussion, it was decided that Councillor Gough be authorised to continue discussions based on the existing cemetery policies and that the existing “rules” for the deployment and type of gravestones be supplied to a future meeting.  ACTION: COUNCILLOR GOUGH.

(e)  Reference             was made to the recent access to the Cemetery by Scottish and Southern Energy Company to erect telegraph poles and whether the company had prior permission to do this.  It was agreed that the protocol under which the energy company operated on private land be clarified.  ACTION: THE CLERK

(f)   It had been observed that the area of reserved land in the cemetery was badly overgrown and a discussion took place on the need to clear and tidy up the area of land.  After some discussion, it was decided that in view of the long-term need for the land, it would be possible to think in terms of the possible creation of a wild flower meadow.  It was agreed that the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust be asked to provide a scheme and management plan for the possible creation of a wild flower meadow.  ACTION: THE CLERK

(g)   Churchyard Matters – The Chairman reported on recent discussions that had taken place between himself and Members of the Parochial Church Council regarding churchyard maintenance matters.  A plan of the existing churchyard graves and artefacts was being drawn up and a health and safety audit would follow.  It had been noted that the Lych Gate had some roof tiles that required attention.  This situation, bearing in mind the listed status of the construction and inherent cost of repairs, had raised the question of final responsibility for maintenance of the structure.  Whilst the Parish Council’s overall responsibility for churchyard maintenance was not in dispute, it was considered appropriate in view of the potential financial liability for a repair to a listed structure, to seek clarification of the Parish Council’s liability in this matter.  The cost of a reference to a local solicitor could be in the region of £400, which could be met from the existing maintenance budget heading.  It was agreed that this should be done to clarify matters as potentially a large financial liability might be incurred in the future.

RESOLVED: That the Council approve an expenditure of approximately £400 to seek legal opinion on the Parish Council’s liabilities with regard to the maintenance of the churchyard and structures.  ACTION: THE CHAIRMAN

8.       

Village Maintenance

(a)  Tree Pruning – The Clerk reported on discussions held with the existing contractors responsible for the Council’s tree pruning requirements.  The Company hitherto used had been taken over and some difficulty had been experienced with communication.  However a time and date for a joint inspection of the poplar trees on The Green had been agreed.  It was decided that the two Councillors delegated with this work be given approval to make such decisions as were necessary within the tree maintenance budget.  ACTION: COUNCILLORS GOUGH AND MORGAN.

(b)  A resident had asked about the possibility of the provision of a dog bin by the stile at the back of Parklands.  It was noted that the District Council had decided not to provide more dog bins over the existing level and that there was a dog bin within reasonable distance.  NO FURTHER ACTION BE TAKEN

(c)  Several Councillors raised the issue of unofficial public notices on telegraph poles throughout the village.  It was considered improbable that the custom could be curtailed but that it would be helpful if groups and individuals posting the notices could be persuaded to take them down periodically, especially after an advertised event had taken place.  It was agreed that the local newspaper, village newsletter and website be utilised to request notice posters to remove their posters, especially after the date of events had passed.  ACTION: COUNCILLOR MRS DYSON.

(d)  The meeting was informed that the green by the Coal Yard development had been recently transversed by a car apparently leaving the site, as its exit was temporarily blocked by delivery lorries.  The registration number and make of the car had been noted.  It was decided to raise this matter formally with the Development Company.  ACTION: THE CLERK

(e)  Following Councillor Harmer’s report on a Christmas Tree for the Churchyard, authority was given for Paul Hadley to purchase same for a sum not to exceed £100, in time for the Service of Dedication scheduled for Saturday, 15^th December.  Invoice will be passed to Mark for re-imbursement and covered by budget for Village Amenities.

9.       

Play Area

Play Area – it was noted that some of the external floor tiles in the play area were lifting from their pre-set positions.  It was decided to ascertain the cost of repairs from a previous quotation from the supplying company Wicksteeds.  It was decided to delegate this matter to Councillors Gough and Morgan to ascertain repair costs.  ACTION: COUNCILLORS GOUGH AND MORGAN

10.   

Financial Matters

(a)   The Clerk submitted a budget report update prepared by Mark Edwards.  It detailed expenditure and income for the period up to 2^nd October.  The written report also included details of current and deposit accounts.  The budget expenditure was in accordance with the forecast with a limited underspend.

(b)   The Clerk reported that issues of bank signatures and access to funds to enable the sum of £7,500 to be re-paid to the Public Works Loan Board, were still ongoing.  Councillor Mrs Bawden and Mark Edwards were striving to resolve the temporary problems.  ACTION: COUNCILLLOR MRS BAWDEN AND MARK EDWARDS

(c)   Option for consolidating accounts – The Clerk submitted a comprehensive paper prepared by Mark Edwards on the advantages and interest rates available, if all the Parish Council’s accounts were consolidated.  The Chairman stated that it was appropriate that the Council kept such matters under periodic review to ensure the best returns were being obtained for the funds under its control.  After discussion, bearing in mind the issues to be resolved as itemised in the previous minute (10b), it was decided to postpone a decision until those issues were resolved.  FUTURE ACTION: THE CLERK

(d)   Budget Setting.  It was agreed that the Council should have a budget setting day prior to the formal consideration of the budget.  The Chairman asked for a preliminary financial report detailing current expenditure performance and the likely impact of inflation and other demands on the main budget headings for the next fiscal year 2008/9.  It was agreed that the budget fixing meeting would be held on December 5^th to enable a preliminary budget to be set at the normal December meeting.  ACTION: THE CLERK AND MARK EDWARDS

11.   

Exchange of Information, Reports from Members

(a)   The Chairman referred to the report despatched with the agenda on the minutes of the Malmesbury and Villages Community Area Partnership meeting of 13^th September 2007.

(b)   A verbal report was submitted on behalf of Councillor H Greenman in respect of the recent meeting of the Malmesbury Area Committee.  The meeting was dedicated to climate change but although interesting was of limited value.

(c)   The Chairman reported that he had received an invitation from Community First to a Conference on Transport which would take place on 17^th November.  The Members of Council were asked if they would be interested in attending.  It was decided to pass the information to Mrs A Durrant, the Transport Representative.

12.   

Correspondence

All the major items of correspondence had been circulated.  The Clerk referred to recent items of correspondence (i) Wiltshire County Council circular on the unitary authority proposal, (ii) Circular of events from Rural Arts – Wiltshire and Wiltshire County Council meeting in Chippenham, Neeld Hall on October 18^th on unitary proposals.

13.   

Date and Time of Next Meeting

Wednesday, 14^th November 2007 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.

None.