1.

Apologies

Received from Wiltshire County Councillor J Thompson

2.

Declarations of Interest

None received

3.

Minutes

Following minor amendments, the Minutes of the meeting held on the 14^th April 2007.

Were signed and adopted by the Chairman.

4.

Police Report

Councillor Harmer mentioned that he had attended a Neighbourhood Policing Seminar and found it very encouraging.  He then introduced P C Humphries of the Local Constabulary who gave the following report:

Ø     Clarification of the full Neighbourhood Policing team was given together with handouts.

Ø     Crime figures were not readily available but can be supplied on request

Ø     It is intended to hold 3 or 4 meetings per year in the village to establish the communities priorities regarding crime

Ø     Funding has now been found to issue the team with a mobile telephone.  This number will be made available as soon as possible.  Anyone will now be able to make direct contact as and when an incident is identified instead of having to go through an automatic telephone system. 

The Chairman thanked P C Humphries for coming and for giving a most encouraging report.

5.

Actions from the above Meeting

To confirm that all actions allocated to the Clerk from the previous meeting have been carried out - this included:-

• An email sent to NWDC regarding the non emptied litter bin – Reply received and bin now being emptied.

• Tree Surgeon contacted again regarding the rubbish left on the Green – collected and confirmation on next visit received.  It was reported from Mr Morgan of 1 Mere Avenue that there were still chippings left on the Green.  Councillor Gough agreed to burn the remainder of the chippings and this item is to be placed on the agenda for September. 

• All Funeral Directors notified of revised burial fees
• Letter written to Mrs Lovett regarding her request to plant trees in the cemetery

• Play Area inspection with Wicksteed chased – Now carried out
• Revised quotation for the Insurance Policy requested – Agenda Item
• District Council notified of clean up day plans
• 2 Copies of the Charles Arnold Baker Edition 7 ordered – Now received

6.

Planning Matters

• NWDC Decisions –

5a - 07/00280/FUL – Alterations to rear outbuildings from flat roof to pitched at 12 Royal Field Close, Hullavington – GRANTED

5b – 07/00537/CLE Use as dwelling without agricultural occupancy condition at Bradfield Farm Bungalow, Hullavington – REFUSED

5c – 07/00489/FUL Single Storey rear extension at Beanfield House, 58 The Street, Hullavington – REFUSED

• Applications received – As received

5e – 07/00866/FUL – Erection of outside smoking area at The Star Inn, Hullavington – RECOMMEND SUPPORT

5f – 07/00793/COU – Conversion of existing domestic garage to beauty treatment studio (D) at 4 Chapel Corner, Hullavington – One letter of objection received and circulated. – The Parish Council OBJECTED to this application for the reason that it appeared to be in breach of the restrictive covenant on the title of the premises held at the Land Registry.  However, the Clerk reported that the Planning Officer of NWDC advised that any covenants on the property is a civil issue and not a planning matter – the application could not be refused on this basis.  However, if planning permission were to be granted it would not override any legal obligations. 
Further comments have been sent to the District Council expressing that the Parish Council wish to support small business coming into the village but would welcome an inspection by Wiltshire Highways.

7.

Car Parking, Traffic & Highway Matters

Councillor Bawden reported that Wiltshire Highways are to carry out a drainage investigation at Hill Hayes Lane on the 10^th and/or the 14^th May. 

8.

Cemetery and Churchyard Matters

• Results of cemetery survey – Councillor Gough issued copies of the proposed cemetery burial plan.  Following discussions it was RESOLVED that this plan be accepted and that plots will be issued one row at a time.  It was RESOLVED to number the burial plots ‘EXTENSION BURIAL FOLLOWED BY THE NUMBER OF THE PLOT’  (EB1) and for the cremation area ‘EXTENSION CREMATION ’ (EC1) 
  
  Mr Miles now to be issued his reserved plot number.  ACTION CLERK

• Request from Mrs Lovett to plant trees – Now that the survey has been carried out and the burial plots agreed, a letter to be written to Mrs Lovett inviting her to meet with Councillor Gough to discuss the positioning of trees.  ACTION CLERK

• Councillor Gough reported that the hinges on the cemetery gate had become loose – he and Mr Morgan agreed to fix this. ACTION CLLR GOUGH

9.

Village Maintenance

Ø     Councillor Greenman reported that the brambles overhanging the vicarage wall had been dealt with by Councillor Bawden.  Thanks were relayed to Cllr Bawden. 

Ø     It was pointed out that the tree over the footpath behind the school had not yet been dealt with as quoted in previous minutes.  However, Cllr Bawden reported that the owner of the land was intending to deal with this very soon.

Ø     It was noted that ‘fly-posting had been escalating recently.  A letter to be placed in the newsletter and Cllr Dyson agreed to put a piece in the local newspaper column.  ACTION CLLR DYSON.

Ø     A fence panel at the play area is still to be fixed – Cllr Gough and Mr Morgan agreed to take a look at this.  ACTION CLLR GOUGH

10.

Insurance Policy

The revised quotation was considered and it was RESOLVED to accept this.  However adding the play equipment is to be considered at a later date.

11.

Play Area Inspection

The inspection report following an inspection of the play area by Wicksteed was circulated.  Consideration of the report is to be placed on the next agenda. ACTION CLERK

12.

Financial Matters

a)     Cheques raised since the last meeting amounted to - £1174.43 – copy attached. 

b)     Update on Accounts – The Clerk circulated a reconciliation of the accounts together with explanatory notes to all members.

c)     The Clerk explained that the RFO had made enquiries to the Portman Building Society and it appears that Mr Paul Hadley and a Mrs Whitehouse are the first named on the Premier Annual Account balance being £15,820.55 bonus should be in the region of £805 pre tax.  This is still being pursued on two fronts – who is the money payable to and that the Parish Council should not be paying tax.  This situation will be monitored. 

Letters have been written to both Mr Hadley and Mrs Whitehouse explaining the situation to them.  However, Mrs Whitehouse at present cannot be located.  (After note – now located and letter sent)

d)     It was resolved to renew the Community First subscription

13.

Exchange of Information, Reports from Members –

None received

14.

Correspondence

Consideration was given to a Letter from Ashford Homes asking for suggestions for the street naming of the development of the former Wilson’s Coal Yard.  – This letter was previously circulated, however no name was agreed.

Note:  at the close of this meeting it was agreed to suggest that this development be named ‘Watts Close’. 

Letter of thanks from Hullavington News for donation

All other correspondence received has been circulated

15.

Exclusion of Public and Press

Because of the special nature of the following items, the Chairman proposed a resolution that it be conducted under the Public Bodies (Admission of Meetings) Act 1960 and that the public and press be excluded.

Members supported this proposal and the public and press were excluded.

16.

Vacancy for Clerk

The Clerk left the meeting at this point and Councillor Harmer reported:

It was proposed by Councillor Harmer, seconded by Councillor Bawden and carried unanimously that Bruce Matthews, who was present at the closed session, should be appointed Clerk to the Council with effect from Monday 2^nd July 2007, on a 3 month trial basis, in accordance with Terms of a letter to be sent to him; this letter to mention also the intention to appoint him in addition to the post of Responsible Finance Officer following the resignation of Edward Ferguson.

Cheques raised since last meeting

Cheque No

Date

Payable to

Amount

For

799

11/05/2007

Wicksteed

7.00

Sresidue fee for inspection

800

11/05/2007

Hull Village Hall

30.00

Hall Hire

801

11/05/2007

Clerk

57.88

April expenses

802

11/05/2007

Clerk

415.92

April salary

803

11/05/2007

Community First

663.63

Insurance for 07/08