MINUTES OF KINGTON LANGLEY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

HELD IN THE COMMITTEE ROOM OF THE VILLAGE HALL ON

MONDAY 13 NOVEMBER 2006

 

PRESENT:  Cllr. Peter Hart (Chairman), Cllr. Mrs. Lynn Atwell, Cllr. Mrs. Betty Bird, Cllr. Mrs. Val Giles, Cllr. Dennis Gill, Cllr. Simon Harris, Cllr. Rev. John Schofield, Cllr. Euan Sudbury, Cllr. G Trickey, Mrs. Sue Hart (Clerk).

 

APOLOGIES for absence were received from County Councillor Mrs. Jane Scott.

 

 

 

117.06

 

 

 

RESIDENTS FORUM

 

None.

 

 

ACTION

 

 

 

118.06

 

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

 

Cllr. Peter Hart declared a personal and prejudicial interest in any forthcoming discussion on the draft Precept 2007 involving a review of the Clerk (Mrs. Sue Hart’s) salary.

 

 

 

 

 

119.06

 

MINUTES

 

Minutes of the meeting held on 9 October 2006 had been circulated to all Councillors. One typing error was noted by Cllr. Dennis Gill in Minute 112.06 line one: bubs should read bulbs. Following this amendment the minutes were agreed by all. On a proposal from Cllr. Rev. John Schofield, seconded by Cllr. Graham Trickey, IT WAS RESOLVED that the Chairman, Cllr. Peter Hart, sign them as a correct record.

 

 

 

120.06

 

 

 

 

MATTERS ARISING

 

There were no matters arising.

.

 

 

 

 

 

 

121.06

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PLANNING

 

(a)    Planning Issues & Consents Granted: 

 

Planning Issues:  Letters have been received from both NWDC Planning Enforcement and Wiltshire Highways Department regarding  the Lower Common Walls across the highway verges. Part of these walls have already been taken down but the Parish Council believed that this did not go back far enough in order that the villagers’ footway could be reinstated and that therefore a letter should be written to North Wiltshire District Council to this effect.

 

(b)    Planning Applications decided by North Wiltshire District Council:

 

06/02296/FUL Place House, Lower Common – Extension & Alterations to Windows. Granted – 25 Oct 06

 

Granted - 26 Sept 06

06/02336/FUL Glenhaven, Plough Lane - Demolish Existing Dwelling & erect 4 detached dwellings, garages & access.

 

Granted –

4 Oct 06

06/02379/FUL Ashley House, Middle Common – Erection of Single Storey Timber Conservatory.

06/02380/LBC Ashley House, Middle Common – Erection of Single Storey Timber Conservatory and Formation of Door.

 

Both granted – 3 Nov 06

 

 

06/02387/TCA – Old Chapel Field, Plough Lane – Fell one silver birch, tree surgery to 3 ash, 2 beech & 2 fir.

 

 

Granted – 3 Nov 06

06/02400/FUL – 18 Silver Street – Proposed 2-storey extension.

Concern was still expressed by councilors that the extension was being built too close to the boundary wall.

 

Granted – 3 Nov 06

 

Planning Application Recommendations decided under powers delegated to the Parish Clerk:

 

06/02685/TCA Little Gables, Church Road – Remove eight Leylandii trees.

Support

06/02693/TCA Pound House, Lower Common – Fell One Horse Chestnut Tree.

Support

 

(c)     Planning Applications for consideration:

 

      Reissued Planning Applications: None.

 

New Applications:

 

06/02603/FUL White Rails, Days Lane – Erection of 2.4m high wrought iron gates attached to house

 

Supported.

06/02758/FUL Glenhaven, Plough Lane – Demolish existing Dwelling & Erect 2 detached houses / garages & Access.

 

Not Supported.

1.      Concern was expressed that the garages were too far forward. However, they are in the same position as the house next door.

2.      The tarmac in front of the property is shown as extending to the edge of the highway. This should only be covering the highway verge to the highway. The area in front of the property boundary extending to the footpath and the footpath itself should be constructed in the same materials as neighbouring properties.

3.      In order to match neighbouring properties the front rendering / finishing of the two properties should be reversed.

4.      It was questionable whether there would be room for the side door access.

5.      Overall – two 5-bedroom houses are too large for the plot.

 

The decision of not supported was based on over-development of the front of the plot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clerk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clerk

 

 

Clerk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

122.06

 

 

COMMONS EROSION PROJECT

 

Cllr. Hart has met with the contractor to arrange for final finishing work to be completed. The contractor has committed to do the necessary work, principally fixing down of the reinforcement matting, in the near future.

 

Cllr. Hart confirmed that there was no departure from the manufacturer’s standard in the installation of the reinforcement matting.

 

The reflective posts are still to be erected on the other side of the road. It was agreed that the reflective posts would not be erected on the opposite side of the road to the new curbing until the opinion of villagers had been sought. A decision will be made at the next meeting. The Council is still waiting for a quote for curbing in this area and will continue considering other means to protect this area of the Commons.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cllr. Hart

 

123.06

 

AFFORDABLE / SOCIAL HOUSING ALLOCATION POLICY

 

Following correspondence with the NWDC Housing Team, it has been established that no priority is given to local people in the allocation of affordable housing in the village. This arrangement seems inappropriate to the Parish Council in the light of policies and practice of other bodies such as Community First. The Parish Council would wish to see a more coherent approach to housing policies from all the bodies in this area.

 

There are currently 43 social housing properties in the parish, of which 37 are owned by Westlea Housing Association and 6 by the Wiltshire Rural Housing Association. Only the ones owned by Wiltshire Rural Housing Association are subject to a local agreement to give priority to local people.

 

Cllr. Mrs. Atwell said that at a recent meeting she had with Westlea Housing Association they had not been aware that there were issues with Affordable Housing priority allocation.

 

Cllr. Hart will continue to investigate the situation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cllr. Hart

 

124.06

 

 

REVIEW OF EMERGENCY PLANNING EXERCISE HELD ON THURS 12 OCTOBER 06

 

Cllr. Revd. John Schofield updated the meeting on the Emergency Planning Exercise on 12th October. The session had been based around a scenario involving a village event in the middle of winter. Throughout the evening a timed sequence of envelopes were opened which described an unfolding emergency in the village and the surrounding area. Telephone calls were made to Emergency Planning Council officers who simulated the county’s emergency services. Cllr. Schofield summarised by saying the he felt that the councillors who had participated had found it a worthwhile exercise. Everyone had fun doing it plus learning from the experience.

 

The Chairman gave a vote of thanks to Cllr. Schofield for running the session so well.

 

The Clerk handed out draft copies of suggested Emergency & Useful Contacts lists.

 

 

 

125.06

 

 

VILLAGE BULBS

 

Cllr. Giles asked to be advised about areas in the village which would benefit from future planting.

 

 

 

 

All Cllrs.

 

126.06

 

 

 

 

NWDC CONSULTATION ON DOG CONTROL ORDERS

 

Councillors were asked to consider whether new powers on dog control orders should be exercised by the Parish or left in the hands of the District Council. It was agreed that such powers could not practically be enforced by the Parish.

 

It was requested that, following a suggestion by a villager, consideration be given for more dog litter bins near the byway, specifically the bottom of Silver Street, Sutton Road and the Days Lane end of the byway. The Clerk was asked to investigate from what points near the byway the Council would be prepared to empty them.

 

It was noted that horse mess through the village was still an issue, with Ashes Lane being a particular problem. The Clerk was asked to investigate whether there were any obligations on horse-riders to pick up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clerk

 

 

 

 

Clerk

 

127.06

 

 

PARISH MEETING DATES FOR 2007

 

Councillors confirmed the following dates and that the new start time should be 8:00 pm and no longer 7:30 pm. These will now also be confirmed with the Village Hall Bookings Clerk.

 

Parish Council Meetings in Village Hall Committee Room (Start 8:00 pm):

Monday 15 January 2007

Monday 12 February 2007

Monday 12 March 2007

Monday 16 April 2007

Monday 14 May 2007 (Parish Council Annual Meeting)

Monday 11 June 2007

Monday 9 July 2007

Monday 13 August 2007

Monday 10 September 2007

Monday 8 October 2007

Monday 12 November 2007

Monday 10 December 2007

 

Annual Parish Meeting in the Main Hall (Start 7:30 pm):

Tuesday 20 March 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

128.06

 

FINANCE

 

(a)    Cheques issued and transfers since 9 October 2006 meeting:

 

10 Nov

Chippenham Kitchen Centre (Village Hall)

946

678-20

10 Nov

Mazars External Auditors

947

293-75

10 Nov

Clerk Salary – October

948

250-00

10 Nov

Earl Haig Poppy Fund

949

30-00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

£1,251.95

 

Payments Received:

 

26 Oct

HM Revenue & Customs

VAT Refund (6 months)

3485-16

31 Oct

Village Hall Committee

Kitchen Payment Final

577-19

 

 

 

 

 

Transfers Made: None.

 

Direct Debits Paid: None.

 

The invoices for the above cheques had been inspected and approved by the signatories. On a proposal from Cllr. Rev. John Schofield, seconded by Cllr. Graham Trickey, IT WAS RESOLVED that cheques numbered 946-949 be approved by the meeting.

 

(b)    Bank accounts: The last reconciliation had been successfully carried out on the 12th November 2006.

 

Bank Accounts and Petty Cash as at 31 October 2006:

 

Current account

£7,664-48

Deposit account

£5,271-86

Petty cash

£     26-08

Total

£12,962-42

 

 

 

(c)     2007 Precept Planning:

 

A summary of the 2005/6 precept status so far was distributed to the meeting plus a suggested 2006/7 draft precept. Each item was then discussed by Councillors and a recommendation made.

 

At the point when the Parish Clerk’s salary was reviewed, Cllr. Peter Hart and Mrs. Sue Hart left the meeting and this discussion was chaired by Cllr. Revd. John Schofield. Councillors agreed to raise the Clerk’s salary to £4,000 which should be reflected in a new Contract of Employment. This increase reflects a change to 9 hours per week (from 7) as well as a review of the hourly rate paid. When the Clerk returned, Cllr. Schofield thanked her for her substantial contribution in running the affairs of the village.

 

The 2006/7 financial year would be an election year hence provision would need to be made for election costs. Several areas of spend will be reduced but it means a slight increase in the precept from £18,655 to £19,038. Cllr. Sudbury suggested that in all future years an annual provision for election expenses of £250 should be made. This sum, if unused, being carried forward in an ear-marked reserve. Thus the costs of election will be evenly spread over the 4-yearly cycle. This was unanimously agreed by the meeting.

 

On a proposal from Cllr. Dennis Gill, seconded by Cllr. Mrs. Betty Bird, IT WAS RESOLVED unanimously that the 2006/7 precept should be set at £19,038.

 

(d)    Grants / Other Financial Actions:

 

·         Following the auditors’ recommendation it was also agreed that the Financial Regulations should be modified as follows:

 

Item 21: “The total limit of Petty Cash to be held at any time should not exceed £100 (one hundred pounds).” Changed from £30.

 

Item 22: “The total limit of any Petty Cash Payment should not exceed £30 (thirty pounds).” Changed from £10.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clerk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clerk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clerk

 

129.06

 

CORRESPONDENCE

 

Received: 

·         Letter from Kington Tots thanking for donation

·         Flyer from Splash thanking for donation

·         Letter from A villager putting his name forward for next co-option.

 

(a)    Circulated to Parish Council:

 

·         Open Space Autumn 2006, Vol.28, No.7

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