MINUTES OF KINGTON LANGLEY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN THE COMMITTEE ROOM OF THE VILLAGE HALL ON MONDAY 9^TH MARCH 2009.

PRESENT: Cllr Dr. M Dixson (Chairman), Cllrs. Mrs. Betty Bird, D Gill, Mrs. L Reynolds, D Styles

C Timbrell, G Trickey and the Clerk Mrs. S Webb.

+ 5 members of the public

ACTION

029.09

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Received from Cllr Foster, District Cllr Mrs S Meadows & WC Cllr Mrs J Scott.

030.09

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Cllr Dixson declared a personal interest in item 13c of the agenda (donations) – stayed and spoke on the subject. Cllr Gill took the chair for this item.

031.09

RESIDENTS’ FORUM

• It was mentioned that the speed restriction signs were welcomed and noted that they were not working for a time. The question was also asked if they would be replaced. The Chairman informed those present that they were the property of WCC and were on loan for a short period of time.
• The question was asked if it was known when the development at Church Lane would be completed. It was suggested that the developer be approached, however, one of the houses was thought now to be for sale.

032.09

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 9 FEBRUARY 2009

Following a minor amendment to minute No. 027.09 (item 1 first line should read – Letter from Wiltshire Police finally closing the incident following the village party) – it was RESOLVED the minutes of the meeting held on the 9^th February be adopted and were signed as a true record.

033.09

MATTERS ARISING/ACTIONS FROM MINUTES

The Clerk distributed a summary of actions from the meeting held on the 9^th February. Actions with updates as follows:

016.09	Matters Arising – Wessex Water Church Bends – Proposed footpath – Gate still required at the playing field end of the footpath. Cllr Timbrell reported that the gate was on order.
016.09	Matters Arising – All Weather Footpath – An agenda item
018.09	Church Lane New Build – Damage to lane – A letter from the Chairman forwarded to Highways copied to Jane Scott on 9/3/09.
018.09	08/02167/FUL Glenhaven, Plough Lane – Confirmation letter sent to Simon Smith of Dev Control regarding 106 Agreement. Still waiting for a response.
021.09	Scarecrow Committee – Update from the Clerk as several correspondence has been received after the agenda was published. · Request for assistance to decorate the church - noted · Request for a grant – to be consider at next meeting · Withdraw of request to become a committee of the Council – noted
024.09	Wiltshire Council’s Dev Control Service – a letter has been sent to the Chief Executive of WCC expressing concern over the new procedure. Closed
025.09	Plough Lane by A350 Traffic Lights – Additional Grass Cutting – Responsibility sought . It was noted that a member of the public felt that the Parish Council should take this responsibility to enable the area to be kept as it should. This was noted, however WCC still to be pursued.
028.09	Cllrs Training Course – Cllrs Reynolds, Cllr Dixson & Cllr Trickey to attend
028.09	AOB - Pot Holes at Hit or Miss – To be raised with the Parish Steward.
028.09	AOB – Thanks to Peter Hart to be expressed. Cllr Dixson suggested that he held a drinks party at his home some time in May by way of a thank you. This was favoured.
028.09	AOB – Condition of drainage and large holes on byway at the Sutton road end of Byway 34. Parish Steward to be approached
028.09	AOB – Bus Shelter Tiles – Tiles on the Greathouse bus shelter have been removed - To be reported and insurance company to be notified
	Urgent Issue – Village Pond – Cllr Timbrell distributed a paper from Dr. Jonathan Newman. It was noted that the pond had been sprayed recently for the second time to decrease the amount of Crassula. He will visit again during April to check the progress. The rush clumps need to be dug out. The paper also contained information on the way forward for the pond. Following discussions, it was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to form a working party to carry out the following: place information in the parish magazine, approach local farmers for assistance in disposing of rush clumps but if necessary organise a skip at a capped cost of £150. At the request of a resident and an offer to sponsor a pair of ducks, the introduction of ducks will be considered at a later date.

Cllr Timbrell

Clerk to chase

Clerk to research funds

Clerk to follow up

Clerk to confirm

Cllr Foster

Cllr Dixson

Cllr Foster

Clerk

Cllr Timbrell to organise and report back to Council

034.09

PLANNING ISSUES

a) NWDC Planning decisions –

· 08/02175/S73A – Field House, Lower Common, Kington Langley – permission granted 25/02/09 (Cllr Dixson mentioned that the conclusion was not clear as the gates/post had not been given permission but the walls had. He had also asked Cllr J Thomson who is the Chairman of the Development Control Committee to clarify the planning decision.

· 09/00171/TCA – Crown reduce Sycamore by 20% and shape & re-balance crown – granted 26/2/09

b) Planning Application for consideration – 09/00171/TCA – Crown reduce Sycamore by 20% and shape & re-balance crown – Support.

c) Delegated Authority to Clerk regarding tree applications – The Clerk mentioned that as she was not familiar with the area and the trees within it, she requested assistance with this delegation. Cllr Dixson volunteered to assist.

035.09

CHAIRMAN’S BUSINESS (Cllr. Dr. M Dixson)

· Resignation of Cllr Mrs V Giles - It was noted that Cllr Valerie Giles had resigned and the Clerk was instructed to start proceedings for her replacement.

· Neighbourhood Policing letter – Received explaining the proposed changes, and the benefits – Noted.

Clerk

036.09

CLERK’S REPORT (Sue Webb)

As this was the Clerk’s first meeting there was nothing to report.

037.09

ALL WEATHER FOOTPATH – COMPLETION OF HARD SURFACE FROM PLOUGH HILL TO A350 TRAFFIC LIGHTS

Cllr Timbrell updated members that he had not acquired any recent quotations for the surface work necessary since the quotation received for £26,000. Alternative options and costs to be explored. An agenda item for next meeting

Cllr Timbrell

Clerk

038.09

WESSEX WATER – LICENCE FOR PATH AT CHURCH BENDS

Thanks were relayed to the former Clerk Mrs Sue Hart for all the work relayed to this issue. The services of a District Council solicitor had been acquired and a draft Licence Agreement has been received for the Parish Council’s consideration. The Chairman and Clerk had read the agreement and all concerns were clarified. Therefore following discussions it was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to accept the draft Licence and that the Chairman and Clerk sign the original once received. Financial implications will be dealt with at a later date.

Cllr Trickey to oversee this issue

039.09

ANNUAL PARISH MEETING

It was noted that the minutes of the last Annual Parish Meeting were on the website stating that copies of the minutes will be available at the meeting. However they will not be read out as in other years.

Reports are to be brought to the meeting for reference.

It was agreed that 5 minutes would be allocated to each speaker apart from Mrs Rayner of Community First who will be allocated 10 minutes. If it appears that a speaker is going to over-run the time limit, he/she will be asked to summarise.

040.09

COUNCILLOR PROJECTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Due to the resignation of Cllr Giles, a Parish Steward Liaison person was needed. Cllr Foster to be approached to become this representative.

Cllr Mrs L Reynolds to be allocated duties at the next meeting.

Clerk agenda item

041.09

FINANCE

(a) Cheques issued, payments received and transfers made since 9 February 2009 meeting:

27 Feb 09	Information Commissioner	1095	£35.00
27 Feb 09	CPRE	1096	£29.00
27 Feb 09	Clerk’s Salary (Feb’09)	1097	£333.37
27 Feb 09	B Franklin	1098	£200.00
			£597.37

Payments Received: None.

Transfers Made: £50 from current to petty cash

Direct Debits Paid: None.

The invoices for the above cheques have been inspected and approved by the signatories.

Bank accounts: Reconciliation to be carried out on receipt of statements. (expected early March)

Bank Accounts as at 28 February 2009:

Current account	£2,438.39
Deposit Account	£8,648.07
Petty Cash	£37.56
Total	£11,124.02

(b) Grants, Donations and other Financial Actions:

6-monthly review of donation requests due this month.

· Citizens Advice Bureau

· Victim Support

· Film Society – A representative from the Film Society spoke on the reason for the grant request. The request is particularly to go towards the purchase of a projector. At present for each film session, Malmesbury’s projector is used.

· Scarecrows

The above requests are to be borne from the 09/10 budget. The grant allocation to be brought to the next meeting when decisions on the above requests will be made.

d) Bank Signatories

It was noted that due to the resignation of Cllr Mrs Giles, there was the necessity for an additional signatory. Therefore it was RESOLVED that the Clerk and the Chairman become additional signatories.

Clerk to arrange

042.09

CLLR STYLES LEFT THE MEETING AT THIS POINT

CORRESPONDENCE

Received - Letter from A visitor regarding ditches opposite Hit or Miss public house needing clearing out. – A member of the public gave information on the drain situation and Cllr Dixson volunteered to speak to the farmer who farms the adjacent field to see if he could offer any assistance.

Received - NWDC Area (1) agenda

Cllr Dixson

043.09

ANY OTHER BUSINESS/EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION

Cllr Gill mentioned the damage being caused by large tractor wheels – The contractor to be located and written to

Cllr Bird briefed members that the Jacksoms Lane end of Morell Lane (footpath No 4) has become difficult to walk through. To be reported to the Rights of Way officer.

Cllr Reynolds expressed concern over the water that lays at Plough Lane when approaching the traffic lights. It is particularly dangerous during icy weather. This issue to be placed on the agenda for the next meeting.

Cllr Dixson

Clerk

Clerk

044.09

EXCLUSION OF PUBLIC AND PRESS

Because of the special nature of the following item, the Chairman proposed the following resolution – that the following item are conducted under the Public Bodies (Admission of Meetings) Act 1960 – therefore the public and press are to be excluded. This was seconded and carried.

045.09

PARISH CLERK SALARY/EXPENSES

Following discussions, it was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to settle the Clerk’s salary at the National Association of Local Clerks scale point 22 to be moved to the 2009 salary scale following a satisfactory 6 months probationary period. Also to honour expenses for working from home to the sum of £3 per week. Other expenses incurred such as telephone, broadband, travel and stationery will be paid on receipt of invoices.

MEETING CLOSED AT 10.07PM