KINGTON LANGLEY PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF KINGTON LANGLEY PARISH COUNCIL

HELD IN THE MEETING ROOM ON MONDAY 10TH AUGUST 2009

THAT COMMENCED AT 7.45PM

 

PRESENT: Cllr Dr. M Dixson – Chairman, Cllr G Trickey Vice-Chairman

        Cllrs. Mrs B Bird, D Gill, Mrs. L Reynolds, D Styles, J Foster, Dr. Jayne Carrington,

        Mrs. S Webb- Clerk + Wiltshire County Councillor H Greenman & 4 members of

        the public

 

Public Question Time:

Mr R Weston – Thanked the Parish Council and the Clerk for responding to his request for copies of Minutes and Agendas by email.  Mr Weston questioned a missing item on the last minutes.  He was corrected and Mr Weston apologised and realised he had overlooked the item. 

 

The Chairman welcomed Mrs Jane Kallaway and thanked her for attending.  Mrs Kallaway spoke on item 9 of the agenda - Commons Environmental Policy.  Although this is an agenda item, the Chairman allowed Mrs Kallaway to speak as she needed to leave early.  Mrs Kallaway was seeking support of the Parish Council to adopt an Environmental Policy for the Commons since the sighting of wild orchids.  She explained that the orchids had been spotted in the Plough Lane area and was very keen to protect them as it is a long process to establish these plants.  To assist in the protection of the orchids, if mowing could be left until after the 15th July in the area of the orchids this would give the plant life time to establish.  The Chairman responded saying that he suspects a happy medium needs to be brought about as there are local groups that regularly use the Commons for fund raising events and would need the grass cut.  The grass cutting contractor has been made aware of the situation and would be happy to assist where possible – it would be helpful if the chosen protected areas could be marked.  The public would need to be made aware of the Parish Council’s intension and the Annual Parish Meeting would be an ideal occasion to do so.  Thanks were relayed to Mrs Kallaway for raising the subject and the Chairman explained that this was an agenda item and would be discussed again later in the meeting.  

 

M I N U T E S

123.09

Apologies for absence.

Received from Cllr C Timbrell

 

124.09 

Declarations of Interest

None received

 

125.09
Minutes

The Minutes of the meeting held on the 13th July 2009 were signed and it was resolved to  adopted them as a true record  

 

126.09

Matters Arising and actions from last minutes.

Glenhaven 106 Agreement – Cllrs Jane Scott and Howard Greenman agreed to monitor. Nothing further to report.

Bus Shelter Tiles – Quotations received in the region of £950 - £1,975 + VAT.  The quotes are to replace with reproduction tiles.  An Insurance claim has been submitted. It was agreed that a local person who specialises in stone tiles may be interested in purchasing the remaining stone tiles.  Ramon Weston agreed to approach a known person and will report back to the Parish Council. – ACTION MR WESTON   

Neighbourhood Watch signs – Following Mr Budd of Wiltshire Police’s visit to the Parish Council appropriate sites for signs have been investigated and it was agreed that ‘Finnygook’ Days Lane, Lower Common, Plough Lane, Old Malmesbury Road, and Sutton Road were appropriate sites for signs therefore Cllr Gill agreed to submit the  forms.  - ACTION CLLR GILL 

Water lying at Plough lane – Following Kristian Price’s suggested solution to create a soakaway/catchpit within the boundary of Orchard Cottage and connect it to the existing chamber located within the frontage of Honeysuckle Cottage, Cllr Reynolds spoke to the owner of Orchard Cottage to ask how they feel about this proposal.  The reaction was one of not being impressed with this suggestion.  Cllr Greenman informed members that he had spoken to Danny Everett who may become the drainage manager for W C – This problem is to be reported to the W C Flooding working party in September and Cllr Greenman will report back to the P C. – ACTION CLLR GREENMAN

Tree Matters Following an offer from residents of Yew Tree Cottage to plant a tree on common land.  Cllr Carrington has spoken to residents who would live close by and they are comfortable with this initiative.  Cllr Carrington now to liaise with the sponsors of the tree and gain advice on type and to report back to the P C. – ACTION CLLR CARRINGTON

Overhanging trees at Church Road, Lower Common to be reported again – ACTION CLERK –  Reported Clarence Ref No. 385224

Recycling Container Following the request from the school to re-site the recycling containers on school property onto common land – Cllr Reynolds reported that an alternative site had been found. 

Grass Cutting It was agreed to sanction an additional cut in the autumn – Contractor informed.

Correspondence received - Letter from Chippenham Without P C regarding planning application for a proposed Golf Course – A response has been sent.      

 

127.09

Wiltshire Council report

Cllr Howard Greenman reported on the following

·         Glenhaven – it is probable that the owner of the plot will develop it.

·         Church Lane – No response received from Kristian Price – It is not knowN who prioritises work – this information to be found and reported back to the next P C meeting

·         Kington Langley issues are now with Dick Tong who is the Wiltshire Council member who deals with Highway matters

·         Unitary is moving along well but altogether it is a long process

·         Service delivery is going well

 

128.09

Planning

a)      Planning Issues

·        Resurfacing of Church Lane – See above item – Cllr Greenman agreed to follow this issue.

b)     NWDC Planning Decisions

·        N/09/00911/FUL – Two Dormer Windows to front roof slope at Clandooe, Church Lane, K L – Granted

c)      Planning Applications for consideration

·        N/09/01156/FUL – Two storey rear extension & single storey extension at Lypgate House, Days Lane, K L – It was resolved to support this application

·        N/09/01201/TCA – Tree surgery to Fir Tree at Quicksilva Ltd, Langley Gate, Swindon Road, K L – It was resolved to support this application

129.09

Chairman’s Business (Cllr Dr. M Dixson)

Nothing to report

 

130.09

Flu Friend

a)      The recommendation of the NHS and Wiltshire Council to appoint a ‘Flu Friend’ for Kington Langley was noted.  

b)      It was resolved to support the Clerk’s decision made on behalf of the Parish Council to go with the recommendation to appoint the Emergency Planning Officer as Kington Langley’s ‘Flu Friend’ who is Rev John Schofield. Thanks were relayed to Rev. Schofield for taking on this important role.

 

131.09

Commons Environmental Policy

·         Consideration was given to the Parish Council adopting a Commons Environmental Policy following the sighting of wild orchids.  Cllr Foster reported that he had been in touch with Wiltshire Wildlife.  Rob Large of Wiltshire Wildlife has agreed to assist in developing a policy.  He wishes to attend a P C meeting March/April 2010.  He says that the basic rule is not to mow before mid July.  He has agreed to carry out an assay on the common in May/June 2010 to assess the species present and add it to his register of sites within Wiltshire.  Specific management areas will need to be nominated.  The Parish Council resolved to agree to pursue this issue and it was agreed to raise it at the next APM.   For this reason Mr Large will be asked to attend the March 2010 Parish Council meeting.

·         Consideration was given to a request from the school to develop an eco area on the strip of common land between the school fence and the Union Chapel.  Mr Keith Burton spoke on behalf of the school and briefed members on the following:
- The Education Authority is keen to pursue environmental issues
-If supported, the school intend to create a habitat for birds and hedge-hogs etc
- He has spoken to an expert on wild life issues who would be happy to work with the P C in developing an environmental plan.

It was proposed and seconded and unanimously supported to agree to this request.  Mr Burton agreed to keep the P C updated of developments.  The Chairman wished him success with the project.

132.09

All Weather Footpath – Completion of hard surface from Plough Hill to A350 Traffic Lights. 

·         The Chairman mentioned that contact is to be made with the appropriate people regarding the pursuance of a further PWLB loan.  The preference is to take out one loan to cover the residue of present loan and to cover the cost of the project.

·         Consideration was given to the submission of a PWLB Grant application form.  The Clerk explained that no money would be taken up if successful until further consultation with the P C.  A report was previously circulated to all members.  It was then proposed and seconded and unanimously supported to submit a loan application to the Public Works Loan Board – ACTION CLERK

 

133.09

Church Bends Footpath

a)      Cllr Trickey distributed an update on this project.  The following to be progressed:

W C legal costs to be paid £200 – this was supported
Funding to be sought
Tenders to be followed up in readiness to present to the P C
Agreement with Mr Wheeler to be finalised
Liaise with Wessex Water on details of work to be completed when contractor selected
It was resolved to submit an application for a grant of 50% of the cost to Wiltshire Council’s Area 2, also that the remaining 50% to be found from Parish Council balances. – ACTION CLERK 

b)      Cllr Reynolds distributed a report on a meeting she attended with representatives of the school held on the 5th August regarding a  School Travel Plan.  Consultation had taken place with pupil’s parents and Governors.  The aim of the plan is to decrease the number of cars used to transport pupils to school, reduce congestion outside the school and promote the health of pupils.  The grant application is to be in by March 2010 and the max amount received if successful will be in the region of £4000.  Due to the school being miss-informed regarding the use of a Church Bend footpath, the school did not think this would be a viable project to be included in a Travel Plan Grant.  However, Cllr Reynolds is to speak to the school again regarding the use of the footpath (which would be available to the school at all times) and report back to the P C. – ACTION CLLR REYNOLDS  Other initiatives suggested include: Riding a pony to school, Park & Stride – promoting walking to school. The report mentioned that the kerb against the matting outside the school was preventing additional parking.  It was made clear that the kerb was intentionally placed to prevent vehicles from parking beyond this point.  Cllr Reynolds was thanked for her report and will again be meeting with the school and will report back to the P C. – ACTION CLLR REYNOLDS

 

134.09

Bench Request

·         The Clerk informed members that the cost of the bench suggested by Mr Weston would be £682 + VAT + fitting which Mr Weston agreed to carry out at a cost of £55.  The original bench purchased on behalf of the council that Mrs Renfree is taking care of cost £300 total.  Due to the Parish Council needing to adhere to ‘best value’ for the public, the Chairman proposed that the original bench costing £300 be used.  This was seconded and supported by 7 votes in favour and 1 abstention.  Mrs Renfree agreed to take care of the bench until it is to be fitted.  Cost of fitting and a plaque to be sought.  – ACTION CLERK/CHAIRMAN

·         The following inscription was agreed ‘ John Oatley Chairman KLPC dates – dates to be found from records - ACTION CLERK

·         It was resolved that donations for the bench be requested and an article to be placed in the local magazine.  It was also resolved that the P C will underwrite the initial cost. – ACTION CLERK

 

135.09

Finance

a)    Cheques issued, payments received and transfers made since 13th July 2009 meeting:

Received: 

Scottish & Southern Wayleave

£38.46

 

 

 

Payments

Clerk’s July Salary 

£393.78

 

Clerk’s July Expenses

£55.50

 

LCR Review subs 

£13.50

 

Total

£462.78

 

Transfers Made:       None 

Direct Debits Paid: PWLB £1,815.69

.

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

b)    Bank accounts: Reconciliation to be carried out on receipt of statements. 

Bank Accounts as at 7th July 2009:

Current Account - £2,194.72, Deposit Account: £13,407.42, Petty Cash: £29.22 – total: £15,631.36

 

Note: the above balances were taken before the PWLB D D was paid

 

c)      Request to purchase the ‘Clerk’s Manual’ published by the SLCC – It was resolved to support this request.

 

136.09

Correspondence received/actions to take

a)      Letter from a resident asking for assistance with grass cutting of footpath between Fairleigh Rise & Silver Street – The request was to increase the P Cs grass cutting contracted areas to cover this area as the gentleman is not prepared to continue cutting the grass due to the amount of dog faeces in the area. – It was resolved not to support this request and a reply to be sent.  – ACTION CLERK

b)      Information on Area Board meetings – circulated.

 

137.09

Agenda Items for meeting 14th September 2009

-          Speed limits in village

 

 

Meeting closed at 9.47pm