KINGTON LANGLEY PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF KINGTON LANGLEY PARISH COUNCIL

HELD IN THE MEETING ROOM ON MONDAY 13TH JULY 2009

THAT COMMENCED AT 7.45PM

 

PRESENT: Cllr Dr. M Dixson - Chairman

        Cllrs. D Gill, Mrs. L Reynolds, D Styles, J Foster, Dr. Jayne Carrington, G Trickey &

        the Clerk Mrs. S Webb. + Wiltshire County Councillor H Greenman & 3 members of

        the public

 

Before proceedings, The Chairman welcomed Wiltshire Councillor Howard Greenman to the meeting and hoped to see him at as many of the Parish Council meetings as possible.

 

Public Question Time:

Mr R Weston – Mentioned that the speed limit needs to be reduced in Days Lane.  This was noted.  He also mentioned the Neighbourhood Watch Signs – this is to be discussed in the meeting.

 

Mr Di-Vittori of Days Lane mentioned that the Minutes of the last two meetings had not been placed on the website.  Apologies were made and it was agreed to email him a draft copy when final draft agreed – also it was agreed to email him an agenda for meetings.

 

M I N U T E S

104.09.

Apologies for absence.

Received from Cllrs Mrs B Bird and C Timbrell

 

105.09 

Declarations of Interest

None received

 

106.09.

Vice-Chairman’s Declaration of Acceptance of Office for 2009/2010

Cllr Graham Trickey – appointed Vice Chairman of Kington Langley Parish Council, signed the Declaration of Office.

 

107.09
Minutes

The Minutes of the meeting held on the 8th June 2009 were signed and adopted as a true record.

 

108.09

Matters Arising and actions from last minutes.

The list was previously circulated

 

Glenhaven 106 Agreement - Contacted Simon Smith bringing to his attention that the plot had been divided into two and part sold.  Also asked what Wiltshire Council will be doing to ensure that the 106 Agreement is signed by the purchasers.  His reply as follows:

9/6/09 emailed saying the ‘ball’ will be entirely within the developers ‘court’.  In the first instance the Council will look for the applicant to enter into the agreement.  However, because the agreement is only concerned with the provision of a financial contribution, it may be possible for the new landowners to equally enter into the agreement instead.  Such matters tend to be self enforcing since no work can lawfully commence until the permission has been granted and the permission will only be granted once the legal agreement has been satisfactorily resolved.  To be monitored and Cllr Greenman to be kept in the loop. 

 

Pot Holes at Hit or Miss & Byway 34 – This situation is much improved thanks to Cllr Foster.

 

Bus Shelter Tiles – Quotations to be sought – ACTION CLERK

 

Neighbourhood Watch (NW) Signs – (Discussed earlier in the meeting) – A replacement sign is needed at Days Lane and additional signs are also needed.  David Budd Crime Reduction/Neighbourhood Watch Liaison Officer for Wiltshire Police explained the procedure regarding obtaining and erection of NW signs.  The signs are free of charge but there is a charge for placing on to a telegraph pole or lighting column of £14.10p for two.  If erected on private property a letter of permission is necessary, if on Parish Council owned land or property there would be no charge and no action to take.  It was RESOLVED that Cllr Gill take the application forms from Mr Budd and list possible ideal sites for additional signs and  bring back to the next Parish Council meeting for consideration. – ACTION CLLR GILL.  Thanks were relayed to Mr Budd for taking the time and trouble to come along and explain the procedure.  Before closing this item, Mr Ramon Weston stated that he and his wife would be prepared to pay for fitting a sign. – This was noted.  

 

Water lying at Plough Lane – Following the Chairman’s letters to Kristian Price of Wiltshire Council a reply was received saying that observations have been made and whilst examining the source of this water over the past 2 years, it appears that the water emanates from within the boundary of Orchard Cottage.  One solution proposed is 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.  The water would then discharge through the piped highway system to outfall.  Cllr Reynolds agreed to approach the owner of Orchard Cottage and ask how they feel about this proposal and report back to the Parish Council – ACTION CLLR REYNOLDS.  W Councillor H Greenman offered to get involved in this issue as he is the lead member of Wiltshire Council’s Flooding Working Party. 

 

109.09.

Wiltshire Council report

Cllr Howard Greenman reported on the following:

·         The new Council will be presenting new challenges and opportunities

·         He is the portfolio holder for Housing – concentrating on affordable housing in rural areas.  There are 5000 families on the housing needs list.

·         He is working on a £5 million bid to be presented to the government together with Cllr Jane Scott the Leader of Wiltshire Council

·         Also working on a PFI scheme

·         He made reference to the vast number of listed building planning applications

·         He is on the Gipsy and Travellers working party where Cllr T Sturgis leads

·         He is also leading the Flooding working party.

The Chairman mentioned that an approach that puts all speed limit changes together for dealing with rather than taking them separately would be favourable and Cllr Greenman’s advice would be welcomed on how best to approach this.   

 

110.09.

Planning

a)      Planning Issues

·        Resurfacing of Church Lane – Cllr Greenman was informed of this situation and agreed to get involved together with Cllr Mrs J Scott.  The Clerk mentioned to Cllr Greenman that on the latest Highway work schedule there was no mention of any work to be carried out at Kington Langley. 

b)     NWDC Planning Decisions

·         N/09/00836/TCA – Thin copse of trees by 40% to favour better specimen at Sheepsways, Church Lane, K L – Consent granted 27th May 2009

·         N/09/00771/TCA – Fell one Maple at Pound House, Ashes Lane, K L – Consent granted 9th June 2009  

·         N/09/00733/FUL – Creation of new agricultural access at OS Parcel 0128, Old Malmesbury Road, K L – Consent granted with conditions 10th June 2009

·         N/09/00784/FUL – Extensions and garage at Sunnybank, Days Lane, K L – Consent granted with conditions 10th June 2009

c)      Planning Applications for consideration
N/09/00911/FUL – Two dormer windows to front roof slope at Clandooe, Church Lane KL – The Parish Council RESOLVED to support this application.

 

111.09

Chairman’s Business (Cllr Dr. M Dixson)

No business to discuss at time of this meeting

112.09

Councillor Responsibilities

Dr. Carrington agreed to assist Cllr Reynolds with liaison with the School from a consumer point of view

 

113.09.

Tree Matters

Consideration was given to the gesture from the residents of Yew Tree Cottage, Days Lane on their offer to plant a tree on common land.  Cllr Carrignton agreed to liaise with the residents of Yew Tree Cottage together with seeking advice on the best way forward and to report back to the Parish Council. – ACTION CLLR CARRINGTON

 

Consideration was given to the overhanging trees at Church Road (Chestnut trees on W C Land). The Chairman mentioned that he would like to be involved with this.  It was RESOLVED that the Clerk speak to Wiltshire Council – ACTION CLERK 

 

114.09.

Recycling containers

Consideration was given to a request from the school to re-site the recycling containers from the school onto common land.  The reasons being that they wish to tidy up the area where the containers are now and if re-sited they would be more accessible to the public.  It was RESOLVED that Cllr Reynolds gain further information on who the containers are for as the Parish Council do not hold any responsibility for them at present.  ACTION CLLR REYNOLDS

 

115.09.

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

In the absence of Cllr Timbrell Cllr Dixson updated those present.

With the aim of looking into possible ways to complete this much needed footpath, a meeting was held on the 17th June including the Clerk, Cllr Timbrell and Cllr Dixson to review the present Public Works Loan. It was established that it would be more cost effective to take out a loan sufficient enough to pay off the present loan and to complete the footpath.  Interest rates at present are at 3.1%.  The advice from the Public Works Loan Board was to speak to the Local Council’s Association.  Clerk to make enquiries on who it would be useful to meet with to discuss the Parish Council’s options and to fix up a meeting. – ACTION CLERK

 

116.09.

Church Bends Footpath

A letter of thanks has been sent to Wessex Water for its support in facilitating the Parish Council’s ability to create a safe footpath around the dangerous Church Bend corner.

 

The Clerk is to investigate funding/grant opportunities together with Cllr Trickey.  A Parish Improvement Grant and Community Area Grant application to be submitted.  Both Wiltshire Council initiatives. If successful will need match funding.  This was favoured by members. 

 

117.09

Village Pond

The Chairman updated those present and was pleased to say that the pond was looking good – Congratulations were relayed to Cllr Timbrell and his team.  A small working party is to be formed for the end of the year to complete the clean up. 

 

118.09.

Bench Request in memory of John Oatley

Cllr Foster together with Mr Weston and Mrs Renfree passed on information on a favoured bench.  A complete costing to be sought including fitting and brought to the next meeting for consideration.  If cost acceptable, it was RESOLVED to underwrite the cost and then invite donations – ACTION CLERK  

 

The question of ownership of the land was mentioned and no owner can be found.  Therefore it was RESOLVED that when agreed, the bench be sited and then the Parish Council apply for registration. 

 

119.09.

Grass Cutting

The Chairman briefed members that he had met with the Contractor and it was established that an additional cut is needed in the autumn so the commons will look neater and tidier throughout the winter.  It was RESOLVED to agree to an additional cut onto the contract. – ACTION CLERK

 

It was noted that wild orchids had been sighted on the commons and that perhaps an Environmental Policy could be adopted.  However consideration would need to be given to people who wish to use the commons and would need it cut.  However it was mentioned that certain areas could be left as long as the grass cutter was informed.  Cllr Foster agreed to look at DEFRA website for any useful information and this to be an agenda item for the next meeting – ACTION CLLR FOSTER AND THE CLERK

 

120.09.

Finance

 

a)    Cheques issued, payments received and transfers made since 8TH June 2009 meeting:

Received: 

 

 

 

 

 

Payments

Clerk’s June Salary 

£393.78

 

Clerk’s June Expenses

£107.44

 

A W Services (Grass Cutting)

£291.50

 

Total

£792.72

Transfers Made:       £3000 from Deposit account to Current account. 

Direct Debits Paid: None.

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 - £398.26, Deposit Account: £16,406.75, Petty Cash: £29.22 – total: £16,834.23

 

c)      The Internal Auditors report was distributed and there were no major issues of concern.

 

121.09.

Correspondence received/actions to take

a)      Wiltshire Police report - circulated

b)      Letter received from Leonard Cheshire Greathouse asking permission to park on the common on 11th July  – permission granted

c)      Wiltshire Council notification of election results – on notice boards

d)      Letter from K L Scarecrow committee inviting the Clerk to a meeting held on 29th June – declined as Clerk was away at the time but the Chairman attended.

e)      Email from Valerie Young regarding petition to No 10 to ask for dedicated capital funds for rural community buildings – invitation to sign

f)        Invitation from W C to comment on the preparation of a Statement of Community Involvement (CSI) – Response sent asking Wiltshire Council to consider the presence of a Parish Councillor when holding pre-application meetings. 

g)      Parish Steward Summer 2009 Programme – dates allocated to K L are: 27,28,29 July & 22 & 23 September – Steward: John Berkeley – copied for Cllr Foster.

h)      Information from Blue View Properties on an application for Box Warf proposing a Nursing Home – seeking support

i)        Letter from Chippenham Without Parish Council inviting a representative of this Parish Council to a meeting to discuss a planning application for an additional Golf Corse.  Declined the invitation and an appropriate letter to be sent.

j)        Highway Agency information on a Compulsory Purchase Order to carry out a motorway overbridge replacement.

 

All the above was noted and actioned were necessary.    

 

122.09.

Agenda Items for meeting 10th August 2009

None received.