KINGTON LANGLEY PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF KINGTON LANGLEY PARISH COUNCIL

HELD IN THE MEETING ROOM ON MONDAY 8TH JUNE 2009

THAT COMMENCED AT 7.45PM

 

PRESENT: Cllr Dr. M Dixson - Chairman

        Cllrs. Mrs. Betty Bird, D Gill, Mrs. L Reynolds, D Styles

                    C Timbrell, & the Clerk Mrs. S Webb. + 3 members of the public

 

Public Question Time:

·         Mrs E Weston expressed concern that Neighbourhood Watch signs that she requested back in March had still not been delivered.  She explained that she had been informed that the signs are free of charge but the cost of erecting two signs would be £14.50.  Mrs Weston was happy to cover this cost if the signs could be obtained.  The Chairman agreed with Mrs Weston and stressed that Days Lane should be cover by the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme and the signs should be issued.  Payment of the erection of the signs would be covered in agenda item 6.

·         Mr R Weston – informed members that his wife was driving down Church Lane and whilst passing some children could not avoid the large pot holes which resulted in the car receiving two broken springs and the cost of repair was £174.  He explained that he had written to Wiltshire Council regarding a claim and the matter was with the Highway Engineer.  The Chairman explained that the condition of Church Road was still an ongoing issue that lies with Cllr Jane Scott who is pushing for the resurfacing/repairs to be included in this financial year’s highway programme of works.

 

M I N U T E S

 

 

86.09.

Apologies for absence.

Received from Cllrs J Foster and G Trickey

 

87.09. 

Declarations of Interest

Received from Cllr M Dixson prejudicial on agenda item 7c – application No. N/09/00771/TCA - stayed but took no part in discussions – did not vote

 

88.09.

Election of Vice-Chairman and Declaration of Acceptance of Office for 2009/2010

No nominations were put forward. 

Cllr Dixson briefed members that Cllr Trickey (although absent) had spoken to him and agreed to take up the position of Vice-Chairman if the Council would like him to.  This was put to the vote and it was resolved that Cllr Graham Trickey be elected as Vice-Chairman of Kington Langley Parish council for the year 2009/2010.  The Acceptance of Office will be signed at the next meeting.

 

 

The Chairman suggested that item 17 – Councillor Vacancy be taken now as the only candidate was present. – This was supported

89.09.

Councillor Vacancy

One application had been received from Dr. Jayne Carrington.  Dr. Carrington spoke of her reasons for wishing to becoming a Parish Councillor.  She briefed members of her family status and that as a young mother of 3 with one child attending the local school would perhaps bring a different prospective to the table.  She recognises the importance of the Parish Council and wished to be in a position to give/do something for the community.  The chairman thanked Dr. Carrington and asked if she would mind stepping outside for a short time whilst the parish council discussed her application. 

Following discussions, it was unanimously resolved that Dr Carrington be co-opted onto the Parish Council as from immediate effect.  Therefore Dr Carrington accepted the position and signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office and joined the meeting.

 

90.09.

Register of Members Interest

Registration of Members interests were reviewed and relevant changes will be implemented and the amended forms sent to the Returning Officer. 

 

91.09.
Minutes

An amendment to minute No 73.09 of 5th May 2009  minute to be made and once implemented it was resolved to accept these minutes as a correct record and are to be signed following the amendment.  The Minutes of the meeting held on the 6th April 2009 were signed and adopted as a true record. 

 

92.09.

Matters Arising and actions from last minutes.  

Glenhaven 106 Agreement - to be monitored.  Contacted Simon Smith on 10th April asking for clarification on present position.  Reply received 28/4/09 the 106 Agreement has not been signed therefore the decision has not yet been issued. It was noted that the plot had been divided in two and part had been sold – Wiltshire Council to be notified of this and asked what they proposed to do regarding the 106 Agreement -  ACTION CLERK

 

Plough Lane Additional Grass Cutting - WC have refused to take responsibility.  This has now been taken on by the contractor at an additional cost of £10 per cut.   

 

Pot Holes at Hit or Miss and Byway 34 - to be raised again with the Parish Steward This is now with Kristian Price of Wiltshire Council and a progress report to be presented to the Parish Council at the July meeting. ACTION CLLR FOSTER

 

Bus Shelter Tiles – Officially reported to the police and a log number obtained.  Quotations to be sought – ACTION CLERK

As petty crime is on the up, it was resolved that the parish council pursue the lack of Neighbourhood Watch signs and take the matter up with the appropriate people.  It was unanimously resolved that the Parish Council would cover any costs of erecting the signs; those on the entrance to Days Lane that were reported to be broken to be included   – ACTION CLERK

 

Water lying at Plough lane – Kristian Price of Wiltshire Council has been notified of the problem and has met with Cllrs Reynolds and Dixson.  Further investigation was agreed at this meeting and a follow up letter has been sent – to date no reply received.  Cllr Reynolds to speak to neighbouring property owners to ascertain the situation of possible springs. – Action CLLR REYNOLDS – Kristian Price to be chased for a reply – Action Clerk

 

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

 

Wessex Water – License for path at Church Bends – Agenda Item

93.09.

Planning

a)      Planning Issues

·        Resurfacing of Church Lane – The Chairman explained that the condition of Church Road was still an ongoing issue that lies with Cllr Jane Scott who is pushing for the resurfacing/repairs to be included in this financial year’s highway programme of works.  The issue of Mr Weston’s car damage to be mentioned.  ACTION CLLR DIXSON

 

b)     NWDC Planning Decisions

·        N/09/00389/FUL – Demolition of existing garage and erection of new double garage at Little Gables, Church Road, K L – Permission granted

·         N/09/00662/TCA – Fell Ash Tree at Yew Tree Cottage, Days Lane, K L – Permission granted

 

c)      Planning Applications for consideration

·         N/09/00836/TCA – Thin copse of trees by 40% to favour better specimen at Sheepsways, Church Lane, K L.  – Cllr Carrington declared a prejudicial interest in this item and took no part in discussions and did not vote. – It was resolved to support this application

·         N/09/00771/TCA – Fell one Maple at Pound House, Ashes Lane, K L – It was resolved to support this application

·         N/09/00733/FUL – Creation of new agricultural access at OS Parcel 0128, Old Malmesbury Road, K L – It was resolved to support this application. 

 

94.09.

Chairman’s Business (Cllr Dr. M Dixson)

The Chairman spoke on the recent elections and that Councillor Howard Greenman is now the Parish Council’s Wiltshire Council representative.  Cllr Greenman led a very active campaign and it is anticipated that he will be a worthy representative.  Cllr Greenman is keen to get involved and will be invited to take a tour of the village pointing out areas of concern.  He will be invited to the next Parish Council meeting and it was agreed that a regular item be incorporated into Parish Council agendas entitled ‘Wiltshire Council update’

 

95.09.

Clerk’s Report

The Clerk reported on the following:

·        My last working day at Cricklade Town Council is Thursday 25th June.

 

·        Insurance – After gaining two other quotations from Came and Co and Community First, Allianz agreed to match the lowest quotation including £22,000 for the playing field surfacing also the church bends footpath is covered in natural ground surfaces for £2,500.  The original quotation for insurance was £1,590.10 and the parish council paid £1,340.01 – a saving of £250.09.  The Chairman thanked the Clerk for a good result.

 

·        Project grants – I have enquired with Community First through Landfill and COMMA grant funding for the all weather footpath.  I have also enquired with W C the County Access Development Officer and Jane Scott is looking up any information that may be useful for funding of both the All Weather and the Church Bends footpath.

 

96.09.

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

Cllr Timbrell reported that he had enlisted the help of Sarah Foster who had found out old information on the project.  Although 2 other quotes had been requested – because of the specialist surface the two contractors approached were unable to carry out the work.  Information on suitable surfaces is to be requested. 

Cllr Dixson thanked Cllr Timbrell for the update and for his efforts.  He suggested that a meeting be arranged together with Cllr Timbrell, the Clerk and himself to understand the position of the Public Works Loan and the Agreement.  Also to ascertain who within Wiltshire Council should be approached for assistance. The aim of the meeting to enable this project to commence as soon as is possible. Meeting to be arranged. – ACTION CLERK

 

97.09.

Wessex Water – License for path at Church Bends

Cllr Trickey provided the following update:

 

Progress made

  • Signed final license agreement received from Wessex Water
  • Confirmation received from the Parish Clerk that the required insurance is in place for such a footpath
  • I have been advised by our solicitor at the Wiltshire Council that it will not be necessary to seek planning permission for the footpath as it will be deemed to be permitted development as it the work is being carried out by the Parish council.
  • Established that Mr. Wheeler’s solicitor has not yet updated his client on the changes to the draft agreement that I have requested. Advised the Wiltshire Council solicitor so that he could chase Mr. Wheeler’s solicitor

Status

  • Agreement with Wessex Water now completed
  • Agreement with Mr. R Wheeler is in the hands of his solicitor.

Next steps

1.      Send a thank- you letter to Wessex Water – Action Chairman

2.      Define list of works and send out to three suitable companies for tender

3.      Parish Council to further consider how to fund the costs of laying the path

4.      Obtain quotes from suppliers of signs that are required as part of the licenses.

5.      Liaise with Wessex Water on details of work to be completed when we have selected a contractor.

Cost summary

Item

Amount

Status

Path and Gates

£3,700

estimate

Admin/legal fees for Wessex Water

£250

PAID

Out of pocket expenses for our solicitors

£50

estimate

Mr. Wheeler's solicitors fees

£200

estimate

 

£4,200

 

It was noted that this project could be funded from parish council reserves, however grant aid to be investigated.  -  ACTION CLERK

It was noted that in an email from Wiltshire Councillor Mrs Jane Scott that there may be an opportunity through the ‘Safe Routes to School’ grant funding for this project.  This to be followed up with the school – ACTION CLLR REYNOLDS.

 

98.09.

Village Pond

Cllr Timbrell reported on the following

There were two moorhens hatched.  Dr. Jonathan Newman had not yet been asked to revisit.  It is intended to thin out around the Moorhen area during the autumn but to preserve the irises that are starting to grow.  The introduction of a pair of ducks to be explored at a later date. 

A letter of thanks has been written to Bryn Gough for his help and assistance in the clearing of the pond and for his generosity in declining the Council’s offer to contribute to the repair costs to his vehicle. 

 

99.09.

Bench Request

Following the agreement to part fund (50%) together with Mrs Mary Renfree who has agreed to cover the other 50% site a bench in memory of Mr John Oatley, the Clerk provided some costings.  It was resolved to continue to seek quotations for a bench and a brass plaque reading ‘In memory of Marion and John Oatley who did so much for the village’ and report back to the July meeting. – ACTION CLERK

 

100.09.

Grass Cutting

The Clerk reported that the area of grass in the Plough Lane area was now included in the contract at an additional cost of £10 per cut.  The Chairman mentioned that there was an area of grass at Parkers Lane and outside the Hit or Miss public house that was not being cut.  It was established that the area outside the Hit or Miss was maintained by Wiltshire Council.  A reminder of it in need of cutting to be sent – ACTION CLERK The contractor cutting the grass for the Parish Council to be contacted and asked to call on the Chairman so he can explain what is not being done.  ACTION CLERK & CLLR DIXSON

 

101.09.

Finance

(a) Cheques issued, payments received and transfers made since 5th May 2009 meeting:

 

Received: 

VAT reclaim 

Half Yearly precept

Total

£5,140.58

£9,519.00

£14,659.58

 

 

 

 

Payments

Community First subs

£36.00

 

Cllr Styles expenses

£20.00

 

Complete weed control

£207.00

 

Willis Bros fencing at play field

£788.90

 

Wessex Water legal expenses in relation to the church bends footpath

£250.00

 

Cllr Bird postage expenses from petty cash

£1.13.

 

Allianz Insurance

£1,340.01

 

Clerks salary May’09

£393.78

 

Hire of Union Chapel 5/5/09

£35.00

 

Clerk’s expenses

£89.76

 

A W Services (grass cutting)

£593.00

 

Total

£3,754.35

  

Transfers Made:       £2000 from Deposit account to Current account. 

 

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.  Bank Accounts as at 5th June 2009:

 

Current account    

£1146.05

Deposit Account

£16406.01

Petty Cash

£29.22

Total   

£17581.28

It was noted that the balance of the parish council reserves are:  £12,376.07

 

102.09.

Correspondence received

a)      Wiltshire Council notification of Area Board meeting dates for Chippenham Area – All Mondays – 29th June, 14th September, 2nd November 11th January’10 1st March’10 - Noted

b)      Wiltshire Council invitation to nominate one elected representative who will represent the parish.  Cllr Dixson agreed to represent the Parish Council at these meetings. 

c)      Other correspondence circulated and logged. 

 

103.09.

Agenda Items for meeting 13th July

·         Overhanging trees and shrubs at Lower Common

·         Request to move the recycling bins from the school premises on to the Commons area.

 

 

Meeting closed at 9.37pm