KINGTON LANGLEY PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF KINGTON LANGLEY PARISH COUNCIL

HELD IN THE MEETING ROOM OF THE VILLAGE HALL ON

MONDAY 12^TH APRIL 2010 THAT COMMENCED AT 7.45PM

PRESENT: Cllr Dr. M Dixson – Chairman,

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

G Trickey , Wiltshire Councillor H Greenman, Mrs. S Webb - Clerk. + 2 members of

the public

Public Question Time – Mr Nick Elkins who is the Agent/Architect for the proposed 3 dwellings at Barncroft, Kington Langley gave a detailed explanation and presentation on the submitted application which is agenda item No. 6f. He explained that he had attempted to please his client as well as the residents of the village as he was aware that there had been other proposals that were unsuitable. He spoke of the size and positioning of the proposed 3 dwellings and the reasons for his decision being to attempt to eliminate any easy possibility of further development. He has maximised the value of the land and consulted with neighbours as well as Wiltshire Planning Officers who are sympathetic with amending the position of plot 1 bringing it forward and closer to the road.

Mr Keyser-Hughes who lives in the vicinity of the proposal briefed those present that he and Mr Elkins had worked together to bring forth the best possible development for the village. He would be opposed to further development. The Chairman suggested that he write to Wiltshire Council expressing his views with a copy to the Parish Council.

The Chairman thanked both for their information and invited them to stay to answer any queries when discussing the application later on in the meeting.

M I N U T E S

52.10.	Apologies for absence. Received from Councillor C Timbrell
53.10.	Declarations of Interest Councillor D Gill declared a prejudicial interest in planning application No. N/10/00967/FUL 3 detached dwellings at Barncroft, Upper Common, K L. Took part in discussions but did not vote.
53a.10.	Minutes The Minutes of the meeting held on Monday 15^th March 2010 previously circulated were signed by the Chairman and adopted as a true record.
54.10.	Matters Arising and actions from last minutes. Water laying at Plough Lane & other Drainage issues in the village particularly Lower Common - Cllr Dixson reported that The drainage problem at Plough Lane had been resolved. Other drainage issues at Lower Common and Church Lane are still in need of attention. Chairman’s Business The Elm tree sapling has now been planted. Village Pond No charge for a second spraying. Registration of land Following the request to the Land Registry to register any land that the parish council maintain being denied due to insufficient evidence, Councillor Betty Bird has researched information on the bench at the Hit or Miss public house which was installed in 1998. More information is being sought on evidence of maintenance of areas in Kington Langley. ACTION CLERK, CLLR BIRD. Bollards - Middle Common Claim for replacement bollards is in progress. - ACTION CLERK
55.10	Wiltshire Council report Cllr Howard Greenman - Nothing to report
56.10	Planning For information only - 09/02250/FUL amended plan for erection of detached double garage at 2 KSM Road, KL NWDC Planning Decisions N/09/02177/FUL Erection of Agricultural Workers Dwelling at Bowldown Farm, Days Lane, K L - Refused. The Chairman briefed members on the proceedings at the Development Control meeting of Wiltshire Council. The application was refused as it was contrary to the provisions of planning policies C3 and NE15 of the adopted North Wiltshire Local Plan. Planning Applications for consideration a) N/10/00857/TCA Tree Surgery to Bay Laural Tree at Quicksilva Ltd, Langley Gate, Swindon Road, K L - It was resolved to SUPPORT this application. b) N/10/00732/FUL Installation of rooflight at 5 Farleigh Rise, KL It was resolved to SUPPORT this application c) N/10/00783/TCA Tree Surgery to Lime Tree at Fitzurses, Parkers Lane KL It was resolved to SUPPORT this application d) N/1000731/TCA Tree surgery to Eucalyptus tree at 5 Farleigh Rose KL It was resolved to SUPPORT this application e) N/10/000713/FUL Extension and alterations at Harting, Silver Street, KL It was resolved to SUPPORT this application f) N/10/00967/FUL 3 detached dwellings & associated works at Barncroft, Upper Common. KL - Discussions took place involving the Agent/Architect Mr Elkins. It became apparent the amended plans are to be submitted to re-position one plot bringing it closer to the road. This was taken into account and it was resolved to SUPPORT this application with the proviso that a s106 Agreement is introduced. g) N/10/01003/TCA Fell Leylandi Hedge at Mullions House, Ashes Lane, K L It was resolved to SUPPORT this application
57.10	Chairman’s Business (Cllr Dr. M Dixson) Annual Parish Meeting - a good meeting and thanks to the Clerk for arranging it. The Chairman mentioned that he spoke of the Parish Council’s successful year and how well it had worked as a team. Some of the achievements throughout the past year are - the John Oatley bench, resurfacing of Church lane, pond progress, Church Bend footpath and the Millennium footpath. Letter to the Occupier of St. Peter’s Church from Steve Cross the Divisional Highway Manager of Wiltshire Council - saying that a recent inspection had taken place and established that highway flooding is taking place at the location of St. Peter’s Church and that the ditch is to be cleansed and scoured. Mr Colin Coles the Churchwarden replied to the letter saying that there were no occupants of St. Peters Church only in the spiritual sense. He explained to Mr Cross where the responsibility may lie. A letter is to sent to Mr Cross explaining that the letter had been passed to the Parish Council and that it is investigating the matter - ACTION CLERK
58.10	Village Pond The Chairman updated members saying that an email received from Dr. Newman saying that he is planning to treat the pond again to remove all the current growth that has over wintered. This will be done at no additional cost to the council as part of the original contract.  Removal of the reed has opened up the pond and you have re-growth of some Crassula, mainly by the wall, but also native Starwort, which is good to see.  I am very pleased with the way the pond is looking. it has much more wildlife interest, is easily accessible and will be much more easily managed in future. Dr Newman is to be asked for his advice on the weed on the surface of the pond. The Chairman commented on the good work carried out by Cllrs Foster and Timbrell.
59.10	All Weather Footpath – Completion of hard surface from Plough Hill to A350 Traffic Lights. Cllr Timbrell circulated the following report: I held an on-site meeting with Fred Langbridge, representative of our contractors Thornbury Contracting, on the morning of 9^th April. He confirmed that his team will commence on site on 19^th April and that he expects the work to be completed within a week. Mr Langbridge and I also met with Adam Smith of Mirus Construction who is carrying out the building work for Les Weir at the ‘Glenhaven’ site. The purpose was to discuss coordinating the work on the footpath with the construction at ‘Glenhaven’. The objective, of course, is to ensure that our footpath is not damaged; it should be noted that it will not be feasible within our budget for Thornbury to revisit to complete or repair work after ‘Glenhaven’ is finished. A problem arises because the existing site access is a couple of metres to the west of where the final access will be. Practically, this means that a gap of about two metres of unfinished footpath will be left between where Thornbury finish and the final access alignment. I have suggested to Mirus that this gap in the footpath should be completed by them with a surface of either tarmac or concrete (using suitably coloured yellow sand). It was resolved to accept this solution and for Cllr Timbrell to liaise with the necessary parties. - ACTION CLLR TIMBRELL
60.10.	Church Bends Footpath Consideration was given to suggested dates for an official opening of the footpath. It was agreed to hold this on Friday 7^th May at 11.30am. Clerk to inform the press and the village magazine and invite the Chairman of the Chippenham Area Board. Cllr Trickey to inform and invite Wessex Water who will be asked to perform the opening. ACTION CLLR TRICKEY AND THE CLERK
61.10	Kington Langley Village Hall Cllr Gill updated on the following: There had been a misunderstanding regarding the mobile library users parking however this has been resolved now. The Parish Council was asked to take on the grass cutting in front of the village hall as the Playing Field Association is no longer able to do so. It was resolved to approach A W Services to ask if this could be incorporated into the contract and invoice the Village Hall the cost. - ACTION CLERK
62.10	School Transport Plan Cllr Reynolds reported that no approval of the Travel Plan had been received. A copy of the plan was passed to the Clerk for circulation - ACTION CLERK
63.10	Standing Orders The Parish Council’s Standing Orders were reviewed. The Clerk reported that a copy had been sent to the Wiltshire Association of Local Councils for review and they were happy with the content. Therefore with one minor amendment, it was resolved to accept and agree the Standing Orders. - ACTION CLERK
64.10	Risk Assessment Policy The Parish Council’s Risk Assessment Policy was reviewed and it was resolved to accept these as read.
65.10	Insurance Schedule The Parish Council’s Insurance Schedule was reviewed. The Clerk reported that the administration of the policy had been transferred from Allianz Insurance Plc to the Local Council Team within Aon. The renewal cost (due 1^st June 2010) is £1,430.70. Additions to be made are the bollards and one bench. ACTION CLERK
66.10	Asset Register The Parish Council’s Asset Register was reviewed. The Clerk reported that this was in line with the current Insurance Schedule. This was noted.
67.10	Finance a) Cheques issued, since 15^th March 2010 amounted to £1,110.00. Receipts amounted to £206.71. b) Balances as at 6^th April 2010: Current Account - £7,531.04, Deposit Account - £21,930.18, Petty Cash - £3.44. Total - £29,464.66. c) It was resolved to accept the above report as a true record. The Clerk reported that the Internal Audit is being carried out on 29^th April.
68.10	Correspondence received/actions to take a) Parish Steward information and dates for spring visits these are: 26^th, 27^th, & 28^th April, during May, response to grass cutting, 28^th, 29^th, & 30^th June. - copies to Cllr Foster. - Noted. b) Chippenham Area Board Grant information - Noted c) Information from Wiltshire Council on Enforcement Training to be held on Wednesday 12^th May at 5pm until 6.45pm at Sherston School. This is before the Area Board meeting. - Noted d) Letter from Wiltshire Council regarding a proposal to close the junction between the A350 and the C153 the minor road from south of KSM to decrease the dangers. Clerk to respond saying that the Parish Council is not in agreement with the closure of this junction as it serves a useful purpose. - ACTION CLERK e) Thank you email from the Scarecrow Committee for donation/grant - Noted f) Thank you email from the school for permitting the school to plant an Elm sapling. Also to invite all councillors to attend the official planting on the 31^st March - previously circulated. - Noted g) Volunteer Flu Friend Scheme - information to say that the National Pandemic Flu Service has now been stood down as of 1^st April 2010. - Noted. A thank you email has been sent to John Schofield who acted as the village ‘Flu Friend’. h) Community Speed Watch leaflets - were handed out.
69.10	Exchange of Information/Agenda items for meeting 4^th May 2010. Cllr Bird briefed members that she had received favourable comments regarding the grass cutting on the Commons. Cllr Foster on behalf of Cllr Timbrell requested that consideration be given to an island on the pond be incorporated. - ACTION CLERK

Meeting closed at 9.30pm