KINGTON LANGLEY PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF KINGTON LANGLEY PARISH COUNCIL

HELD IN THE MEETING ROOM OF THE VILLAGE HALL ON

MONDAY 12^TH JULY 2010 THAT COMMENCED AT 7.45PM

PRESENT: Cllr Dr. M Dixson – Chairman,

Councillors: D Gill, Mrs J Carrington, Mrs L Reynolds, D Styles,

C Timbrell, G Trickey, B Bird, Wiltshire Councillor H Greenman, Mrs. S Webb - Clerk.

There were no members of the public present.

M I N U T E S

107.10.	Apologies for absence. Received from Cllr J Foster
108.10	Declarations of Interest None received
109.10	Minutes Following two minor amendments the minutes of the meeting held on the 14^th June 2010 were adopted and signed as a true record. Cllr Gill challenged minute No. 103.10 Village Hall Car Park/Mobile Library. He wished to clarify the following: ‘During a survey of the village hall and car park, the use by the mobile library was raised. In 2003 the Hall Committee agreed that the mobile library could use the car park on a fortnightly basis. It has yet to be established what remedial work is required to maintain, repair or improve the car park and in the meantime the mobile library can continue to use it once a fortnight.’
110.10	Matters Arising and actions from last minutes. Water laying at Plough Lane & other Drainage issues in the village particularly Lower Common - This is ongoing working progress. It was noted that a drain cover in Church Lane needs replacing. Ongoing ACTION CLLR DIXSON/GREENMAN Registration of land information is being sought on evidence of maintenance of areas in Kington Langley. The bench was put on this green in memory of Eric Hunt who was a founder of the Helping Hands Group. Helping Hands have been contacted to ask a member of this group would write to the Parish Council clarifying the date the bench was sited, why it was sited and that the parish council has maintained this area for over 12 years. It has also been suggested by a Wiltshire Council Officer that it be registered as a ‘village green’ and not with the land registry. However, this would restrict its uses. Mr Hinder of the Helping Hands to be contacted. Cllr Bird had found minutes of the Parish Council dated September 1980 showing that the Parish Council was overseeing the area at that time. - On Going ACTION CLERK/ CLLR BIRD. Bollards - Middle Common Bollards delivered waiting to be installed. Commons grass cutting - Wild Orchids are growing in the vicinity of Plough Hill. Ian Hepburn - contact details for advice www.rha.org.uk/britaininbloom/index/asp. Mr Hepburn agreed to monitor the Commons and give advice. It was suggested that this be an item for the next Annual Parish Meeting. Cllr Dixson has spoken to Mr Hepburn who is to be invited to the September Parish Council meeting as he advised changes to the grass cutting contract. - ACTION CLLR DIXSON A350 - Pedestrian safety Options of pedestrian safety were explored for crossing the A350. A letter has been written to the appropriate Officer at Wiltshire Council asking what options would be available. Wiltshire Council have verbally acknowledged the letter and said that they were looking into the matter. - ONGOING To be monitored - ACTION CLERK Kington Langley Tots Playing area refurbishment - The Kington Langley Playing Field Association (PFA) have submitted a grant application to Wiltshire Council copied to Cllr Greenman asking for the shortfall of the cost of the tots play area refurbishments. This is to go to the July Area Board meeting. It was noted that the Parish Council had not been given sight of these plans or the grant application therefore would have difficulty in supporting it. It was agreed that as the Parish Council owns the playing field it is likely that the Area Board would seek the approval/support of the Parish Council and this would be an asset towards its approval. It was RESOLVED that it be devolved to Cllr Dixson and the Clerk to request a copy of the information and give approval on the Parish Council’s behalf. ACTION CLLR DIXSON/CLERK - Cllr Trickey apologised for not updating the parish council. Cllr Dixson reported that the PFA had managed to raise the funds without pursuing the grant application. Congratulations are to be forwarded to the PFA. - ACTION CLERK Chairman’s Business Cllr Dixson reported that with regards to the planning application for The Barton, there is an Officer at Wiltshire Council assigned to affordable housing and he/she was looking closely at this application with a view of providing more affordable housing. If this is supported, it would mean that the area would become over crowded and the parish council would oppose it. Cllr Greenman agreed to monitor this situation and if necessary would call the application in to committee. ACTION CLLR GREENMAN Kilvert Plaque A request has been received from Audrey Palmer that consideration be given to placing a plaque/information board to mark ‘Kilvert’s’ view. It was RESOLVED to carry out some research to find out who owns the field in question and the gate which is in need of repair. Cllr Gill confirmed that Mr Bailey has the plaque and that Cllr Gill will speak to him. Also established that a Colin Curtis of Fern Close, Days Lane had recently cut the grass. ACTION CLLR GILL/ CLERK Route 91 Bus Service/Church lane Wiltshire Council is looking for the Parish Council’s approval to use Church Lane for the 91 bus route. It was agreed that the Parish Council could not support buses using Church Lane. Smaller buses would be a solution. Wiltshire Council has been notified of the Parish Council’s view. Cllr Dixson reported that he had raised this issue with the Highways Cabinet Minister Mr Tong who reported that the priority is school buses and when not being used for school runs the buses are used for usual services, hence disregarding the requirements of village needs. To be monitored - ACTION CLLR DIXSON/CLLR GREENMAN Correspondence received/actions to take Parking on Commons during Scarecrow Weekend - Cllr Dixson reported that he had received a complaint regarding parking on the Commons over the Scarecrow weekend making it dangerous for occupants to access their property. Scarecrow committee have been made aware of this.
111.10	Wiltshire Council report Cllr Howard Greenman reported on the following: Bus services - Still have 5 years to run on a 7 year contract. The buses are bought second hand and therefore older due to the fact they are DDA compliant. This issue to be identified in the next update for the Area Board and a request for smaller buses for villages to be considered when the existing contract expires. Cllr Dixson reported that he had raised the subject at the Area Board with Councillor Dick Tonge who is the Cabinet holder for Highways and Transport. The response had not been very encouraging and Councillor Greenman had followed it up. This is to be monitored and mentioned in the next Area Board report requesting that when the contract comes up for retender there is an informed debate about the various needs to feature in the tender documents. - ACTION CLERK /CLLR GREENMAN Housing - 10 million pounds is to be cut from the housing budget and the knock on effect is that the 350 houses due to be built at Westbury, Trowbrdge and Melksham will now be reduced to 250. There are 10000 people on the Wilshire Council’s housing register. Recycling - changes and cuts will be introduced.
112.10	Planning · NWDC Planning Decisions N/10/01402/TCA Fell 1 conifer tree at Willow Cottage, Church Lane, K L - GRANTED N/10/01736/TCA Reduce conifer hedge at Highfield Hs, Parkers Lane, K L - GRANTED · Application Withdrawn N/10/01113?FUL Erection of detached double garage at The Philberts, Church Road, K L N/10/01114/LBC Erection of porch on front elevation at The Philberts, Church Road, K L · Application for consideration N/10/01989/S106 Modification of legal agreement relating to planning permission 08/02022/FUL to allow occupation of dwelling in view of planning permission not being implemented at North Site, KSM Road, K L. - It was resolved to support this application as long as planning permission is withdrawn. Amended plans received 09/01726/FUL Demolition of existing dwelling and erection of two detached dwellings, access, parking, turning and garages (revision to N/08/02167/FUL at Glenhaven, Plough Lane, K L (relating to garages). The Clerk reported that she had spoken to the Architect and he confirmed that there were no significant changes to the garages and that occupation had not been taken up. However, it was reported that it appeared that occupation had been taken up and there were significant alterations to the garages. A letter to be written to the Planning Officer expressing the parish council’s concerns over the changes to the garages and that the opportunity for parish council’s to comment on amended plans had been withdrawn. It was also reported that safety measures had been lapsed and this to be rectified. - ACTION CLERK 09/02076/FUL Erection of tandem garage/studio building at 2 Manor Cottages, Swindon Rd, K L . The Clerk reported that the changes were - The windows have been reduced in width, the roof windows have been changed to a conservation type an n additional window included on the garden side. All the above was noted.
113.10	Chairman’s Business Cllr Dr. M Dixson congratulated Cllr Betty Bird for attending the meeting so soon after her operation. An email from Mr & Mrs Coles has been received asking if the parish council had considered the Queens Diamond Jubilee and any celebrations the village might wish to hold in 2012. Cllr Jane Carrington agreed to take this on as a project and look into this possibility and report back to the parish council. Mr & Mrs Coles to be notified of this. - ACTION CLERK A Parish Emergency Exercise organised by Pastor John Schofield is to take place on 14^th October commencing at 7.30pm to 9pm venue Pound House. The exercise is for the benefit of the village in an emergency situation and the exercise is for the Parish Council. All members are encouraged to attend. Members to notify the Clerk if attending.
114.10	Village Pond Cllr Dixson reported that there were two moorhens and 6 chicks on the pond. Cllr Timbrell reported that Richard Cripps of Estate & Garden Services Consultancy had carried out another treatment at a cost of £70 and will carry out another in 5/6 weeks time. A full report from Mr Cripps was circulated giving much welcomed advice. He advised a minimal maintenance exercise during September. This will be placed in the village magazine.
115.10	Deterioration of grass verge at the notice board - Upper Common Consideration was given to making good the above mentioned area. Cllr Timbrell had provided photographs. Due to people using the notice board and post box, it has created a large deep hole that has taken up part of the verge. It was resolved to pass the issue to Cllr Foster for the Parish Steward.
116.10	Drainage at Willow House On behalf of Cllr Foster, Cllr Dixson reported that water runs underground at Days Lane and on to Silver Street and into the garden at Willow House and then on and into a ditch. The property owners have now built over the ditch and a pipe was introduced but is now blocked. Cllr Foster had briefed Cllr Dixson that the owners of Willow House are happy to contribute to the clearing of the pipe. Other householders affected need to be contacted and asked to contribute. Cllr Foster is happy to liaise with those concerned. The Parish Council is to write a letter to those concerned. Information to be sought from Cllr Foster. - ACTION CLLR FOSTER/CLERK
117.10	Church Bend Footpath Cllr Timbrell reported that he had cleared the bank of weeds at the end of the Church Bend footpath to enable the school to carry out their planting. It was found that the soil was sliding down the bank and on to the footpath. It was resolved that some wooden edging be incorporated. Cllr Timbrell and Cllr Trickey volunteered to carry out the work. Thanks were relayed to both. It was noted that stinging nettles were becoming a nuisance and needed tending to. The Weed Spraying contractor to be contacted. - ACTION CLERK. Cllr Trickey reported hat the padlock was missing and that the school had been made aware of this.
118.10	Kington Langley Village Hall Cllr Gill reported that the hall and car park had been surveyed at a cost of £900 and an electrical check had been carried out at a cost of £400. There is work to be done but they are well up together. Cllr Gill has spoken to the grass cutting contractor and agreed when and where needs cutting at the village hall. Invoices to be forwarded direct to Cllr Gill.
119.10	School Transport Plan Cllr Reynolds reported that she had met with Sue Lear the Head Teacher of the school and Mrs Lear was pleased that the members of the parish council had read the plan. A planning application will need to be submitted for the dry waiting area. Lack of street lighting was given as a reason for not walking children to school in the survey and this was questioned by one of the team when looking at the results as the school day usually ends before darkness - It may be a factory when pupils stay to after school clubs and events. The children were included in a road safety training session which explained the speeding offence system. The idea of a school bus appealed to Mrs Lear and this has been passed to the governors to pursue.
120.10	Finance The Clerk previously circulated a report showing the following information: Receipts since the last meeting total £39.12 Payments since the last meeting total £25,364.86 Transfer from deposit to current account £27,000. No Direct Debits. Balances as at 5^th July 2010 - Current account £6,396.38, Deposit account £5,710.05 total £12,106.43. It was resolved to accept the report as circulated showing the above information as a true record.
121.10	Standing Orders/Financial Regulations Cllr Gill explained that he thought there had been financial amendments to regulations carried out that he did not understand. The Clerk explained the areas he had mentioned (signing of cheques and petty cash). Cllr Gill previously circulated proposed new Financial Regulations. These had been studied by members. Cllr Dixson stressed that the Financial Regulations form part of a picture framework. The precept is high for a parish and must be carefully handled. The Clerk is very experienced and highly competent and carries out her responsibilities and is backed by internal audit. The overall system in Cllr Dixson’s view was working well and while specific points could be considered he advised against a substantial rewrite. Cllr Timbrell suggested that we wait for the external auditor’s report which is due any time and review the Financial Regulations again at the appropriate time April 2011. It was proposed by Cllr Styles and seconded by Cllr Timbrell and carried that the Financial Regulations remain unchanged. Cllr Gill abstained.
122.10	Correspondence received/actions to take a) Report on Common Land Seminar attended by the Clerk - Circulated b) Email from Mr R Howells regarding group buying of central heating oil. Passed to the village magazine. c) Parish Steward Summer Programme dates for Kington Langley are: 26, 27 & 28^th July, August (Ragwort response) 27, 28 & 29^th September. d) Letter from Wiltshire Council regarding an Equipment Loan scheme & Forthcoming Events 2010/11 - To be passed to the Scarecrow committee. - ACTION CLERK e) Letter from Mr G W Hobson of Fairleigh Rise regarding Litter in the Village - requesting the Parish Council consider asking for a village volunteer litter squad to pick up litter around the village on a regular basis. - A letter to be written explaining that t is felt that the village is kept pretty tidy and most people pick up litter themselves. - ACTION CLERK f) WALC notification of increased car allowances for 2010/11 - now for a 1200cc and above = 65.0p per mile. g) Parish Exercise information - To take place 14^th October commencing 7.30pm to 9pm. Venue to be agreed. Members invited to attend. h) All the above was noted.
123.10	Exchange of Information/Agenda items for meeting 9^th August 2010. Nothing to report.