KINGTON LANGLEY PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF KINGTON LANGLEY PARISH COUNCIL

HELD IN THE UNION CHAPEL ON WEDNESDAY 16TH SEPTEMBER 2009

THAT COMMENCED AT 7.45PM

 

PRESENT: Cllr Dr. M Dixson – Chairman,

        Cllrs. Mrs. L Reynolds, D Styles, J Foster, Dr. Jayne Carrington, C Timbrell

        Mrs. S Webb - Clerk. + WPC Heather Barham of Wiltshire Police,

        1 member of the public

 

Public Question Time:

WPC Barham spoke on the following:

·        The village has been experiencing ‘cold callers’ who were taking money from vulnerable people and that provisions had been put in place for protection.

 

·        The speed watch initiative was mentioned and it was established that Wiltshire Councillor Mrs Jane Scott was looking to encourage parishes to join forces and get involved by way of purchasing a speed gun that cost in the region of £2000.  The Chairman made it known that the parish council may well be interested in such a scheme.

 

·        Theft in metal has risen

 

·        Cars parking in the vicinity of The Old Forge and causing obstructive problems was mentioned.  WPC Barham agreed to look into this. 

 

M I N U T E S

 

138.09.

Apologies for absence.

Received from Cllrs D Gill, Mrs B Bird, G Trickey & WCllr H Greenman

 

 

139.09. 

Declarations of Interest

 Cllr Dr. M Dixson declared a personal interest in item 15a (request for donation from the K L Film Society) of the agenda - stayed and voted. 

 

140.09.

Minutes

The Minutes of the meeting held on the 10th August 2009 were signed by the Chairman and adopted as a true record.

 

141.09.

Matters Arising and actions from last minutes.

Glenhaven - Cllrs Jane Scott and Howard Greenman agreed to monitor. – Permission has been granted and an email sent to John Thomson/H Greenman reminding of the 106 and asking for clarification that all is in order. J T replied sending a copy of the Agreement. It was noted that during a discussion with a legal representative of Wiltshire Council it was confirmed that all proceedings were in order.

 

Bus Shelter Tiles – Ramon Weston agreed to approach a local person to see if a higher price could be gained for the remaining stone tiles – this was not successful – The Insurance claim was successful with an excess of £125 – the repairs are to be initiated 26th or 27th August (now completed) – The Police have been informed.     

 

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.  Forms now completed.  It was noted that the area between byway 34 and the new house opposite Old Draycot Lane was not covered.  Cllr Gill to be informed of this and asked to submit an application. - ACTION CLERK  

Water lying at Plough lane – Following Kristian Prices 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 and asked 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. - To be carried forward as Cllr Greenman was not present - 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 liaised with the sponsors who favour a Willow.  It was agreed not to take any further action until the sponsors had made contact again.

Overhanging trees at Church Road, Lower Common.  Reported to Clarence Ref No. 385224 – Reported again on the 12/8 chased 25/8, 1/9,14/9 & 14/9. - To be brought to the attention of Kristian Price of W C during a scheduled visit.

 

Request to cut grass at Farleigh Rise on the PCs grass cutting contract.

A reply has been sent saying that this request was not supported but the dog faeces will be dealt with

 

142.09.

Wiltshire Council report

Cllr Howard Greenman did not attend the meeting therefore nothing to report.

 

143.09.

Planning

a)      Planning Issues

·        Resurfacing of Church Lane – The Chairman reported that this matter is in the hands of Wiltshire Cllrs Mrs Jane Scott and H Greenman.  This is another issue for when Kristian Price visits the village.

b)     NWDC Planning Decisions

·        N/08/02167/FUL – Glenhaven, Plough Lane, K L – Granted with conditions

·        N/09/01156/FUL – Lypgate House, Days Lane, K L – Granted with conditions

·        N/08/02022/FUL – North Site, Kington St. Michael Road, Chippenham – Granted with conditions

·        N/09/01201/TCA – Quicksilva Ltd, Langley Gate, Swindon Road, K L – Granted

c)      Planning Applications for consideration

·        N/09/01417/FUL – Replacement Conservatory – Longmore House, 7 Fairleigh Rise, K L - It was resolved to support this application.

·        M4 Motorway (Summerlands Overbridge Replacement, Chippenham) Compulsory Purchase Order (NOD No 6) 2009 M4 Motorway (Summerlands Overbridge Replacement, Chippenham) Side Roads) Order HA/18/NOD/009 – For information - noted.
 

144.09

Chairman’s Business (Cllr Dr. M Dixson)

The Chairman spoke on the following:

a)      Church Bend Project - At the last Annual Parish Meeting it was said that this was a prime project of the parish council.  Thanks were extended to Cllr Trickey who has all the necessary permissions to enable this project to go forward.  The funds are now also in place 50% of which was the result of a successful grant application approved by the new Area Board.

b)      Area Board - At a meeting of the Area Board that the Clerk and I attended, the differences in problems between parishes and towns were noted - such as Anti social behaviour in a large car park in Chippenham that was an annoyance to a resident who resides in a property close by.
It became apparent that parishes should try to support one another.  One Wiltshire councillor thought Kington Langley should precept for the money for the Church Bend footpath.  Hearing this, the Chairman of Seagry Parish Council spoke in our support saying that this project should be awarded, as when Seagry applied for planning permission for a village hall one of the conditions was to provide a footpath leading to the hall.   

  

145.09.

Flu Friend

An update was circulated and included the following information:

 

John Schofield is registered with the Swine Flu Incident Room and the Emergency Planning Unit at County Hall as the Coordinator for Flu Friends for the Parish of Kington Langley.  He is also registered as a volunteer to act as a Flu Friend should this be necessary. As coordinator he has approached 5 other people to also act in the role of Flu Friends. This is only for those who might have no other person to act on their behalf.  The names and addresses of the volunteers are not to be published, they are allocated and contacted by the Flu incident room should they be needed, not contacted by the person themselves who are suffering from the flu.

 

146.09

Proposed pull in & Drop Off Zone – School Travel Plan

Cllr Reynolds reported on the following:

At a recent meeting with school representatives the school travel plan was discussed.  The school propose to apply for a drop off zone in the vicinity of Coffin Walk, signage will be needed.  The school is looking for the support of the parish council for this proposal. Another meeting is to be held with the school on the 28th September and Cllr Reynolds will attend and report back to the parish council. - ACTION CLLR REYNOLDS. It was resolved that the parish council would give its support to this initiative. 

 

147.09

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

The Clerk reported on the following:

The application for borrowing approval has been submitted.  The results are that the Secretary of State has notified the parish council that provision of an all weather footpath through the village of Kington Langley is approved as a purpose for which the council may borrow an amount not exceeding £22,770.  The approval is valid for six months from the 14th September 2009.  Borrowing approval has not been given to borrow the money to pay off the existing loan.  Therefore a second loan will need to be taken out.  A meeting is to be arranged between Cllrs Dixson, Timbrell and the Clerk to discuss this and to look at the costs of appropriate borrowing and report back to the parish council. - ACTION CLERK

 

148.09

Church Bend Footpath

In Cllr Trickey’s absence, an update he produced was circulated.  

Thanks were relayed to Cllr Trickey for all his efforts in bringing this project to fruition. 

Area Board Grant - The Chairman reported that this was successful

Licence between Mr Wheeler/PC - It was resolved to sign this licence therefore the Chairman and Parish Clerk signed it witnessed by Cllr Timbrell on behalf of the PC.

Legal fees - It was resolved to cover the cost of Mr Wheelers legal fees of £345

Quotations 3 quotations had been received and considered and it was resolved to favour the middle estimate.  Cllrs Dixson and Trickey will be negotiating with the contractor for a price reduction and were authorised to proceed with placing the contract on this basis.. - ACTION CLLRS TRICKEY & DIXSON.  An article is to be placed in the next village magazine reporting the parish council’s success and that this project will proceed. - ACTION CLERK

 

149.09

Bench in Memory of John Oatley

Mr Weston reported that he had spoken to the residents who reside close to the bench site and they were happy and encouraging.  The siting of the bench is well underway with 4 volunteers excavating the site fixed shuttering and erected a temporary fence. Timber for the shuttering and the concrete was supplied by Mr Elkins and a letter of thanks is to be sent to him. ACTION CLLR DIXSON.  The site is now prepared ready for the fixing of the bench.

The Clerk reported that the plaque was on order. Donations received to date amount to £240.

 

150.09.

Kington Langley Village Hall

It was noted that Cllrs Gill and Trickey requested that this item be postponed.  However it was felt that the subject was important and needed to be discussed therefore remained on the agenda.

The Chairman briefed members that this issue had been brought to the parish council’s attention by the Village Hall Committee (VHC) on the 10th August the day of the last parish council meeting.  It has become apparent that the parish council is the Custodian Trustee of the Village Hall and it was felt necessary to clarify what this role entailed.  The Chairman and Clerk met with a Wiltshire Council Solicitor who clarified the position of a Custodian Trustee.  A report of this meeting has been circulated and a copy is attached to the master copy of these minutes.  In brief, the Custodian Trustee appoints two representatives to sit on the VHC.  Funds granted by the parish council as a local authority to the VHC should only be agreed on consideration of the VHCs annual accounts.  Custodian Trustees have no managerial role in the day to day running of the charity.  The village hall is not underwritten by the parish council.

It was resolved that no further grants will be paid to the VHC until presentation of their annual accounts including all outstanding years that have been independently scrutinised. Note (Cllr Timbrell mentioned that in accountancy terms scrutiny means audit).

The Clerk reported that she had requested copies of the accounts of the VHC in readiness for this meeting but the Chairman of the VHC replied saying that this was not possible.  It is not known when the accounts will be available.  

 

151.09.

Finance

 

a)      Cheques issued, payments received and transfers made since 10th August 2009 meeting:

 

Receipts = £0.00    Payments = £2,784.21

Transfers Made:     £3000 from deposit account to current account  

Direct Debits Paid: - None

 

b)      Bank Accounts as at  8th September 2009:

 

Current account    

£3,890.82

Deposit Account

£8,408.01

Petty Cash

£27.45

Total   

£12,326.28

 

c)      It was noted that the external audit report was satisfactory.

 

152.09.

Request for Donations

The following were considered:

a)      Acorns Pre-School Kington St. Michael - Donation request towards the running of the school - It was resolved not to support this request.

b)      Kington Langley Playing Fields Association - Donation request towards the refurbishment of the toddler play area - Following discussion it was felt that this area could be made more accessible to children with less money spent on it.  Therefore it was resolved not to support this request.

c)      Kington Langley Film Society - Donation request towards a projector.  It was noted that the Film Society had been successful in securing the funds from other sources therefore it was resolved not to support this request.

d)      North Wilts CAB - Request towards the running of the CAB - Following discussions it was resolved to grant the CAB £100.

 

153.09

Correspondence received/actions to take

a)       Update for Chippenham Area Board form completed - noted

b)      Information from Wiltshire Council – Circulated - noted

c)      Consultation on Proposals for Harmonisation of Concessionary Travel – circulated – It was resolved to support this initiative - Clerk to respond - ACTION CLERK

d)      Parish Steward Autumn 2009 programme – KL dates: 20th & 21st Oct, 17th 18th & 19th Nov, 15th & 16th Dec. - A copy given to Cllr Foster and the contents were noted.

e)      Invitation from WC to a Service Dedication for the New Wiltshire Council at Salisbury Cathedral on 11th October at 3pm - No member is available to attend

f)        Police Report received and is held with the Clerk - noted

 

154.09

Agenda Items for meeting 12th October 2009

Speeding limits

 

155.09.

Exclusion of Public and Press

Because of the special nature of the following item, the Chairman proposed the following resolution – That the following item is conducted under the Public Bodies (Admission of Meetings) Act 1960 – therefore the public and press be excluded.  It was resolved to support this resolution however, there were no public or press present at this time.

 

156.09.

Parish Clerk’s 6 Month Review

On the 31st August the Parish Clerk’s probationary period ended – therefore

a)      Consideration was given to the draft contract – circulated - minor amendments are to be made and agreed with the Chairman.

b)      The Clerk’s salary was reviewed and it was resolved to increase the salary by one salary scale point bringing this to salary scale point 23 as from 1st October 2009

c)      The Clerk’s expenses were reviewed and it was resolved to reward an amount towards the use of personally own equipment as from 1st October 2009 

 

 

Meeting closed at 10.25pm