KINGTON LANGLEY PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF KINGTON LANGLEY PARISH COUNCIL

HELD IN THE MEETING ROOM OF THE VILLAGE HALL ON

TUESDAY 4^TH MAY 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, C Timbrell, Wiltshire Councillor H Greenman, Mrs. S Webb - Clerk. + 4

members of the public

Public Question Time – Mr Weston questioned the suitability of the surface chosen for the Millennium footpath. It was explained that this was a non-slip surface and one of the reasons why it was chosen.

Mr Weston mentioned that the Annual Parish Meeting was not well publicised. It was explained that it was placed on all notice boards well in advance of the meeting, put in the local papers and placed on the web-site. Other means of publicising the meetings are to be looked into.

Mr Seely expressed his disapproval of the stones placed at the end of the driveways at the new houses in Church Lane. The Clerk explained that this had been reported to the Enforcement team at Wiltshire Council but the response was that it was not an offence and planning permission was not necessary for this. It was suggested that Mr Seely write to Wiltshire Council with his concerns with a copy to the Parish Council.

M I N U T E S

70.10.	Election of Chairman and Declaration of Acceptance of Office for 2010/2011 Councillor Dr. M Dixson was elected Chairman for the year 2010/2011. The Declaration of Office was signed and witnessed by the Clerk.
71.10	Election of Vice-Chairman and Declaration of Acceptance of Office for 2010/2011 Councillor G Trickey was elected Vice-Chairman for the year 2010/2011. The Declaration of Office was signed and witnessed by the Clerk.
72.10	Apologies for absence. None received
73.10	Declarations of Interest None received.
74.10	Register of Members Interest The Registration of Member’s Interests were reviewed and there were no changes to be made.
75.10	Councillor Responsibilities Minor amendments were made including the Chairman being responsible for Planning and the Area Board.
76.10	Minutes The Minutes of the meeting held on the 12^th April 2010 were signed by the Chairman and adopted as a true record.
77.10	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 Steve Scothern of Wiltshire Council had visited and Cllr Dixson, Cllr Foster and Mr Scothern walked the problem areas including Church Lane and Ashes Lane. This is to be followed up CLLR DIXSON/GREENMAN 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. On Going ACTION CLERK, CLLR BIRD. Bollards - Middle Common Claim for replacement bollards accepted and replacement bollards ordered. Contractor instructed to carry out installation once they have arrived.- ACTION CLERK. Chairman’s Business (Cllr Dr. M Dixson) Following the letter sent 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. A letter has been sent to Mr Cross explaining that the letter had been passed to the Parish Council and that it is investigating the matter. All Weather Footpath – Completion of hard surface from Plough Hill to A350 Traffic Lights. An agenda item. Church Bends Footpath. Official opening to be held on Friday 7^th May at 11.30am. Press and the village magazine informed and invites sent to the Chairman of the Chippenham Area Board, who gave her apologies. Cllr Trickey invited Wessex Water representatives who had accepted. Closed Kington Langley Village Hall The Clerk reported that the Grass Cutting Contractor had agreed to cut the grass in front of the village hall for a nominal fee and will invoice the V H separately. Closed School Transport Plan. The Plan has been circulated - Agenda Item. 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. Members were happy with the final document but Cllr Gill contested it. Closed Insurance Schedule. The renewal cost (due 1^st June 2010) is £1,430.70. Additions to be made are the bollards, 2 galvanised gated and one bench. It has been devolved to the Clerk to agree an acceptable cost. ACTION CLERK Correspondence received/actions to take - 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. A response has been sent saying that the Parish Council is not in agreement with the closure of this junction as it serves a useful purpose. The Clerk reported that Wiltshire Council will report on any further developments
78.10	Wiltshire Council report Cllr Howard Greenman reported on the following: A350 safety issue has a PFI initiative progressing, however no progress until after the election. Travellers land allocation - 85 pitches are to be provided and 45 to be in North Wiltshire. There are criteria that need to be met. Cllr Greenman to keep the parish council informed of any developments. CLLR GREENMAN LEFT AT THIS POINT
79.10.	Planning For information only - 09/02250/FUL amended plan for erection of detached double garage at 2 KSM Road, KL 10/00967/FUL - Amended plans for 3 detached dwellings and associated works at Barncroft, K L 09/02076/FUL Amended plans for erection of tandem garage/studio building at 2 Manor Cottages, K L · NWDC Planning Decisions N/10/00783/TCA - Tree surgery to lime tree at Fitzurses, Parkers Lane, K L - GRANTED N/10/00731/TCA Tree surgery to eucalyptus tree at 5 Fairleigh Rise, K L - GRANTED N/10/00336/TCA Fell 3 Thuja Pilcata Trees (western red cedar) at Ashley Hs, Ashes Lane, K L - GRANTED N/10/00713 Extensions and alterations at Harting, Silver Street, K L GRANTED with conditions N/10/00857/TCA Tree surgery to Bay Laurel tree at Quicksilva Ltd, K L - GRANTED · Planning Applications for consideration a) N/10/01256/FUL Conversion of stable block, garages & ancillary accommodation to office use and external alterations at Stable Cottage, Langley Gate, K L b) N/10/01197/TCA Fell 10 Leylandi at Mullion Hs, Ashes Lane, K L c) N/10/01098/TCA Fell 1 Norway Spruce at Church Farm, K L d) N/10/01160/FUL Silage Clamp and hardstanding at Whitelands Farm, K L e) N/10/01114/lLBC Erection of porch on front elevation at The Philberts, Church Road, K L f) N/10/01113/FUL Erection of detached double garage at The Philberts, Church Road, K L The parish council is in SUPPORT of all the above applications.
80.10	Chairman’s Business Commons grass cutting - Wild Orchids are growing in the vicinity of Plough Hill. The contractor has been made aware of this and the specific areas have been cordoned off. Cllr Dixson contacted Ian Hepburn who gave advice on wild flowers in village greens. For more information on management of public open spaces for native wild plants the website is: www.rha.org.uk/britaininbloom/index/asp. Mr Hepburn mentioned by leaving grass cuttings following a cut, it strengthens the grass to the detriment of wild flowers. It is recommended that we select certain strips of Common for cuttings to be collected. Mr Hepburn agreed to monitor the Commons and give advice. It was suggested that this be an item for the next Annual Parish Meeting. A letter to be written to Mr Hepburn - ACTION CLERK
81.10	Village Pond Consideration to be given to seeking professional advice for reconstituting the pond now that it has been treated. Cllr Dixson suggested that Lackham College be contacted as they have experts in this field. No fee is involved but possibly a donation for the service. It was resolved to support this initiative. ACTION CLLR DIXSON Consideration was given to creating an island on the pond. This to be deferred until Lackham Collage has visited who will advise on this subject. Cllr Timbrell mentioned that all the debris had been skipped away.
82.10	All Weather Footpath – Completion of hard surface from Plough Hill to A350 Traffic Lights. Cllr Timbrell reported that the surfacing was almost completed. The Contractors for Glenhaven are to be contacted regarding agreeing to finish the area of the development once the building work has completed - ACTION CLLR TIMBRELL
83.10	Church Bends Footpath Cllr Trickey reported on the following: Official opening to be held on Friday 7^th May at 11.30am. Press and the village magazine informed and invites sent to the Chairman of the Chippenham Area Board, who gave her apologies. Cllr Trickey invited Wessex Water representatives who had accepted.
84.10	Kington Langley Village Hall Cllr Gill reported that the latest accounts had been audited and the Parish Council will be receiving a copy soon. A meeting is to be held on the 5^th May.
85.10	School Transport Plan Cllr Reynolds reported that the plan had not received approval to date. All the comments made by members will be put to the Head Teacher. The Chairman commented that as half the school pupils come from Chippenham the possibility of instituting a school bus service deserves closer attention. - ACTION CLLR REYNOLDS
86.10	Dauntsey Vale P C Transport Group Cllr Styles reported that he had attended a meeting on the 21^st April and he had placed a report in the village magazine. He mentioned that the Area Co-ordinator had written to him saying that he desires to see the 91 service bus again able to use Church Lane in Kington Langley now that the road and footpath has been repaired and made up. The letter to be acknowledged and to be an item on the agenda for the next Parish Council meeting. - ACTION CLERK. Also to request this issue be placed on the next Area Board agenda - ACTION CLLR DIXSON
87.10	A350 - Pedestrian safety Options of pedestrian safety were explored for crossing the A350. A letter to be written to the appropriate Officer at Wiltshire Council asking what options would be available. - ACTION CLERK
88.10	Finance The Clerk reported on the following Cheques issued, since 12^th April 2010 amounted to £1,234.06. Receipts amounted to £9,519.00. Balances as at 26^th April 2010: Current Account - £7,223.56 Deposit Account - £31,449.99, Petty Cash - £3.24. Total - £38,676.79. It was resolved to accept the above report as a true record. The Clerk reported that an Internal Audit had been carried out on the 29^th April and the Auditor was satisfied that all accounts were in order and administrative duties were being carried out correctly. The Annual Return for year ending 31^st March 2010 together with a summary of receipts and payments and supporting statement were all signed by the Chairman and the Clerk and accepted as true statements by the Council. This will now be forwarded to the External Auditor.- ACTION CLERK
89.10	Correspondence received/actions to take a) Email from PCSO N Webster regarding a drugs warrant carried out at Plough Lane. Noted b) Letter received suggesting that a plaque is placed to commemorate the famous village spot where the nineteenth century Rev Kilvert looked out over his ‘view’. This to be an agenda item for the next parish council meeting. Audrey Palmer who wrote the letter to be invited to come. - ACTION CLERK
21.	Exchange of Information/Agenda items for meeting 14^th June 2010. Cllr Gill informed all that he had attended a Police Authority Meeting. Noted Cllr Bird suggested that a letter of condolence be written to the relatives of Mr Jim Shields a former councillor who died recently. - ACTION CLLR DIXSON