BAYDON PARISH COUNCIL

 

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD AT THE BYPA HALL ON

8th January 2007 (Subject to approval at the meeting on 19th February 2007)

 

PRESENT: Mr K Barnes (Chair), Mr Carmichael, Mrs S Bailey, Mr J Grove, Mrs S Grove, Mr Haythornthwaite

Also in attendance: L Knight (Clerk), Cllr C Humphries, Cllr Twigger and 2 members of the public.

1.             APOLOGIES

Apologies received from Cllr S Findlay

             

2.             co-option of New Parish CouncILLOrs

The Parish Council noted the letter of application from Mr Carmichael. Mr Haythornthwaite & Mr Carmichael were co-opted onto the Parish Council and each signed a declaration of acceptance of office.

 

3.             DECLARATION OF INTEREST

Mr Carmichael declared an interest in agenda item 8.2. There were no other declarations of interest.

 

4.             MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

The minutes of the meeting on 27th November were agreed to be correct and were signed as a correct record.

 

5.             GUEST SPEAKEr, PC MCLAREN-CLARK

PC McLaren-Clark did not attend the meeting. It was noted that Baydon now has a new Community Beat Officer.

 

6.             CLERK’S REPORT

The Clerk advised the meeting that she was able to confirm via speaking with other clerks that there were very few companies supplying exterior notice boards. Greenbarnes had confirmed that it should not be possible for vandals to pick away at the rubber self healing backing for the notice board. However if it did become damaged the entire back of the notice board could be replaced. Issues with the drains on Russley road and the drain outside the school pedestrian entrance have been reported to Highways.

 

7.             ITEMS FoR CONSIDERATION

7.1         To consider the production of a Parish Plan

The Parish Council agreed that it would be useful to have Marion Rayner from Community First attend a future meeting to give a presentation on Parish Plans. Clerk to organise.            

 

8.              CORRESPONDENCE

8.1         Kennet District Council, Letter regarding s106 monies from Russley Green development

It was noted that the s106 money (£5,000) could be released as soon as the Parish Council advised KDC of a suitable local recreational project which required funding. 

 

 

 

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8.2         Baydon Resource Group, Letter requesting funding for BMX bike track

The Parish Council noted the request from BRG to make an in principle commitment to fund the balance between fund raising efforts and the total project cost. As this was an unknown amount the Parish Council could not make this commitment. Letter to be sent to BRG / Youth of Baydon suggesting an interim meeting be held to discuss the proposal for a BMX bike track.

 

9.             PLanning

9.1         The Parish Council noted that permission has been granted for a flat dormer window to the front elevation of Ashwood House, 1 Barley Fields (ref. K/55349/F)

 

10.         SUSPENSION OF MEETING FOR PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

The meeting was suspended to allow members of the public to speak to the Council.

 

After this period the meeting was resumed.

 

11.         FINANCE

11.1     To approve and sign cheques for the following payments : 

BR Consulting Ltd, Internal Audit        £82.30

Mazars, External Audit       £141.00

The payment to Mazars was approved and a cheque was signed.

11.2     A cheque was signed for the Clerk’s remuneration for the period 30th October – 28th January (reference cheque no. 314 £933.67).

11.3     To consider the proposal for grass cutting in the village

Mr Grove advised the meeting that he had been given a ballpark cost of £25 per cut. It was noted that the estimated annual cost for cutting the grass verges and parish field would not be excessive. Mr Grove and Mr Barnes are still working on the draft tender document and the map of the proposed areas to be maintained.

11.4     To discuss and agree the allocation of surplus Parish Council funds to specific purposes/projects

The Parish Council noted the forecast of expenditure for the current year and the bank balances which are as follows: £1,778.83 Lloyds TSB current account, £3,284.49 RBS current account, £3,798.96 Savings Account and £3,354.56 which has been ring fenced for recreational projects. The current account balance includes £100 litter grant. It was proposed that surplus funds should be allocated to the following projects: a new notice board for the corner of Downsmead, grass cutting and the initial clearance of the old pond site

11.5     To agree the amount of precept for 2007 / 2008

It was noted that as the precept for 2006 / 2007 had not been increased from the previous year it was recommended that as a minimum a small increase should be applied as this would avoid a very large increase in future years. It was agreed that the precept be increased by 5%.

 

12.         VILLAGE MATTERS

12.1     To agree tasks for the Parish Steward’s visit in February

The Parish Steward is to be asked to carry out the following tasks: repair overrun damage on left hand corner of Ermin Close, weed gullies, clear white pebbles from outside the phone box, sweep grit from the pavement near the Ermin Street and Manor Lane junction, clear moss from outside Forge Cottage  

 

 

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12.2     To receive an update on the proposal for a BMX bike track on the parish field  

The Clerk advised the meeting that the Youth of Baydon, under the guidance of Kate Buckingham from the BYPA, were putting together a proposal for a BMX bike track on the parish field. The Sports and Recreation advisors from both Wiltshire County Council and Kennet District Council had been contacted and had agreed to provide assistance with finding funding and completing a planning application, if one was required. No-one had attended the meeting as there was nothing ready to present to the Parish Council. It was expected that a presentation would be made at the February meeting. A decision would need to be made at the next meeting if the deadline for the grant funding is to be met. It was noted that the Parish Council’s public liability insurance would cover the bike track, provided that regular checks of the track were made and recorded. This task would be undertaken by a parent or an adult from the BYPA.   

 

13.         ITEMS TO NOTE / ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING

Thanks go to Debbie (Baydon PO & Stores) for donating the Christmas tree and to Simon & Cathy (Red Lion) for providing the mulled wine and mince pies for after the carol singing. Thanks also go to Mark, Trevor, Sue, Jason and Kevin for their help putting up and taking down the Christmas tree.    

A litter pick will be held on 27th January.

It was noted that nothing further had been heard on the proposed development at Aldbourne Road.

The manhole cover near the gas substation is being lifted by the rain and water is pouring out.

 

 

 

 

The meeting concluded at 10.15pm following agreement from the Parish Council that it should continue for a further 15 minutes to conclude outstanding business.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signed :  ________________________________                      Date : _______________

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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