Baydon Parish Council Meeting - Monday 17th October 2016

News Report by Barbara Furber

 

 

Four Parish Councillors were present on Monday 17th October 2016 for the Parish Council meeting at the BYPA Hall.  Apologies were received from the Clerk who was ill, and Wiltshire Councillor James Sheppard. 14 members of the public attended.

 

The minutes of the previous meeting were approved with a slight amendment to the wording.

 

There was no report from Wiltshire Police.

 

The meeting was suspended for Public Questions. Mrs Ron Norman asked if there was anything to report from Wiltshire Councillor James Sheppard about the build out near her property. Wiltshire Councillor Sheppard did have a proposal that would be discussed later in the agenda.

There ensued a great deal of questions, and alternative suggestions for the traffic calming from the floor. Some of the Ermin Close residents began to object to the approved build out near the entrance to the Close.

The Council explained again that roundabouts and humps would not be considered by Highways until other traffic calming measures had been put into place. The chairman Cllr Tamsin Witt also explained that an independent planning inspection felt that there were no safety issues with the buildout near Ermin Close.

 

The subject of traffic at school drop off time was also raised.

 

After 10 minutes of fairly heated discussion the Parish Council meeting was resumed.

 

An email concerning a badly parked van in Aldbourne Road was, it was decided, a temporary problem.

 

Thanks were extended to Anthony Prior for all his hard work whilst a Parish Councillor for many years. Mr Prior resigned last month.

 

An email from Laura Gregory of the BYPA (Baydon Young Peoples Association) requested support for signs advertising the BYPA Hall and making it more visible. Councillors agreed in principal and were to investigate the possibilities.

 

The inspection report for the Playground area had been received. All was well except for a minor problem which Cllr Kevin Howell agreed to deal with.

 

Planning :-

 

Concerns had been raised by various people about the new build next to the shop.  CATG will be looking into the matter because there are changes to the original plans. Cllr John Cockcroft agreed to follow up the situation.

 

Both the flashing 30mph signs and the School sign are currently not working. Wiltshire Council has been informed.

 

The Councillors then began to discuss the build out on the Swindon side of the village.  Cllr Witt said that she had made several requests to CATG following discussions with residents, i.e. moving the 30mph signs further out of the village. This is not possible because there are Wiltshire Council set rules about where such signs are positioned. Highways have stated that any change to the existing plans would mean a new planning application and therefore a new application for new funding.  There then ensued more heated comments from the floor. It was suggested that the councillors were not listening to the villagers concerns.

Cllr Howell said that councillors were all there to do their best for the village. The council had listened to concerns and were coming up with alternative options to reduce speed through the village. Cllr Witt said that traffic calming has been a priority for 20 years and the scheme proposed is one that Highways has recommended. It is only the beginning. Other measures can follow once the buildout are in place.

 

The councillors were divided as to how to proceed. It was finally agreed to withdraw from the Western buildout and continue with just half the scheme if the funding is not withdrawn. At this point Mr Burford stormed out of the Hall.

 

The electricity box on the Green has been replaced. The Clerk has purchased the Christmas tree lights. The Land Registry document has been purchased.

 

Pittams will carry out work on the Green in November to plant a replacement tree and part of the box hedging.  Pittams apologised that flowers in the cemetery had been mown over. They promised to take more care in future.

 

Cllr Cockcroft said that the notification concerning capping the Precept did not apply to Baydon as it was below the budget level needed. Cllr Witt warned that Wiltshire Council had a limited budget now and village needs would therefore have to be budgeted for by the Parish Council.

 

It was agreed that Cllr Witt should meet with school trustees to discuss safety around “Pickup / Drop off” time.

 

Cllr Witt received training to install the SID (Speed Indicator Device) and is now qualified to “work in the road”. It was agreed to buy a new battery for the SID for up to £70.

 

Mr Brooke Johnson has agreed to donate Christmas tree for the Green again this year. Thanks were extended to him for his generous offer. It will be erected on 3rd December 2016.

 

A budget of £165 was agreed for refreshments at “Carols on the Green”.

 

It was agreed that the Brownies and Firework group use the event shelters on 5th November. Cllr Cockcroft agreed to make a donation to the Firework Committee in lieu of the hire of the Shelters on 29th & 30th October.

 

CATG will provide full support for moving the 30mph sign in Aldbourne Road out towards the Village white gates. However they cannot provide any funding.

 

The Councillors discussed the possibility of a Facebook page, but after much discussion the matter was deferred.

 

A dog waste bin was discussed, but it was agreed to enquire about an extra general waste bin for Manor Lane. A dog waste bin would cost in excess of £200 and the Parish Council would be responsible for emptying it.

 

Cllr Howell said that although he and Cllr Cockcroft were willing to trim back branches in the alleyway between Ermin Close and Manor Lane, there were some large trees that needed cutting back. It was agreed to speak to the land owners.

 

Cllr Amy Bryan reported that the Parish Steward had visited and completed work to keep key areas safe as far as visibility and road safety were concerned. Over growing trees from private land was the responsibility of the land owners.

 

It was agreed to budget for a course for the Clerk for a Certificate in Local Council Administration.

 

It was also agreed to join the Society of Local Council Clerks at the cost of £96.00.

 

The Clerk will be asked to circulate proposed dates for the Parish Council meetings during 2017 for discussion.

 

Cllr Witt is to contribute articles for the Scene in Baydon to cover the 3 vacancies on the council, and a Traffic Calming update.

 

It was agreed that Cllrs Cockcroft and Bryan become signatories at the bank.

 

 

Finance :-

 

Income interest from the Cricket Fund £0.51, Wiltshire Council Precept £6,718.20

 

Bank statements as follows: Barclays Community Fund £36,985.81; General fund £3,672.13; Cricket Fund £1,203.44: Petty cash £18.51:      Total £41,879.89

 

 

 

Payments approved :-

 

Church Clock Maintenance £249.60, Annual Return £120.00, SID Training £210.00, Electricity Box for the Green £59.74, Christmas tree lights £83.97, Land Registry document £35.98, Cllr Bryan New councillor Training £108.00, Cllr Witt Streetworks Training expenses £37.62, Cllr Witt CATG meeting travel expenses £8.82, Cllr Cockcroft MAB meeting travel expenses £9.27

 

A full report on Q1 and Q2 expenditure was deferred, and the Budget was to be agreed at the next meeting.

 

Cllr Cockcroft has reported several items to Wiltshire Council including blocked drains, broken road surfaces, pot holes and an obscured 30mph sign.

 

The meeting closed at 9.51pm.

 

 

 

 

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