BAYDON PARISH COUNCIL

 

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held at the BYPA Hall on Monday 21 October 2013

(Draft copy. Subject to approval at the next meeting)

 

PRESENT: Cllr Andrew Knowles (Chair), Cllr Kevin Howell, Cllr Alison Tomkins, Cllr Tamsin Witt, Cllr John Cockcroft, Wiltshire Cllr James Sheppard and 11 members of the public.

 

 

 

1.                   APOLOGIES –  None

  

2.                   DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST - None

  

3.                   MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – The minutes of the meeting held on the 9 September 2013 were approved.

           

             Cllr Knowles thanked all those who helped at the recent litter pick. It was a successful pick and was well supported.

 

 

4.                   SUSPENSION OF THE MEETING FOR PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

 

a)       Drain on Aldbourne Road is blocked. Baydon PC can use the new “Flood Risk” paperwork and speak to Highways

b)       Handrail is in the budget as approved item. Quotes are needed.

c)       Complaints were received from members of the public both in the meeting and in advance, that there are too many sandwich boards on Ermin Street, advertising The Red Lion. The hardwood ones were said to be very unattractive. The pub landlord explained that the pub relies on passing trade and needs to advertise. Several members of the public volunteered to paint the hardwood signs in black, to be used with chalk and improve the appearance. The Health and Safety of signs on the green was queried

                       

 

5.         CORRESPONDENCE - none 

  

6.        PLANNING

 

To notify members of decisions on any outstanding application and responses to communications regarding planning applications.

 

No planning applications.

 

 7.       ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION 

 

7.1              BYPA Update

The renovation of the Disabled toilet is the next project, but there were not enough quotes to enable the work to be approved for the October half term, therefore the BYPA Committee intend to get the work done over the Christmas holiday. No news on the Youth Worker recruitment as yet, but Cllr Witt attended the opening of ‘The Junction’ by Aldbourne Youth Council, which has been an extremely successful project.

 

7.2              TWCG – CATG Update

Cllr Witt reported that Baydon’s bid for £21,000 central government funding for traffic calming chicanes on Ermin Street near the playground has been successful. Cllr Witt explained that the Community Speed Watch results from Mark Austen and his team were a massive help in getting the funding approved and the Parish Council expressed their thanks.

Cllr Witt also reported that she completed Wiltshire Council’s 20MPH consultation and proposed  Manor Lane as a suitable road for a 20MPH limit as it fits the criteria and Manor Lane residents have expressed a wish for a 20MPH limit in the past. However, Cllr Witt explained that Baydon has already received a large amount of CATG funding recently and is therefore unlikely to be successful with this request.

Action: Cllr Witt

 To investigate how fuel tankers will be able to swing into and access the lane

 

7.3              Budget planning for next year, including saving for Chicanes at the other (Swindon) end of the village.

Cllr Witt explained that members of CATG were reluctant to spend any money on a C-Class Road Speed Limit Review for Baydon’s Ermin Street, however they would be very interested to see the results of the Chicane near the playground and if successful, would support  Baydon in applying for further central government  funding for chicanes at the Swindon end. Cllr Witt requested that Baydon Parish Council budget for this, over the next few years to enable Baydon to provide the first £10K (approx) which is required. Cllrs agreed there was an ongoing 3K per annum in the budget for traffic calming and there are no plans to remove it.

                Cllrs highlighted that an email had been received that day, which indicated potential plans to cap the precept that all Parish Councils were allowed to set. This could be a 2% limit to any increase.

Action: Cllr Sheppard to provide more information

 

 

7.4              Discussion on additional playground items i.e. concrete tennis table.

This item was deferred to allow Cllr Witt more time to investigate matched funding options enabling the S106 monies to go further. However, it was noted that the BYPA have an additional piece of land behind the hall which is currently unused and might be a good location for a concrete table tennis table.

Action: Cllr Witt

To discuss with the BYPA Committee and investigate matched funding for Parish Field playground items

 

7.5              Allotment update. Plot 14 let. Weed killing done. Discussion on top and bottom sections

Weed killing on plot 14 has been successful and it now needs rotivating. Plot 14 is now let, but plot 5 will be available next year.

Cllrs agreed that Parish Council would pay 50% of the costs of hiring the rotivator, which is £58 for the weekend and £20 delivery. (BPC will pay in full so that the VAT can be claimed and then the BAA can reimburse) Dates agreed as 1 or 7 Nov 2013.

Cllrs agreed to get quotes from Pittams for treating the wild areas at the top and bottom of the field and investigate the ownership of the paddock fence that needs repair.

Action: Cllr Knowles to hire the rotivator. Clerk to add Allotment items to next agenda

 

 

7.6              Entrance to Downsmead road repairs

No date for repairs has been confirmed by Wiltshire Highways as yet

  

7.7              Fireworks update. Event Shelter purchase

The Fireworks Committee had a successful meeting and risk assessment with some updates. Three quotes were received for the shelter: £59.99, £99.99 and 104.97. Cllrs agreed to pay for the £104.97 shelter because it was recommended by Pains Fireworks and is better quality for Baydon’s windy weather. This shelter can be used by all village events and will be stored with the fireworks stuff.

Action: Cllr Cockcroft to purchase the shelter. Clerk to send copy of risk assessment to insurance company if needed. 

7.8              Removal of trees – Red Lion

Current Landlord of Red Lion expressed his wish to remove the tall trees from the pub Beer Garden, so that the garden can be used properly, at the moment it is dark, lots of bird poo and tree debris, making the garden unusable. One neighbour had written a letter which supported the removal of the trees and another neighbour was present and strongly objected to the trees being removed. The Landlord said that the decision on the trees would strongly influence the possibility of him purchasing the pub and therefore removing the threat of a house being built on the car park by the current owners. He also suggested that he may be able to improve the car park and do some landscaping / tree planting on the pub grounds and village green to compensate for the removal of the large trees. Action :Cllrs agreed that further investigation and discussion was needed and a procedure for the approval / objection of tree removal had to be followed.

 

7.9           Grit Bins

Wiltshire Council has queried the ownership of the grit bin on Ermin Street and expressed a wish to remove it as part of a general  declutter, however, Cllrs would like to keep the bin and relocate as necessary, but grit bins have not been a major issue recently

 

7.10          Dates for next years meetings

 Action: Cllr Knowles to circulate suggested dates

 

7.11        Christmas plans: Trees / carols / mulled

Cllrs agreed to buy a taller and bushier tree and intend to buy the tree from Debbie at the shop. Action: Cllr Knowles.

Cllrs agreed the date for carols on the green as Friday 20 December. Action: Cllr Witt to ask Kim Austen whether she can provide the band. Action: Cllr Witt to ask the Red Lion to provide the mulled wine and mince pies for the carols evening, if BPC pay for it.

 

7.12       New Clerk – progress /interest

Cllr Knowles explained that the current Clerk , Harriet Knowles has resigned wef 31 October 2013. So far, there has been one applicant for the role.

Action: Cllr Witt to have informal chat with candidate and Cllr Tomkins to assist with any interviews

 

7.13       Smiths of Derby – Church clock service agreement options

Cllrs agreed that they didn’t want to be tied into a contract for future years and instead would like the opportunity to shop around

 

 

 8.         FINANCE

 

8.1              Bank reconciliation statement for period to 20 October – approved

Treasurer’s account £22,956.01, Savings account: £2,623.05, Petty Cash £39.48. Total £25,618.54

   

8.2             Approved Payments:

a)      Pittams – Half yearly payments ground maintenance £1,125.00

b)       Pittams –Grass cutting and allotment spraying £120

c)       HMRC – 2nd payment £151.06

d)     Grant Thornton (audit) £120

 

8.3            Payments between meetings:

a)      £15 Cllr Witt CATG Meeting expenses

b)       £388 – Pains Fireworks

c)      £300 – Pittams one off tidy of BYPA grounds

Action: Clerk to send invoice for 50% to BYPA

  

9.         ITEMS TO NOTE:

 

None

 

 10.       ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING:

 

1.       Allotment Update

2.       Christmas mulled wine and mince pies for Carols on the Green

3.       Grit Bins

4.      Christmas Tree

 

 

  

The meeting closed at 9.20pm by the Chairman

 

 

Signed............................................                                                       Date…...............................

 

 

Chairman Mr A Knowles

 

 

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