BAYDON PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Monday 27 October 2014 held at the BYPA Hall

Draft copy subject to approval at the next meeting

PRESENT: Cllr Andrew Knowles (part), Cllr John Cockcroft, Cllr Kevin Howell, Cllr Tony Prior, Cllr Alison Tomkins,

Cllr Tamsin Witt and 3 members of the public.

Councillors agreed that Cllr Cockcroft would chair the meeting.

1.APOLOGIES

Cllr Knowles delayed at work. Mr M Austen (submitted but omitted at meeting)

2.DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

None

3.MINUTES OF PREVIOUS PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

The minutes of the 22 September 2014 meeting were approved.

4.SUSPENSION OF MEETING FOR PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

The meeting was suspended to allow the members of the public to speak to the Council. After this period the meeting was resumed.

A question was asked about decisions taken on items when not on the agenda. A Petty Cash approval was quoted.

Cllr Prior agreed it had occurred. He pointed out that, in general, these usually arose when invoices were received after the agenda had been posted. An example of that would be in the Finance section for approval.

Mr T Dominy pointed out a rumour was circulating that there would be no fireworks next year because the field had been sold. This was totally false on both counts.

5.CORRESPONDENCE

Email from Alison Banyard re dog fouling. The Cllrs felt they could do nothing without observational evidence. It was agreed that an entry would be made on the website, Action Cllr Prior

6.PLANNING

14/03688/FUL 2 three bed houses Land next to Becketts, Aldbourne Road – at appeal

14/05472/FUL Agricultural worker house plus buildings for Baydon Farm – withdrawn

14/09924/TCA Two trees for felling, Downsmead. The Council were awaiting documents from Wiltshire Council.

7.ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION

(numbering slightly different to agenda due to duplication)

New items

7.1 Asbestos fly tipping

Cllr Prior had been advised that some corrugated sheet had been tipped in a field on the lane to Baydon Hole farm.

He had written to the field owners on 1 October 2014 but had not received a reply. He would be contacting

Wiltshire Council for further advice. Action Cllr Prior

7.2 Ambulance response time

The Ramsbury Chair was concerned about response times in the area and First Responder training and had circulated

local Councils for support. The Councillors agreed in principle to support her project and awaited further details..

7.3 Resident query about boundary fence

Mr T Norman had been invited to address the Council. In his absence Cllr Prior explained the case. Councillors

agreed they could not contribute to the issue and recommended that he contact the Housing Association if there

was no resolution. Action Cllr Prior

7.4 Future traffic calming measures

Cllr Prior proposed that in the light of comments about the existing chicane an open meeting should be held for

residents to express their views and that a decision be taken from the meeting. He also made the observation that

speeding still occurred between the chicane and the school and that a chicane at the west end of the village would

not affect that. Councillors did not agree with the proposition and suggested a questionnaire to all residents could

be a possibility.

7.4 Future traffic calming measures (cont)

Cllr Witt assured him that Government grants were still available. However that might not be the case with local

grants etc. Action Next agenda.

Items from 2 Sept 2014 meeting

7.5 Defibrillator update

There was no information available about the optimum training cost or the offer from the Chairman, due to his

absence at that time. Cllr Prior asked a question about the familiarisation/training proposal in the Scene in Baydon.

No training had taken place. He asked a question about the names of the guardians. They are on a list inside the

defib box. Mr J Grove also said other boxes did not have a box number on them. The need for the instruction on the

box was queried. There is a register for scheduled checks on the defibrillator in the Red Lion.

A challenge was made as to Cllr Prior’s opinion about the project. On request, the challenge was withdrawn.

The Chairman suggested and it was agreed that a separate meeting should be arranged between the Defib Group

and Councillors. Action Cllr Cockcroft

Mr J Grove

The possibility of another defibrillator for the BYPA hall area could be part of a separate review.

Action Next agenda

7.6 Electrical box on Green

Arrangements for connection were progressing and would be finalised for the Christmas tree lights. Action Cllr Howell

7.7 Allotments

(i) Tenancy Agreement changes carried forward. Action Cllr Tomkins

(ii) Plot 13 & 14. In keeping with a previous comment about allotment management by the Council, Cllr Prior

proposed that an advisory letter be sent pointing out that a warning procedure would follow, under tenancy

conditions, if no work on the plots was carried out. He also mentioned that plots 7 and 8 required some attention. Councillors agreed with this proposal. Action Cllr Tomkins

7.8 MAB grant for additional playground equipment

Cllr Witt reported that grants for play grounds were still available. The Council had to decide on the

supplier of the swings. The choice is between Miracle (£4130 – supplied the existing equipment) and Greenfields

(£3582). Various negotiating options with Miracle were discussed. Action Cllr Witt

7.9 Footpath between Ermin Close and Manor Lane (Cllr Knowles joined the meeting)

Cllr Knowles advised he would be seeing the Parish Steward on 30 October for a village wide discussion and would

include this location, Action Cllr Knowles

7.10 Footpath off Manor Lane – handrail

Two quotations for a handrail were available. A third was awaited. Action Cllr Knowles

7.11 Carols on the Green

Cllr Witt had contacted Mrs Austen who would try a form a small band for the event.

7.12 Clerk update

Cllr Knowles felt that a part-time Clerk would not really be suitable in the Council situation and proposed that the

post is re-advertised. Councillors agreed. Action Cllr Knowles

7.13 Baydon road hedges

Carried forward. Will be discussed under 7.9 Action Cllr Knowles

7.14 Trees on the Green

The suggestion that the trees were planted in memory of soldiers who died in WW1 would be pursued.

.Action All Cllrs

Discussion revolved around (a) trees/no replacements (b) soil testing (c) a picket fence but no decision was taken.

7.15 November 8^th fireworks

Cllr Prior reported that a meeting had been held with the Firework Committee. The risk assessment was

being amended for 2014 changes, event control was finalised and the selected fireworks for the Council

contribution had been changed to a Triple Finale set at a cost of £396 incl VAT.

Items brought forward (cont)

7.16 BAYD 2 & 11 December meeting

Cllr Prior updated information about the Planning Inspectorate meeting at 10.00 am on 4 December in the

Lambourn Memorial Hall. Cllr Knowles would be leading the Parish Council support and Cllr Prior would be

representing support as a regular long distance walker. He suggested that, under cross examination, it might be

useful for him to say the Council also supported the content. This was not accepted by the Councillors.

7.17 Pedestrian sign Ermin Street

Carried forward. A replacement sign would be progressed. Action Cllr Witt

7.18 BAYD 2 bridleway grass cut

The cut has been completed between the farm buildings and the bottom track.. Thanks to Mr Johnson were

recorded.

7.19 Annual playground inspection

Cllr Knowles reported the annual inspection had been carried out by ROSPA and the report circulated. Payment

could now be arranged. Action Cllr Prior

7.20 Blocked drains

These would be discussed under Item 7.9 with a view to co-ordinating the work with the appropriate Wiltshire

Council department.

7.21 Letters to residents re private hedges

Carried forward. Action Cllr Knowles

7.22 Letters to Wilts Council and landowner re knotweed

Carried forward. Action Cllr Cockcroft

7.23 Pittams grass contract, nettles, pruning enquiry

Carried forward. Action Cllr Knowles

7.24 Youth worker update

Cllr Witt reported that a qualified youth worker had been found, that a core group of helpers had been formed

and recently two more parents had offered to take part in a club. A new questionnaire had been prepared, in

conjunction with Mr P Chambers for circulation amongst parents.

7.25 Christmas tree order

Cllr Prior had been asked to select a tree following the generous offer from Mr B Johnson. A vote of thanks to

Mr Johnson was recorded. Arrangements for delivery would be made. It was agreed that erection will take place

on Sunday 30 November. . Action Cllr Knowles

7.27 Metro count Manor Lane

The results, post chicane, for Ermin Street are available. Those for Manor Lane are awaited. Action Cllr Witt

7.28 Litter pick 11 October

Cllr Prior wished to record thanks to the one resident who volunteered to join the litter pick group. He mentioned

again the hope that residents could adopt their street for litter collection as and when necessary.

8. FINANCE

8.1 2015-16 Budget and Precept

After several queries the draft budget of £13390 was approved. There was no comment about the Precept.

8.2 Existing chicane payments

Cllr Prior queried if the £3000 payment had been scheduled. Cllr Witt said that nothing had emerged from Wiltshire

Council. Cllr Knowles said he would advise Mr B Johnson accordingly. Action Cllr Knowles

8. FINANCE (cont)

8.3 HMRC/Parish Council income tax 2013-14

Cllr Prior reported on the communications, which started on 18 August, between himself and HMRC. RBS

statements had been sent with a request for a manual assessment to be carried out to verify an earlier letter confirming

an overpayment. His calculation is £6.28. He said he did not know what else he could do to advance the

case to a conclusion. To him the options, if no resolution was possible, seemed to be write off the amount or

engage professional help, the latter not being attractive for the obvious reason. Action Cllr Prior

8.4 Pittams queries

Pittams accepted they had received the payment they had queried. The £6 overpayment was still under

consideration as to the repayment method. Action Cllr Prior

8. FINANCE (cont)

8.5 Income

Income at quarter end:-

Precept 7050.50, Precept Grant 176.58, Clerk refund 79.08, 72 Pains refund, 11.19 Interest. Total 7389.35

8.6 RBS statements at 15 Oct

Treasurers a/c 34304.55

Reserve 2917.56

Petty cash 2.86

37224.97

Cllr Prior re-iterated his opinion that the total was high in relation to the 2014-15 budget.

8.7 Payments approved between meetings

None

8.8 Payments for approval at meting

Pains Fireworks 396.00 incl VAT

Thames Water 15.14

These payments were approved.

9. ITEMS TO NOTE

There is a Ladies Night in the Red Lion on12 December. All are welcome.

The budget for Carols on the Green refreshments will be discussed at the 1 December meeting Action Next agenda

Cllr Knowles mentioned a review of the Village Plan. Action Next agenda

10. ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING

None raised.

The meeting was closed at 9.36pm by the Chairman

Signed…………………………………….. Cllr J Cockcroft, Chairman Date

Date of next meeting 1 December 2014

Click here to return to the main Homepage