BAYDON PARISH COUNCIL

 

Minutes of Meeting held at the BYPA Hall on 28th June 2010

 

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

 

 

PRESENT: Cllr Tony Prior (Chair), Cllr Michael Edmonds, Cllr Alison Tomkins, Cllr Tamsin Witt, County Cllr Humphries and 5 members of the public. 

 

1. APOLOGIES –   None.

 

2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST – None.

 

3. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on the 1st June 2010 were approved.

 

4. SUSPENSION OF THE MEETING FOR PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

The meeting was suspended so members of the public could speak to the Parish Council.  Mr Mark Austen, Baydon webmaster asked if he could have a copy of the audited Annual Return for the website as soon as possible. The Cllrs agreed to the request.                                   Action: Clerk

 

5. CLERK’S REPORT

The Items were reported in Appendix A. No comments were forthcoming.

 

6. CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED

 

The Clerk had circulated the report to Cllrs as Appendix B. No comments were forthcoming.

 

7. PLANNING – None received.

 

8. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION

 

8.1        Traffic Calming Working Group report:

 

a.                   Village Entrance Gates Vegetation – Cllr Witt reported that the gates were due to be installed in July but that this may be delayed to September owing to Wiltshire Highways manpower issues. The exact location of the Aldbourne Road gates is still to be agreed with Wiltshire Highways. The Cllrs discussed the possibility of planting vegetation in front of the gates but were mindful of future maintenance issues. The Cllrs agreed that they would consider a costing proposal for both a shrub and/or bulbs option at the next meeting.           Action: TW

 

b.                   Community Speed Watch in Aldbourne Road   - This is deferred awaiting a policy answer from the Wiltshire Police Community Speed Watch Co-coordinator regarding possible Community Speed Watch and Camera enforcement in the same village.

 

c.                   Village Speeding Survey – The current speeding survey results (metrocount) are complete and have been published on the Baydon website; over 78% of traffic was logged as speeding on Ermin Street with nearly half logged at a speed they may have been prosecuted.

 

d.                   Highways Authority Survey – The Traffic Calming Working Group recommended to the Parish Council a formal traffic survey to include the possibility of traffic islands at the entrance to the village, a roundabout and a Zebra crossing. The Cllrs agreed to the proposal to write to Wiltshire Council(R Tong and Mark Vodem) to formally request the survey. Action: TCWG

 

e.                   School ‘Park & Stride‘ sign -  The Landlords at the Red Lion have agreed that the pub car park can be used by parents at school drop-off times. Cllr Witt proposed purchasing a ‘Park & Stride’ sign to encourage parents to use the facility. The Cllrs asked Cllr Witt to formally check with both the Red Lion & the Baydon Post Office and Stores if they agreed to the notice and to provide a financial quote for the next mtg.                                                 Action: TW

 

 

 

 

pg 2010-14

8.2        PlayBuilder progress. -  The Chairman has not yet received a reply from Rebecca Hughes, Wiltshire Planning regarding his pre-planning application sent on the 26th April. The full planning application can take up to 8 weeks for approval. Thus the end of September 2010 becomes a likely date. The plan is still to provide an integrated facility for multi-age groups and an ‘Information Meeting’ is planned on the 10th July 2010 in the BYPA hall. Two other possible sources of funding are being investigated: Community First and Landfill Tax fund.  

Action: AP

 

The Redcliffe Developers reported they are contracted to build their planned private play area in the development.  The Chairman reported that he is still in discussion with Wiltshire Council regarding the possibility of allocating part of the Redcliffe S106 money for the play area project.

 

8.3        Footpaths -

 

BAYDON 29 - At the Parish Assembly, a member of the public requested that the entrances to BAYDON 29 be made more accessible. The Cllrs discussed this and asked the Clerk to write to the Wiltshire Council, Rights of Way Officer, Ester Daly, to investigate the options available and associated costs.                                                                                          Action: Clerk

 

BAYDON 11 – The Chairman reported that the standard of the remaining BAYDON 11 bridleway had been called into question. The Cllrs agreed to write to the Wiltshire Council, Rights of Way Officer, Ester Daly to investigate the process for review.                                           Action: AP/Clerk

 

8.4        Manor Lane bramble work. – The Cllrs discussed the problems arising from groundwork at the corner of Manor Lane and Ermin Street and the consequent state of the turf. The Clerk had written to Mr Bracey on the 28th May regarding the problems with the turf and Mr Bracey had replied on the 30th May stating that he had fulfilled his contract and requesting payment.  After discussion, the Cllrs agreed to pay the bill of £340.  The Cllrs asked the Clerk to send an accompanying letter to Mr Bracey, stating their disappointment with the outcome.    

                                                                                                                        Action: Clerk

 

8.5        The Fireworks Working Group – The Chairman proposed that a Fireworks Working Group be formed to consolidate the relationship between the Council and the current Fireworks Committee.  A member of the Parish Council would need to join it. Messrs Grove and Dominy (members of the Fireworks Committee) agreed with the proposal and Councillors followed with their approval. It was agreed that Cllr Prior would join the Working Group. 

 

8.6        Winter Response Survey – The Clerk asked the Cllrs if they wished to respond to the Wiltshire Council Winter Response Survey. The Cllrs agreed that they should respond and briefly discussed the content of their response. The Cllrs agreed that the response should be ‘poor’ for Baydon as there were periods when the village was cut-off.                             Action: Clerk

 

8.7        Allotment grass cutting – The Chairman proposed that the unused allotment plot be returned to grass and included in the regular mowing, the Cllrs agreed. It was agreed that the Chairman will approach Pittams for a quote to strim the overgrown plot.                        Action: AP

 

9. FINANCE

 

9.1        Payments made between meetings:

 

Three payments, inc VAT, were approved:

 

Paint (2 X 2.5l) for village gates                £38.50

Lawn fertilizer for Manor Lane bank          £5.49

Southern Electric (16 Feb – 20 May)        £21.61

 

9.2        Bank funds reconciliation statement for June 2010. - The statement was approved by Cllrs. The total in the RBS bank is currently £29,288.32, (£19,971.19 in the current account as the annual precept has been received, £957.57 in the Allotment account including allotment rent, £8359.56 in the Recreation Account) and £2.81 in the Petty Cash.

 

Cllr Edmonds informed the Council that the Quarterly Budget Monitoring Report for this quarter was ready; this will be approved at the next meeting.

 

 

 

pg 2010-15

9.3        The Annual Financial Return – The Chairman has received the internal auditors report which had nothing significant to report and forwarded the Annual Return to Mazars on the 12th June this year. The Chairman thanked Cllr Edmonds for all his hard work during the year and the prompt preparation of accounts.

 

The Cllrs approved the payment of £152.75 inc VAT to the Internal Auditors and agreed to defer the proposal to change internal auditors to the next meeting.                               Action: Clerk

 

9.4        Baydon St. Nicholas School, financial request – The Clerk advised the Cllrs that they had the power to ‘provide and equip building for use of clubs having athletic, social or educational objectives’. Cllr Edmonds advised the Council that there was £650 which was not currently allocated to projects. After discussion, the Cllrs agreed to approach the School regarding purchasing a specific piece of equipment for the new building up to £650 inc VAT. Action: Clerk

 

9.5        The Chairman’s expenses – The Chairman’s expenses of £23.45 incl VAT were approved:  

·         Two print cartridges £3.98 inc VAT

·         Two round trips to Devizes to visit the auditor, (petrol only), £19.47 inc VAT

 

9.6        The Clerk’s expenses - The Clerk’s expenses of £70.07 inc VAT were approved:

 

·         Telephone Calls             £00.79

·         Postage                        £00.47

·         Ink Cartridges                £62.03

·         Stationery                     £06.78

 

9.7        The Clerk’s Overtime for the period 2nd March to 22nd May 2010 - The Clerk’s overtime request of £164.11 for the period 2nd March to 22nd May 2010 was approved.

 

9.8        To discuss the Asset register update. – The Cllrs agreed to the proposal to add the water supply to the Asset Register to read May 2010, £1900. The Cllrs discussed whether the two village notice boards should be included in this year’s insurance at an administration fee of £25 excl VAT but agreed to add them onto the annual insurance at renewal for an additional cost of £5.42 excl insurance tax.

 

10.  ITEMS TO NOTE

 

10.1      Community Cleansing Grant - The Clerk informed the Cllrs that the Community Cleansing grant for £230 has been approved.

 

10.2      The Redcliffe development boundary & play area – The Chairman advised the Cllrs that the owners of Fortune Field, Aldbourne Road were in dispute with the Redcliffe Developer over the adjoining boundary and were in direct contact with the Wiltshire Council, Planning department.

 

The Chairman has received a letter from the Redcliffe Developer stating that they still plan to build a small play area in the Newton’s walk development, which will be for private use of the residents.

 

10.3      Water supply leaks. – Some of the joints on the Parish Field water supply have caused some problems and have been rectified.

 

10.4      Real-time information at the bus stops.  – Cllr Witt noted that some of the Hungerford Buses are now fitted with GPS and it may be possible to arrange for ‘Real-Time’ notices at the bus stop. After discussion the Cllrs asked the Clerk to write to the Wiltshire Council, Bus Services department to investigate the possibilities.                                                                                Action: Clerk

 

10.5      Wiltshire Young Peoples Opportunity Fund. – The Chairman received a letter confirming that the money originally awarded to the Baydon Resource Group cannot be used towards the new play area as the project does not fall within the 14-19 age bracket. After discussion, the Cllrs agreed to forward this information to the Baydon Young Persons Association as they may be able to identify a suitable project and reapply for the grant.                                            Action: AP

 

10.6      Dog fouling - The Cllrs noted that plastic bags containing dog excrement are again being left in Ermin Street; these should be taken home by the dog owner and placed in their black rubbish bins.

 

 

pg 2010-16

10.7      Councillor Vacancies – The Chairman announced that Cllr Witt will be taking a maternity break in October.  The Chairman re-iterated the importance of residents offering to join the Council because any absence amongst other existing Councillors could prevent decisions from being taken at a meeting. Councillors pointed out, this could also have serious consequences as to the viability of the Council.

 

11. ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING – 26th July 2010

 

11.1      To consider purchasing a ‘Park & Stride’ sign

 

11.2      To consider the quotation for strimming the unused allotment plot

 

11.3      To approve the Quarterly Budget Monitoring Report.

 

11.4      To consider the proposal to change Internal Auditors.

 

 

The meeting closed at 21.55pm

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signed............................................                       Date..................................

 

 

Appendix A

 

Appendix B

 

 

 Click here to return to the Homepage

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

pg 2010-17