BAYDON PARISH COUNCIL

 

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held at the BYPA Hall on 29th July 2013

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

 

PRESENT: Cllr Andrew Knowles (Chair), Cllr Kevin Howell, Cllr Tomkins, Cllr Tamsin Witt, County Cllr James Sheppard and 10 members of the public.

 

 

 

1.                   APOLOGIES – The Clerk (Cllr Witt agreed to take the minutes)

  

2.                   DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST  - None

 

3.                   MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – The minutes of the meeting held on the 16 June 2013 were approved.

           

            - Cllr Knowles wished to make a correction to statements regarding the playground on Newtons Walk and stated that whilst ongoing investigations happen into the true usage and accessibility to the playground, it should be used by the residence of the above said area until clarity is concluded on the subject. It is also noted that this is not an issue with the residents of Newtons Walk wishing to ban/prevent non-resident users, but merely due to the fact that the “management committee of Newtons Walk” (selected residence) on behalf of the houses populated there have to provide upkeep and maintenance financially to the area, which does not impede on the precept of the village and therefore would like answers so that its fair for all going forward.

 

4.                   SUSPENSION OF THE MEETING FOR PUBLIC QUESTION TIME –

 

  • The Bin on the Parish Field needs emptying. Action: Clerk
  • Cllrs responded to a query regarding additional grit bins for the village by saying that Baydon’s request has been rejected because of the general shortage of bins available. Cllr Sheppard advised that a bag of grit could be delivered when needed and Baydon PC should continue to request a new bin. Action: Clerk
  • Two cars have been dumped at Baydon Hole. Action: Cllr Knowles to investigate
  • Whilst Baydon PC and Newton’s Walk Management Committee continue to investigate the rules around who is allowed to use the Newton’s Walk play area, Baydon PC would  encourage children / parents in the village to use the main playground on Ermin Street, which has been provided by Baydon PC.
  • It was noted that 3 Ermin Street have very recently put in a planning application to have to vehicular access over the layby and have been putting notes on neighbours cars to ask them not to use the layby. This planning application will be discussed at the next Baydon PC Meeting. Action: Clerk to gather information in advance.
  • It was noted that 6 Ermin Street are running a business from their home and using the garden to sell, store and work on a number of bikes, cars and vans, causing a nuisance to neighbours. Action: Clerk to investigate whether running a business from this residence is allowed, particularly due to the fact that it is not privately owned.  Action: Clerk to investigate further.
  • There is a blocked drain outside Finches Lane entrance on Ermin St. Action: Clerk to follow up.
  • It was reported by a Baydon resident that dog fouling continues to be a problem on and near the Cricket Field, despite the fact that Baydon PC has provided a bin at the Cricket Field entrance. The incidence of dog mess being put in a plastic bag and then left was noted as particularly bad. Cllrs request that anyone who has seen dog owners who do not clean up after their dog, please report them to the Baydon PC. Action: Cllr Tomkins to put a note in the Baydon Scene reminding people to clear up after their dogs
  • There was a small number of people attending the litter pick on Saturday 13 July and Cllrs noted that better advance notice is needed and a note in the Baydon Scene gets a much higher attendance.

 

 

 

5 CORRESPONDENCE –

 

5.1 Anne Smith - Footpaths.

Cllr Knowles has responded to a letter received from Anne Smith regarding the re-routing of Baydon 11 and 2, he explained previous Baydon PC discussions and Rights of Way decisions. Essentially that due to a number of difficulties that would likely prevent the original pathway being reopened (including the fact that it passes underneath a building, hasn’t been used in 2 decades and there has been a near-miss agricultural accident involving a member of the public), Rights of Way have tried to create the best alternative route in co-operation with the current landowner, which provides good views and still enables users of the pathways to walk in a loop of sorts.

 

Action: Clerk to follow up with Highways regarding missing Way Markers and the kind of surface that will be provided, because Baydon PC were expecting an easy to walk on surface.

 

5.2   Richard Harpin – Footpaths

Cllr Knowles reiterated the above points and concluded that Baydon 2 served a greater purpose for the majority of users but more importantly, it’s safer. Baydon 11, with the new diversion has allowed another path to made available, whereas before it wasn’t. A sign of progress and forward thinking.

 

5.3   Brian – Parking on the green

A resident living in the old cottages, facing the green haven’t been able to get in and out of their drive, due to 3 vans parking in a row, opposite the driveway entrance. Cllrs agreed to monitor the situation at this stage. Action: Cllr Knowles to speak to Brian

 

 

6. PLANNING –

 

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

 

13/01335/FUL. The Old Dairy, Baydon.

Cllrs unanimously agreed to support the application, which is retrospective from 2005 and has posed no issues.

 

 

 7. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION

 

7.1         Youth Worker Update

There is no update as yet. Action: Clerk to follow up. Action: Cllr Tomkins to email Alison Edmonds to confirm contact details.

  

7.2         Allotment Update

Cllrs agreed to fund in principle the weed killing on the stricken plots. Cllr Sheppard advised that a contractor be used because they would have all the necessary licences for spraying. – Action: Cllr Knowles

  

 

7.3        TCWG  - CATG update and Chicanes

 

·         Cllr Witt and Mark Austen have met with James Sheppard to bring him completely up to speed on Baydon’s speeding problem.

·         Cllr Witt attended the recent CATG Meeting and confirmed that CATG are supporting Baydon’s application for central government funding for chicanes to be installed on Ermin Street, near the playground and the outcome of Baydon’s application should be available at the end of August / September.     

·         The ‘Welcome to Wiltshire’ sign that has been missing from the C146 Ermin Street since 2007 was also discussed at CATG. Cllr Witt reported to Baydon PC that the branding and pricing of a replacement sign has caused a number of delays, but Wiltshire Highways confirm they are now ordering the new sign imminently.

·         Cllr Witt reported that the 2012/13 C-Class Road Review for Baydon’s C146 / Ermin Street, was not completed as requested by CATG and unfortunately a Royal Wootton Bassett road (the reserve road) was reviewed instead. Cllrs agreed to formally request that CATG use £2K from the £9K budget they have available, to pay for a review of the C146 as soon as possible. Action: Cllr Witt to put a formal request to CATG in advance of the September CATG meeting.

·         Cllr Sheppard suggested that handing over a petition from Baydon residents and handing it to MP Claire Perry with the press present, would help us get the speeding issues resolved. Action: Cllr Witt to take this forward if necessary                                

 

7.4  Dog Bite in the village

 

Baydon PC are aware of a recent incident involving the dog from the village biting a Baydon resident when they were out jogging. The dogs were roaming the lane alone. The incident was reported to the police and the police have written to the owner to say that the dogs need to be kept on the property securely. When off the property, they must be on a lead. The Dog Warden will also be in touch and a warning that further incidents could result in a Destruction Order. Cllrs noted that this is not the first time that dogs from this property have bitten someone, it’s just the first time that it’s been reported to the police. Cllrs also noted that these dogs have been allowed to roam around unsupervised in the village and have been seen fouling the pavement. Action: Clerk to arrange a meeting with the Dog Warden about this matter and the continuing problem of dog fouling in the village with owners not picking up the mess.

 

7.5        C-Class Road Review

 

Cllr Witt reported that the 2012/13 C-Cla ss Road Review for Baydon’s C146 / Ermin Street, was not completed as requested by CATG and unfortunately a Royal Wootten Bassett road (the reserve road) was reviewed instead. Cllrs agreed to formally request that CATG use £2K from the £9K budget they have available, to pay for a review of the C146 as soon as possible. Action: Cllr Witt to put a formal request to CATG in advance of the September CATG meeting.

 

7.6           Drain Blockage around the Green and Aldbourne Rd.  Cllr Sheppard was contacting M Cook at Highways.

Action: Cllr Sheppard to follow up with Rebecca Busby instead.

 

 

7.7           To decide whether to request a ‘pedestrians in the carriageway’ sign for the walk to the cricket field.

Cllrs agreed to formally request this sign, due to the fact there is no pavement to the cricket field, which is used by several people on a daily basis. Action: Cllr Witt to put in the request to Wiltshire Council

 

 

7.8              To Co-opt John Cockcroft as a councillor – Proposed by Cllr Witt. Seconded by Cllr Howell. Agreed unanimously

 

 

 8. FINANCE

   

8.1            Bank Reconciliation Statement to 30 June 2013:

 

Treasurers Account: £18,844.19

Savings Accounts: £2,617.39

Petty Cash: £39.48

Total: £21,501.06

 

8.3              Approved Payments:

a)      Red Lion £100.00

b)       Pittams £1,269.00

c)       School Hire £60.00

           

8.4            Approved payments between meetings

a) HMRC 1st payment - £151.00 was approved

 

     

9.  ITEMS TO NOTE:

 

9.1 Baydon PC have now been fully reimbursed by the 106 Money from Wiltshire Council for the cost of the BYPA Hall refurbishment. Therefore, Cllr Knowles and the Clerk will be arranging for the money to be returned to the reserves in the savings account.

  

 

10. ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING:

 

10.1 Cllr Witt suggested that Baydon PC support the Red Lion to have better signage on the approach to the village. After the extremely high costs of official brown signs were discussed, it was suggested that with the approval of the owners and in the interest of the current occupiers could some improvements be made to the external street facing side to draw attention to the pub and reflect the charms of the village, with increased floral displays and improved lighting. Cllr Witt suggested that sandwich boards on the verges of the entrance to the village and the possibility of more permanent signage with appropriate fixings, might be the cheapest option available. Action: Cllr Witt to investigate whether these signs are allowed and if so, how they could be secured in the ground if sandwich boards, though the PC were more supportive towards the permanent signage with secure fixings.

 

10.2 Fireworks contribution and insurance, plus any additional costs for compliance

 

10.3 Purchasing litter pickers

 

10.4 Christmas tree electric cabling and mechanism to put the tree in the ground

 

  

The meeting closed at 9.20pm by the Chairman

 

 

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

 

Chairman Mr A Knowles

 

 

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