MINUTES OF ANNUAL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING - 12 MAY 2008


MINUTES
of the Annual Meeting of
CHIRTON PARISH COUNCIL
held in the School at
7:30 pm on 12 May 2008

Present

Anthony Mather (Chairman), and Councillors David Baker, Stewart Neale, Jonathan Oliphant (Clerk), Stephanie Robertson and Sarah Withers. Apologies were received from Jeremy Cross. One member of the public, Mr Michael Russell, was present.

Election of Chairman and Deputy Chairman

Jonathan Oliphant proposed Anthony Mather for chairman and Stephanie Robertson for deputy chairman. Both were elected nem. con.

Appointment of Clerk and Responsible Finance Officer

The chairman asked Jonathan Oliphant if he was willing to take on both roles and he accepted.

Minutes of the meeting on 8 April 2008

These having been issued previously were signed by the chairman.

Matters Arising

  • Village Design Statement and Parish Plan — Stephanie Robertson explained that this was almost complete and that there would be a display in the church for a week starting on 23June. After discussion it was decided to have a formal launch to which certain interested parties would be invited. Details would be worked out later. The event would be publicised in The Redhorn News and The Parish Newsletter.
  • Sustain The Plain Conference — The chairman said that he and the clerk had attended this conference which marked the closure of Sustain the Plain and the birth of its successor Salisbury Plain Local Action Group (SPLAG). This new group would continue the work done by its predecessor, the funds coming from the European Union rural development programme. There were a number of presentations from bodies which had delivered actions in the past. We had benefited from their help and should remember them if we had any future projects.
  • Annual Highways Meeting — Again the chairman and clerk had attended this at the Depot in Marlborough. They had been shown the various pieces of equipment used to maintain our roads and drainage. It was a useful chance to meet all those who look after our interests, especially our Parish Steward, and to highlight any pressing concerns we had.

Finance

Clerk's Annual Expenses. It was agreed that the clerk's annual expenses should continue at £75.

Circulation of Parish Documents

The chairman asked everyone to try their level best to circulate the wallets more expeditiously. Much depended on making sure that the next recipient was present before posting it through their letter box!

Correspondence

  • Wiltshire Alternative Youth Sports — The Clerk explained that Sport England were promoting this initiative to bring alternative sports ideas to areas outside the larger towns. We were being offered the chance to have a presentation on the scheme. It was agreed to accept the offer and the clerk would make the necessary contact to attend our meeting on 9 Sep 2008.
  • BT Phone Box — Various suggestions had been received to turn it into a feature with flowers, apply to have it listed and to purchase it. The clerk explained that none of these were viable propositions and it was agreed that the box would have to go. The clerk would reply accordingly.
  • One Council Wiltshire — Mr Munro from WCC had offered to address the council and offered Wednesday 11 June at 7.30pm as a suitable date. This was accepted.
  • Defence Training Estate Salisbury Plain, Parish Open Day — The Chairman and the Clerk would attend.
  • Development Control Services in the Unitary Council — The clerk explained that WCC were trying to collate best practices from all parishes. Their questionnaire was couched in terms which related far more to the District Council's Planning Office and possibly larger town and parish councils than ours. It was agreed that the clerk would complete the questionnaire as best he could to reflect our views.
  • Kennet: Making Places for the Future: Spatial Options for Future Development — After some discussion it was agreed that the chairman and clerk would answer the questionnaire between them.
  • Police Report — PC Fiander-Lewis had sent his apologies and given the clerk his written report which would be emailed to councillors to save time.

Meeting Dates for 2008/09

The following dates were agreed (all to be at 7:30 pm at the School):

  • Council Meetings:   9 Sep, 9 Dec, 10 Mar 2009.
  • Tuesday 14 April 2009:   Annual Parish Meeting
  • Tuesday 12 May 2009:   Annual Parish Council Meeting.

The Council's business being complete the chairman asked Mr Russell if he had anything to say. Mr Russell said that he and other residents in Patney Road were particularly concerned about the speed of traffic up and down Patney Road, especially in the early morning and evening when people were going to and returning from work. It was dangerous for anyone walking along the road, especially children going to school. The chairman explained that the council had approached the police in the past and would do so again. Even 30 mph was too fast along that narrow road and there was little more they could do to persuade drivers to be more considerate. The chairman thanked Mr Russell for his comments

Sarah Withers also raised the problems surrounding the Connect2Wiltshire buses travelling through the villages, both here and in Marden. Both villages have narrow areas and sharp bends where passing is difficult. It was agreed to keep the matter under review and contact the bus company if necessary.

There being no further business the meeting close at 2015hrs.

Posted: 26 May 2008