MINUTES OF MEETING - TUESDAY 9 SEPTEMBER 2008


Minutes of the Meeting of
CHIRTON PARISH COUNCIL
held in the School at
7:30 p.m. on 9 September 2008

Present

Councillors David Baker, Jeremy Cross, Anthony Mather (Chairman), Stewart Neale, Jonathan Oliphant (Clerk), Stephanie Robertson, and Sarah Withers.

In Attendance: Tony Molland, County and District Councillor and one member of the public.

Minutes of the meeting on 12 May 2008

These minutes having been circulated beforehand were agreed nem con.

Matters Arising

  • Wiltshire Alternative Youth Sports — Mr Nick Thrower gave an enthusiastic talk on the range of activities that he could offer to young people aged 11-16 in the village. A question was asked about what could be done for those of Primary School age. Mr Thrower said that they were outside his remit. However once an active group had been established this would give the younger group something to look forward to. The Chairman welcomed Mr Thrower's contribution and it was decided to consider the implications of organising a group to meet Mr Thrower for a "taster" session and contact him again next month. [Website: Wiltshire Alternative Youth Sports.]
  • BT Phone Box — Kennet District Council had objected to the removal of this box, which meant that BT would have to appeal against this decision in order to remove it. In the meantime BT had put forward two options. First, for the parish council to adopt the box for the nominal cost of £1. The box would then become the property of the parish council, but BT would remove the telephone. Second, for the council to sponsor the box at a cost of £500 p.a. The box would then remain in full working order. After some discussion it was decided to adopt the box in order to retain it as a feature in the village.
  • Grass-Cutting Contracts — At our request Wiltshire County Council, in the run up to Unitary status, are considering devolving grass cutting to the parish council. Details are still being worked out.
  • Village Design Statement — This has now been lodged with Kennet District Council. The Chairman recorded the thanks of the council to Stephanie Robertson and Stewart Neale for all the work they had done to produce a first-class document.

Finance

  • The bank balance at 1 September 2008 stood at £2,015.86. There was one outstanding cheque for £223.70 making a net balance of £1,792.16.
  • Payments — The following payments were agreed:

    Mr Clive Fletcher for two notice boards, £115.74 (Miller Close) and £223.70 (outside the School). The latter bill was much higher due to having to replace one pane of glass broken accidentally and replacing the back board, which had become rotten. Clerk's expenses for 2008/09, £75. New Minute Book, £31.70 and Mazars auditors fee, £82.25.
  • Letter of thanks — Received from the Bobby Van Trust.
  • Request for a Grant — WRVS had asked to be considered for a grant. The Clerk said that he had emailed them for details of their work in the village but had had no reply. It was decided not to make a grant.

Parish Plan

An extended discussion took place about whether or not to proceed with this and when. Much of the information required for it had already been collected and it was unlikely that further group discussions would be necessary. However, in view of the disquiet generated by the process leading up to the production of the Village Design Statement the following plan of action was decided:

  • To delay action until 2009
  • To produce a draft framework for the Parish Plan
  • To call a village meeting similar to the last meeting for the VDS to discuss and explain the project and ask for volunteers to serve on a panel to draw up the document
  • To ensure that there was a strong statement of need for a new village hall

Mr Molland agreed to raise the matter with the shadow Pewsey Area Board so that they were aware that we intended to produce the plan.

Village Matters

  • Vandalism — Two cases of vandalism had taken place recently. The police had been informed and they had agreed to increase their visible presence in the village during October-December.
  • Village Hall —The grass cutting agreed with Rod Bridewell had exceeded the number of times which we had authorised. He had been told to continue to cut it as necessary to keep it tidy. It was agreed to review the situation before next season. David Baker said that his committee were looking into the need to employ an outside consultant to advise on the whole subject of a new hall. He said that the present site would be sold in due course.
  • Flooding — The Clerk said that the drain between 54/56 The Street had still not been cleared. He was chasing it up again.
  • School: Road Safety — Mr Stansby from WCC had been in touch with the Head Teacher and would be visiting the school in October to see what needed to be done.
  • Old Garage Site — Work is due to start this month.
  • Keep Britain Tidy Campaign — A notice has been put in the Autumn Newsletter asking the whole village to do their best to keep the village tidy.

Correspondence

  • Transition to Unitary Status — There will be a meeting in the Corn Exchange in Devizes on 22 October 2008 to bring up to date the move towards Unitary Status. It will last from 6.30-8.30pm. Those wishing to attend should tell the Clerk as soon as possible.
  • It was deemed unnecessary to record the other items of correspondence.

Planning Application Received

K/59392/F — To remove an existing conservatory and replace it with a PVCU conservatory at the rear of No.1 Miller Close. The council raised no objection to this application.

Date of Next Meeting

Tuesday 9 December 2008 at 7.30pm in the school.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 20:45 hrs.

The Chairman invited comments from members of the public. There were none but Stewart Neale raised the question of allotments in the village. There are none at present but Mr Molland commented that he thought there was a duty laid on the council to provide them if there was a demand. The Clerk was asked to look into the matter.

Posted: 21 September 2008