Minutes of the meeting of Westwood Parish Council held in the Parish Rooms, Westwood at 8.00 pm on Monday 9 May 2011.
Present
Cllr. A Parker Chairman
Cllr. J Johnston
Cllr. T Biles
Cllr. J Bishop
Cllr. G Edwards
Cllr. S Harding
Cllr. S Higgs
Cllr. R Howard-Evans
Mr. R Coleman Clerk
Wiltshire Councillor L Conley attended.
There were no members of the public present.
1. Welcome and Introductions.
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Apologies.
Apologies for non-attendance were received from Cllr. I Richardson
3. Minutes of the Ordinary Parish Council Meeting held on 4 April 2011.
The minutes of this meeting were signed as a true and accurate record.
4. Adjournment.
In the absence of any members of the public, the meeting continued without an adjournment.
The meeting then re-convened.
5. Westwood Road Safety.
a. Cllr. Bishop reported on behalf of the Road Safety Working Group.
Cllr. Bishop stated that the installation of the signage and road markings for the 20 mph Trial had now been completed and it can be assumed that the trial is underway. He added that monitoring of traffic speeds will be undertaken once the trial has ‘settled in’.
There were mixed views expressed by councillors on the likely efficacy of the trial and some commented that the speed of traffic appears to have been generally unaffected by the imposition of the 20 mph speed limit. Cllr. Bishop stated that the success of the trial is likely to be judged by whether pedestrians feel ‘safer’ when using the local roads. Cllr. Harding stated that in a straw poll that he had conducted locally, all those polled were against the reduction of the speed limit to 20 mph.
Cllr. Howard-Evans stated that it was important that parishioners have the opportunity to comment on the trial and whether or not they wished it to be a permanent feature. The Chairman endorsed this view and added that an article in the Westwood Update would be appropriate with an invitation for parishioners to express their views to Wiltshire Council and to the Parish Council. The Clerk commented that there is a specific deadline for comments to be received by Wiltshire Council. Cllr. Bishop stated that he would contact Wiltshire Council and establish the deadline and the preferred means of sending comments to Wiltshire Council.
Cllr. Johnston queried why the 20 mph speed limit sign had been moved some considerable distance eastwards from the original position of the 30mph limit but that a similar sign at the Iford turning had not been moved, even though the road safety at that latter point would be significantly improved if that sign had been moved further away from the village, around the bend. Cllr. Bishop replied that a relocation of a
sign took place only if its new position did not involve any safety issues – the relocation of the sign at Iford turning would have had safety connotations and was, therefore, not moved.
b. The Chairman stated that Cllr. Richardson had been delegated by the Parish Council to attend the Community Area Traffic Group (CATG) and that Cllr. Richardson had made representations to the Community Area Board Manager, Peter Dunford on behalf of Westwood Parish Council. The Chairman read the missive sent to Peter Dunford from Cllr. Richardson to the Council – shown below in italics:
‘Peter,
It was good to meet you yesterday. Thank you for giving me and the Westwood Parish Council the time to contribute to the meeting, and for enabling me to disappear on time.
In summary, the requirements of the WPC in order of priority are:
1. 20 mph trial. Installation of the new signage is nearly complete, and painting of the roundels on the road are outstanding.
2. Virtual pavements :
a. At the Trowbridge end on the Lower Westwood Road, between the New Inn pub and the junction to Upper Westwood and Avoncliff. This part of the road is considered particularly hazardous for parents and children going to and from Westwood-with-Iford primary school, and any walkers to the pub or on Wiltshire trails.
b. At the Freshford end on the Lower Westwood Road, between the junction to Iford and the Iford Manor coach entrance to the start of the pavement near The Pastures.
3. Protection for pedestrians against curb mounting at the pinch-point | single lane traffic in the centre of the Lower Westwood Road, near the junction to The Orchards leading to the Westwood Social Club.
There are other initiatives on our wish list, but items 1, 2a, 2b, and 3. are considered our top 4 priorities.
Other points to note are:
- I fully support the initiative to prioritise the raw list of requirements :
§ using published criteria based on those currently used by the Highways department,
§ to which we should add our own “local” criteria.
§ this would enable the list to be ordered, with a guideline indicating what is above and below the current level of funding available.
§ an effective management process would then be put in place under the governance of the CATG.
§ I would be able to assist in the initial prioritisation process.
- I specifically mentioned the lack of engagement by the Highways department with virtually no communication or explanation for delays in the start of the 20 mph trial work. Without this, the Council cannot manage communications nor expectations within our community.
- Subject to my work commitments and availability, and approved delegation from my Council, I would be happy to represent Westwood on this committee in future. We would look to field an alternate in my absence.
c. Cllr. Biles stated that the Grant application for additional road safety measures had not been presented to the CATG yet and that he was disappointed at the prevarication and obfuscation on the part of Wiltshire Council that appears to accompany this grant application. He commented that the CATG has no Terms of Reference and it only had a very small sum of money for grant allocations.
At a brief adjournment of the meeting, Cllr. Conley indicated that the CATG has a total of £10,000 to disburse for all ‘highways/transport related’ grant applications this year and her understanding was that endorsement by the CATG would attract a small grant allocation and that the Community Area Board could then be approached for a much larger sum of money towards these road safety measures at Westwood. She added that the next step is to obtain costings from Wiltshire Council for the priority items identified by Cllr. Richardson at the CATG meeting.
The Chairman stated that he would discuss this matter with Cllr. Richardson with a view to writing to Wiltshire Council expressing the frustration felt by the Parish Council that a simple Grant application, that the Parish Council would be ‘match funding’, is proving so difficult to progress.
6. Neighbourhood Policing.
a. In the absence of a representative from the Neighbourhood Policing Team, no report was given.
b. There were no matters raised by councillors.
7. Bradford on Avon Community Area Board.
a. There was nothing to report in respect of the ‘Big Society and Localism’ Seminar held at St Margaret’s Hall, Bradford on Avon.
b. Cllr. Biles stated that he would be unable to attend the next meeting of the Community Area Board to be held on 11 May 2011. Cllrs. Harding and Parker indicated that they may be able to attend. The Clerk handed the Agenda to Cllr. Harding.
c. The decision which Westwood Parish Councillors would attend the Community Area Board meeting was deferred until the next Parish Council meeting. The Westwood Community Area Grant application was not on the Agenda for meeting on 11 May.
8. Sub-Committees.
Sub-Committee Reports.
Footpaths.
Cllr. Johnston reported on behalf of the Footpath sub-Committee and stated that the only path that needed attention was Path 12 (WW0012) because it was badly overgrown. The Clerk was asked to contact the Footpath Warden.
Planning.
a. The Council noted the status of extant planning applications thus:
W/11/00829/FUL 17 Bobbin Lane Single Storey Extension and alterations. Permission
b. The Council examined the following planning applications and resolved to send comments to Wiltshire Council as shown:
W/11/01113/FUL 1 Ancliff Square Installation of photovoltaic panels No Objections
W/11/01186/TCA 8 Ancliff Square Tree works No Objections
W/11/01281/FUL 5 The Laurels Air Heat Source Pump No Objections
W/11/01306/FUL 12 Ancliff Square Installation of photovoltaic panels No Objections
c. There were no planning applications received after 4 May 2011 to consider.
Cemetery.
a. Cllr Bishop stated that the cemetery is in good order but a pile of cuttings in the north-west corner of the cemetery may have been placed on top of a grave. Cllr. Bishop stated that he would have a word with Mr Cooke.
There were no other matters reported.
The Clerk stated that he had not received a reply from CS Bowyer regarding the ‘preferred’ width of cemetery path and would assume that the path is of an adequate width for the transit of a coffin. Cllr. Parker commented that the path had been cut back significantly recently to provide a greater width of path.
b. The Clerk stated that the reply from Wiltshire Council regarding the grant for the ‘closed churchyard’ was disappointing in that Wiltshire Council had stated that the correct processes had not been followed in 1972, in respect of the transfer of responsibilities for ‘closed’ churchyards. These processes were detailed in the Local Government Act of the same date and Wiltshire Council had no records to indicate that it had accepted any responsibility for the ‘closed’ churchyard from the Parochial Church Council. Therefore no grant would be paid. Wiltshire Council had added that the responsibility for the ‘closed’ churchyard, therefore, lies with the Parochial Church Council. The Clerk stated that he would write to the Parochial Church Council and would invite them to comment on the letter. Meanwhile, the Parish Council resolved that it would continue cutting the grass and other general ‘tidying up’ activities in the churchyard until such time that this matter is resolved.
Finance.
a. The Clerk stated that the current financial position was as follows:
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Lloyds TSB A/C 1643417 |
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Bank Statement – 31 March 2011 |
£ 4,346.05 |
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Note: Cheque 1196 (S&J - Feb) Unpresented |
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Credits (1 April 2011 to 30 April 2011) : |
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15-Apr |
Cemetery Fees (N Norris Monument) |
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£ 80.00 |
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20-Apr |
FY2011/12 Precept (Part) |
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£ 5,250.00 |
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Total: |
£ 5,330.00 |
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Debits (1 April 2011 to 30 April 2011): |
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Clerk's Salary (March) |
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£ 344.62 |
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Clerk's Expenses (March) |
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£ 28.31 |
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S&J Grounds (Feb) |
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£ 166.00 |
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S&J Grounds (March) |
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£ 166.00 |
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V Cooke (March) |
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£ 96.00 |
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Parish Room Hall Hire |
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£ 156.00 |
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Westwood Flower Show |
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£ 130.00 |
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Westwood Garden Competition |
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£ 120.00 |
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Total: |
£ 1,206.93 |
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Balance at 30 April 2011: |
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£ 8,469.12 |
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Credits (1 May 2011 to 9 May 2011) : |
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None |
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Total: |
£ - |
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Debits (1 May 2011 to 9 May 2011): |
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01-May |
Clerk's Salary (March) |
£ 344.62 |
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Total: |
£ 344.62 |
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Balance at 9 May 2011: |
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£ 8,124.50 |
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Lloyds TSB A/C 7573321 |
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Bank Statement |
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£ 5,576.72 |
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10-Jan-11 |
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Credits: |
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09-Feb |
Interest |
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£ 0.23 |
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09-Mar |
Interest |
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£ 0.21 |
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09-Apr |
Interest |
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£ 0.20 |
(Approx) |
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Total: |
£ 0.64 |
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Debits: |
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None |
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£ - |
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Total: |
£ - |
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Balance at 9 May 2011: |
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£ 5,577.36 |
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National Savings A/C 138409348 |
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Balance at 1 January 2010 |
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£ 7,772.06 |
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Credits: |
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Interest 1/1/10 to 31/12/10: |
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£ 15.54 |
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Debits: |
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£ - |
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Balance at 9 May 2011: |
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£ 7,787.60 |
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Total Balance in hand at 9 May 2011: |
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£ 21,489.46 |
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Payments to be authorised 9 May 2011). |
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Clerk's Salary (May 2011) |
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£ 344.62 |
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Clerk's Expenses (May 2011)) |
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£ 7.58 |
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Val Cooke (April) - TBA |
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£ 245.76 |
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St Johns CC |
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£ 75.64 |
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Mr McCamley (Speaker at APM) |
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£ 40.00 |
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Insurance Premium (Zurich Municipal - £996.10) |
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£ 996.10 |
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Chairman' Allowance |
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£ 150.00 |
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Playforce |
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£ 180.00 |
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S&J Grounds Ltd (April) |
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£ 182.00 |
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TOTAL: |
£ 2221.70 |
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Donations/Subscriptions to be considered - 9 May 2011 |
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None |
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£ - |
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TOTAL: |
£ - |
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b. The Council resolved to make the payments shown under ‘Payments to be authorised’ above.
c. The Clerk stated that the Westwood Flower Show Committee had written thanking the Parish Council for its donation.
Open Spaces.
a. Cllr. Edwards reported on behalf of the Open Spaces sub-Committee. He provided the following written report (shown in italics) that he read out at the Parish Council meeting:
Open Spaces Report May 2011-01-10 Geoff Edwards
Park:
Graffiti inside entrance on air shaft building walls still to be dealt with
Playing Field:
No issues.
Play Area:
Ground fabric has been repaired ok
Multiplay: ok except for missing bolts
I have tightened up all the screws and bolts on the Multiplay. There are 9 palings missing now. I don't live close to the park but would suggest that whoever does could loiter around after school finishes to try and catch whoever is vandalising the equipment.
The screws that are missing are correctly described as: stainless steel hexagon socket button head machine screws M10 x 30 long. I could buy some of these via the Internet as they are not obtainable locally. I can buy them for 75p each plus vat and £3-£5 post and packing.
No graffiti added
Palings may have been added, difficult to tell as 9 are missing
Rubbish bin to be emptied
Path still not made safe by adding gravel to level up to path boards
The Parish Council resolved that Cllr. Edwards purchases the necessary screws for the Play Equipment at a cost not exceeding £20.
Cllr. Biles reported that S&J Grounds Ltd were not cutting the grass up to the edge of the Westwood Park – as required by the contract. The Clerk stated that he would contact S&J Grounds Ltd.
Cllr. Johnston agreed to inspect the cherry tree in the Westwood Park that a parishioner had reported as dead. The Council resolved that Mr Cooke be asked to remove this tree, subject to confirmation as to its state by Cllr. Johnston, provided Mr Cooke can ensure that the stump is removed or ‘ground down’.
Environmental.
There were no matters reported.
9. Valley Parishes Alliance (VPA).
a. Cllr. Edwards stated that there was little to report. He commented that the next meeting of the VPA is to be held on 16 May 2011.
b. There were no actions to endorse.
10. The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Celebration 2012.
Cllr. Biles promoted the idea of a ‘village-wide’ celebration designed to bring the community together. He envisaged an event on the Playing Field that would appeal to all ages. The Parish Council supported this initiative. Cllr. Biles stated that he would now begin to talk to interested parties in the village and to sketch out a possible ‘event’.
11. Date of Parish Council Meeting.
The Council noted the date of the next Meetings:
· Ordinary Parish Council meeting – Monday 6 June 2011 at 7.30pm.
· Annual Parish meeting – Tuesday 10 May 2011 at 7.30pm.
12. Any Other Business.
Exchange of views on matters not requiring a decision.
· Cllr. Edwards reminded councillors about the forthcoming visit of the Parish Steward and ask them to advise him of any tasks that needed undertaking.
There was no other business.
The meeting concluded at 9.25pm.
Chairman 6 June 2011.
Action 1 (9/5/11) Clerk.
To make agreed payments.
Action 2 (9/5/11) Cllr. Parker
To speak to Cllr. Richardson - CATG/Grant applications for the Area Board.
Action 3 (9/5/11) Clerk.
To contact Footpath Warden – Path 12.
Action 4 (9/5/11) Clerk.
To write to WC – Planning Applications.
Action 5 (9/5/11) Cllr. Johnston
To inspect ‘dead’ cherry tree.
Action 6 (9/5/11) Clerk
To contact Playforce (Repair surface).
Action 7 (9/5/11) Cllr. Bishop.
To contact Mr Cooke – ‘cuttings’ on a grave.
Action 8 (9/5/11) Cllr. Edwards.
To purchase necessary screws for the Play Equipment.
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Action 9 (9/5/11) Clerk.
To contact Mr Cooke – Gravel on Play Area path.
Action 10 (9/5/11) Clerk.
To speak to S&J Contracts – Grass cutting.
Action 11 (9/5/11) Cllr. Biles.
To investigate the feasibility of a ‘Diamond Jubilee’ event.
NB. Details of the actions above are contained in the minutes.