Minutes of the meeting of Westwood Parish Council held in the Parish Rooms, Westwood at 7.30 pm on Monday 7 November 2011.
Present
Cllr. A Parker Chairman
Cllr. J Bishop
Cllr. T Biles
Cllr. G Edwards
Cllr. S Harding
Cllr. R Howard-Evans
Cllr. J Johnston
Mr. R Coleman Clerk
PC M Barrett, Neighbourhood Policing Team, attended (Part-time).
Wiltshire Councillor Cllr. L Conley attended (Part-time).
There was one member of the public present.
1. Welcome and Introductions.
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Apologies.
Apologies for non-attendance were received from Parish Councillors S Higgs and I Richardson.
3. Minutes of the Ordinary Parish Council Meeting held on 3 October 2011.
The minutes of this meeting were signed as a true and accurate record.
4. Adjournment.
The Chairman adjourned the meeting for members of the public to raise any matters of concern and then reconvened the meeting.
5. Westwood Road Safety.
a. Cllr. Bishop stated that there had been a meeting of the Parish Council Road Safety Group last week. He reported that the final Metro Count readings are to be taken week commencing 18 November and that the consultation period for parishioners to express their views will take place thereafter. He added that the consultation questionnaire is in preparation and that Wiltshire Council has agreed to finance the community consultation. Cllr. Bishop stated that the next CATG meeting was in early January next year and that would be the opportunity to push forward the proposals for a pedestrian footway at the Iford end of the village along the Lower Westwood Road, between Iford Hill and The Pastures. Cllr. Bishop added that the measured effect, so far, of the 20 mph trial is that the average speed of motor vehicles has been reduced by around 2 – 3 mph and the earlier greater average speed reduction had not been maintained. He concluded his report by summarising the various road safety measures that had been supported by the CATG for both Westwood Parish Council and Wingfield Parish Council, subject to agreement by both councils and commensurate financial contributions. The road safety measures proposed for Westwood were:
· A virtual pavement between Lyefield Lane and The New Inn, with lengths of the the pavement on both sides of the road – initially on the north side of Lower Westwood road from Lyefield Lane and crossing to the other side just prior to the row of cottages at 86 Lower Westwood (approximately).
· Signage indicating the pedestrian use of the Virtual Pavement.
· Single Lane road signage and markings at the ‘pinch-point, (Rose Cottage/Orchard Close).
· Refreshing existing road markings/white lining.
Cllr. Howard-Evans stated that there was a need for the road surface to be repaired first and for a renewal, or repair, of the existing surface water drainage system before a virtual pavement is painted on to the road. Cllr. Parker confirmed that Wiltshire Council will be repairing the road before the road safety measures work commences but that this would not include a full resurfacing of Lower Westwood road.
The Council noted that the proposed questionnaire was being prepared with the assistance of PC Barrett.
b. The Council noted that the CATG Community Grant application had been successful and that a vote on whether to proceed with the ‘Road Safety Initiatives’ should now be taken.
c. The Council resolved by a majority that Wiltshire Council is to be asked to implement the following road safety measures:
· A virtual pavement between Lyefield Lane and The New Inn
· Signage indicating the pedestrian use of the Virtual Pavement.
· Single Lane road signage and markings at the ‘pinch-point, (Rose Cottage/Orchard Close).
· Refreshing existing road markings/white lining.
d. The Chairman stated that the estimated cost of the Westwood and Wingfield road safety measures was £14786 and Wiltshire Council had declared that whilst it would provide most of this finance there was a shortfall of £1161, based on the estimated costs, that had to be shared between Westwood and Wingfield Parish Councils and that without this shortfall being met the road safety measures could not proceed. There ensued a discussion on the best way to apportion the respective shares of the two parish councils and following a proposal from the floor, the Parish Council resolved to contribute fifty percent towards the shortfall whilst acknowledging that fifty percent of the final, not estimated, cost may slightly increase the contribution made by Westwood Parish Council.
6. Neighbourhood Policing.
a. PC Barrett reported that there had been two attempted break-ins into commercial premises at Upper Westwood but following swift action by the public and the police, including the use of the police helicopter, an arrest had been made.
b. In response to a question from the Council, PC Barrett stated that in view of the general reduction in speed of traffic passing through Westwood, the 20 mph trial must be considered a success.
There were no other matters reported.
7. Bradford on Avon Community Area Board.
a. There were no matters that the Council wished to report to the Area Board at its meeting on 23 November 2011.
b. The Clerk reported that he had contacted all the rural parishes in the Bradford on Avon Community Area inviting them to express their view about the value and modus operandi of the Area Board and any concerns they may have regarding the development of a ‘Neighbourhood Plan’. The councils were also invited to a meeting if there was sufficient interest. He commented that, to date, he had only received two replies – one from Winsley Parish Council and one from Holt Parish Council. The former had stated that it was not in a position to express a view since the Council was a new one and unfamiliar with the Area Board; the latter had expressed an interest in attending such a meeting.
The Clerk was asked to resend the message to the remaining councils in case the earlier message had been missed, although the Chairman observed that the other Parish Councils may not have had their respective Parish Council meetings yet in order to formulate a response.
8. Sub-Committees - Sub-Committee Reports.
a. The Council noted the status of extant planning applications thus:
W/11/02028/FUL Elms Cross Agricultural Building Pending.
(Retrospective0
b. The Council resolved to send comments to Wiltshire Council as shown in italics.
W/11/02757/TCA 1 Chestnut Grove Fell Cypress Tree NEW
No Comment.
c. The following planning application was received after 31 October 2011 and the Council resolved to send comments to Wiltshire Council as shown in italics:
W/11/02742/LBC 48 Lower Westwood Replace Garden Room NEW
Alter internal walls/openings
No Objections.
d. The Clerk advised councillors of the existence and utility of the Wilshire Council development Control portal via the Wiltshire Council website.
Cemetery.
a. Cllr. Bishop reported on behalf of the Cemetery Sub-Committee and stated that he had nothing to report.
b. The Clerk stated that the Parochial Church Council had written to Wiltshire Council requesting it to undertake the repair/cleaning work to be undertaken on the tombs following the historical correspondence received by the PCC confirming that the predecessor of Wiltshire Council, namely West Wiltshire District Council, had accepted responsibility for the tombs. The Clerk reported that a reply to this correspondence is awaited and when received should make the position regarding respective responsibilities for the closed churchyard clearer.
Finance.
a. The Clerk reported the current financial position – details of which are shown on the last page of these minutes.
b. The Clerk stated that Westwood Parish Council is now registered as an employer with HMRC.
Clerk’s Note.
Westwood PC is now registered with HMRC as an Employer, in accordance with current legislation. It has one employee – the Clerk, Mr R P Coleman with an Employee No. of West 01. The Employer PAYE Reference is: 475/YA63331
c. The Council resolved to make the payments shown under ‘Payments to be authorised’ above.
Open Spaces.
a. Cllr. Edwards gave the following report to the Council:
Westwood Park
Graffiti inside entrance on air shaft building walls still to be dealt with
Playing field
No issues
Westwood Park Play Area
Seven palings missing, it seems like the same places as last inspection. In one location there are three palings. No graffiti added
Waste Bin ok
Pathway
Gravel has been added to the pathway but there is still a trip hazard by the gate.
The area inside the play area needs topping up with gravel this will also remove the tendency to have puddles by the gate.
Playing field
No new issues
b. The Clerk tabled the RoSPA Annual Safety Inspection Report and stated that the only item of concern stated in the report related to a missing bolt on the Antarctic Iceberg Tower. Cllr. Edwards stated that he would attend to this matter.
Cllr. Harding confirmed that the fence palings were still missing. The Clerk was asked to write to Mr Say asking him to repair the fence and to send an invoice for any expenditure incurred to the Parish Council.
Environment.
The Clerk stated that a parishioner had complained about the trees that were on Parish Council land that adjoined the footway leading into the school playing field from the end of Bobbin Lane. The Clerk and Cllr. Johnston each stated that they had inspected the trees and did not see any immediate cause for concern, although there was some evidence of the tree roots possibly affecting the footway surface. Cllr. Howard-Evans commented that there was a manhole cover nearby and it was possible that the roots could cause damage to that chamber. Cllrs. Edwards and Howard-Evans agreed to inspect the trees and the immediate area and to report back to the Parish Council for it to determine what action, if any, should be taken.
Cllr. Edwards reported that he had taken photographs of the potholes at Staples Hill and that he intended sending these to Wiltshire Council with a request that action is taken to repair them.
Cllr. Bishop reported that Mrs Jordan had contacted him to advise him that the oak tree on her land is to receive attention and that access to the tree will require the contractor to have access to the playing field.
Footpaths.
Cllr. Johnston reported that Path 14 (opposite Orchard Close to Farleigh Lane and passing through Haygrove Farm) had now been cleared.
Cllr. Johnston reported that manure is being deposited on the bridleway (Path 19) and that the person renting the adjacent field from the owner of Housel’s Field appear to be the culprit. Cllr. Johnston stated that she would speak to the owner of Housel’s Field.
9. The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Celebration 2012.
Cllr. Biles stated that a meeting on this subject was held on 12 October. He stated that a ‘flyer’ is to be send to all households in the Parish to see if there would be sufficient support for celebration activities to be held. He added that some 550 flyers would be required and he would be seeking financial support from the Parish Council to meet this cost.
10. The Pre-Olympics Sports Festival.
The Council resolved not to participate.
11 Valley Parishes Alliance (VPA).
The Chairman stated that he would attend the next meeting of the Valley Parishes Alliance if he was available.
12. Date of Parish Council Meeting.
The Council noted the date of the next Meeting:
· Ordinary Parish Council meeting – Monday 5 December 2011 at 7.30pm.
13. Any Other Business.
Exchange of views on matters not requiring a decision.
The Clerk drew the attention of the Council to the following:
· The Queen’s Jubilee Beacons
The Chairman confirmed that the Christmas Meal will go ahead on the 19 December and councillors agreed that Mr & Mrs Say should be invited as guests in recognition of the voluntary work Mr Say undertakes for the community – especially in relation to the Play area.
Cllr. Bishop confirmed that the Road Safety Questionnaire to go round the village is being prepared by the Road Safety Group based on the proposals by Cllr. Parker.
There was no other business.
The meeting concluded at 9.35pm.
Chairman 5 December 2011.
Action 1 (7/11/11) Clerk.
To resend message to Chairs of PCs (BoACB) – Area Boards/Neighbourhood Plans meeting.
Action 2 (7/11/11) Clerk.
To write to WC – Planning Applications.
Action 3 (7/11/11) Clerk.
To make agreed payments.
Action 4 (7/11/11) Cllr. Edwards.
To replace the missing bolt on the Antarctic Iceberg Tower.
Action 5 (7/11/11) Clerk.
To write to Mr Say – Fence palings and invoice.
Action 6 (7/11/11) Cllrs. Edwards and Howard-Evans.
To inpect the trees/manhole at Bobbin Lane.
Action 7 (7/11/11) Cllr. Johnston
To contact owner of Housel’s Field – tenant/manure at bridleway.
Action 8 (7/11/11) Clerk.
To write to Mr & Mrs Say – Christmas Meal.
NB. Details of the actions above are contained in the minutes.