Baydon Parish Assembly 2009

 

The Baydon Parish Assembly was held on Friday 24th April when Mr Tony Prior, Chairman of the Parish Council addressed a packed School Hall. Mr Prior reported that the council had met 13 times during the past year with an average of 4 councillors in attendance.

There were now five councillors but Mr Prior stressed the need for seven members to help the council function more efficiently. The recent addition of a new councillor has meant that things were finally moving forward with regards to the Allotments on the Parish Field.

There had been 12 successful planning applications submitted and all village functions had been well attended. Mr Prior expressed particular thanks to those involved in the Bonfire Night celebrations.

Mr Prior made a plea for someone to come forward that was willing to organise the Beating of the Bounds in early May. He then outlined the proposed plans to fund a Children’s Play Area and asked the assembled locals to vote for a suitable location. Several areas were described all with good and bad points. Finally three were voted on, the Cricket Field, the Parish Field, or to ask a local land owner for land. Those members of the public present voted overwhelmingly for the Parish Field as the site.

Wiltshire Community Police Support

Mr John Miles, the local Community Support Officer then spoke briefly. He mentioned reduced crime rates in the area, Neighbourhood Watch Schemes and the new 30mph stickers. PC Miles said that consultations were being held in local villages each quarter and that it would be Baydons’ turn on 10th September.

Villagers raised the matters of children playing dangerously near to the main road, and the illegal parking habits of parents collecting children from school. PC Miles agreed, he said that he had witnessed the dangerous parking and was looking into the matter.

Wiltshire Council / Highways

County Councillor Chris Humphries then spoke about the loss of Kennet District Council. He said that he was proud of being involved in the reduction of the speed limit through the village some years ago, and the Fiveways development more recently. He then invited Mr Peter Hanson of Highways to speak.

Mr Hanson said that the Traffic Calming plans would go forward for assessment but there was only so much money in the pot and that there were a lot of villages with a higher priority than Baydon.

He also spoke about the gritting of group 1 roads, such as Ermin Street, and the filling of grit bins. Mr Hanson caused outrage when he said that grit bins that were not used regularly were being removed. Mr Ben Potter remarked that because grit bins had been removed there had been “outsiders” taking sand and grit from Baydon’s bins. Mr Hanson emphasised that Highways is as it always was, it had not changed because Wiltshire had become a Unitary authority.

Questions were asked about kerbside plastics and cardboard collections. Mr Humphries replied that plans were afoot once Wiltshire had “sorted itself out” to do just that.

Baydon St Nicholas Primary School

Mr Peter Chambers, headmaster of Baydon St. Nicholas School, before he gave his report stated that the school had produced a letter that would be going to all parents next week concerning appropriate parking places.

Mr Chambers thanked the “Friends” for their fundraising of £4,000 to supplement the LEA funding and supply the extra items needed. He also thanked the School’s Governing Body who have worked tirelessly for the benefit of the school.

Mrs Enid Johnson reported that Wagtails, an extended school to assist working parents, and the Breakfast Club was financially viable and was being paid for by the parents. It was running well and could accommodate 16 children under the age of 8 plus older children.

Mr Brian Harbour then spoke on behalf of the School for the future project which aims to raise enough money for extensive building work at the school. £4,000 had been raised so far, a tenth of what is needed. The Quiz Night was well supported and the Car Wash was sold out. The Village Fete would be held on the 13th June, followed by a Barn Dance on 3rd July.

Baydon Village Plan

Mr Ben Potter, chairman of the Village Plan Steering Group reported on their progress. The group had focused on the needs of the village and produced a plan that is currently at the printers. Mr Potter then presented a copy to Mr Prior and said the Parish Council needed to know where to proceed with priorities set out by the village.

Various Reports

There then followed reports from all the village organisations; Little Crickets; Parent & Toddlers; Brownies; Scene in Baydon; Women’s Institute; Baydon Young Peoples Association; Thursday Club; Allotment Association; St. Nicholas Church; Baydon Resource Group; Baydon Cricket Club; Yoga and the Baydon Website. All leaders were present except Mrs Peggy Slater (Thursday Club) and Mr Mark Austen (Baydon Website). Both had submitted reports that were read out by Mr Prior.

It has been requested that these reports are sent directly to the Baydon website where they can be viewed both within a related news item and will also be posted within the various local clubs and organisations sections throughout the village website for future reference.

Mrs Peggy Slater sent her report regarding the Thursday Club. The Club is in its 37th year, she wrote, and had 24 members who enjoyed many outings and events for their £5 annual fee.

Mr Brian Butler from Aldbourne reported that the Link Scheme completed 25 jobs each month and is available for driving, gardening, light fitting etc telephone; 01672 540309. The Link Scheme is currently looking for an assistant Link officer. Finances, he said, were covered by donations and monies from Community First. Mr Butler also said that he was impressed by the fantastic turn out at the Parish meeting.

Conclusion

Mr Prior thanked all present for attending and closed the meeting.

Many stayed on to enjoy another glass of wine and to discuss various village related issues.

(News report by Barbara Furber)

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