BAYDON VILLAGE NEWS

Baydon Parish Council Meeting of Monday 15^th February 2010

Mr Tony Prior chaired the Parish Council meeting on Monday 15^th February in the BYPA Hall. There were only two other councillors present as Cllr Tamsin Witt was ill.

The minutes of the Council’s previous meeting in January were approved and signed.

Concern was raised about faulty street lighting on Downsmead and Manor Lane.

Planning

It was agreed to extinguish BAYD 1 footpath, as it is impossible to walk the section indicated on the map. Councillors were reminded that the owner of Baydon House had not raised the subject. It was agreed that the public had walked around the House gardens after coming from Dark Lane, for many years, and that it made sense to make the change.

The Councillors also considered an application to extinguish BAYD 11 (which is a short stretch from the 5 barred gate to the footpath crossroads at Baydon House) and to adopt the alternative route.

Cllr Alison Tomkins felt that a reasonable diversion had been created. Cllr Michael Edmonds was opposed to diversions of footpaths in principle but in this case the diversion provided was better and villagers were using it regularly. Chairman Tony Prior pointed out that it was still possible to walk in front of the house if the need arose but that it would no longer be possible to pass through the 5 barred gate. The proposal was approved.

Many letters and complaints had been received from residents concerning the Redcliffe Homes development in Aldbourne Road. Mrs Tania Crawley was concerned because the open grass area was described as private where as it had originally been intended as a play area for small children. Cllr Tony Prior said he believed it was to be a play area, but he was not sure if it would be open to the public. He is to write for clarification.

The subject of lighting was also discussed. Mr Kevin Howell of Pine Cottage said that the builders had tried to put lighting outside of his property on his privately owned kerb. Mr Howell produced a map of the proposed lighting that he had been able to obtain. There were 7 lights proposed on the development and 3 in Aldbourne Road. The councillors felt that was far too many.

There was some discussion as to whether Cllr Alison Tomkins could vote on the subject as she had declared an interest and left the room. However Wiltshire County Councillor Chris Humphries stated that the Standards Board agreed that in such circumstances it would be right and proper for a councillor to vote. Cllr Tomkins joined the discussion and voted.

It was agreed to write to suggest that only 4 lights be sited on the development, and that no extra lights be put on Aldbourne Road.

Concern was also raised that the plans and the actual building did not correspond. County Councillor Chris Humphries said that Redcliffe Homes had two applications in at the moment. The clerk, Mrs Rowan Cockcroft, said that Plan 1422 was called in by County Councillor Chris Humphries following the meeting on 30^th November. The Parish Council agreed not to call in Plan 0141 as there were no specific objections. It was agreed to call in the Enforcement Officer to view the development so far. County Councillor Chris Humphries reminded villagers that it was important for individuals to respond by letter, too. Cllr Tomkins also pointed out that the York Houses on plots 3, 4 and 15 were incorrectly described as 3 bedroom houses, where as the drawings showed that they had 4 bedrooms. The clerk was to note this also.

Many members of the public voiced their concerns about the development and the lack of response to their letters.

Items for consideration

The Traffic Calming Working Group’s (TCWG) speeding issues letter to the Marlborough Community Area Board (MCAB) was approved and the clerk is to write to the MCAB to raise Speeding Issues also. The report on the purchase of 30mph stickers was deferred.

Cllr Tony Prior said that he had attended the MCAB meeting to hear about Community Speed Watch (CSW), 6 volunteers would be trained to use speed guns, note offending vehicles and inform the police, who would send a formal letter to the perpetrators. In consequence the Camera Safety Van would no longer visit the village.

The TCWG had applied for an assessment that the Council had approved, although it did not mean that the TCWG would finally agree to use the CSW.

It was agreed that Cllr Michael Edmonds purchase a weatherproof door for the Downsmead notice board and it would be painted and fitted by volunteers.

Cllr Tony Prior reported attending a meeting on 25th January about a play area on the Parish Field. The County Officer visited the site and approved it. There would be a meeting for the Play Area Working Group on 22nd February in the BYPA hall for further consultation and later with the children.

Mrs Sylvia Betteridge was then invited to make her views known, as she was anxious to speak. She asked if the council was aware of the vandalism that had happened in the field in the past. Cllr Tony Prior said he was not aware. Mrs Betteridge said she felt it was an unsuitable site. Cllr Prior said that that was her opinion, but not what was agreed at the site meeting. He continued to say that monies would be need for equipment for the under 8’s as it would be sensible to install all the equipment together. He had had encouragement from various sources, he added. It was agreed to buy hedging for the east side of the Parish Field and the councillors would plant it themselves.

The councillors reviewed the condition of the track leading to the Parish Field. Cllr Michael Edmonds said he felt it was in a good state. At the site meeting all the traffic using the track journeyed straight through to the top, nothing entered the Parish Field. Cllr Prior added that it was rare for permission to be granted for vehicles entering the field – four loads of manure per year and for the contractor to cut the grass during the summer.

Mrs Betteridge was invited to speak again. She said that flints were being disturbed, and the gateway had been damaged by tractors going into the Allotments, and that the tarmac had been broken up. Cllr Prior said that there had been no evidence of any tarmac on the track in the past 3 years. Cllr Prior also wished to record that the Council had replied to a letter from a resident concerning the track. In the reply he had stated that the Council refuted that they were playing politics by being arrogant. It was agreed that the Council need do nothing further to the track.

It was reported that the rails for fencing to the Parish Field have been purchased and will be repaired by Mr Prior.

The risk assessment for the Parish Council was approved.

The Marlborough Village Community Area Project proposed that Baydon have a page on their website. It was agreed that Baydon had its own excellent website and therefore did not need a page. Mr Mark Austen explained that the Wiltshire Council Page on the Baydon village website hopefully already included all the useful information relevant to the residents in the village but that he was happy to add any MAVCAP or other additional information that was considered appropriate.

County Councillor Chris Humphries advised that the waste collection options had been shelved, so the discussion was deferred.

It was decided to keep the 1987, 1989 and 1991 Best Kept Village plaques in a box in the Parish file.

It was agreed, at Cllr Edmonds suggestion, that the Cleaning Allowance be used to clear the brambles at the north entrance to Manor Lane.

Cllr Edmonds is to draft a letter to the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust asking for advice about uses for the Pond Area.

Finances

Payments between meetings of £45.12 for fencing rails, £182.12 to Mazars (Audit) and £275 ex VAT for solicitor’s letters were all approved.

The grants of  £528 ex VAT were approved by the Area Board and would go towards the Gates for the village.

Thanks were recorded for the new 30mph signs that have been erected.

A grant of £619 has been received towards the cost of supplying water to the Parish Field.

The Council’s current account stood at £14,139.85 with £699.16 in the Allotment reserve and £8,354.56 in another reserve account. £636.38 was approved as payment of the clerk’s salary for the period 30^th November 2009 to 28^th February 2010.

A training day for the clerk was booked for 25^th March 2010.

Items to note

It was agreed to hold the 2010 Beating of the Bounds on Bank Holiday Monday 3^rd May.

The Council had received letters from the Allotment Association concerning the rent. The matter is to be discussed at the next meeting.

Cllr Tony Prior is in the process of obtaining quotes for grass cutting during the next financial year. It has been noted that residents were pleased with the services of the present contractors.

The meeting closed at 10pm.

By Barbara Furber

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