BAYDON VILLAGE NEWS

From

Barbara Furber

Baydon Parish Council Meeting – Held on 27th October 2008

The Parish Council meeting held on October 27^th 2008 saw all five councillors present, with Mr Tony Prior in the chair. There were no representatives from either the District or County Councils.

Mr Prior again began with a plea for more volunteers to join the Parish Council; at least two more councillors were needed.

The Clerk, Mrs Liz Carmichael submitted a written report, and gave a verbal report on just two additional items. Mrs Carmichael said that the repair of the light in Finches Lane had been escalated because of concerns from the residents. It was hoped that the matter would be dealt with within 5 working days. Mrs Carmichael also reported that she is to order a new litter bin for outside The Paddock and the cost of £74.85 was agreed. The Clerk said that she was looking for a volunteer to position the bin.

The Clerk also warned the council that she had used up her allocation of hours for the next three weeks and so she proposed only to work 2 hours for the next 5 weeks. Cllr Alison Tomkins asked the Clerk how she kept tabs on the hours she worked, and if she would be willing to give the council the list. The Clerk replied that she did keep a record but emails and queries cut into her hours and that writing the minutes took 2 to 3 hours

Councillors discussed the further advice from the National Association Local Councils solicitor concerning the matter of the allotments. The councillors felt that the solicitor never really answered questions but replied with more questions that were red herrings. It was agreed to ask the solicitor for a conference ‘phone call in the hope of getting some straight answers.

The question of the ownership of Willow Lane, said Mr Prior, was a Parish Field issue, not an allotment issue. Letters were to be sent to the residents concerned stating that it was an on going legal situation, but the legal advice at this point was free. It was agreed that engaging a solicitor to investigate the ownership and responsibility for the maintenance of the lane might be necessary. The Clerk was instructed to explore the costs.

It was agreed to adopt the draft Administration Procedure and leave the correspondence details to be cleared outside the meeting. Cllr Tamsin Witt asked that the minutes to be produced within the same week as the meeting. The Clerk said that she would have to check her hours for the week, but if that was what the Parish Council wanted she would be happy to oblige. It was agreed that they would be produced on the fourth day after a meeting. It was also agreed to put a deadline on emails and correspondence between councillors and the Clerk.

No councillors wished to represent Baydon on the Marlborough Community Area Strategic Partnership.

Mr Prior gave a short report on the Parish Project Plan which has been written. A public meeting will be held during March 2009 after the plan is published for viewing during December 2008. The Plan will finally be passed to the Parish Council with an action plan, to be carried forward, the Steering Group having no authority.

Mr Prior said that he is to attend a meeting concerning the setting up of Neighbourhood Watch in the village. A questionnaire will be submitted to the Village magazine concerning the matter.

The Clerk is to post notices concerning litter in the Paddock and also the hours that the Paddock can be used by the public.

It was agreed that a “No Vehicles allowed unless authorised by the Parish Council” notice be produced by Cllr Oliver Bond for the Parish Field. The Clerk is to put notices on the Website; in the Scene in Baydon and on Notice Boards. Notices are also to be posted concerning dog fouling in the village.

Cllrs. Tony Prior; Ian Timms and Alison Tomkins agreed to form a Working Group to review the Clerk’s contract of employment and associated pay scale.

It was agreed that the Clerk attend the SLCC Regional Conference in December at a cost of £45. The clerk expressed a desire to pick up tips on finance and planning issues which she felt might be helpful to her.

A letter had been received concerning a vehicle parked in Downsmead. It is at present displaying a current tax disc and was legally parked, however the Clerk added that the tax would run out on Friday and the car would not be there after that date.

It was decided not to send a representative to the formal hearing for the Baydon Meadow wind turbine planning appeal.

A letter was received asking for representation into the review process used to issue Licences for Liddington Warren Farm. It was understood that several complaints had been made by Aldbourne and Liddington residents. It was not felt necessary for Baydon Parish Council to make comments.

Cllr Ian Timms agreed to respond to the Rural Communities Survey.

Cllr Tony Prior reported that he had summarised the Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Wiltshire County Council 2008 – 2012 and noted routes within the Baydon area that he felt were of importance, most of which were bridleways. It was agreed to send the list in response.

A response to the consultation on the “Making and Enforcement of Byelaws” was considered. Mr Prior said the Parish Council would in future be able to make byelaws, and Parish Council employees and other authorised person(s) would be able to enforce fixed penalty fines. Mr Prior said that he had listed comments and the clerk was advised to respond with those comments.

Planning:

The planning application for a single 4 bed detached dwelling and extension to the Red Lion Pub to provide restaurant facilities, was discussed. Cllr Tamsin Witt had concerns about the outside smoking area, as it had caused problems in the past. Cllr Alison Tomkins felt strongly that the village needed 3 bed roomed houses, not 4 as shown in the plans. It was agreed that these comments be added and the fact that the Parish Council hoped the project in its entirety be completed to ensure the future of the public house.

The Clerk produced another application which she said could not be discussed at the meeting because it was not on the agenda; however the deadline was 12^th November, before the next meeting. It was agreed to look at the plans outside the meeting and only call an extraordinary meeting if absolutely necessary.

Full planning consent was given for a Summerhouse at Pear Tree Cottage.

Cllr Ian Timms produced a list of equipment to be purchased with the litter grant. The expenditure was agreed and Cllr Timms is to order the items.

It was agreed to approve the spending of up to £150 on lights for the Christmas Tree on The Green. Mr Prior suggested that they be purchased from the Village Stores as they seemed to have the most suitable type.

The draft budget was discussed at length. Mr Prior suggested the Parish Council adopt a quarterly budget monitoring report thus making forecasting easier. It was agreed by all.

Mr Prior also said that it was important to see the Accounts that were submitted to the authorities for last year. He remarked that the Clerk’s salary always seemed to be in budget form. Somewhere, he said, it should show in actual form. It is knowledge that is missing, he added, and the Parish Council needed to account for everything for the sake of Village residents. Questions were asked about grass cutting, salary and projects, which were the largest amounts in the budget. Mr Prior voiced concerns that the Parish Council were eating into their reserves. If the precept was not increased he said, the reserves would eventually run out and therefore cause a large increase in subsequent years. The clerk is to revamp the budget and look for approval and precept agreement at the next meeting.

It was agreed that the next Parish Council meeting be on Monday 1st December 2008 at 8pm.

The meeting closed at 10.20pm.

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