BAYDON VILLAGE NEWS
From
Barbara Furber
Baydon Parish Council Meeting Held On Monday 10th March 2008
An additional meeting of the Parish Council was held on March 10th to discuss those items not covered at the last meeting, due to lack of time.
The meeting was well attended by the public. Mr Kevin Barnes chaired the meeting with Councillors Heather White, Alison Tomkins, Tony Prior and County Councillor Chris Humphries also in attendance.
In the clerk’s report Mrs Elizabeth Carmichael said that she had received permission from Mr Jonathan Smith to replace 15 millennium trees, in the form of whips, on the Cricket Field. Mrs White said that she was worried about planting them on private land, but Mr Barnes pointed out that other millennium trees were already planted there.
The clerk also reported that she had spoken to the County Council concerning dangerous overhanging trees in Manor Lane, and they have agreed to view the site on Friday. Although the embankment belongs to the Landowners, the County Council can take responsibility and charge the landowners for the work done.
Cllr Tony Prior’s application for a training course was returned because the course was fully booked. He will now be put on a waiting list. Cllr Alison Tomkins requested the she also be put on that list.
Mrs Carmichael also said that she had inspected the Parish Field and noted the hazards. She is now waiting for quotes for the removal of rubbish.
The Parish Council agreed the Working Policy Document. A group comprising of Councillors and non-Councillors as appropriate, which is set up by the Parish Council for a specific project or purpose and for a finite length of time. Their role is to investigate how issues can be resolved. They then make an informed report or proposal back to a full council meeting where decisions on whether or not (and how) to proceed can be taken. If the group is to continue for more than a few months, the Council should consider setting up a permanent Standing Committee instead which may have delegated powers.
To achieve formal recognition as an official Council body, the Working Group must have approved Terms of Reference including an agreed life expectancy and objectives which support those of the Council. The Working Group may not make decisions on behalf of the Council.
It was agreed also to set up an Allotment Working Group. The group would not exceed 8 members in total and no more than 2 Parish Councillors. It was not required to meet in public or make decisions. The clerk is to attend all the meetings. It was also agreed to report back by May 12th. Cllrs Heather White and Alison Tomkins agreed that they would be the Parish Council representatives and Mr Bernie Gribble said that he would name two volunteers from the Allotment Association within the next two days. The clerk is to advertise for other representatives.
Mr Beverage and Mrs Betteridge were asked if they wished to be part of the working group as residents of Willow Track. They said that the offer should be extended to all those in Finches Lane. Two other members would be taken from the rest of the village. Mr Beverage said that he expected a private meeting with Mr Barnes to discuss the Allotment Association and Mrs Betteridge said all this was six months too late. Mr Barnes replied that a group decision was made by the Parish Council at the time. The Allotment project was, he said, put forward correctly and the Parish Council was duty bound to take it forward. Mr Beverage said that he was not objecting to allotments but issues needed to be addressed, including the fact that Willow House is now in the middle of the allotments. Mr Beverage said that he had the perception that the Association are doing things without permission. Cllr Heather White pointed out that by joining the Working Group these issues could be addressed. Cllr Alison Tomkins agreed that this was a way to move forward.
The matter of “status” of the lane was again raised. Mrs Janet Rees, retired councillor, said that she had a map dated 1712 showing a right of way down the lane. The clerk said that Highways had said that the lane was not a right of way and therefore was the responsibility of the landowners to maintain. Dist Councillor Chris Humphries suggested each group be asked to nominate their representatives by a certain date. It was agreed to set the date for one week after the notices have been posted.
Items 5.3, 5.4, 5.5 were to be covered by the working group namely the relationship between the Parish Council and the Allotment Association, the recommendation of a tenancy agreement and the charge for land or allotments.
The matter of funding was again discussed. Mr Gribble said that he felt that as he had received funding from Kennet District Council to pay for the rabbit proof fencing he felt no more funding was needed. Cllr Heather White said it was possible to do something on behalf of the Parish Council so that their agreed funding could be reduced. Mrs White said that she would be happy to attend an allotment meeting to talk about it.
The matter of ownership, responsibility for installation and maintenance of the rabbit proof fencing would be discussed by the Working Group.
Mr Barnes said that a Traffic Calming Working Group also needed to be set up. Cllr Don Carmichael had completed a survey on the edge of the village. 55 vehicles came through the village at over 30mph during his survey. Mr Carmichael indicated his desire to be part of the Working Group. Dist Councillor Chris Humphries said he would ensure that County officers would be available for advice. It was agreed that the Working Group would report back by the Parish Council September meeting.
Messrs Brian Harbour and Mark Houghton expressed an interest in joining the working group.
The management of the funding for the Parish Plan was discussed and as the grant was given to the Parish Council. Cllr Tony Prior said that the treasurer of the Parish Plan would give a report of expenditure and receipts for the clerk to pass on to Community First.
The undertaking of a Parish Path Survey was considered. Mrs White said that she would make a request on the website for villager’s issues concerning Parish Paths.
The subject of dog fouling and wandering dogs was raised again. Mr Barnes said that everyone hated dog fouling and the offenders should be named and shamed. Poop bins were discussed and the clerk said that a private contractor had been contacted. However the Parish Council felt that simply by providing bins, anyone who was not currently cleaning up after their dog(s) would start doing so. It was agreed to ask for more notices and post them at appropriate places, also to ask the Dog Warden to visit. He is also to be asked to attend the Parish Assembly. Mrs White said that she would talk to Mr Chambers (Headmaster of Baydon School) to see if the children could be involved in poster making.
Poor parking around the village green was discussed. It was agreed that school drop off and pick up time were the worst. It was also agreed to wait and see if there were results from the school travel plan.
Cllr Alison Tomkins agreed to inspect the Parish Council Land in the clerk’s absence.
The matter of changing the start time for Parish Council meetings was deferred until the next meeting.
The election of a Parish Council Vice Chairman would be left until the Annual General Meeting.
The clerk agreed to look at the cost of replacing and purchasing two additional sets of outdoor lights for the Christmas tree.
Correspondence:
Any letters received regarding the Allotments were to be dealt with by the Working Group.
An email regarding Willow Lane was discussed. Mr Barnes said that as a landowner the Parish Council was a stakeholder in the upkeep of the lane. Mrs Betteridge said that tractors had caused damage lately so she didn’t see why she should have to pay for maintenance. She also asked that the Parish Council cut the hedge around their land. As commercial cutting could not be attempted now because the birds were nesting, the Allotment members agreed to hand cut brambles as a short term solution.
Mrs Susan Grove wrote regarding statements made at the last meeting, particularly the lack of signatures causing the clerk to wait for her money. Mr Barnes explained that due to a turn over of councillors the bank required a great deal of form filling which caused the delays.
The Parish Council was not intending to organise a St Georges Day celebration.
The clerk is to write and ask the Electoral Boundary Review Group to add the Aldbourne Road development to projected numbers for 2012. At present only 3 new electors were projected by the group.
The Wilts Independent Travel Support Scheme information is to be posted at the shop, in the Scene in Baydon and on the website.
Mr Grove spoke about the large amount of plastic, cardboard rubbish that was left beside the skips on the last collection. Ms Tomkins was thanked for getting rid of this excess. It was suggested that villagers be informed again of the types of plastic that can be recycled via the Scene in Baydon.
Mrs Janet Rees was concerned that drains were still blocked, after a year, outside of Becketts and outside the School and that the ditch that carries the village storm water down passed the Sewage works is totally blocked and that Bridge way No.24 has still not been replaced. The clerk said that she has reported these things to the appropriate authority and will continue to do so until things are rectified.
Date: 11th March 2008.