Baydon Parish Council Meeting – Monday 11th January 2016

News report by Barbara Furber

 

 

 

The Parish Council meeting held on Monday 11th January 2016 was chaired by Andy Knowles, there were 3 councillors present. Cllr John Cockcroft sent his apologies, together with 7 members of the public.  Cllr Tamsin Witt declared an interest in item 7 (planning).

 

The Minutes of the last meeting were approved and signed.

 

There was no police report and no questions from the floor during the Public Question Time.

 

The revised Baydon Electoral Register had been logged, the Wiltshire Association of Local Councils (WALC) newsletter was circulated, and a donation to Victim Support will be discussed at the next meeting.

 

A letter had been received concerning a parish council forum; updates on Super Broadband would be on the agenda.

 

Planning:-

 

An application for a porch extension at 5 Newton’s Walk received no objections from the councillors.

 

 

Cllr Cockcroft submitted a draft IT Policy. It is to be circulated and redrafted at a separate meeting.

 

The handrail to the footpath off Manor Lane has been installed and repaired.

 

There was much discussion about the storing of Parish Council assets. Cllr Knowles asked Cllr Witt to go back to the BYPA to discuss the possibilities of storing item at the BYPA Hall. Cllr Prior suggested building an extension on the Hall. No decision was made.

 

Cllr Witt reported that she had completed the application for a roundabout, seesaw and swings online, but as yet had not completed the payment of £192.50. Cllr Prior is to give details for this. The equipment had been ordered.

 

Cllr Prior reported that a new tenant had applied for Plot 14a at the allotments. It was agreed that as the plot was in a poor state the rent would be free for a year.

 

There then followed a plea from Robin Gregory, trustee of the Little Crickets Pre-school, for financial assistance.  The pre-school received an inadequate OFSTED report recently and because of this Wiltshire Council had reduced their funding by £2,000 per month. The charity had hoped that OFSTED would return to inspect before the New Year, but now it may not happen until the end of March. If the follow up OFSTED visit went well the funding would be reinstated. Already, said Mr Gregory, they have reduced costs by reducing staff hours. The request was for the Parish Council to fund the cost of £1,400 for the Hall hire from January to March 2016.  A reserve had been set aside in case the worst happened and they had to pay redundancies.  Manager Denise Dawson added that a meeting is being held with the parents the following evening to ask what they can do to help. She added that all parents had been shocked by the OFSTED report and were fully supportive of the Pre-school.  Cllr Prior insisted that the Parish Council received formal request along with the financial details.  Cllr Knowles said that the BYPA needed to be consulted too. The Parish Council, he added, could not make a decision immediately but were willing to call a special meeting once a financial report had been submitted, the parent’s contribution had been discussed and the BYPA had been contacted. However the Parish Council was willing to support the pre-school even if it meant a loan.  Cllr Knowles also offered to attend the parents meeting the following evening.

 

There were no new details concerning BAYD2 & 11 part Diversion of footpath order. Cllr Prior is to contact Mr Gribble who appears to be the main objector.

 

Cllr Kevin Howell reported that he had not yet had time to cut back the foliage along the Manor Lane / Ermin Close footpath but hopes to complete it at the weekend. In spite of Cllr Prior’s talk with the householder the hedge had Manor Lane / Aldbourne Road corner had not yet been cut back. The hedge on the Manor Lane / Track corner will be trimmed in February.  Mr Richard Bayliss is in contact with Matthew Lloyd concerning the chestnut trees in Manor Lane. He hopes to meet with Mr Lloyd when he returns from Australia.

 

Quotes for painting the railings by Forge Cottage, Village Gates and notice board were circulated, £595 was agreed.

 

Cllr Prior said that he was waiting for more quotes for the new Parish Council notice board.

 

There was no more information on the Welcome Packs from the PCC.

 

Thanks were extended to those who had erected and later disposed of the stunning Christmas tree on the Green, also to Sally and Brook Johnson for donating it.  Cllr Witt reported that the Christmas Carols evening went well. Thanks were extended to the Red Lion for helping to provide refreshments, John Cockcroft and Jim Grove for erecting the tent and lighting.  It was agreed to start earlier next year, being 6.30pm rather than 7pm to help younger children attend.

 

Cllr Witt said that she was waiting for more information on the SID, volunteer training would cost £250 and the batteries were re-chargeable. She hoped to submit a proper proposal at the next meeting.

 

It was agreed to move to a 3 year contract with Pittams for grass cutting in the village.

 

Finance:-

 

Income £46.21;

Bank Statements (as 15.12.2015)

Treasurers a/c £10,932.96; Reserve a/c £4,626.74; Barclays £20,092.85;

Petty cash £13.58; Total £34,466.13 (excluding £1,200 ring fenced money)

 

Payments approved were:-

 

Chris Duck for the handrail etc. £209.44; Mulled wine; £154.49

 

Cllr Prior is to set up another account with Barclays with a view to closing down the RBS accounts.

 

The Parish Assembly is to be held on Friday 13th May 2016 at 7.30pm in the School Hall.

 

Grateful thanks and a gift were presented to Mark Austen for his tireless work with the excellent Baydon village website and also his continued contribution to other village activities.

 

The meeting closed at 9.45pm.

 

 

 

 

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