Baydon Parish Council Meeting 23rd February 2015

News Report by Barbara Furber

The Parish Council meeting was held on Monday 23^rd February 2015 in the BYPA Hall.  All five councillors were present as was County Councillor James Sheppard.  The Clerk sent her apologies for lateness and joined the meeting later.

The minutes of the last PC meeting were approved and signed.

Mr Jim Grove reported that builders rubbish had been discarded along the Baydon Hole road, and that a caravan is still parked among the trees there.

Mrs Barbara Furber remarked that the rights of way along the Alpaca route and beyond were in a dreadful state. Dark Lane, she added, was now impassable.

Chairman Andy Knowles said that he had received a letter from Sheila McCleery complaining about the route also. He had also received a letter from Mr Davidson asking when the hedges would be cut. Mr Grove and CC James Sheppard said that it was too late to cut hedges now as the final date was the last day of February.

Mr Mark Austen mentioned that the Minutes from the previous Parish Council meeting had got the date wrong for the forthcoming BYPA AGM and that it should read Friday 13th March not Monday 30th March which was in fact the date of the next Parish Council meeting.

The Clerk joined the meeting.

The planning application, a re-submission, for an agricultural dwelling, along the Sewage Works lane, was discussed at length. A representative from Baydon House explained that an archaeological survey had shown nothing of significance is on the site. Highways have approved, he added, the widening of the lane in parts to ensure safety.

Cllr Tony Prior said that he felt a lot of questions needed to be answered. He pointed out that the address was incorrect as Baydon Valley Farm, Manor Lane, as the dwellings would be on an unnamed road. He was concerned about the extra traffic on a road that was already being washed away by excess water draining off the village. Cllr Prior also pointed out that Baydon 1 (Dark Lane) had already been damaged by farm vehicles.  Cllr Kevin Howell said the development was outside of the Village plan, and as Baydon House already had more than sufficient accommodation for its workers he did not see the need for more.  The representative stated that the plan was to re-locate the main farm buildings nearer to where the Alpacas are currently kept so that the workers would be at hand. Also it would mean less traffic through the village. He also said that 100 stock died last year. Mr Grove queried this.  Cllr Knowles was prepared to accept the proposal with conditions, but Cllrs Howell and Cockcroft were against. County Councillor James Sheppard said that a tie could be put between the main house and the proposed dwellings to ensure that the house could not be sold off separately. It transpired that Baydon House and some land is leased by Mr Lloyd, but that he owns the fields where the new development is proposed.   It was agreed by the councillors to obtain more information and call a separate meeting as no decision could be reached at this point.

It was agreed that Cllr Howell purchase a laptop and printer at a cost of £600.00 for council use.

C Cllr Sheppard reported that work was underway to improve Broadband speed in the area but it may be some months before it is completed.

Cllr John Cockcroft reported that he had purchased the second event tent and suggested that he spend £50 for plastic boxes to store items. It was agreed.

It was agreed to discuss the Village Plan at the Parish Assembly. No date has been fixed for this as yet.

There appears to be a stalemate concerning the asbestos fly tipping, as the land owner has refused to acknowledge his responsibility. Wiltshire Council may have to take legal action.

Cllr Tamsin Witt said that she was to have a site meeting concerning another chicane.  Results have shown that speeds on the west side of the village were very high, but not as high as on the east side. The results from Manor Lane showed that there has been no increase in traffic since the building of the chicane and little change in speed. Therefore there had been no adverse impact.

Cllr Witt is in the process of submitting a planning application for the swings on the playground.

It was noted that all the drains in the village have been cleared.

Cllr Knowles suggested that the handrail into the footpath off of Manor Lane be dealt with “in house”. It was agreed.

It was agreed to accept the quote of £150 +VAT to cut down and grind down the roots of two trees on the Green.

The clerk is to write to residents re private hedges that need cutting back.

Cllr Knowles said that Mr Pittam had been ill so a new site meeting had been arranged to discuss the future contract.

The Clerk has agreed to take over the Allotment duties that were originally overseen by Cllr Alison Tomkin.

It was agreed to name the new development on Aldbourne Road “Ridgeway View”.

Cllr Prior reported that he was closing the RBS account and opening a Barclays Internet account for the Parish Council in the new financial year.

It was noted that regarding repayment of an overpayment to the previous clerk, the money is overdue and may have to be retrieved by the Small Claims Court.

Finance:

RBS as at 15^th February 2015

Treasurers a/c £30819.45: Reserve a/c £2938.04: Petty Cash £6.22:

Total £33763.71

Payments approved were; £275.74 for Marshall Events Tent; £10.32 Thames Water;

£15.99for Event Tent connector; £21.25 Southern Electric; £30.00 transfer to Petty Cash.

The Asset Register has been updated to £36936.00.

Saturday 21^st March 2015 at 10am is the date for LITTER PICKING DAY.

Meeting closed at 9.21 pm

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