Baydon Village News

Baydon Parish Council Meeting of 30^th November 2009

Mrs Rowan Cockcroft was appointed as Clerk to the Parish Council at the meeting on Monday 30^th November 2009. It was agreed that Mr Michael Edmonds would continue to be the Financial Officer for the time being. Mr Tony Prior, Chairman welcomed Rowan and called for the public to volunteer as Councillors – three more are needed on the Council.

Minutes of the last meeting were approved and signed.

Planning :

During the Public Question Time concerns were raised about the building works that have now started at the housing development site (Newton’s Walk) off of Aldbourne Road. Mr Michael Steele said that neighbours in Downsmead had not been notified that work was to start nor had they been notified concerning the radical changes to the original plans. Mr Mark Austen said that he had rung Gill Salisbury of Wiltshire County Council Planning Department and received conflicting reports about the changes to the plans.

Mr Prior urged local people to write their own responses to the plans that were displayed at the meeting. The Parish Council agreed to refuse the submitted application particularly the alteration of parking bay No’s 22 and 24. County Councillor Chris Humphries asked that the Council keep him informed about their wishes so that he could act for them.

An appeal concerning a building application on the paddock next to Dacre, Manor Lane, failed.

The Council had no objections to a “horse walker” being replaced with a garage / store at 4 Walronds Close, nor to the modification of the flat roof extension at 3 Ash Terrace, nor to a change to the antenna on a mast at Gore Lane farm. Tree work at Barley Fields, Aldbourne Road and at Brookfield, Manor Lane was approved.

It was agreed to call a planning meeting to discuss the proposed change of Rights of Way No’s 1 and 11 at Baydon House. County Councillor Chris Humphries said that he had already voiced his objections.

Mr Prior said that he had been in conversation with Thames Water about the damage to the service road to the Sewage Works. A site meeting is to be arranged.

A scheme for weather proofing the Downsmead Notice Board was discussed in the light of Mr Edmonds’s research on the subject. It was agreed to insert a top hinged board with a polycarbonate screen at a cost of £250, £200 of which would be paid from the Village Plan money.

Mrs Tamsin Witt proposed that the Council buy fifty 30mph wheelie bin stickers at £1 each, as they would be, she felt, a cheap traffic calming measure. Mr Prior said he felt that they no longer made any impact, however the vote was carried and Mrs Witt would purchase the stickers.

The Allotment Tenancy Agreement, Conditions and Obligations document were approved. Mr Prior left the meeting as the annual rental was discussed. It was agreed to settle on a cost of £20 per plot per annum. The role of Liaison Officer was discussed briefly. It was agreed to look to the Allotment Association to liaise with its members and approach the Council when the need arose.

It was agreed to plan hedging in the Parish Field as a screen for the neighbouring householder and to encourage the dormice. Mrs Witt agreed to get quotes.

Mr Prior voiced his disappointment at the theft of produce at the allotments, and the act of vandalism. Someone, he said had pulled out the Parish sign. He added that the sign would disappear again shortly whilst it is being repainted.

Ms Alison Tomkins reported that the barrier posts and rope used to surround the bonfire in November were pulled up by vandals and thrown onto the fire. These posts, she added, were used from year to year and would now have to be replaced.

Mr Prior reported a quote from Thames Water of £799.35 to supply water to the Parish Field. He now had to collect three quotes for the work necessary to take the supply to the allotments. Mr Prior said that he was submitting an application for a grant to help with the costs. County Councillor Chris Humphries said that he must be quick with his application and that an advised limit would be £1,000.

The situation regarding a BMX track on the Parish Field was discussed. It was agreed that as there was no longer a group of children interested the Council would rescind the decision. Mr Steve Webb of the Baydon Resource Group (BRG) e-mailed to say that a small grant towards the BMX track was still being held by the BRG. Although he had been requested to return the money, he suggested he might transfer it to the Council. Mr Webb also suggested that the BRG be wound up as it had not really functioned for several years, and its charity status had lapsed. It was agreed by all that the money be returned to source.

Mr Prior said that he had been approached by Mr Beverage of Willow Track, about the progress concerning the condition and ownership of Willow Track. Mr Beverage had submitted a letter one day prior to the meeting so it was decided to defer the reply and discuss the matter at the next meeting.

Mrs Witt reported that she had submitted an application for a grant towards the village entrance white gates, and the project was progressing well. Mrs Witt also displayed a picture to illustrate the new more visible 30mph signage for Ermin Street. The Clerk was instructed to ask Wiltshire County Council why signs are not also being put in Aldbourne Road.

Mr Prior reported the progress made on funding for the play area. He said that between £25,000 and £40,000 would be needed to provide an adventure risk design for 8 – 12 year olds.  In a letter from the Integrated Service Manager there was a potential promise of £10,000 towards the project. Other grants were being sought. Mr Mike Collis, a civil engineer living in the village, has volunteered to be project manager.

Mr Prior also said that he would contact Redcliffe Homes concerning the play area at Newton’s Walk to avoid duplication. That area is believed to be for toddlers.

The response to a leaflet distribution concerning the play area resulted in a 22% return. 65% were in favour of using the Parish Field for the play area. Twice as many people without children replied as to those with children. 3 villagers offered to join the planning group.

It was proposed and agreed that the Council adopt part of the Parish Field for a play area. Mr Prior said that it would be an ongoing cost for the village. It was agreed that he and the Clerk attend a meeting that covers such subjects.

The Parish Council are trying to retrieve all e-mail correspondence and passwords from the last Clerk. Mrs Carmichael has received a letter from the Parish Council’s solicitor but as yet the matter has not been resolved. It was agreed that the ownership of the e-mail address was the Parish Clerk, and that the Council needed all past communications for their records. As Mrs Carmichael is no longer Clerk, it is felt that she should relinquish the address. It was agreed by all to continue with further legal action, if the Council’s insurance will cover the cost.

The Wiltshire 2026 consultation document was considered. It is a 96-page document with one line that refers to Baydon. Mr Edmonds said that he attended a presentation and found the workshop very good, even though it didn’t directly affect Baydon. It was, he said, an excellent exercise by Wiltshire County Council.

Finance:

It was agreed to switch Council accounts to the Royal Bank of Scotland, and to put ring fenced money into the bonus reserve account. If possible it was agreed to open a second bonus account for allotment monies. It was agreed to close both Lloyd’s accounts.

Mr Edmonds presented the reconciliation statement for November. It showed that there was £20,234.08 in current accounts, £699.16 and £3,354.66 in other accounts with £47.69 in petty cash.

It was agreed to reimburse Mr Prior £30.19 for the play area leaflets costs, and £7.68 for the extension sockets and plastic box for the Christmas tree lights.

£50 was approved for mulled wine and mince pies after Carols on the Green.

It was agreed to amend the Financial Regulations for the quotation value limit from £250 to £300, before requiring 3 quotations.

Thanks were recorded to Messrs Jim Grove, Trevor Dominy, Martin Norman, Steve Dawson, Mark Houghton and John Woodward for their work at this year’s excellent Bonfire night. Thanks were also extended to the gate and fire stewards. The Councillors said that it was a fantastic evening with an excellent display of fireworks. Mr Dominy thanked the Council for their continued support.

Thanks were also recorded to Mrs Debbie Moxum, of the Post Office Stores for donating this years Christmas tree.

Other business:

Mr Prior said he felt that it was good news that the Red Lion has re-opened. The Council recorded their welcome to the new landlord and wished the pub success in the future. Ms Tomkins remarked that free drinks had been given to those putting up the Christmas tree on the Green.

The meeting closed at 10.05pm

By Barbara Furber

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