Baydon Parish Council – Meeting Report

Meeting held on Monday 12th January 2015

 

 

The Parish Council meeting held on Monday 12th January 2015 at the BYPA Hall was chaired by Andy Knowles.  All councillors were present including County Councillor James Sheppard.

 

Mr Knowles welcomed the new clerk, Luci Bruins.  Mr Knowles also said that it was with sadness that he had received a letter of resignation from Cllr Alison Tomkins. Since 2007, he said, her commitment to the village and the Parish Council has been outstanding.

 

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed and signed.

 

Planning:-

 

An application from Baydon House for the demolition of a glass house at the rear, to be replaced by a ground floor extension, and a first floor extension over the pool house complex, was discussed. There were no objections.

 

Cllr Tony Prior however asked that a complaint be made to the Planning Office at the short period of time given for consideration to this matter, especially as it included Christmas week.  County Cllr Sheppard suggested that the Parish Councils views were still valid, as no decision would be made immediately by Planning.

 

It was agreed to purchase a laptop and printer for Parish Council use. Cllrs John Cockcroft and Kevin Howell agreed to look into costings and procedures. A budget of £500 was set.

 

Broadband speed in the village was discussed with the siting of a fibre optic box on the triangle in Aldbourne Road. Baydon is expected to be upgraded in the next six months.

 

It was agreed to order a second event tent from Marshall’s at a cost of £287.90 plus £15.99 carriage. This will include 4 doors and 4 walls and a strip to connect it to the existing tent.

 

Cllr Tamsin Witt suggested a “feeler” be put into the Scene in Baydon concerning the reformation of a committee to review the Village Plan. All were in agreement with this.

 

Rebecca Davis from County has written to the landowners concerning the asbestos that has been “fly tipped” on their land. As yet it has not been removed.

 

Cllr Witt then gave a report from the Community Area Transport Group (CATG) meeting. Downsmead, she reported, is to be resurfaced in the near future.  A speed review is to be completed by the end of January.  Martin Cook, from Highways, has agreed to replace the Pedestrian sign opposite the Cricket Field.  The new Community Officer Claire Wallis has visited the village and will revisit soon.  Cllr Sheppard reported that he is trying to persuade the County Council to allow parishes to own their own S.I.D (Speed Indicator Device). The County feel that the signs lose their effectiveness after a month. However Ramsbury are eager to purchase their own and Councillor Sheppard supports this.  Cllr Witt reported that the Parish has received support for funding for a second speed/traffic calming obstacle. Plans must be in by June.  Cllr Knowles reported that he had written to Mr & Mrs Johnson concerning their agreement to donate £3,000 towards the existing traffic calming measures.

Concerning the new Swings on the playground, Cllr Witt is to write to Planning to find out if new planning is needed.

Cllr Knowles reported that at a site meeting with Rebecca Busby about the Parish Steward work, it was agreed that the alley between Manor Lane and Ermin Close would be improved. Ms Busby is now on secondment, but Phil Carter has replaced her. It is hoped that whilst work is being carried out on the alley the handrail required in the right of way opposite will be included in the work.

 

Cllr Witt also reported that she has applied for 3 quotes for removing trees from the Green. She is awaiting replies.

 

The BYPA are requesting a new Treasurer and Trustee. Their AGM is to be held on Friday 13th March. All are welcome to attend. The ladies toilets in the hall will be refurbished in February.

 

Cllr Knowles is to meet with Pittams concerning their contract.

 

The Planning Inspectorate meeting was held in December to discuss the diversion of BAYD 2 and 11 (footpaths). The planning has been approved subject to several small conditions.

 

Finance:-

 

Cllr Tony Prior gave a lengthy story about monies owed to the Council by HMRC. There had been, he said, a disproportionate amount of correspondence and work involved with no solution as yet. It was agreed to record the £6.28 as a non-reclaim and put an end to the matter.

 

The previous clerk has agreed to repay her overpayments in two instalments in January and February.

 

Cllr Prior has also been in lengthy discussions with Royal bank of Scotland (RBS). The Bank has sent £150 compensation as a result. Cllr Prior is also looking into internet banking. Cllr Prior said that he had been asked by villagers why the Council holds so much of their money in reserve. He, too, felt it was a matter of concern, which must be considered when setting the next budget.  Bank accounts; Treasurers a/c £31,375.72; Reserves a/c £2,927.79; Petty Cash £12.58; Total £34,316.09

 

Payments approved were; Leaving present for Brydgette Byron-Edmonds £30.00; Mince pies and Mulled wine at “Carols on the Green” £145.00; Hall hire Apr to Dec 2014 £80.00.

 

Thanks were extended to Debbie at Post Office stores, for donating the heater, plates and cups etc. and to Kim Austen’s musicians for playing the carols.

 

Thanks were also given to those councillors who erected and took down the splendid tree that had been donated by Mr & Mrs Johnson of Baydon House Farm.

 

The next Great Baydon Bake Off will be held at the Red Lion Pub on Saturday 7th March 2015

 

The meeting closed at 9.10 pm

 

 

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