Baydon Village News
By Barbara Furber
Baydon Parish Council Meeting of 29th March 2010
Chairman Tony Prior began the Parish Council meeting on Monday 29th March with yet another plea for volunteers to join the Council. He urged villagers to see the serious need of a council run by only four councillors. It was essential, he said, to ensure continuity in future years that, community minded people with a little time to spare, helped the village by becoming councillors.
The minutes of the last meeting were read and signed.
Mrs April Dukes reported a blockage in the ditch along the service lane leading to the Sewage Works. Cllr Prior said that he would clear it.
Planning:
Mr Prior reported that BAYD 1 right of way had been extinguished, and that BAYD 30, which had existed for many years, will continue to take its place.
Mr Prior also said that he had attended the full planning committee on March 18th when the panel considered car parking and conservatories at the Redcliffe Homes development. The panel refused to discuss other concerns from the village. It was however noted that the new road (Newton’s Walk) had been checked. The road and lay-by were, they stated, in the correct position.
Nearby householders still didn’t agree.
The Clerk, Mrs Rowan Cockcroft, was instructed to write asking for clarification on car plots 23 / 24 and the play area. She is also to ask for a copy of the Re-enforcement Officers full written report.
Mr Kevin Howell asked about the street lighting on the development. Mr Prior replied that as yet no revised plan had been sent to the council. The Clerk was instructed to write and request the plan and specifications for the lighting.
Mr Prior said that he had had a site meeting with Mr Brooks, the new owner of Baydon House Farm, County Cllr Chris Humphries and the Rights of Way Head of Development and Case Officer Easter Dailey, about 3 gates erected at the entrance to various byways. Mr Brook said that he was concerned about security. He was instructed however to remove the gates.
The councillors had no objection to a single storey extension and the extension of a double garage at Barrowdale, Aldbourne Road.
Cllr Tamsin Witt reported that the Traffic Calming Working Group (TCWG) would purchase twenty-five 30mph stickers costing £2 each. A site meeting had been arranged for Wednesday 31st March to measure up for the Village Gates. The Village is to be assessed for the feasibility of setting up a Community Speed Watch. The TCWG have asked for Aldbourne Road and Ermin Street to be included in the assessment.
Cllr Michael Edmonds said that a weatherproof panel had been ordered for the Downsmead Notice Board. £200 of the cost would be covered by the Village Plan grant therefore the cost to the Parish Council would be £20.
Cllr Prior said that the existing planning on the Parish Field had expired in 2003. Therefore there was a need to apply again for a change of use and for the Play Area. However it appears that archaeologists will need to investigate the site because of the history of Roman remains found near the village.
Cllr Prior stated that no counsellor was responsible for the decision to site the Play Area on the Parish Field; the parish had voted it for. He also stated that the track leading to the field was not the responsibility of the Parish Council. He further stated that in his opinion 4 / 5 deliveries of manure to the allotments during the year had not damaged the track in any way.
Cllr Prior stated that the Parish Council encouraged constructive letters from parishioners. Letters should, however, be directed to the Parish Council as a whole and not to individuals. Abusive letters were neither acceptable nor productive. All councillors endorsed the statement.
It was reported that the hedging had been planted in the Parish Field. Thanks were extended to Cllr Michael Edmonds for the work. It was agreed that any surplus hedging be planted towards the north of the field. Thanks were extended to Mr John Cockcroft and Cllr Prior for repairing the field fence.
A letter had been received from the Allotment holders concerning the cost of the rents. Cllr Prior left the room. Cllr Edmonds said that on principal the Parish Council could not re-visit each decision made immediately but the matter would be considered again next year. The Parish Council, he said, had spent monies on advertising and legal advice, albeit because the advice given to begin with was not the best advice. In his opinion it would be good to see some of those expenses recuperated. Mrs Duke commented the plots were very small compared to other allotments. Cllr Edmonds re-iterated that the matter would be revised next year. It was noted that eleven of the fifteen rents had been paid to date.
It was agreed not to enter the Best Kept Village competition this year.
Cllr Prior agreed to notify local farmers about the Beating of the Bounds event that is to take place on Monday 3rd May 2010.
The Clerk was instructed to write to all village organisations inviting them to the Parish Assembly on 23rd April. It was agreed to spend up to £50 on wine for the occasion.
Cllr Prior suggested planting a tree on the Village Green, which could be decorated at Christmas. It was agreed to put this decision to the villagers at the Parish Assembly.
Cllr Edmonds reported that he had written to the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust for help with the pond area. They had requested £200 plus expenses to visit the site. It was agreed not to take up the offer but to discuss the pond area at another meeting.
The following expenses were approved and paid:
Clerk’s training - £52.88; Electricity bill - £12.34; Hall hire for 2009 - £142.50; Hedging - £158.98; Petty cash - £50.00; Notice Board - £259.56 (the VAT will be reclaimed on this).
The Bank reconciliation statement for March 2010 was; Current account - £13,498.89; Recreation account - £8,354.59; Allotment account – £699.16; Petty cash - £53.05.
Although five firms were contacted only two replied with quotes for grass cutting. It was agreed to employ Pithams again as residents were happy with their service and performance.
It was agreed to ask Mr Peter Bracey to remove the brambles and re-turf the land at the northern end of Manor Lane, as his was the cheapest and most comprehensive quote.
It was agreed to consider the fence work and access to the Parish Field at a later date. Cllr Prior said that he would apply for a grant to help with the expense.
The final Water pipe quotation had not yet been received.
The Chairman’s travelling expenses of £40 were approved.
The Clerk’s salary of £306.15 for the period March 1st to April 5th was approved, as was the overtime worked during the period November 30th 2009 to March 1st 2010, an amount of £174.94. Thanks were extended to the Clerk for her hard work.
It was noted that Wiltshire Council’s Waste collection options had been suspended.
The public transport Bus timetable changes were also noted. Nine villagers had voted for option D and that had been adopted. Unfortunately the 12.35pm bus returning from Swindon to the village would now no longer run.
It was agreed to hold a litter-picking day on Saturday 22nd May at 1.30pm. It is hoped that as many villagers as possible would support this venture.
The meeting closed at 9.30pm.