Baydon Village News

Baydon Parish Council Meeting of Monday 4th April 2011

Mr Tony Prior chaired the Parish Council meeting on Monday 4^th April 2011 in the Baydon Young Peoples Association (BYPA) hall.

All councillors were present and Mr Prior welcomed back Cllr Tamsin Witt after her maternity leave.

The minutes of the previous meeting were approved. Mr Prior then made a statement in which he outlined his forthcoming hip replacements and the fact that he is unwilling to take on new projects in the coming year. Residents, he added, needed to be aware that councillors have a life outside Parish Council matters. The council, he said has been working with an ever increasing load and with 3 vacancies for such a long time.

Planning:

The erection of a steel portal framed store at Top Field Farm, Aldbourne Road raised no objections as did the creation of access at Hazelbury Farm, Gore Lane; construction of a single storey extension at Baydon House Farm and an extension to the house at High Farm House, Finches Lane.

Variation and discharge of section 106 at Newton’s Barn, Finches Lane also raised no objections.

Cllr Prior thanked Cllr Michael Edmonds for his work as Finance Officer, and said that the clerk would now take on this work.

Mr Mark Austen then gave a report concerning the Traffic Calming Working Group (TCWG). The Community Speed Watch was proceeding well, he said, with 11 trained officers and 6 more waiting for training. The speed device was used for 9 sessions over 2 weeks. On one occasion 17 cars were caught speeding in just one hour, the fastest one driving at 55mph in spite of the visibility of the speed device and volunteers. Sessions will begin again this week.

The TCWG met with the governors at St. Nicholas School to discuss the Mouchel report. The governors agreed that the council’s proposal of a roundabout was good, but were worried about losing the funding for a change in the junction.

County Councillor Chris Humphries pointed out that a meeting to discuss the schools proposals was to be held on the following day. Cllr Witt agreed to attend and the clerk agreed to email the Councils support of the schools proposals.

The Play Area was finished on Wednesday although the basket swing has yet to be fitted. Local youths had written to ask for the mound of earth to be left, but work had already begun to remove it. The contractor however had suffered a series of disasters resulting in further expense. It was agreed to pay the initial quote on completion and review the excess at the next meeting.

It was agreed that Cllr Tony Prior would formally open the play area later in the year, as he had put so much work into the project.

It was also agreed that the pedestrian gate for the allotment fence be near the standpipe, and that the fence be done as soon as possible. Manure deliveries are to be delayed for a time until this is finished.

The branches, which are low and overhanging the Parish Field were discussed. It was agreed to write to the neighbouring householders asking for their removal. If they are unwilling to do so it was agreed to ask Mr Guy Watson to remove them giving a 7ft clearance.

Arrangements for the Parish Assembly on Friday 6^th May were discussed. It was agreed that Cllr Prior write to Newton’s Walk residents inviting them and that flyers be distributed to the rest of the village. The amount for wine was also agreed, up to £60 would be bought at the PO Stores on a sale or return basis.

Cllr Witt volunteered to join the BYPA committee to represent the Parish Council.

Cllr Andrew Knowles agreed to make contact with the Red Lion pub to discover what had been planned for the Royal Wedding celebrations in April.

It was agreed not to enter the Best Kept Village competition again this year.

As Cllr Prior felt unable to lead the Beating of the Bounds this year, on Monday 2^nd May, Mrs Barbara Furber volunteered to do so.

The clerk is to write to the landowners and publicise the event.

Cllr Knowles agreed to ask Mr & Mrs D Crawley to cut back their hedge to ensure better visibility from Manor Lane into Aldbourne Road.

Finance:

Payments of £11.56 to Southern Electricity and £434.70 (ex VAT) for the School sign had been made. £3,374.95 and £4,388.20 were approved as payments to Miracle for playground equipment plus £294.41 for a sign. The VAT will be reclaimed. The clerk is to query the security fence costs of £500.

It was agreed to pay up to £6 for the speed device batteries.

The balance in the Parishes main bank account is £16,717.94; the recreation funds stands at £4,082.66 and the Allotment account is £887.36.

Cllr Edmonds said that he felt there was no need for 2 separate reserve accounts and it was agreed to make the Recreation account up to £9,000 and amalgamate it with the Allotment fund. It was agreed to call this second account the Reserve account and have sub-headings, as well as gaining a little interest.

The clerk, Mrs Rowan Cockcroft withdrew from the meeting whilst the councillors approved the clerk’s salary for 2011/2012. It was agreed to pay scale 20 in view of the extra financial work that she would be doing.

It was reported that the chairman and also the clerk had officiated as tellers at the Aldbourne referendum concerning the Aldbourne Library.

The recycling of Plastic and Cardboard will continue to be monthly for the time being, check the Baydon website for upcoming dates.

The Parish Steward would be visiting the village during the first week of every month.

Thanks were extended to those who had helped with the recent litter pick around the village.

The meeting closed at 10pm.

By Barbara Furber

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