KINGTON ST MICHAEL PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON THE
29TH JULY 2010 AT THE VILLAGE HALL, KINGTON ST MICHAEL THAT COMMENCED
AT 8.00 PM
Present:
Councillor:
Mrs L Durno – Chairman
Mrs J Charge, Mrs M Hall, Mr B Isaac, Miss C Marlow, Mr R
Sealy, Mr R Squires,
In Attendance: Mrs C Sutton (Clerk) and 6 members of the public
Public Question Time
It was noted that Mrs Avril Balmforth would be taking on the defibrillator scheme that had been
presented at a previous meeting.
Mr Alistair Harris from Malt End Cottage informed the PC that he understood that the satellite dish
would need to be removed, and was currently in negotiations with the provider to do this. Mr Harris
was thanked for the information.
It was reported that the bay tree at Marundah needs to be cut back as it is badly overhanging the
pavement. The Clerk was asked to contact the owners. ACTION CLERK.
MINUTES
10/091
Apologies
Apologies had been received from Cllr J Atack and Cllr H Greenman (WC).
10/092
Declarations of Interest
There were no declarations of interest.
10/093
Minutes of Last Meeting
The minutes of the meeting held on 24th June 2010 were received approved as a correct record
before being signed by the Chair.
10/094
Report on Actions from last meeting
(i)
Valuation of Recreation Field. It was reported that the valuation of the field would not
affect insurance premiums of cover, and the Clerk was asked to contact the District
Valuer to arrange an up to date valuation. ACTION CLERK.
(ii)
Banking. This item was deferred until the next meeting.
(iii)
The Pound. A figure for the cutting of the grass at the Pound was still awaited from
Wiltshire Council. The Clerk was asked to chase this up. ACTION CLERK
10/095
Street Lighting
Ken Virr had outlined the scheme from Wiltshire Council to look at turning off street lights between
certain times. It was noted that if a scheme were to go ahead it would need the approval of the
community and a survey would need to be undertaken. It was proposed, seconded and
unanimously RESOLVED that the PC should ask to be included in the Wiltshire trial scheme, and
the Clerk was asked to write to Wiltshire Council to progress this. Cllr Squires to provide the
contact details, and Mr Virr to be involved in the project. ACTION CLERK, CLLR SQUIRES.
10/096
Policing
There was no update on policing, however further information on the new Neighbourhood Watch
Scheme was requested. Cllr Durno agreed to contact Mr M Bridger and ask him to send details of
the scheme to Cllr Hall, and the Clerk was asked to contact Mr Bridger and ask him to attend the
next PC meeting to provide an update on the scheme and any progress on the signage. ACTION
CLLR DURNO, CLERK.
10/097
Planning Matters
(i)
WC Decisions received
a. N/10/01509/TCA – Removal of Cotoneaster Tree at 18 Folly Row, KSM.
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Application APPROVED 16 June 2010.
10/098
(ii)
Planning Applications received
a. N/10/02204/FUL – Conversion of stables to dwelling at Cromhall Farm, Easton
Piercy. It was noted that following a site visit by some Councillors there did not seem
to be grounds to object to this application since it would be replacing an existing
dwelling. It was resolved that the response to Wiltshire Council should include a
requirement that the bungalow which the conversion would be replacing should be
demolished. ACTION CLERK
b. N/10/02286/LBC – Listed building application for construction of a boundary wall
at Cromhall Farm, Easton Piercy. It was agreed that the response should be to
approve the application, provided that the new wall be built with the same materials as
the existing stone wall. ACTION CLERK.
(iii)
Enforcement
a. Update on temp stables at Honey Knob Hill. Enforcement number 10/0117/ENF.
It was reported that these structures had now been removed.
b. Satellite Dish at Malt End Cottage. The information provided earlier by the
occupier was noted.
Highway Matters
(i)
Update from Transport Project Group
It was noted that a meeting had been arranged for 11th August with Westlea, which would
be attended by Cllrs Hall, Durno and Squires.
It was noted that a study on 20mph zones was being carried out by Wiltshire Council, and
once this had been completed other parishes might be considered for 20mph zoning.
This would need to be approached via the Area Board. A response had been received
from Wiltshire Council to the PC’s earlier letter, suggesting that the PC join the community
speedwatch scheme, which had already been attempted. It had also been suggested that
the 20mph zoning and the Tor Hill footpath should be submitted as area board issues.
The Clerk was asked to do this. ACTION CLERK.
Cllr Squires and the other members of the project group were thanked for their hard work
on all the issues.
It was noted that Yatton Keynell had been awarded £776 by the Area Board for picket
gates. It was proposed that the PC and the transport project group and the PC have a
meeting dedicated to transport issues.
It was noted that Old Plough Lane had recently been resurfaced, and was now much
safer.
It was agreed that Tim Royal and the owner of Magpies should be contacted to let them
know the proposals for the footpath at Tor Hill. ACTION CLERK.
10/99
Online Backup
It was noted that the Clerk had recently signed up with BT for internet services, and would
be investigating their provision. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk should purchase a
printer / scanner / copier up to a maximum of £200. ACTION CLERK
10/100
Recreation Field
(i)
Kick Wall
This was ongoing
(ii)
Playbuilder Funding
It was noted that the playbuilder funding had been cut and the £15,000 was no longer
available. The rec field working group would meet to decide if any further action should
be taken.
(iii)
Goal Posts
The goal posts had been installed and were in daily use.
(iv)
Padlock on Gate
The padlock had been replaced, and the Clerk was obtaining duplicate keys.
(v)
Camp Out report
It was reported that the camp out had been a success. It was agreed that the PC would
pay for the portaloos and the rec field working group would make a donation.
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(vi)
(vii)
ACTION CLERK
Grass cutting and cable damage
It was noted that the cables at the rec field had been damaged by the Wiltshire Council
mowers. Wiltshire Council had indicated that they believed the cables should have been
more clearly marked, and that some of the damage had been caused by vandals,
however Cllr Atack pointed out that the cables had been visible, and that the people
repairing the damage did not believe it was due to vandalism. The Clerk was asked to
chase up Wiltshire Council’s insurers with a view to them paying for the repairs, with a
copy to Cllr Greenman. ACTION CLERK
Use of the field for a barbeque
A request had been received from the Castle Combe Colts to use the field for an informal
end of season barbeque. It was agreed that they could use the field, once they had
provided a letter indemnifying the PC from and responsibility for any accident or injury,
and had agreed that they would not allow glass to be brought on to the site and they
would clear up any rubbish.
It was also reported that the rec field working group had received a grant from the
Woodland Trust of £100. The lamp at the field had been damaged, and it was noted that
this was not on the asset register.
10/101
Village Maintenance
(i)
Parish Stewards
It was noted that the overgrown vegetation at Grove Lane had been cut back , but would
need to be done again soon. Mr Farr had photographed flooding problems , and Cllr
Durno agreed to contact Kate Davies to set up a meeting with Mr Farr, herself and
highways to sort out the issues highlighted. ACTION CLLR DURNO.
10/102
Allotments
It was reported that local landowners had been written to asking whether they had any land
available for allotments. Further names were provided, and the Clerk was asked to send the letter
out to these additional people. ACTION CLERK.
It was noted that the land previously occupied by Albert Millard could be a possibility, and Cllr Hall
agreed to provide the Clerk with contact details to follow this up. ACTION CLERK/ CLLR HALL.
In the mean time the possibility of garden swaps was mentioned, and the clerk was asked to
register on the relevant web-site, and to contact the Allotment Society for ideas. ACTION CLERK.
10/103
Local Transport Plan Draft Parking Strategy
It was noted that any Councillors wishing to comment should make their own individual
submission. The PC would respond to the effect that the bus service between Chippenham and
Kington St Michael should not be reduced. ACTION CLERK.
10/104
Councillor Vacancy
It was noted that the school hall had been booked for 8pm, and that papers received from
candidates would be circulated with the notices for the meeting. ACTION CLERK
10/105
Old Village Hall Lease
It was proposed seconded and unanimously RESOLVED to approve the renewal of the lease of
the Old Village Hall on the same terms as previously but with an increase in rent. Councillors
were authorised to sign the paperwork on behalf of the Parish Council.
10/106
Financial Matters
The report for July 2010 was reviewed and approved.
10/107
Exchange of information / reports from members
It was reported that the newsletter needed a new editor as Graham Orchard would be stepping
down after the August/September edition. This would be put on the agenda for September, and
prior to that Cllr Durno would approach Mr Orchard to find out the time spent on each edition and
any other relevant information. ACTION CLERK / CLLR DURNO.
Cllr Hall reported that Caroline Hooper who manages the allotments for the almshouses was
happy to have her details included on the web-site. She also reported that no 82 had been bought
by the Bristol Charities, and would be turned into 2 almshouses. Plans were being prepared for
submission to Wiltshire Council.
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Cllr Squires reported that a quote had been received for re-tarmacing the village hall car park,
however the amount involved was not enough to qualify for EU funding, and therefore the shop
committee were looking into the possibility of converting the ramp into a permanent stone ramp
rather than the current temporary wooden one.
Councillors were reminded of the next Business Breakfast to be held at 7.45am on the
9th September.
10/108
Correspondence
Correspondence received was available for inspection at the meeting, and a schedule was
circulated.
Meeting closed at 9.33pm
Next meeting;
8.00pm 9th September 2010, School Hall
NB This meeting to co-opt a new councillor, please note change of venue.
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