MINUTES of a meeting of the FINANCE & GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE held in the
COUNCIL CHAMBER, WILTON on TUESDAY 15 DECEMBER 2009 at 7.00pm
Present
Cllr T Batchelder, Deputy Mayor of Wilton
Cllr Mrs J Griffin
Cllr T Abbott
Cllr P Edge
Cllr I Seviour
In Attendance Cllr Mrs Blackman
Cllr P Matthews
Cllr J Rhind -Tutt
Mr Julian Haines
Mr Joel Netley
Mrs A C Purves
Mr H Abel
in the chair
Senior Bridge Engineer, Wiltshire Council
Surveyor Engineer, Mouchel
Town Clerk
Minute Secretary
Prior to the commencement of the meeting, Julian Haines from Wiltshire Council and Joel Netley
from Mouchel give a brief presentation on the works planned for the Burdens Ball and Cross
bridges on North Street.
Over 1,000 bridges have been surveyed in Wiltshire and of these, 200 have been found to be
below strength. To date, 100 have been strengthened.
Both Burdens Ball and Cross bridges span the Wylye. Burdens Ball bridge is a single span and
was originally erected in 1813. In 1913, it was widened and in 1969 extensions were made. It is
the work done in 1969 that needs remedy. The original structure of Cross Bridge was built at
about the same time as Burdens Ball Bridge. It has two spans and was widened in 1902.
Additional works were carried out in 1969. Both bridges are Grade 2 listed buildings. This listing
also includes the 1969 concrete work.
The stone work of both of both bridges is in fine condition but the later concrete part of the
structures is where the work will be concentrated. The area is part of an SSSI and the
Environment Agency insists that any work be only carried out between May and November to
protect spawning fish and other breeding wildlife.
The work is scheduled to start in May 2010 and will continue until September 2010. During that
time, North Street will be closed to through traffic. Some 18 parking places will be unavailable and
the one way restriction will be rescinded. Pound Meadow will be rented by Wiltshire Council for
use as a site compound.
It was suggested that alternative parking be made available on the Sheep Fair Field or the Park
and Ride site. Mr Haines agreed to make enquiries.
A G E N D A
Apologies were received from Cllr Mr Belk and Cllr Kinsey
95.
Minutes of the Previous Meeting
The minutes of the meeting held on 17th November 2009 were signed by the Chairman
as a true and accurate record. (prop Cllr Seviour, sec Cllr Mrs Griffin – all in favour)
96.
To receive any Declarations of Interest in accordance with the Parish Councils
(Model Code of Conduct) Order 2007.
None were declared.
97.
Matters arising from the Full Council meeting
To form a working party to review standing orders & financial regulations, risk
assessments and internal audit, as recommended by Mazars, the external auditors,
together with other matters highlighted by the auditors. It was agreed that Cllrs
Batchelder, Edge and Seviour and the Town Clerk make up the working party. It was
envisaged that initial work would be done by an outside firm and, subsequently, there
would need to be about 4 meetings a year.
Finance & General Purposes Committee Meeting – Tuesday 15 December 2009
98.
Finance
 Although the overall budget amount for donations and grants had been agreed at
the 2008 Precept Meeting (for payment in the 209/2010 financial year) and
subsequently approved by Full Council, specific amounts for distribution had not
been decided. These amounts were decided in the 2009 Precept Meeting.
However although these specific amounts had not yet been approved by Full
Council, it was agreed to allow the payments of grants and donations on this
occasion (as it was known that funds were required before Christmas), and to
establish a policy for dealing with this matter in the future at the F&GP meeting in
January.
 A schedule of accounts dated 15th December 2009 in the sum of £3,657.07 was
confirmed and authorised for payment. (prop Cllr Edge, sec Cllr Batchelder – nem
con – Cllr Abbott abstained)
 Bank balances: - c/a £100. d/a £99,413.41
 The R2 amount available for expenditure on children’s facilities is £7,817.
 To consider three quotes for fencing at Wishford Road play area.
JB Corrie
£13,099.79
Fenceland
circa £10,000
All Type Fencing
£5,284.96
It was agreed to recommend the purchase of fencing from All Type Fencing and
to apply for R2 funds to cover the net cost.
99.
To Review other ongoing matters
 Proposed changes to bus services to Ditchampton – Wilts and Dorset are
proposing to combine routes 60, 60a and 61 into one route and run that every 20
minutes in the daytime (except Sundays which will continue to get the current
hourly service). The new single route will serve Skew Bridge, Quidhampton,
Wilton Market Place and Bulbridge. This means that Ditchampton will get no
service at all. After discussion it was agreed to write to Wilts & Dorset opposing
this proposal and suggest one bus an hour to Ditchampton and two to Bulbridge
each hour.
 Parish Stewards – Cllr Seviour invited Members to suggest works for the
Stewards to carry out.
 Highways Issues
 30mph stickers – these are available for residents to place on their
wheelie bins, and which do seem to act as a deterrent to drivers. They
are endorsed by the police, and can be ordered by the Town Council
via the Neighbourhood Policing Team. It was agreed to apply for a
Community Area Grant towards the purchase of 1000 stickers which
could then be used by Wilton and neighbouring parishes.
 Footpath along the A30 at the Town/Burcombe PC border – Wilton
Estate is ambivalent about this, and Nick Cowen, the Rights of Way
Officer advises one could be run inside the hedgeline along the A30,
but the topography is challenging, with the steep drop into Ugford.
Difficult to cost, but could be approximately £10,000, although a
Parish Improvement Grant would be suitable here. Burcombe PC is
meeting again in January to discuss this whole matter. It was agreed
to support Burcombe PC in this bid.
 Youth Provision in Wilton – The Town Clerk has spoken to Kevin Sweeney. The
landlord of the premises on West Street, formally occupied by the gym is happy
for the youth team to rent the property – but does not want to apply for Change of
Use, in order to retain flexibility for future use. Mr Sweeney is paying a retainer
fee of £400 per month whilst negotiations continue, and is happy to do so up until
the end of January. Mr Sweeney requests that the Town Council considers taking
the lease in its name, with absolutely all costs, management fees, insurance etc
paid for up front by Wiltshire Council. It was agreed to reject taking on the lease
but to suggest to Wiltshire Council that the archives in the former public toilet and
adjacent building are stored elsewhere and this building is adapted for use.
 UKLF Site – No further news.
Finance & General Purposes Committee Meeting – Tuesday 15 December 2009

Sports Pavilion – No tenders yet forthcoming. The Town Clerk has imposed a
deadline on the proceedings. If no evidence of progress is forthcoming by next
week, then a new agent will be sought.
100.
To consider the mechanism of undertaking the Clerk’s annual appraisal
It was agreed that a panel made up of, The Mayor, The Deputy Mayor and The Chairman
of F&GPC be convened in July each year to undertake the Town Clerk’s appraisal. It was
also agreed that the June meeting of the F&GPC set the date for the panel to meet each
year.
101.
Chairman’s Report
Nothing to report.
102.
Town Clerk’s Report
The Town Clerk reported on the following:
– She has bought books on Civic Ceremonial and Local Government Finance at last
week’s SLCC conference.
– Gary Nunn advises that Wilton Community Centre is one of Waitrose’s three charities
in its “Community Matters Scheme” for December 2009.
– A CD on the Town Council’s painting included in the Public galleries catalogue has
been received. A printed copy of the catalogue will be available in due course.
– The Town Council has received a Christmas card from Wilton’s Riding for the
Disabled. Councillors are invited to the Riding Centre for a Carol Service and Party on
Wednesday 16th December at 11.15am.
– The Town Clerk has agreed to hold the Community Area Partnership funds until a
dedicated bank account can be arranged. The funds will be separately accounted for.
– A copy of the South West Core Strategy is available for Members to inspect.
– Cllr Abbott asked for confirmation that the Town Council had not discussed
arrangement for the Rotary Club to seek sponsorship at the Christmas Tree Festival
in Wilton. All Members present gave this assurance.
103.
To confirm the date of the next F&GPC meeting
Tuesday 19th January 2010 at 7.00pm
There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 8.56pm.
Members of the Council considered the foregoing matters in consideration of their duties: Equal
Opportunities (race, gender, sexual orientation, marital status and any disability); Crime and
Disorder; health and Safety, and Human Rights.
Finance & General Purposes Committee Meeting – Tuesday 15 December 2009