849
A meeting of Holt Parish Council was held on Wednesday, 25th August, 2004.
Present: Cllr. Jane Grant, Cllr. Rodney Moody, Cllr. Jimmy Gooding, Cllr. Helen Quilliam, Cllr. Bob Mizen, Cllr. Steve Siddall, Cllr. Andrew Beck, Cllr. Martin Moyes, District Cllr. Duncan Hames.
Apologies: Cllr. John Palmer, Cllr. David Hogg, Cllr. Meg Slade.
In the absence of the Chairman, the meeting was chaired by Cllr. Jane Grant.
Open Meeting: Mr. Colin Stephens expressed concern that the crew of a fire engine which recently attended an emergency in Holt were unable to find their destination. Cllr. Hames agreed to take this matter up with the relevant authority.
Mrs. Judy Vincent reported that the youth club is running successfully and has membership of about forty children.
Minutes: The minutes of the previous meeting were approved signed with the following amendment:- Page 844, Cllr. Martin Moyes was present at the meeting.
Matters Arising: Norian Beds are unwilling to make good damage to the road in The Midlands. Cllr. Jimmy Gooding reported that some repair work has now been done by Highways.
Pothole, Station Road ? the Clerk to check whether this has been repaired.
Village clean-up ? Cornhill has advised that so long as reasonable precautions are taken and people are provided with suitable equipment, i.e. gloves, then there is no reason why the annual village clean-up should not continue to be done.
Area of Opportunity ? Cllr. Rodney Moody and Cllr. Duncan Hames will meet in September to discuss this matter.
PC Manning has advised that posters re Mr. Jeffrey will be put up in the village at the end of August.
Cllr. Martin Moyes will draft an article for the magazine re Affordable Housing matters and will show it to councillors prior to publication.
Training for New Councillors ? a date has not yet been set for the next course.
Cllr. Jane Grant attended the Local Strategic Partnership Conference on 7th July.
Consultation on the draft strategy is taking place during August. The first meeting of the new Strategic Board will take place on 27th September and the Strategy will be launched in October.
848
Cllr. Bob Mizen presented planning matters. Cllr. Jane Grant declared an interest in planning application 04/01037/TCA.
Planning Application 04/01350/FUL ? West Wiltshire District Council has been informed that this Council considers the proposed building to be excessively large for the proposed use and that it would be unsightly.
Traffic Calming Monies: Wiltshire County Council has agreed that only £5,950 need be paid towards the cost of installation of traffic gateways in the village. This decision leaves the Council with a windfall of about £6000.
Cllr. Martin Moyes arrived at the meeting and apologised for his late arrival.
After lengthy discussion about how this money should be spent, Cllr. Martin Moyes proposed that the matter should be passed to the Finance Committee to debate and report back to the full Council with recommendations within three months.
This was seconded by Cllr. Bob Mizen. A vote was taken and all present were in favour.
847
Affordable Housing: Questionnaires for the Housing Survey were given to Councillors for distribution within the next two weeks. The forms should be returned to WRHA for analysis by 1st October.
Standing Orders: There were no recommendations for changes to existing standing orders, except to bring the membership lists up to date.
Holt Primary School Board of Governors ? Parish Council Representative: Mr. Mike Rix has expressed interest in becoming a school governor. Cllr. Bob Mizen proposed that Mr. Rix should be invited to speak at the next meeting, prior to the Council making a nomination for their representative on the school governing body. This was seconded by Cllr. Helen Quilliam. A vote was taken and all present were in favour.
Dawes Pond ? Boundary Fence: Cllr. Steve Siddall reported that it is necessary to establish a boundary between Bridge Terrace and Dawes Pond before a decision regarding a fence can be made. The plans for Dawes Pond are held by Sylvester Mackett, Solicitors. Cllr. Rodney Moody will look at the plans and the matter will be discussed at the October meeting.
Notice Board ? Playing Field Gates: In the absence of Cllr. Meg Slade, Cllr. Steve Siddall asked that the matter be deferred to the September meeting.
Occasional Police Office: Church House is available free of charge and, subject to PC Manning?s superior giving approval, this offer will be taken up. There was general disapproval that the Village Hall will not be used for this purpose, as it is more accessible. It was considered that it may be appropriate for the Parish Council to cover the cost of hiring a room at the Village Hall for an occasional Police office. The Clerk to ascertain the cost. To be discussed at the next meeting.
Speed Management Policy: PC Manning now has permission for training in the use of speed guns and should be trained within the next two months.
Correspondence: Mr. Richard Martin, the widower of Sally Cantello, has asked if he may erect a flowering Cherry tree in The Star on the bank adjacent to the cemetery in memory of his late wife. Mr. Gordon Hayne has inspected the site and considers it appropriate. The Council were in agreement with Mr. Martin?s request, subject to the tree being properly protected so that it is not damaged by grass cutting equipment.
Holt Pre-School has expressed concern about the safety of the play equipment in the old playground. The Clerk to inform them that the equipment is inspected annually by RoSPA and has not been condemned by them. It is not the Council?s intention to remove the equipment.
West Wiltshire District Council ? there will be meeting of the External Overview Committee on 15th September, 2004.
The next Parish Forum will be held on 20th October, 2004.
The AGM of Community First will be held on 6th September. Cllr. Jane Grant will attend.
846
Road Closure B3107 ? work will not now be completed until 5th September. Bad weather and lack of tarmacing equipment have caused the delay.
Cllr. Chivers has informed us that The Tollgate has applied to have a brown tourism sign erected.
West Wiltshire District Council is reviewing provision of parks and open space and play areas and seeks the views of parish councils. It was agreed that maintenance of the grass area at the bottom of Little Parks should be improved.
Caretaker?s Report: All usual work has been done. No vandalism reported. Conifer hedge clippings have been dumped in the ditch adjacent to the playing fields. Their arrival coincided with the trimming of the Bowls Club conifer hedge! Cllr. Rodney Moody agreed to speak to the Bowls Club.
Garry Aland to be asked to weed the path across Ham Green.
The Parish Lengthsmen to be asked to reinstate the kerb across Ham Green.
Accounts: The following accounts were agreed for payment:
Playforce £29,130.88
(Play Equipment)
JM Beale £ 264.31
Remuneration £204.56
Fixed Expenses £ 29.58
Stationery £ 26,81
Postage £ 3.36
Southern Electric £ 18.75
(Pavilion)
G. Aland £ 360.00
(Caretaking
G. Aland £ 481.00
(Ground Maintenance)
JM Beale £ 238.60
Remuneration £204.56
Fixed Expenses £ 29.58
Photocopying £ 4.46
Any Other Business: Cllr. Rodney Moody informed the meeting of the Flower Festival to be held at St. Katharine?s Church on 17th/18th/19th September. Tickets for the preview on 17th September are available at a cost of £5 and will include a glass of wine and canapés.
Cllr. Jimmy Gooding reported that a Rights of Way working party will install two kissing gates, two sign posts and carry out general clearance work in the village.
Cllr. Jimmy Gooding attended a meeting of the Bradford-on-Avon Community Safety Partnership and reported that Holt is the only parish council represented on the Committee. He had also attended a meeting of Walking for Healthy Living. This group will be able to help with the display map which Holt Ahead intends to erect in
845
the Village Hall Car Park. Through Walking for Healthy Living it may be possible to provide a safe walking/cycling area on the road at Staverton Bridge.
Cllr. Jane Grant reminded members to complete their footpath walks and return reports by the September meeting.
Cllr. Martin Moyes referred to the frequent power cuts in the village The Clerk was asked to write to Southern Electric asking how the frequency of power cuts in Holt relates to their performance targets and what action, if any, they intend to take.
Cllr. Bob Mizen referred to the persistent smell of Coco Pops coming from Cereal Partners factory. The Clerk to write to them, cc West Wiltshire District Council.
Cllr. Bob Mizen asked why people have to pay for the removal of wasp nests, etc., when such things represent an environmental hazard.
Cllr. Bob Mizen is rewriting the Introduction to Holt and would welcome information for inclusion in the guide.