781

A meeting of Holt Parish Council was held on Wednesday, 22^nd June, 2005.

Present:  Cllr. John Palmer, Cllr. Jane Grant, Cllr. Rodney Moody, Cllr. Andrew Beck, Cllr. Jimmy Gooding, Cllr. Meg Slade, Cllr. David Hogg, Cllr. Martin Moyes, Cllr. Bob Mizen, Cllr. Steve Siddall, County Cllr. Sarah Content

Apologies:  Cllr. Helen Quilliam, District Councillor Duncan Hames

Open Meeting:  Emily Cole, from Age Concern, spoke about the work she is doing to make older people more aware of the benefits to which they are entitled.  Councillors made several suggestions for ways in which she could promote her work in the village.

Cllr. Content said Wiltshire County Council has carried out a traffic survey to assess changes that could be made in Holt. Improvements for walking, including a safe road crossing, cycling and parking are all being considered.  Comments from the Parish Council to Wiltshire County Council are required by 30^th June.  Cllr. Martin Moyes to call a meeting of the Traffic Committee and inform Highways of their recommendations.

Cllr. Content reported on the following issues:

• She has requested weed clearance in parts of the village - Great Parks and Little Parks in particular.
• Both Wiltshire County Council and West Wiltshire District Council are keen to see greater involvement of Parish Councils with Local Area Seminars
• The LEA has approved a nomination for Mrs. Hefnawy to serve as a school governor.

Minutes:  The minutes of the previous meeting were approved and signed.

Matters Arising:  Trafalgar Day Celebrations - it was agreed that it was not the responsibility of the Parish Council to commemorate Trafalgar Day.  Cllr. Andrew Beck to ask, through the magazine, if anyone would like to arrange an event.

JT Beaven Ltd. - A planning application for conversion of factory buildings to residential accommodation has not yet been received.

Planning:

Applications:

                                                                                                                                    780

Decisions:

Cllr. Rodney Moody expressed concern about the way in which West Wiltshire District Council had handled planning application 04/01350.  This application was for a large agricultural store on Melksham Road.  Adjacent landowners were not informed of the proposed development and, despite objections from this Council, consent had been given.  When Cllr. Rodney Moody challenged the decision the Planning Department was dismissive.  The Clerk to write to West Wiltshire District Council asking why, when specific objections to the application were made, this Council was not consulted again prior to consent being given.  

Affordable Housing:  Cllr. Martin Moyes reported on a meeting with WRHA.  Notes of this meeting are attached to these minutes.  Cllr. Martin Moyes said completion could take up to six years.  After lengthy discussion, the Chairman summarised the   options as follows:

• The Clerk to contact the landowner to try to bring things to a conclusion.
• The working party already convened, including Cllr. Rodney Moody, to consider the landowner's response, meet with Mrs. Gill Shell and, if appropriate, announce the public meeting in the magazine.

                                                                  OR

• Convene a public meeting to consult with the village about ways in which to take things forward and, hopefully, broaden the net of possible land.

Cllr. Martin Moyes proposed that the working group should meet to consider what the Council should do and come to the August meeting with a fully-fledged proposal. Subject to the proposal, a decision then to be made regarding a public meeting.  This was seconded by Cllr. Meg Slade. A vote was taken and all present were in favour.

Standing Orders:  Cllr. Steve Siddall proposed that all Standing Orders should remain unchanged.  This was seconded by Cllr. Jane Grant.  A vote was taken and all present were in favour.

Replacement Litter Bins:  A grant from West Wiltshire District Council may be available towards the cost of replacement bins.  Cllr. Steve Siddall to bring recommendations to the next meeting.

Mr. Alan Fox to be made aware that there is a considerable amount of litter around the village hall after Youth Club meetings.

Correspondence:  Holt Primary School has appointed Mr. Charles Hutchins as  community governor.  The Clerk to ask the School Governors why the appointment was made in this way and why the Parish Council was asked to nominate someone.  The Clerk to check the legal position with WALC.

                                                                                                                                    779

Standards Committee - no one wished to be nominated to serve on the Standards Committee. Cllr. Content explained that the Standards Committee sets standards for and monitors councillors at County, District and Parish levels.

WALC Annual General Meeting will be held on 8^th July.

Best Kept Village Competition - Holt has come first in the large village category and will now go forward to the County round.  Judging will take place during June or July.

Footpath 8 - Notice of a Confirmation of a Diversion Order has been confirmed.

Microchipping for dogs will be available at a reduced price at the West Wilts Show.

Dropped kerbs - Wiltshire County Council has confirmed an offer of funding for six dropped kerbs in the village.  Holt Ahead is liaising with Highways to ensure the kerbs are put in suitable places.  The Clerk to inform Highways that the Council is happy with the proposals.

Caretaker's Report:  Usual work has been carried out.  Garry to be asked to cut back the nettles on Footpath 55, to cut back further the brambles on the telegraph pole at Great Parks and to cut the Playing Fields hedge at the end of August.

Accounts:  The following accounts were approved for payment:

G Aland - Caretaking                                       £180.00

G. Aland - Ground Maintenance                       £232.00

J.M. Beale                                                        £565.59

Remuneration                        £314.77

            Fixed Expenses                     £ 31.30

            Back Pay to April                  £210.97 

            Stationery/photocopying      £   8.55

Any Other Business:  Cllr. David Hogg questioned the value of the annual footpath survey; action has not been taken by Wiltshire County Council on observations made in 2004.

The Clerk to display details of councillors on the notice board, at the Post Office and in the magazine.  Cllr. David Hogg will publish a list on the web site.  Names, telephones numbers and email addresses only.  Cllr. David Hogg suggested that photographs of councillors could be put on the web site.  There was a mixed reaction to this idea.

Cllr. Bob Mizen asked that residents be requested to cut back overhanging hedges, particularly the hedge at 376 The Street.

Cllr. Bob Mizen spoke about the smell emanating from Cereal Partners.  To be discussed at the next meeting.

Cllr. Steve Siddall reported that he and Cllr. Jimmy Gooding had visited Chalfield Hatch and rodded it - the flow has since doubled, making the present water level adequate.

                                                                                                                                   778

Cllr. Martin Moyes said that The Courts hedge in The Walk needs cutting back.  The Clerk to contact The Courts gardener.

Cllr. Jimmy Gooding reported that he was disappointed with the work done by the Parish Lengthsmen.

Cllr. Rodney Moody said grass cutting in the village by Wiltshire County Council and West Wiltshire District Council is illogical - one grass verge in Station Road is cut and another isn't.  He asked Cllr. Content to follow this up on the Council's behalf.