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A meeting of Holt Parish Council was held on Wednesday, 27th September, 2006. Present: Cllr. John Palmer, Cllr. Jane Grant, Cllr. Rodney Moody, Cllr. Bob Mizen, Cllr. Meg Slade, Cllr. David Hogg, Cllr. Jimmy Gooding, Cllr. Andrew Beck, Cllr. Martin Moyes, Apologies; Cllr. Steve Cllr. Steve Siddall, Cllr. Helen Quilliam and County Councillor Sarah Content. Open Meeting: The Chairman welcomed Laura Dickenson, our Police Community Support Officer to the meeting. Another PCSO will be working in the area from January 2007. Cllr. Martin Moyes read a report from PC Ian McGrath outlining recent Police activity in the village. There have been 4/5 burglaries, cars have been tampered with in both The Midlands and Station Road and speed checks have been carried out. To date no fixed penalty tickets have been issued but some motorists have received warnings. Cllr. Martin Moyes has arranged to meet with PC Ian McGrath to discuss ‘parking hotspots' in the village. Traffic Consultation - Presentation by Mr. Michael Crook, Wiltshire County Council. Following consultation with residents the following recommendations were made for improved pedestrian and cycle access in Holt: - The Shop - install a zebra crossing (High priority)
- The Gravel/The Common - build out to give better visibility to the right when exiting from The Gravel. Extend double yellow lines by 7 meters. Give priority to traffic travelling from Melksham (High priority)
- Bradford Road/Staverton Road junctions - a mini roundabout (Medium Priority)
- Little Parks/The Common - create a central pedestrian refuge and marked parking places (Medium/Low Priority)
- The Street adjacent to the Playing Fields - create a footpath inside the Playing Fields hedge. The cost of this would be £80,000 (Low Priority)
- Cycleways - The Walk - consider removing order made in 1945 banning cycling. Considered that safe routes through the village for cyclists already exist; these routes should be signed (To be considered at a later date)
- 20mph speed limit - Holt does not qualify because of the criteria set by Wiltshire County Council
- Weight limit - this may be considered once the Hilperton Gap is constructed.
Mr. Crook said the full report would be available soon (he will email this to the Council) at which time public opinion on these proposals would be sought. Work to be done on a two year programme - design one year and implement the next. Cllr. Duncan Hames said he supported proposals to install a zebra crossing at The Shop but had reservations regarding proposed changes to The Gravel. Cllr. Hames reported on the following issues: - Refuse collection - new contractors will take over in April 2007 and stiffer penalties will be imposed for poor work.
- Police Community Support Officers - the Police will not seek funding for PCSOs from local councils.
Minutes of the Meeting Held on 23rd August 2006: The minutes of this meeting were approved and signed. Matters Arising: Oak tree - Mr. Hayne considers there is not space for another oak tree in the village and that the tree should be planted in a field. Mr. David Crees to be approached. Ham Green posts and chains - a response awaited from Community Payback. Overhanging hedges - Wiltshire County Council has written to residents and will follow up. If work is not done within twenty-eight days, then Wiltshire County Council will carry out the work and charge the householders. Cllr. Bob Mizen agreed to approach The National Trust regarding the Courts hedge in The Walk, which is encroaching on to the footpath Nibbs' Terrace - the developers have agreed to this name. Mrs. Pam Gooding has written to the Council expressing the view that Spa Terrace would be a more suitable name for the red brick building and that another part of the development should be named after Mr.Nibbs. It was proposed that the red brick row of houses in The Midlands should be called Spa Buildings and that Nibbs Terrace should be used at the next opportunity to name something on that site. There was no seconder for this proposal. Passenger Transport Representative: No response from request in magazine. The Courts trees Withy Walk - these have been inspected by Wiltshire County Council and from a Highways point of view no work is required. Anyone who has concerns about the safety of the trees should approach the National Trust direct. SAGE accounting package - enquiries being made. Playing Fields Gates - to be discussed at the next meeting. Community First AGM- 4th October 2006 - Cllr. Jane Grant will attend. Affordable Housing: Following differing opinions at the previous meeting, the Chairman referred to the minutes of January 2005 which stated ‘the privacy of prospective tenants will be respected'. Councillors were divided on the interpretation of this statement and several considered that without knowledge of prospective tenants the need for affordable housing could not be justified. The Chairman said there were two issues to be resolved: Did the Council formally agree that there was a need for affordable housing? The minutes of April 2005 show that agreement had not been reached. Has Station Road been identified as the favoured site? There is no reference in any minutes to suggest that this is so. It was proposed, seconded and agreed that the previous housing needs survey carried out by the Wiltshire Rural Housing Association should be set aside. Six councillors were in favour of this proposal, Cllr. John Palmer against and there were two abstentions. It was proposed, seconded and agreed that in order to move ahead with affordable housing a representative of Jephson Housing Association should be invited to meet with Cllr. Jimmy Gooding and Cllr. Rodney Moody to form a further survey which would underpin the Council's support for a development of affordable housing. This survey to be carried out within the next three months. All present were in favour of this proposal, with the exception of Cllr. John Palmer, who abstained from voting. The Chairman urged councillors to reflect on the following proposal before voting; this Council has always undergone public consultation before making firm decisions on significant issues affecting the whole Village. It was proposed, seconded and agreed that this Council's preferred site for any affordable housing development is the site in Station Road already identified. Five in favour, two against, one of which was Cllr. John Palmer, and two abstentions. Cllr. Rodney Moody left the meeting. Bye Law Concerning Parking of Coaches in Holt: Cllr. Martin Moyes reported that he has met with the National Trust who have agreed to ask coach drivers to park at the bus stop by The Three Lions and he confirmed that this is already happening. Traffic - The Consultation Process - Next Steps for Wiltshire County Council: It was proposed, seconded and agreed that proposals to install a zebra crossing at the Shop/Courts should go forward to public consultation. It was proposed, seconded and agreed that proposals for a build out at The Gravel should go forward to public consultation. It was proposed and seconded that proposals to rescind the order made in 1945 banning cycling in The Walk should go forward to public consultation. This motion was not carried. It was proposed, seconded and agreed that proposals to install a mini roundabout at the west end of the village should go forward to public consultation. Parking - Liaison with the National Trust: Cllr. Martin Moyes reported that the National Trust will approach the United Reform Church to investigate using their car park on week days. Coaches - Cllr. Martin Moyes asked if the Council would support the erection of a sign saying ‘Coaches Temporary Stop'. This should be a joint venture with the National Trust. Additional parking - the National Trust has asked if the Parish Council would be interested in joining with them to create a village amenity. Mr. Graham Heard recognises the difficulty in being completely open when negotiating land for development. The Chairman thanked Cllr. Martin Moyes for his work and asked that these matters be discussed at the next meeting. Cereal Partners: i) Noise Monitoring - Cllr. Bob Mizen acknowledged that the problem is worse during the summer months when the factory doors are open. West Wiltshire District Council will monitor this problem free of charge if sufficient people lodge a complaint. It is necessary for the nuisance to be logged. Through the magazine residents who are concerned about noise or smell from Cereal Partners to be invited to contact the Clerk who will supply them with the necessary forms to record the incidence of smell or noise. The form will also be posted on the village website. Report on meeting held between Traffic and Management Committees and Cereal Partners - ii) Meeting not yet held.
Football Matters: The goal posts have been installed at a cost of £400.00. Half of this cost to be met by Holt Football Club. It was proposed, seconded and agreed that the Parish Council should pay the bill in full and inform Holt Football that the Council will accept payment of their share in instalments, but full payment must be made by the end of this financial year. Footpath Survey: Reports awaited. Footpath 8: Wiltshire County Council has now instructed Steve Leonard to liaise with Cllr. Jimmy Gooding to erect the footpath sign. Pavilion: Mr. Andrew Bradford, HFC Secretary, despite being asked by the Clerk not to do so, has employed someone to make repairs to the boiler at the pavilion. A letter to be sent to Mr. Bradford explaining the Council's position re health and safety issues and accountability. Cllr. Andrew Beck to liaise with the Clerk re this letter. The Chairmen of the Traffic and Management Committees to liase with Holt FC regarding football issues. A cleaner for the pavilion has not been found. It was proposed and seconded that £10 per hour should be offered for the job. This motion was not carried. It was proposed, seconded and agreed that Garry Aland should be asked to do the job. Correspondence: The Boundary Committee, Electoral Review, Final Recommendations - Holt and Hilperton Ward, which includes Paxcroft Mead, is the final recommendation. This Council's reservations about this decision to be reiterated. Local Area Agreements - meeting at West Wiltshire District Council on 2nd October. Cllr. Jane Grant will attend. Community First Training - Training day re Parish Plans and Village Design Statements to be held on Saturday 28th November. To be discussed at the next meeting. Caretaker's Report: A written report has been received. Playground safety inspection carried out and a written report received. Accounts: The following accounts were approved for payment: CJ Gunning/Goal Posts/Installation £400.00
G. Aland/Caretaking £180.00 G. Aland/Caretaking/August £180.00 JM Beale £538.32 Remuneration £324.06 Clerk's Retirement Fund £170.00 Fixed Expenses £ 32.22 Photocopying/Postage £ 12.04(VAT £1.22) Any Other Business: A pond clean up was arranged for Saturday, 28th October at 2.00pm. To be advertised through the magazine. Cllr. Andrew Beck expressed concern about wood falling on to Withy Walk from the Courts trees. He was advised to approach the National Trust. Cllr. David Hogg expressed concern re potholes in Station Road. The Clerk has followed this up with Wiltshire County Council. Cllr. Meg Slade reminded councillors that the road at Staverton will close in October for ten weeks. A notice by the clerk was published in Village Magazine some months ago. Cllr. Jimmy Gooding has inspected the Cherry trees in The Midlands and he does not consider them to be in need of surgery. Funding for surgery to the trees should be considered for the next precept.
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