A meeting of Holt Parish Council was held on Thursday, 26th June 2008 at the URC Hall.

Present: Cllr. John Palmer, Cllr. Jane Grant, Cllr. Helen Quilliam, Cllr. Becky Stevens, Cllr. Barbara Tucker, Cllr. David Hogg, Cllr. Basil Ash, Cllr. Jimmy Gooding, Cllr. Martin Moyes.

Apologies: Cllr. Bob Mizen, Cllr. Helen Rabaoitti.

In Attendance: County Cllr. Ernie Clark, District Cllr. Trevor Carbin, PC Martin Barrett.

Open Meeting: Cllr. Trevor Carbin reported on the following matters:

Unitary Authority - a response from the Boundary Committee to Wiltshire's proposals on electoral arrangements is expected in July.

Recycling - 55% of waste was recycled during May, an 11% increase on the previous year.

‘Phone Box - WWDC has objected to the removal of the ‘phone box in Holt as it is next to social housing and there is a high proportion of people aged 65+ in the village. Further comments to WWDC by 16th July. WCC will publish final recommendations by 8th August. Any ‘phone boxes whose removal the Council then objects to will remain until their future is decided by the Competition Appeals Tribunal.

Parking Enforcement - new regime in operation and showing positive results - traffic flowing more freely around Trowbridge town centre. It is estimated that about 12,000 fines will be issued annually in West Wiltshire, raising about £300,000.

Repair work has started on the multi-storey car park in Trowbridge and Bowyers car park has been re-opened for public use whilst work is carried out. Free parking for three hours. County Council car park available free of charge at weekends.

A parade is being held in Trowbridge on 27th June to honour the work of the armed services in the Middle East.

Cllr. Carbin was thanked for joining in with the village clean up on 1th June.

PC Martin Barrett reported that the anti-social behaviour in Maulton Close has ceased. No crime to report and the incidence of speeding in the village has significantly reduced since speed checks were introduced.

He asked that a Police post box (which he brought to the meeting) should be put in a central place for people to report non-urgent matters. He also suggested that he could hold Police surgeries half an hour prior to PC meetings at the URC Hall; this may also encourage members of the public to attend the Council meeting. The Planning Committee to consider meeting at Church House to facilitate PC Barrett's proposal. The Clerk to arrange/liaise with PC Barrett, Planning Committee and Church House.

Holt R Us gave an impressive presentation of their plans to erect a youth shelter in the Playing Fields and expressed an interest in getting involved with maintenance of Dawes' Pond.

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 22nd May 2008: The minutes of this meeting were approved and signed.

Matters Arising:

White lines on The Common at the junction with Station Road - to be reinstated. The Clerk to follow up.

Chain & lock, double gates leading to Children's Play Area has been replaced.

Village Clean up - Cllrs. Barbara Tucker, Becky Stevens, Jane Grant, Jimmy Gooding and District Cllr. Trevor Carbin attended. Work focused on the pond, which has become very overgrown.

Horse Chestnut trees, Ham Green - Cllr. Jimmy Gooding reported that a response is awaited from WCC.

Affordable Housing - Cllr. Jane Grant said that Community First will analyse the results, not WWDC as previously stated.

Parish Forum - Cllr. Jimmy Gooding attended and there was a presentation by Mr. Richard Munro similar to the one given at the previous PC meeting.

Fly Tipping - information has been published in the magazine.

Mobile Library Service - the service will not be reduced, but timing to be brought forward by fifteen minutes. Cllr. Jane Grant queried this. The Clerk to follow up.

BT ‘phone box - proposed removal to be reconsidered as reported by Cllr. Trevor Carbin.

Potholes, Station Road - Cllr. Jimmy Gooding has reported them to WCC. The work has not yet been carried out.

Police Post Box - it was agreed that the most suitable site for the post box would be the end wall of the Village Hall, adjacent to the shop. The Clerk to seek permission from the Village Hall Trustees. Cllrs. Martin Moyes and Jimmy Gooding agreed to fix it to the wall.

Village Facilities Committee Report:

A quote of £247.95 +VAT has been obtained to install an electricity card meter at the pavilion. Cllr. Jimmy Gooding to liaise with Paul and Trish Rai to ask if they would hold the necessary tokens at the shop.

Stuart Faint has reported a problem with the hot water supply at the pavilion. A quote for repair work to be obtained. The Clerk to liaise with Stuart.

Traffic Committee Report:

National Trust Car Parking Signs - Mr. Graham Heard to be informed that the new signs are acceptable. Cllr. Barbara Tucker clarified that the signs at Manor Farm have been set back from the road, as the verge is the property of WCC. It was noted that parking by visitors to the Courts is not causing the problems of previous years.

Several accidents have occurred involving cars parked opposite the Playing Fields. There does not appear to be solution a to the problem. The Bowls Club to be asked to put out cones to curtail parking on the main road when there are matches/functions.

Pedestrian crossing - Holt School parents are in consultation with WCC and a school travel plan is being drawn up.

Cycleway - WWDC has agreed that unused funds from the £7000 grant given in the previous financial year can be carried over. It is possible that a charity will be formed to be the body which takes this project forward.

Wiltshire Council Services: Cllrs. John Palmer, Jimmy Gooding, Bob Mizen and Becky Stevens have met to consider the ‘offer' outlined by Richard Munro at the May meeting and recommended that the Council should explore with the Unitary Council the possibility of taking on the following responsibilities:

Cutting of all grass areas in the Village currently cut by WWDC (both graveyards, Little Parks and Great Parks Greens small and narrow green and other verges).

Litter bin emptying

Road safety measures and pavement maintenance

A public convenience, should the pavilion project go ahead

Responsibility for street naming

It would not be desirable to take on responsibility for any regulatory functions, (TPOs, planning, lighting, recycling and refuse, bus passes, noise and nuisance control) or contracts for street cleaning, refuse collections or allotments, as this would change the nature of the Council.

Planning - better arrangements for consultation and communication and a robust enforcement of decisions.

WALC should be approached to prompt them to explore possible consortium arrangements with other councils.

It was proposed, seconded and unanimously agreed that these proposals should be accepted. The Clerk to inform Richard Munro of the Council's views and to ask if there is anything else which it would be appropriate for the Council to do. WALC (cc Cllr. Jane Grant) to be asked if they will work with councils to explore the possibility of consortium arrangements.

Spa Pump: Sue Morgan, Enforcement Officer, WWDC, has informed the Council that Dart Developments has finally reached an agreement with Paul Bloomfield. The pump should soon be reinstated.

J & T Beaven - Residential Use of Factory/Premises/Contaminated Land: WWDC Planning Department have been in contact with J & T Beaven and expect to receive a planning application from them by the end of the month. A report re contamination of the site is also awaited. The Clerk to follow up.

Playing Fields - Future Use: After discussion, it was proposed, seconded and agreed (7 for, 1 against, 1 abstention) that there should be a vision for the Playing Fields before making any decisions regarding future use. Cllr. Jimmy Gooding offered to lead a group and Cllrs. Martin Moyes, Barbara Tucker and Becky Stevens will work with him. The Chairman asked that all councillors should be informed of meeting dates, so they may join in if they so wish.

Holt R Us - It was proposed, seconded and unanimously agreed that the Parish Council should work with Holt R Us to explore the possible installation of a youth shelter at the Playing Fields. It was also agreed that the Council would look sympathetically at a request for additional funding, should that be necessary. Cllr Jane Grant to liaise.

Affordable Housing: Although doubts were expressed about how data collected could be validated, it was proposed, seconded and agreed (6 in favour, 3 abstentions) that, based on the recommendations of Holt Ahead, a survey to assess the need for affordable housing in Holt should go ahead.

Parish Elections: It was proposed seconded and unanimously agreed that Parish Elections should be held in 2013.Posts Ham Green: New posts can be supplied by the foundry carrying out work for the ongoing insurance claim at £300 each. This was considered to be too expensive.Correspondence: A civic service to celebrate life in Trowbridge and to welcome the new mayor will be held on 20th July. No one wished to attend.

Bradford-on-Avon Community Area - Proposal for Movement and Public Space Workshop. Workshops are being held on 16th and 17th October. Cllr. Martin Moyes will attend.

A request for funding for a ‘Sports Road Show' being run by Holt and Broughton Gifford Churches has been received from Mrs. Elizabeth Bennett. In line with Council policy, a donation will not be given.

Cllr. Jimmy Gooding informed the meeting of requests to divert footpaths (to run around the edge of fields rather than across the centre) on Mr. Keith Tucker's land. It was agreed that Cllr. Gooding should act on the Council's behalf.

Street sweeping - a street sweeping machine has been in the village on two occasions recently and an excellent job done. The Clerk to thank WCC.

Caretaker's Report: Usual work has been carried out and a written report received.

Accounts:

For Payment - the following accounts were approved for payment:

Aqueous(Work to Weir) £3506.20 (VAT £522.20)

Anne Bass - Internal Audit £70.00

G.Aland/Caretaking £ 225.00

G.Aland/Ground Maintenance £ 365.99

JM Beale £416.29

Remuneration £332.07

Fixed Expenses £ 33.02

Stationery/Photocopying £ 10.90 (VAT £1.62)

Cartridges £20.98 (VAT £3.12)

Postage £ 4.32

Telephone/Calls & line rental £15.00

It was noted that the cost of work at the weir was £500 under budget.

For Audit - the attached accounts were approved for audit.

Any Other Business: Cllr. Basil Ash highlighted problems with flooding in The Street between the shop and The Elms and a blocked drain adjacent to the Village Hall car park. The Clerk to report to CLARENCE.

Cllr. Jane Grant attended a meeting of the Community Area Partnership. They will have a seat on the board of Wiltshire Council.

Cllr. Grant reported that the Kingston Mill Development plan has been approved.

Cllr. Barbara Tucker reported that the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust has said there is no oil in the water at Dawes' Pond. Cllr. Tucker to follow up as this will affect the cost of restoration work to the Pond.

Cllr. Jimmy Gooding said there is a tourist information board which needs to be erected in the village. The suggested site is the grass verge next to the brook opposite the entrance to the village hall car park. To be discussed at the next meeting.