|
A meeting of Holt Parish Council was held on 27th June 2009 at the URC Hall. Present: Cllr. John Palmer, Cllr. Jane Grant, Cllr. Helen Quilliam, Cllr. Helen Rabaiotti, Cllr. Becky Stevens, Cllr. Barbara Tucker, Cllr. Basil Ash, Cllr. Jimmy Gooding, Cllr. Martin Moyes, Cllr. Bob Mizen, Cllr. David Hogg.
Apologies: None.
In Attendance: Cllr. Trevor Carbin, PC Martin Barrett.
Open Meeting:
The Chairman congratulated Cllr. Trevor Carbin on his election to Wiltshire Council and wished him well. Mrs. Meg Slade thanked the Council for submitting plans for the new sports court and pavilion and asked that the Council should take on board Holt Sports and Recreation Committee and Holt Pavilion Regeneration Committee, as they are raising funds for assets which will ultimately become the property of the Parish Council. Cllr. David Hogg and Cllr. Bob Mizen agreed to meet with representatives of the two committees and bring proposals to the next meeting. PC Martin Barrett reported that J & T Beaven's had been broken into and hanging baskets had been stolen from Old Milestone Nursery. Speed checks have been carried out at the Melksham end of the village and fewer vehicles are being stopped than hitherto; it is hoped that word has got around about speed checks. Cllr. Trevor Carbin said the next Bradford-on-Avon Area Board meeting would be held on 8th July. Jane Scott has been appointed leader of Wiltshire Council. A chief executive has yet to be appointed.
Minutes of the Meeting held on 28th May 2009: The minutes of this meeting were approved and signed with the following amendment: Page 1109 - Horse Chestnut tree at Dawes' Pond. Cllr. Jimmy Gooding has been appointed tree warden.
Matters Arising: The small sports court has been relined. The cost was £45 more than originally agreed, but within the budgeted amount.
Youth Shelter - Cllr. Jane Grant reported that a planning application is being submitted.
Bowls Club Rent - a letter has been sent to Mr. Paul Bloomfield.
Parish Plan - Cllr. Martin Moyes said it should be more correctly called a Village Plan. A drop-in afternoon has been arranged for 27th June from 3.15pm at the Village Hall and he urged people to support the event.
Insurance - the Clerk confirmed that the policy covers the small sports court, events and a population greater than Holt. Cllr. Bob Mizen asked the Clerk to confirm cover for the BBQ he is doing on behalf of the Parish Council at the Netball Tournament on 27th June.
Village clean-up - Cllrs. Tucker, Grant, Gooding and the Rabaiotti Family were the only people who turned up. Consequently it was abandoned.
Allotments - Sarah Williams has confirmed that land is available and this project is going ahead. Plans will be put before the Parish Council in due course.
Finance Committee meeting - to be arranged.
WALC AGM - Cllr. Jane Grant was not able to raise questions peculiar to Holt with the Chief Constable, Brian Moore, as all discussion was of a general nature. Wiltshire is deemed to be a very safe county and a 7% increase in the Police Force is planned.
The Clerk to write to the Chief Constable regarding the high number of emergency vehicles using their sirens through the village. It was agreed that PC Martin Barrett could speak and he informed the meeting that Police drivers undergoing training driving at speed use the B3107 through Holt.
Cllr. Jimmy Gooding informed the meeting that the revised application by Cotswold Homes to reduce parking spaces had been revised again to include the three parking spaces.
The National Trust has consulted with the Parish Council regarding their proposal to fell seven Beech trees in The Walk. Cllr. Martin Moyes has prepared a comprehensive report regarding the trees and it was agreed that proper work to the trees would negate the need to fell them. Cllr. Jimmy Gooding, and any other councillors who are interested, to meet with a representative of the National Trust to discuss the matter. Clerk to reply to Graham Heard's letter.
Lime trees, Withy Walk - the National Trust's proposals for work to the lime trees is ambiguous. Cllr. Jimmy Gooding to consult with the National Trust and also seek Mr. Andrew Beck's opinion.
Village Facilities Committee Report: Cllr. Bob Mizen reported that he has spoken to a five-a-side team which left a considerable amount of litter on the Playing Fields/Sports Court. Properties opposite the Playing Fields, from 375 The Street to 371 The Street, have hedges and shrubs which are overhanging the pavement. The Clerk to write to residents.
Traffic Committee Report: Cllr. Becky Stevens questioned PC Martin Barrett's report that speeding at the Melksham end of the village has reduced. Cllr. Jane Grant suggested that the time of speeding traffic should be noted and PC Martin Barrett asked to run speed checks at those times. The mini-roundabout is successful in reducing the speed of traffic entering the village and road markings for traffic turning right into Leigh Road is beneficial.
Cllr. Becky Stevens reported that the Safer Community group is in full swing. A school travel plan is being progressed, there are proposals to limit the width of HGV vehicles in the Bradford-on-Avon area and to improve signage. Substantial numbers of large vehicles are travelling though Holt/Bradford-on-Avon when they should be using the A350. The Traffic Committee to follow up.
Bowls Club Lease and Rent: Rent will now be £350 pa for the next five years, to increase annually in line with the retail price index.
The lease to be updated accordingly. Rev. Andrew Evans has offered to help with the wording of the revised lease. Cllr. Bob Mizen and the Clerk to liaise with him and conclude.
Football Matters: Holt Football Club is proposing to form an under 10s team and has asked for use of the football pitch on Saturday mornings. It was proposed seconded and agreed that to assist the club in getting off the ground a peppercorn rent of £5.00 would be charged for the first year. To be reviewed the following season.
Correspondence: Fun in the Sun - Wiltshire Council is offering sports activities on the Playing Fields during the school holidays and a local co-ordinator is required. The Youth Club to asked if they are willing to fulfil this role and a request placed in the Magazine.
Caretaker:
i) Job Specification and supervision: Cllr. Bob Mizen and the Clerk to meet with Mr. Garry Aland. Final proposals to be brought to the next meeting. ii) Report: A written report has been received and usual work completed. A copy of the report is to be circulated with the minutes. Accounts: i) For Audit: The figures prepared by Mrs. Anne Bass, internal auditor, were approved. A copy of the accounts is attached to these minutes.
ii) For Payment: The following accounts were approved for payment:
Grimshaw Kinnear Ltd/ Relining Small Court £396.75 (VAT £51.75)
Anne Bass/Internal Audit £85.00 Holt Village Hall, Hire Charge for Parish Plan Meeting £35.00 G.Aland/Caretaking £189.00 G.Aland/Ground Maintenance £381.78 JM Beale £403.04 Remuneration £340.21 Fixed Expenses £ 33.83 Stationery/Photocopying £ 14.00 (VAT £1.83) Telephone/Calls & line rental £ 15.00
Any Other Business: Potholes Station Road - Cllr. David Hogg reported that some potholes had now been satisfactorily repaired but a large pothole remains. He will report the problem to CLARENCE.
Slabs adjacent to the Playing Fields hedge are broken and displaced. The Clerk to report to CLARENCE. Cllr. Helen Rabaiotti reported that she and Cllr. Basil Ash had attended a meeting of Climate Friendly Bradford-on-Avon; climate change is taking place far more quickly than originally predicted by scientists.
Cllr. Jimmy Gooding reported that Tree Wardens have been invited to submit photographs of Wiltshire's trees for a competition; he would like to submit a picture of the Beech tree in the Chairman's garden.
|