Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, 11^th March 2008 at 7-00pm

Present: C'llr Williams in the Chair, C'llr Giles, C'llr Beard, C'llr White, C'llr Winterton, C'llr Dance, C'llr Newman, C'llr Gardner, C'llr Downie, C'llr Ottaway, C'llr Cordery. Representatives: CC M. Connolly, Steve Dancey, press reporter, Mr Higgins, SHA & PC Wilkins plus 3 members of public.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the March meeting.

1.Apologies were received and accepted from C'llr Bradbury, C'llr Betteridge (holiday) & C'llr Crane, C'llr Blackmore (work)

The Chairman invited PC Wilkins to give his report:

A) Drinking in allotment shed, the youth who purchased the alcohol was over 18 years and has been spoken to.

B) Empress Way - painting of post box & bollard would PC consider removing the seat.

C) 3 persons arrested re damage in Wood Park.

D) Sgt Freeman away so no survey results available.

Questions: C'llr Gardner requested an up date on garages behind Prince of Wales - police had patrolled but no youths found smoking drugs. The Librarian complained to clerk about youths causing a nuisance while waiting to catch the coach to Bluz'n'zuz by dropping take away litter, bad language & attitude to persons using the library. Could the police escort travelling on the coach wait with the youths outside the Memorial Hall in future. PC Wilkins left the meeting at 7-10pm.

2. Mission Possible

Presentation by Mr Antony Higgins, Sarsen Housing Association. Following requests from a resident's forum, a meeting with other and maybe a turning point agencies was arranged to discuss improving the environment around the Sarsen Housing estates from this discussion it has been decided to run a pilot scheme in Ludgershall.

The areas to be investigated are: litter picking/fly tipping, grass cutting & shrub maintenance, road sweeping, bad neighbours & vehicle parking around properties. After reporting back to the residents' for their comments on 26^th March 2008 Sarsen will commence with enforcement and education. The Chairman thanked Mr Higgins for his presentation explaining more positive actions for Ludgershall & that Ludgershall PC supported these actions. Mr Higgins left the meeting at 7-40pm.

3. General Public - Questions 2 residents from Empress Way, Ludgershall complained about the number of youths that congregate at the bench opposite to railway crossing in Empress Way causing damage & vandalism in the area. Is it possible to remove the bench as that may discourage this being used as a gathering place. The police had already asked the same question and the C'llrs felt they should not remove the seat as it would only move the youths to other areas of Ludgershall and if we set a precedence by removing this seat eventually all seats & other amenities would be lost, however they will continue to monitor the situation and encourage members of the public to report all incidents to the police for their attention.

Complaints were also received about the amount of litter in the fenced shrub areas around this estate, the clerk will report to KDC who are responsible for the maintenance.

4. Minutes from the previous meeting had been circulated; matters arising:

4) WCC initial discussion papers re the Boundary Review express the same as TCAP that Ludgershall & Perham Down should form one seat, formal consultation with Parish & Town Councils will commence after 17^th March 2008.

5a) High Street waiting restrictions - if carpet shop abuse the loading issue they will need to be caught in the act by the enforcement officer.

5b) Media Awareness Day for Councillors no volunteers, clerk will notify Castledown Radio of the situation.

7) Memorial Hall Action Group as Planning permission expected for new build on 13^th March & existing site on 17^th March it has been agreed to hold next committee meeting on Monday 17^th March 2008.

8a) Old Indian Restaurant sign has been removed.

8b) It was agreed future Town Council meetings commence at 7-00pm.
 

8c) Great Western ambulance Service has requested Castle Mews, Crown Lane address to be flagged on their CAD for future calls, still waiting confirmation. C'llr Williams from the Chair proposed these minutes should be signed as a true copy, seconded by C'llr Giles, carried.

5. Correspondence

A) Kennet Citizens Advice Bureau - thank you letter for recent £250-00p donation, PC support much appreciated, also the Manager would be happy to speak at a Council meeting about the work of CAB, clerk to offer use of new hall so that CAB could operate from Ludgershall for the local community.

B) Trustee & Management Committee of the Scout Hall, Ludgershall

(C'llr Williams declared an interest as a Trustee) report suffering extensive damage to their flat roof in recent gales & now request a grant towards replacement repairs. This hall is used by smaller local organisations and is considered an asset to the village; C'llr Winterton proposed a grant of £1500-00p towards flat roof repairs, seconded by C'llr Cordery, carried.

C) Wiltshire Independent Travel Support document received for information concerning disabled people aged 18+ & older people in Wiltshire.

D) KDC - Regulatory Committee Agenda giving Planning Officer report on new Memorial Hall application in Dewey's lane to be heard on Thursday 13^th April 2008

Designated Public Places Order (DPPO) - remit to Finance & Policy Committee.

Kennet Times - Spring edition received for information

Easter Card Recycling Scheme - between 25^th March - 4^th April 2008 collection points at Council Offices across the District, including Leisure Centres & Tourist Information Centres.

E) Newsletters & other correspondence received given to relevant committees, who will report back to full Council if necessary.

6. County & District Councillors' Report

C.C. Connolly reported -

1) Transport Group - work to commence on footpath 2 from the main road to Empress Way & new street lighting in Central Street & part of Short Street will follow shortly. Please report any new schemes for Ludgershall:

A) new lighting along St James Street requested.

B) Drainage to prevent flooding on pavement in Tidworth Road; this problem should be reported through Highways, Marlborough.

Questions to C.C. Connolly -

1)War Memorial junction & Levell Court access - concerns about the speed of traffic, could some form of traffic calming be investigated.

2) A.338 Cholderton - dreadful road surface, dangerous for motorcyclist will be reported to Wilton Highways Department. C.C. Connolly left the meeting.

D.C. Beard reported - Regulatory Committee 15^th April 2008, C'llr Beard would stand down due to Ludgershall application, C'llr A. Connolly would chair the meeting instead.

Old DMED site developer ZOG is talking to Forward Planning at KDC about 800 dwellings however it has been suggested this site should still contain some industrial building as well as housing.

D.C. Williams reported -

KDC voted Champion Recycling, but due to freeze on capital projects from now until Unitary Authority 1^st April 2009 the proposed kerbside collection of plastic & cardboard will not go ahead as hoped, however the monthly skips for this recycling will continue in Car Park please watch notice boards for dates.

7. Committee Reports

Allotments & Cemetery Management Committee - C'llr White reported on meeting held 18^th February 2008, minutes had been circulated.

4) Litter pick of Bell Street site & repairs to Dewey's Lane water trough complete.

5) Garden of Remembrance memorial application in the shape of an open book - clerk has concerns that if accepted as presented then Cemetery Rules will need to be changed; agreed wedge/desktop memorial with etching of an open book would be acceptable, clerk to notify the stonemason. C'llr White proposed this report should be approved, seconded by C'llr Newman, carried.

Car Park Committee - C'llr Gardner reported on meeting held 26^th February 2008, minutes had been circulated. 

2) KDC sewer crew to clear drains around the perimeter of car park on 12/3/08. Damaged walls - no meeting with Conservation Officer at this stage, she will send information for committee to discuss. Wallgate Service has repaired Gents hot water and also replaced a part in the Ladies & carried out a service on both units. Toilet cleaning contract; committee recommends Spic'n'Span continue for a further year at an increase of £68-00p per month. C'llr Gardner proposed this report should be approved, seconded by C'llr Giles, carried.

Planning Committee - C'llr White reported on meeting held 26^th February 2008, minutes had been circulated. Three applications viewed including the amended plans for existing Memorial Hall site; C'llrs declared an interest, no objections raised. The KDC Annual Monitoring Report 2007 a very long document, please contact clerk for web site if you wish to view the document. C'llr White proposed this report should be approved, seconded by C'llr Giles, carried.

Recreation, Leisure & Environment Committee -  C'llr Cordery reported on meeting held 25^th February 2008, minutes had been circulated.

2) New signs for Footpath 2 will be replaced by WCC footpath warden. The quote to repair slide in Pretoria Road accepted, works order issued.

3) Skateboard Park; committee discussed the youth's desired design & agreed it would be difficult to accommodate this size building on Recreation ground, remit to Finance & Policy.

4) Castle Street trees have been pollarded; resident's e-mail received thanking PC for undertaking this work and the tremendous difference it has made to the cottages. C'llr Cordery proposed this report should be approved, seconded by C'llr Ottaway, carried.