ANNUAL PARISH REPORT 2016
Chairman’s Report
This year has been no different from previous years in respect of being busy. We have managed and updated our policies to ensure that they are correct, moreover they have to be workable.
The Britain in Bloom competition entered by Lyneham and Bradenstoke last year gave the community a Silver award and the Churchyard a thriving certificate (just one from the top). The villages have been entered again this year, in a different category. You will find the volunteers most days either litter picking, attending to flower beds, smartening up the village toilets and generally keeping on top of general maintenance issues.
We had a very difficult and disappointing response to funding of the play parks in Lyneham and Bradenstoke. After two year of negotiations the funding didn’t materialise. However, the Parish Council was able to identify finance for a major upgrade of the Bradenstoke play area, which has now been opened to the Parish.
Members of the Parish Council have produced an Emergency Plan, which, was approved by a full Council meeting in April. This can be found on the Parish Council Website, where, all Parish Council documents and communications can be found.
We have some ongoing projects in the villages. One of which is a new bus shelter for the children waiting for the school bus in Preston Lane. All the costings, design, quotes and approvals have been carried out, and groundwork was completed in this month.
We have brought the precept down for the second year. Something that this Parish Council said it would do. Although next year it may be difficult to lower the precept, due primarily to the devolved expenses expected from Wiltshire Council. Parish Councils will be asked to contribute increased funding to more projects. Highway improvements are a good example of this.
This Parish Council is no different from other Councils, where difficult subjects, discussion and sometimes decision are made, these can unfortunately cause disharmony, but as a responsible Council we have to consider all opinions and the facts available to us.
The one thing that being on the Council has taught me is, How parallel being on a Council is to Rudyard Kipling’s Poem “IF”. A man of many a true word.
I would like to thank all the Councillors, who have put so much into the smooth running of this Parish and have been a major support to me.
The most important thanks go to Jacquie. The Parish Clerk, Jacquie is my strength. She works far too many unpaid hours and is always there when you need her. Thank you Jacquie.
Communications
Please note items of interest to members of the community are always included on the Parish Council Agenda. Therefore, if you would like to be kept informed of what is going on in your Parish make sure you check the Agenda, posted in the notice boards and on the Parish Council web site.
The Parish Magazine - we must thank all the volunteers who deliver the Parish Magazine to every household in the Parish come rain or shine. As well as updates and information from the Parish Council the magazine offers an opportunity for local businesses to advertise and local groups and clubs to share dates and times of their events
The Parish web site All local groups and clubs are encouraged to include their details on the web site and advertise dates of events they may be organising. Contact details of all our Parish Councillors and Agenda’s and Minutes of Parish Council meetings can also be found on the site: lynehamandbradenstokeparishcouncil.co.uk Please send any information to
The Community Notice Board is fitted to the wall next to the Co-Op supermarket – Posters or advertisements can be placed in the post box next to it and will be posted on a regular basis.
Outside Representative Groups Lyneham and Neighbouring Parishes Forum continues to be well attended by Lyneham and Bradenstoke and other local Parish Councils. It has proved to be an excellent platform for sharing information and concerns about local issues. Area Board, Business Buddies, Community Area Transport Group, and Neighbourhood Police meetings are also attended regularly by Parish Councillors.
Working with the Community Britain in Bloom continues to be well supported throughout the community by businesses and residents. An Emergency Plan has been successfully put together and distributed with the support of willing volunteers from the community to help should there be an emergency.
Finance
Every year internal and external auditors audit the Parish Council accounts. Many thanks to Cllr Wilkins from a neighbouring Parish for fulfilling the Internal Auditor role this year. Our External Auditors are Grant Thornton UK LLP from Bristol and following our Annual Parish Council Meeting our accounts will be forwarded to them for approval.
The precept for 2016/2017 has been reduced again from last year and is set at £44,021.00 with a top up grant of £176.00. This figure represents a realistic contribution from council taxpayers to meet those needs of the community managed by the Parish Council. Residents were invited during this last year to put forward suggestions on how to spend surplus funds available remaining from previous years. From those suggestions three projects are being taken forward: New benches for The Green in Lyneham, A DDA compliant roundabout for the Play Park in Bradenstoke and a water supply to the Allotments in Bradenstoke.
A large investment was made on the purchase of 3 defibrillators for the parish and 3 awareness meetings were organised, which were well attended and appreciated by residents. £4465.11 was spent this year on Grant Applications from local groups and organisations; all of this money supports community activities and good causes.
Highways
We remind residents each year to please be considerate when parking vehicles. Remember it is an offence to park on pavements as this causes an obstruction. Similarly, parking on corners is dangerous and can also be an offence that could attract a parking fine.
This year we purchased reflective bollards to highlight the entrance and exit sites of Lyneham Village Hall the bollards have greatly improved visibility of the site. Three new welcome to Lyneham signs were installed at the village entrances.
Our contacts at Wiltshire Council (WC) continue to support us on community days to help keep the Parish looking smart and tidy. If you notice any highway issues that need attention (hedges overgrowing the highways or pavements, grit bins that need refilling or repairs to pot holes etc) then please phone WC directly on 0300 456 0105. They will give you a reference number to enable you to follow up your report if the situation is not resolved, or you can use the My Wiltshire App or online form to report an issue at http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk
Neighbourhood Plan and Local Housing Development
The progress of the Lyneham and Bradenstoke Neighbourhood Plan was held up as some parishes in the NEW-V Steering Group, which includes Lyneham and Bradenstoke, reconsidered remaining in the group or leaving it to produce their own independent plans. After careful consideration it was agreed we should produce an independent plan.
Inevitably there will be new proposed developments in the Parish and whilst we understand this can cause differing opinions, it is important to understand there is a housing need in our community. Whether you are for or against development we would urge you to make your opinions known to Wiltshire Council regarding any future proposals.
We understand and support the need for some new development as this will help maintain a thriving sustainable neighbourhood. It is therefore essential that we work closely with developers to ensure we can help influence the end result.
Open Spaces
Parish Councillors have worked hard, as every year, to keep the open spaces in the Parish looking their best - many of the Councillors volunteer their free time on a regular basis to keep labour costs down - this is over and above the call of duty for any Parish Councillor and is recognised and appreciated by many residents. Flowerbeds have been kept weeded and planted. This year many new volunteers have come forward from the community to participate in preparation for the Britain in Bloom Competition and also in 2016 we are entering the Best Kept Village Competition. Litter pick days have been organised throughout the year encouraging members of the community to help keep the villages looking tidy.
An 18 month tree inspection was carried out this year and suggested maintenance work was carried out following receipt of the report ensuring our trees are kept in good condition and are safe.
There are many areas throughout the Parish that are maintained by local volunteer residents and this does not go unnoticed. There are too many people to mention by name but our heartfelt thanks and appreciation is sent to you all.
Reminders to dog owners, please do not to take dogs into the Children’s Play Parks and please pick up your dog mess whilst out walking.
Planning
Over the last 12 months there have been 28 planning applications within the Parish.
23 were permitted, 1 was withdrawn, 2 were refused and 2 are pending a decision by Wiltshire Council.
Of the above applications only 3 of the decisions made by WC differed from the recommendation of the Parish Council.
Play Park
The equipment in the Parish Council owned play parks is checked on a regular basis and funding put aside for necessary maintenance and safety inspection fees.
After a long wait, work refurbishing and adding new equipment to the play park in Bradenstoke began at the end of the financial year. Fencing around the equipment for younger children was installed to help keep them safe and new equipment for disabled and older children has also been added to the area.