RAMSBURY & AXFORD PARISH COUNCIL
Clerk to the Council: Sue Arnold c/o Parish Council office, Memorial Hall, High Street, Ramsbury
Tel no. 01672 520045 (answerphone)
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MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON
MONDAY 20th JUNE 2011 Ramsbury Memorial Hall
PRESENT: Diann Barnett, Alistair Ewing, Graeme Fearon, Alderman Susan Findlay, Sheila Glass (Chairman), George Hawes Erica Hodgson, Helen Lloyd, John Peck, Ian Ritchie, Ron Young, Sue Arnold (Clerk), Cllr Humphries and 2 members of the public.
1. Apologies for absence for approval: Tim McQue, Chris Morgan, Simon Smith – approved.
2. Disclosures of interest: Item 7.A.b no E/11/0271/FUL: Conversion and extension of existing outbuilding to form two residential units at first floor level to house hotel staff. The Bell Public House & Hotel, The Square, Ramsbury - A. Ewing
3. Police Report None PCSO Mills
4. The minutes of the council meeting held on May 23rd 2011 were approved. Proposed: G. Fearon, Seconded E. Hodgson.
5. Matters arising.
Retirement of G. Rissone as Parish Councillor. The vacancy notice is on the PC notice board and 1 member of the public has expressed an interest. It was agreed to honour Mr Rissone’s long service at the Summer Show and Fete.
6. NEW CORRESPONDENCE FOR DISCUSSION
6131 / 31/05/11 / MADT / Community Consultation meeting Aldbourne 8th June. Action: Clerk to put poster on notice boards - done6136 / 31/05/11 / Wilts Wildlife Trust / Does PC have any grant funding available for the trust. Forwarded to S. Glass & I. Ritchie. Action: Clerk to respond that the PC does not make donations to organisations outside the village.
6137 / 31/05/11 / WC / Acknowledging notification of faulty lights and asking for name of owner of tree that that is blocking a light and needs pruning. S. Glass has responded that the tree belongs to Guinness Housing.
6141 / 05/06/11 / Wilts Community Land Trust / Invitation to launch of the Trust – 30th June Town Hall, Devizes 11 – 1.30. Forwarded to S. Glass & D. Barnett
6142 / 05/06/11 / Mr A. Dennis / Cars driving on pavement outside houses near fire station to get to the station’s forecourt for use as passing place. Forwarded to S. Glass. Action: Clerk to respond that the PC appreciates that there is a problem, but there is no easy solution.
6144 / 05/06/11 / WC / State of Back Lane to be assessed
6150 / 05/06/11 / Mr A. Dennis / Request to put seat in the parish in memory of his mother. Forwarded to S. Glass. Action: Clerk to respond suggesting that Mr Dennis contacts The Rec Centre. See also item 7.G
6153 / 05/06/11 / WC / Responding to S. Glass’s e-mail saying that guidelines he referred to in refusing a sign for the houses off Chapel lane have not been implemented in the past. He will investigate further
6157 / 05/06/11 / Mrs H. Hicklin / Requesting details of outcome of the check with potential library volunteers, regarding their views in the light of the Aldbourne decision to put the library costs on the precept. S. Glass has responded
6158 / 05/06/11 / Great Cheverall PC / Details of the 20mph trial scheme in their village, including application letter and draft letter to residents. Action: S. Glass to follow up via MAB
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6162 / 05/06/11 / MAB / Requesting comments on pedestrian safety at Whittonditch. S. Glass has responded. See also no 6176. S. Glass has responded supporting extending the village 30mph limit to the cross roads and lowering the speed limit on the B4192 in that Area. Action: S. Glass to raise and support the issue at MAB6163 / 05/06/11 / Community First / Quote for insurance excluding play equipment
6167 / 05/06/11 / Mr G. Treherne / Bringing Daily Mail article on Ramsbury to PC’s attention. For article see http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1392545/TV-make-think-Britain-cruel-selfish-place-But-village-Ramsbury-Wiltshire-reveals-far-uplifting-story.html#comments
6170 / 13/06/11 / Mr G. Treherne / Requesting notice board for Marlborough end of village. Forwarded to S. Glass. S. Glass has responded
6173 / 13/06/11 / Mr G. Treherne / Requesting the PC organise someone to clear up the bus shelter in Axford. Simon Smith has done some work in there and is getting quotes to raise the floor level to overcome the problem of mud building up in the shelter. Forwarded to S. Glass
6175 / 13/06/11 / Cllr Humphries / Copy of letter from Luke Davies requesting a skate park. Forwarded to S. Glass & H. Lloyd. The PC said there had been a skate boarding facility some years ago, but that it had fallen into disuse. A replacement is likely to be costly. The PC is willing to fund the Flyer to take to skate boarders to the skate parks at Marlborough, Newbury or Bristol. Actions: 1. S. Glass to respond: 2. H. Lloyd to invite Luke and his friends to a meeting on July 8th, prior to the next Roxy Teen Screen, to discuss the PC’s ideas and suggest that they form a formal club
6176 / 13/06/11 / Mrs H. England / Requesting PC looks at ways of improving pedestrian safety at Whittonditch. See 6162 above.
6177 / 13/06/11 / Cllr Humphries / Telephone call. The road works on the B4192 are to dig holes to inspect water pipes with a view to transferring water from Ramsbury Reservoir to Swindon. S. Glass informed. Actions: 1: S. Glass to get further information. S. Findlay to ask G. Findlay for further information.
6180 / 13/06/11 / Mr R. Price / Telephone call. Arrangements for appointing town crier. S. Glass informed
6182 / 13/06/11 / S. Smith / Forwarding quote for work to floor of bus shelter. S. Smith has trimmed back foliage at shelter
6183 / 13/06/11 / Princess Productions / Requesting to film in village for new Channel 5 morning show following on from Daily Mail Article. Forwarded to S. Glass
6185 / 13/06/11 / Lionhearts Productions / Request to film on Kennet Triangle as part of civil war drama for Edinburgh festival. Forwarded to S. Glass. The film company have said that a maximum of 8 crew will be involved and only hand- held cameras will be used. The PC and ARK will be included in the credits. Action : S. Glass to contact ARK and respond.
6198 / 20/06/11 / Mr. G. Treherne / Further information relating to request for additional notice board in Axford at Marlborough end of village
6200 / 20/06/11 / Mrs M. Fremlin / Enquiring about PC’s vacancy for councillor. Responded
6203 / 20/06/11 / Community First / Invitation to launch of good neighbour scheme, 05/07/11. Forwarded to S. Glass
6210 / 20/06/11 / Mr J. Herbertson / Has spoken to recycling skip driver who confirms the skip time at the Ramsbury Surgery Site is 08.00 – 10.30 am
7. COMMITTEE REPORTS
2011-12 Committees.
Committee meetings were held before the PC meeting and Chairmen were elected. Action: Clerk to send out updated list committee list.
A Planning Chairman: George Hawes
a. Neighbourhood Plan. It was suggested that the PC form a sub-committee to produce a plan. The following volunteered to be members: Alistair Ewing, Susan Findlay, George Hawes and Helen Lloyd. Action: S. Glass to investigate if a template plan is available.
b. Submission to monthly planning report to clerk. This should reach the clerk by Wednesday after Monday PC meeting
c. Planning Applications Processed since May 2011 Report.
820
Millbrook House, Mill Lane, Ramsbury
PC Comment
Wilts Decision / No objection
Granted with conditions
E/11/0496/TCA / Works to a weeping willow tree at the property to consist of a height reduction back to the previous pollard which is a reduction of about 30% N.B. This notification is an amendment to the tree works notification E/11/0436/TCA
Corner House, Back Lane, Ramsbury
PC Comment
Wilts Decision / No objection
Granted with conditions
E/11/0535/FUL / Replacement of existing conservatory with a rear single storey extension
4 Crowood Lane, Ramsbury
PC Comment
Wilts Decision / No objection
Granted with conditions
E/11/0591/TCA / The removal of two fir trees at the property and the reduction of an evergreen hedge by approximately 1 foot, [300mm] to the guttering level
Bayford Cottage, Chapel Lane, Ramsbury
PC Comment
Wilts Decision / No objection Comment as follows: these trees actually extend out over the highway making access for services such as fire and waste disposal that use large vehicles difficult and they have to mount the opposite pavement to pass. We believe that highways are aware but there may be disputed ownership. Suggest that they are both completely removed as substantial trimming to clear the highway would leave unsightly dead growth.
E/11/0603/FUL / Demolition of existing house and construction of a replacement dwelling. Demolition of the existing barn and construction of a new garage/store
Southside Cottage, Axford
PC Comment
Wilts Decision / Withdrawn. Resubmission expected
Awaited
E/11/0705/FUL / Single storey side/rear extension and garage extension
10 Knowledge Hill, Ramsbury
PC Comment
Wilts Decision / In circulation
Awaited
E/11/0271/FUL / Conversion and extension of existing outbuilding to form two residential units at first floor level to house staff for hotel.
The Bell Public House & Hotel, The Square, Ramsbury
PC Comment
Wilts Decision / No objection
Awaited. Applicant in discussion with Officer
E/11/0319/FUL / Erection of a stable building to provide 3 loose boxes and tack room. The erection of a hay store. Provision of hard standing. [Amendment to planning permission K/59958/F]
Land off Hilldrop Lane, Ramsbury
PC Comment
Wilts Decision / No objection
Awaited
E/11/0374/FUL / Orangery extension to rear
2 Oxford Street, Ramsbury
PC Comment
Wilts Decision / No objection
Awaited
E/11/0435/FUL / Single storey side extension; create new access
Aldbrook House, Whittonditch Road, Ramsbury
PC Comment
Wilts Decision / No objection
Awaited
E/11/0436/TCA / A height reduction of a weeping willow tree by 6 feet to reduce the risk of damage to the property due to proximity
The Corner House, 17 Back Lane, Ramsbury
PC Comment
Wilts Decision / No objection
Granted with Conditions
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The Cedars, Scholards Lane, Ramsbury
PC Comment
Wilts Decision / No objection
Granted with conditions
B Finance Chairman: Ian Ritchie
a. Insurance – update & need for review. Following the increase in the insurance quote from Zurich via Community First, a second quote was obtained and the cost was similar. Community First reduced the admin costs after the PC queried their increases. Insurance on the Roxy equipment increased substantially and the Roxy has agreed to an increased hire charge to help cover the cost. At present the PC is insuring £33,000 of play equipment and street furniture against damage (3rd
b. party cover is included elsewhere in the policy). Action: Finance committee to review items to be insured.
c. Annual Accounts Submission. These are now with the external auditor, who has again queried the amount outstanding on the PWLB load, as the PC does not have the up-to-date figure when the accounts are prepared. This has now been received and sent on.
d. Account Signatories. Following the resignation of G. Rissone, it will be necessary to replace him as an account signatory. Action: Clerk to organise paper work to add R. Young as a signatory.
C Rights of way. Chairman: Graeme Fearon
a. Grass cutting. R. Copp has organised cover for PC grass-cutting following his illness. The PC will absorb any extra costs incurred.
b. Footpath between Loves Lane and Knowledge Hill. There are trees overhanging the footpath behind Parliament. Piece. Action: S. Findlay to ask owner to trim back the trees.
c. Footpath near Kennet Triangle. Action: S. Glass to organise trimming of trees overhanging this footpath. Further trees beyond the 2nd bridge need trimming. Action: Clerk to contact the land owner.
d. Crooked Lane. Mr Treherne has reported that the surface is deteriorating and asked if the PC can resurface it. Actions: 1. Clerk to respond that this has previously been reported to WC Rights of Way Officer. 2. Clerk to report again to Esther Daley.
D Play Areas and Seats. Chairman: Graeme Fearon
a. Ashley Piece playground. Action: G. Fearon to discuss proposals for new equipment with interested parents and present the outcome to the PC.
E Emergency Committee No report Chairman: Chris Morgan
Community Resilience. Actions: 1. C. Morgan to organise review (action carried forward from May meeting). 2.
Clerk to put on July Agenda.
F School Governor. Governor: S. Findlay
1. Camp at Bude. This went well and a good time was had.
2. Geography week. Pupils found a wide range of artefacts including pottery, an early pipe and flints.
3. Music. It is hoped that 100% of pupils will learn a musical instrument.
4. A picnic for pupils who will start school in September was held on 20th June.
5. Village Clear-up. This has been undertaken by pupils, parents & staff. Action: Clerk to put £75 donation to school on July agenda.
G Recreation Centre. Chairman: George Hawes
Action: G. Hawes to follow up request for memorial seats in village with Rec. Centre.