SOUTHWICK PARISH COUNCIL

Chair: Cllr John Eaton, 30 Blind Lane, Southwick, Wiltshire, BA14 4PG 07818 870098

Clerk:  Nicola Duke, April Rise, 81 Studland Park, Westbury, Wiltshire, BA13 3HN 01373 864127

Minutes of a meeting of the Parish Council held on

Tuesday 15^th February 2022 at 7.30 pm in the Village Hall.

Present: Cllr Eaton (Chair), Cllr Curry, Cllr Noble, Cllr Watson, Cllr Heydon, Cllr Jackson, Cllr Clayton, Cllr Porter, Cllr Carey and Cllr Prickett.

In attendance: N Duke (Parish Clerk) and 3 members of the public.

 Public Participation

Members of the public were invited to make representations to the Council on any matters relating to the work of the Council or to raise any issues of concern:

·         The Chair introduced Beth Murtie, the new editor for the village newsletter, who was welcomed to her post.

·         A resident reported on a planned community event scheduled for 29^th August 2022, which would be a re-invigoration of the previous annual Flower Show. The group organising the event would also liaise with the PC regarding the planned events for the Platinum Jubilee weekend.

·         It was confirmed, in response to a question, that works continued to address overgrown vegetation in the parish and that arrangements for a village litter pick were being considered.

 

                AGENDA ITEM

2021/110              Apologies for Absence

Cllr Snell, accepted.

2021/111              Declarations of Interest and Dispensations to Participate

None.

2021/112              Minutes of Council Meetings

 The minutes of a meeting of the Parish Council held on 18^th January 2022 were approved for accuracy with one amendment and adopted (proposed Cllr Curry, seconded Cllr Jackson).

2021/113              Wiltshire Council Report

Cllr Prickett reported that Wiltshire Council had spent the day considering the draft budget, which reflected the maximum increases permitted by central government of 1.99% with an additional 1% for adult social care.  Cllr Prickett reported that the costs of adult social care comprised 35% of the total budget, with £35 out of every £100 being spent under this budget heading. 

2021/114              Highways/Environment

a)   Highways and Traffic:

a.       Members considered traffic and road safety issues on minor roads in the parish including Lamberts Marsh and Wesley Lane and the associated issue of parking issues relating to the school run at Southwick Primary School. Following debate, it was agreed to take two actions 1) to invite the WC Highways Engineer to attend a site visit and 2) to liaise with the School to understand its approach to traffic management and invite them to also attend the planned site meeting.

b.       Members considered the replacement of the bus shelter on Frome Road (January minutes referred) and Cllr Porter reported he would obtain quotations.  The item would therefore be deferred until the March meeting.

b)    Rights of Way – members noted the previously circulated response from Wiltshire Council addressing RoW issues raised by the PC. The actions promised by WC were noted and would be monitored, with the item being listed on future agendas for regular updates.

c)     Parish Environment:

a.       Members noted the poor condition of the pavement at Frome Road and the Chair undertook to raise this with the Parish Steward so that it could be attended to.

b.       Members considered the condition of the piece of waste land between Hollis Way and Frome Road (Selwood Housing – January minutes referred). The Clerk reported that Selwood Housing had been in touch to request details as to the exact location.

c.       Members noted the recruitment of volunteers to assist with a parish litter pick and considered arrangements to be made, including the provision of the appropriate equipment. It was agreed that the Clerk would liaise with Wiltshire Council and Community First to obtain additional litter pickers and arrange litter collection. It was also agreed that the litter pick would be scheduled for April and information would be included in the village newsletter.

d.       Members noted the minutes of the Operational Flood Working Group meeting held in November 2021 and it was agreed that the Chair would liaise with Barbara Johnson regarding the development of a formal Southwick Flood Remediation Plan.

2021/115              Planning Applications, Decisions and Consultations

None.

2021/116              Planning Issues

a)    The Chair reported on the erection of fencing at 2 Frome Road and the potential encroachment of such onto the public verge and it was agreed to request an inspection by Wiltshire Council Highways to ascertain if an infringement had taken place.

b)    The Chair reported on the potential donation of c14 acres of land in Southwick to the PC in return for the building of 4 new homes on land north of Frome Road (A361).  Members debated the offer, noting that the PC did not have the necessary powers to progress this matter.  It was therefore agreed that Wiltshire Council would be approached for advice on the offer and its potential impact on the adopted Neighbourhood Plan.  Members noted the generous nature of the offer, stating the view that the transfer of the parcel of land in question would be of real benefit to the community.

2021/117              Finance

a)    The Bank Reconciliation and Financial Position Statement as at January 2022 had been circulated to members and was noted.

b)    The Clerk reported that she had made contact with Busy Bees regarding the previously awarded grant and the funds would be released once formally requested.

c)    Members approved the below listed payment (proposed Cllr Heydon, seconded Cllr Jackson):

 

Payee	Detail	Amount
HMRC	PAYE January 2021	£107.59

 2021/118              Platinum Jubilee Event Planning

Members discussed the outcomes of the informal zoom meeting held on Thursday 10^th February 2022 and agreed that the Village Hall would be provisionally booked for the Thursday, Friday and Sunday (given that the Saturday was already booked) and the arrangements and dates for events would be further discussed at the public meeting, which had been arranged for Friday 25^th February 2022.

2021/119              Village News

Members had received an introduction to the new editor for the Village News magazine (Beth Murtie).

2021/120              Correspondence

None.

2021/121            Date of next meeting

Tuesday 15^th March 2022 at 7.30 pm in the Village Hall. 

 

There being no further business the meeting was closed at 8.45 pm.

 

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