PC meeting October 2016 approved
Chairman – Cllr. K Noble Minutes of the meeting of Southwick Parish Council held in the Village Hall, Southwick at 7.30pm on Tuesday 18 October 2016 Present: Cllrs. K Noble (Chairman), S Carey, D Jackson, J Jones, S Jones, G Masters, F Morland, E Pomeroy, D West. Roger Coleman (Retiring Clerk), Leon Karas (New Clerk), Wiltshire Council (WC) Cllr. H Prickett. There were seventeen members of the public present initially. 1294. Welcome and Introductions. The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting, introduced Mr Leon Karas as the new Clerk (taking over from the Retiring Clerk, Roger Coleman) and started the Open Forum to take questions from members of the public. 1295. Council Meeting. The Chairman opened the Council Meeting at approx. 8pm. 1296 Apologies. Apologies for non-attendance were received from Cllr. Doel, PCSO Ellie Porter from the Community Policing Team and Mr King (who was to make a presentation on Neighbourhood Planning). WC Cllr. Prickett explained that Mr King had now moved his offices to Ireland and was therefore unable to provide his services. 1297. Declaration of Interests. There were no interests declared. 1298. Minutes of the Ordinary Parish Council Meeting held on 20 September 2016 The Parish Council (PC) resolved that the minutes of this meeting were a true and accurate record. The Chairman signed the minutes. 1299. Community Policing Team (CPT). a. The Retiring Clerk stated that he had sent the full written report to all councillors before the meeting, then read out the part of the report relating to ‘Local Crimes’ as shown below, in italics: LOCAL CRIMES Criminal Damage 22/09, Chantry Gardens- Unknown suspect threw a rock and a brick through two separate windows in a property. 26/09, Frome Road- IP’s vehicle had tyres slashed and windscreen smashed by unknown suspect. 10/10, Hogginton Lane- Fence cut causing horses to escape into the Country Park. Public Order 23/09, Frome Road- Male suspect has approached IP in a public place brandishing an axe towards the IP and partner, damage has been caused to the garden gate at the premises. Drug offences 27/09, Frome Road- during a Police search, two small bags of cannabis of found. Vehicle offences 11/10, Frome Road- Scratches made to passenger side of IP’s parked vehicle. 14/10, Chantry Gardens- Reporting person manoeuvring his vehicle outside his house when a van was too impatient for him to finish and drove past causing damage to the RP’s vehicle. Non-dwelling burglaries 15/10, Frome Road- Unknown suspect gained entry to a shed and stole a strimmer. 15/10, Fairfield Meadows- Unknown suspect has forced entry into a tack room by removing the bolt on the door and a workshop via the rear doors, carried out an untidy search but not taken anything. Suspect has also entered two insecure lorry containers and a vehicle, but not taken anything. b. Cllr. J Jones stated her concern about horses escaping into the Country Park and wanted more information of the exact location and reasons why this was happening. The PC resolved to obtain more detail from CPT and their full report should be sent to all Cllrs. c. Cllr. S. Jones noted that, yet again, none of the offenders had been identified or apprehended and that this was an atrocious situation. The PC resolved to make its views known to the CPT. d. Cllr. West reported that he had heard that 20 sheds on the Allotments had been broken into with some damage, but very little had been stolen. e. Cllr. Pomeroy asked if any councillor could advise if anything had been done yet regarding the abandoned car on a piece of private land (viz. the Village Hall car park). The Chairman advised the PC that nothing could be done because it was on private land, and it appeared to be insured and registered. The PC resolved to seek advice from the CPT. f. Cllr S. Jones reported that on Hoggington Lane part of the road was collapsing and the warning bollards on the road had been knocked down making it dangerous. He had reported it via the online app. The Chairman agreed to attempt to include this item on the Parish Stewards work list. 1300. Wiltshire Council Report. a. Cllr. Prickett gave a brief report and warning on the possible capping of PC council tax increases and the need for a referendum should the increase be more than 2% as discussed in the Consultation paper “Local government finance settlement 2017 to 2018: technical consultation” which seeks views on a range of technical issues concerning the 2017 to 2018 local government finance settlement. He stated that it was only published on 15th September and the closing date for comments is 28th October 2016, which gives little time for comment. Cllr. Morland stated that the anticipated Southwick Parish precept was below the threshold and hence he considered that the PC did not need to respond to the consultation. The PC noted these comments. b. Cllr Prickett gave a brief report concerning the shortage of schools and grammar schools across the country and that within 3 years all the schools would be full. He warned that the Government would decide where schools were to be built and what type of school they should be. He advised the PC that it should be watchful of this situation and that it would be sensible for the PC to put forward its own proposal, sooner rather than later, as to what it wanted, where the school/s should be and what type they should be. The PC noted his report. 1301. Highways/Environment. a. The Retiring Clerk reported that he had finally received a letter from Selwood Housing, dated 14 October 2016, regarding car parking at Arnold Noad Corner and the ‘missing’ streetlight that had previously been removed. He read out the letter which, in summary, stated that, being a charity, Selwood Housing were unable to fund the full cost of the extra parking, and that the private owners (approx. 70% of the residents) were not prepared to make a contribution, so the scheme was dropped. Regarding the ‘missing’ street light, they stated it was the responsibility of Wiltshire Council. After discussion, the PC resolved to write again to Selwood to remind them of the facts regarding the original agreement. WC Cllr. Prickett stated that he would follow up with WC regarding the ‘missing’ street light. b. Cllr. Carey, following comments made by some residents at the Open forum, and the receipt of an email, dated 5 October 2016 from Peter Grant concerning road congestion due to flood prevention work in Wynsome Street, suggested that the need for PC representation at the Operational Flood Working group should be included on next month’s agenda. The PC resolved to do this. c. Cllr. Carey stated that overgrown vegetation was encroaching on the footpath between the two entrances to Hoopers Pool. d. Cllr. J Jones reported that some vegetation needed cutting back at 100 Frome Road to improve the sight line for vehicle drivers. 1302. Finance a. The Retiring Clerk stated he had distributed the Financial Statement for September 2016 and identified to the PC a number of additions and changes which needed to be made. b. The Retiring Clerk pointed out the summary separation of the three sets of funds, as requested by the PC at the last meeting, viz: Parish Council Funds £27,452.30 Solar Farm Community Funds £19,993.00 Playing Field Management Committee Funds £ 6,478.65 c. The Retiring Clerk had reclaimed VAT payments for £1565.12 which this would appear in next month’s accounts. e. In response to a question from Cllr. Morland, the Retiring Clerk confirmed that the full payment of the Wiltshire Council Precept of some £19,000 had now been received into the PC bank account.. f. The Retiring Clerk reported that had been some 7 Applications for Grant Funding from the Solar Farm Community Fund and other councillors understood that they could expect more before the closing date of 31 October. g. After some discussion, the PC resolved to hold an extraordinary PC meeting on 1 November 2016 starting at 7pm to discuss all applications and make award decisions. The New Clerk agreed to make sure that all applications were scanned in and distributed to all councillors as soon as possible. h. The PC resolved to make the payments shown under ‘Accounts due for payment’ in the attached revised financial statement. 1303. Planning a. The Council examined the following planning applications and resolved to send comments to Wiltshire Council as shown (in italics):
The PC resolved to support this application.
The PC, by a majority vote, resolved to support the application.
The PC resolved to support this application subject to the following conditions: The vehicle entrance to the whole of the site is to be maintained in good order, the side wall is to be rebuilt and all debris removed from the site and the pavement. b. There were no planning applications received after 11 October 2016. c. Mr. King had been invited to familiarise the PC on Neighbourhood Planning but WC Cllr. Prickett had already explained why Mr. King could not attend (see Apologies). Also there had been considerable discussion at the Open Forum concerning the threat of Building companies making applications for large housing developments and the need to protect Southwick from non-sustainable development. In this respect during the Open Forum there had been an offer from members of the ‘Save Our Southwick’ (SOS) group to work with the PC to ensure that Southwick future housing developments met with residents’ needs, requirements and approval. The PC resolved to include the relationship between the PC and the SOS group as an agenda item for next month’s meeting. d. Cllr. Morland drew councillors’ attention to the Shurnhold appeal (which can be viewed at https://acp.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/ViewCase.aspx?caseid=3132915). The appeal was dismissed and outline planning permission was refused for the demolition of existing structures and construction of up to 263 dwellings with access, open space, landscaping and associated works on land to the west of A365 Shurnhold, Melksham, Wiltshire. The appeal was made by Gladman Developments Ltd. against Wiltshire Council. This appeal and its dismissal demonstrate that it is possible to successfully ward off non-sustainable developments. 1304. Website. Cllr Carey suggested that, arising from the discussion at the Open Forum with several members of the SOS group, there should be a button link to the SOS group’s website. The PC resolved to do this. 1305. Members Reports. a. Cllr. Morland thanked the Retiring Clerk for all the hard work he had put in on behalf of the PC and stated that he would be “a hard act to follow”. These sentiments were echoed by councillors. b. The Chairman described a recent meeting with the Parish Steward and some of the work he had completed recently. On the 29th September Cllrs. Noble and Doel walked the Lambrook stream from Wynsome Bridge in an easterly direction and removed debris. The Chairman also requested, via the Parish Steward, that the stream be cleared of all vegetation/debris. 1306. Clerk’s Report. a. The Retiring Clerk had received an email and letter from the PCC secretary (Mrs M. Beatrice E. Hillum) asking if some councillors could attend the Remembrance Day Service at St. Nicholas Church and if the PC would provide the wreath. The PC resolved to purchase the wreath and that £30 should be reserved for its purchase. b. The Council noted the date of the next Ordinary PC meeting: 15 November 2016 at 7.30pm. There was no other business and the meeting concluded at 9.05pm. Chairman Southwick Parish Council ACTION LIST – Meeting 18 October 2016 Action 1 Clerk. Min 1299b Obtain more detail from CPT concerning horses escaping into the Country Park Action 2 Clerk. Min 1299c To make the PC’s concern about non-apprehension of offenders known to CPT. Action 3 Action 3 Clerk. Min1299d Min 1299e To seek advice from CPT regarding the car abandoned on Village Hall car park. Action 4 Chairman Min 1299f To attempt to include restoration of safety bollards on the Parish Steward’s work list. Action 5 Clerk. Min 1301a To review the original agreement relating to car parking at Arnold Noad Corner and , if necessary, write again to Selwood Housing. Action 5 Action 6 WC Cllr. Prickett Min 1301a Min 1301a To pursue the implementation of the ‘missing’ street light with WC. Action 7 Clerk. Min 1291 To include the need for PC representation at the Operational Flood Working group on next month’s agenda Action 8 Clerk. Min 1302g To ensure that all grant applications were scanned in and promptly delivered to all councillors. Action 9 Clerk. Min 1302h Dispatch all payments as shown under ‘Accounts due for payment’. Action 10 Clerk. Min1303a Send the PC’s comments on each of 3 planning applications to WC. Action 11 Clerk. Min1303c Include the relationship between PC and SOS as an agenda item for next month’s meeting. Action 12 Clerk. 1304 To ask the Webmaster to include a link from the Southwick website to the SOS group’s website Action 13 Chairman Min1306 To purchase a wreath for the church Remembrance Day Service Details of the Actions are contained in the minutes.
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Posted on 21 Nov 2016 by geoff edwards
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