SOUTHWICK PARISH COUNCIL

Chairman – Cllr. K Noble

Minutes of the meeting of Southwick Parish Council held in the Village Hall, Southwick at 7.30 pm on Tuesday 20 October 2015

Present

Cllr. K Noble             (Chairman)

Cllr. A Doel

Cllr. D Jackson

Cllr. J Jones

Cllr. S Jones

Cllr. G Masters

Cllr. F Morland

Cllr. E Pomeroy

Cllr. D West

Roger Coleman (Clerk)

There were no members of the public present.

1126.   Welcome and Introductions.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

1127    Apologies.

Apologies for non-attendance were received from Parish Cllr. S Carey, Wiltshire Council Cllr. Horace Prickett and from the Neighbourhood Policing Team.

1128.   Declaration of Interests.

The following interests were declared:

Cllr. Jackson – Agenda item 9b (Planning application 15/09223/FUL).

Cllr. Pomeroy – Agenda item 10 (Playing Field).

Cllr. Noble – Agenda item 10 (Playing Field).

1129.   Minutes of the Ordinary Parish Council Meeting held on 15 September 2015

The Parish Council resolved that the minutes of this meeting were a true and accurate record.  The Chairman signed the minutes.

1130.   Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT).

a.         PCSO Ellie Porter of the Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) had sent the Clerk a written report prior to the meeting (shown in italics). The Clerk read out his report at the meeting thus:

There were 57 rural occurrences over the past calendar month of which 13 were in the parish.

4 Burglary

19/09, Frome Road: Gardening tools stolen TVO £2000+.

05/10, Southwick Country Park: Cash taken TVO £850.

05/10, Brokerswood Country Park: Nothing stolen.

07/10, Fairfield Meadows: Suspect was disturbed, nothing stolen.

2 Theft

15/09, Goose Street: Wheelie bin stolen.

2 Criminal Damage

01/10 Lamberts Marsh

03/10 Southwick Country Park: fencing cut through by pedestrians, horses have escaped and this has caused the death of one foal.

1 Domestic matters

3 Concerns for safety

1 Sexual Offences

1 Dog bite

20/09 Poplar Tree Lane: dog has bitten cyclist to the back of the leg.

End of Report.

b.         Cllr. J Jones reported that the burglary at Southwick Country Park on 5 October resulted in the theft of a float of £250 and the whole days takings. She commented that she continues to insist that no money is left at the premises overnight. Un respect of the horse incident she stated that it was not immediately obvious where the horses were getting out. She added that part of a fence had been broken and removed by walkers so that a more direct walking route could be used whereas the ‘official’ stile and path appeared to be very rarely used. Cllr. Doel suggested a possible location for the horses to escape and he and Cllr. J Jones agreed to make a site visit to investigate the matter further. Cllr. Morland added that it was for the owner of the field containing the horses to ensure that they are contained and it was not for Southwick Country Park to make arrangements to prevent the horses from entering their property.

1131.   Wiltshire Council Report.

Cllr. Prickett provided the following written report (shown in italics – at 1, 2, 3 and 4) that was sent to all councillors prior to the meeting:

1. CATG organisation and funding is to change.  Because of the staff workload the number of items that will be examined in depth and carried forward will be reduced.  Furthermore, only topics which have clear and unambiguous support, in principle and financial, from the parish councils will be discussed and worked up to a full case.  To give some idea of the cost of works which CATG currently consider and for which some financial support might now be required, please see the attachment.

2. Flooding at Ireland.  It was agreed earlier that there would be a joint working party from NB PC and Southwick PC to look at avoiding a repeat of the 2013/14 disaster.  Some work has now been carried out with some ditches within NB being cleared and deepened with a small ‘balancing pond’ being dug to store excessive water. Likewise hydrological surveyors have produced a technical report which should help us see where solutions might lie. Also the Rights of Way officer has given much clearer evidence as to where precisely the two village boundaries lie.  Can the three member of Southwick Parish Council please suggest  some dates when they might be free to look at the situation on the ground and see how we can move this even further forward.

Cllrs. Doel, Jackson and West agreed to make a site visit and, thereafter, to contact Cllr. Prickett in order to move this matter forward.

3. There is a concerted effort by Trowbridge TC and their clerk to expand the boundaries of Trowbridge.  Whilst this does not currently affect Southwick, the watchword should be ‘Eternal Vigilance’ and I would ask the councillors to keep a very close eye on the Governance Review and that the council formulates a response.  Although this note will not be considered until after the 13^th. Oct. if it can be circulated before then and a delegation attend the meeting in county hall (you have already been sent details) it would be very useful for Southwick PC to be aware of what is being proposed.  Unfortunately, I cannot be there on that night.

Cllr. Morland gave a brief report on the meeting he attended last week at which the aspirations of Wiltshire Council to expand the boundaries of Trowbridge were addressed. He commented that although the boundaries of Southwick Parish are not affected at present, the ambitions of Trowbridge may yet have a direct effect on Southwick and that councillors should remain vigilant.

4. Concerning the above topic, the position of any town or parish council on boundaries can be very much improved with a Neighbourhood Plan (NP).  Not only does this give assurance to boundaries but it also gives a much great yield under the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). CIL with a NP yields 25% of the £55 sq.m CIL against 15%.  To this end I would like this PC to consider working with West Ashton and North Bradley to produce a tripartite NP as this would reduce the work, spread the load and cut the cost.  Perhaps this scan be discussed at the meeting.

The Clerk was asked to place the subject of Neighbourhood Area Designation’ on the Agenda for the next meeting.

1132.     Highways/Environment.

a.         This matter was addressed at Minute 1118 above.

b.         Cllr. Pomeroy again reported that the overgrown hedge at Church Street had not been cut back despite polite requests from the Parish Council. The Chairman stated that she would request Wiltshire Council to take action.

The Chairman reminded councillors that Community Days have ceased and that a new contractual arrangement for ‘street works’ has been introduced by Wiltshire Council. It is necessary now to report any defects and required work via the Wiltshire Council app or by telephone. She stated that she would speak to Cllr. Prickett regarding the new arrangement and she recounted a difficulty that she had experienced in reporting potholes. Cllr. Morland commented that there are now only two routes for obtaining funding for highways works – Trowbridge CATG or for Cllr. Prickett to champion the cause at the Area Board.

Cllr. Pomeroy stated that the entrance to School Lane was in a very poor state and despite requests Wiltshire Council had taken no action. The Chairman stated that she would contact Wiltshire Council.

Cllr. S Jones reported that the hedge at Hoggington Lane had been cut back.

The Chairman tabled a correspondence that a parishioner had written to Cllr. Prickett regarding ‘dropped kerbs’ in Chantry Gardens and the difficulty that their installation would cause to residents parking in the road.

The Chairman deferred discussion on the ownership of the lay-bys in Wynsome Street until the next meeting when Cllr. Carey would be present.

1133.   Finance

a.         The current financial position at 30 September 2015 was reported as follows:

b.         The Council resolved to make the payments shown under ‘Accounts due for payment’ above including a payment to Greenacres for £282.68 – September Playing Field maintenance.

1134.   Planning

a.         The Council noted the current status of the following planning applications:

b.         The Council examined the following planning applications and resolved to send comments to Wiltshire Council as shown (in italics):

The Parish Council objects to this planning application for the following reasons:

Additional land that does not belong to the applicant has been enclosed – There is an increase of some 2m to the land and it now includes the original hedge and ditch.

The high fencing is an alien feature on the rural landscape.

The high fencing poses a highway danger with sightlines adversely affected.

The Parish Council objects to this planning application for the following reasons:

The existing lane/bridleway is unsuitable to provide access to the application site for vehicles/caravans.

There is a highway danger with sightlines adversely affected at the Wynsome Street junction.

There is a loss of amenity for neighbours.

This proposed development, if permitted, would have an adverse effect of the countryside and rural aspect..

The Parish Council supports this planning application subject to the following:

The roof is to be constructed of clay double roman tiles and not as shown in the application.

c.         The Clerk reported that no further planning applications had been received.

d.         Cllr. Pomeroy reported that a garage at Fleur de Lys that had recently been the subject of a planning application was being sold with an adjoining property. The Chairman stated that she would investigate the matter.

Cllr. Morland reported that the appeal in respect of planning application 14/05120/FUL had been dismissed.

1135.   Playing Field.

The Parish Council resolved that Cllr. Noble and Cllr. Pomeroy be the signatories on behalf of the Parish Council for the land transfer.

1136.   Southwick Village News.

The Council resolved that the draft Parish Council meeting minutes and the approved Parish Council meeting minutes be placed on the website in future.

1137.   Freedom of Information.

The Chairman stated that in the absence of Cllr. Carey that this item will be deferred until the next meeting.

1138.   Members Reports.

Cllr. J Jones – The bins on the Playing Field needed emptying. The Chairman noted this comments and explained that it is an on-going matter that will be addressed by the Village Hall Management Committee and the Playing Field Management Committee.

Cllr. Noble – A request has been made for a ‘Private Car Park’ sign to be displayed at the entrance to the Village Hall car park. The Parish Council agreed that such a sign could be erected either below the existing Noticeboard or on the wall of the Village Hall.

Cllr. Noble – A request that a possible amendment to Standing Orders be included on the Agenda for the next meeting.

1139.   Clerk’s Report.

a.         The Clerk brought the following matter to the notice of the Council:

• Wiltshire Council – Living on the Edge.

b.         The Council noted the date of the next meeting:

• Ordinary Parish Council Meeting – 17 November 2015 at 7.30pm.

There was no other business and the meeting concluded at 9.35pm.

Chairman                                                                                                   

Southwick Parish Council

17 November 20015                                                                                                    

ACTION LIST – Meeting 20 October 2015

Action 1                       Cllrs. Doel & J Jones.

Min 1130                     To investigate security of fencing (Southwick Country Park).

Action 2                       Cllrs. Doel, Jackson, West.

Min 1131                     To make a site visit (flooding at Ireland/Scotland).

Action 3                       Cllr. Noble.

Min 1132                     a.         Request WC to enforce hedge cutting in Church Street

b.         Request WC to repair entrance to School Lane.

c.         Contact Cllr. Prickett – Difficulty in reporting issues to WC.

Action 4                       Clerk.

Min1133                      To make payments.

Action 5                       Clerk.

Min 1134                     To send planning comments to WC.

Action 6                       Cllr. Noble.

Min 1134                     To investigate ‘garage’ at Fleur de Lys.

Details of the Actions are contained in the minutes.