Council minutes July

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

DRAFT July Minutes

Meeting of the Parish Council held on

Tuesday 20^th July 2021 at 7.00 pm in the Village Hall.

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

In attendance: N Duke (Parish Clerk) and 2 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:

· A resident spoke to the Council regarding the current building works at Hoggington Lane; confirming that the build was in line with the planning permissions issued. He asked members to note that he would be happy to discuss any issues arising from the development and expressed his support for the current planning application at Hoggington Lane. In response to a question the responsibility for cutting the local verges was clarified, with the Council informing the resident of the current Wiltshire Council policy. The issue of permitted development rights was clarified, with it being reported that these had been re-instated on appeal.

· A resident raised the following issues with the Council:

o The overgrown grass at the bus shelter – Cllr Prickett confirmed this would now be cut by WC.

o The drain cover at Fleur de Lys had not been repaired.

o Overgrown trees at Firs Hill were obscuring the light and needed to be reduced.

AGENDA ITEM

2021/39 Apologies for Absence

Cllr Jackson, due to work commitments, accepted.

2021/40 Declarations of Interest and Dispensations to Participate

Cllr Snell queried whether declarations made by 3 councillors at a previous meeting would be re-declared. The Clerk provided some information on obligations relating to declaring interests. Cllr Snell expressed the wish to record the meeting. Following discussion, it was agreed that the meeting would not be recorded.

2021/41 Strategic Plan for Southwick Parish Council

Members carried out a SWOT analysis as preparation for formulating a Strategic Plan for the current term of office. A summary document would be prepared and circulated, which would inform the development of the Plan. There would be an agenda item in September to take this forward.

2021/42 Minutes of Council Meetings

The minutes of an ordinary meeting of the Parish Council held on 28^th June 2021 were approved for accuracy with one amendment and adopted (proposed Cllr Prickett, seconded Cllr Curry).

2021/43 Wiltshire Council Report

Cllr Prickett reported the following:

· Reported that the grass had now been cut at bus shelter, confirmed he would visit Mrs King regarding the damaged manhole cover and would chase this up with WC.

· Reported that a meeting was to be scheduled to discuss the potential for a Westbury bypass and he would endeavour to obtain permission for a PC member to attend, given the impact of this project on the parish.

Cllr Snell expressed concern at how the Chair was addressing members, asking for a greater level of formality. This was noted, with it being noted that there were no legal requirements as to how members should be addressed during meetings.

2021/44 Highways/Environment

a) Reports from Councillors on matters of concern and to decide what action, if any, to take:

a. Cllr Noble – reported that the exit road from Ireland was obscured by the overgrown verge. The Clerk would report this to Wiltshire Council.

b) Highways and Traffic – members had been provided with an update on resurfacing works required on Wynsome Street and Goose Street (information from Wiltshire Council previously circulated). It was reported that Pat Whyte had responded promptly and he had confirmed there were proposals to carry out a better resurfacing, but this was not expected to take place for 5 years. It was confirmed that the piecemeal patching was listed for the current financial year. It was felt that the condition of the road and the noise pollution supported the requirement for the Westbury bypass. Members agreed to revisit the potential for conducting an independent traffic count at the September meeting.

c) Arson in the parish – the Chair reported on recent incidents of arson attacks in the parish and it was agreed to publicise information on this issue and ask residents to be vigilant and endeavour to create a collaborative responsibility throughout the village (information to be issued via the website, social media, the Village News and local organisations). The Chair confirmed that he had been in touch with Neighbourhood Watch.

d) Footpaths – the Clerk reported that there had been no update from Wiltshire Council on work required to parish footpaths. Cllr Prickett agreed to assist with this issue in his role as Wiltshire Councillor.

e) Additional bins – members discussed the location for the two bins not yet allocated a site and it was agreed to defer this to the September agenda given that Cllr Noble had not yet been contacted by Idverde.

f) Parish Steward – work for the next visit was listed as weed spraying Chantry Gardens and Fleur de Lys and the clearing of the gateway at the end of the village. It was also agreed that the pavements needed general attention for the removal of weeds. The Chair would liaise with the Steward accordingly.

2021/45 Planning Applications, Decisions and Consultations

PL/2021/06044 – Moorfield Farm, Hoopers Pool, Southwick, Trowbridge, Wilts, BA14 9NG - Retrospective application for an annexe/utility room to the existing dwelling – Further information required to clarify whether there was a pre-existing garage on the footprint of the proposed annexe.

Members considered a planning application received after the issue of the agenda:

PL/2021/06462 - Hoggington Stables, Hoggington Lane, Southwick, Trowbridge, BA14 9NR - Proposed dwelling – it was agreed to apply for an extension.

Members noted the updated planning information sheet which had been circulated by the Parish Clerk prior to the meeting.

2021/46 Finance

a) The Bank Reconciliation and Financial Position Statement as at 30^th June had been circulated to members and was noted.

b) The below listed payments were approved (proposed Cllr Noble, seconded Cllr Porter). Cllr Noble confirmed that the tender for grass cutting at the playing field was tendered on an annual basis. The extent of the grass to be cut in the contract was queried and it was noted that the Cricket Club cut the cricket table. It was agreed to obtain additional information on the specification, the contract and the timescale for the tendering process. Cllr Carey offered to provide some background training on the history of the playing field at the next meeting and the Clerk would add this as an agenda item.

HMRC	PAYE June 2021	£107.59
Greenacres	Playing Field grass cutting June	£291.25
CPRE	Annual membership	£36.00

2021/47 Communications Strategy and Policy

Members were asked to consider instructing the Parish Clerk to prepare a draft Communications Strategy and Policy for consideration at the September meeting. This was agreed.

2021/48 Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group

No updates to report.

2021/49 Southwick Village News

The Chair reported that the current Editor had resigned and a new Editor was being sought. There had been no formal expressions of interest in the post thus far. The Clerk would include this issue in the discussions regarding the Communications Strategy and Policy which had been scheduled for the September meeting.

In the meantime, it was proposed by Cllr Carey, seconded by Cllr Curry and resolved to revert the publication to a quarterly edition.

2021/50 Councillor reports

Cllr Carey – proposed that the Parish Council write to the Secretary of State to request that the planning application for the Westbury incinerator be ‘called in’. This was supported and the Clerk would write accordingly.

2021/51 Correspondence

a) Redrow Homes South West re: request for meeting – no update. The Clerk would ask again for a copy of the promotional material previously requested.

b) Wiltshire Citizens Advice re: funding request (copy previously circulated) - it was agreed to refer this to the annual grant award process. Cllr Noble would provide further information on this process. The Clerk recommended that a formal grant application process be established and this would be considered at a later date.

2021/52 Date of next meeting

Tuesday 21^st September 2021 at 7.30 pm in the Village Hall. It was noted that the Council would recess in August, although an extraordinary meeting would be convened should an urgent or time sensitive matter arise.

There being no further business the meeting was closed at 9.00 pm.