Southwick village newsletter

Parish Council News December 2015

Co-option of New Member.

The Parish Council resolved unanimously to co-opt a new member and the Council resolved unanimously to co-opt Dan Jackson as a member of Southwick Parish Council.

Parish Council Finance.

The Government appointed External Auditor, Grant Thornton UK LLP has completed the audit and has confirmed that on the basis of their review of the Annual Return, the information in the Annual Return is in accordance with proper practices and no matters have come to their attention giving cause for concern that relevant legislation and regulatory requirements have not been met.

Highways/Environment.

The Trowbridge Area Board has approved the Village Gateway scheme and that it would contribute £1000 towards it – the remaining £1000 is to be contributed by the Parish Council.

Solar Farm Developments.

Councillors noted the various letters from parishioners relating to the proposed Solar Farm developments and the comments made by parishioners and applicants made at the Open Forum. There ensued a lengthy discussion on the merits or otherwise of the planning applications (see below) and possible financial contributions from the applicant to the Parish Council.

Planning Application 15/04570/FUL.

Land west side of Axe & Cleaver Lane - Installation of a solar energy facility utilising solar photovoltaic panels to export up to 5 MW of renewable electricity.         

The Parish Council supported this planning application – by a majority vote.

This application was approved (with conditions) by Wiltshire Council on 20 August 2015.

Planning Application 15/04583/FUL.

Land at Poles Hole Farm - Photovoltaic Solar Farm of 9.8ha to include inverters, substations, grid connection, access and associated works.                              

The Parish Council supported this planning application – by a majority vote.

This application was approved (with conditions) by Wiltshire Council on 29 October 2015.

Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA).

Councillors noted the consultation in respect of the Wiltshire Housing Site Allocations Development Plan Document and examined the proposed Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) sites for Southwick. The Council resolved to send the following comment to Wiltshire Council: ‘Southwick Parish Council is against any further development and does not support any of the proposed SHLAA sites’.

Wiltshire Council – Community Days.

He Chairman reported 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.  Wiltshire Council will prioritise the work requests and take action accordingly. The regular, routine, visits by Wiltshire Council operatives to undertake highway and street scene works in towns and parishes have ceased.

Village Hall Car Park.

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.

Wiltshire Council Community Area Transport Group (CATG).

The CATG organisation and funding is to change.  In order that requests for funding can be properly considered 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 financially, from the parish councils will be discussed and worked up to a full case.

Parish Council Meetings.

Southwick Parish Council meet at Southwick Village Hall every third Tuesday in the month with the meetings commencing at 7.30pm. Members of the public are always very welcome to attend and immediately prior to the formal meeting they have the opportunity to view planning applications and to raise any matter relating to their community that concerns them.