Minutes of the Meeting - Latest
DRAFT – Subject to amendment
BULFORD PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF A BULFORD PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY 8th September 2008
Present: Chairman, Vice Chairman, Cllrs: B Chilvers, G Burt, J Clee, P Wicks, Connolly
In attendance: Parish Clerk, PCSO Paffett
Apologies for absence: Cllr T McMullen, District Councillor J Smale
Absent without Apology: None
COUNCIL IN INFORMAL SESSION
Members of the public raised the following points: -
a. Cutting and marking of the football pitch: – Mr S Young a representative of the Bulford Football Team asked the following:
(1) For the programme for the grass cutting of the football pitch to be reviewed, as the cuts at this time of are the year are insufficient going into the football season.
(2) Advice from Council with regard to the grass cuttings left behind by Messrs Bawdens after cutting. He said that he often has to clear the cuttings himself prior to a match.
(3) For Council to consider funding the marking the football pitch in a more permanent way.
At this point, Mr P Downton, presented to Council information and prices for the purchase of machinery and paint, and for the labour required to mark the pitch in a semi-permanent way. After discussion Council agreed to consider the information presented by Mr Downton, and asked him to provide a quote to include the clearing of grass cuttings. Cllr Wicks agreed to speak with Messrs Bawdens (the Village Maintenance Contractor) with regard to reviewing the current programme for the grass cuts, the clearance of cuttings after each cut, and to obtaining a quote for better and more permanent marking of the pitch.
PCSO Paffett reported the following:
a. Two reports of criminal incidents, one drunk and disorderly, and several incidents of vehicle crime across the Amesbury, Durrington, and Bulford area. PCSO Paffett said that, if anyone sees anything criminally suspicious, they should telephone the police as quickly as possible. If an actual crime is in progress, they should dial 999, or, if they witness anything suspicious, they should telephone 0845 408 7000
b. Neighbourhood Watch Scheme – Letters have been sent out to everyone who showed an interest in becoming a co-ordinator for their area. An update on this subject will be given at the October meeting.
COUNCIL IN FORMAL SESSION
53. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF MONDAY 11th AUGUST 2008
It was Proposed, Seconded and RESOLVED to approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 11th August 2008 as a true record.
54. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
a. Dual Allotments – The Clerk advised Council that, in error, she had not included the item of Dual Allotments on September’s agenda as she had been instructed at last month’s meeting. She was asked to include it in the agenda for the October Meeting.
b. Footpaths and Rights of Way ­– The Clerk reported that Cllr Wicks had confirmed to her that weeding the hard surface Footpaths and Rights of Way within the Village does not form part of the Maintenance Contract with Messrs Bawdens. Cllr Chilvers said that he would speak to the Parish Steward about this, in particular, the area of St Leonard’s Close. Cllr Chilvers said he would also establish responsibility for cutting back the overgrown hedging that is restricting pedestrian movement along the southern pavement of the Bulford Droveway from the junction with Milston Road to opposite the Pumping Station.
c. Recreation Ground Seat – has been repaired.
d. Potholes – by The Nine Mile River and in High Street have been reported.
e. New tennis mechanism - has been purchased.
f. Marking of the Tennis Court – will take place in September (but is weather dependent).
g. Thermastatic valves – After discussion it was decided not to replace the thermastatic valves fitted to the radiators in the Village Hall. Existing valves should be set to full open in order to allow the room thermostat to operate efficiently.
55. TO RECEIVE MEMBERS DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Cllr Burt declared an interest in item 59 c (2).
The Vice Chariman declared in interest in item 50.
56. CO-OPTION OF A NEW MEMBER
There were no candidates for co-option
57. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
The Chairman reported the following:
a. Bulford Art Club – recently held an exhibition at Durrington Village Hall. After discussion the Clerk was asked to write to the Art Club to express Council’s disappointment that Bulford Village Hall had not been used for the event.
b. An E-mail received from John Richardson, Figheldean Parish Clerk – seeking Council’s
reactions, to the new Unitary Council and the question of local parishes sharing Devolved Powers, (Delegated Powers). He also asked for Council’s response to the Area Partnership talks, currently taking place on the subject of Parish Groupings. The Chairman said she advised Mr Richardson, Bulford would be not making any decision on whether to join an Area partnership and we were at present just onlookers.
With regard to this, Cllr Clee raised two areas of concern as follows:
(1) As a result of the confusion that seems to exist with regard to the status, TOR, and functions of Community Partnerships and where they fitted in with the concept of Area Boards, he had had a discussion with Mr S. Milton, Wiltshire County Council’s Area Boards Development Manager, who had attempted to explain to him how these two concepts were likely to function. He went on to say that the most important fact to emerge from this discussion had been that Mr Milton had told him that an Area Board Steering Group had been established and that the first meeting would be held on the 11th September. He felt that it is important that Council should be formally represented on this Steering Group. After discussion it was agreed that Cllrs Burt and Clee should represent Council and that they should arrange individual attendance between themselves.
(2) Concern that Bulford Parish Council’s presence at the Durrington Partnership meetings is being interpreted as membership of the Partnership by Bulford Parish Council, whereas Council had Resolved that the Council should not join. The Clerk was asked to write to Mrs Mary Towle to make clear that, whilst Bulford Parish Council might send a Cllr to be in attendance at these meetings, this must not be construed or presented as either formal representation or membership by Council.
c. The Probation Team – The Chairman has a meeting with the Probation Team Manager next week and will discuss the possibility of the Youth Group litter picking and tidying along the Nine Mile River and also, repairing the fence and gate at Ragged Robin Copse. She said there is now a new Supervisor in place and she undertook to establish what paint and equipment remains as a result of the recent decorating work at the Village Hall. She will ask if the decorating can be completed by the Youth Group at no extra cost.
58. CLERK’S REPORT ON FINANCE AND CORRESPONDENCE
The Clerk reported a reconciliation figure of £19,846.73 @ 29th August 2008 and confirmed that expenditure is within budget.
It was Resolved to make the following payments:
Cllr D Morrison – Tennis posts £10.00
SDC – Lease of land @ Swattons Close £52.00
Messrs Bawden - Maintenance Contract £975.94
Mrs J Gilbert – Village Hall hire - deposit return £100.00
Mrs J Downton – Care taking services £387.00
Clerk £666.66
Council Clerical Expenses £ 50.00
The Clerk tabled the following correspondence:
a. Core Strategy Town & Parish Council Update – from Salisbury District Council.
b. Wiltshire Magazine – from Wiltshire County Council
c. E-mail received from Mrs Mary Towle, Durrington Parish Clerk – with regard to a meeting being held on the 16th September by the Stonehenge Community Group (formerly named the Amesbury Town Partnership). Cllr Burt said he would attend the meeting.
59. REPORTS BY COUNCILLORS WITH SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDING REPRESENTATION ON OTHER BODIES
a. Parks, Cemeteries, and Allotments – The Vice Chairman reported the following:
(1) Wasteland between High Street and Crescent Road – Waiting for an update on the decision by Salisbury District Council with regard to turning the land into additional allotments.
b. Highways and Byways – Cllr Chilvers reported the following:
(1) Assisted Collection Scheme – Assistance is now in place for everyone who has asked for assistance through the scheme.
c. Town and Country Planning – Cllr Clee reported the following:
(1)S/2008/1454 – No objection but advised that he had doubts as to the requirements for the Equipment Store and Warm up Shelter in this application and that he is investigating the matter.
(2)S/2008/1447 – No objection
d. Village Hall – Nothing to report
e. Village Maintenance Contract – Cllr Wicks reported the following:
(1)Overhanging tree – west of the churchyard has been cut.
(2)Messrs Bawden – have performed the annual tree survey.
f. Bulford Events Committee – Nothing to report
g. Northern Area Committee – Nothing to report
h. Young People’s Recreational Facilities – Cllr Burt reported the following items:
(1) The seat in the Recreation Ground - is now repaired.
(2) Tennis court marking – will take place in September, weather permitting.
i. Liaison With the Military – Cllr Clee reported the following:
(1) Closure of the Bulford Droveway on 20 May 2008- Cllr Clee tabled a letter received from Inspector Martyn Sweette, in reply to a letter sent to the Chief Constable by Council in May 2008. Cllr Clee said that with regard to any future road closures there were three aims. Firstly, Council is seeking a common sense approach to closures of the Bulford Droveway and Old Marlborough Road, which are major vehicular commuting routes east west - he is looking for agreement that the Military will only close these roads on the authority of a Senior Officer and with adequate notice. Secondly, that the Military will not use Military Police to interface with civilian traffic. Thirdly and long-term, Council will seek to influence the Byelaw Review Team. Cllr Clee expressed disappointment at the length of time and effort it had taken to receive a reply from Wiltshire Police and the fact that the Chief Constable had not replied personally. After discussion the Clerk was asked to write to Mr Robert Key MP to express Council’s disappointment with regards to the confused response to Council’s letter by Wiltshire Police and the lack of a reply from the Chief Constable himself.
60. STANDING AGENDA ITEMS
a. Planning applications that have been called in by a member of Council. There were none to report.
b. Village Hall procedures and administration – The following items were reported:
(1) The Clerk reported that the Caretaker had asked for re-imbursement of her telephone expenses, made on behalf of Council on Village Hall business, in light of the fact that the Village Hall telephone service is to be changed to outgoing emergency calls only. After discussion, Council agreed to the reimbursement of the caretaker’s telephone call expenses, subject to the caretaker being prepared to show the details of calls made on the bills supplied by the Service Provider, when she is making a claim.
(2) Cllr Chilvers commented on the much-improved cleanliness of the Village Hall due to the efforts of the new Caretaker. He asked Council to consider awarding a ‘Good Will’ bonus because of the considerable efforts that had been required to bring the Village Hall to a good standard of cleanliness. After discussion the Clerk was instructed to include this on the next month’s agenda.
61. OTHER AGENDA ITEMS
a. Funding arrangements for the marking of the Football Pitch – After discussion it was proposed, seconded and Resolved that Council would fund the marking of the Football Pitch. As noted above under ‘Council in Informal Session’, the Chairman and Cllr Wicks undertook to seek quotes and information required to decide the best most cost effective way forward and, the Clerk was instructed to include this on next month’s agenda.
b. The Village Newsletter – The Chairman reported on behalf of the Working Party that the format and subjects for the newsletter had been agreed. After discussion, the Clerk was instructed to include this item again on next month’s agenda for Council to discuss and agree the details.
c. New Caretaker and Caretaker’s Contract - Cllr Connolly submitted the Working Party’s recommendation that Council should appoint Mrs Jayne Downton as the new Village Hall Caretaker. It was proposed seconded, and so Resolved. After discussion it was proposed seconded and Resolved to approve the reviewed Caretaker’s Contract subject to the amendments discussed by Council.
Please note: At 10.00 PM the Chairman proposed to continue the meeting, and it was so Resolved.
d. Fingerposts - After discussion Council decided, due to the cost, not to replace the fingerpost by the Post Office. Cllr Chilvers agreed to look at the condition of the road signs around the Village and to report back to Council.
62. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Monday 13th October 2008
Approved by Council as a true record
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Chairman Bulford Parish Council |
