Minutes of the meeting of Westwood Parish Council held at Westwood with Iford Primary School, Westwood at 7.30pm on Monday 3 April 2017

Present

 Cllr. J Bishop               (Chairman)

Cllr. D Adcock

Cllr. J Adcock

Cllr. J Johnston

Cllr P Phillips

Cllr. A Wheals

 Mr. R Coleman           Clerk

 Wiltshire Council, Cllr. M Macdonald attended.

 There was one member of the public present.

 The Chairman stated that he wished to make the following announcement prior to the commencement of the meeting (shown in italics):

 Ladies & Gentlemen

Before we begin the meeting I wish to record the passing of Westwood stalwart Viv Hancock at the age of 89.

Viv was regarded by many as “Mr Westwood”, a gentleman in every sense of the word, who lived and breathed the village for 64 years having moved here with his wife, Betty, in 1953.

Viv was involved in numerous organisations including the Parish Council, for whom he was a councillor for 13 years. He was also the church warden for 20 years, instigated and ran a youth club from 1979 and was a major player in the annual Westwood Flower Show.

Many other groups benefitted from his presence and he will be a great loss to all those whose lives were touched by him.

As a mark of respect please may I ask that you stand for a minute’s silence in his honour.  

 A minute’s silence was held.

 1.         Welcome and Introductions.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.  

 2.         Apologies.

Apologies for non-attendance were received from Cllr. T Leeder and from PCSO Andrew MacLachlan of the Community Policing Team.

The Clerk stated that Cllr. J Tillion had given notice of her resignation.

 3.         Declaration of Interests.

There were no interests declared.

 4.         Minutes of Ordinary Parish Council Meeting held on 6 March 2017.

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

 5.         Adjournment.

The Chairman adjourned the meeting for members of the public to raise any points of interest.

 The meeting was then reconvened.

 6.         Community Policing Team (CPT).

a.         PCSO MacLachlan had sent his apologies for being unable to attend or to provide a written report on this occasion.

b.         There were no other matters raised.

 7.         Neighbourhood Plan.

a.         The Chairman stated that all councillors had received a written progress report from Cllr. Leeder and that in his report he had proposed a way forward which Cllr. Leeder had invited the Council to support. Cllr Leeder also reported that no draft Neighbourhood Plan had been received from the Chairman of the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Committee.

The Chairman stated that in view of the fact that the report had been received late this afternoon any discussion on it would be deferred until the next Parish Council meeting.

 b.         No further actions were identified.

 8.         Westwood Road Safety/Community Speed Watch (CSW).

Cllr. Wheals stated that the most recent report available (for CSW 24) was published in the last edition of “Westwood Update” and that all households had received a copy of that Newsletter. As a consequence of this he commented that he was not proposing to provide a detailed report at this meeting. He added that the data suggested that the reduced level of speeding is continuing (based on counts of over 4,200 vehicles).

Cllr. Wheals advised councillors that the Winsley Road team is no longer operational so Westwood CSW Team is resuming shared operation of the Speed Measuring Device with Southwick and North Bradley.

 9.         Working Groups – Working Group Reports.

 Cemetery.  

There was nothing reported.

  Planning.

a.         The Council noted the status of extant planning applications thus.

 

15/11456/OUT	Land at Iford Lane, Iford	New dwelling (Revised Plans)	Pending
16/09259/FUL	Dorothy House Foundation Ltd., Winsley	Application for planning permission for the reconfiguration of the existing car park and extension to provide additional parking and associated works	Pending
17/00418/FUL	13 Chestnut Grove	Retrospective permission for erection of a garden shed	Pending
17/01243/FUL	39 Lower Westwood	Proposed dwelling	Pending

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

 

17/01764/FUL

86A Lower Westwood

Erect single storey rear extension to existing bungalow

New

 The Council has no objection to this proposed development.

 c.         The following planning application was received after 27 March 201 and resolved to send comments to Wiltshire Council as shown (in italics):

 

17/02482/VAR

Elms Cross Stables, Elms Cross

Variation of Conditions 2, 4, 6, 7 & 8 of 15/05497/FUL

New

 The Council has no objection to this proposed development.

 d.         There were no other planning matters.

 Finance.

a.         The Clerk reported the current financial position thus:

 

03 April 2017				Westwood PC
Lloyds A/C 1643417
Bank Statement		£    7,642.28
28-Feb-17
Credits (1  March 2017 to 31 March 2017):
HMRC PAYE Month 11						£                 187.60
J Long (Downs)						£                   90.00
			Total:			£                 277.60
Debits (1 March 2017 to 31 March 2017):
Clerk's Salary (February) - Standing Order						£                 469.56
Clerk's Expenses (February)						£                     7.69
HMRC PAYE Month 11						£                 187.60
XYZ Web Ltd						£                   50.00
St Johns CC						£                   48.15
D Downes						£                 400.00
			Total:			£               1,163.00
Balance at 31 March 2017						£               6,756.88
Credits (1 April 2017 to 3 April 2017):
None						£                         -
			Total:			£                         -
Debits (1 April 2017 to 3 April 2017):
Clerk's Salary (February) - Standing Order						£                 469.56
			Total:			£                 469.56
Balance at 3 April 2017						£               6,287.32
Lloyds A/C 7573321
Bank Statement						£               2,341.89
31-Jan-17
Credits:
Interest 9/2/17						£                     0.10
Interest 9/3/17						£                     0.09
			Total:			£                     0.19
Debits:
None						£                         -
			Total:			£                         -
Balance at 3 April 2017						£               2,342.08
National Savings Account (Park Fund)
Balance at 31 December 2016						£               6,912.63
Credits:
Interest 1/1/16 to 31/12/16:						£                   41.53
Debits:
None						£                         -
Balance at 3 April 2017:						£               6,954.16
Total Funds at 3 April 2017						£             15,583.56
Payments to be authorised 3 April 2017
Clerk's Salary (April 2017)						£                 469.56
Clerk's Expenses (March 2017)  Approx						£                     5.00
Clerk's Back Pay 1/4/16 - 31/8/16 &1/9/16 - 1/4/17						£                   51.51
A Wheals						£                   60.19
HMRC PAYE Month 12						£                 188.00
D Downes						£                 400.00
			TOTAL:			£               1,174.26

 The Clerk advised the Council that there had been two recent pay settlement agreed between the National association of Local Councils/Society of Local Council Clerks and the Government covering the periods 1/4/16 to 31/3/17 and 1/4/17 to 31/3/18. He explained that each settlement represented increases in basic salaries of 1%. The Council resolved to adopt these increases for the Clerk and further resolved that the associated back-pay of £51.51 be paid forthwith. A revised Standing Order Bank Mandate was signed by the authorised signatories.

 b.         The Council resolved to make the payments shown under ‘Payments to be authorised’ on the Financial Statement.

 Environmental.

a.         Cllr. J Adcock stated that the repaired manhole cover at the bottom of The Pastures had been broken again – perhaps by a heavy lorry.

 Cllr. J Adcock and other councillors complimented the work undertaken by the Parish Steward, Ian Bryers and his commitment to providing a high standard of service to the Parish. The Council resolved that that a letter be sent to Wiltshire Council acknowledging the work undertaken by Mr Bryers and the evident pride that he takes in providing such a good service.

 b.         There were no other matters raised.

 Open Spaces.

a.         Cllr. Wheals reported that a  parishioner had reported that the unofficial path directly into “Turner’s Field” is now almost fully open. The metal gate has been pushed back and there is only one strand of barbed wire left. He added that Mr Turner normally erects barriers by the park and in Lyefield Lane when livestock is introduced into the field in summer. The Council resolved to take no further action.

 b.         Cllr. Wheals stated that the play equipment has been inspected and is safe to use. The roundabout is completely immobile so TayPlay (who made it) will be contacted and a quotation requested for someone in the area to fix it. The area needs a good sweep (to be done this week prior to the spring holidays). It is intended to put an additional coat of red Hammerite paint on the (double) swings – possibly after the Easter break.

 Cllr. Johnston stated that the ‘shed’ at the Playing Field may now be surplus to requirements as there is now no longer a Football Team in the village. The Clerk replied that he would make enquiries.

 Cllr. Adcock stated that she had passed information relating to the Tesco ‘Bags of Life’ grant scheme to Mr Harrison.

 Footpaths.

a.         Cllr. Johnston stated that was nothing significant to report.

b.         There were no other matters reported.

 10.       Bradford on Avon Area Board/Community Area Transport Group.

Cllr. J Adcock confirmed that she and Cllr. D Adcock attended the recent Area Board meeting. She commented that a presentations given at that meeting showing the achievements of the Area Board were very well received – especially those relating to children. She added that she had also attended the Senior Forum on 31 March that was also attended by the MP – Michelle Donnelan.

 Cllr Wheals confirmed that he attended the CATG meeting on 27 February and that one matter relevant to Westwood was raised. A resident of Avoncliff complained about the deep ruts at the side of the road down to Avoncliff. It made “bottoming out” of a vehicle possible. It was claimed that ‘scalpings’ had been added to build up the ruts. The relevant officer from Wiltshire Council was unable to help the parishioner. Cllr. Wheals commented that he had had a look along the Avoncliff road and could find no evidence of significant ‘scalpings’ nor deep ruts - except at one place where vehicles could pass each other (opposite the field gate on the north side).

 The next Area Board meeting is to be held on 24 May and the next CATG Meeting is to be held on 19 June.

 11.       Dates of Meetings.

Councillors noted the date of the next Parish Council Meetings:

 ·         8 May 2017 - Annual PC meeting and Ordinary PC Meeting.

The Council proposed that the Annual Parish Meeting be held on Tuesday 9 May commencing at 7pm.

 Clerk’s note.

This date has now been confirmed.

 12.       Any Other Business.

Exchange of views on matters not requiring a decision:

 Cllr. Johnston asked that the ‘Parish Room’ is an Agenda item at the next meeting and added that it is likely to be available for use from June.

 The Chairman stated that in view of the recent loss of Viv Hancock and the significant contribution he made to the village of Westwood the Parish Council may wish to consider erecting some form of memorial in his name.  The Chairman asked that this subject be included as an Agenda item at the next meeting.

 The meeting concluded at 2055hrs.

 Chairman                                                                                                        8 May 2017

Westwood Parish Council

 ACTION LIST – Meeting 3 April 2017

Action 1 (3/4/17)        Clerk.

To contact WC – Parish Steward work.

 Action 2 (3/4/17)        Clerk.

WC – Planning Application.

Action 3 (3/4/17)        Clerk.

To make payments.

 Action 4 (3/4/17)        Clerk.

To contact Mr Downes – Playing Field shed.

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