Minutes of the meeting of Westwood Parish Council held at the Parish Room, Farleigh Lane on Monday 5 July 2021 at 7.30pm.
Present
Cllr. J Bishop Chairman
Cllr. J Johnston
Cllr. G Mumford
Cllr. P Phillips
Cllr. A Pittman
Mr. R Coleman Clerk
Wiltshire Council Cllr. J Kidney attended the meeting (Part-time).
There were eleven members of the public present initially.
1. Apologies.
Apologies relating to personal reasons for non-attendance were received and accepted from Cllr. Leeder.
2. Declaration of Interests.
There were no interests declared.
3. Minutes of the Annual Parish Council Meeting held on 17 May 2021.
The minutes of the meeting were agreed to be an accurate record and were signed by the Chairman.
4. Minutes of the Ordinary Parish Council Meeting held on 17 May 2021.
The minutes of the meeting were agreed to be an accurate record and were signed by the Chairman.
5. Wiltshire Council Report.
Cllr. Kidney gave the following brief report:
- The Lower Westwood Road closure is scheduled to take place during the school Summer holidays. He commented that he has lobbied Wiltshire Council and Wales & West Utilities to ensure that access along the road is possible outside normal working hours and that access is maintained throughout the period for essential services, such as recycling/rubbish collections, postal deliveries and visits by carers and the like.
- The closure of Cleveland Bridge in Bath is having a direct and an unwelcomed effect on traffic flows locally which have increased significantly.
- Bus Services – There is currently a Wiltshire Council consultation prompted by the availability of a Central Government £671k fund to identify bus services that could benefit from an improved service. He added that there is also a similar National Strategy soon to be launched. The Wiltshire Council consultation ends on 14 July.
- Recycling Service – the need to make prior appointments will cease on 19 July 2021.
- The Wiltshire Local Plan is moving to the next stage as a Draft Plan and will be subject to a formal consultation period.
- The proposed (new) A350 Melksham Bypass is currently subject to a consultation period.
- The next CATG Meeting is to be held on 26 July at 4pm.
- The next Area Board meeting is to be held on 14 July.
6. Highways and Environmental
a. The Council noted the creation of the Westwood Biodiversity Group and expressed its thanks for the presentation given by its members prior to the formal Parish Council meeting.
The Chairman stated that in future the Parish Council meeting Agenda will include an Agenda item ‘Biodiversity’ to enable the Parish Council to decide on matters relating to biodiversity and to provide an opportunity for discussion of matters raised by the Biodiversity Group. Councillors expressed the view that it would be helpful if the Biodiversity Group made specific proposals for the Parish Council to consider regarding improving the biodiversity in the village.
b. Cllr. Mumford stated that he had not yet received any specific proposals from Wiltshire Council (Highways) following the submission of the Highways Improvement Forms relating to traffic calming in Westwood and parking in Farleigh Lane. He speculated that it was a relatively low priority for Wiltshire Council, but he was confident that the issue would be addressed soon.
c. Cllr. Johnston agreed to meet with the Tree Warden (James Crawford) and to undertake a survey of the trees in Westwood Park and Westwood Cemetery. The survey was designed to examine the health of the trees, to identify the need for any necessary felling – to remove dead/dying trees and to maintain adequate spacing – and to comment on the need/desirability of any new tree planting. The Clerk was asked to send the original Westwood Park Tree Survey Report (2015) by Acer Tree Surgeons to all councillors.
d. Cllr. Johnston requested that the Parish Steward cuts back the overgrown vegetation encroaching on the path between Linden Crescent and Lyefield Lane and Cllr. Mumford identified a significant pothole in the road between the junction of the Upper and Lower Westwood roads and the start of Staples Hill.
Cllr. Bishop stated that he had yet to contact the Parish Steward/Cllr. Kidney regarding the disposal of green waste that arises from the work undertaken by the Village Handyman.
7. Westwood with Iford Primary School.
The Council noted the earlier presentation given by the Headteacher, Westwood with Iford Primary School during the Public Participation and the steps being taken to maintain the financial stability of the school and to increase the school roll. The Chairman thanked Mr Rockey for his presentation.
8. Planning.
a. The Council noted the current status of extant planning applications thus:
| Planning Application No. | Address | Details of Application | Planning Decision |
| 20/03928/FUL
| The Yard Westwood BA15 2AL | Retrospective change of use of agricultural land to equestrian use etc.
| Pending |
| 20/09831/FUL
| 109 Upper Westwood (Plum Cottage) | Demolition of selected additions and replacement construction of two storey and single storey additions and selected minor works to the original cottage. | Approved |
| 20/10702/LBC
| 109 Upper Westwood (Plum Cottage) | Demolition of selected additions and replacement construction of two storey and single storey additions and selected minor works to the original cottage. | Approved |
| 20/10593/FUL
| 129 Upper Westwood | Demolition of existing garages and removal of existing pitched roof. Construction of new outbuilding etc. | Approved |
|
20/11061/FUL
| 109 Upper Westwood BA15 2DP | Installation of Solar Array and Ground Source Heat Pump |
Pending |
|
21/00448/LBC
| 109 Upper Westwood BA15 2DP | Installation of Solar Array and Ground Source Heat Pump |
Pending |
| 21/00694/FUL
| Avon Villa, Avoncliff Aqueduct BA15 2HD | New canopy to seating area | Approved |
|
| Agricultural Building, Westwood Elms Cross BA15 2AL | Notification for Prior Approval under Class Q for a Proposed Change of use of Agricultural Building to one Dwelling House (Class C3) and for Associated Building Operations. | Refused |
| PL/2021/03320 | The Yard Westwood BA15 2AL | Erection of fencing in connection with use of the site for dog day care facility. | Pending |
| (See above) | The Yard Westwood BA15 2AL | Retrospective change of use of agricultural land to equestrian use, the formation of a menage measuring 20m x 60m and the retention of 8 pole mounted floodlights around the menage. | Pending |
b. The Council examined the following planning applications and resolved to send comments to Wiltshire Council as shown (in italics):
| PL/2021/04987
| 5 Chestnut Grove, Westwood BA15 2DQ | Removal of existing conservatory & erection of new single storey extension. | New |
The Parish Council has no objection to this proposed development.
| PL/2021/06159
| 39 Bobbin Lane Westwood BA15 2DL | T1 – Oak Tree – crown reduce 2m-2.5m to allow more light to rear garden and keep tree pruned on a cyclical basis as per tree report from 1997, crown raise to 3m above ground level & crown clean to remove deadwood and crossing branches, |
New |
The Parish Council has no objection to this proposed work.
c. The following planning application was received after 28 June 2021.
|
PL/2021/05553
| No. 10 Tea Gardens Avoncliff BA15 2HD | Variation of Condition 2 of 21/00694/FUL to allow a change in proposed roof material to seating area canopy from timber shingle to composite slate. | New |
The Parish Council has no objection to this proposed development.
d. Planning Application 20/03928/FUL (The Yard) – The Council noted that following resubmissions of the planning application – especially in relation to the revised lighting strategy – that Wiltshire Council was likely to be minded to approve this application and that the original objections by the Parish Council had been overcome in respect of the lighting proposals. Cllr. Kidney had earlier reminded that Parish Council that this application had been ‘called in’ and that he sought advice from the Parish Council whether the ‘call-in’ should remain. The Council resolved that the call-in should remain for the time being and that Cllr. Mumford was given the authority to inform Cllr. Kidney whether it should be withdrawn following further evidence from the current public consultation.
The Council noted the request from the parishioner who had submitted Planning application PL/2021/06159 to undertake work on an Ash tree and a Hedge Sycamore – neither of which is a subject of a Tree Preservation Order and each of which appear to be on the Playing Field boundary. The Parish Council had no objection to this work being undertaken but requested that the views of the Tree Warden are sought beforehand. The Council commented on the generosity of the parishioner in being prepared to pay for this extra work.
9. Finance.
a. The Clerk reported the current financial position at 5 July as follows:
| Lloyds A/C 1643417 | |||
| Bank Statement | |||
| 30-Apr-21 £53263.50 | |||
| Credits (1 May 2021 to 31 May 2021): | |||
| None | £ - | ||
| Total: | £ - | ||
| Debits (1 May 2021 to 31 May 2021): | |||
| Clerk's Salary (April) - Standing Order | £ 573.73 | ||
| Sovereign (Alexanders) | £ 14,176.04 | ||
| D Downes (April) | £ 655.00 | ||
| Crown Gas | £ 29.66 | ||
| E-on Next (Electricity) | £ 29.77 | ||
| Clerk's Expenses (March) | £ 13.31 | ||
| Clerk's Expenses (April) | £ 14.36 | ||
| Total: | £ 15,491.87 | ||
| Balance at 31 May 2021 | £37,771.63 | ||
| Credits (1 June 2021 to 30 June 2021): | |||
| None | £ - | ||
| Total: | £ - | ||
| Debits (1 June 2021 to 30 June 2021): | |||
| Clerk's Salary (May) - Standing Order | £ 573.73 | ||
| D Downes (May) | £ 683.98 | ||
| E-on Next (Electricity) | £ 30.73 | ||
| Crown Gas | £ 29.95 | ||
| Total: | £ 1,318.39 | ||
| Balance at 30 June 2021 | £36,453.24 | ||
| Credits (1 July 2021 to 5 July 2021): | |||
| None | £ - | ||
| Total: | £ - | ||
| Debits (1 July 2021 to 5 July 2021): | |||
| Clerk's Salary (June) - Standing Order | £ 573.73 | ||
| Total: | £ 573.73 | ||
| Balance at 5 July 2021 | £35,879.51 | ||
| Lloyds A/C 7573321 | |||
| Bank Statement | £ 2,346.24 | ||
| 30-Apr-21 | |||
| Credit (1 May 2021 to 5 July 2021): | |||
| 10-May | £ 0.02 | ||
| 10 June (Approx) | £ 0.02 | ||
| Total: | £ 0.04 | ||
| Debits (1 May 2021 to 5 July 2021: | |||
| None | £ - | ||
| Total: | £ - | ||
| Balance at 5 July 2021 | £ 2,346.28 | ||
| National Savings Account (Park Fund) | |||
| Balance at 31 December 2019 | £ 17,165.79 | ||
| Credits: | |||
| Interest 1/1/20 to 31/12/20: | £ 123.59 | ||
| £ 123.59 | |||
| Debits: | |||
| None | £ - | ||
| Balance at 5 July 2021 | £ 17,289.38 | ||
| Total Funds at 5 July 2021 | £56,088.90 | ||
| Payments to be authorised 5 July 2021 | |||
| Clerk's Salary (June) (Paid 1 July 2021) | £ 573.73 | ||
| Clerk's Salary (July) (To be paid 1 August 2021) | £ 573.73 | ||
| Clerk's Expenses (May) | £ 22.50 | ||
| Clerk's Expenses (June) | £ 11.96 | ||
| Crown Gas (Paid 8/6/21) | £ 29.95 | ||
| e-on Next (Paid 7/6/21) | £ 30.73 | ||
| D Downes (Paid 1/6/21) | £ 683.98 | ||
| R Randall (Internal Audit) | £ 150.00 | ||
| Westwood Parish Room (Hall Hire) | TBA | ||
| Information Commissioner Fee | £ 40.00 | ||
| TOTAL: | £ 2,116.58 | ||
The Clerk reported that he had recently submitted a VAT Reclaim Form to HMRC that detailed a VAT Reclaim amount of £3351 for the period 1 April 2021 to 30 June 2021.
b. The Council unanimously resolved to accept the Clerk’s Pay Review recommendations and to adopt the salary scale SCP 24 for the Clerk with effect from 1 April 2021.
The Clerk thanked the Parish Council for this decision.
c. The Council noted that the Clerk had submitted the AGAR FY2020/21 to PKF Littlejohn and that the Internal Audit had been satisfactorily completed with no matters arising.
d. The Council resolved to make the payments shown under ‘Payments to be authorised’ above at Agenda item 9a. The Council resolved to cancel the Zoom contract forthwith.
Clerk’s Note.
Following the backdating of the Clerk’s Pay Award to 1 April 2021, there was a total of £215.79 (Gross) owing to the Clerk which was paid via cheque 1931 dated 5 July 2021. Income Tax (PAYE) is to be paid on this sum.
10. Cemetery.
Councillors commented on the very tidy condition of the cemetery and complimented Mr Downes on the quality of his work in maintaining the cemetery. There was nothing else reported.
11. Nursery School Building.
a. There was no report on the condition of the building.
b. The Council noted the ‘Options Paper’ prepared by the Chairman and the options presented. There ensued a lengthy debate regarding the possible future uses of the building and possible restrictions that may apply. Councillors acknowledged that any use of the building must be sympathetic to the local neighbourhood – especially in relation to car parking, traffic movements and noise – and to existing covenants appertaining to the land. A possibility was to decommission the building pending future discussions and decisions regarding its use and to return its existing garden to Westwood Park.
The Clerk was asked to contact a local Estate Agent – ideally one concerned with commercial premises – and to invite their views regarding the possible ‘letting’ of the building for a commercial enterprise.
Additionally, the Clerk was asked to make enquiries regarding the decommissioning of the building and the possible cost.
12. Footpaths.
Cllr. Johnston stated that Path 12 near to the Lower Westwood Road had elder growing that was encroaching on a neighbouring property. She added that she had reported it to Wiltshire Council and informed that it was ‘in progress’. Cllr. Bishop commented that he would inform the Parish Steward and would ask him if he could attend to it.
Cllr. Johnston added that where Path 12 runs alongside the boundary wall of Westwood Manor gardens there are many overhanging branches causing an obstruction to walkers.
Cllr. Phillips confirmed that the stone stile on Path 15 (Upper Westwood Road) had been repaired.
13. Play Area.
a. Cllr. Phillips reported that the Play Area and Equipment were in reasonable condition but that there was a lot of debris on the surface of the Play Area. Cllr. Phillips was requested to undertake a weekly inspection of the Play Area and to record the results of his inspections.
b. Cllr. Mumford gave details of the various quotations received for the replacement of the existing Play Area fence and gate – the estimates/quotations ranged from £4812 to £10292 depending on the design and the materials chosen. Following a lengthy discussion, it was agreed to postpone the replacement of the fence and gate until their condition dictated that replacement was necessary.
14. Neighbourhood Plan.
There was no progress reported in respect of draft Westwood Neighbourhood Plan.
15. Date of Next Meeting.
Councillors agreed that the next Ordinary Parish Council Meeting would be held on 2 August 2021 at the Parish Room, Farleigh Lane commencing at 7.30pm.
The meeting concluded at 10.15pm
Chairman
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