DRAFT Minutes of the meeting of Westwood Parish Council held at the Parish Room, Farleigh Lane, Westwood at 7.30pm on Monday 5 November 2018
Present
Cllr. J Johnston (Vice Chairman and Chairman for the meeting)
Cllr. D Adcock
Cllr. J Adcock
Cllr. T Leeder
Cllr. G Mumford
Cllr. P Phillips
Mr. R Coleman Clerk
Wiltshire Council Cllr. J Kidney attended (Part-time).
There were three members of the public present initially.
1. Welcome and Introductions.
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Apologies.
Apologies for non-attendance were received from Parish Councillors J Bishop and M Cartwright-Hignett and from PCSO MacLachlan of the Community Policing Team.
3. Declaration of Interests.
Cllr. Mumford declared an interest in Planning application 17/08216/FUL and remained silent during the discussion on it (Agenda item 9 – Planning). There were no other interests declared.
4. Minutes of the Ordinary Parish Council Meeting held on 1 October 2018.
The Council resolved that the minutes of this meeting were a true and accurate record. The Chairman signed the minutes.
5. Wiltshire Council Report.
Cllr. Kidney gave a brief report on the following topics:
Clean Air Review (Bath) – The proposal by Bath City Council to impose tolls for non-compliant vehicles may result in an increase in traffic through Bradford on Avon via the B3108 and B3109 roads and may adversely affect Westwood. Travel to the Royal United Hospital, Bath from Wiltshire locations may be affected in that tolls may be incurred when travelling into Bath.
Wiltshire Local Plan Review – Initial indications show that some 450 houses will be required in the Bradford on Avon Community Area by 20136.
WW0020 Bridle Way, Staples Hill – A necessary repair to this bridleway has been identified and it is currently being costed by Wiltshire Council.
Community Area Transport Group (CATG) – The next meeting of CATG will take place at County Hall on Monday 12 November at 4pm.
Bradford on Avon Community Area Board –The next Area Board meeting takes place on Wednesday 28 November 2018 at St Margaret’s Hall, Bradford on Avon.
Becky Addy Woods Motor Cycle Trials – Wiltshire Council (David Wyatt) is currently investigating whether or not these trials contravene existing statutory protection for these woods.
Planning Application 17/08216/FUL – The Planning Committee that is due to consider this application on 14 November will be requested to refuse the application and if minded to approve it will be invited to undertake a site inspection before making such a decision.
6. Adjournment.
The Chairman adjourned the meeting for members of the public to raise any points of interest. The Chairman then reconvened the meeting.
7. Community Policing Team (CPT).
a. In the absence of PCSO MacLachlan there was no report.
b. There were no matters that needed to be brought to the attention of the CPT. The Clerk was asked to write to Wiltshire Police to enquire why there appears to be a reduced contact with the CPT compared to previously when a member of the CPT almost always attended a Parish Council meeting and also sent in a detailed report that addressed local issues.
8. Community Speed Watch (CSW)/Westwood Road Safety
Cllr. Phillips reported that the CSW Team had undertaken some patrols recently and the Clerk confirmed that he had received a written report from the CSW Team Leader that he had sent to all councillors. This report is shown below (in italics):
Speeding Data in comparison to other Teams: Of the 63 Teams performing a Count in July, Westwood had the 5th highest percentage of both speeders and excessive speeders; again disappointing but reaffirming the need for Speedwatch in our Village. We are presently awaiting our September data.
Police Speed check: The Police performed another Speed check on Thursday 9th Aug between 08:30 & 09:00 on Lower Westwood opposite to the New Inn. No formal notices (TOR Traffic Offence Report) were served but a 4 drivers were spoken to (WOA Words of Advice).
New Member Training: We are part way in training another Team Member, this will bring our Team up to 8.
Speed Warning Device: We thank Roger Coleman for providing us with information and costs for procurement of a Speed Warning Device. We are still considering a suggestion that Wingfield may be amenable to time-share their Speed Warning Device rather than Westwood purchase a device of their own. We recognise that there may be insurance and logistic issues to resolve but it may help both Wingfield’s and Westwood finances with this arrangement and minimise any storage as Westwood could use it during periods of Wingfield’s non-use. A suitable site for Westwood would be on the opposite side of the road to the New Inn. We will discuss this as a CSW Team shortly as our time, effort and logistics is needed to manage deployment of the device and we will then discuss matters with Wingfield PC (Cllr. Simon Taylor).
Cllr. Phillips commented that there had been no further action regarding selecting new CSW locations.
9. Working Groups – Working Group Reports.
Cemetery.
a. The Clerk stated that there had been a recent interment and that the appropriate fee had been paid and credited to the Parish Council’s Bank Account.
b. The Clerk reported that in the absence of Cllr. Bishop a written report had been received from him which the Chairman read out at the meeting. This report is shown below (in italics):
I have had a look at the cemetery and confirm that I can find no headstones in immediate need of stabilisation work. All the taller headstones are very rigid with none leaning. Without cross referencing the stability report I think I may be able to answer the notes regarding required work. Some of the smaller headstones (all about 2' high) can be "rocked" as they are not fixed down. Each has a larger piece of stone as a support under the upright section which brings the centre of gravity down making them difficult to tip. I believe this is standard practice and that the stones are not a danger. Otherwise the cemetery is in good condition. As in previous years is there a need to provide a couple of bags of sand for the paths as they do become slippery in wet weather.
The Council resolved that no action be taken in respect of the memorial stones. The Council requested the Clerk to contact Mr Downes and to ask him to obtain the necessary bags of sand and to spread that sand on the cemetery paths.
Planning.
a. The Council noted the status of extant planning applications thus.
| 17/08216/FUL
| Land North of 146 Upper Westwood | Provision of two self-contained camping pods with parking, change of use of land to leisure / tourism. (Resubmission of 17/02852/FUL). | Pending Planning Committee
|
| 18/07390/FUL
| 103 Lye Green | Change of use of single storey hobby/storage building into ancillary dwelling annex | Approved |
| 18/07751/FUL
| 14 Staples Hill | Proposed single storey and two storey extensions and alterations to existing dwelling | Approved |
| 18/06192/FUL | Iford Lodge Farm | Retrospective application to relocate and widen the existing agricultural access | Approved |
| 18/08600/TCA | The Old Vicarage, Farleigh Lane | 1 - 3x Acer Remove to ground level. T1 - 1x Horse Chestnut Remove large deadwood throughout canopy, and reduce height by up to 4m. |
Approved |
b. The Council examined the following planning application and resolved to send comments to Wiltshire Council as shown (in italics):
| 18/09013/FUL
| 15 Staples Hill, Freshford | Demolition of existing porch and provision of pitched roof over existing garage. Demolition of existing rear extension and construction of new single storey rear extension. |
New |
The Parish Council objects to this planning application for the following reason:
The proposed development utilises a significant amount of glass roofing and unacceptable light pollution would ensue. The house is sited in what is presently a Dark Skies area (see CBRE Dark Skies map) which should be protected under the new NPPF 125 but the current plans do not do this.
NPPF 125 states: ‘By encouraging good design, planning policies and decisions should limit the impact of light pollution from artificial light on local amenity, intrinsically dark landscapes and nature conservation.’
In particular, please be aware that the house lies on the ‘bat commuter route’ between the Iford Manor SSSI (summer maternity roost – 4th largest maternity roost in the UK for Greater Horseshoe Bats) and the Winsley Mines SSSI (winter roost, also of international importance) – only the latter of which is mentioned briefly in the application. It is therefore important for nature conservation of these bats, who are very sensitive to light pollution, that light spill is mitigated and the existing dark skies retained along this route.
c. There were no planning applications received after 30 October 2018.
d. The Clerk stated that the Planning Committee is to determine planning application 17/08216/FUL at the Planning Committee meeting on 14 November 2018. Councillors noted the intended representation from Cllr. Kidney at that meeting (refer to Agenda Item 5 above) and added that Cllr. Bishop had previously indicated that he would be attending and representing the Parish Council.
Finance.
a. The Clerk reported the current financial position at 5 November 2018 thus:
| Lloyds A/C 1643417 | |||||
| Bank Statement | £ 29,728.63 | ||||
| 30-Sep-18 | |||||
| (Additional Cheque (500050 - £120) Paid in - 14/9/18) | |||||
| Credits (1 October 2018 to 31 October 2018): | |||||
| HMRC PAYE Month 6 | £ 117.90 | ||||
| Cemetery Fee (Dupee) | £ 190.00 | ||||
| Westwood FC | £ 18.00 | ||||
| Total: | £ 325.90 | ||||
| Debits (1 October 2018 to 31 October 2018): | |||||
| Clerk's Salary (September) - Standing Order | £ 537.50 | ||||
| Clerk's Expenses (Sept) | £ 9.70 | ||||
| HMRC PAYE Month 6 | £ 117.90 | ||||
| PlaySafety (RoSPA) | £ 84.00 | ||||
| XYZ Web Ltd | £ 52.00 | ||||
| D Downes | £ 555.50 | ||||
| Total: | £ 1,356.60 | ||||
| Balance at 31 October 2018 | £ 28,697.93 | ||||
| Credits (1 November 2018 to 5 November 2018): | |||||
| None | £ - | ||||
| Total: | £ - | ||||
| Debits (1 November 2018 to 5 November 2018): | |||||
| Clerk's Salary (October) - Standing Order | £ 537.50 | ||||
| Total: | £ 537.50 | ||||
| Balance at 5 November 2018 | £ 28,160.43 | ||||
| Lloyds A/C 7573321 | |||||
| Bank Statement | £ 2,343.35 | ||||
| 30-Apr-18 | |||||
| Credits: | |||||
| 09/05/2018 (Approx) | £ 0.12 | ||||
| 09/06/2018 (Approx) | £ 0.11 | ||||
| 09/07/2018 (Approx) | £ 0.10 | ||||
| 09/08/2018 (Approx) | £ 0.10 | ||||
| 09/09/2018 (Approx) | £ 0.10 | ||||
| 09/10/2018 (Approx) | £ 0.11 | ||||
| Total: | £ 0.64 | ||||
| Debits: | |||||
| None | £ - | ||||
| Total: | £ - | ||||
| Balance at 5 November 2018 | £ 2,343.99 | ||||
| National Savings Account (Park Fund) | |||||
| Balance at 31 December 2017 | £ 6,954.16 | ||||
| Credits: | |||||
| Interest 1/1/17 to 31/12/17: | £ 32.77 | ||||
| Debits: | |||||
| None | £ - | ||||
| Balance at 5 November 2018: | £ 6,986.93 | ||||
| Total Funds at 5 November 2018 | £ 37,491.35 | ||||
| Payments to be authorised 5 November 2018 | |||||
| Clerk's Salary (November) To be paid 1 December 2018 | £ 537.50 | ||||
| Clerk's Expenses (October 2018) | £ 9.55 | ||||
| HMRC PAYE Month 7 | £ 107.40 | ||||
| The Print Centre | £ 64.40 | ||||
| Parish Room Hire | £ 351.60 | ||||
| D Downes | £ 541.00 | ||||
| TOTAL: | £ 1,611.45 | ||||
The Clerk stated that there had been an additional credit to the Parish Council of £36 in respect of the use of the Playing Field for Football Matches in October.
b. The Clerk presented the following Financial Forecast:
FINANCIAL FORECAST at 31 OCTOBER 2018 - Westwood Parish Council
(Includes all Payments and Receipts at 31 October 2018) | |||||||
| ITEM | AGREED | Actuals | Estimated | ||||
| (Description) | BUDGET | FY17/18 | FY18/19 | ||||
| FY2018/19 | at 31/10/18 | At 31/3/19 | |||||
| Income: | |||||||
| Precept | 24556 | 24556 | 24556 | ||||
| Grant | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Interest NSC | 45 | 33 | 40 | ||||
| Interest Res | 3 | 1 | 3 | ||||
| Cemetery Fees | 500 | 880 | 1150 | ||||
| Lettings | 150 | 54 | 150 | ||||
| Misc (Defibrillator) | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| VAT Refund | 250 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Total Income | 25504 | 25524 | 25899 | ||||
| Expenditure: | |||||||
| Clerk Salary | 6213 | 3687 | 6437 | ||||
| Expenses | 175 | 63 | 175 | ||||
| Office Allowance | 200 | 0 | 200 | ||||
| Solicitors Fees | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Chairman | 0 | 0 | 50 | ||||
| Hire Hall | 395 | 26 | 75 | ||||
| Audit | 320 | 360 | 360 | ||||
| Subscriptions | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Insurance | 835 | 834 | 834 | ||||
| Community (Section 137) | |||||||
| Newsletter | 750 | 392 | 550 | ||||
| Handyman | 1000 | 115 | 500 | ||||
| Donations | 250 | 315 | 500 | ||||
| Website | 750 | 336 | 500 | ||||
| Open Spaces | 4500 | 3034 | 4500 | ||||
| Cemetery | 2500 | 1872 | 2500 | ||||
| Footpaths | 50 | 0 | 50 | ||||
| Football Field Maintenance | 110 | 0 | 110 | ||||
| Defibrillator | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Elections | 2750 | 0 | 2750 | ||||
| Misc. (eg. Defib, Bench) | 100 | 587 | 750 | ||||
| 20898 | 11621 | 20841 | |||||
| Capital Expenditure: | |||||||
| Avoncliff Carpark | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Parish Room Donation | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Road Safety Measures | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Playground Equipment | 10000 | 10000 | 10000 | ||||
| New Trees | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Notice Boards | 150 | 0 | 100 | ||||
| Westwood Stores/PO Path | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Neighbourhood Plan | 0 | 100 | 250 | ||||
| Ex-WC Functions | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Nursery School | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 10150 | 10100 | 10350 | |||||
| Total Expenditure | 31048 | 21721 | 31191 | ||||
| Net Income | -5544 | -5,292 | |||||
| Balance B/F (31/3/18) as per FY2017/18 Annual Return: | £ 23,830.21 | ||||||
| Forecast Balance C/F at 31 March 2019: | £ 18,538.21 | ||||||
The Council resolved that the finances were in good order and that no action need be taken.
c. The Council resolved to make the payments shown under ‘Payments to be authorised’ on the Financial Statement including a payment of £351.60 for the hire of the Parish Room for Parish Council meetings January to December 2019.
The Clerk stated that it was necessary to update the authorised signatories for the NS&I Account (Westwood Park Account A/C No.138409348). The Parish Council resolved that the following councillors be authorised to sign documents relating to this account on behalf of Westwood Parish Council: Cllrs. J Bishop, J Johnston and J Adcock. The Clerk was asked to communicate this information to NS&I. The Clerk commented that this account would be used to accumulate funds for the Westwood Park Play Area refurbishment.
Environmental.
a. Cllr. J Adcock commented that a caravan and other paraphernalia had been dumped on the Westwood Road and that she had reported this incident to Wiltshire Council.
b. Cllr Mumford stated that he thought that ‘Single Track Only’ signs in addition to ‘‘Width Restriction’ road signs would be appropriate for Jones Hill. The Council agreed with this proposal and Cllr. Mumford added that he would make these representations to the CATG Meeting next week.
c. Councillors noted the representations made by parishioners during the Adjournment and in written correspondence in respect of the unsuitability of Becky Addy Woods to support motor cycle trial events because of the damage to the flora and fauna there and the fact that this wood benefitted from a number of statutory protections that, it was thought, would prevent such trials taking place. Potential conflict between the motor cyclists and walkers using the public footpath through the wood was also identified as a cause for concern. There ensued a lengthy discussion on this subject – aided by further information accrued from interested parties during the Adjournment – at the conclusion of which the Parish Council resolved to fully support local parishioners and others in the need to prevent further motor cycle trials taking place in Becky Addy Woods, Westwood in order to prevent further damage to the flora and fauna at that location. The Clerk was asked to write to Wiltshire Council to seek its support for a permanent cessation of motor cycle trials at that location.
d. Councillors noted the Woodland Trust invitation to a meeting to be briefed on the progress of the Trust acquiring Avoncliff Wood and resolved that the Parish Council could be represented on the suggested dates of 27 or 28 November. The Clerk was asked to inform the Woodland Trust.
Open Spaces.
Cllr. Phillips stated that all the Play Equipment appeared in good order subject to the seat on the swing designed for very small children being replaced in due course. The Council resolved that a new seat be ordered at a cost of £171.60. he added that the Play Area had some leaves that needed clearing and that some litter – food/sweet wrappers – had been discarded even though there was a litter bin available.
Cllr. Phillips added that the middle tree of the three trees planted at the southern entrance to Westwood Park appeared in poor health. It was agreed to leave this tree until the Spring when it would be easier to judge its actual condition.
Footpaths.
a. Cllr. Johnston reported that there was a broken stile that needed repair at the junction of Paths WW008 and WW009.
b. There were no other matters reported.
10. Bradford on Avon Area Board/Community Area Transport Group (CATG).
Cllr. J Adcock confirmed that she would attend the Area Board meeting on 28 November and Cllr. Mumford confirmed his attendance at the CATG meeting on 12 November.
11. Neighbourhood Plan.
Cllr. Leeder stated that owing to a misunderstanding with Wiltshire Council he now has to discuss distributing the questionnaires with a revised return date.
12. Date of Next Meeting.
Councillors noted the date of the next Parish Council Meetings:
· Ordinary PC Meetings – 3 December 2018 and 7 January 2018. Meetings commencing at 7.30pm.
The Clerk stated that he had booked the Parish Room for all the meetings to be held in 2019 and that he had informed councillors of those dates.
13. Any Other Business.
Exchange of views on matters not requiring a decision.
There were no matters raised.
The meeting concluded at 9.25pm
Chairman 3 December 2018
ACTION LIST – Meeting 5 November 2018Action 1 (5/11/18) Clerk.
To write to Wiltshire Police – CPT absence.
Action 2 (5/11/18) Clerk.
To contact Mr Downes – Sand/Cemetery Paths.
Action 3 (5/11/18) Clerk.
To send planning comments to Wiltshire Council.
Action 4 (5/11/18) Clerk.
To make payments.
Action 5 (5/11/18) Cllr. Mumford.
To attend CATG – Road signs for Jones Hill.
Action 6 (5/11/18) Clerk.
To write to Wiltshire Council – Becky Addy Woods/Motor Cycle Trials.
Action 7 (5/11/18) Cllr. Phillips.
To purchase new seat for ‘Toddlers Swing’.
Action 8 (5/11/18) Clerk.
To advise Woodland Trust of meeting dates (Avoncliff Wood).
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