Minutes of a meeting of the Parish Council held on Tuesday 9th November 2021 at 7.15 pm.
Present: Cllr Jeff Ligo (Chair), Cllr Eddie Cole, Cllr Noel Kew, Cllr Keith Rayward, Cllr Steve Ridley, Cllr Tim Goode, Cllr Phil Whittaker, Cllr Jo Jolly and Cllr Steve Lloyd.
In attendance: Nicola Duke (Parish Clerk), Mr Ken Davis (Chair, Jubilee Hall Management Committee) and Wiltshire Councillor Suzanne Wickham.
Open Forum
Members of the public were invited to make representations to the Council on any matters relating to the work of the Council or to raise any issues of concern: None.
Village updates:
• Police report – PCSO Alice Moore was not present.
• Wiltshire Council and Westbury Area Board – Cllr Suzanne Wickham reported the following:
o The next Area Board meeting was scheduled for 25th November, with the plan to return to in person meetings from February 2022. Cllr Wickham reported that the meeting would be considering grant applications and encouraged the PC to consider making any applications it felt appropriate.
o At the November Area Board meeting there would be a presentation from the Youth Team. Information was tabled on the new Youth Council; which WC was promoting.
o A discussion had been held with the potential developer of the site off the B3099 to consider making the entrance into the village safer; and a proposal had been developed for village gates and rumble strip surfacing to slow traffic down. This would be discussed as part of the planning application decision process and it was hoped any measures would be funded by the developer.
o A training session was being held by WC for parish councils in Local Climate Action Net Zero and the Chair would circulate the information.
AGENDA ITEM
2021/50 Apologies for Absence and to consider the reasons given
None.
2021/51 Declarations of Interest and Dispensations to Participate
None.
2021/52 Minutes of Council Meetings
The minutes of a meeting of the Parish Council held on 14th September 2021 were approved for accuracy and adopted (proposed Cllr Ridley, seconded Cllr Rayward).
2021/53 Committee, Clerks and Council representative reports
a) A report from the Chair of the Bratton Recreation Ground Committee had been circulated to members and is appended to the minutes for reference. It was noted that the financial position continued to be sound.
b) The Chair of the Jubilee Hall Management Committee tabled a report, which is appended to the minutes for reference. It was also reported that Cllr Ridley was assisting with work to enhance the website.
c) Cllr Rayward had provided a report on CATG meetings and projects for Bratton, which had been circulated to members and is appended to the minutes for reference. Cllr Rayward also undertook to provide a summary sheet of any road closures relating to the parish, which would be publicised and circulated to members regularly. Cllr Cole referred to a previous discussion relating to the potential installation of a proper pedestrian crossing outside the Jubilee Hall or a renovation of the posts so that they were more visible. Cllr Whittaker undertook to liaise with Pat Whyte at Wiltshire Council to take this forward.
d) Cllr Kew reported the following on the emerging local Climate Group:
a. He had attended the themed Area Board event and had now made contact with most of the parish councils the PC wished to sign up.
b. It was hoped that all undertakings would be signed by February 2022.
The Chair drew attention to the Climate Day scheduled for 16th November, which he hoped Cllr Kew would be able to attend. He would circulate the information.
e) Cllr Cole tabled a report on a recent meeting of the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group (draft minutes previously circulated for reference), which is appended to the minutes for reference. The Chair reported he and Cllr Cole had attended a CPRE webinar on Neighbourhood Planning, which had been interesting. Cllr Rayward drew attention to the emerging requirement for electric vehicle charging points and suggested that consideration of this could be included in the Neighbourhood Plan to promote sustainable housing development. It was felt that this would be an appropriate aspiration/policy for inclusion and the suggestion would be referred to the Steering Group. The Clerk was asked to seek any available guidance on this issue from the local association. Cllr Wickham undertook to check whether there was any funding available in support of electric vehicle charging points. Cllr Ridley highlighted that the potential housing development off the B3099 would be ideal for these charging points.
2021/54 Planning applications and consultations
PL/2021/09943 – SUMMERDOWN HOUSE, UPPER GARSTON LANE, BRATTON, WESTBURY, BA13 4SN – T1 Beech tree situated on the rear boundary on top of bank. Fell T2 Sycamore tree overhanging drive. Fell T3 Holm Oak, group of 3 stems, reduce height to match adjacent reduced trees. Reduce by approx. 6m – Leave to Tree Officer.
To receive and consider planning applications received after the issue of the agenda (where the response time falls outside of the meeting schedule and an extension cannot be obtained) – None.
2021/55 Financial Reports
a) A schedule of payments and receipts September 2021 had been circulated to members and was noted.
b) The bank reconciliation and Financial Position Statement as at 30th September 2021 had been circulated to members and was noted.
c) The External Auditors Report for the year ending 31st March 2021 had been circulated to members and was noted. Following a query from Cllr Lloyd the Clerk and Chair confirmed the arrangements for the external audit element of the annual accounting and governance statements. The Clerk also confirmed the arrangements for the appointment of the Internal Auditor, which was made at a Council meeting.
2021/56 Budget and Precept Setting 2022-23
Members had been provided with an initial draft budget for the financial year 2022-23; noting that the precept will be set at the January PC meeting. The Clerk had subsequently provided information on the Council Tax Base for 2022/23. Following debate, it was agreed to accept the draft budget as the base for the precept setting discussion which would be scheduled for January 2022.
2021/57 Village Green Play Area
The Clerk had circulated a report on proposals for the refurbishment of the play equipment and the installation of a skate park, which was discussed. The Clerk reported that members were being asked to consider supporting the overall schemes in principle, so that two further quotations could be sought for comparison and work commence on identifying appropriate funding streams. It was also noted that the local group which had requested the skate park would be involved in the development of the project and its funding. Cllr Jolly undertook to write a piece on the proposals for the Bratton Parish News and agreed to liaise with the Clerk to develop appropriate consultation material. Following debate, it was resolved to approve the schemes to refurbish the play area and install a skate park in principle (proposed Cllr Ridley, seconded Cllr Goode). The Clerk would report back to a future meeting with additional quotations and funding streams and make the initial contact with the skateboard group.
2021/58 Westbury Town Council – Request for funding support
Members considered a request from WTC regarding funding support for a legal challenge in respect of the NRE incinerator planning permission (correspondence previously circulated) and it was noted that no decision had yet been made by the Secretary of State as to whether the application would be ‘called in’. It was agreed that the PC would reconsider the request from Westbury Town Council once this decision had been made. The Clerk would inform WTC accordingly.
2021/59 Councillor reports
a) Cllr Lloyd reported on the following:
a. The Queen’s 70th anniversary beacon – May/June 2022 – he had liaised with Edington Parish Council and it had been agreed that a bonfire would be sufficient for the evening of the beacons. He suggested that a bonfire be provided at the top of Pickett Hill jointly with Edington PC and this was supported. Cllr Goode highlighted the necessity of liaising with Natural England to obtain permission.
b. Refurbishment of the telephone kiosk – the replacement materials had arrived and work was commencing at Westbury Shed. The refurbished door was expected due back within the month when the resulting work would be undertaken by volunteers in the spring of 2022.
c. Bratton SID – it was reported that the device was not showing the speed and Cllr Lloyd had contacted the supplier who would send a new control box. If this proved to be difficult Cllr Lloyd would request a visit from the engineer. It was agreed that the unit would removed for attention and then resited in the next location.
d. Bratton Community Speed Watch – Cllr Lloyd reported he was stepping down as the CSW co-ordinator and had asked for a volunteer to replace him as well as seeking new members through the Parish News. Without a replacement co-ordinator the CSW for Bratton would need to cease. Cllr Jolly undertook to write a piece asking for volunteers and promoting the CSW work.
b) Cllr Rayward reported on the following:
a. Play area – the wooden walk way at the bottom of the green was noted to be rotten and would be removed and the Clerk would look into the missing cradle seat swing.
b. Pre-school – it was confirmed that the development at the back of the Pavilion was in accordance with the lease and did not require planning permission.
c. Hedge in Stradbrook – was reported to be overgrown at the start of the lane. Cllr Rayward would provide the associated addresses and the Clerk would write accordingly.
c) Cllr Ligo reminded members of the arrangements for Remembrance Day and Remembrance Sunday.
d) Cllr Ridley raised the plans for the Christmas Tree and it was agreed that the Chair and the Clerk would liaise to make the arrangements.
2021/60 Correspondence
Local resident re: tree planting on the edge of the Green (request previously circulated) and it was noted that Wiltshire Council would be replacing these trees and would be chased for an update. It was agreed to look into planting two trees in the Orchard as a memorial to HRH Prince Philip and in commemoration of HM The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
2021/61 Date of next meeting
Tuesday 11th January 2022 at 7.15 pm in the Jubilee Hall.
There being no further business the meeting was closed at 8.40 pm.