Minutes of a meeting of the Parish Council held on Tuesday 14th September 2021 at 7.15 pm in the Jubilee Hall.
Present: Cllr Jeff Ligo (Chair), Cllr Eddie Cole, Cllr Noel Kew, Cllr Keith Rayward, Cllr Steve Ridley and Cllr Steve Lloyd (from agenda item 2021/26).
In attendance: Nicola Duke (Parish Clerk), Mr Ken Davis (Chair, Jubilee Hall Management Committee), Mr Mike Manson (Chair, Bratton Recreation Ground), Wiltshire Councillor Suzanne Wickham and 1 member of the public.
Prior to the start of the meeting the Chair called for a moments silence as a mark of respect for Gill Hurn, a member of the Parish Council for over 25 years, who had recently passed away. Mrs Hurn’s significant contribution to the parish was noted with gratitude.
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 had sent apologies for absence. Cllr Rayward had circulated a report on the crime figures for the parish, which were noted.
• Wiltshire Council and Westbury Area Board – Cllr Suzanne Wickham reported the following:
o Complaints had been received about bonfires in the parish, which had been reported to Public Health although retrospective action was limited. Cllr Wickham was liaising with the department to discuss further with the resident and would forward the Chair some relevant information.
o The WC Climate Strategy consultation was highlighted and it was agreed that this information would be posted on the Council website. Members of the public were encouraged to submit comments. The Council was informed that grants were available in support of environmental projects and Cllr Wickham was happy to assist with grant funding options.
o It was reported that the Area Board would run themed meetings in addition to the formal board meetings. A meeting was being organised to focus on the Climate Strategy and environmental issues on 12th October between 6-8pm in Westbury. Local stakeholders were being approached to attend and take part in the consultation. Parish and Town Councils were also welcome to attend. Webinars about the consultation were also available at WC. A drop in event was being held at the Trowbridge Library on 7th October.
AGENDA ITEM
2021/37 Apologies for Absence and to consider the reasons given
Cllr Jolly due to holiday, accepted.
Cllr Whittaker due to work commitments, accepted.
Cllr Goode due to work commitments, accepted.
2021/38 Declarations of Interest and Dispensations to Participate
None.
2021/39 Minutes of Council Meetings
The minutes of a meeting of the Parish Council held on 13th July 2021 were approved for accuracy and adopted (proposed Cllr Ligo, seconded Cllr Rayward).
2021/40 Committee, Clerks and Council representative reports
a) The Chair of the Bratton Recreation Ground Committee had provided a report, which had been circulated to members and is appended to the minutes. Mr Manson summarised the main points of the report. He also drew attention to a recent issue with misinformation about Rec Ground charges and reported that a short item to redress this would be included in the next edition of the Parish News. Members had been asked to consider a contribution to the funding required to provide protective sheaths for newly planted trees (July minutes refer) however, Mr Manson reported that this would now be funded from the Rec Ground reserves.
b) The Chair of the Jubilee Hall Management Committee reported the following:
a. A number of projects were ongoing, including replacement heating. A stonemason was looking at replacing some windows and a leaking gutter was being attended to.
b. The PC was thanked for its support with a recent car parking issue, which had now been resolved. Appropriate signage for the car park had been discussed at a recent meeting and the PC’s comments on this were sought.
c. Grants had been received through the pandemic and the financial situation was healthy.
d. Hall hire was increasing and groups/event bookings were returning.
e. The Panto was planned for the end of November and social distancing would be in place for the event.
c) The Parish Clerk reported the below:
a. The pricing to replace and empty a bin at the village green had not yet been received, but had been chased.
b. Information had been provided on the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee events and it was agreed that the Clerk would liaise with Westbury Town Council in respect of any plans to light a Jubilee beacon and report back to members accordingly. Cllr Lloyd suggested that another location for a beacon could be the top of Pickett Hill. The Chair suggested the involvement of the Parish Crier in any event and asked Cllr Lloyd to look at the suitability of the proposed location and liaise with Edington Parish Council in whose parish the site was situated. The Clerk would add this item to the agenda for the October meeting for further discussion.
d) Cllr Rayward reported on CATG meetings and projects for Bratton:
a. He had attended the last CATG meeting.
b. The signs between Edington and Bratton had been erected to consult on the proposed change in speed limit from 50 mph to 40 mph. The implementation date would be reported when available.
c. The speed and traffic loading checks had re-started in September, having ceased during the pandemic.
d. The issue of the approach to the cross roads at Lower Road/Stradbrook and the B3098 had been reported and was on the list of potential projects. Advice was being sought from CATG on potential solutions and the Highways Engineer had planned a site meeting to walk the route. Other members were welcome to attend this meeting if they wished.
e. There had been issued with a narrow section of road going into Westbury. The plan was now to widen the pavement and adjust the rights of way for vehicular movements from Bratton into Westbury.
f. The budget for the Westbury Area was reported to be £11,000 and half of the budget for 2022/23 had already been allocated.
g. The implementation for the 20mph speed limits approved in the village was now being planned, the works having been ‘signed off’. Cllr Rayward would seek an update on this.
2021/41 Planning applications and consultations
PL/2021/08238 – 2B BURY LANE, BRATTON, WESTBURY, BA13 4RD – TG1 Ash, prune branches away from telephone cable. Conifers, cut back side branches by up to 2 metres – Leave to Tree Officer.
PL/2021/08366 – 3 UPPER GARSTON LANE, BRATTON, WESTBURY, BA13 4SN – Conifer (T1) – Remove, leaving the trunk at the height of the chicken shed – Leave to Tree Officer.
PL/2021/08359 – 5 UPPER GARSTON LANE, BRATTON, WESTBURY, BA13 4SN – Acacia (T1) – Remove to ground level Conifer (T2) – Remove the tree, leaving the trunk at fence height – Leave to Tree Officer.
PL/2021/08434 – CHURCH HILL COTTAGE, MILLDITCH, BRATTON, WESTBURY, BA13 4SX – Norway Spruce tree – fell – Leave to Tree Officer.
To receive and consider planning applications received after the issue of the agenda (where the response time fell outside of the meeting schedule and an extension cannot be obtained)
PL/2021/08860 – 21 STRADBROOK, BRATTON, WESTBURY, BA13 4SG – Cherry tree – trim back overhanging branches into No 19 Stradbrook – Leave to Tree Officer.
2021/42 Consultation on Wiltshire Council’s draft ‘Climate Strategy’ and ‘Our Natural Environment Plan’
Members noted the consultation and timetable (information previously circulated) and agreed that Cllr Kew would review and circulate a draft response for the PC to consider. Information on the consultation would be included in the Bratton Parish News.
2021/43 Financial Matters (reports previously circulated)
a) Schedule of payments and receipts June – August 2021 – noted.
b) Bank reconciliation and Financial Position Statement as at 31st August 2021 – noted.
c) The budget report as at 31st August 2021 would follow; issue of the statement was delayed pending an adjustment to the software system.
2021/44 Memorandum of Understanding on Environment and Sustainability
Cllr Kew reported on the responses to the invitation to neighbouring Parish Councils to join a climate emergency steering group, informing members that Westbury Town Council, Dilton Marsh PC and Erlestoke PC had expressed interest in joining the group. A final copy of the proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) would be circulated to members before being issued to the other councils. The first meeting would focus on the signing of the MoU and Cllr Kew had set a target date to complete this exercise by December. The Clerk would list an update for the October meeting agenda.
2021/45 Neighbourhood Plan for Bratton
Members noted the notes of the Public Meeting held on Tuesday 7th September 2021 (previously circulated). Members expressed their thanks for the team who had worked on the promotion of the meeting and presentations at the event.
Cllr Cole reported that he had been making contact with planning consultants in an attempt to secure services to support the NP; with limited success given the current workloads and commitments of many of the consultancy firms post-pandemic. Place Studio Consultants had indicated that they would likely be able to take the work on in 2022 and the appointment was approved, with it being agreed a Letter of Intent would be issued (proposed Cllr Ligo, seconded Cllr Kew).
The start date for the consultants of 2022 was felt to be workable, given that the funding would need to be applied for to meet consultancy costs and other tasks completed; such as considering a further village survey and running a call for sites exercise. He outlined the need for further public consultation once potential sites for development had been identified. Members supported this timescale, and the next meeting of the Steering Group (October 2021) would work to identify and allocate tasks required before the end of the financial year, prepare the Scope of Works for the consultant and begin consideration of the overall structure of the Neighbourhood Plan.
It was agreed that a separate page would be created on the website for Neighbourhood Planning and relevant information posted.
2021/46 Parish Council Website
Meeting minutes and information from the Website Working Group had been circulated to members and were noted. Members approved the Draft Terms of Reference and the work schedule as included in the notes (proposed Cllr Rayward, seconded Cllr Cole).
2021/47 Telephone Kiosk, Melbourne St
Cllr Lloyd reported on the works required to refurbish the telephone kiosk, informing members that Westbury Shed could assist in the refurbishment of the kiosk at a cost of £715, including a contribution of £100 to Westbury Shed for completing the work and a contingency of £250. This was approved with the funds being allocated from the budget line for Village Projects (proposed Cllr Lloyd, seconded Cllr Ridley). It was agreed that the usage for the kiosk would be considered post-Covid and refurbishment, with members being asked to seek the views of the public in the meantime.
2021/48 Councillor reports
Cllr Lloyd – asked whether the annual Apple Pressing event would be continuing in the future. The Clerk would liaise with the previous organiser to ascertain any future plans.
Cllr Ligo – thanked Cllr Cole for repairing the gate closures at the village green. It was noted that the gate onto Carpenters Lane also needed attention.
Cllr Kew – asked for an update from Wiltshire Council on the planned replacement of trees adjacent to the village green. The Clerk would liaise with Cllr Wickham accordingly.
Cllr Rayward – reported that flu vaccinations had been given at the Jubilee Hall in the past, and asked for the Council to explore whether this would be provided in 2021. The Clerk would liaise with the surgery to clarify arrangements and inform the Chair, who would include the information in the next Bratton Parish News.
2021/49 Date of next meeting
Tuesday 9th November 2021 at 7.15 pm in the Jubilee Hall.
There being no further business the meeting was closed at 8.30 pm.