70. Members of the public are invited to address the council on agenda items. No questions.

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1 SHERSTON PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF SHERSTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON THURSDAY 8 th October 2015 at 7.30PM, IN SHERSTON VILLAGE HALL. PRESENT: Chairman Mr J Matthews (JM) Vice-Chairman Mr G Morris (GM) Councillors Mr S Magee (SM) Mr D Hibbard (HB) Mrs C Browett (CB) Mr T Weedon (TW) Mr T Moody (TM) Mr J Hillier (JH) Mr P Cutcher (PC) Mrs J Cainey (JC) Parish Clerk Mrs S Wood (SW) County Councillor Mr J Thomson (JT) There were no members of the public present. Item 68. To note apologies for absence Apologies were received from Councillor Jolliffe and Councillor Jarvis. 69. Declarations of Interest. No declarations of interest at this time. 70. Members of the public are invited to address the council on agenda items. No questions. 71. To confirm the minutes of the meeting on 10 th September 2015 The Minutes were approved and signed. 72. Planning Schedules received and new applications /009290/LBC General internal alterations, internal and external upgrades and repairs 6 Cliff Road, Sherston. No objections to this application or the 4 applications regarding tree trimming /06854/VAR 36 High Street request to remove condition 3 of planning permission 15/00482/FUL. This request has been turned down by Wiltshire Council. 73. NHP Update Following a long break there is to be a sub-group meeting next week to kick-start the scheme. 74. Correspondence 74.1 Silver Street Access A resident of Silver Street has written to ask the parish council to investigate the feasibility of installing a mirror on the side of the Tolsey Surgery to enable safe turning from Silver Street on to the B4040. Although the council agreed this turning is terrible for visibility, there has never been an accident. GM is attending a CATG meeting next week and will seek advice about solutions. At the same time the matter regarding the access issue of Cliff Road/Silver Street for lorries and emergency services which was reported as an Area Board Issue will also be discussed Wiltshire Council Freight requests Wiltshire Council has been sent a request for weight limits and restrictions on freight movement on the public highway. In accordance with Wiltshire s freight strategy, these are assessed annually using the council s Freight Assessment and Prioritisation Mechanism (FAPM) to identify the top priority schemes for possible intervention. They have informed the parish council that there has been a request in this parish for the B4040, Easton Grey/Luckington. They are asking that if this request is supported by the parish council would it be 1

2 confirmed in writing within 6 weeks. All requests for freight management including requests for weight limits should be submitted as an Area Board Issue. If a request is made by a member of the public it has to be supported by the parish council for it to be progressed further. Clerk SW has asked for more details about the request as it is the first time the parish council have heard of it. I ACTION Once info has been received SC contact WC without further input from council. Clerk SW received an regarding the number of lorries using Tanners Hill incorrectly; this may be due to lack of signage or lorries simply ignoring signs. Lorries can use this route if delivering in the village and as there is development being undertaken on the top of Tanners Hill, the council thought that there was adequate signage. However GM will bring up the issue at the CATG meeting about how to improve the situation Wiltshire Council Challenges Ahead Meetings Wiltshire Council is holding a number of meetings to discuss the challenges it is facing into 2016 and in the future. It currently spends 900m each year on more than 350 services. The changing demographics and reduction in funding from central government has meant a need to find substantial savings which will continue into next year s budget and beyond. Jane Scott will attend all events with cabinet members to discuss these challenges in more detail. Wiltshire Council s priorities are to help those who are most vulnerable in Wiltshire, boost the local economy, safeguard / create jobs and to work with communities to help them be more self-sufficient. It wants to discuss with councils the challenges and hear views and suggestions. There is a meeting in Trowbridge on 20 th October 5.30pm and Chippenham on 22 nd October 5.30pm in the town hall. SW is unable to attend as she is away but strongly recommends someone from Sherston PC attends. SW spent a day in Trowbridge with JT and met with Jane Scott. Sitting in on cabinet meetings, SW saw first-hand the challenges that the council is facing. JM, SM and GM are likely to attend the meeting in Chippenham on 22 nd October. As mentioned in the September meeting there is a new contractor providing the local services for grounds, street cleaning and minor maintenance for Wiltshire Council. There will also be the return of the Parish Steward Scheme. It is becoming apparent that due to budget cuts from central government that town and parish councils will soon have to do more of the maintenance themselves, including funding. SW has spoken to Martin Ward for advice on the best ways to keep on top of vegetation, drains etc. The finance committee will discuss at the pre-budget meeting how this will impact on the precept Wiltshire Council Flood Risk Wiltshire Council s Operational Flood Working Group is reminding parishes what to do if they have concerns about ditches and watercourses not being maintained and increasing the flood risk. It has reminded them of the template of letters that can be sent to certain landowners asking them to clear their ditches. WC believes that a neighbourly approach to the landowner is better than the local authority contacting them. If the neighbourly approach does not seem effective, Wiltshire Council will then provide further assistance. Details have been given to JC. LATE 74.5 WALC AGM JM will attend the above on 4 th November as one of the topics being discussed are Assets of Community Value and Community Right to Bid; a subject that would be relevant to Sherston and its buildings/businesses that the community would wish to retain. 75. Approval of Parish Council Grant Awarding Process. Clerk SW has provided copies of the above. It was formally approved at the meeting and will be put on the website. 2

3 76. Finance To agree payments in accordance with the budget as listed in the financial summary. See Appendix A. The parish council approved all payments listed in the summary (see attached). Clerk SW explained the problems she has been experiencing with Santander regarding non-receipt of cheque books. As the council are unauthorised to undertake electronic transfers, JM will have to attend the nearest branch to formally make transfers to suppliers. SW raised a formal complaint with Santander and the Parish Council have been given 70 for inconvenience caused. SM and JM are not happy with this outcome especially as, despite reassurances, the cheque book has not arrived. SM will draft a further complaint letter. SW suggested a meeting with the finance committee to discuss options regarding internet banking and other banks. ACTION SM to compile letter 77. Sherston Broadband and the Church The parish council s original request was for both boxes to be placed in Anthony Close was ruled out. After the September meeting the parish council thought BTs suggestion of retaining the church cabinet in its current location and positioning the second box on the Triangle would be a worse solution. The current plan is thought to have both cabinets sited outside the church, the only problem with this position is that it restricts width for pedestrians using mobility scooters. JM reminded WC that if adequate consultation had been undertaken initially this uncertainty could have been avoided. JT informed the council that Luckington is now in the process of being connected to superfast broadband. Any household that wishes to see when it will be connected should visit Wiltshire Council s Wiltshire Online website. 78.Environment, Parish Lands and General Services Update Parish Land Leases Meeting next week to discuss the next stage and a possible break clause which would allow the PC to terminate the contract with a year s notice if possible High Street Bin At last month s meeting after requests from residents it was decided that a bigger bin would be reinstated to the high Street and positioned to the right of the bus shelter but not inside. Since the meeting a letter has been received Mr Jarvis who does not want to see a bin outside his property The Angel. He thinks a bin is not needed on this part of the High Street and since the bus shelter bin was removed there has been no rubbish in this area. A new bin would attract wasps and the smell would put off customers sitting outside. After much discussion it was decided that a bin should be put back in the High Street. JM will discuss a compromise Grove Wood PC reported that a working group met to tackle some weeds blocking the path and trees coppiced near the water s edge. In November there is to be a meeting in the village hall held by Avon River Trust and Sherston Wild to discuss its plans for the river and Grove Wood The Recreation Ground The main multipurpose junior play unit s scramble net has now been repaired by ARD. SW is waiting on the ROSPA report that was carried out in late September. SW also applied for and secured Section 106 funding for a replacement basketball, board hoop and net. With 3 quotes and a project plan she has received go ahead funds up to 1,400. SW will order the unit in November. This still leaves c. 700 in funds for another item. Finn Wood mentioned the need for benches in the recreation ground; highlighted by the recent youth survey. Unfortunately Section 106 funding does not cover seating Allotments All plots have now been taken up and there is one family on the waiting list. The fact that there is a low waiting list has been mentioned in the next Cliffhanger and that it is a good time to go on the list. 3

4 78.6 Sherston Events in A meeting was held on 22 nd of September to discuss the event. After a site meeting it was decided the Recreation ground would be the best location for event. Funding opportunities are now being looked into to pay for the Vikings; sponsorship by local companies and grants from bodies such as Wiltshire Council and Lottery Heritage funding Community Right to Bid previously discussed Dog Fouling - no change 78.9 Sports field Clerk SW has been told by AW Services that they have been contacted on a regular basis by the football club to do more cuts than contracted. TW has now spoken to the club so hopefully this has been resolved. This shows the importance of holding a meeting with the club to discuss its future Footpaths and walks booklets - Mr Phylip Harries is going to update the Walks information boards in the village. It was agreed that the prices of the books need to be increased. As the price is fixed on the book new prices would have to be put on the back of the booklets. It was agreed to put them up to Update on the jubilee Triangle The new bench is now in place and after a crack was found during installation, the company have agreed to replace it with a new one. SW is currently arranging the logistics and until the new bench is in place no invoice will be paid. The insurance company has been sent the final invoice and bank details. The finger post was removed and repositioned away from the new bench; it was also given a refurbishment by Mr Broadway. He reported that 20 minutes after placing the sign back in the ground the recycling lorry drove over the triangle damaging the grass. JT was informed and has contacted the refuse company who will come and repair damage. The parish council want to thank Mr Broadway for all his work regarding the post. As a thank you it was agreed that SW gets a gift out of the Chairman s allowance. 80.Update on Highway Issues and the future of Highways Future of Highways discussed. 80.1Tanners Hill Trees When in Trowbridge Clerk SW was told that the trees will be sorted however Matt Perrott will advise. SW will ask companies to quote as the situation is becoming intolerable Court Street Steps As above awaiting update Southfield Pothole - getting bigger. Reported again by SW. JT to chase Corner of Sopworth Road/Court Street crossroads the schools hedges on the crossroads needs trimming and the parish council need the pile of rubbish/vegetation on the crossroads to be removed. ACTION SW will contact the school. 81. JC to update on Emergency Plan JC has virtually completed the plan and has sent it to the council for its views and will send to WC once data issues have been resolved. JM thanked JC for all her work on this document. 82. Jobs for Parish Team Drain on Brook Hill/Grove Road is blocked and needs clearing, Brook Hill sign needs adjusting, Tarters Trees, Court Street Steps, pothole at Southfield, Signs need cleaning. 83. Agenda items for next meeting and AOB for information only. 4

5 Items for the November meeting 2016 Budget. CB informed the council of her concerns for the Sycamore Tree (and other trees) on the Easton Town Square and if there was an update from Green Square regarding the tree surgery. SW contacted Green Square and is waiting for the tree officer to get in touch; SW will forward CB the details. JM reminded councillors that if anyone still wishes to make a donation to Dorothy House, in memory of Laurance Price, to give to the clerk before the next meeting. Parish Council want to send congratulations to Mr and Mrs Mather for winning the National Award for best Post Office. It is well deserved. ACTION JM to write letter. 84. Public Question Time. None. 85. Time and Date of next meeting The next Parish Council meeting will be on 12 th November. The meeting finished at 9.05 pm were taken by the Parish Clerk, Mrs Sarah Wood. 5

6 APPENDIX A Sherston Parish Council Financial update as at 8th October 2015 Bank account balances at the report date: Current Account 6, Deposit 28, Total balances 34, Payments for approval at this meeting: ARD - playground repairs AW Services - quarter payment Silver Chart - PC PC work S Wood - spare keys for notice boards Wiltshire Council - allotment rent Bristol Water - Court St Trough P Cooper Village Tidy Compass Graphics - web updates etc BWBL -Old School repayment**** 5, Total payments for approval today 7, *** already approved but for information only Funds received and allocated but not yet agreed for payment: Remaining 'Heroes All' profits 1, Total future allocations 1, Receipts this month in Bank Precept - 2nd half 13, Santander Interest Cliffhanger Advertising 1, SOSCIC - old school rent 6, Bank compensation - cheque book fiasco Total 20, Receipts this month not yet in Bank Total