Item Apologies for absence Apologies were sent from Councillor Browett, Councillor Weedon, Councillor Cutcher and County Councillor Thomson.

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1 SHERSTON PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF SHERSTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON THURSDAY 17 th JULY 2014 at 7.30PM, IN SHERSTON VILLAGE HALL. PRESENT: Chairman Mr J Matthews (JM) Vice-Chairman Councillors Mr D Hibbard (DH) Mr T Moody (TM) Mrs J Cainey (JC) Mr S Magee (SM) Mr J Hillier (JH) Mr L Price (LP) Mr M Rea (MR) Mrs M Jolliffe (MJ) Parish Clerk Mrs S Wood (SW) County Councillor There were 10 members of the public present Apologies for absence Apologies were sent from Councillor Browett, Councillor Weedon, Councillor Cutcher and County Councillor Thomson. Item 834. Declarations of Interest. JM declares interest in item (Cricket Ground, Pinkney Park) CB declares interest in item Easton Town Development. MR declared interest in Boules Evening Party Members of the public are invited to address the council on agenda items The members of the public were at the meeting to discuss the item agenda Tarters Trees and Easton Town Development. The items were brought forward for discussion: Update on Tarters Trees Since the last meeting there was a meeting with the landowner and tree surgeon about the work that needs to be undertaken. The trees are outside the conservation area, so no permission is needed from Wiltshire Council. The work quoted is to: fell the most westerly tree along the footpath; prune back all branches that overhang into adjacent properties; remove old tree guards which are now starting to damage the trees. The tree surgeon has been instructed by the landowner not to prune the remaining trees on the field side so as to maintain the look of the trees. The cost will be 750 and the Parish Council agreed to pay for this work to be done. After discussion with the members of public, it was agreed that the parish council would proceed with the quote /work, after which if any further work needs to be done, residents will inform the parish council. At this stage a contribution for any extra tree surgery from the residents concerned would be very well received. It was also agreed to ask the tree surgeon for information on the trees, how long they will live and how big they will grow. SW will inform the local residents when the work will commence Update on Easton Square Development Since the last parish council meeting there was a meeting held with Green Square, Wiltshire Council and local residents regarding the proposed raising of the levels as explained in last month s minutes. After which due to a breach of planning permission the site and building work was stopped by an enforcement order from Wiltshire Council. Further talks are to take place between Wiltshire Council and the developers to try and come up with a solution. The parish council support neighbouring properties and will help. One of the owner s of a neighbouring property who was present at the meeting commented that lessons could be learnt from this development. When future developments are considered in the village there should be an environmental assessment / impact review. The question is how to prevent this again on future builds? JM replied that the parish council have to rely on Wiltshire Council and its planning enforcement team, which so far have been very good with this particular situation. 1

2 Another member of the public questioned the representation of Green Square on the Steering Group of Sherston s Neighbourhood Plan after the company s behaviour regarding the Easton Town Development, which according to those at the meeting has been very poor. JM will ask the Steering Group its views on this matter. On a positive note the members of public thanked JT for all his help and the parish council for its support To approve the minutes of the meeting of Council held on 12 th June 2014 Minutes were approved Planning Schedules received and new applications /05755/FUL Single Storey Extension, follows demolition of garage and store. Sun room to west elevation. Greyfox House, Easton Grey Sent to wrong parish council /05488/FUL Single Storey Garden Room Extension, Haefen, 3 Sandpits Lane Although the deadline for comments was before the meeting and after the last. The Parish Council do not have any objections to this application /05653/FUL Double Bay Practice Facility with Cage and Synthetic Surface, The Cricket Ground, Pinkney Park. Although the deadline for comments was before the meeting. The Parish Council do not have any objections to this application. 838 Update on Easton Square Development Previously discussed. 839 Update on the Neighbourhood Plan JM informed the group that the plan is making progress. There has been discussion on housing numbers and the group is nearer to selecting suitable sites for possible development. There is to be an exhibition and workshop on the weekend 20 th September. Prior to that there will be information in the Cliffhanger Update on Tarters Trees As previously discussed Correspondence Cliff Road Resident - Sherston Fest. A resident of Cliff Road has complained about the Sherston Fest and its location in the centre of Sherston. The resident also had concerns about the posters, the excessive noise and the ticket selling. The parish council sympathise with the resident but have received no other complaints; only positive comments. ACTION - SW will talk to the resident and suggest they contact the organiser about their concerns Councillor Rea Resignation Letter In May, Mr Rea informed the Parish Council that he would be standing down; although he informed the council 3 months prior, he formally put it in writing. JM thanked Mr Rea for all his incredible work on the parish council over the last 20 years and his contribution to the village and community. JM asked all councillors to stay behind after the meeting so a proper tribute could be done Bobby Van Trust and Splash Charity Donation Request The above charities have written to the Parish Council asking for donations. Both charities have been supported by the parish council previously. The parish council agreed to donate 50 towards the Bobby Van Trust and will ask a representative from Splash to come and talk to the council about its local work. 2

3 841.4 Community First Plain English Guide to Openness Regulations Community first have sent out a basic guide to the new Openness Regulations. ed to councillors Wiltshire Council CIL Levy Consultation Wiltshire Council has submitted the Wiltshire Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Draft Charging Schedule and consultation on proposed modifications. This levy is to replace the current Section 106 scheme. The closing date for comment is 21 st July. Details of the scheme are on the WC website. SW to ask JT about the potential Section 106 on Easton Town Development Wiltshire Council Section 106 Statement Sherston Parish Council has been informed that they have a Section 106 payment of available to the village for a community open space scheme. The parish council will think about where this money could be spent; in line with the criteria for open space and recreation. LATE Wiltshire Council Kerbside Garden Waste Collections Have your say -1 st July to 1 st September WC is asking for views on the above, the options are: scraping the collection all together; asking for an annual payment; or stopping the collections. The consultation is on the WC website and information on this will be put into the Cliffhanger P Cooper Rubbish after the Boules and Fest weekend and other issues Mr Cooper informed the parish council that after Boules weekend the bins in the Recreation Ground were overflowing and this year it seemed like no dedicated volunteers did a village tidy after the event, the same thing happened after the Fest. Mr Cooper goes on to say that he may have to consider his role if litter clearance after such events isn t undertaken by the organisers. The parish council agreed that it is not Mr Cooper s responsibility to tidy up after these events. Mr Cooper also informed the parish council that the village hall bin is more full than usual and that the sports field bins are again overflowing. The comment regarding the Boules rubbish will be passed on to the Boules Committee. A member of the public commented on how quick the High Street was tidied up after the event Noble Street Residents Boules Night Party Complaints. There has been two separate complaints regarding Saturday night; both were circulated to councillors. The first letter complaining about the lateness of the event (the event closed after 1am). The resident was also concerned about the boundaries of commercial and community events becoming blurred. The second letter also commented on the lateness and that even after an event finishes you get the noise from the party goers leaving minutes after. MR informed that group that unfortunately, although the music was in the hall, there was some outside speakers that should have been turned off after midnight. MR explained that there was a license in place until 2am. Security was hired in to avoid a repeat of the evening Boules Party five years ago, where lots of trouble took place in the village. The event was non profit making and enjoyed by many people and the marquee hired by the event organisers was lent to the village hall for the Boules afternoon. The village hall committee are increasingly being approached to hold more events with later licenses such as weddings which are an obvious money raiser for the village hall. MR will raise the matter with the committee Noble Street The owners of 12 and 13 Noble Street have recently acquired listed building consent to renovate the two houses and turn both into one property. One of the conservation Officers at WC pointed out that the street light is not in keeping and if possible should be removed. The owners are also considering putting the electricity underground. The owners of 12 Noble Street have written to the parish council to ask if it would consider the removal of the street light attached to no 12 through its correct channels. It was discussed at the meeting and agreed to ask WC Highways its advice on the matter. 3

4 842. Finance To agree payments in accordance with the budget as listed in the financial summary Put in spreadsheet Sherston Parish Council Financial Data as at 17/7/2014 Bank account balances at the report date: Current Account 4, Deposit 8, Total balances 13, Payments for approval at this meeting: P Cooper - Village Tidy LCR Subscription ARD Playground = Playground refurb 1, Viking - Ink, stationary, paper CPC - July Cliffhanger Rbone - Refreshments for Grove Wood voluteers (5th Swood - NHP Admin (March 19th - 8th July ) AON - Additional cost of new gym equipment etc 2.35 PC contribution to Village Hall bin collection Total payments for approval today 2, Funds received and allocated but not yet agreed for payment: Remaining Cliffhanger profit Sales of 'Heroes All' books since , Total future allocations 2, Receipts this month SSE - Wayleaver Fee- Court Street/Green Lane Cliffhanger Adveritins Sale of 2 - Sherston Walks booklets Total SW to report on internal Audit Recommendations The report from the internal auditor has been circulated to all councillors and SW and SM will look at recommendations made and report back in the autumn SW to report on external audit The annual return has been signed off by Grant Thornton. Comments not affecting its opinion were made for the council s attention. Once SM has read these comments he will report back to the council 845. SW to give financial update on the Cliffhanger SW has circulated the figures for last year s income and expenditure for the Cliffhanger. Unfortunately after a shortfall last year, there has been no profit. The parish council have always been happy to cover the costs of the newsletter and any profit was always a bonus, not a requirement, as it is a vital tool for communication for the parish council. SW also mentioned that the internal auditor would like to see in the parish councils accounts a list of advertisers and estimated annual income which at current the parish council do not receive. The Cliffhanger team want to be able to track advertisers once they have paid. SW and the advertising team will talk about ways to improve communication on both sides. The Cliffhanger is invaluable and all the volunteers involved with it do an amazing job Update on the Quarry and Lorry situation Steps are in place with the Wiltshire Council enforcement department regarding the use of a wheel wash 4

5 facility at Knockdown Quarry, which was a condition in the original application but was not enforced by WC at the time. The situation earlier in the summer was compounded by the Bristol Water activity and although the parish council appreciate the need for a clean road, it also is very mindful that the quarry provides over a dozen jobs in the area Environment, Parish Lands and General Services Update The Recreation Ground maintenance work and small repairs has been carried out where needed, the new gym equipment seems to be very popular Allotments An allotment check has been undertaken and three warnings have been given. One allotment plot not renewed this year is in the process of being taken on by someone else. There is currently 5 people on the waiting list. SW met with Martin Ward about improvements that need undertaken on the site. Unfortunately as a digger and skip is needed, until a plot near the Manor Close gate becomes free, there is no where a skip or digger can be situated. Once this can be resolved, work can start on clearing some vegetation near the back wall Dog Fouling It was decided to put another article in the Cliffhanger reminding people of the dangers to cattle from dog faeces and to pick up after their dogs when walking where cattle often graze, especially the Cliff where many dog walkers walk. ACTION JC to compile article for Cliffhanger. JM to talk to landowners of the Cliff and offer help Great War Centenary From the beginning of August until 2018 the church bells will be rung at noon on the anniversary s of the deaths of soldiers from the parish during the 1 st world war. The road closure for part of Church Street to enable an outside service for Remembrance Sunday has been applied for with Wiltshire Council. Letters will be put through doors of houses that will be affected during the next month. The great war committee are keen to install a new oak notice board to mark that centenary, which would be installed at the end of the Skittle Alley Wall near the gates to the village hall. One quote has been received, waiting on another one High Street SW has been chasing Matt Perrott for an update on new bin for the bus shelter. SW first told the council back in May what sort of bin was required. SW will update when she receives news. The bollards have been replaced in the High street and the matter of the crossing has been brought up as an Area Board Issue and will be discussed at the CATG meeting in October. The Parish Council would like to thank Mr Bob Broadway from the High Street for cleaning and painting the bus shelter, the work is very much appreciated Sports field No news except the sport field bins are overflowing once again Grove Wood A strimming party is needed to tackle the overgrown vegetation along the paths in Grove Wood, fixing of the information board is now in hand Footpath There has been many complaints regarding overgrown footpaths in the parish, this is obviously due the weather over the last month or so, ROW at WC has been sent the information. One of the paths in the field off from Foxley Road, which was reported by the PC to ROW, has now been cleared. Hunters Field footpath has also been reported as blocked by vegetation. The new revised walks booklet is almost ready for printing and will be in the post office from the autumn Community Speed Watch No update 848. Jobs for the Parish Team On list 5

6 849. Update on Highway Issues SW has reported all overgrown vegetation and branches to Highways and they are all on the parish Stewards lists. A meeting with Highways is being organised with SW and JM after August if not before. The Rights of Way team (ROW) have repaired the steps going up to the Tarters and just need a lick of fluorescent paint on the step edges. Potholes keep reporting to Highways 850. Public Question Time A member of the public asked if it was necessary for the Angel to put out so many signs. MR advised them Wiltshire Council are entirely responsible for signage and its rules, so please report to WC any concerns Agenda items for next meeting and AOB for information only As MR is leaving the parish council he wanted to mention the following: Parish Leases Matt Life the parish council s solicitor is awaiting instruction from the parish council regarding the leases, GM to take this on. The Church Some time ago the parish council agreed to contribute 100 towards a new leaflet /booklet carousel for the church, please could the parish council approve the payment for next month Emergency Planning JC informed the parish council that it is in progress and an article will go in the cliffhanger asking for any locals with particular skills/machinery who would be able to assist in an emergency to come forward if possible Area Board JM attended the last meeting, and mentioned that Willesley lack of Speed Limit and the High Street crossing were both brought up as an Area Issue and have now been passed to CAGT to look into. Easton Square Development was also brought up. The parish council s representative is Graham Morris, and John Buckley will act as deputy when Mr Morris is unable to attend a meeting. 852.Time and Date of next meeting The next Parish Council meeting will be on the 11 th September at 7.30pm in Sherston Village Hall. This date may change but SW will inform the council if it does. The meeting finished at 8.50 pm and minutes were taken by Mrs Sarah Wood. 6