MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 9th JANUARY 2012
Present: Cllr Mrs J. Newman, Chairman
Cllrs R. Bourton, N. Crocker, S. Hinson, J. Pullen and Mrs V. Stubbings
One member of the public
The resignation of Simon Billis as Councillor and Chairman was noted. As Vice-Chairman, Cllr Newman took over as Chairman.
1. The minutes of the meeting held on 12th December 2011 were signes as being a true record, with an omission as noted in Finance (below).
2. Finance
a. The Clerk noted the receipt of £500 from NCAP towards the road safety project.
b. A cheque for £43.63 payable to HMRC for PAYE was omitted from the December minutes.
c. A cheque for £181.80, payable to Sodexho for grass cutting, Redhills, was raised.
d. A cheque for £150 payable to Martin Upton for a notice board was raised.
3. Neighbourhood Forum.
a. It was agreed that the Terms of Reference for the Parish Council representative on the Forum, as proposed by the Clerk, be accepted subject to review as experience is gained.
b. Proposed by Cllr Stubbings, seconded by Cllr Bourton that' Broad Town Parish Council will enter into the Vanguard Front Dunner Scheme as at present envisaged'. Carried.
c. Proposed by Cllr Bourton 'that a public meeting will be held as and when there is something positve to put before the Village for consultation' Carried
(Note. As the Annual Parish Meeting must be held between March and June Clerk suggested that this might be the opportune time to consult the residents on future planning for the Village.)
4. CAT Redhills. It was agreed to consult a solicitor. Clerk is to find out whether or not previous Chairman had been in contact with one; otherwise Clerk is to obtain the names of two local solicitors, with probable costs, before doing so.
5. Road Safety Work. Clerk read out emails exchanged between Donna Kelly, Wilts Council, and Simon Billis.The following has to be agreed by the Parish Council before the work could be put in hand:
a. Confirmation of the contribution by the Parish Council of £2000 to the scheme.
b. Consent from the property owners of Elmside to allow the boundary hedge to be cut where required to ensure new 'gate' and speed limit signs do not restrict visibilty for vehicles exiting Elmside's vehicle access. Clerk will speak to landowner.
c. Broad Town Parish Council are also required to give an assurance that they will monitor the visibility at this location and report any encroaching vegetation to Highways maintenance or Parish Stewards.
d. The Parish Council are also required to give assurance to Wiltshire Council that the field access adjacent to the proposed gate at the spouthern end of the Village is used infrequently.
These proposals were all accepted and approved by the Parish Council, subject to the landowner at Elmside raising no objection to the proposed work.
6. Parish Matters
a. The notice board for Thornhill is now finished and ready to be put up. It was agreed that the support posts should be attached to concrete bases. The cost of these was authorised. Cllr Bourton.
b. Footpaths. Many have now become impassable. Matters are in hand to get help with the clearance. Electric fences are also becoming a problem.
c. Diamond Jubilee. Cllr Crocker asked if there were any moves afoot to celebrate the events of 2012. Not at the moment, but funds are available. Clerk will contact BT school. Clerk
d. Cllr Pullen asked that a letter be sent to Simon Billis on his resignation, recognising the good work he had done during his time on the Council. Agreed. Clerk
e. Water Leak at Thornhill. Although a repair had been carried out,. leakage is still apparent, possibly due to the age of the pipes. Wessex Water is to be informed. Clerk
f. Rayners. The amount of water running onto the road has increased. WC to be informed. Clerk
g. The Community Planning Group has been formed, and is having informal meetings. Mike Broomfield is the group's rep on the Neighbourhood Forum.
The meeting closed at 20.52
The next meeting will be on 13th February 2012.
(signed0 R.J.Davey, Clerk to the Council.