BROAD TOWN PARISH COUNCIL
Linda Roberts BA (Hons) PGCAP FHEA FSLCC
Parish Clerk and RFO
44 Westlands Lane
Beanacre
Melksham
Wiltshire
SN12 7QE
Tel: 07794056594
6th August 2018
To: Councillor J E Jordan - Chairman
Councillor S G Hartley
Councillor M A Holland
Councillor B Joyce
Councillor R Pearce
Councillor C J Rendell
Dear Councillors
In accordance with the Local Government Act (LGA) 1972, Sch 12 paras 10 (2) (b) you are summoned to attend the Ordinary Meeting of the Parish Council. The meeting will be held in the Village Hall on Monday 13th August 2018 commencing at 6.30pm. (LGA 1972 sch.12 para 10(2)(a). A period of public participation will take place prior to the formal opening of the meeting. The Press and Public are welcome to attend this meeting.
Yours sincerely
Mrs L A Roberts
Parish Clerk and RFO
BROAD TOWN PARISH COUNCIL
Parish Council Meeting - Monday 13th August 2018
A G E N D A
Public Participation
1. APOLOGIES
To receive apologies for absence.
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
In accordance with the Parish Council’s Code of Conduct, all Members are required to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests or other registrable interests which have not already been declared in the Council’s Register of Interests. Members may however, also decide, in the interests of clarity and transparency, to declare at this point in the meeting, any such disclosable pecuniary interests which they have already declared in the Register, as well as any other registerable interests.
3. MINUTES
To confirm as a true record the minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Monday 19TH July 2018.
4. FINANCE
4.1 Cash Book 2018/19 – to follow (passed to Internal Auditor for interim check)
For noting. The Parish Clerk has passed the finance file to Councillor Joyce, so he can check transactions and bank statements this is in accordance with Financial Regulations.
4.2 BANK BALANCES
Treasurers Account £ 1,205.37
Business Bank Instant £11,172.96
Community Fund £10,647.24
Bank reconciliation, circulated with agenda, for noting.
4.3 EXPENSE CLAIM
Members are asked to approve by resolution the mileage claim of £23.40 for Councillor Joyce’s attendance at the Parish Council Training day held on 15th June 2018 at the Civic Centre, Trowbridge.
5. PLANNING APPLICATIONS RECEIVED
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Application Number
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Applicant
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Location of Development
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Description of Development
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Plans can be viewed here:
18/05288/FUL
|
Mr B Smith
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Marston Farmhouse
Broad Town Road
Broad Town
Swindon
Wiltshire
SN4 7RB
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Erection of general purpose agricultural storage building.
Comments by 20.8.18
|
|
Plans can be viewed here:
18/06332/CLE
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Ms Christina Wiederkehr
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Lower Ham Farm
Thornhill
Royal Wootton Bassett
Wiltshire
SN4 7RZ
|
Certificate of Lawfulness for the provision of two mobile homes to provide on-site and self-contained accommodation
Comments by 15.8.18
|
6. PLANNING APPLICATIONS DETERMINED
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Application Number
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Location of Development
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Description of Development
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Decision
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18/5094/FUL
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Marston Farmhouse
Broad Town Road
Broad Town
SN4 7RB
|
Demolition of former chicken shed and small storage buildings to facilitate vehicular and erection of two storey farmhouse supporting the continued operation of Marston Farm comprising Agricultural Barns, Stables, Mono Pitch Storage Building, Hay Barn, Former piggeries (currently storage) and substantive grazing land (10 ha).
|
Refused
|
|
18/05291/FUL
|
Marston Farmhouse, Broad Town Road
Broad Town
Swindon
SN4 7RB
|
Single storey rear extension to existing detached dwelling
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Approve with conditions.
|
7. PLANNING PUBLIC ENQUIRY – LAND AT AND ADJACENT TO APPLEFORD, THORNHILL, ROYAL WOOTTON BASSETT
Members are requested to note the letter sent to the Planning Inspectorate to this enquiry.
Concern has been expressed by residents that the details contained in the Broad Town Newsletter were incorrect by directing people to Wiltshire Council. Although it was clear in the agenda that comments should be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate. Development Control, Planning Appeals have confirmed that they have forwarded third party comments to the Planning Inspectorate and would also let members of the public know that they could send their comments directly to the Panning Inspectorate. Anyone who made comments on the application will have been given the correct address to reply to.
8. FOOTPATH WORKING GROUP
To consider the purchase of a gate for Little Town cattle grid to be met from the budget set aside for footpaths of £250.00. The cost of the gate, which will be metal to replace the existing wooden one is estimated at £250.00.
Councillor Holland will also report on potential actions and objectives for approval by the Parish Council in relation to footpath improvements in the village.
9. VILLAGE WEBSITE
The publication scheme is attached and was adopted by the Parish Council at the 12th March 2018 meeting. It details all documents which should be available on the website. The minutes also stated:
Extract from 12th March 2018 Minutes
190/17.4 TRANSPARENCEY
The Parish Clerk advised council in order to comply with the Transparency regulations that the Parish Council must publish on the website the following documents:
· details of all payments over £100.00
· Internal and External Audit Reports
· Asset Register
· Year End Accounts (Annual Return) 2016-17
Not all these documents are yet available on the website, however Councillor Joyce is working towards the Parish Council’s requirement to be fully complaint with the Transparency regulations.
10. DRAFT GRASS CUTTING CONTRACT
Members are requested to approve the draft contact, circulated with the agenda.
12. RISK MANAGEMENT
Plan circulated with agenda for review and comment by members.
11. EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION
please note no decisions can be made on these items anything raised which requires a decision of the council will be included as an agenda item at the next Parish Council meeting.
Next Meeting Monday 13th August 2018.
AGENDA ITEM 5
BROAD TOWN PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Monday 9th July 2018
Present: Councillor J E Jordan - Chairman
Councillor S G Hartley
Councillor M A Holland
Councillor B Joyce
Councillor R Pearce
148/18 TRIBUTE TO COUNCILLOR SIMON BILLIS
The Chairman, Councillor Jordan opened the meeting advising that it was with deep regret and sadness the Parish Council had to report the death of Councillor Billis.
Councillor Hartley will remember Simon as a colleague friend and neighbour. He was always a keen and active member of our village. He was co-opted onto the Parish Council in 2009 and took the Chair a year later. However, he stood down from the Parish Council in 2012 and with his wife Lorraine, was an active participant in the Community Led Planning Group. Simon resumed a role as Councillor in March 2016 and successfully stood for re-election in May 2017 when the present Parish Council was formed. Simon will be missed by many in the Parish – his attendance at CATG and Area Board meetings, his work in the church grounds and the liming of the White Horse will be remembered especially. Simon will be sorely missed.
Councillor Joyce reported that he had known Simon and his wife Lorraine for many years. He was a good friend and very active member of the parish council.
The Chair Councillor Jordan remarked on Simon’s commitment to the Parish Council and the many projects he had been actively involved in on behalf of the Parish Council and stated how important it was for the Parish Council to see those projects through to fruition in honour of Simons memory and as a fitting tribute to his arduous work.
Councillor Pearce remarked that Simon was a proud Parish Councillor for many years and always endeavoured to do the best for the village. He was not afraid of confrontation when he felt right was on his side, but he always approached this in a polite and respectful manner. He undertook many Council tasks with enthusiasm and energy, and had a real drive to get things done, and to make a positive difference for the village he represented.
Outside of the Council Simon played an active role in village life and enjoyed meeting and engaging with people in his friendly and jovial manner. He will be sadly missed both on the Parish Council and by all who knew him throughout the village.
The Parish Clerk reported that she had first met Simon on 10th April 2017 at a Parish Council Meeting having been asked by Wiltshire Council to act as a Locum Clerk until a permanent clerk could be found. All councillors bar Simon had resigned, the clerk had also resigned. However, Simon took his mandate as an elected representative of the residents of Broad Town seriously and remained a councillor in what had been and was a challenging time for the council.
The Parish Clerk went on to say that Simon continued to be heavily involved in Parish Council and community life. Simon posted the notices of meetings on the notice boards and uploaded Parish Council information including agendas and minutes onto the village website. He regularly contributed to the village newsletter, he was part of the team who undertook a footpath audit, sorted out the goal posts, researched how the parish council could purchase Speed Indicator Devices, represented the council at Area Board Meetings and CATG meetings and many others all for the benefit of the community. It is fair to say Simon worked diligently as a councillor and a resident.
Simon’s death came as a great shock to the Parish Clerk and she was very saddened and upset by the news. The Parish Clerk may not have known him long, but became very appreciative of his support, honesty and steadfastness in serving his community.
Simon was a great asset to this council and his death represents a great loss to this community and the Parish Council. The Parish Clerk offered her sincere condolences to his wife Lorraine, stating she was another great community ambassador and hoped the Parish Council continued to see Lorraine at their meetings.
149/18 CLOSE OF MEETING FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
It was proposed by Councillor Pearce, seconded by Councillor Hartley and
UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED to close the meeting to allow for public participation.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
The public were extremely disappointed about the planning decision to grant permission for the redevelopment of the garages at Redhills. They had received no communication from Wiltshire Council despite the twelve letters of objection and believed the decision to grant permission had just been rubber stamped through. In answer to a question it was confirmed that residents have no right of appeal or the ability to oppose the decision. One of the biggest problems with the decision was the presumed use of the access road, the fact that it is opposite the school and on a main road where speed limits were sometimes ignored. Councillor Pearce advised the public that the Officer report on the website was very comprehensive and it states that the Highways Officer was satisfied that vehicles could use the access track safely.
However, it was suggested that there was no effective turning circle which is referred to in the report. The report states that people can turn around in the road and the public were bemused as there was no turning circle to facilitate this.
Residents stated that they had been advised by Westlea that the garage block was sold as garages and that no development could occur they were certainly of the opinion that the height could not be raised. Westlea had suggested that the deeds were researched, Westlea also referred to the covenant attached to the land.
It was reported that the resident most affected with the development was ill with cancer, that the developer had advised her husband that he was in fact a painter and decorator. His plan was to demolish two of the garages and use the remaining ones to store vintage vehicles. The developer also asked if he could buy part of the resident’s garden. Residents feel very angry that no response had been received from Wiltshire Council. It was suggested that the entire process has caused the spouse of the resident with cancer so much stress it caused him to have a stroke and he is now extremely ill.
One resident referred to a letter in 1997 from the then North Wiltshire District Council which granted residents the right to use the track but now Wiltshire Council deny that right exists despite letters showing the agreement. Copies of the letter have been forwarded to Wiltshire Council on two occasions and on both occasions the letters have been lost.
The Parish Council agreed they would express their discontent with the outcome. But pointed out that there were conditions attached to the consent and as a community we must ensure they are complied with. It was stated that revoking a planning application is a very strict and complex process.
The Parish Council also agreed to request a meeting on-site with the Highways Officer who made the assessment and ask for confirmation that it was adequate for vehicles to turn around.
The Meeting was re-opened by the Chairman, Councillor Jordan.
150/18 APOLOGIES
Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Rendell.
151/18 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of interest.
151/18 MINUTES
The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Monday 11th June 2018 having previously been circulated, were signed by the Chairman, Councillor Jordan as a correct record.
152/18 FINANCE
152/18.1 CASH BOOK 2018/19
The Parish Clerk advised that some of the formulas need to be checked and there was an error in one of the internal bank transfers which should have read £120.00 not £100.00.
The cash book was then noted.
152/18.2 Bank Balances
Treasurers Account £ 144.89
Business Bank Instant £12,948.77
Community Fund £10,647.24
The bank balances were noted.
The bank reconciliation circulated with the agenda was noted.
153/18 ACCOUNTS FOR APPROVAL AND PAYMENT
153/18.1 INTERNAL AUDIT FEES – INVOICE INCUDING VAT FOR APPROVAL
The internal audit invoice for £144.00 was approved for payment. The payment now reflects the VAT element previously omitted.
154/18.2 WILTSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF LOCAL COUNCILS – MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL
It was proposed by Councillor Jordan seconded by Councillor Pearce and
UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED to approve the Annual Subscription fee of £241.87 (incl. VAT)
154/18.3 Broad Town Village Hall
It was proposed by Councillor Hartley, seconded by Councillor Joyce and
UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED to approve the payment of £450.00 in payment for hire costs of the Village Hall for Parish Council Meetings - £450.00
154/18.4 VILLAGE NEWSLETTER
It was proposed by Councillor Jordan, seconded by Councillor Joyce and
UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED to agree a contribution of £150.00 towards the Parish Council news page - £150.00 (made payable to Christchurch PCC)
154/18.5 Insurance Premium – Community First Trading
Insurance Premium due for 2018/2019. The renewal quote was circulated with agenda and all insurance papers forwarded in a separate email to members on 2nd July 2018. The renewal premium is £243.50 payable to Community First Trading. The Parish Clerk reported that she had obtained alternative quotations, but they had been higher than the current insurance provider.
It was proposed by the Chairman Councillor Jordan, seconded by Councillor Hartley and
UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED to approve the insurance premium due of £243.50 to renew the Parish Council’s insurance.
154/18.6 PARISH CLERK’S SALARY FOR APRIL, MAY AND JUNE
In the 2018-2019 National Salary Award a cost of living rise has been approved by the National Joint Committee for 2018-19. Therefore, the Parish Clerk’s salary has increased from £19.87per hour to £20.27 per hour with effect from 1 April 2018. The increase has been reflected in the salary presented for approval.
Members were requested to approve the Clerk’s salary payment as detailed.
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Salary
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£ 932.42
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Mileage
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£ 100.80
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Printing
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£ 23.75
|
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Stamps
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£ 1.30
|
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Total Due
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£1058.75
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It was proposed by Councillor Joyce seconded by Councillor Jordan and
UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED to approve the Clerks Salary and expenses due for April, May and June 2018.
155/18 PLANNING APPLICATIONS RECEIVED.
|
Application Number
|
Applicant
|
Location of Development
|
Description of Development
|
|
Plans can be viewed clicking here
18/05094/FUL
|
Brian Smith
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Marston Farmhouse, Broad Town Road, Broad Town SN4 7RB
|
Demolition of former chicken shed and small storage building to facilitate vehicular
access and erection of two storey farmhouse supporting the continued operation of
Marston Farm comprising Agricultural Barns, Stables, Mono Pitch Storage Building,
Hay Barn, Former piggeries (currently storage) and substantive grazing land (10 ha).
Comments see below*
|
|
Plans can be viewed by clicking here:
18/05291/FUL
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Brian Smith
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Marston Farmhouse, Broad Town Road, Broad Town SN4 7RB
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Single storey rear extension to existing detached dwelling and erection of oak frame
car port.
Comments:
Extension at the back of the property 4 metres by 5 metres. Car port is at the front within the edge of the current house line.
The application was supported.
|
|
Plans can be viewed by clicking here:
18/05288/FUL
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Brian Smith
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Marston Farmhouse, Broad Town Road, Broad Town SN4 7RB
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Erection of General Purpose Agricultural Storage Building
The Application was supported this as long as the size of the building was proportionate
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* 18/05094/FUL
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Members discussed this application at length and felt there were reasonable levels of concern and
the Parish Council could not support the application. And the description in the application as a
farmhouse was misleading. It was stated that there should be some covenants attached to
dwellings which were farm workers places of residence. This application was for an ultra-luxurious
house of circa 500 square metres of space and therefore cannot be described as just a farmhouse.
The location of the dwelling means it will be built in open farmland which it was felt could
potentially be beyond the building line.
Members also agreed that this was a green site and questioned whether it was to service the
Farm and if so would an agricultural tie be put into place.
The Parish Council cannot support this application as they felt the application did not correctly
reflects the requirements of a farm workers farmhouse required to support the ongoing
operation of Marston Farm. If passed there should be an agricultural tie aligned with the
building conditions.
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156/18 PLANNING APPLICATIONS DETERMINED
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Application Number
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Location of Development
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Description of Development
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Decision
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18/03935/FUL
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Garages rear of 49 Redhills
Broad Town
SN4 7RD
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Demolition of prefabricated garage block (9 units) and erection of a domestic garage block with associated storage at first floor level
|
Approve with conditions.
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The Parish Council confirmed that it will be expressing its discontent at this decision and will request a meeting with the Highways Officer. Reassurance would be sought about the highways position and confirmation sought about the safety aspects of the proposed development regarding vehicles accessing and leaving the area. The Parish Council would also challenge the revoking of the decision to call the application in for consideration by the planning committee. Disappointment was expressed that the Parish Council had not received any communication about this decision nor during any of the process. The Parish Council therefore would request a formal response to this communication since no formal response to previous letters had been received.
157/18 PUBLIC INQUIRY – LAND AT AND ADJACENT TO APPLEFORD, THORNHILL
Due to the impending public inquiry the Parish Council would be required to address their concerns formerly to the inquiry and the Planning Inspectorate by 6th August 2018.
This has been an ongoing issue for residents. There have been numerous extensions and alterations to the site which has seen the site go from a car driving instructor centre to a lorry driving instructor centre. A certificate of lawful use was required which had still not been granted. The owners of the site had six months to appeal this decision, but they did not, and Wiltshire Council do require enforcement of the certificate of lawful use. This is all now subject to the appeals process. The owners had made a statutory declaration in 2015 stating they had been running a lorry business since 1999. Although the original application was for a horse trading business and rejected. It was felt that a lorry business was far more intensive and intrusive. An appeal has been lodged at each stage of the many processes.
There was concern raised about the degree of contamination on site from a heavy good vehicles depot which is right in the middle of the village.
An enforcement against the Certificate of Lawful use was made based on breaches in planning. The land is not commercial land and there has been no application for a change of use.
It was agreed that notification of the public inquiry should be brought to the attention of residents through the Newsletter, so residents are aware they have an opportunity to put forward their concerns to the inquiry.
The Parish Council would assemble the facts to put together a case against the granting of a Certificate of Lawful use ready for submission on 6th August 2018.
It should be asked whether an environmental impact assessment has been carried out as the area is known to flood and if there were to be an oil spill there is no-where for the oil to go other than in the watercourse. There was also uncertainty expressed about why Wiltshire Council Highways were reluctant to get involved.
158/18 BRIDGE AT THORNHILL
Wiltshire Council have assured the parish council that the engineering has been done and successfully mitigated the flooding risk. It was agreed at the meeting however that the Parish council should have sight of the engineering report. Wiltshire Council’s assessment is that the bridge is not holding any water back and that the problem is further down steam which is not allowing water to flow away, this is due to the ditches which have not been cleared.
It was agreed to pursue the matter through the Unitary Councillor. It was also suggested that the Parish Council should contact the Environmental Agency for advice. Going forward it would be good to have reassurance that ditches are being kept clear. To do this the Parish Council would need to know who owned the ditches and is therefore responsible. It is believed that the last time they were dredged was 1981.
The view of the residents is that the capacity under the bridge is not adequate and the current design does not work, at its current height properties in Thornhill were susceptible to flooding.
Assurance should be sought about the modelling which should have been done and whether it gave enough information to ensure that the engineering of the bridge can hold back flooding from residential properties in the vicinity. At present there was no confidence amongst residents that the technical conclusions are correct, and the solutions are adequate and that the professional opinion should be challenged.
It was agreed that the Parish Council would request the Parish Steward to clear ditches which were a highways responsibility. But there would still be a problem if ditches within the riparian owners’ jurisdiction were not cleared. Residents were rightly concerned with what happened following the flood in 2007/08.
159/18 EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION
· It was reported that the motor home enforcement order would mean that it would be off the property by the end of August.
· Councillor Joyce reported that he was in talks with the village website providers about the content the Parish Council needed to publish on the website.
· The application to the Area Board for funding towards the replacement football goals would be heard at the next Area Board meeting. It would be important that a representative from the Parish Council was present to present the Parish Council’s case.
· Consideration of a memorial bench would be discussed at a future meeting to honour the memory of Councillor Billis who was a hard-working representative of the Parish Council and the community.
Meeting closed at 8.10pm
Next Meeting Monday 13th August 2018.
Signed: ………………………………………………………………….. 13th August 2018