21st March 2019

CASTLE COMBE PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Thursday 21.03.19

in the Village Hall, Castle Combe

Present:

Cllr’s:  F. Winup (Chairman).

  1. Mackelden
  2. Bettles

Mrs. J Halliday

  1. Prior

Mrs. H. Reeves

  1. Ryall (Clerk)

6 Parishioners.

  1. Apologies for absence:

Cllr B. Blair, Unitary Cllr. Baroness Mrs. J. Scott.

  1. Declarations of interest:

Cllr. Bettles – 4G & 6B, Cllr Blair – 4M, Cllr. Prior – 7. Planning Appln. – Upper Combe Farm, demolish existing buildings and erect new.

  1. Minutes of the meetings held on 17.01.19& 26.02.19

These were accepted as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

  1. Matters Arising:

4A. Area Board Meeting and Parish Forum.

Area Board.

The Chairman said he had been unable to attend the meeting on 4th February but will attend the meeting on 25th March which includes a presentation on cyber crime.

Parish Forum.

Cllr Winup said he was unable to attend the meeting the meeting on 20.02.19 but would attend the meeting at Biddestone on 17th April.

4B. Parking Review.

  1. i) Car park Signage.

Cllr Winup said the meeting to discuss the village parking problems was held on 20.02.19 with the Parish Council represented by Cllrs F.Winup, J. Prior and Mrs J Haliday and Wilts Council by Unitary Cllr J. Scott, A. Hampton, J. Pattinson (Parking Services), W. Parks (Highways), C. Clark(Highways and M. Stansby(Signage).

He said the meeting was very useful and the following was agreed:

Signage would be completely overhauled in accordance with draft submitted with the word free added where appropriate.

Costs to be funded in full by Wilts Council from their maintenance budget thereby eliminating the involvement of CATG and the requirement for the Parish Council to contribute.

Parish Council to liaise with Jo.Pattinson to arrange warden visits in advance on expected busy days (weddings, sunny days etc) or any unforeseen problems. (Phone number 03004560100)

Jo Pattinson will arrange for visiting hours to be extended during busy periods including evenings.

It was confirmed that the wardens waiting period before booking of 15minutes is not mandatory.

  1. ii) Parking statistics

The Chairman said that 5 were booked in January and 8 in February.

4C Footpaths

Cllr Bettles confirmed he had about 2 tons of scalpings. Cllr Winup said he was progressing David Arnup and Chris Clerk (Wilts Council) for further deliveries and Andy Ryan (golf club) to complete the School Lane footpath. The Clerk said when further scalpings were available the Cotswold Wardens would be asked to repair the Roman Bridge footpath.

Cllr. Bettles said a new electric gate has been installed at the entrance to Catcombe Mill on the Fosseway which prevents access to the footpath. The Clerk said he thought the gateway concerned was in Grittleton Parish but would check.

4E. Defibrillators.

Cllr Winup said the demonstration evening was attended by 35 people and all of the units have now been successfully installed by ES Electrics and are live with the ambulance services.

The meeting agreed that it was not sensible to publicise the access code as the 999 number gave it with almost immediate response. The Chairman said the units were now insured and he was undertaking the fortnightly checks required by the maintenance contract.

Wilts Council has confirmed that the Council can retain the £400 saving in view of the £3100 contribution.

The Clerk will make an annual payment of £12.00 to the householders where the units are located.

4F. Market Cross

The Chairman said Historic England has confirmed that they are happy with the choice of Minerva and are hoping to make their offer by the end of April, with David Newton liaising with Sarah Ball. He said the £5K donation had been received from the Manor House and the other offers expire 3rd June (Area Board), 4thJune (Pilgrims Trust), & 10th May (Leche Trust, renewable). The overall costs including 10% contingency are £75995 with a confirmed income of £60600, including the Council’s £20K, (£25k if necessary).The shortfall of £15395 being sought from Heritage England. It was proposed by Cllr Winup & seconded by Cllr Prior that if this became a problem then the Council will fund the short fall. This was unanimously agreed by the Council.

4G.Estate yard Licence.

The Council will organise a working party in the spring to mark out the parking spaces.

4I. Village Welcome Pack.

Cllr J. Halliday has issued the final version including the final amendments. It will be sent to new residents on 2sheets of A4 paper and included in the newsletter.

4M.Speeding on the hill & the School Lane junction.

The Chairman said that the 20mph speed limit has been agreed by CATG and the cost was now being determined of which the council will be expected to provide 25%. The School Lane junction is not included and needs further evaluation.

6B. Congregational Chapel

The Clerk said he had been contacted by representatives of the Chapel who were now interested in buying the car park. Colin Smith, Congregational Chapel, said this was correct and that it would be advantageous to sell the Chapel with the car park land. The auction of the chapel has been delayed due to sorting out the charitable status requirements.

The Chairman said it was up to the Chapel to make an offer to the Council for the land concerned.  A clause in the original transfer document contains a usage restriction which would need to be discussed with the Lysley Estate.

  1. Finance-        £

Income

Castle Combe Colts – insurance & rent                                                      169.99

Manor House Hotel – donation                                                                 5000.00                                                                                   

Expenditure

The Councillors checked and reviewed and approved the following invoices:

SSE – quarterly invoice                                                                                88.25

Cllr Winup – newsletter printing                                                                  54.25

Parish Council Web Sites – maintenance contract                                     190.00

Cllr Winup – defibrillator sundries                                                             162.40

  1. Ryall – salary 410.00

HMRC – tax                                                                                               239.20

Cllr Winup – defibrillator maintenance charge                                            42.00

Cllr Winup – Chairman’s expenses                                                            125.00

D.Ryall – petty cash                                                                                     20.00

Lloyds Bank account @ 07.02.19                                                          36670.07

Deposit account Shawbrook (William Prior Heritage Fund)                 20000.00

  1. Correspondence.

6A. Cotswold Wardens – access to castle ruins & Ford footpath

The Clerk said the Cotswold Wardens are arranging a meeting with Historic England seeking their support to open a public footpath to the castle ruins and would like the Council’s support. The meeting agreed that although this might be a good idea they would not support it until the proposal was discussed with the golf club.

6B. CPRE – Best kept village competition.

The meeting agreed not to enter this year.

6C. Gigaclear – Fast fibre broad band installation

The meeting agreed that the clerk should arrange a suitable date with Steve Harris (Gigaclear) to discuss their plans.

6D. Wilts Council – Community groups litter picks.

Cllr J. Halliday and H.Reeves confirmed that a litter pick is being organised for Whitegates in the Spring. The Chairman asked Cllr Halliday to arrange to obtain the necessary equipment for the village from Wilts Council. (contact is streetscene@wilts.gov.uk)

6E. Yatton Keynell PC – Hullavington airfield extension & new hanger.

The Council asked the Clerk contact the planning officer about noise abatement etc.

  1. 7. Planning applications

 P.C. Approved:

Brook House – convert flat roof to pitched, demolish side extension etc.

72, Whitegates – build two semidetached houses in garden.

The Coppice UCC fell three Sycamore trees.

The Upper Manor House – fell Ash tree.

P.C. Under Consideration:

CC Circuit extend Bridgestone building.

Brook House – proposed dormer windows etc.

P.C. Objected.

Nil

Unitary Council under Consideration.

Upper Combe Farm – demolish existing buildings and erect new including house.

CC Circuit – extend Bridgestone building.

Brook House – proposed dormer windows etc.

Unitary Council – Granted

Brook House – fell Chestnut tree

53, Whitegates – demolish conservatory and erect single storey rear extension.

Gardeners House – fell ash tree.

Upper Manor House – fell Alder tree.

Hillside Cottage –tree surgery to Eucalyptus etc

Unitary Council Rejected.

Nil

  1. Unitary Councillor

No comments received.

  1. CC Circuit & Playing Field

CC Circuit – Cllr Mackelden reported that at the recent liaison meeting the following was discussed:

There will be two motor cycle meetings this year with a car meeting being replaced.

The Spring Action day is fully booked with an increased police presence both outside and inside the circuit

The proposed extension to the Bridge stone building is to enable Merlin Motorsport to give a 24hour response to orders and should not cause more traffic.

The planning application to move the main entrance is still outstanding.

The College is now using the B4039 exit

Camping for Steam Engine rally etc is now away from Westway Close.

The next liaison meeting is scheduled for May

.Playing Field.

Cllr Mackelden reported that there were no problems at the playing field and the CC Colts season was going well. The Clerk said both insurance and field rental had been paid.

  1. Play Areas

Cllr Mackelden reported that the bench in the lower play area had been painted.

The Chairman confirmed that refurbishing the Whitegates equipment is a priority after the Market Cross finance requirement is finalised.

  1. Highways

Cllr Halliday said Wilts Council Highways (David Arnup & Chris Clerk) have reviewed the river bank erosion and consider it safe at present. They agreed that marker posts are essential and that 35 at 5 metre spacing are required. The Chairman said they had agreed on a design costing £17.50 each plus VAT giving a total cost of £735 of which the Parish will pay 50%.

Cllr Halliday said the Whitegates turning circle and lay bys at Ford Lane and on the B4039 adjacent to the playing fields are pot holed which need repairing with scalpings when available.

She said road white line repainting will take place within the next two months including the Shrub junction and she will obtain a date for the yellow lines. The Parish steward has cleared further drains and will be removing the moss from the Whitegates footpaths and play area on his next visit.

Road signs at Westway Lane junction are obscured by tree branches.

Broken road edging on the B4039 at Gib Hollow

  1. Village Environment.

Cllr Prior confirmed that the flimsy fly tipping sign which the Clerk had circulated was the permanent one but have only been installed at the Summer Lane entrance.

The Chairman said he would contact Wilts Council about the missing litter bin on the hill and asked Cllr Halliday to ask the Parish Steward about repairing the one at Westway Close.

  1. Whitegates

Cllr Reeves said there were no problems and confirmed a tidy for Whitegates is planned for early spring.

  1. TV. Committee.

The Chairman said invoices have been issued, only 2 payments are outstanding with funds now £5907.

  1. Village Hall

The Chairman said that a new oven may be needed but funds are very low at £836. Cllr Bettles said the Estate is disposing of a similar one which might be suitable. Cllr Winup said he would examine it with Cllr Bettles.

  1. Date of next meeting.

This was confirmed as Thursday 16th May 2019 at 7.00 p.m. in the Village Hall for the Parishioners Annual Meeting followed by the Council Annual Meeting.