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BISHOPSTONE PARISH

ANNUAL PARISH MEETING

Held in Bishopstone Village Hall

Thursday 9th March 2017 at 7.00 pm.

MINUTES

Present :Parish Councillors :J Gibbon, Chairman

A J Thorne

G Brutton

N Barter (part of meeting)

Mrs A Smith

Mrs M Foster

ClerkM Ash

Wiltshire CouncilCllr Mrs Jose Green

Members of the public:Mr R BarrettMr C Goodfellow

Mrs C AshMr M Bundy

Mr R StocktonMrs S Bundy

Mr R GoodfellowMrs S Leaver

Mrs J GoodfellowMr D Leaver

Mrs M TatnerMrs S Seal

Mr P Edwards

Mrs C Edwards

  1. Election of Chairman: John Gibbon was elected unopposed to chair the meeting.
  1. Apologies for absence: Apologies had been received from S Tatner.
  1. Minutes of the last meeting: Ali Thorne proposed that the minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on 10th March 2016be approved as an accurate record. This was seconded by George Brutton and agreed. The minutes were duly signed by the Chairman.

4. Parish Council Report for 2016: John Gibbon summarised the Parish Council’s year. The main points covered are set out in Appendix A attached to these minutes. He said it had been a busy year involving work to repair and improve the children’s play area, action to counteract speeding in the village, to deal with flooding and other possible emergencies, securing improved mobile phone coverage and much more. He thanked Rob Thorne for the work that he had done to maintain the recreation field, helpers for running the Community Speed Watch and Roger Stockton and team for the emergency planning arrangements. In particular he thanked Major James Thompson, who had retired as Chairman of the Council in May after six years, and Mike Ash for all the work he does as Clerk. He also thanked Jose Green for all that she did as our representative on Wiltshire Council.

  1. Wiltshire Councillor Report: Cllr Jose Green set out her annual report on the work of Wiltshire Council. A copy of this is attached at Appendix B. She emphasised the importance of working in partnership with the parish councils in order to get things done.
  1. Parochial Church Council Report: Sarah Seal presented a report on behalf of the PCC. She said that life in the church has continued to be very active. There are still three main services each month, but we now also have a mid-week communion each Wednesday at 12:15. This is a short half hour service, held under the crossing. We have also held two or three very short services for toddlers, which we hope will continue. The Christmas Carol Service was held in the Church, rather than the Village Hall, this year, and was very successful, so we plan to hold it in the church again this year. We now have a new Nave Altar which can easily be moved by one or two people, and which was blessed by Bishop John Kirkham in July. The Quinquennial inspection was completed, and fortunately nothing unexpected was found, although work will need to be done on two of the windows in the future. But the church is currently closed whilst major work is undertaken. This includes a complete overhall of all the wiring, the installation of under pew heating, improvement to some of the lighting, and redecoration. We hope to be open again in time for Easter. We are very grateful for the support of the Friends of Bishopstone church, who have worked incredibly hard to get this project underway. We would also like to thank the Parish Council, for the annual grant which they give towards the upkeep of the graveyard. This amounted to £450 last year, and we continue to be most grateful for their support
  1. Village Hall: Mike Ash read a report on behalf of Norman Barter. This said: “The Village Hall is a well used amenity in the village, sometimes it is hard to find free time for a booking. The annual Beer-and-Skittles evening is now firmly in the calendar as is the biennial Burns Night. Both were well attended and much enjoyed. The Summer and Christmas Fayres were successful as well. Lunch Club, Moviola film nights, Rural Arts shows, Community Cafe, Magic Lantern Club and televised Rugby and Wimbledon contribute to the events held here. None of this would be possible without the support of a marvellous committee, who make all this possible. This all bodes well, financially, for our next project, the re-surfacing of the car park. The planning for this is on-going but we want the money in place before going ahead. The Village Hall committee thank the Parish Council for all their support in this difficult financial climate.”
  1. Bish-Bash Committee Report:Marion Foster announced that there would be no Summer Bish Bash event in 2017. Last year’s event had been the biggest ever and had taken a lot of organising. Whilst it had been a success in terms of numbers attending there had been a lack of support within the village to help both on the day and, in particular, with the clear up afterwards. The level of commitment of the small organising committee could not be sustained without wider support, so there would be a sabbatical in 2017 with the hope that there would be sufficient interest generated for a return in the future. The Christmas event will continue.
  1. Emergency Planning: Roger Stockton presented a report on Emergency Planning. A copy is attached at Appendix C.
  1. The Rev Augustus Montgomery Coal Charity Fund Report: Reg Barrett reported on behalf of the trustees of the Rev Augustus Montgomery Coal Charity. The accounts were approved by the Trustees on the 21 February 2017. A copy of his report is at Appendix D.
  1. Open Forum: In the open forum discussion the main point raised was concern about the operation of the bus service in the village. This matter was discussed further at the Parish Council meeting later in the evening and a note of the points made at both meetings is included in the minutes of that meeting.

There being no other issues, the meeting closed at 8.00pm.

Date of Next Meeting :

The next Parish Meeting would be on 8th March 2018 at 7.00pm.

Signed as an accurate record.

…………………………………….Chairman…………………………….Date

Appendix A

BISHOPSTONE COUNCIL – 2016/17

(i)Policing

  • New community policing arrangements have been put in place. PC involved in discussion with Insp Sparrow to try to ensure rural issues recognized. Community Messaging seems to be working well.
  • Need to report all crimes, but acknowledge that 101 is slow and painful
  • Community Speed Watch
  • Thanks to volunteers
  • Since Oct 14 (start), 78 watches, 545 speeding vehicles reported and 24395 vehicles monitored for speeding

(ii)Highways Issues

  • New junction warning sign provided at Whitlock Rise
  • Agreement to new “single carriageway” warning signs in Mill lane
  • Continued to press for an extension of the 30mph limit – meeting being held with John Glen MP later in March
  • Unsuccessful request to Wiltshire Council to provide a pavement alongside the High Road between Meadow View and Whitlock Rise. PC now looking at providing a less formal pathway along the wide verge in this location.
  • Welcome the return of the “Parish Steward” who each month now carries out works to highways, hedgerows, ditches, gullies and drains as requested by the PC. This arrangement is working well.
  • Continuing to work to ensure footpaths and bridleways remain open and maintained.

(iii) Passenger Transport Consultation

  • Wiltshire consulted on options for reducing subsidies for bus services. The PC sent in representations on the considerable negative effects of any reduction in our bus service. Decisions expected after the May elections.

(iv) Litter

  • “Clean for the Queen” took place in March 2016. Large numbers of villagers gave up their time to litter pick. An amazing amount of rubbish was collected.
  • More informal “litter pick” last weekend – thank you to all who helped out.
  • Fly tipping continues to be a problem in the parish as it is nationwide.

(v) Recreation Field/Play Area

  • Refurbishment and repainting of the play train completed following vandalism.
  • New Play Tower installed – much appreciated by junior members of the village.
  • Thanks to Rob Thorne for years of mowing the recreation field – PC will be putting in place new arrangements.

(vi) Bench

  • After consultation within the village it was agreed to provide a new public bench to commemorate the Queen’s 90th birthday and the longest reign of an English monarch. Hope that this will be in place in time for her 91st birthday!

(vii) Emergency Planning

  • A successful grant application was made to SSE for funding for emergency equipment for the village to deal, in particular, with flooding. Roger Stockton will say more about this later.
  • Many thanks to Roger, the two Flood Wardens, and to members of the Emergency Response Group for all their help in improving the resilience of our community.
  • The PC is expecting to take final decisions, later this evening, on the provision of an Automated Heart Defibrillator in the village.

(viii) Mobile Phone Mast

  • Securing proper mobile coverage was one of the highest priority issues in the Bishopstone Plan. PC heavily involved in proposals at Ebbesbourne Wake and now in Bishopstone. Strong support from the PC and from villagers has resulted in Wiltshire Council granting planning permission for a mast for Vodafone and O2 on Netton Farm. Hoped that this will be in place by the end of the year.

(ix) Development

  • PC continues to vet planning applications in the village and to base its comments on the policies established in the Bishopstone Plan.
  • The Faulston Barns development is nearing completion and there should be six additional households in the village by May/June. The PC will be considering arrangements to welcome them to the village.

(x) Parish Council

  • Major James Thompson stepped down as Chairman and Councillor in May. Many thanks for all the hard work he has contributed to the PC over many years.
  • Grateful to Marion Foster for agreeing to fill the Councillor vacancy.
  • All seats on the PC will be up for election this May [Mike Ash to give details].
  • The success of the PC is very largely due to the tireless engagement of the Parish Clerk. Villagers from other parishes are envious of our success here and we should all be grateful for the huge amount Mike does
  • Must also thank Wiltshire Cllr Jose Green who is relentless and indefatigable on our behalf.

Appendix B

Wiltshire Council Annual Report – Cllr Jose Green

When I do the rounds to the 14 PC's that come within the Fovant and Chalke Valley I always feel I am amongst friends. Obviously, I am aware that I cannot be everything to everyone but at least I listen and carry your concerns and ideas as I go about Wiltshire Councils work. I also need to emphasise that I recognise that one size does not fit all and each village has it own identity and character that must be maintained at all costs.

It is 8 years since I became the UNITARY Councillor, in that time there have been highs and lows, stresses and strains but above all a feeling that we are all pulling together to get the best during these very restrained economic times. 3 priorities have remained constant .....Protecting the Vulnerable, Boosting the Local Economy and Working closely with our communities.

Government cuts to Local Authorities has meant innovative ways of making the budgets balance without jeopardising the services. Over the past years surplus office premises have gone, staff numbers reduced and partnerships formed to enable greater efficiencies and savings.

At the risk of repetition 93% of school children attend Ofsted's rating of good to outstanding schools in Wiltshire with 99% of Wiltshire's secondary students also in such schools. 98% of primary schoolchildren are offered a place at their preferred school.

There is currently a 15 year low in teenage pregnancies (16.1 per 1,000 women aged 15-17yrs old ) a decrease of almost 50% from 1998. Currently around 450 children are being cared for by WC and 42 foster carers have been recruited over the last 2 years and also 180 qualified social workers in what is a very competitive market.

As you are aware the WC share of the Council Tax rose last year after 4 years of no uplift. 7,675 people across Wiltshire received support from Adult Care Services and this, you know, is rising due to our ageing communities., almost 6,500 people have been helped to stay independent through WC's Help to Live at Home scheme.

4 years ago responsibility for public health transferred from the NHS to Wiltshire Council. In that time £40m has been spent to deliver improvements and knowledge in the health and wellbeing of the county's population. On a local level I am currently the 'champion' on the Area Board working towards further Dementia awareness and the misuse of alcohol. Obesity is another area of concern as the knock on effect is considerable. The First Aid training sessions and including the defibrillator training was very successful as was the ROW enhancement Project that a number of villages took part in.

Over the last 4 years children under 16 have benefitted from free swimming sessions in the school holidays and this also relieves the problem of loneliness and isolation. 6,000 people have been helped to give up smoking.

The Wiltshire App for reporting various issues received 23,000 reports last year, 6,600 were regarding potholes, £21m will be spent again this year with roads in the South West receiving the highest spend than at any other time!

Unemployment is very low in Wiltshire, businesses want to be based in Wiltshire and some Internationally reputed names are enlarging. Locally, not only do we have Porton Down scientific park expanding but only recently, Boeing announced its plans to relocate to Boscombe working with QinetiQ.

The University Technical College on Wilton Road is going well and the Wiltshire College on Southampton Road have great plans for enhancing the premises in the near future, when the Wilton Parkway rail station opens it will make commuters lives so much easier. Last year alone WC helped 6,500 young people become apprentices, the second highest rate of growth in the country.

Since 2013 almost £33m has been invested in partnership with BT and the Government's Broadband Delivery UK programme. 83,000 homes and businesses across the County now have fibre BB and one third of these have opted for an upgrade, still, there is a way to go before achieving 100 percent coverage. Further investment is intended this coming year. WC offers free, one to one training for those who would like laptop or IPad tuition.

For those that are concerned about development or the lack of it in some instances, last year 2,118 new homes were built in Wiltshire of which 635 are considered affordable. 157 extra care apartments have been built for those requiring smaller and appropriate homes. These homes are critical to help to try and meet the demand for start-up homes to enable young people trying to get their foot on the housing ladder and for the growing older population to downsize.

By 2020 this County will be the home to the largest number of Army personnel in the Country.

Area Boards funded almost 200 projects last year at a cost of approximately £390,000.

I know how loved the village halls, clubs and many volunteers rely on support to retain what cements a community together. Thank you to all those that give their energy and commitment so willingly, what would we do without you?

On closing, can I emphasise again that I look upon you as friends and colleagues and that by working together we can achieve so much more .

Appendix C

EMERGENCY PLANNING REPORT

This year has seen the consolidation of the Village Emergency Plan with a minor upgrade to the documentation to take into account changes of personnel.

Chris Sexton has reassumed responsibility for the role of Flood Warden (East) covering the area from Faulston Bridge to the eastern boundary of responsibility at Throope.

The key issue this year has been the successful bid by the Parish Clerk to Scottish and Southern Electricity (SSE) for funding for Flood Defence stores. This has enabled the Parish Council to purchase two water pumps, capacity 620l/min or 130gals/min each, one 5kw generator, lighting stands, 8 walkie talkie radios, a groundwater suction pump, plastic sheeting and a sandbag filler. This gives us self-supporting status for immediate protection and combined with the stores of sandbags and sand and gelbags ensures that we are prepared for village emergencies.

Two training sessions for this equipment have already been held with a third due very soon.

During the recent storms a chainsaw owner was put on standby and called out to clear a tree by the bus-stop - so the system works, but it should be appreciated it is dependent on volunteers.

In addition good housekeeping along the river has ensured that the river is flowing effectively and I would like to thank riparian owners who have done extensive work for their assistance.