DRAFT MINUTES TO BE VERIFIED AT NEXT MEETING
NETHERAVON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting
Held on Thursday 23rd July 2015 at 7.00 pm
at the Phoenix Hall, Netheravon
Parish Councillors Present:Cllr Barker
Cllr Beecher
Cllr Blair-PillingChairman
Cllr Burke
Cllr Collison
Cllr Covil
Cllr Hayward
Cllr Mitchell
Cllr TigheVice-Chairman
In Attendance:Cllr HowardWiltshire Councillor
Mrs LinscerClerk of the Council
Military Representative
Police Representative
Cllr WhiteheadCabinet Member for Highways & Transport
Public:7
87/15DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
Cllr Blair-Pilling declared an interest in the planning application at Drive House, Netheravon.
88/15VERIFY LAST MINUTES
It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 18th June be accepted as true and correct.
89/15OUTSTANDING ITEMS RAISED FROM LAST MEETING
At the last meeting there was clarification needed regarding bonfires. There are no byelaws restricting bonfires in Wiltshire Council's area. However, if smoke caused by a bonfire is creating a nuisance, the council has powers to take action under the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Private individuals can also take action through a Magistrates' Court. If you have a complaint, it is best to discuss it initially with the person responsible: they may not realise that they are causing a problem. If this situation doesn’t improve contact the Public Protection department.
Bonfires which are on land near to roads and causing an inconvenience or a danger to passers-by can also be an offence under the Highways Act 1980. The council can issue an ‘abatement notice’ if a neighbour’s bonfire is causing a nuisance. A bonfire must happen frequently to be considered a nuisance. A neighbour can be fined up to £5,000 if they don’t stick to the notice.
90/15WILTSHIRE COUNCILLOR REPORT & SPEED RESTRICTION ON A345
The Chairman warmly welcomed Cllr Philip Whitehead who is the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport who has kindly attended the meeting to answer all questions regarding the speed restriction on the A345. Before the meeting the Chairman and Cllr Whitehead had taken a drive up and down the A345 so that they had a common understanding of the highway its layout and hazards.
In turn members of the public stated and put their questions to Cllr Whitehead which included; the speed along by the mobile homes at 10.00 pm seems to exceed the speed limit especially the lorries, 30-40 mph would be ideal and that some residents have to lean into the hedge by the pathway. Pulling out of Mill Road, Thorne Road and Pigott Close is very difficult as the speed is increased, cars coming down the hill towards the village go too fast and residents living opposite the Dog and Gun and people accessing the allotments find it extremely difficult to turn out onto the A345. One resident mentioned her daughter had had a crash pulling out into the road and also pointed out that young children having to cross the road to walk into the village was very dangerous, also confirmation was needed of when the 50 mph was set up.
Cllr Hayward stated that since the road had been resurfaced the speed was more of an issue and traffic and cyclists turning right into Staggs Lane from the village if there is a car coming towards you crossing the road is a problem. Also when the Pedal Car Racing was being held in the village Wiltshire Council refused to allow parked cars on the A345 as they said crossing the road was too dangerous. Why could there not be a reduced speed limit like the approach to Durrington which goes from 50 mph right down to 30 mph, as there are houses close to the road. Signage is a problem and also overtaking.
The Chairman stated that Cllr Whitehead would answer all questions and take another look at the speed of the road but no assurances would be given as a direction would be needed from the Cabinet.
Cllr Whitehead made comments to the questions asked by stating that when he drove up and down the A345 he felt the natural speed was 40-45 mph, and he was not comfortable driving at 50 mph. He said that the speed limit was reinforced 2 years ago and was assessed at 50 mph, however he would investigate when a metro count was last done which analyses the average speed of a road. During the rush hour there will be higher speed done by drivers. Approaching the village from Enford Cllr Whitehead felt there wasn’t enough of an approaching presence of a village and that this in turn makes drivers maintain their speed and not slow down. If there were more visible signs, (like a village gate on the approach to Upavon) or flower baskets this would make drivers realise their approach to a village and reduce their speed. The Chairman in turn stated that the Parish Council would consider how to re-enforce this to help.
As further statement by Cllr Whitehead was to investigate and raise queries regarding crossings of the A345 which would include dropped kerbs and bollards in the middle of the road. This would assist the general crossing of the road and also residents with mobility scooters in order to access the village, this would in turn slow the traffic down. Also a copy of the school travel plan was requested.
Cllr Whitehead summed up by stating that a partnership needs to be forged with the village to look at a different way to reinforce reducing the speed. On entering the village this needs to be recognised by motorists they need to slow down and there need to be sufficient signs to change the impact of the road.
The Chairman thanked Cllr Whitehead for his constructive, sympathetic advice and was looking forward to the opportunity of working together to achieve a desired result.
Cllr Howard informed the Council that Central government has cut the allocation of funding to Wiltshire Council by more than £15m this year. This, combined with the rise in demand for key services, the growth in the number of households, and inflation, means the council has to save £30m. Tough choices had to be made including the review of opening hours of our 11 household recycling centres. The council are making these changes to achieve savings of around £300,000 per year, without permanently closing any of the sites. From 13thJuly 2015 all household recycling centres will be open five days a week from 10am to 4pm. All sites will be open on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, which are the days they are used most, plus two additional days each week.
The Chairman thanked Cllr Howard for organising the attendance of Cllr Whitehead at the meeting.
91/15MILITARY REPORT
The military representative stated that track maintenance on the Plain is an ongoing problem, any incident on military roads the MOD are responsible.
August will be relatively quiet month, any complaints or enquiries should be made to 01980 620819. The Landmarc helpline telephone number is 0800 022 3334.
92/15POLICE REPORT
The police representative informed the Council of incidents at C crossing of items being removed from an insecure boot. An incident regarding two people outside the shop for quite some time being abusive, the police telephoned at 10.30pm to give their apologies for not attending. The Council asked the police representative for the log for that evening and questioned why there was no police presence.
93/15FINANCE
Cheques authorised since the last meeting:
£
SmithsGore – BMX track 50.00
Hurdcott Landscapes – grass cutting – May199.60
AON 79.50
Petty Cash (May) 18.16
Phoenix Hall (bookings Apr & May) 20.00
G M Truckle 42.00
AON Ltd819.02
Current Funds. At 30th June 2015 the Parish Council Funds stood at £24,225.60.
94/15PLANNING
Application 15/06253/FUL: Single storey rear extension at Stones Villas, 1 High Street, Netheravon, Wiltshire, SP4 9PG.
Application 15/06263/FUL: Proposed ground floor front entrance porch at 22 Vicarage Gardens, Netheravon, Wiltshire, SP4 9RW.
The planning at Drive House, High Street had been approved with the specific conditions attached.
95/15COMMITTEE REPORTS
AWF & Stewardship Committee
Nothing to report.
Village Enhancement & Cemetery
Cllr Tighe stated that the MOD are happy with the measurements of the cemetery for the additional fence to be erected.
The cemetery path installation is awaiting a date from Bawden’s of when they can fit it into their schedule, which should be in next couple of weeks. The reposition of the two end trees will take place in the autumn when it will be easier to dig the trees up.
It was agreed that markers for the rose garden, seats and plaques for the cemetery would be raised as an agenda item in the next meeting.
96/15REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES OF OTHER GROUPS
Tidworth Community Area Board
At the TCAB a discussion regarding"Community Resilience Forum” was held which would be in the local community. This would include a response to any emergency, and attending of a forumwith informed members to help and guide in order to set up a working plan in the eventof an emergency.
Tidworth Community Area Partnership
Nothing to report.
97/15PHOENIX HALL
Cllr Hayward stated that the committee were looking at the cupboards in the store at the Phoenix Hall to condense any items. A meeting was to be set up to look at the Parish Council cupboards. There was money in the 200 club to be used for the drains for the hall.
98/15SILVER JUBILEE CUP
After discussion it was agreed that the Council couldn’t find any suitable young person to award the Silver Jubilee Cup.
99/15GENERAL PARISH MATTERS
A question was raised of weather the use of the Millennium Park could be used for an evening wedding reception. After much discussion it was agreed that the individuals should be encouraged to use the Phoenix Hall and their facilities.
The next meeting of the Parish Council will held on Thursday 10th September 2015 commencing
at 7.00 pm.
Chairman…………………………………………. Date………………………………
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