Odstock Parish Council

A meeting of Odstock Parish Council was held at 7.30 pm on Wednesday, 7th March 2001 in The Radnor Hall, Bodenham.

Present: Dr S Elcock (Chairman), Mr R Underhill (Vice-chairman), Mr C Whitley, Mr R Poynting, Mr S Martin, District Cllr Bryan Rycroft, Mr R Parsons (Clerk) and two members of the public. Apologies were received from Mrs J Payne and Mr C Berry.

13/01 Questions from the Public: A parishioner is concerned that the Ebble Pre-school has closed. Since this acted as a feeder to Odstock school he hoped that the loss would not have an adverse effect on the school's viability. Cllr Rycroft advised the Council that he chaired a public meeting on 30th January that is proposing a new community centre for Harnham and the surrounding area. A steering committee has been formed that will hold its first meeting towards the end of March. There may be an opportunity to incorporate a pre-school facility. Another parishioner drew attention to the mess on the road and verges caused by the activities of Farm Contractors emptying a slurry storage facility in Nunton. Although this had lasted for only two days local villagers and road users were severely inconvenienced.

14/01 Declaration of Interest: Cllr Martin declared that he had a pecuniary interest in the proposed lease of Nunton Field to be discussed under agenda item no.4, Matters Arising. He is the tenant of the Longford Estate who is the owner of the land in question. He will take no part in the discussion and will not vote on any resolution.

15/01 Minutes: The minutes of the Council meeting held on 17th January 2001, having been circulated, were agreed and signed by the Chairman.

16/01 Matters Arising:
* Cllr Whitley reported that he had been in discussion with representatives of the owner of Nunton Field and that he had a proposition to put before the Council that entails a twenty year repairing lease on the four acre field at an annual rent of £400. The water supply to the field will need to be maintained and the hedges will have to be cut at the Council's expense, estimated at £50 pa. Cllr Berry has drawn plans showing alternate sites for car parking and play equipment and villagers will be invited to comment on the most appropriate option. Cllr Underhill seconded the proposal and the resolution was carried unanimously.
* Cllr Berry will canvas residents in Odstock regarding the siting of the proposed 9x9 metre hard surface.
* The Clerk reported that Wilts and Dorset Bus Company would review the siting of the Nunton Bus Stop.
* It was noted that the Radnor Hall has been awarded a grant for the refurbishment of the Hall kitchen. The Longford Cricket Club has applied for a grant to replace an existing set of gang mowers that are beyond economic repair. The Council agreed to support the application.

17/01 Planning:
* S/2001/63 - RENEWAL OF OUTLINE PLANNING FOR ONE DWELLING GRANTED UNDER PLANNING PERMISSION S/98/0003 (AMENDED APPLICATION TYPE) at THE GABLES (LAND ADJACENT) THE DROVE NUNTON. No Objection
* S/2001/127 - TWO STOREY EXTENSION at LEEWARD COTTAGE HOMINGTON ROAD ODSTOCK. No Objection
* S/2001/392 - TREES WITH TPO - OAK TREE 25% CROWN REDUCTION DEAD WOODING AND REMOVAL OF STORM DAMAGE FELL SCOTS PINE POLLARD WEEPING WILLOW AND 25% CROWN REDUCTION TO ACACIA at AMBER COTTAGE, BODENHAM SALISBURY. No Objection.
* Cllr Poynting reported that a parishioner had asked him if the tree planting around the new dairy unit at Nunton had been completed in line with the requirements of the planning permission. Cllr Underhill explained that, as far as he was aware, all of the required planting had been completed.

18/01 Transport Conference: The Clerk reported that he had attended a conference organised by Community First in Devizes on 3rd February. In opening, the Bishop of Ramsbury stressed the importance of people being able to move about in Wiltshire. Mr Stephen Styles from Surrey County Council explained that 25% of people do not have access to a car and that Parish Councils are being encouraged to get involved in developing local transport schemes. Up to £10,000 will be made available to individual Parish Councils who will be encouraged to work with neighbouring Parishes to establish practical solutions. Several other speakers reported on successful projects like the Link Scheme and the Kennett Wiggly Bus. The rest of the day was taken up by a series of workshops that addressed the issues of planning, financing and promoting community projects.
The villages of Bodenham, Nunton and Odstock currently enjoy a good bus service and the Link Scheme is effective throughout the Parish. It is unlikely that this Council will have any need to participate in this initiative.

19/01 SDC Liaison Meeting: Lack of road maintenance is a chief concern of Parish Council's. WCC Highways Surveyor, Mr Brian Lanham, confirmed that funds were scarce, however, a scheme has been introduced to allocate teams of 'Lengthsmen' to work on rural roads. These will work under the direction of the Parish Council. Other subjects discussed were the imminent introduction of a new model code of conduct for Parish Councils and the proposed consultation on the SDC strategy for e-government. Community Plans have been established across Salisbury District and it is anticipated that the scope for these will be extended. Cllr Elcock's understanding of this initiative is that SDC are keen for Parish Councils to be more pro-active within their communities. He felt that having a stall at the Fete to encourage community participation might help to achieve this. Cllr Underhill argued that a well designed flyer would be needed that would provoke further thought. This could explain that funds are available for realistic worthwhile projects. The Clerk reported that the West Dean community is in the process of developing a Village Design Statement with the help of Officers from Community First in Devizes.

20/01 Foot and Mouth Crisis: Under, Wiltshire County Council has closed all Rights of Way under the emergency powers of the 1981 ANIMAL HEALTH ACT as amended by the Foot and Mouth Order of 1983 and again by the Foot and Mouth Order 2001. The restrictions will remain in force for only as long as is considered necessary.

21/01 Correspondence: The Council noted the following:
From Salisbury District Council:
* 2nd Mar - Housing Strategy 2001 - Consultation Document - Cllr Whitley to review.
* 28th Feb - B&Q You Can Do It Awards.
* 23rd Feb - Environment Act 1995 - Air Quality Management.
* 23rd Feb - Skip Service Grant for 2001/02 - proposed that OPC should provide skips after Easter.
* 20th Feb - Notice and Agenda for the Planning Liaison meeting on Friday, 16th March.
* 16th Feb - The Representation of the People Act 2000 proposes monthly reviews of the electoral role.
* 31st Jan - Open Space Survey - to determine if the survey is accurate.
* 22nd Jan - Rural Floral Enhancement Scheme 2001 - Not required by OPC.
* 19th Jan - Best Kept Village Competition 2001 - No entry from OPC.
From Wiltshire County Council:
* 27th Feb - Environmental Services Dept. - Highways - Parish Lengthsmen.
* Feb - Countrywide Policy Team - Transportation and Development.
From Other Sources:
* 21st Feb - Local Government Act 2000 - Draft Model Code of Conduct Consultation Paper.
* 20th Feb - Police Community Consultative Group - Monday 19th March in Swindon.
* 28th Nov 2000 - DETR - The Rural White Paper. Chapter 12 most important for Parish Councils.

22/01 Transport, Roads and Footpaths: WCC have produced a scheme for improving traffic flow across the bridges on the Odstock road to Salisbury. The scheme consists of road markings and signage. Whilst this does nothing to help cyclists the Councillors believe that the improvements will be worthwhile.

23/00 Grass Cutting: Wiltshire Direct Services are being re-organised with effect from 4th June. Until then grass cutting contracts will be subject to a 2.5% cost increase. A meeting has been scheduled in Devizes for 22nd March that will be an opportunity for competing contractors to make presentations.

24/01 Finance: The Council approved the following payments:
Audit Commission - Audit fee for 1999/01 ----------------- 085 - £211.26p
R Parsons - Clerk's Fee and Office Expenses for 2000/01 - 086 - £280.00p

25/01 The Annual Council Meeting will be held on Wednesday, 9th May 2001 in the Radnor Hall, Bodenham. It will follow the Annual Parish meeting that will commence at 7:00pm.

The meeting closed at 9:45pm

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