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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