A meeting of Odstock Parish Council was
held at 7.30 pm on 23rd March 2005 in The Radnor Hall,
Bodenham.
Present: Rod Poynting (Chairman), Brian
Clake, Sue Martin, Richard Parsons (Clerk), Wiltshire
County Cllr Julian Johnson, Salisbury District Cllr Bryan
Rycroft and seven members of the public.
Apologies: Cliff Whitley (Vice-Chairman)
and Sherwood Elcock. Absent: Simon
Martin and Colin Berry.
19/05 Open Public Forum:
1. Residents living along Nunton Drove
were concerned that the markers put in the field hedge
opposite Ashcoombe and Brambledown indicated that the
Parish Council was considering an alternative field
entrance. They expressed their opinion that siting an
entrance at this point would be likely to lead to further
damage being caused to the entrances to their properties
on the opposite side of the road.
2. Residents further up Nunton Drove
reported that slurry had been spilt on the road during
February. This had caused considerable inconvenience and
some were concerned that the 'run-off' might contaminate
residents' drinking water supplies. The general advice
was that future incidents should be reported immediately
to the Environment Agency in Bristol.
3. An Odstock parishioner wanted to know
why the parish portion of the council tax had risen
significantly. He was also disappointed that information
about parish council business was not being published
more promptly.
20/05 Declaration of Interest: None.
21/05 Minutes of the PC meeting held on
19th January were agreed as a true record and signed by
the Chairman.
22/05 Matters Arising:
a) Recycling and Refuse Disposal:
Members will further consider this at a future meeting.
b) Nunton Field: The Chairman reported
that a site meeting with a WCC highways planning officer
had identified a possible alternative field entrance
opposite Ashcoombe and Brambledown. Members noted the
objections to this in the public forum and resolved to
review the matter when more PC members were present.
c) Electrical Survey: Cllr Clake
reported that he had obtained a quotation of £690 for
the required electrical work in and around the pavilion.
He was in the process of obtaining a second quotation.
d) Neighbourhood Watch: The Clerk
reported that the Police and Fire Brigade had both agreed
to be present at the Neighbourhood Watch and Community
Safety meeting on 13th April.
23/05 Roles and Responsibilities:
a) Local Government Act 1972: The Clerk
advised that it was important to be aware of the law
governing Parish Council affairs. Charles Arnold-Baker's
sixth edition of 'Local Council Administration' explains
in layman's terms, the up-to-date legislation. WALC has a
copy of all the relevant Acts of Parliament and is able
to advise on the application of the Local Government Act
1972 and other legislation.
b) Standing Orders and Financial Regulations:
The Clerk reminded members that these were approved in
January 2001 and that they need to be updated in line
with the Parish Councils (Model Code of Conduct) Order
2001 and the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2003. Action:
The Clerk.
c) Working with Your Council - The Knowledge: This
is a home study course for members and council officers
developed by the Society of Local Council Clerks in
conjunction with the University of Gloucester.
d) Emergency Planning: WCC is in the
process of updating plans for dealing with emergencies.
Parish Councils are expected to play an active part in
this process.
24/05 Training Initiatives:
a) WALC/NALC Briefing Day: This is
designed to provide guidance on the implementation of the
new National Agreement for Parish Clerk's Terms &
Conditions of employment. The Clerk will be attending on
behalf of Grimstead Parish Council.
b) SLCC Training Conference: Suitable
for both Clerks and Members alike, this will especially
cover the implications of External Audit. It will be held
in Devizes Town Hall on Friday, 20th May.
25/05 Finance:
a) Wiltshire Association of Local Councils: Cllr
Clake proposed and Cllr Mrs Martin seconded that WALC
membership should be renewed for 2005/06. Agreement was
unanimous.
b) Payments: The following were approved:
Sodexho Land Technology Ltd - Grass
cutting - 167 - £210.34p
Wessex Water - Water supply
----------------- 168 -- £15.48p
R Parsons - Clerk's fee on account
------------- 169 - £280.00p
Bennett & Dean - Electrical Report
------------- 170 - £188.00p
Nunton Farm - Hedgecutting
-------------------- 171 -- £52.80p
26/05 Transport, Roads and Footpaths:
a) WCC Parish Lengthsmen: A report by
WCC had been provided to illustrate what the Lengthsmen
can and can't do. The next visit will be on 27th / 28th
June. Action: The WCC report will be
circulated amongst PC members.
b) Traffic Management: Cllr Clake
advised that traffic flow through the villages was
unlikely to reduce until the Britford Park & Ride
development had been completed.
c) Parking at the Hospital: WC Cllr
Johnson agreed to explore the possibility of extending
the double yellow lines further down the hill towards
Odstock.
d) Bus Shelter: Members noted that
Wiltshire County Council had installed an additional Bus
Shelter near the Bodenham Post Office.
27/05 Planning:
a) S/2005/0396-0397 - LISTED BLDG (WKS)
& FULL APPLICATION - REMOVE STUB OF PREVIOUS BRICK
CHIMNEY STACK. FORM NEW FLUE IN METAL AND MAKE GOOD ROOF
at FORMER COACH HOUSE THE AVENUE ODSTOCK - members raised
no objections to this application.
b) S/2005/8005 - FULL APPLICATION -
REPLACEMENT OF SINGLE STOREY REAR EXTENSION AND INTERNAL
ALTERATIONS at Odstock Primary School - Members resolved
to support this application.
28/05 Reports and Correspondence:
a) Community Safety: The Clerk reported
some successes by the police including: 1.
The effective use of a drugs testing machine, by a swipe
of an individual's hand, at the Chapel nightclub in
Salisbury; 2. The clamping down on the
issue of youths driving cars recklessly; 3. A
report that Wiltshire is the 'safest' County in England
& Wales. 4. Some success with
combating distraction burglaries;
b) Wiltshire Association of Local Councils: The
Clerk reported that he had recently attended a workshop
event where members of the executive committee had
explored some methods for making the association more
relevant to member councils.
c) Southern Area Community Plan: This
has now been published although it will be kept under
review.
29/05 The Annual Parish Meeting: Members
resolved to hold the APM on Wednesday, 18th May at 7:00pm.
30/05 The Annual Parish Council meeting
will be held after the APM on Wednesday, 18th May.
The meeting closed at 9:22pm
Signed without amendment by the PC
Chairman, Cllr Rod Poynting, on 18th May 2005.
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