Odstock Parish Council

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.
Download here as a .pdf file.

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