Odstock Parish Council

An Ordinary meeting of Odstock Parish Council was held at 7.30 pm on 14th September 2005 in The Radnor Hall, Bodenham.

Present: Rod Poynting (Chairman), Cliff Whitley (Vice-Chairman), Sherwood Elcock, Colin Berry, Richard Parsons (Clerk), Salisbury District Cllr Bryan Rycroft and four members of the public.
Apologies: WC Cllr Julian Johnson, Brian Clake and Sue Martin. Absent: Simon Martin.

45/05 Open Public Forum:
1. Cllr Whitley presented the PC's revised plans for improvements to the Nunton Recreation Ground, including the siting of a children's play area. Following consultation with the Longford Estate, who had indicated that a small area in the northwest of the field would be required for incorporation into the curtilage of the neighbouring estate property, the proposal to include a carpark had been abandoned. The entrance to the field will be widened but parking on the field will be discouraged and if this becomes a problem, the wider gate can be fitted with a lock. Cllr Whitley explained that these proposals were in line with those presented at the 2004 village fête where there has been overwhelming support. A Nunton Drove resident suggested that the Odstock School playing field might be a more appropriate place to install the play equipment, however, the Chairman explained that it was a requirement for the release of R2 funds held by SDC for the PC to hold a lease on the land where the play equipment was to be installed. The resident asked to see a copy of the lease and Cllr Berry agreed to print and deliver this.
2. The Chairman advised that the proposed site meeting with Nunton Drove residents would not now take place. Cllr Whitley had drafted a letter explaining the revised proposals. Once approved by the PC this would be circulated to parishioners and would provide an opportunity for any concerns to be addressed.

46/05 Declaration of Interest: Cllr Elcock declared a Personal and Prejudicial Interest in planning application S/2005/1664 since this is at his home address. He will absent himself when this is discussed.

47/05 Minutes of the Annual PC meeting held on 18th May 2005 were agreed and signed by the Chairman.

48/05 Matters Arising:
a) Electrical Contract: The work to the Pavilion electricity supply had been completed and payment made.
b) SLCC Training Event: The Clerk reported that this had proved worthwhile. Of particular interest was the presentation by the Kennett District Council solicitor on the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

49/05 Recreation Grounds:
a) Nunton Field: A quotation for widening the field entrance, erecting a gate donated by a parishioner, the supply and installation of a pedestrian gate and the regrading of the entrance from Rose lane was approved. Cllr Whitley had drafted a letter to parishioners likely to be affected by the revised proposals, which the PC approved. Parishioners will have 14 days to provide feedback before the work is commissioned. The Playground equipment is likely to be installed in the spring of 2006.
b) Odstock Field: Two quotations were considered for the supply and installation of two new gates to replace the single unserviceable gate at the field entrance. Members resolved to authorise Cllr Berry to negotiate the most appropriate solution for replacing the unserviceable gate.

50/05 Community Initiatives:
a) Community Skips: Following a debate it was resolved to reverse an earlier decision to abandon skips in favour of extra visits by a refuse vehicle, made under minute no.6/05. There is always a risk that inappropriate material deposited in a skip could lead to more expensive disposal at taxpayer's expense. RESOLVED: To order skips for delivery during October and to position a skip in the Rose Lane entrance to the Nunton Field in an attempt to restrict access to the immediate community.
b) Community Transport: It was agreed that Odstock Parish is well served by public transport and would be unlikely to benefit substantially from a grant aided Community Transport Plan.
c) Salisbury Health Care: Noted, the request for voluntary individual Foundation Trust Membership.

51/05 Finance:
a) Internal Audit: The Nunton parishioner who had previously provide the Internal Audit had indicated his wish to 'stand down' and an Odstock parishioner had agreed to take on the role. He was able to report that internal controls were satisfactory and advised that the presentation of accounts could be improved.
b) The Annual Return: Members were able to answer all of the questions asked, in the affirmative.
c) Radnor Hall: Members acknowledged the accounts for y/e March 2005 and approved the grant of £500.
d) Grant Applications: It was resolved to concentrate on the Nunton Field proposals before considering other projects where additional grant funding might be required.
e) Payments: The following were approved:
                Bennett & Dean - Electrical Contract - 176 - £810.75p
                HAC Joynt - Grass Cutting ----------- 177 - £126.00p
                Wessex Water - Nunton Field -------- 178 -- £19.52p
                Radnor Hall - Grant ------------------- 179 - £500.00p
                R Parsons - Fee Invoice No.0556 ----- 180 - £409.34p
                Earl of Radnor 1989 Settlement - Rent - 181 -- £10.50p

52/05 Transport, Roads and Footpaths:
a) WCC Parish Lengthsmen: The Parish Lengthsmen Co-ordinator reported that he had successfully used the WCC Clarence Road Defect reporting system to resolve several problems. The next scheduled lengthsmen's visit is on 30th November and 1st December.
b) Odstock Roadside Hedgerow: It was reported that overgrown hedgerows between the Odstock crossroads and the Primary School might impede the proposed 'walking bus' for school children. Action: The Clerk will draw this to the attention of property owners bordering the Odstock road.
c) Traffic Survey: It was noted that the Primary School is conducting surveys of the traffic using the Nunton through Odstock road with the intention of persuading the Wiltshire Speed Camera Partnership to bring one of their enforcement units to the village.
d) Parking at the Hospital: District Cllr Rycroft reported that both he and County Cllr Johnson appreciated that the problem is not caused by a shortage of parking space at Salisbury District Hospital. It is believed that cars are parked on the road because the walking distance to the hospital is less than from the carpark.
e) Harnham Relief Road: District Cllr Rycroft reported that there was substantial opposition to the proposed road, not least from Britford School where the concerns are increased traffic and air quality.
f) Harnham Roundabout: The approach from the City centre had recently been altered and this had proved unpopular. It was resolved that Odstock PC should object because members considered the alterations to be unhelpful. Action: The Clerk was asked to write a letter of objection to the Salisbury Joint Transportation Team.

53/05 Planning:
a) S/2005/1778 - FULL APPLICATION - PROPOSED DOUBLE GARAGE at STADDLESTONES NUNTON DROVE NUNTON SP5 4HZ - The PC resolved to support this application.
b) S/2005/1664 - FULL APPLICATION - UPVC CONSERVATORY at THE COTTAGE NUNTON SP5 4HP - The PC resolved to support this application.
c) S/2005/1390 - O/L APPLICATION - OUTLINE PERMISSION FOR 4 BED BUNGALOW WITH NEW ACCESS AND ASSOCIATED WORKS at PLOT TO REAR OF WESSEX NUNTON DROVE NUNTON SP5 4HZ - It was noted that this application had been refused following local objections.
d) Traveller's site: It was noted that WCC commenced upgrading the traveller's site adjacent to Salisbury District Hospital on 12th September. The work is not likely to be finished until Spring 2006.

54/05 Reports and Correspondence:
a) Wiltshire County Council: There will be no participation by Odstock PC in this year's Emergency Planning Exercise.
b) Salisbury District Council: It was noted that there would be a P&TC Liaison meeting in the City Hall at 6:15pm on Wednesday, 5th October. The Chairman will endeavour to incorporate this into his schedule.
a) Wiltshire Association of Local Councils: At the AGM on 8th July, Robert Key MP had stood down as President of the Association and Andrew Murrison MP had agreed to fill the post. He pledged to make himself available to assist WALC with the lobbying of Parliament on any issue as it arose.

55/05 Any Other Business:
a) Bridleway: It was reported that the bridleway from Shelf lane to the A338 was impassable. Action: The Clerk will report this to the WCC Rights of Way Warden.
b) Shaftesbury Drove: It was reported that there are many burnt-out cars along the drove towards Salisbury Racecourse. Action: District Cllr Rycroft agreed to investigate.

56/05 The next Ordinary PC meeting will be held on Wednesday, 7th December 2005.

The meeting closed at 9:35pm

Signed without amendment by the PC Chairman, Cllr Rod Poynting, on 7th December 2005.
Download here as a .pdf file.

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