Odstock Parish Council
An Ordinary meeting of Odstock Parish Council was held on 7 February 2013 in Radnor Hall at Bodenham.
Present: Rod Poynting (Chairman), Ray Martin (Vice-Chairman), Colin Berry, Stephen Stapley, Nigel Start, Gavin Simmonite, Richard Parsons (Clerk), Wiltshire Cllr Julian Johnson and one member of the public.
Apologies: David Williamson-Jones.
1/13 Open Public Forum: A parishioner was concerned about the apparent lack of road dressing in Odstock.
2/13 Declaration of Interest: None.
3/13 Minutes of the Ordinary PC meeting held on 6 December were not available.
4/13 Nunton Recreation Field:
a) Grass Cutting: It was resolved to renew the existing grass-cutting contract. Action: The Clerk.
b) Safety Inspection: Cllr Simmonite has inspected the play equipment and whilst there is some deterioration, he considered the potential for injury was minimal. A qualified inspection will follow later in the year.
c) Tree Planting: The Chairman has planted an Oak Tree and another in the corner of the Odstock Playing Field.
5/13 Community Initiatives:
a) Radnor Hall Committee: The Chairman reported that the grant towards the lease is appreciated.
b) Odstock Recreation Field: Cllr Simmonite reported that he had applied for grants from the Lottery Fund and the Tesco Community Fund. He has also had a discussion with the Longford Estate about re-drafting the lease on the playing field to satisfy the requirements of the grant awarding organisations.
c) Odstock Telephone Kiosk: Cllr Berry is currently negotiating with British Telecom about refurbishment.
d) Neighbourhood Planning: Cllr Martin reported that the Localism Act 2011 empowers Parish Councils to be more proactive in how land and property within the parish is to be developed in the future.
6/13 Transport, Roads and Footpaths:
a) Parish Highways Maintenance: Gullies emptied and potholes repaired (6 separate issues resolved). The Wiltshire Council's 'Clarence' Service
(0800 23 23 23) is the best way for reporting Highways issues. On 2 January, a parishioner submitted a detailed report to Clarence about the appalling state of the road south of Bodenham, close to the river Avon, leading to the A338. This has yet to be resolved.
b) Footpath between Odstock Church and Nunton: Cllr Berry reported that he would obtain a costed solution.
c) Odstock Hill: Cllr Simmonite drew attention to the increase in pedestrian and cycle traffic towards the hospital.
d) Community Speed Watch: There are no plans to implement Community Speed Watch at present.
e) Avon Valley Footpath: Cllr Berry reported that there was one more kissing gate to be installed.
7/13 Planning:
a) S/2013/0043 - Erection of a single dwelling at Meadow View, Park Lane, Britford, SP5 4EA - No Objections.
b) S/2013/0058 - Trees Cons Area - Tree works at Amber Cottage, Bodenham, SP5 4EN - No Objections.
8/13 Reports and Correspondence:
a) South Wiltshire Area Board: The last meeting in Winterslow Village Hall on 31 Jan, attended by the Clerk.
b) Police Neighbourhood Bulletin: No reported crime.
9/13 Finance:
a) Risk Assessment: It was agreed that OPC's Risk Assessment Policy is adequate.
b) Payments: The following were approved:
Bawden Contracting Services Ltd - Grass Cutting 414 £392.30p
Society of Local Council Clerks - Subscription 415 £75.00p
R Parsons - Clerk's salary and expenses, on account 416 £464.00p
Bawden Contracting Services Ltd - Grass Cutting 417 £392.30p
Wessex Water - Recreation Field Water Supply DD £11.10p
Southern Electric - Nunton Field Electricity DD £7.85p
10/13 Any Other Business (for information only): None
11/13 The next scheduled OPC meeting will be held after the Annual Parish Meeting on Thursday, 9 May 2013.
The meeting closed at 8:38pm
Signed without amendment by the PC Chairman, Cllr Rod Poynting, on 9 May
2013.
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