Yatton Keynell Parish Council
MINUTES OF A FULL MEETING OF YATTON KEYNELL PARISH COUNCIL HELD IN THE BARN – THE BELL INN YATTON KEYNELL MONDAY 4th APRIL 2022
Present: Cllr A Parker (Chair), Cllr C Grainger, Cllr M Green, Cllr. F. Plowman, Cllr S Richards, Cllr D Towl & Unitary Councillor N Botterill & I. Plowman (Clerk).
Public Gallery – 47
An open meeting was held to discuss Planning Application PL/2021/06100 Proposed Solar Farm & Battery Storage. The meeting was attended by four representatives from the applicant – Eden Renewables and forty three members of the public. Cllr Parker stated that the Parish Council had submitted an objection to the original application, since then the Transport plan had been revised to route traffic through the village and Sevington. The world has also changed with the war in Ukraine and sanctions against Russia disrupting the world grain supply. Cllr Parker (in a personnel capacity) had met James Gray MP to raise the issue of agricultural land being used for solar farms and has subsequently confirmed he had written to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities & Local Government suggesting a change in planning rules preventing agricultural land of Grade 3B and above being used for solar farms, thereby securing land for the growing of crops.
The meeting & Parish Councillors universally condemned the proposed transport route highlighting multiple issues including but not limited to:
The extended operating hours of By Brook School.
Parking around the shop.
B4039 junction with Grittleton Road and pinch point at historic toll house.
Disturbance to the residents of the care home (Hunters Moon).
Further pinch points at Phillips Grove & Park Farm bends.
Severe traffic congestion on ‘Action Days and other race days at Castle Combe Circuit.
Nuisance to residents due to the increased level of noise & pollution caused by increased HGV traffic.
Unsuitability of the Sevington road (C178)
The meeting closed at 20:20, after a short adjournment the Parish Council meeting was convened with seven members of the public in attendance.
1.PUBLIC GALLERY
Resident from Tiddleywink asked for an update on the proposal to change the 30mph limit on B4039. Clerk reported that a Freedom of Information request had been submitted to Wiltshire
Council to understand how the decision had been made, which is due by 7th April.
2.REGISTER OF INTERESTS
Cllr F Plowman – Clerk’s Pay review.
3.APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Cllr M Pope.
4.MINUTES OF THE LAST PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting – 7th March 2022 – approved & signed by – Cllr A. Parker
5.REGISTER OF ACTIONS
Wild Flower planting at the School, Head Teacher is supportive of this as Jubilee project, Cllr Towl will cost the project and work would be undertaken by the Cotswold Wardens.
Village Pond project continues.
Jubilee bunting Parish Council to purchase 4 lengths of 33ft each of Union Flags to decorate the village. Budget £30.
Footpath Westwell Cottage to Grittleton Road (YKEY5) landowners written permission has been obtained to replace stiles with gates and to provide a ditch crossing, work will be undertaken by the Cotswold Wardens.
6.PLANNING
Applications considered at the meeting:
Pl/2021/06100 – Proposed Solar Farm Leigh Delamere – See above regarding the public meeting, further objection will be drafted and circulated prior submission to the Planning Officer. Following submission of the Highways Officer’s opinion the Parish Council requested that the Interim Director of Place – Parvis Khansari and or the Cabinet member responsible for Highways attend the Parish Council meeting, which was refused, a face to face meeting was then requested to discuss concern about the proposed transport route and the decision regarding the change of speed limit.
Post Meeting note – During the meeting an email was received from Parvis Khansari confirming that a meeting will be arranged once the Parish Councils & the Sevington – Broomfield Residents Group have submitted their opinions.
PL/2022/01766 – The Well House – Stone built workshop – No Objection, majority decision (six in favour one against) subject to compliance with the conditions suggested by Wiltshire Council Arboricultural Officer.
PL/2022/02145 – 2 Little Sands – Exterior & Interior alterations – No objection
Clerk to write to U Cllr N Botterill to request change to planning system to ensure that the Parish Council where a residential consultee lives are also consulted as issues arise near Parish Boundaries where the application site is in one Parish but a neighbouring residential consultee lives in the adjoining parish.
7.CLERK – FINANCE
Two payments were approved:
I J Plowman – £248.04 – Clerk Salary March – Cheque No. 101230
JCBS Garden Maintain Ltd – £580 – Village Maintenance – Cheque No. 101131
Annual Accounts Sct 1– Annual Governance Statement 2021/22 – Approved
Annual Accounts Sct 2 – Accounting Statements 2021/22 – Approved
Clerks Pay review, noting that Cllr F Plowman has been excluded from all communication on the matter, it was resolved to increase the Clerk’s pay in line with the national settlement effective 1st April 2021 and to move the Clerk’s pay scale to spine point 22 effective 16th August 2021 and spine point 23 effective 16th August 2022 being the anniversary date of employment.
8.COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE LEVY
Request to fund IT equipment for Pre School group, it was agreed to put this request on hold whilst other groups prepare and submit bids.
9.HIGHWAYS, FOOTPATH & PLAY AREA
Clerk reported that Wiltshire Council would be undertaking further works in the village tracing and unblocking drains to resolve the flooding at Old School Gardens. There will be temporary traffic signals in The Street & Biddestone Lane during the period 11th – 14th April.
10.COUNCILLORS QUESTIONS AND ITEMS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS
No Issues raised
Meeting Closed 21:00
Next meeting: Monday 9th May 2022 – The Barn at The Bell Inn