MINUTES OF A FULL MEETING OF YATTON KEYNELL PARISH COUNCIL
Monday February 2nd 2015
Present: Cllr. A. Parker (Chair), Cllr. J. Skinner, Cllr. Crookall, Cllr. K Jones and Cllr. C. Grainger,
Cllr. F. Plowman, Cllr. J. Thomson (representing Cllr. J. Scott) and Becci Plowman (Clerk)
Absent: Cllr. J. Scott & Cllr. S. Hayward
Also Present: 15 Members of the public
1. PUBLIC GALLERY
The main focus of this month’s public gallery was the ongoing road works in the village for the solar farm at Castle Combe race circuit.
One resident raised the question as to whether or not Wiltshire council knew about the MOD oil pipe that runs through the village, and is largely unused or decommissioned, and if it would’ve been possible to run the cable through the oil pipe. Cllr. Thomson stated that whilst the pipe isn’t in use at the moment by the MOD, the pipe work is being kept in place should it be needed in the future. Whilst the original plans for the solar farm was to have the cable laid across fields some land owners did not agree to the work, Mark from Solarfields mentioned that now it has to go through the village, there are strict rules as to how this can be done. As agreed with Solarfields in the original traffic plan, the roads have to be returned to their original state, this also includes the verges. Following the completion of the work, it is not permitted for the road to be dug up again for 2 years, unless emergency work needs to be carried out.
Also raised was the question of the compensation Yatton Keynell will receive once the work has been completed. This will be received as a lump sum rather than over a period of time (e.g 20 years) This was decided so as to allow current groups in the village benefit from it having dealt with the disruption the works have caused.
One of the original concerns the Parish Council had was the impact the increased volume of traffic would have in particular near the school. With the trenching now going through the village this means there will be road works happening outside the school. The trenching is scheduled to be done outside the school during the half term break. At the time of the meeting the work was still running to schedule and is on time.
During the first 2 weeks of road works, the roads in Kent’s Bottom were left untidy, and had not been swept, leading to a large amount of mud on the road, and verges and the bridal path in a poor state. Road sweepers have begun clearing the roads during the course of the day, and as agreed in the traffic plan, everything must be returned back to its original state.
2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Cllr. Hayward and Cllr. Scott
3. REGISTER OF INTERESTS
Not applicable
4. MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON January 5th 2014
Signed by Cllr. Parker
5. REGISTER OF ACTIONS
Following last month’s meeting, the council had received notice of the Greenacre Farm planning application appeal. The council had composed a letter to the building inspector, reaffirming their concerns from the original application.
A concern aside from those regarding the application appeal, was that by co-opting Mrs Green onto the parish council, not only hers but the councils reputation and integrity could be compromised. But as Mrs Green would have to register an interest and opt out of any conversations that should occur on the topic of any future Greenacre Farm applications, following the views of other councillors it was proposed that Mrs Green would be co-opted onto the parish council in next month’s meeting. All were in favour.
6. FINANCE
Following last month’s meeting, a decision was made via email between all councillors regarding the 2015/2016 precept. It was decided that the amount should remain the same (£8750) for the next year. The relevant paper work was signed 21st January 2015.
2 cheques were signed
- Clerks wages £149.12 and Southern Electric £53.28
- Weed control for 2015.
During 2014 the work of spraying the weeds in the village, was not done, however it was decided that for the next 12 months, the council were prepared to use the same service that was provided in previous years, with weed spray application taking place in May and September.
7. PLANNING
14/11973/LBC – New window on North East Elevation – SN14 7EU
As the work is not visible from the road or to any neighbours, the parish council voted all in favour to approve the application, and wait to see what Listed Buildings say.
8. COUNCILLORS QUESTIONS AND ITEMS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS
Cllr. Plowman has taken on the paperwork for the burial ground recently, and was approached by someone who has reserved a plot. As there was no record, or memory of the plot having been paid for, it was proposed to take the benefit of the doubt and mark it as having been paid. The plot has been allocated in the burial ground, and is unlikely that without payment this would have been done. All were in favour.
The war memorial site and appearance is to be discussed in the March meeting. Also be discussed is how the village can go about fundraising for the memorial.
Following several emails to the relevant department at Wiltshire Council, another email will be sent regarding the state of the pavements throughout the village.
A resident had mentioned to one councillor the public bin on the Grittleton Road had been over flowing with rubbish, and people leaving bags of rubbish next to it. Whilst this isn’t something that can be regulated, it is something that will be kept an eye on in the future.
Meeting closed 20:30
Next meeting March 2nd 2015