Minutes of Meeting 8th May 2014
COLLINGBOURNE DUCIS PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD IN COLLINGBOURNE DUCIS PRIMARY SCHOOL
ON THURSDAY 8
TH
MAY 2014 AT 8.03pm
Present: Cllr K Cockerton (Chairman), Cllr D Paterson (Vice Chairman), Cllr J Dowsett, Cllr D Dennis, Cllr R Haverson, Cllr J Barber-Starkey, Cllr F Dean, Cllr L Gomes, Cllr T Warren.
In attendance: Mrs A Cockerton (Minutes note taker) and two members of the public.
1.
01.14 Cllr K Cockerton was re-elected Chairman of the Parish Council proposed by David Paterson, seconded by Rodney Haverson and carried unanimously. Cllr K Cockerton duly signed
the declaration of Acceptance of Office.
2.
APOLOGIES: Cllr N Williams.
3.
02.14 Election of Vice Chairman. Cllr D. Paterson elected Vice Chairman proposed by Keith Cockerton, seconded by Lucy Gomes and carried unanimously.
4.
03.14 MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING. The Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held on 27
th
March 2014 having been previously circulated were agreed as a true record
and were signed by Cllr K Cockerton
Agreed nem con
04.14 MATTERS ARISING. None
5. 05.14 ELECTION OF COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN
Planning Committee Chairman - Cllr L Gomes Proposed by Cllr Dowsett, seconded by Cllr Cockerton.
Cllr Dowsett agreed to help out as Chair of Finance & Property Committee for 6 or 7 weeks until he moves out of the village, with the possibility of handing over gradually to Tracey Warren.
This was proposed by Cllr Cockerton, seconded by Cllr Paterson.
6. 06.14 DISCLOSURE(S) OF INTEREST AND GRANTING OF DISPENSATIONS To receive any declaration of interest by a member in relation to matters to be considered at this meeting, as
defined by the Code of Conduct adopted by the Council on 12 July 2012 in accordance with the provisions of the Localism Act 2011 and to consider requests for dispensations. None declared
7
06.14a POLICING ISSUES. No report from the Police as a report was given at Annual Parish Meeting.
Part of 10.14 was moved up the agenda so that the relationship between the A338 Action Group and the Parish Council could be discussed through open debate with Mr D. Booth and
J Wyman of the A338 Action Group. The Parish Council confirmed its commitment to the Puffin crossing.
8. ADJOURNMENT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS /QUESTIONS. The meeting was temporarily suspended at 8.25 to have an informal public discussion about the A338 Action Group. The
Chairman expressed the concern of the Council that the tone of correspondence between the Action Group and Wiltshire Council was harmful to our working relationship with Wiltshire. The
Action Group questioned village support for the Puffin Crossing and whether it was a priority. There followed a frank exchange of views.
The meeting was resumed at 8.55pm.
9.
07.14 FINANCE REPORT
Cllr Dennis gave the Finance report. It was highlighted that the current Clerk had been unable to prepare the end of year accounts and that Cllr Dowsett had drawn up an interim status of
accounts for year ending 2013/14. Our current situation is that we have a healthy balance but monies for schemes have not yet been drawn and there are outstanding bills to pay. The Chairman
suggested that Phil Gill should be contacted to see if he was willing to prepare accounts which can be audited. Chairman/Cllr Dowsett
(The account has since been brought to balance with an excess of income over expenditure and a cash balance of £25229 once debtors and creditors have been taken into account.)
10.
The Toddler Group has no bank account so it was agreed that the grant to them would be paid to the Village Hall for 20 weeks rent.
No bank reconciliation was available.
Annual Statement of Accounts not available and P Gill will be asked if he will produce a set.
Statement of Assurance was approved.
Appoint Internal Auditor for FY 13114 Cllr Dowsett will ask David Beaton if he is prepared to do it.
Review risk assessment and insurance levels. No change in risk levels and insurance levels will be as Community First 3 year agreement.
Cheque Signatories were confirmed as Cllrs Cockerton, Haverson and Dennis.
No bills and cheques presented for payment.
10. 08.14 PLANNING REPORT
Cllr Gomes reported that there was nothing to report. Cllr Warren reported that a listed property in Ludgershall Road was having some work done to it without planning permission and this was
being looked into by Wiltshire Council. The Chairman thought if there was a planning dispute then the Parish Council should be told. He said he would write to Wiltshire Council requesting
this.
11. 09.14 PROPERTY REPORT
Bawden seem to be doing a good job so far on the green areas of the village. Cllr Paterson will check the contract with Bawden and he will be the permanent contact for the company.
Plans for the play area are moving forward.
Cllr Dowsett informed the Council the Cricket Club Agreement for the use of the Recreation ground is ready for signing. There has been no word from the Football Club. Chairman will chase.
12. 10.14 HIGHWAY MATTERS.
Cllr Haverson presented his report. He highlighted that the A338 has major potholes that needed repair as does Everleigh Road after the flooding and these pose a threat to cyclists. Wheelie bins
left on footpaths after emptying are causing problems. Some crews are more considerate than others.
Because paths no longer appear to be swept, the accumulation of leaves is leading to slippery paths in wet weather. A338 Action Group had been formed with Mr Derek Booth as Chairman. Cllr
Haverson reported due to ill health he wished to step down from his responsibilities for highway matters.
Cllr Dennis was proposed by Cllr Haverson to take over the role seconded by Cllr Cockerton and unanimously approved.
The meeting was informed that we have a replacement Steward Co-ordinator Nick Bancroft.
Following our concerns in the open forum two resolutions were proposed;
that the Collingbourne Ducis Parish Council confirms its support for the installation of a Puffin Crossing on the A338 at London House junction. It is hoped that the crossing can be installed
during 2014 and the Parish Council will provide every support to Wiltshire Council in achieving this.
Whilst appreciating the efforts of the A338 Action Group in influencing
the volume, speed and type of traffic on the A338 through the village the Parish Council wishes to make it clear that the action group is entirely independent of the Parish Council.
Both of these resolutions were proposed by the Chairman and seconded by Cllr Paterson and agreed unanimously.
13. 11.14 General Matters. The council was informed by the Chairman that there was a strong indication that the current Clerk will resign due to personal reasons. When a written
resignation is received the chairman will start the process for finding a replacement. Chairman
Feedback from the meeting with Wessex Water regarding sewage overflow and flooding in Everleigh Road. Wessex Water has been to the village, investigating the cause of so much
flooding over the winter, particularly in Everleigh Road. Wiltshire Council has agreed that, should the High Street sewers overflow in the future, they will put in traffic lights to restrict traffic
flow to the Bourne side of the road only.
100 Year anniversary of outbreak of World War 1. Cllr Paterson reported on the orchard and wildflower meadow being planted and on his liaison with the school on WW1 commemoration
plans. The trees are doing well and Bawden know not to strim in the area where the poppies are seeded. A lottery bid is to be entered. Both Cllr Paterson and the Chairman attended a county-
wide event.
Parishioners Complaints The hedges and grass at The Knapp are too long. John Dowsett clarified the frequency of the grass cutting contract. This is believed to be private property and not the
Councils responsibility. The same complainant pointed out that the bus shelter at the top of the hill in Tidworth Road has been removed following a few incidents of vandalism.
The path between Collingbourne Ducis and Collingbourne Kingston is also very overgrown. Chairman will investigate and we may need to pay for an extra cut, Chairman
A field at the top of Oxford Street has been ploughed up over the public footpath and an electric fence installed. It was pointed out that the farmer concerned does reinstate the public footpath
subsequently across the field and sprays it to form a clear pathway. It was also considered that walking around the edge of the electric fence was not a major problem. The Parish Council will
monitor this.
14. DATE OF NEXT MEETING: Confirmed as Thursday 19th June 2014 at 7.30 pm.
15. DATES OF FUTURE MEETING. The Chairman will circulate provisional dates which can be agreed at the next meeting.
The meeting closed at 9.25pm.
Signed:
Chairman
MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING HELD AT
COLLINGBOURNE SCHOOL
ON THURSDAY 8
th
MAY 2014 AT 7.00 PM
Present: Cllr K Cockerton (Chairman), Cllr D Paterson (Vice Chairman), Cllr J Dowsett, Cllr D Dennis, Cllr R Haverson, Cllr J Barber-Starkey, Cllr F Dean, Cllr L
Gomes, Cllr T Warren, Wiltshire County Councillor Charles Howard, PCSO Rosie Smith, Mrs Lindie Rogers (Chair, Collingbourne Ducis Village Hall Trust), Mr Derek Booth (A338
Action Group) and 2 members of the public.
Apologies for absence: Cllr J Mason, Headteacher, Collingbourne CE Primary School, Mr G.Hooper (Collingbournes, Chute & Everleigh Link Scheme).
1. Annual Report of the Parish Council.
Keith Cockerton, Chair, presented the following report:
The current Parish Council has now been in place for one year and it has been a steep learning curve for us all as the majority of councillors were new to local government.
At
our
first
meeting
we
lost
our
Clerk
who
resigned
but
did
offer
to
see
us
through
to
January.
We
appointed
a
new
Clerk
in
December
but
we
end
the
year
with
no
Clerk
as
it
seems
the
current Clerk is unable to continue for personal reasons.
It
has
been
a
year
when
the
elements
have
not
been
to
kind
to
us
with
high
winds
bringing
down
trees
blocking
the
roads,
houses
losing
power
and
telephone.
Coupled
with
this
was
flooding
due
to
heavy
rain,
particularly
in
Everleigh
Road
as
well
as
some
properties
having
to
pump
out
water.
The
high
street
had
a
month
of
overflowing
sewage
resulting
in
the
spraying
of
pedestrians.
With
the
assistance
of
Simon
Gilford
(our
Flood
Warden)
and
with
our
Wiltshire
Councillor
Charles
Howard
chasing
the
relevant
authorities
the
situation
is
being
investigated and hopefully the future will see us less affected by heavy rain.
The
year
has
seen
much
positive
work
by
the
Council
with
support
for
local
groups,
such
as
the
Scouts,
Toddler
Group
and
Football
club.
The
youth
shelter
has
been
repaired
and
the
new leases for use of the recreation ground have been drawn up with users. We have worked to meet their various specialist needs without them being a burden on the Parish as a whole.
The
children’s
play
area
on
the
recreation
ground
has
moved
forward.
We
have
consulted
the
village
about
what
is
required
and
where
as
well
as
setting
aside
funds
and
raising
a
£5,000
grant. Hopefully in the near future it will be a reality.
It
is
the
centenary
of
the
outbreak
of
WW1
and
your
council
has
been
working
on
the
best
way
to
commemorate
this.
Work
has
already
started
with
the
planting
of
the
orchard
and
the
wild flowers by volunteers and the school children.
On your behalf I welcomed a new team vicar, at her licensing service, Rev. Joanne Reid. Jo has made her home in the village and we wish her every happiness here.
We
had
started
the
term
of
the
council
with
good
news
regarding
the
Puffin
Crossing
with
the
case
for
one
proven
to
Wiltshire
Council.
Unfortunately
we
were
knocked
back
by
a
lack
of
money. A full costing of the project is now being carried out and the feeling is that it will happen in the near future.
A new contract has been negotiated for the grass cutting within the village with a local company, Bawdens of Amesbury.
Once
again
the
recreation
ground
hosted
a
very
successful
village
show,
for
which
the
Parish
Council
provided
the
grounds
and
electricity
free
of
charge.
A
good
time
was
had
by
all
and
local organisations have benefited from monies raised.
It
looked
likely
that
major
planning
decisions
would
have
to
be
made
concerning
Station
Approach
and
Bales
Yard.
There
was
a
public
consultation
over
Station
Approach
held
by
the
architects. At the moment there has been no formal application and the Bales Yard one appears to be on hold.
The
voluntary
litter
pick
was
restarted
and
highlighted
that
the
people
can
improve
the
village
themselves
and
not
just
rely
on
the
council.
This
spirit
was
duly
recognised
by
the
Tidworth
Area Boards Community Awards with Simon Gilford receiving one for his selfless flood work and Karl and Lindie Rogers for their work in the village over 30 years.
The
new
Council
has
tried
to
be
transparent
in
its
dealings,
to
listen
to
what
the
Parish
would
like
to
see
and
support
its
organisations.
We
have
started
a
feedback
email
address
so
you
can highlight concerns, we have revamped the website and created a diary of events on it.
The council will strive to improve the parish and continue to make Collingbourne Ducis a good place to live.
On
a
final
note,
there
are
vacancies
on
the
Parish
Council
and
if
you
are
interested
or
know
of
someone
who
would
be
interested
in
becoming
an
active
member
please
contact
me
or
see
me after the meeting.
There were no questions from those present.
2. Summary of the Council’s financial performance for the year ended 31 March 2014.
Cllr John Dowsett outlined the fact the figures presented were provisional but that the finances were in good shape with a healthy balance. It should be noted that monies set aside for
projects had yet to be spent and some bills were left to pay. (The account has since been brought to balance with an excess of income over expenditure and a cash balance of
£25229 once debtors and creditors have been taken into account.)
3. Head teacher’s Report from Collingbourne C E Primary School.
In the absence of Mr Jeff Mason, Head teacher, Cllr David Paterson read the following report on his behalf.
The
school
currently
has
121
children
on
role.
We
have
been
over-subscribed
again
this
September,
taking
in
17
new
reception
children.
8
of
these
children
are
in
catchment.
We
will
be
losing 15 year 6 children at the end of this academic year. We are also, unfortunately, still turning away new children from all years from both our catchment and outside.
In
October
2013,
the
school
was
Ofsted
inspected
and
the
result
came
back
as
‘Good’
with
outstanding
features.
This
was
closely
followed
up
in
February
this
year
by
the
Diocese
National
Society
Statutory
Inspection
of
Anglican
and
Methodist
Schools,
which
found
the
school
‘Outstanding’.
All
the
Staff,
Governors
and
children
of
the
school
are
very
proud
of
these results and feel they are well deserved.
The
school
has
invested
heavily
in
its
IT
resources
this
year
with
infrastructure
projects
being
undertaken
to
help
support
the
advances
of
modern
technology
and
bring
the
school
right
up-to-date.
The
infrastructure
installed
helped
to
lay
the
way
for
the
instalment
of
Interactive
Smart
Whiteboards
in
the
KS2
classrooms.
This
will
enable
the
school
to
efficiently
and
effectively
provide
the
new
IT
curriculum
and
be
able
to
provide
the
children
with
excellent
IT
resources,
including
introducing
touch
screen
technology
into
the
classroom
and
computer
programming.
The
schools
has
taken
part
in
many
activities
this
year
including
the
Tesco’s
Farm
to
Fork
Trail,
Planting
Memories
with
David
Patterson,
we
dressed
as
Mr
Men
and
Little
Miss’s
to
help
raise
money
for
Mrs
Wigglesworth
(Class
5
teacher)
who
ran
the
London
Marathon
for
Children
with
Cancer,
we
took
park
in
World
Book
day
by
dressing
as
our
favourite
literary
characters,
Elizabeth-Ann
Reed
(our
Chair
of
Governors)
and
a
host
of
helpers
across
the
Ducis
and
Kingston
Parishes
cooked
pancakes
for
all
children
and
staff
in
the
school
and
hosted
an
afternoon
of
pancake
racing
fun,
Year
6
took
part
in
the
Pewsey
Vale
Tag
Rugby
Festival
coming
in
at
6
th
place,
the
year
6
pupils
help
a
Walk,
Run,
Jog-a-thon
to
raise
money
for
playground
and
PE
resources,
the
children
raised
money
for
Barnardo’s
by
holding
a
cake
sale
and
‘guess
the
name
of
the
bear’,
the
Year
6
children
took
part
In
the
Hockey
Festival
at
the
Wellington
Academy
coming
in
third
place,
we
raised
money
for
Sports
for
you
North
by
undertaking
a
sponsored
fitness
event,
the
children
had
great
fun
taking
part
in
the
Save
the
Children
Christmas
Jumper
day,
2
fabulous
performances
of
‘A
little
bird
told
me’
we
given
by
the
KS1
children
for
their
nativity
play,
4
pupils
from
Year
6
were
thrilled
to
be
invited
to
the
Houses
of
Parliament
for
a
visit,
the
school
hosted
a
festive
family
fundraising
afternoon
to
raise
money
for
school
fund,
we
celebrated
children
in
need
by
coming
dressed
in
our
pyjamas and finally, Year 6 took part in the Netball Festival at the Wellington Academy.
All
of
the
above
is
in
addition
to
the
following
activities
which
happen
every
year,
the
children
commemorated
Remembrance
Day
at
the
Collingbourne
Ducis
Memorial
with
a
prayer,
the
Monster
Mash
was
very
successful
and
popular
raising
lots
of
funds
for
the
school,
the
carol
service
was
once
again
held
at
St
Mary’s
Church,
the
Bun
and
Penny
tradition
continues
on and the children entered produce from the school garden into the village show and won prizes! Cake bakes, celebration assemblies and bingo all continue too.
A
special
note
should
be
made
for
one
of
our
pupils
who
is
currently
undergoing
treatment
for
Leukaemia
-
all
of
the
school
wishes
this
pupil
well
and
regularly
sends
letters,
activity
packs,
balloons,
teddy
bears
etc
and
have
raised
lots
of
money
the
Piam
Brown
ward
where
the
child
was
being
treated.
The
school
was
overwhelmed
with
the
support
given
by
the
community and families of the children who attend the school.
Luckily, there wasn’t any snow to affect the school this year, and even with the floods, the school was open as business for usual, and was the base point for storing the sandbag supplies.
As always, the PTA have continued to be an amazing asset to the school in raising funds and supporting the school’s needs. We are truly grateful to them.
As
I
write
this
report,
we
are
preparing
for
the
School
Census,
SATs
week
and
are
busy
setting
the
new
school
budget,
we’ll
have
a
short
half
term
break
at
the
end
of
May
before
coming
back for the final 8 weeks of school this academic year.
It
only
seems
like
yesterday
that
we
started
back,
but
as
you
can
see
from
all
the
activities
that
we’ve
been
involved
in,
and
the
wonderful
results
from
our
2
inspections,
we
are
teaching
and developing our children to a high standard, whilst having lots of fun in between.
We would like to thank Ducis Parish Council for their continued support of the school.
Rodney Haverson raised an additional point of Pam Haverson’s gardening work with the children for the Village Show.
4. Report from Wiltshire Cllr C Howard.
Cllr Howard presented his report and is shown below.
General County Matters.
The past year has been yet another one of good progress in many ways, of which I will mention some:
Council Tax has been frozen for the fourth successive year, although there will be small increases of a few pounds per household this year to the amounts payable to the police, fire
and rescue and the Parish Council . The Council’s achievement in holding the rate for a further year is remarkable because our Settlement Funding payments from Central Government
have been reduced by about 9% and will reduce further next year. Despite this, we are still continuing to maintain front line services and invest in yet more care for the elderly and
vulnerable people, improving our housing stock and spending extra millions of pounds on our roads to clear as much as possible of the backlog in repairs. With ongoing inflation at 2%,
Wiltshire Council has had to find savings of £25 million this year to balance its budget.
It is good to know that the Council Tax we will all be paying in the coming year compared to similar and surrounding councils is one of the lowest in the country.
Links to the Wiltshire Council Annual Parish Report and the Wiltshire Council Financial Plan have been posted in full on the home page of the village website at
www.collingbourne-ducis.com .The Annual Report is a six page document which covers all the main areas of the Council’s activities during the past year.
On a personal note, I continue with my membership of four committees of Wiltshire Council, including as chairman of our local Eastern Area Planning Committee, and vice-
chairman of the Wiltshire Pension Fund. I am now a Governor of the Wellington Academy.
Local Matters.
I have been involved in a wide range of issues of direct interest to Collingbourne Ducis during the past year, including:
Planning applications and flooding in the village.
Dealing with enquiries from members of the public on a wide range of problems.
Supporting applications for grants from the Tidworth Area Board.
Work on the traffic pollution and speeding on the A338. This continues, and current mitigation plans include:
The Puffin Crossing. Funding of up to £10,000 has been obtained for a fully costed survey which will be used as part of an application to Wiltshire Council for a grant for the
construction costs. This project has the full support of the Portfolio Holder for Highways at Wiltshire Council, and the results of the application will be known towards the end of
this year.
Discussions between Wiltshire Council and the Highways Agency about using signs on the main national trunk roads to encourage through HGV traffic to use the A34, and not
the A338/A346 route through the Collingbournes are now in progress. In the past the Highways Agency has been reluctant to discuss these matters with Wiltshire Council, and
the intervention of Claire Perry MP has been very helpful in getting a dialogue going
There has been much recent debate about this subject, and I hope that at least all concerned now have a better understanding of the problems and what can and cannot be achieved to
solve them.
It has been a pleasure working with the Parish Council during the past year.
There were no questioned raised and the Chairman thanked him for his report.
5.
Report from Wiltshire Constabulary.
Policing team report from Rosie Smith, new PCSO. Rosie presented a statistical report on last year’s crime figures. Derek Booth asked a question about the robbery of grass seed
from Court Farm and Rosie responded that this would appear in a subsequent report. John Dowsett asked for clarification of ‘detection rates’ and Rosie explained that this meant
there had been a result in terms of a crime being resolved and a course of action agreed. Keith Cockerton asked if there was any identifiable reason for certain crime rates changing
dramatically and Rosie responded that this could be due to the targeting of attention on anti-social behaviour and the fact that groups of young people grow older and move on. There
have also been proactive patrols at beauty spots. David Paterson asked about Rural Crime Initiative signs that he had seen around and Rosie explained that this was focusing on
crimes committed by people passing through the county because of the ease of access by M4 and A303. Rod Haverson reported that he had taken in two stray chickens and a sign
would be posted in the local notice board. Keith Cockerton said that, following a burglary at Garlands industrial area, the owners had been very unhappy with the call centre
response. This has been reported and is being looked into.
The chairman thanked them for taking the time out to update us.
6.
Report from the Collingbournes Chute & Everleigh Link Scheme.
In the absence of Mr G Hooper provided a report which was read by Jill Cockerton on his behalf.
2013 was a year of steady progress for your Link Scheme and I am proud to say that we have continued to provide the services that our neighbours have asked us to do, and that we have
a successful team of volunteers. During the year we have been fortunate to add several more people to this team.
The number of tasks has fallen slightly this year. This is mirrored by similar falls experienced by several other Link Schemes but overall, Wiltshire's Link Schemes travelled 992,379
miles during the year, and Link Volunteers gave up 179,244 hours to make this Good Neighbour Scheme one of the very best in the country.
This success has been recognised by Wiltshire council, but due to the tight financial situation they have decided to stop paying us the 5 pence per mile Concessionary Fares Scheme
payment. This makes the grants given to us by our Parish Councils, and by the Ducis and Everleigh Village Show even more important, and I would like to thank these organisations for
their generosity. You keep us solvent and keep us moving and helping our clients. Friends of Savernake Hospital have also been generous in their support, and we have had generous
donations from The Barleycorn, after their quiz nights. All our volunteers give of their time most generously too, and I would like to thank them all, on behalf of the Committee.
It has been decided that all volunteers over 70 should be encouraged to sign up to the Sage Safer Driving Programme. The Link Scheme will pay the £36 cost of this driving assessment,
which is not a test, but an independent assessment which can help to enhance the driver's confidence and enjoyment of driving. It is a one hour's . drive around our local roads, with a
debrief at the end with the instructor offering suggestions to help your driving. It is intended to ensure safer driving.
I would like to thank our Link Committee Members for the excellent work they do to make this Scheme work smoothly. Our Co-ordinator Team, Elizabeth and Jane seamlessly switch
from one to the other and do their utmost to help all the clients that call our telephone number.
Finally, thank to our volunteers, without whom Link could not exist. You are the good people who make it all happen.
We are always looking for new volunteers so if you wish to help please contact me.
7. Report and Statement of Accounts from Collingbourne Ducis Village Hall Trust.
Lindie Rogers brought us upto date with the following report.
The 40 year Public Works Board Loan is repayable in 2014 and the CDVHT has recently deposited £25000 with Scottish Widows. This sum assures repayment will be possible in ten
years time. Meanwhile the interest is paid twice annually.
Our new treasurer, Lucy Gomes has taken us into 21
st
century with an online for business facility with Lloyds Bank. It must be good because I can use it too!!
We have agreed to hold and distribute the Ducis and Everleigh Show funds for a second year this year.
Financially we are healthy thanks to a steady stream of income from regular hirers including the school, Pre school, Toddlers, table tennis, yoga, short mat bowls, cricket, football and
occasional hiring for family parties, weddings as well as fund raising events.
We are planning several large refurbishments over the next five years. We hope that this parish Council will look favourably on our applications for financial help with these
improvements.
The Chairman thanked Mrs. Rogers for the report.
John Dowsett pointed out that receiving even small grants from the Parish Council can help with other grant applications.
8. Report from A338 Action Group
Mr Derek Booth presented the A338 Action Group report which is shown below.
At this juncture there is not much to report.
There is plenty of inactivity from Wiltshire Council via Mr. Philip Whitehead.
I have problems with this person and the email traffic between us have become repetitive and argumentative.
I have, therefore, refused to correspond with this person, and I have informed the leader of Wilsthire Council, Jane Scott of this decision.
Another member of the Group emailed Mr. P. Whithead and his reply was almost identical to the replies that he had sent me. In this email he mentioned, in addition a pelican crossing in
Devizes and the introduction of a 30 mph speed limit in Baydon. We are not interested in Devizes or Baydon as we do not reside in these places.
He appears not to accept the issues raised by the petition from July 2013.
As our petition does not refer to pelican crossings it was referred to because I queried the Cost Effectiveness of the crossing in C.Ducis and that the Group are not 100% in favour of such
a scheme, because of the cost involved.
ACHIEVEMENTS
1. i asked the Councils Environment Department for a Pollution/ Air Quality Check
Monitoring had not been carried out since the 1990's. They are going to monitor the air quality in C. Ducis from sometime this month for 6 months.
2. I attempted to obtain certain facts and figures from the era that the Speed Watch scheme was in force. I applied under the Freedom of Information Act. I awaited the customary 20
days. When I received the response email, I was informed that the records for the period that I had requested had become "corrupt"
NO ACHIEVEMENT
3 (a) There has been an increase in the number of Police Speed checks. This is something very obvious, as whenever the Police are in the locality, everybody, apart from the odd few
obey the speed limit. As soon as the checks have stopped, it's back to normal. Being, speeding, overtaking, using mobile 'phones.
3 (b) Use of unmarked Police cars.
A, traffic count of HGV's was carried out, refer to attached appendix. The figures show the ACTUAL amount of HGV's that passed through along the A338.
Further Information.
1. Wiltshire Council appear reluctant to give us positive answers to the issues raised by the petition.
2. SOLSTICE PARK, AMESBURY. MEGA SHED
The Mega Shed will be operated by a company called, TJ. MORRIS as a redistribution depot. T. J. MORRIS are a North of England company and their operation will probably have an
adverse effect on the A338 and its environs. The issue of the Mega Shed should be raised at the next meeting of the Tidworth Area Board.
Charles Howard said that the traffic figures were in line with previous data. Dave Dennis asked about the possible impact of the ‘mega shed’ at Amesbury and it was generally agreed that
this could have a serious negative impact on the road through the village. When the Co-operative depot was built at Andover, attempts were made to stop lorries using the A338 but, as no
legal agreements were made, this was impossible. Charles Howard pointed out that the majority of HGVs passing through the village have business en route and only 26% are through
traffic. Dave Dennis pointed out the degeneration of the bridges at the end of the Burbage by-pass and suggested that, should weight restrictions be introduced, this would have a
beneficial impact on the A338. These bridges belong to Railtrack and to the Kennet and Avon Canal.
8. Written Resolutions.
There being no resolutions to consider the Chairman thanked all the speakers.
The meeting closed at 8.00 pm.
Signed….........................................
Date......................
Keith Cockerton
Chairman
t
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