Apologies

Present: Councillors, Mrs G Drewett, Mr K Davis, Mr S Lloyd, Mrs J Snooks, Mr R Pearce, Mrs G Hurn, Mrs K White, Mr K Miller and Mrs A Whittle (Clerk).

Mr and Mrs S Reeves – 21 Manor Fields regarding planning application W/11/02863/FUL. Mr and Mrs Reeves made representation to the council regarding their objections to the planning application as listed above which is for 23 Manor Fields which shares a boundary with their property.

Mr A Hobbs – Landlord at the Duke public house – Andy advised the council of the recent issues of damage to vehicles parked in the Duke car park and the use of the car park by unauthorised people who are visiting other village facilities such as the Jubilee Hall and the Church Institute. He asked if the Parish Council could look into the issue of the lack of parking in the village. Cllr Drewett suggested that perhaps a polite notice in the Churchman pointing out the issues may be the first step to trying to resolve the problems in the car park. The Jubilee Hall committee have already put up a new sign on the jubilee hall door advising no parking in the pub car park without permission. It was suggested that a letter be sent from the Parish Council to the Jubilee Hall, Church Institute and Pavilion advising that the landlord has approached the council and that he will not tolerate the unauthorised parking of vehicles in the pub car park. He will also try putting notices on the cars in the car park.

PCSO Breedt gave a short report: Since the last Parish Council meeting there has been a slight spike in Anti Social Behaviour (ASB) in Bratton over the last month. The NPT have engaged with the youths and the Council ASB officer has been contacted. The NPT have also conferred with the Selwood Housing manager making them aware. Patrols have and will be ongoing and anyone who keeps causing ASB will be referred to the ASB Panel where action will be taken. Any crime committed will be investigated and offenders dealt with robustly. Unknown person set fire to items behind a barn in Capps Lane. A small fire was put out but the reporting person heard someone leaving the scene. Most notably there has been a rise in thefts of and from vehicles. Two attempt thefts of vehicles in Tynings Lane, Bratton. A vehicle was stolen from Stradbrook and subsequently recovered in the Devizes area. Two males have been arrested on suspicion of causing these offences and enquiries are ongoing. Remember when leaving your vehicle to have all valuables out of sight, preferably removed from the vehicle all together. Do not leave any personal documentation in the vehicle and when you leave your vehicle ensure it is secure. As we enter into the Christmas period ensure that the boxes for large expensive items, such as televisions or computers are not left outside homes or presents left under the tree in full view of the street. This is tempting for burglars. Any sightings of people or vehicles seen in suspicious circumstances then please contact the Police. The NPT hope you all have a great Christmas and Happy New Year.

171/11 Apologies. Apologies were received from Cllr Edwards and Cllr Swabey.

173/11 To approve the minutes of the meetings held on the 8^th and 22^nd November 2011

174/11 Planning

W/11/03097/DDD – The Court House – Remove 2 over mature APPLE Trees that are in decline and dangerous – Tree Works to be allowed.

W/11/03105/DDD – Kajha Millditch – Works to various Dead Dying and Dangerous trees, to be carried out under section 198 of the Town Country Planning Act – Tree Works to be allowed. W/11/02799/TCA – 16 Westbury Road – Various tree works to 8 trees.

W/11/02703/TCA – Ivy Cottage Lower Road – Reduce height of Acer and Robinia.

W/11/02738/TCA – 1 Lower Westbury Road – Fell 1 Hawthorn and 2 Copper Beech. No tree preservation orders made on the above 4 applications.

W/11/02524/FUL – 2 Holme Lane – New dormer window & two roof lights – Permission. W/11/02306/FUL – 12 Westbury Road – removal of raised manhole cover - Permission

W/11/02864/AGD – W Gale - Land East of the Hollow – Timber building for the storage of animal fodder and farm machinery – Refused.

W/11/03089/TCA – 8 Bury Lane – Reduce Mulberry tree by 30%, prune Pear tree for fruit and reduce Acer tree by 15%

Cllr Davis gave the following short report. A full set of minutes will be available shortly.

Discussions took place re4garding the HGV ban in Bath and the consequences to this area. Wiltshire Council has asked BANES for more information on their plans but BANES are refusing to give any further information. There was an update from the Police stating a 6% rise in crime which is mostly non dwelling and anti social behaviour. The council is looking for policy guidelines regarding wind farms in Wiltshire. Funds are now available from the Area Board of up to £1000 for Jubilee celebrations. There is also approximately £22000 still to award in grant funding from the Area Board.

Cllr Lloyd reported that the light over the front door is now working and an electrical survey has been undertaken by Wheelers. He also advised that the committee had been awarded a grant of £525 from Westbury Area Board towards the cost of the refurbishment of the toilets.

The clerk reported that she had spoken to British Gas regarding the recent electricity bill which included an administration charge of £40, to clarify what the charge was for. She was advised that the charge was for the late payment of the previous invoice dated the 7^th of July. This should have been paid by the 17^th of July and wasn’t paid until the 11^th of August. The parish council agreed to ask the Jubilee Hall committee to pay the £40 as the charge was incurred due to an error whilst they were managing the pavilion.

The clerk advised that she had spoken to Southern Electric who advised that the wooden pole opposite the church institute steps is a BT pole and therefore they can not fix a street light to it. A new pole next to the existing one would cost approximately £1000. However there is a pole on the institutes land between it and Whitehorse Cottages which does belong to Southern Electric and a light could be fixed to that. The cost would be approximately £500. The other suggestion was a security light on the institute which could shine down over the steps. Cllr Drewett advised that this has already been done and should now be working. Therefore the council decided to wait and see what effect the new security light makes before looking at a new street light further.

The clerk has met Ed Bailey on site and he will be commencing the work in early January. Cllr Drewett was asked to speak to speak to her contact regarding the handrail.

The clerk advised that the memorial tree will be ready for dispatch in the new year and the council needs to then arrange a date and time, and agree a place to plant the tree in Reeves Orchard.

The finance committee had recently met and discussed the budget and precept for 2012/13. There recommendation is no change to either the budget or precept and that a precept of £24500 is requested from Wiltshire Council.

179/11 To discuss possible lane surface clearance paid for by the Parish Council – Cllr Lloyd

Cllr Lloyd spoke to the council regarding the recent voluntary work undertaken by John Drewett and a friend clearing the surface of some well used village lanes and footpaths. It was suggested that perhaps in September each year the parish council could organise a group of volunteers for clearing all the village lanes. The clerk will place this in the diary for next August

The clerk had been asked to find out the planning status of Bonnie Park. She had been advised by Wiltshire Council that in order for Mr Bonavia to let the pitches on site he has too apply for a new licence which he has not done as yet. The clerk will continue to monitor the situation.

A letter had been received from the Jubilee Hall Committee asking for the Parish Councils help with the payment of the invoice for the works required on the flat roof on the hall as the council is VAT registered and the owner of the building. The council agreed to help the committee.

Quotes had been received from two of the five companies who were asked to tender.

It was resolved to accept the tender made by Callaway Grass maintenance. It was also resolved that any extra cuts required would be at the discretion of the parish council and could he provide a cost for each individual extra cut.

Could the clerk please contact the owner of 5 Redlands regarding brambles overhanging his boundary fence and obstructing the public footpath?

186/11 To confirm the Financial Statement for October and accounts for payment

The council accepted the financial statement for October and the following accounts for payment.

R Jordan – Hours and Travel - £66.88 Callaway Grass Maintenance – Grass Cutting - £91.29

Callaway Grass Maintenance – hedge tidy - £75.00 Pavilion – PC hire - £22.00

187/11 To receive reports from Members

Cllr Davis. Cllr Davis advised the council that after many years he had decided to resign from the Parish Council in March 2012.

Cllr Hurn expressed her thanks to John Drewett for clearing the lanes and could the council maybe make him an ex gratia payment for his hard work. The council resolved to award an ex gratia payment of £30.

Cllr Hurn also reported that the Jubilee hall had received another complaint about Mr and Mrs R Baggs. The clerk advised that she would report the incident to Selwood Housing and could the Jubilee Hall and the user also report the incident.

Cllr Lloyd reported that the new kitchen had been installed and the new ceiling is now in place at the Recreation Ground Pavilion. The walls are now ready for painting and tiling.

Cllr Miller reported fly tipping in Lower Westbury Road and the removal of a public footpath sign.

Cllr White advised the council that after many years she will be retiring from the Parish Council in March 2012.

Signed ………………………………….. Date …………….

173/11 To approve the minutes of the meetings held on the 8th and 22nd November 2011

174/11 Planning

186/11 To confirm the Financial Statement for October and accounts for payment

187/11 To receive reports from Members

173/11 To approve the minutes of the meetings held on the 8^th and 22^nd November 2011