Action

1.

Welcome

Chair Cllr James welcomed those present and thanked them for coming.   

2.

Declarations of Interest

None reported.

3.

Minutes

A copy of the minutes for the last meeting held on 6th December 2007 were submitted, approved and duly signed by Cllr James. 

4.

Matters arising from the minutes of the last meeting

Reply from Post Office letter – the reply letter was read out from the Post Office regarding the Parish Council letter complaint that customers in Firsdown had been experiencing problems with their mail deliveries.

5.

Finance

The Clerk distributed the Parish Council’s spreadsheet to the Council members with details of the Council’s financial accounts and transactions for December 2007 and January 2008.  

6.

Update from Cllr Edgley regarding attendance of meetings on:

25th January – Parish Council Seminar, Salisbury District Council – Cllr Edgeley gave a brief update on his attendance at this meeting and had found the meeting to be interesting and beneficial especially being able to meet with fellow Parish Councillors. 

Following discussion the question was raised by Cllr Moss as to why Firsdown was included in the Northern Area community and it is thought that Firsdown should be included instead in the Southern Area due to the location of the village.  Cllr Moss suggested the Parish Council write to Helen Kreizman at WCC to explain this anomaly.  Clerk to write the appropriate letter.

5th February Public Meeting – Improving Community Safety, Wiltshire Police Authority – Cllr Edgeley attended this meeting and gave a brief update.

Clerk

7.

Parish Plan Steering Group

Note was made that a meeting had taken place since the last Parish Council meeting in December and that there were delays in collating the information due to time constraints of members of the Group.

8.

Roman Road

A letter which the Parish Council had received regarding the Roman Road was read out and there then took place a discussion amongst Councillors and audience.

It was stated that the Roman Road is a Right of Way and owned by Wiltshire County Council and that there appears to be a dispute amongst certain residents because some residents appear to have extended their gardens and therefore encroaching on the Road.

After the discussion the Parish Council concluded (i) that it was up to the individual to talk to the landowner which is Wiltshire County Council if there appeared to be a dispute over the boundary line and that the Parish Council would not become involved (ii) advice regarding the archaeological nature of the site should be obtained from English Heritage and not the Parish Council as they were indeed the experts in this field.

The Parish Council’s concern is that a right of way is maintained, but that the disputes raised by certain residents are boundary ones and should be dealt with as recorded.

Concern was raised over vehicles using the Roman Road and following a suggestion by PC Amanda Warren the Clerk was asked to write to Salisbury District Council and Wiltshire County Council, stating vehicles could cause a danger to the public and asking if a Traffic Regulation Order could be assigned to the Roman Road.

Clerk

9.

Highways and Footpaths

Concern was raised over a horse rider using the permissive path on the footpath running from number 99 Firs Road to the corner of the woods.  There is a particular concern that this is a permissive path which means that the landowner can take away use of the path and that by allowing horse riders to use the path the Parish may lose the right to use the path.  The Clerk was asked to write to the owner of the horse to ask if they could refrain from using this path for the recreation of their horse.

Concern was raised by a resident that Footpath 4 had been ploughed.  In addition a resident had indicated that at a meeting between the farmer, WCC Rights of Way Officer and representatives from the Parish Council, an agreement had been made that signs indicating “no horse traffic” would be placed along the path but as yet no signs have been placed.  The Clerk was asked to write to the farmer asking that (i) the footpath be re-instated and (ii) asking for signage indicating no horse traffic be placed along the path.

Clerk

Clerk

10.

Planning

• S/2007/2515 – Trees with TPO – 3 Firs Close, Firsdown – note was made that permission had been granted for this work to take place by Salisbury District Council.
• S/2008/140 – Firs Lodge, 43 Firs Road, Firsdown – Full application – New boundary wall and gates – the Parish Council had no objection to this application.
• S/2008/191 – Full application – replace bay window with front extension to square up bedroom – currently on circulation for Parish Council comment and final decision.

11.

Correspondence

• SDC – Parish and Town Council Liaison meeting – notification of rescheduled date
• WCC – One Council for Wiltshire – Parish Meet and Greet dates – Cllr Tier to attend
• Campaign to Protect Rural England – Best Kept Village Competition 2008 – the Parish Council decided not to enter this competition
• SDC - Notification of Forthcoming Consultation on the Local Development Framework Core Strategy Preferred Options
• Big Lottery Fund – Playful Ideas – Outline Proposal Review – letter informing the Parish Council of their decision not to accept the Council’s application for a new play area.  Thanks were given to Cllr Tier for all her hard work in submitting the application.

12.

Any other business

The Clerk informed the Council that she had met with a contractor to quote for the replacement and repair of the playground rubber tiling.  It was agreed to add this to the March agenda for further discussion.

The Clerk was asked to convey Parish Council thanks to John Hawkins for his liaison work on behalf of the Council with the Parish Steward scheme.

The Clerk asked the Council whether it would be possible to move the date of the Parish Council meeting.  After discussion it was agreed that the Clerk should email Cllr Moss to ascertain if the last Thursday in the month caused any problems with District Councillor responsibilities.  In addition Clerk to check if Committee Room is available.

Clerk

Clerk

13.

Questions or points from the floor

The Clerk was asked to check the website firsdown.org.uk to ascertain that the minutes of past meetings were regularly being updated.

It was decided that a full copy of the agreed minutes be placed on all three Parish notice boards. 

Clerk