Action

1.

Welcome

Mr James welcomed those present and thanked them for coming.  Apologies were received from Reverend Nils Bersweden.

2.

Minutes

A copy of the minutes for the last meeting on 7^th September 2006 were submitted, approved and duly signed by Mr James. 

3.

Matters arising from the minutes of the last meeting

Noticeboards – the Clerk confirmed that she had contacted Richard George regarding the erection of the notice boards and Mr George had stated due to the fact that he was presently inundated with work, he would not be able to erect the notice boards until 23^rd October at the earliest.  In light of this delay the Parish Council decided that the Clerk should seek alternative quotations in the meantime.  In addition the Clerk should place a note in the précis asking for contractors to quote for the erection of the notice boards should they be interested.

Grass and hedge cutting – A discussion took place as to what grass and hedge cutting was needed within the Parish.  Two quotations had been sought by Councillor Hibberd (Gregory Gent) and the Clerk (PMA Property Maintenance) and in addition an offer by Richard George.  It was decided to ask Mr George to tackle the area of the permissive footpath from number 99 Firs Road to the bottom of the woods and it was envisaged this would take place in December. The Clerk was asked to send a letter of thanks to Gregory Gent who had kindly supplied a quotation of £370.  The Clerk was asked to send a further letter to PMA Property Maintenance to state that the Parish Council thought their quotation of £700 was thought   excessive and in addition the Council was surprised that their recent grass cutting work in the new play area took 6 hours to complete.

Parish Exercise update – The date for the Parish Exercise was confirmed as taking place on the 12^th October at Councillor Richards home.

Figsbury Ring, unstable wall update – Councillor Simcock confirmed that he had visited the property where the wall was said to be unstable at the site of Figsbury Ring.  The Clerk read aloud part of Councillor Simcock’s report on the matter and confirmed that the owner would repair the wall when funds were available.  Thanks were given to Councillor Simcock for his help in this matter.

Bench repair – The Clerk reported that she had telephoned and written to the contractor responsible for repairing the Parish benches and had asked that he return to repair one of the benches.  The Clerk reported that she had received no reply from the contractor concerned and it was agreed to add this item to the May agenda in the hope that the work could be carried out in the more clement weather.

Clerk

Clerk

Clerk

4.

Play area

New equipment – the Clerk confirmed that the erection of the new play equipment had taken place in September.  Councillor Richards confirmed that he had spoken to the Manager of the supplier of the equipment, Jim Chambers at Base Leisure, and that the company had carried out the necessary repairs that Councillor Richards had outlined.  However, it was agreed that until the replacement of the seat units on the meeting shelter had taken place then the Parish Council would withhold full payment of the equipment.  Councillor Richards agreed to confirm with Jim Chambers that the equipment conformed to the safety installation certificate EN1176.  Congratulations and thanks were given to Councillor’s Hibberd and Richards and the Clerk for all their hard work in ensuring the purchase and erection of the equipment was satisfactorily carried out.  However, Councillor Hawkins noted that on future projects it would be beneficial to have a project manager for such plans.

Land lease and fencing requirements – Councillor Hibberd confirmed that the land lease documents for the play area stated that under the terms of the lease a fence was required to be erected on the new play area site.  The Clerk and Councillor Hibberd produced two quotations for the supply and erection of fencing and it was agreed to go ahead with the cheaper quotation from Fencewize.  The Clerk was asked by the Councillors to ascertain with Salisbury District Council whether the costs for the fencing could be taken from the Parish Council’s allotted R2 funds.

RoSPA report and safety certificates – The Clerk confirmed that RoSPA had visited the play area on 19^th September and had sent a written report on their recommendations for areas in need of repair in the play area.  In the absence of the Chairman, Councillor Hibberd had kindly compiled a list of the necessary repairs, and Councillor Simcock agreed to carry out some of the necessary work.  Thanks were given to Councillor Simcock and to the offer of help from Councillor Tier.  The Clerk was asked to find out who had supplied the rubber matting tiles as they were now in need of repair or replacement.

Clerk, Councillor Richards

Clerk

Councillor Simcock, Clerk

5.

Financial Report

The Clerk distributed a new version of the Parish Council’s spreadsheet to the Council members with details of the Council’s financial accounts and transactions for the last month. 

6.

Precept discussion for 2007/2008

After the production of a draft budget spreadsheet by the Clerk detailing the Parish Council’s expenditure for the last two year’s, a discussion took place as to what precept should be requested from Salisbury District Council in the financial year 2007/2008.  It was agreed that after the alteration of some figures by Councillor Hibberd, a second draft spreadsheet should be produced for discussion at the November meeting. It was agreed to place a note in the précis informing all residents that a discussion regarding the precept would be taking place at the November meeting and all would be welcome to attend.

Councillor Hibberd

7.

Steering Group

Councillor Richards confirmed that he had nothing significant to report but that more detailed information would be available at the November meeting.

8.

Highways and Speeding

The Clerk confirmed that following on from the last minutes she had written to PC Steve Colwill at Wiltshire Constabulary asking for the placement of a traffic classifier in Firs Road.   PC Colwill confirmed in a reply letter that a meter to ascertain vehicle speeds would be placed in Firs Road sometime in the forthcoming weeks.

9.

Planning

·          (Land at rear of) 38 Maesmor, Firs Road, Firsdown – Appeal ref: APP/T3915/A/05/1192540 – Proposed bungalow with garage and vehicular access.  The Clerk confirmed that a hearing relating to the above appeal had taken place at Winterslow Village Hall on 20^th September 2006.  Councillor Hawkins represented the Parish Council and a decision is expected in several weeks time.

·          S/2006/1818 - Land at Hill View Farm, Pitton – Full application – the installation of a 22M monopole supporting 3NO Omni antennas and 2NO 600MM link dishes with ground based equipment cabinets.  The Parish Council had no objections to this proposal.

10.

Parish Steward – visit on 9^th October 2006

Councillor Hawkins confirmed that he had compiled a list of jobs to be undertaken by the new Parish Steward on the 9^th October.  Councillor Hawkins asked that if any of his fellow Councillors had any suggestions for jobs they should contact him immediately so that they could be added to the list.

11.

Correspondence received and sent

Geoffrey Russell letter – the Clerk confirmed that a letter had been received by a resident Geoffrey Russell detailing various concerns in the Parish.  After the discussion of each of the points the Chairman, Peter James agreed to draft a reply letter with the help of the Clerk.  One of the points raised was for the concern of the apparent dilapidated dog signs in the Parish.  Councillor Hibberd produced a quotation for producing new signs but it was decided that the Chairman, Peter James would make up some new signs as he had done in the past, and this was considered more cost effective.

Chairman Peter James, Clerk

12.

Any other business

Refuse compaction vehicle – review - this was agreed to be discussed and placed on the November agenda.

Councillor Hibberd confirmed that she was organising the bin for the play area.

Councillor Richards asked the Clerk to contact Clarence in order that an overhanging hedge should be cut back, just past the 30mph sign at Spire Cars.

Clerk

13.

Questions or points from the floor

None

14.

Councillors comments

On behalf of a resident, Councillor Hawkins enquired whether BT broadband provision was working satisfactorily in Firsdown.  Those present who had BT broadband were finding the service satisfactory.