Action

1.

Welcome

Vice Chair Cllr Hibberd welcomed those present and thanked them for coming.   Apologies were received from Cllr Tier, Cllr Green and Cllr James.

2.

Minutes

A copy of the minutes for the last meeting on 3^rd March 2007 were submitted, approved and duly signed by Cllr Hibberd. 

3.

Matters arising from the minutes of the last meeting

Noticeboards – Cllr Simcock reported that he had contacted Richard George to ascertain whether the noticeboard, formerly at Great Croft Road, had been repaired.  Mr George replied that he intended for his carpenter to repair the board as soon as practicably possible.  It was suggested that a restraining chain was needed on the new noticeboards in adverse weather conditions.  Cllr Richards confirmed that he would supply the chains and a resident present agreed to kindly install the chains on behalf of the Parish Council.

Play area surface repair – The Clerk confirmed that she had managed to gain a third and fourth quote for the repair of the play area surface and that she would now complete the necessary forms to apply for a SWAG grant from Salisbury District Council in order to repair the play area surface. 

Election of Parish Councillors – the Clerk confirmed that the date for submission of nomination papers for Parish Councillor election had now passed and that a list compiled from the District Council, confirming those people who had put their details forward to become a Parish Councillor, would be displayed very shortly.

Clerk

4.

Financial Report

The Clerk distributed the Parish Council’s spreadsheet to the Council members with details of the Council’s financial accounts and transactions for the last month.   The current balance in hand is

£3,661.74.  The Clerk noted that the accounts for the financial year 2006-2007 were now finalised and that an audit would take place shortly.  Cllr Hibberd distributed an up to date fixed asset register that she had completed on behalf of the Parish Council.

A cheque for £185.90 was issued for Wiltshire Association of Local Councils, 2007/2008 annual subscription.

The salary for the Clerk for the next financial year was agreed and a change to the standing order confirming this was authorised by Cllr Hawkins and Cllr Hibberd.

Following a discussion at the last meeting it was decided to tie in the budget preparation with the forthcoming Annual Parish Meeting presentation.

5.

Annual Parish Meeting

The Clerk confirmed that the Annual Parish Meeting would take place on 10^th May 2007 to begin at 7pm and that the monthly Parish meeting would follow after that meeting.  A poster advertising the meeting would be displayed and inviting residents to come along and participate with refreshments being provided.  The Clerk was asked to liaise with the Chairman in order to prepare and finalise details for the presentation at the Annual Meeting.

Clerk

6.

Neighbourhood Watch Scheme

Cllr Hawkins reported that a meeting of Co-ordinators of the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme had taken place on 7^th March 2007 and that of the twelve schemes in operation, ten were represented at the meeting.  Several issues were discussed, including speeding and the Neighbourhood Watch Bulletin which has recently been restored.

7.

Steering Group

It was noted that the Steering Group was in the process of creating a leaflet destined for all residents and informing them of the conclusions of the earlier survey.  It is envisaged the leaflet will be combined with the Parish newsletter and that the time schedule for this to take place is likely to be in early June 2007.

8

Highways and Speeding

Footpath 4 update - Following the ploughing of Footpath 4 and a subsequent letter to the landowner, it was reported that a site meeting had taken place with the owner of the land, the Contractor, the WCC Rights of Way Officer from Wilton, and Cllr Hawkins representing the Parish Council.  The owner has undertaken along with the contractor to keep the currently designated path open and in addition (a) in early Spring a swathe will be cut along the whole length of the path to the same width as last year to allow ease of access (b) after any ploughing re-instatement will be swiftly made (c) the Rights of Way warden is sending the owner and contractor signs which can be placed along the path to indicate "NO HORSES".   The owner has given Cllr Hawkins his personal telephone number so that the Parish Council can contact him when appropriate for the swathe to be cut and the owner has undertaken to ensure that the cutting takes place in accordance with what was agreed on the site visit meeting.

Police speed check in Firs Road – It was confirmed that a speed check by local police had taken place in early March in Firs Road.

Horses on Permissive footpaths in Firsdown – A letter received from a resident stating their concerns by the presence of a horse(s) and one in particular on the permissive paths was read aloud.  An email from another resident stating similar concerns had also been received and was made note of.  The Clerk confirmed that she had been in contact with Wiltshire County Council who explained that permissive paths were the sole responsibility of the land owner and therefore the Parish Council had no jurisdiction as to who could and could not use the paths.  In light of this Cllr Simcock agreed to obtain a map showing what actual land was retained by Mr Christie Miller following the sale of Clarendon Estate and thus hopefully showing the permissive paths in question.  Cllr Simcock further confirmed that he had had a conversation with the owner of the horse in question.  It was agreed that the Chairman, on his return from absence, would visit the owner of the horse in question and explain the concerns of the residents. 

Bus shelter repair – the Clerk confirmed that she had obtained a third quote for the replacement of the missing pane in the vandalised bus shelter in Firs Road.  It was agreed to pursue the cheapest of the quotes and to not claim from the Parish Council insurance company for the cost of repair due to the current excess and potential increase in insurance premiums.  Cllr Richards agreed to measure the inside of the window and liaise with the Clerk in order that the pane could be ordered and then repaired accordingly.

Dog bin renewal contract – the Clerk confirmed that the contract from Salisbury District Council to empty the two Parish dog bins had been renewed.  The increase for the financial year 2007/8 was 5%.

Cllr Simcock,

Chairman

Cllr Richards, Clerk

9.

Planning

S/2007/497 – 96 Firs Road, Firsdown – Full application – Granny annexe.  The Parish Council had no objections to this application.

S/2007/513 – Paddock House Cattery, Firsdown – Full application, extension to boarding cattery.  The Parish Council had no objections to this application.

10.

Correspondence

Letter received from a resident concerned about the noise caused by a fellow neighbour.  A reply letter was sent by the Clerk on behalf of the Parish Council.

Letter received from a resident about their concerns of the construction of a tree house on a private road and the apparent digging of shallow trenches in the Roman Road.  Clerk to compose and despatch an appropriate letter to those residents responsible.

Wiltshire County Council – letter received inviting up to two members of the Parish Council to the Annual Highways presentation on 17^th May 2007.  Letter to be placed in the correspondence envelope for Councillors to consider attending.

Clerk

Clerk

11.

Any other business

The Clerk was asked to reply to the resident who recently emailed the Parish Council asking if the Parish Council had considered the hedge cutting arrangements for 2007.

It was noted that the firs trees in the garden of the bungalow on the corner of Firs Close and Firs Road were apparently overgrown and were thus creating a visibility hazard for motorists.  Cllr Simcock agreed to speak to the owners in order that an amicable arrangement could be made.

The Clerk was asked to add the item of the 2007 Firsdown Music Fayre to the Annual Parish Meeting agenda.

The Clerk was asked to send a letter of thanks to Richard George who kindly recently carried out the supply and distribution of scalpings to the path leading from Firs Road to the play area.

Cllr Hawkins noted that the Parish Steward had made his recent monthly visit and that if any Councillors or residents had any suggestions for relevant jobs for the work of the Steward then they should contact the Clerk in the first instance.

Clerk

Cllr Simcock

Clerk

Clerk

12.

Questions or points from the floor

A member of the audience gave his appreciation and congratulations to Cllr Simcock for all his hard work and efforts on behalf of the Parish Council.

A member of the audience made note that the latch on the gate of the new teenage play area was not satisfactory.  It was agreed the Clerk should seek the replacement of the latch when the new line of fencing is to be erected later in the year.

A discussion took place on the issue on encroachment onto the Roman Road.  Cllr Hawkins to liaise with the Clerk and to contact the WCC Rights of Way Warden at Wilton.

Clerk

Clerk, Cllr Hawkins