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 on 7^th June 2007 were submitted, approved and duly signed by Cllr James. 

4.

Matters arising from the minutes of the last meeting

Firsdown Music Fayre – it was reported that the 2007 Parish Council newsletter had been distributed with a leaflet advertising the forthcoming Music Fayre.  A brief update was given by one of the management committee on the arrangements for the event.

Play area: grass cutting, fencing and re-surfacing -  Cllr James reported that a strip of grass had been kindly mown on the Roman Road by an unknown person.

The grass in the two play areas was reported as having been cut by a local contractor and following arrangements by the Clerk and with the agreement of the Chairman.  It was agreed that the Council should ask the contractor to submit a fixed quote to cut the two play areas four times a year and to seek a further quote for comparison.  In addition a quote to cut the grass on the Roman Road four times a year.

It was noted that there had been several complaints regarding the excessive length of the grass in the play area and paths.  It was decided that a note be placed in the précis giving a brief explanation of the allocation of Parish funds especially regarding the costly works of grass cutting in the Parish.

A local resident, Mr Nigel Walsh, had kindly cut the hedge on the permissive path from number 99 to the back of the woods and thanks were given to him for his valued work to the village.

The Clerk reported that she had received a third quote from a local contractor for the extra line of fencing required in the teenage play area of £295.  After discussing the three quotes it was decided to accept the quote of £295 and for the Clerk to arrange the necessary works.

Councillor Simcock kindly agreed to check and possibly replace the lock on the gate of the teenage play area as it was felt not to be of strength for its purpose and therefore unsuitable.

The Clerk reported that she had researched the details of a company specialising in the repair of play area rubber tile surfacing and after discussion it was decided that the Clerk contact the company concerned to arrange a site visit and possible quote for the children’s play area which is in need of surface repair.

Clerk

Clerk

Cllr Simcock

Clerk

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 the last month.   The current balance in hand is

£6,456.28. 

Cheques for £102.81 IT Solutions for Printing and Web Hosting, £135.00 D Waters for Grass cutting were authorised for payment.

6.

Parish Plan Steering Group

Cllr Richards reported that the Group is awaiting the return of information from the recent despatch of leaflets concerning the Parish Plan.  Once this information is received the Group will be able to disseminate the information and begin to formulate the Parish Plan.

7.

Highways and Speeding

It was reported that there has been a police presence in Firs Road on several occasions in recent weeks checking the speed of vehicles.

Following a recent Police Consultative Meeting, where the safety concerns raised by the Parish Council of the use of the road by vehicles were voiced, it was decided that the Clerk following a suggestion from the meeting, should contact both WCC and SDC stating the concerns.

Clerk

8.

Planning

·          S/2007/1120 – 126 Firs Road, Firsdown - Full application – proposed extension to existing garage and formation of first floor garden room over and associated works.  The Parish Council objected to this application.

·          DR/S07.8008 – Wiltshire County Council – Temporary refuse (waste) transfer facility – Thorny Down.  The Parish Council had no objection to this application.

Cllr James asked the Clerk to re-iterate in the précis that the Parish Council has a constrained time period in which to reply to planning applications and should any member of the public who wishes to make comment should then contact the Parish Council immediately.

Clerk

9.

Code of Conduct – review and acceptance of revised Conduct

A copy of the revised 2007 Model Code of Conduct from the Standards Board for England which came into force on 3rd May and which Parish Councils have until 1st October to adopt was recently distributed to all Councillors.  It was decided that this item be placed on the September agenda when each Councillor will have had sufficient time to read through the Conduct. 

10.

Correspondence

Letter from resident – Clerk asked to reply.

Salisbury District Council – Core Strategy Issues and Option Paper – Clerk confirmed that a representative from the District Council would attend the September meeting to discuss the issues concerning this issue.

Salisbury District Council – Democratic Services – Wiltshire Improvement Partnership Training

Salisbury District Council – Council Offices at Bourne Hill

Clerk

11.

Any other business

It was noted that following a formal invitation to Councillor Devine and his acceptance to attend the July Parish Council meeting, he had not contacted the Council to give apologies for absence.  The Clerk was asked to make a note in the précis as to the non-attendance of District and County Councillors at Parish Council meetings.

Clerk

12.

Questions or points from the floor

Comment regarding the Roman Road.