Planning  

Tree Preservation Order 367, rear of 3 Firs Close, Firsdown – this item was brought to the attention of the Southern Area Committee on 29^th June.  Two letters had been received asking that the tree preservation order be removed and six letters asking for it to be preserved.  The Chairman of the Parish Council attended the meeting and supported the preservation on behalf of the Parish Council.  The Southern Area Committee unanimously agreed to uphold the preservation.

Manned refuse compaction vehicle

Following the change to the Skip service, Salisbury District Council has now introduced the scheme of a manned refuse compaction vehicle available to each Parish.  The compaction vehicle will be available for one Saturday morning allotted slot at the end of September.  Notification of the site and exact date of this refuse compaction vehicle for use by Parish residents only, will be placed on Parish noticeboards in September.

Parish Lengthsmen

It was reported that there had been changes to the Parish Lengthsmen scheme.  The current scheme will terminate at the end of August 2006 and will be replaced by a new scheme to be referred to as the Parish Steward.  There will be a number of changes which includes changing from being a two man operation to one and each man will have the responsibility of maintaining several Parishes.  In addition the number of days allocated to each Parish will change and the deciding factor will be the size of the Parish.   The Parish Council will continue to work with Wiltshire Highways department to ensure all the necessary works are carried out within the Parish.

Play area

Following much canvassing and consultation with residents the Parish Council has decided to purchase new equipment for the area alongside the children’s play area.  The cost will be borne from the Parish Council’s allotted R2 funds.  The equipment will consist of a seating and basketball structure with goal mouth and will appeal especially to the teenagers of the village.   An update on the purchase and installation can be expected in the next edition of the précis in September.

Hedge and grass cutting

It was reported that although grass cutting had taken place within the Parish there were still areas that were overgrown near the play area.  It was decided that the Parish Council should seek quotations for the regular maintenance of the play area.

Neighbourhood Watch

It was reported that there had been several attempted burglaries in the Parish.  The Police Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator had confirmed that there had been seven burglaries in the Alderbury area section in the past two weeks.  The Parish Council would like to warn residents within the Parish to be vigilant and secure their properties in light of recent crime.  Please ensure you secure all windows and doors especially patio doors and keep items of garden equipment in a secure locked up area/shed.

Next Meeting: The next full meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Thursday September 7^th 2006 at 7.15pm in the Committee Room, Winterslow Village Hall.