Minutes – April 2023 Page 1 of 3
LIDDINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting held on
Wednesday 5th April 2023 at 7pm in the Village Hall
Present: Councillors Aftelak, Hyatt, Lomax (Chair), Poppleton and Wilson
Also present: Laura Evans (Clerk)
1. APOLOGIES
Resolved: To approve Cllr Murphy’s reason for absence (unavailable), Cllr Bunney’s reason for absence (unavailable) and Ward Cllr G Sumner’s reason for absence (unavailable).
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Cllr Poppleton declared an interest as Treasurer for All Saint’s Church and Cllr Hyatt declared an interest as an allotment holder.
3. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
Resolved: The Minutes of the Full Council meeting held on 1st March 2023 were approved and signed as true record.
4. MATTERS ARISING (10 MINUTES)
Clay Pigeon Shoot- A letter had been received from a resident (which was circulated to all Cllr’s prior to the meeting so the concerns could be discussed) raising concerns that there is a campaign to get rid of the shoot which has been running for 30 years. The meeting agreed that there is no campaign to get rid of the shoot but instead had been alerted to an incident in July 2022 where a resident was hit in the face with shot while in the park and LPC were obligated to look into the matter. Clays have been found to litter the public footpath which means the clays are being shot at over the public footpath which is a major concern in regards to safety.
The Rights of Way Officer from SBC has visited the site and will be in contact shortly with his advice.
LPC wished for it to be noted that they wish for the shoot to continue but to continue to do so in a safe manner.
Liddington Hillfort- Cllr Aftelak submitted the application to the Landscape Trust on 14th March 2023, no further updates on the application have been received.
Road Surface- The Street- LPC Cllr’s were not allowed to attend the Ward walk that was attended by Ward Cllr G Sumner and the head of Highways Op’s from SBC on 9th March 2023. Cllr Lomax enquired with Ward Cllr G Sumner if the issues regarding the poor quality of the road surface had been discussed. Cllr Lomax was informed that this issue was a maintenance issue so was not discussed. The Clerk to find the contact details for the Head of Highways at SBC. LPC will then write to the officer regarding these issues. Action- Clerk
Village Clean- up – The clean up was a huge success with a lorry load of rubbish being removed. The littering picking that was carried out was done brilliantly. LPC wished to thank all those who attended.
5. WARD COUNCILLOR REPORT (10 MINUTE)
As Ward Cllr G Sumner could not be in attendance, the Ward Councillor Report was sent via email on the evening of the meeting so could not be circulated prior.
The update provided was; Pothole repairs and plans for patching under way.
6. PUBLIC SESSION (15 MINUTES)
As no members of the public were in attendance or had made representations, the Parish Council continued with the meeting.
7. PLANNING MATTERS (10 MINUTES)
(a) To consider any planning applications:
Application: S/HOU/23/0298 (11th April)
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Location: Ferndale Cottage, 43 Purley Road Liddington,SN4 0HA
Proposal: Erection of a two storey side extension and single storey front extension.
Resolved: The meeting agreed that there were no objections to this proposal.
(b) To note any decisions:
Application: S/HOU/22/1675
Location: Rhodes Farm House, The Street Liddington,SN4 0HD
Proposal: Installation of stone house plaque- Granted.
8. FINANCE (10 MINUTES)
(a) To approve payment of the following invoices:
Resolved: Cllr Lomax proposed approval of the invoices, standing order, recurring payment and ratification of the payments made between meetings. Cllr Hyatt seconded the proposal and was unanimously agreed.
• HMRC- Tax Month 12- £31.20
• Clerks Expenses- Postage-£2.85
• Adams & Watt annual contract 2023/24 to be paid by 12 equal instalments by standing order – £7,984.33
(b) To approve payment of the following Standing Orders:
• Adams & Watt – Annual grass cutting contract – April instalment- £665.36
(c) To approve the following Direct Debits:
• Three Mobile phone bill – £3.00
(d) To approve payment of the following recurring payments
• Unlimited webhosting – (18/03/2023- 17/04/2023) – £4.79
(e) To ratify payments made between meetings
• Salary March – £201.40
• The Play Inspection Company- Annual Inspection- £87.54
• Adams & Watt Ltd- Kissing Gate- £621.29
• Wilts & Berks Canal Trust- £25.00
• Liddington Village Hall – £18.00
(f) To receive the monthly account reconciliation
Resolved: The meeting noted that the account were in good order. Cllr Aftelak thanked the Clerk for keeping the accounts in good order.
(g) Appointment of internal auditor – to agree appointment of Auditing Solutions as the Internal Auditor for financial year 2022/23
Resolved: Cllr Lomax proposed that Auditing Solutions be appointed as the Internal Auditor for financial year 2022/23. Cllr Hyatt seconded the proposal and was unanimously agreed.
10. VILLAGE MATTERS (15 MINUTES)
a) Clay Pigeon Shoot- discussed under item 4
b) Liddington Hillfort – discussed under item 4
c) Funding Opportunity- Tiny Forest – Cllr Lomax suggested that Cllr Poppleton talk to the Church regarding a piece of land, owned by the Church, to turn into a wild meadow. The Clerk explained that a meeting for another Parish with the Green Infrastructure Programme Manager was very informative with lots of good suggestions made and perhaps a meeting be arranged to discuss the possibility of planting some trees in the allotments to help complete the orchard. Clerk to arrange. Action- Clerk
d) Main Highway Responsibilities – LPC wish for clarification on the regular maintenance ie drain clearing and road sweeping, that was agreed by SBC on the Transfer Of Services Agreement. If SBC are not willing to fulfil the agreement then how will this be funded. LPC wish to find out who is the Head Officer for Highways and to make contact to discuss these issues.
e) Website- In the letter received from the resident regarding the Clay Pigeon Shoot, issues and suggestions were made for the website. LPC wished for it to be noted that the LPC Clerk is only responsible for entering Parish Council business ie Agendas, Minutes and Financial Returns. A response will be drafted and circulated to LPC Cllr’s for approval, to the resident regarding the issues and suggestions made. Action-Clerk
11. COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS (10 MINUTES)
Councillors who have attended meetings on behalf of the Parish Council or who are responsible for local schemes, amenities and projects will have the opportunity to provide an update on progress made.
Allotments (LH) – The invoice has still not been received from the Diocese for the allotments nor has the Land Registry been in contact. The Clerk to chase. The invoices will be sent to all Allotment holders with the rules of the
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allotment attached. LPC wished for it to be noted that Cllr Hyatt has been appointed the lead of the allotments on behalf of the PC.
Playing Field (CB) – No update due to Cllr Bunney’s absence.
Village Hall Committee (JM) – No update provided.
Town Advisory Engagement Group (GW) – Cllr Wilson was unable to attend the last meeting where discussions were held on the latest status of the town centre.
Swindon Local Council Forum (DL & GW) – Boundary review to be held in November 2023. Subscriptions for Swindon Local Council Forum for 2023/24 will be sent shortly.
Parish Chairs/Clerks Engagement Meeting (DL) – No recent meeting has taken place.
NEV Meeting (DL) – No recent meeting has taken place but a meeting of the Ridgeway Group was held and attended by Cllr Lomax. It was discussed that the infrastructure was not in place before the houses were built. A new location for the Thames Water Pumping Station is under consultation.
12. PARISH MAGAZINE (5 MINUTES)
The meeting agreed to put the following into the Parish Magazine
• Village Clean up – Thank you
• Allotments
13. CORRESPONDENCE
The meeting noted that no correspondence had been received.
14. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION/FUTURE AGENDA
No items were raised for information or future agenda items.
The meeting closed at 8:41pm
Signed………………………………………………………………………..Date…………………………………………
