Minutes – May 2023 Page 1 of 3
LIDDINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting held on
Wednesday 3rd May 2023 at 7pm in the Village Hall
Present: Councillors Aftelak, Bunney, Hyatt, Lomax (Chair), Murphy, Poppleton and Wilson
Also present: Laura Evans (Clerk) and 3 Members of the public.
1. ELECTION OF CHAIR
Resolved: Cllr Hyatt proposed Cllr Lomax as Chair. Cllr Bunney seconded the proposal and was unanimously agreed. The Chairs Declaration of Acceptance of Office was signed and received.
2. ELECTION OF VICE CHAIR
Resolved: Cllr Lomax proposed Cllr Bunney as Vice Chair. Cllr Hyatt seconded the proposal and was unanimously agreed. The Vice Chairs Declaration of Acceptance of Office was signed and received.
3. APOLOGIES
Resolved: To approve Ward Cllr G Sumner’s reason for absence (unavailable)
4. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Cllr Poppleton declared an interest as Treasurer for All Saint’s Church, Cllr Hyatt declared an interest as an allotment holder and Cllr Murphy declared an interest as the Parish Council’s representative on the Village Hall Committee
5. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
Resolved: The Minutes of the Full Council meeting held on 5th April were approved and signed as a true record.
6. MATTERS ARISING (10 MINUTES)
Road Surface – The potholes on The Street have been patched. This was raised by LPC to the Ward Cllr but was taken more seriously when a resident complained. Cllr Hyatt expressed concern over the number of potholes especially as a motorcyclist fell off the motorcycle due to a pothole. LPC believe the number of potholes and poor road surfacing is due to the excessive traffic using Liddington as it is the diversion route for the building works taking place in Wanborough.
7. WARD COUNCILLOR REPORT (10 MINUTE)
No Ward Cllr report was provided.
8. PUBLIC SESSION (15 MINUTES)
A resident raised concerns over the recent activity in the playing field. Youths are riding motorbikes and scooters across the playing field and having BBQ’s. The meeting agreed to look into appropriate signage regarding the prohibition of BBQ’s and vehicles for Church Road and the entry signs to the playing field. Action- Cllr Hyatt
A resident from Medbourne Lane raised concerns that there is no clear evidence of when Gigabit Fibre will be installed, despite contacting Ward Cllr G Sumner. Cllr Murphy shared his experience with contacting the CEO of Openreach regarding the Gigabit Fibre. Cllr Murphy to contact the CEO to get a clear update for Medbourne Lane residents. Action- Cllr Murphy
The resident who had recently written to LPC expressing concern that there was a campaign to get rid of the shoot and confirmed that a response had been received from LPC, attended the meeting and raised concerns that there were now permissive footpaths that had been locked. This means that 2 circular paths in the village have now been lost due to the concerns raised regarding the shoot. Cllr Lomax confirmed that LPC are still awaiting a response and advice from The Rights of Way Officer at SBC, so could make no further comment until this has been received. The resident stated that the Public Rights of Way are the responsibility of the PC. LPC confirmed to the resident that the Public Rights of Way are the responsibility of SBC.
LPC are trying to organize a meeting with the administrator of the website to be able to discuss ways forward to improve the website.
Minutes – May 2023 Page 2 of 3
9. PLANNING MATTERS (10 MINUTES)
(a) To consider any planning applications:
The meeting noted that no planning applications had been received.
(b) To note any decisions:
Application: S/22/1828
Location: The Great Western Hospital, Marlborough Road Swindon SN3 6BB
Proposal: Erection of an energy compound – Variation of condition 12
(Landscaping) from Planning Application S/21/1244- Granted
10. FINANCE (10 MINUTES)
(a) To approve payment of the following invoices:
Resolved: Cllr Lomax proposed approval of the invoices, the standing order, recurring payment and ratification of the payment made between meetings. Cllr Hyatt seconded the proposal and was unanimously agreed
• HMRC- Tax Month 01- £46.40
• Swindon Local Councils Forum – £15.00
(b) To approve payment of the following Standing Orders:
• Adams & Watt – Annual grass cutting contract – May 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 – (18/05/2023- 17/06/2023) – £4.79
(e) To ratify payments made between meetings
• Salary April – £186.20
(f) To receive the monthly account reconciliation
(g) To review and approve Liddington Parish Council Risk Management
Resolved: The meeting approved and adopted the Risk Management document.
(h) To review and approve updated Asset Register as at 31st March 2023
Resolved: The meeting approved the Asset Register.
(i) To review, agree and approve the final budget for 2023//24
Resolved: The meeting agreed and approved the final budget for 2022/23
(j) To formally agree amounts to be identified as Earmarked reserves for 2023/24, Projects and Contingency
Resolved: Cllr Lomax proposed £5,000 to be identified as ‘projects’, which was unanimously agreed.
11. INSURANCE RENEWAL
The Insurance renewal for 2023-24 from Gallagher was circulated to all Cllr’s prior to the meeting.
Resolved: Cllr Lomax proposed acceptance of the Insurance Renewal and for payment of £869.58p be made. Cllr Bunney seconded the proposal and was unanimously agreed.
12. LIMITED ASSURANCE REVIEW
It was resolved to approve and sign
a) Annual Governance Statement 2022/23
b) Accounting Statement 2022/23
c) To certify itself exempt as the higher of Liddington Parish Council’s gross income for the year or gross annual expenditure for the year, did not exceed £25,000
d) To confirm period of Public Rights and Publication of Annual Governance & Accountability Return (Exempt Authority) the meeting noted that the period of Public Rights would commence on Monday 5th June through to Friday 14th July 2023.
13. TO RE-ADOPT
a) Liddington Parish Council Standing Orders
Resolved: The meeting agreed that the Standing Orders be approved and re-adopted
b) Liddington Parish Council Financial Regulations
Resolved: The meeting agreed that the Financial Regulations be approved and re-adopted.
c) Liddington Parish Council Code of Conduct
Resolved: The meeting agreed that the Code Of Conduct be approved and re-adopted.
Minutes – May 2023 Page 3 of 3
14. PROPOSED MEETING DATES 2023-24
The meeting agreed to continue to hold the meetings on the first Wednesday of the month but with a slightly earlier start time of 6:30pm from July onwards to make the meetings more accessible.
15. VILLAGE MATTERS (15 MINUTES)
a) Clay Pigeon Shoot – Awaiting response from the Rights of Way Officer at SBC
b) Liddington Hillfort – Still awaiting a update on the progress of the application for funding.
a) Car parking on the playing field for a wedding- A request has been received by LPC asking for use of the playing field for car parking on the 1st July. The meeting approved the request and will suggest that someone directs the traffic. Cllr Bunney asked the Clerk to write to two residents to request use of their private drives to access the field. Action- Clerk
16. 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) – Cllr Hyatt tried to organize an allotment committee but no one wishes to be on a committee. The rules and regulations were revisited with a few minor amendments made. Cllr Hyatt shall circulate the rules and regulations of the allotment to all plot holders with any feedback needing to be provided within 48 hours.
Action- Cllr Hyatt
Playing Field (CB)- Cllr Bunney confirmed that the safety inspection had been carried out on 19th April 2023. Over the next month or two Cllr Bunney will carry out any repairs needed.
Village Hall Committee (JM) – No update.
Town Advisory Engagement Group (GW)- No update as the next meeting is due to take place in July
Swindon Local Council Forum (DL & GW) – No recent meeting has taken place.
Parish Chairs/Clerks Engagement Meeting (DL) – No recent meeting has taken place.
NEV Meeting (DL) – No recent meeting has taken place.
17. PARISH MAGAZINE (5 MINUTES)
The meeting agreed to put the following into the Parish Magazine
• Chairs Annual Report
18. CORRESPONDENCE
The meeting noted that no correspondence had been received.
19. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION/FUTURE AGENDA
• Footpaths
• Allotment Invoice update
The meeting closed at 8:44pm
Signed………………………………………………………………………………………Date……………………………..
