Minutes– September 2023 Page 1 of 3
LIDDINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting held on
Wednesday 6th September 2023 at 6:30pm in the Village Hall
Present: Councillors Aftelak, Bunney (Chair), Poppleton and Wilson
Also present: Laura Evans (Clerk), Ward Cllr G Sumner and three members of the public.
1. ELECTION OF VICE CHAIR
Resolved: Cllr Aftelak proposed Cllr Poppleton as Vice Chair. Cllr Wilson Seconded the proposal and was unanimously agreed.
2. APOLOGIES
No apologies were received.
3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Cllr Poppleton declared an interest as Treasurer for All Saint’s Church
4. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
Resolved: The Minutes of the Full Council meeting held on 5th July 2023 were approved and signed as a true record.
5. MATTERS ARISING (10 MINUTES)
Playing Field Signage- Cllr Poppleton sought wording required for the appropriate signage for the prohibition of BBQ’s and vehicles for Church Road and the entry signs to the playing field. When consulting a resident on the wording, concerns were raised as to whether the wording followed those of the Highway Signage Regulations. Ward Cllr G Sumner confirmed that as these are not being placed on the highway the wording was appropriate. The meeting agreed for Cllr Poppleton to proceed with ordering the signage. Action- Cllr Poppleton
Website- Cllr Aftelak sent to all Cllr’s, prior to the meeting, the links to sites that would be able to set up the Parish Council website, with varying prices ranging upto £1,000. Ward Cllr Sumner suggested contacting the Chair of Wanborough Parish Council as they are currently creating their own website so the Chair will be able to help with advice on the most, easy and cost-effective programme. Cllr Aftelak to contact Cllr J Warr. Action- Cllr Aftelak
Footpaths- continuing action- Clerk to contact Ward Cllr G Sumner regarding the maintenance of the paths or request LPC receive the £2,000 that should have been received from SBC to enable LPC to maintain the paths themselves. Action – Clerk
6.
WARD COUNCILLOR REPORT (10 MINUTE)
Ward Cllr G Sumner gave the following updates;
Gigabyte Fibre – Medbourne Lane is temporarily closed each day between 9.30am and 3.30pm until the 15th September 2023 for Openreach connections to be installed.
20MPH Zones – 2 objections were received in the consultation – neither from Liddington residents, these objections will be not be taken into consideration due to the objectors not living within LPC. As the PC wish to continue with the 20MPH zones, Ward Cllr G Sumner will be holding a meeting with the Lead Officer to discuss next steps.
Flytipping – Three cases reported 30/8 & 31/8 – in progress.
Ward Councillor Highways meeting – The points raised by LPC were taken to the meeting and the clearer indication to vehicles of the pedestrian crossing point has been added to the Highways list. SBC are in the process of applying
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for some grant funding and if secured, Ward Cllr G Sumner suggested that a cycle/walk lane be added to Purely Road as this would also reduce the speed of vehicles but make cyclists and pedestrians feel more comfortable on the road.
Ward Cllr G Sumner left the meeting at 7:27pm.
7. PUBLIC SESSION (15 MINUTES)
A resident in attendance raised concerns regarding the overgrown verges and hedgerows with the village especially Medbourne Lane which are the responsibility of SBC, who are only cutting 1metre of the verges due to a cabinet motion regarding re wilding of rural areas. The resident asked whether LPC were consulted by SBC regarding this motion. Cllr Bunney confirmed that LPC were not consulted.
Ward Cllr G Sumner confirmed that as previously mentioned there is a policy in place at SBC, to allow more growth during the summer to aid in biodiversity with only junctions and sitelines cut for safety reasons. The team at SBC do have a new piece of equipment which will allow the team to complete their final cut of the year on rural verges, which shall be completed in September/October.
Another resident in attendance enquired as to when the banks of the brook would be strimmed as they have been in previous years and also when the verge on Purely Road opposite Amy Cottage would be cut, as it is making it difficult to see on exiting. The Clerk to contact the Contractor to find out when the brook will be strimmed and to raised the verge cutting with SBC. Action- Clerk
The resident also wished to put themselves forward to join the allotment committee. The Clerk confirmed that this needs to be in writing via email. Cllr Poppleton confirmed that the intent is to have the committee formed in September then a meeting arranged. The resident also raised concerns that all the hardwork that has been put in over the years to get the allotments to a useable state is now being taken over by nature especially the vacant plots. Cllr Poppleton confirmed this will be the first item for the committee along with measuring of plots and water provision.
8. 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/TWC/23/0806
Location: The Old Rectory, Church Road, Liddington, Swindon
Proposal: Works to trees within a Conservation Area- Granted.
9. FINANCE (10 MINUTES)
(a)
To approve payment of the following invoices:
Resolved: Cllr Poppleton proposed approval of the invoices, the standing order, recurring payment and ratification of the payment made between meetings. Cllr Wilson seconded the proposal and was unanimously agreed
•
HMRC- Tax Month 05 – £48.20
•
Cotswold Drystone- £2417- completion of viewing platform
(b)
To approve payment of the following Standing Orders:
•
Adams & Watt – Annual grass cutting contract – September 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 – (18/08/2023- 17/09/2023) – £4.79
(e)
To ratify payments made between meetings
•
Salary July – £253.80
•
HMRC- Tax Month 04 – £63.60
•
Salary August – £193.00
•
Adams & Watt – Annual grass cutting contract – July instalment- £665.36
•
Adams & Watt – Annual grass cutting contract – August instalment- £665.36
•
Liddington Village Hall- £24.00
•
David Lomax- Expenses- New battery for SID- £48.99
•
Microsoft Annual Subscription- £59.99
•
CK Office Supplies- £5,586.00p – Chair purchase for Village Hall
Minutes– September 2023 Page 3 of 3
(f)
To receive the monthly account reconciliation.
Resolved: The meeting noted that the accounts were in a good position.
10. VILLAGE MATTERS (15 MINUTES)
a)
Plaque for the new viewing platform – The meeting agreed to a plaque for the viewing platform. The words agreed were “ Platform restored in 2023, with generous support from North Wessex Downs and Liddington Parish Council”. Cllr Aftelak to confirm with North Wessex Downs their preference of reference.
Action- Cllr Aftelak
b)
Parking at the top of the Village- Cllr Bunney have received an email from a resident concerned about the parking on The Street towards the Village Inn. Unfortunately parking is not within the Parish Councils remit. Enforcement of parking is the responsibility of SBC and the Police.
c)
Bushcutter – The meeting agreed to budget next year (2024-25) for either the purchase of a bushcutter or to ask the Contractor for a quotation for taking on the work of cutting the footpaths. Until then LPC shall continue to use Cllr’s personal equipment to maintain.
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 (AP & GW) – The meeting agreed for Cllr’s Poppleton and Wilson to be the leads on the allotments. Aiming to have had an allotment committee formed and a meeting held by the end of September 2023. First agenda items shall be water supply and the tidying of vacant plots.
Playing Field (CB) – Cllr Bunney confirmed that the fortnightly safety inspections had been carried out on 30th August 2023. The D rings have been replaced on the swing. Cllr Bunney suggested that the park could do with a clean. The meeting agreed to add this to the Village Clean up day.
Village Hall Committee- The meeting agreed that a new representative for the Village Hall Committee will be deferred until the next meeting, once more Cllrs have joined LPC.
Town Advisory Engagement Group (GW) – The next meeting is being held on 22nd September 2023
Swindon Local Council Forum (CB & GW) – The next meeting is being held on 21st September 2023.
Parish Chairs/Clerks Engagement Meeting- No recent meeting has taken place
NEV Meeting – Nothing to report
12. PARISH MAGAZINE (5 MINUTES)
The meeting agreed to put the following into the Parish Magazine
•
Village Clean up – 7th October 2023
•
Platform at the Trigpoint
•
Allotment Plot Vacancies
•
Parish Councillor Vacancies
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 8:30pm
Signed………………………………………………………………………………………….Date………………………………
