LIDDINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting held on
Wednesday 7th September 2022 at 7pm in the Village Hall
Present: Councillors Aftelak, Bunney, Lomax (Chair), and Murphy
Also present: Laura Evans (Clerk), Ward Cllr G Sumner
1. CONSIDER CO-OPTION OF A PARISH COUNCILLOR
Resolved: Cllr Lomax proposed that James Murphy be co-opted onto the Parish Council. The proposal was
seconded by Cllr Bunney and unanimously agreed.
2. APOLOGIES
Resolved: To approve Cllr Hyatt’s reason for absence (unavailable) and Cllr Wilson’s (Unavailable)
3. PUBLIC SESSION (15 MINUTES)
As no members of the public were in attendance or had made representations, the Parish Council continued with the
meeting.
4. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Cllr Lomax reminded Members that at the start of the meeting they should declare any known interests in any matter
to be considered, and during the meeting if it comes apparent that they have an interest in the matters being
discussed.
5. PARISH COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP AND RESPONSIBILITIES.
S Hill has now resigned from the Parish Council, LPC wished to thank her for her many years’ service to the Parish
Council. The Clerk will now be updating the website with Parish Council business.
Cllr Lomax explained that a volunteer from LPC is now needed to sit on the Village Hall Committee, Cllr Murphy will
be taking this role. Cllr Lomax to contact the Village Hall Committee to make them aware of the new LPC
representative. Action- Cllr Lomax
A discussion was held on the best way to proceed with responses to any planning applications received. The
meeting agreed it was best to continue with the applications being sent to all Councillors.
6. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
Resolved: The Minutes of the Full Council meeting held on 6
th July 2022 were approved and signed as a true
record.
7. MATTERS ARISING (10 MINUTES)
Football Club Contract- The contract has been sent to the Football Club and agreed. The fixture dates of the
matches have been received. The dates will be published onto the website. Action- Clerk
Speed Indicator Device- The new Speed Indicator Device has been installed, so now there are devices at either end
of the Village. It has been noted that since the new device was installed the traffic seems to be going slower.
Churchyard Grass Cutting- The PC has agreed to pay for the Churchyard grass cutting. With the recoverable VAT
from this total, the Closed Churchyard payment and the PCC agreeing to meet the shortfall between the addition of
the Closed Churchyard Payment from SBC and the recoverable VAT from that total, the Church is saved several
hundred pounds annually while there is no overall cost to the PC.
Fencing off the play area – Deferred until the next meeting
8. PLANNING MATTERS (10 MINUTES)
(a) To consider any planning applications:
The meeting noted that no planning applications received.
Minutes – September 2022 Page 2 of 4
(b) To note any decisions:
Application: S/TWC/22/1000/LAND
Location: The Old Rectory, Church Road, Liddington.
Proposal: Works to 4no. conifer trees within a Conservation Area- No objections.
9. WARD COUNCILLOR REPORT (10 MINUTES)
Grass verge cutting- Ward Cllr G Sumner explained that SBC are no longing doing blanket cuts of the verges, within
the Borough, and these are now left to grow wild unless the overgrowth prevents signage being seen or it obstructs
the line of sight on the roads.
Cllr Lomax countered this by observing that under the Transfer Agreement between LPC and SBC the maintenance
of overgrown hedging which impedes the safe pedestrian use of the pathways adjacent to the main road
and the clearing of debris along the curb edges remained part of SBC’s responsibilities that were not
transferred to the LPC. This was clearly laid out in a letter from the SBC at the time of the Transfer Agreement.
Ignoring the undertakings of this letter, Cllr. Sumner asserted that such services could only be provided by the LPC
self funding them by increasing the precept.
After Cllr Lomax raised the issue of the build-up of kerb debris, Ward Cllr.G. Sumner stated that this type of issue is
now only being dealt with reactively rather than proactively by SBC. If an issue is a danger or urgent, LPC are to
contact Ward Cllr G Sumner directly. Cllr Bunney explained that LPC are a small Parish with a large area to
maintain.
Gigabyte Fibre- No dates have been confirmed for Phase 2. Residents are urged to contact the provider if their
vouchers are expiring as they will then be re-issued.
Ward Cllr G Sumner left the meeting at 7:50pm
10. CHURCHYARD GRASS CUTTING
Covered under item 7
11. 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 Aftelak seconded the proposal and was unanimously agreed.
• HMRC- Tax Month 5- £27.20
• Adams & Watt Ltd- Additional Works- £522.24
• Adams & Watt Ltd- Churchyard grass – £2,308.80
(b) To approve payment of the following Standing Orders:
• Adams & Watt – Annual grass cutting contract – July instalment- £604.87
(c) To approve the following Direct Debits:
• Three Mobile phone bill – £3.00
• Microsoft 365 – Annual Subscription- £59.99
(d) To approve payment of the following recurring payments
• Unlimited webhosting – (18/08/2022- 17/09/2022) – £4.79
(e) To ratify payments made between meetings
• Salary July – £185.40
• Salary August – £185.40
• Tax & NI Month 4- £27.20
• Village Hall – Hall Hire for Jan, Feb,March – £18.00
• Village Hall – Hall Hire for April,May,June,July- £24.00
• Members Expenses- L Hyatt – £48.14
• Village Hall- Defib Training- £16.00
(f) To receive the monthly account reconciliation
Resolved: The meeting noted that the accounts were in good order but it was noted that LPC are still
awaiting the invoice for the Speed Sign Indicator for approximately £2,545.00
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12. VILLAGE MATTERS (15 MINUTES)
a) Clay Pigeon Shooting – Cllr Aftelak shared the email response, with the Councillors, received from the
shooting club following an incident that occurred up at the playing field. The email included the Licence held
by the club for shooting. Cllr Aftelak explained that after visiting the shoot regarding the incident, that there
were concerns about how close to a public footpath the clays are being fired. Cllr Aftelak to speak and
arrange a site meeting with the local Police Officer to share the concerns raised. Action- Cllr Aftelak
b) Operation London Bridge – The meeting discussed whether to have a book of Condolences when the event
occurs, but this would prove hard to manage due to LPC not having an office space.
Resolved: The meeting agreed not to proceed with the condolence book instead direct residents to All
Saint’s Church and the Civic Offices.
c) Liddington Clump/Platform – Cllr Aftelak has now taken over the project of securing the funding to help
clean up the area. Cllr Lomax to aid Cllr Aftelak and discuss a plan of works for the clearing up of the area
and a facility for Memorials. A Communications plan is also required, with history of the site, which will help
visitors to the site to conform to the rules as it is private land. Any work will only be undertaken with the
landowner’s approval.
d) Use of Football Pitch- Covered under item 7
13. TO DISCUSS EMAIL FROM STRATTON ST MARGARET PARISH COUNCIL
A further email had been received from Stratton St Margaret Parish Council confirming that any issues will be taken
up within the Swindon Local Council Forum. Clerk to respond to the question regarding road sweeping.
Action- Clerk
14. 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) – 8 allotment plots are now being used with 5 plots still available.
Playing Field (CB) – Cllr Lomax thanked Cllr Bunney for the brilliant renovation on the bench. There has been some
recent graffiti on one of the tables in the playing field. Cllr Bunney confirmed that the fortnightly safety inspections
had been carried out on 31st August 2022. The gate into the Churchyard needs to be fixed, G Hales has volunteered
to source the materials required and help install the new gatepost. Clerk to write to G Hales to confirm.
Action- Clerk
Village Hall Committee – No update provided
Town Fund Board (GW) – No update provided
Swindon Local Council Forum (DL & GW) – The next meeting is being held on 29th September 2022.
Parish Chairs/Clerks Engagement Meeting (DL) – The next meeting is being held on 22nd September 2022.
NEV Meeting (DL) – The next meeting is being held on 24th October 2022
15. PARISH MAGAZINE (5 MINUTES)
The meeting agreed to put the following into the Parish Magazine
• New Noticeboard in Spinney Close
• Speed Monitors – Now at each end of the Village
• Clean up – Thank you
• Thank you message to S Hill
• Parish Councillor Vacancy
16. CORRESPONDENCE
The meeting noted that no correspondence had been received.
17. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION/FUTURE AGENDA
No items were raised for information or future agenda items.
The meeting closed at 9:10pm
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Signed……………………………………………………………………………………Date……………………………
