LIDDINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting held on
Wednesday 7th December 2022 at 7pm in the Village Hall
Present: Councillors Aftelak, Bunney, Lomax (Chair), Murphy and Wilson.
Also Present: Laura Evans (Clerk), Ward Cllr G Sumner
1. APOLOGIES
Resolved: To approve Cllr Hyatt’s reason for absence (unavailable). Cllr Lomax proposed that permission be
granted to Cllr Hyatt for a leave of absence which will be reviewed in Spring. The proposal was unanimously agreed.
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Cllr Murphy declared an interest as the Parish Council’s representative on the Village Hall Committee.
3. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
Resolved: The Minutes of the Full Council meeting held on 2
nd November 2022 were approved and signed as a true
record.
4. MATTERS ARISING (10 MINUTES)
Clay Pigeon Shoot- Cllr Aftelak contacted the Rights of Way Officer at SBC who has concerns over the shoot
taking place so near public footpaths and a play park. The contact details for the shooting club were passed to the
Officer at SBC, no response has yet been received. Cllr Aftelak to chase the Rights of Way Officer.
Action-Cllr Aftelak
It has been noted that a sign has now been placed, with a hooter attached, on entrance to the footpath, requesting
any walkers to sound the horn so shooting can cease.
Churchyard Gate- Clerk to write to the remaining volunteers who helped with the fixing of the gate.
Action-Clerk
Trees- Cllr Murphy had consulted with residents in Spinney Close with regards to a Memorial Tree being planted. All
the residents were happy with this idea. Cllr Lomax to consult with the Contractor regarding the best type of tree for
the area. Action-Cllr Lomax
The meeting noted that the fallen tree, from within a property boundary, on Joel Joffe way had still not been removed
by the landowner. The Clerk has already provided the Rights Of Way Officer at SBC with an update and is awaiting
a response.
5. WARD COUNCILLOR REPORT (10 MINUTE)
No Ward Councillor’s report was given.
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.
Cllr Bunney expressed concerns over The Village Inn pub closing. The meeting noted that it was sad to see the pub
close. The meeting agreed that Cllr Bunney write to Arkell’s Brewery expressing that the Village does not want to
lose the pub and that LPC see the pub as an asset to local residents. Action-Cllr Bunney
7. PLANNING MATTERS (10 MINUTES)
(a) To consider any planning applications:
Application: S/HOU/22/1634 & S/LBC/22/1635 (14th December 2022)
Location: The Old Rectory, Church Road Liddington, SN4 0HB
Proposal: Erection of greenhouse within new walled garden, creation of sunken garden and creation
formal gardens within existing garden and the removal of 2no. trees.
Resolved: Liddington Parish Council have no objections to this proposal.
Minutes – December 2022 Page 2 of 3
(b) To note any decisions:
Application: S/22/1249/LZWI
Location: Rhodes Farm House, The Street Liddington, SN4 0HD
Proposal: Change of use of part of outbuilding to staff accommodation (use class C3) – Granted
Cllr Wilson raised concerns that work no further works have been carried out on The Lodge, despite the planning
application being granted well over four years ago. The site is becoming an eyesore. Cllr Wilson to forward the
details of the planning application and the Clerk to raise the concern with planning. Action-Clerk
8. FINANCE (10 MINUTES)
(a) To approve payment of the following invoices:
Resolved: Cllr Wilson proposed approval of the invoices, standing order, recurring payment and ratification of the
payments made between meetings. Cllr Bunney seconded the proposal and was unanimously agreed.
• HMRC- Tax Month 8- £31.20
• Chairs Allowance- £75.00
• Clerks Expenses- McAfee & Printer Paper- £20.16
• Members Expenses- Graffiti Remover- £13.00
• Auditing Solutions Ltd- £198.00
• Liddington Village Hall – £24.00
(b) To approve payment of the following Standing Orders:
• Adams & Watt – Annual grass cutting contract – December instalment- £604.87
(c) To approve the following Direct Debits:
• Three Mobile phone bill – £3.00
(d) To approve payment of the following recurring payments
• Unlimited webhosting – (18/11/2022- 17/12/2022) – £4.79
(e) To ratify payments made between meetings
• Salary November- £201.40
(f) To receive the monthly account reconciliation
Resolved: The meeting noted that the accounts were in good order.
Cllr Bunney raised the question regarding his expenses as two cans of graffiti remover were purchased. The Clerk
explained that only one can was shown on the receipt and for audit purposes the other receipt must be provided for
the payment to be made. If the other receipt can be provided then the expense will be ratified.
9. REVIEW OF IRPP FOR PARISH COUNCIL ALLOWANCES 2023-24 (5 MINUTES)
To consider the recommendation received from Swindon Borough Council.
Resolved: The Councillors stated and agreed that they did not wish to receive the allowances and the situation
should continue as currently in place.
10. DRAFT BUDGET 2023-2024 (10 MINUTES)
To review the draft budget proposal for April 2023 – March 2024- The draft figures were discussed, and the
draft budget shall be approved at the January meeting.
• Annual Walkaround quotation – The meeting agreed to the quotation provided for the additional areas
of work identified on the annual Walkaround. The moss removal being a priority due to the recent
weather conditions making this even more hazardous.
The meeting agreed to accept the Grounds Maintenance Contract costs for 2023-24.
11. LYDEN MAGAZINE
To discuss the draft response- Cllr Wilson circulated to all Councillors, prior to the meeting, the draft response
to the request for a contribution for the article published in Lyden Magazine. The response was discussed, and
a slight amendment was made to the draft response. The meeting agreed for the Clerk to submit the response.
Action-Clerk
12. VILLAGE MATTERS (15 MINUTES)
a) Anti-Social Behaviour- Unfortunately and understandably, due to the recent incident in Swindon, all Police
resources were needed elsewhere meaning the PCSOs could not attend. An update was received via email
with recent activities in Liddington, which were;
1 Burglary
1 arrest for drink drive offences.
2 criminal damage
Other matters including domestic abuse related incidents etc.
Minutes – December 2022 Page 3 of 3
b) Liddington Clump and Castle- A response has been received from one of the Landowners, who wishes to be
notified when work commences due to access issues. The other Landowner has not responded to the
requests sent by Cllr Aftelak, so the meeting agreed that as the viewing platform will be the biggest cost that
it was best to proceed and submit the funding application for the viewing platform and remove The Clump
from the application. Action-Cllr
Aftelak
c) Winter detritus- Cllr Lomax spoke to the head of tree maintenance at SBC and confirmation was given that
the trees and hedges are on an annual cut. As for the collapsing bank and moss on the paths, this is the
responsibility of the Highways team at SBC. Photographs have been sent and Cllr Lomax is awaiting a
response.
12. 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) – No update provided
Playing Field (CB) – Cllr Bunney confirmed that the fortnightly safety inspections had been carried out on 17th
November 2022. There has been no more graffiti and it appears that dog fouling has improved in the Parish.
Village Hall Committee (JM) – Cllr Murphy was unable to attend the last meeting held.
Town Advisory Engagement Group (GW) – The next meeting is being held on 16th December. Cllr Wilson will give
an update at the January meeting.
Swindon Local Council Forum (DL & GW) – No progress has been made on the draft Charter.
Parish Chairs/Clerks Engagement Meeting (DL) – Meeting being held in December, update will be provided at
January’s meeting.
NEV Meeting (DL)
13. PARISH MAGAZINE (5 MINUTES)
The meeting agreed to put the following into the Parish Magazine
• Parish Councillors Allowances
• Liddington Viewing Platform
• Effectiveness of the new Speed Indicator Device
• The Village Inn
14. CORRESPONDENCE
The meeting noted that no correspondence had been received.
15. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION/FUTURE AGENDA
No items were raised for information or future agenda items.
The meeting closed at 8:58pm
Signed……………………………………………………………………………………Date………………………………..
