LIDDINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the virtual meeting held on
Wednesday 3rd February 2021 at 7pm via Zoom
Present: Councillors Bunney, Hill, Hyatt, Lomax, Moore, Wilson and Workman
Also present: Val Curtis (Clerk), two members of the public
1. APOLOGIES
Resolved: To approve Cllr Workman’s reason for absence (work related)
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Cllr Hill 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 6
th January 2021 were agreed as a true record. Due to
the social distancing guidelines, the agreed minutes will be signed at the next face to face meeting
4. MATTERS ARISING
Great Western Hospital – A good overview had been provided in the answers given to the questions submitted to the
hospital late in 2020. It was evident that the problems with the proposed changes to car park provision was due to
the areas being used for the construction works. The suggestion that remote consultations had resulted in a lesser
need for parking facilities currently, did not necessarily hold for the future, as it was believed that once Covid 19 had
dissipated, it will revert to pre-pandemic practices and levels of need will increase accordingly. It would be
unacceptable to use NHS monies to build a multi-storey car park therefore alternatives should be looked at, with a
suggestion of a park and ride type facility. Confirmation that Savernake Hospital had been handed over to another
NHS Trust, however it was noted that it will be made more use of in the future.
Gigabyte fibre – Cllr Wilson believed that approximately 110 properties needed to sign up for the offering as per the
website during the afternoon of 3rd February 2021 to be able to reach the target needed. No update had been
received regarding Church Road and Medbourne Lane. Cllr Wilson commented on the short-termism which resulted
in wasting money due to projects not being planned correctly. The small businesses in Medbourne Lane plus the
domestic properties, would have taken up the offer, had it been made available. Cllr Bunney had contacted
Openreach re Church Road and had been passed on to a community project that involved local communities paying
for the installation. He believes that everyone in Church Road would take up the offer if it was made available. Cllr
Moore had written to Robert Buckland, MP a month ago but had not received a reply, to date. Cllr Wilson suggested
a letter to be composed and sent to Robert Buckland, MP Action – Cllrs Wilson/Bunney
Complaints Procedure & Habitual & Vexatious Complainant Policy – actioned and available to view on the
Liddington.org website
Swing – A quote for £300 + VAT from the Play Inspection Company for the Resi-PD survey had been received,
which was considered expensive. Kompan had been approached for the cost of replacement of the part. Cllr Wilson
suggested that replacement of the complete frame might be a better option. Details to be forwarded to all for
consideration. Action – Clerk
Trough located in The Street – no offers of help had been received. A final request to be included in the Lyden
Magazine Action – Clerk
5. PUBLIC SESSION
Broadband – It was disappointing to find that Church Road and Medbourne Lane were not included in the current
Openreach offering. The residents believed that there would be significant take up and suggested a survey
confirming the possible take up from the affected residents to enhance the case in the letter that is to be sent to
Robert Buckland and Olive Dowden?
Playing Field – Excessive dog poo being left is a problem. Regularly 4 or 5 dogs off the lead and the owners not
acting responsibly. The situation is becoming untenable. A suggestion was made of stronger worded signage or that
all dogs must be kept on a lead in the playing field should be considered, however this would be unenforceable.
Minutes – February 2021 Page 2 of 3
The condition of the football pitch, particularly the goal mouths, and both entrances is very poor. The goal mouths
were due to be repaired and new turf laid over the Christmas holidays which had not taken place. Clerk to ring the
Contractor to find out why and ask about a solution for the entrances. Action – Clerk
6. PLANNING MATTERS
(a) To consider any planning applications:
The Meeting noted that no planning applications had been received
(b) To note any decisions:
The Meeting noted that no decisions had been received
7. WARD COUNCILLOR REPORT
No Ward Councillor’s report was given as Cllr Sumner was unable to attend the meeting
8. FINANCE
(a) To approve payment of the following invoices:
• Swindon Borough Council – Highway licence – £125.00 –This payment was not approved and is to
be disputed.
Resolved: Cllr Wilson proposed the approval of the standing order, recurring payment and to ratify the payment
made between meetings. Cllr Bunney seconded the proposal and was unanimously agreed.
(b) To approve payment of the following Standing Orders:
• Adams & Watt – Annual grass cutting contract – February instalment – £518.57
(c) To approve the following Direct Debits:
(d) To approve payment of the following recurring payment
• Unlimited webhosting – (18/02/2021 – 17/03/2021) – £4.19
(e) To ratify payments made between meetings
• Zoom – Standard pro monthly (February) – £14.39
(f) To receive the monthly accounts reconciliation
The Meeting agreed that the accounts were in good order. Cllr Moore asked what position the accounts
would be at the end of the financial year. The Clerk confirmed, based on expected expenditure
approximately £15,000 would be carried forward.
9. ALLOTMENTS
Cllr Moore tabled a written report, added to the minutes in the minute file, on the draft lease received from the
Solicitors working on behalf of the Diocese of Bristol, the contents of which were disappointing. He had written to
the Parish Council solicitor listing the issues that needing addressing and was awaiting a reply.
10. VILLAGE MATTERS
a) To consider the purchase of a second Speed Indicator Device
The Meeting agreed to defer the decision until the original device, installed by Swindon Borough Council some years
ago, had been investigated. A request had been submitted for the trees around the device to be cut back as the
assumption was that it was not working due to the sunlight being blocked from the solar panel. Action – Clerk
b) Complaint re provision of dog bins
The Meeting understood the residents complaint. However, it was not considered appropriate for a dedicated dog
bin to be installed so near to the houses. The litter bin to be relocated to a more suitable location and usage
monitored. Cllrs Lomax and Wilson to investigate and identify where to re-site it. Clerk to inform the Contractor and
request a regular update. Action – Cllrs Lomax/Wilson/Clerk
11. DEFIBRILLATOR (10 MINUTES)
Second Defibrillator – To consider the quote received for the provision of a defibrillator in the kiosk with no power,
including a locked cabinet and thermal bag.
Resolved: Cllr Moore proposed the purchase of a device contingent on the phone box being refurbished and a
suitable hosting agreement being completed. Cllr Hyatt seconded the proposal and was unanimously agreed.
Action – Clerk
12. LORD JOEL JOFFE MEMORIAL
Mrs Moore continued to work on the written piece for hanging in the Church Hall. Cllr Moore to provide
measurements of available space to Cllr Wilson who would supply appropriate photographs.
Action – Cllrs Moore/Wilson
Minutes – February 2021 Page 3 of 3
Cllr Lomax reported that the existing finger posts were not long enough to take all of the words and there was
evidence of woodworm. He had sourced some kiln dried wood to replace them. Action – Cllr Lomax
13. CONSULTATION & REVIEW OF STATEMENT OF LICENSING POLICIES
To consider a response to the 5-yearly review of the Statement of Licensing Policies – The Meeting agreed that
there were no comments to make.
14. COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS
Playing Field – Cllr Bunney confirmed that he had carried out the fortnightly safety inspection of the play equipment
on 16th & 29th January. He noted that the Oak tree had not been replaced. Action – Clerk
Village Hall Committee
• To consider a response to the email from the Chair of the Village Hall Committee.
The Meeting agreed that it had no objection to the Annual General Meeting of the Village Hall Committee
being held virtually. Action – Clerk
Town Fund Board – Cllr Wilson confirmed that there had been no communication from HM Government and the
January meeting had been cancelled. The next Meeting was due to take place on 19th February 2021.
Cabinet Member Advisory Group (CMAG) – The Clerk was one of eight Clerks who had been invited to attend the
first meeting of CMAG. This meeting was called in an effort to identify issues that Parish Councils faced when
communicating with Swindon Borough Council with the aim of trying to fix them and improving the relationship. One
of the main issues from all Parishes was the continued passing of requests on My Account for actioning when it was
not the Parish Councils responsibility. The lack of acknowledgement of the differences between the Councils, i.e.
size, precept amount, urban v rural, resulting in a one size fits all model was also creating issues. One of the larger
Parishes had suggested that two groups were created, rural parishes and urban, to allow the specific issues to be
identified. Cllr Wilson suggested that the Ridgeway Parishes be contacted to see if there was an agreement to hold
a joint meeting as they would be experiencing be common problems. Action – Clerk
15. PARISH MAGAZINE (5 MINUTES)
The Meeting agreed to put the following in to the Parish Magazine:
• Trough – a final request for help
• Excessive dog mess around the Village and the Playing Field
• Second defibrillator
16. CORRESPONDENCE
The Meeting noted that no correspondence had been received
17. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION/FUTURE AGENDA
The trees/hedges from the grounds of The Manor needed to be cut back to behind the verge to provide clear access
for buses to pass. Action – Clerk
Litter – excess litter had been noted along The Ridgeway Road
18. ADMISSION OF PUBLIC AND PRESS: TO RESOLVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH STANDING ORDER 3
(C)THAT ‘IN VIEW OF THE CONFIDENTIAL NATURE OF THE BUSINESS TO BE TRANSACTED, IT IS
ADVISABLE IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST THAT THE PRESS AND PUBLIC BE TEMPORARILY EXCLUDED,
AND THAT THEY BE INSTRUCTED TO WITHDRAW’.
Reason: To review and approve proposed response to SBC Standards Procedure & Processes
Resolved: Cllr Moore had drafted a response to Swindon Borough Council. Councillors Bunney, Hill and
Wilson agreed that the letter should be sent Action – Cllr Moore
The Meeting closed at 9.20pm
Signed ………………………………………………………………………… Date……………………….
