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The minutes of the previous PC meetings held on 13th February and 20th March 2023 were approved, proposed by LC and AH respectively and seconded by AE and LB respectively and both signed by the Chairman.

Treasurer’s report

LB reported the balance of the PC account stood at £4,978.44, and this was verified by WH on the bank statement. She also reported that the precept for 2023/24 of £1,800 had been received. Since the last meeting there had been the following expenses: £20 to Stert PCC for use of the church, £43.90 for a plaque for the apple tree, £40 to Clock Inn as a contribution to their Coronation Party, and £43.20 to WH as reimbursement for the cost of the website.

LB requested authority to renew the parish insurance with Zurich via Community First. If we commit to another 3 years with Zurich, the cost will be £164.53, a significant reduction on last year’s rate as it excluded certain optional add-ons such as coverage for bouncy castles which are not needed. This was agreed.

LB also requested authority to continue membership of WALC expected to cost £77.88 as last year. They had been most helpful with advice to the PC on freedom of information regulations. This was agreed. Finally she sought agreement to buy our auditor a gift in lieu of his fee, and suggested £100. This was also agreed.

Marquee

CL invited a discussion of the management of the village marquee. The village owns two marquees, one in fair condition, and the other somewhat damaged. It was decided, given the age of the marquees, that the PC could not guarantee that it was loaned out with all the required parts and nothing broken. The PC did not want to be responsible for a potential event bing ruined by a marquee mishap. LB noted that the marquees had been bought a number of years ago, and the purchase price had been more than repaid by donations for their use since. It was therefore decided to try and sell the marquee. LC to draft a suitable notice to be put in the Redhorn Parish Magazine.

Saddleback: Rights of Way

There was representation from some residents over the ease of passage to the right of way at the cattle grid by Saddleback Farm. There were also other representations about ease of passage over the rights of way at the stream at the bottom of Stert. It is clear that both these rights of way are easily accessible by walkers. It is only those walking certain dogs (Saddlepack) and those with bikes/prams (stream) that have less easy access. As the PC is unsure of the rules concerning dogs/bikes/prams, and could find no definitive ruling on the matter, it was decided to seek guidance from the WC Rights of Way Officer.

Devizes Gateway

CL reported on a stakeholder breakfast meeting he had attended in March given by Wiltshire Council.

He reported that plans for Devizes Gateway (nee Parkway) Station are on hold for a year pending further studies. This is because there is insufficient justification for incorporating a Devizes station into the rail network as a stand alone project. Time is needed for a new plan which is being proposed by Network Rail involving expanding Westbury station into a larger rail hub to accommodate freight traffic from the quarries in Cornwall as well as passenger services. An expansion of Westbury Station should make it possible for there to be an hourly service from Westbury to London Paddington calling at Devizes, Pewsey and Bedwyn.

The earliest that Devizes Gateway could open would be 2029. More detailed information on this proposal can be found on the Network Rail Website.

AOB

The tree that LB had planted to acknowledge Clive Boyes long service to the parish had unfortunately died. LB said she would buy another tree but said the bank where the previous tree had been planted was unsuitable due to weeds and roots. It was agreed to find an alternative place to plant the replacement.

Next meeting

The next meeting is scheduled for 4th September 2023.

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Minutes of PC Meeting, 13th February 2023

Posted on 23 February 2023 by whowkins | Leave a comment

MINUTES OF MEETING OF STERT PARISH COUNCIL

held in St. James’ Church on 13th February 2023

Present:

Chris Lawrence (CL) Chairman
Lewis Cowen (LC) Councillor
Lucy Barker (LB) Councillor/Treasurer
William Howkins (WH) Councillor/Clerk

Apologies for absence

Alick Edwards and Ann Harris sent their apologies.

Declarations of interest

There were no declarations of interest.

Minutes of previous meeting

The minutes of the previous meeting of the PC was agreed, proposed by LC and seconded by LB, and signed by the Chairman.

Treasurer’s Report

LB reported that since the meeting on 5th December 2022, there had been the following payments;

£40 to Stert PCC for use of the church at the last meeting,
£29.80 for purchase of the apple tree to mark the retirement of the previous chairman,
£113.51 to LC for Christmas party costs. (The PC unanimously expressed their thanks to LC and Alex Cooper for arranging the party),
£77.88 for membership of Wiltshire Association of Local Councils. The PC had stopped being a member some years ago but rejoined this year as advice was needed on the freedom of information request received by the PC,
£500 to Wiltshire Council as the PC’s contribution to implementation of the A342 speed limit. This amount had been reserved in the accounts since 31/3/21.

The account’s balance currently stands at £3,537.30, confirmed by WH on LB’s phone.

Previous chairman

The wording to be engraved on the plaque by the apple tree planted in acknowledgement of Clive Boyes’s long service as chairman of Stert PC was agreed as follows:

Planted in 2022 to mark 16 years of service by Clive Boyes, as chairman of Stert PC, ably assisted by his wife Georgie’.

Coronation Party

It was unanimously agreed that the PC should hold a party to celebrate the coronation of HM King Charles on the day set by the Government for public celebrations, Sunday 7th May. It was suggested that a marquee could be set up in the church yard the residents asked to provide food. The PC would supply drinks up to a cost of £250. It is hoped that volunteers can be found to organise the party.

PC Emails

LB suggested that the PC should have its own email address so as to separate the PC’s official correspondence from the clerk’s private mail. This would also facilitate future hand over of the PC’s correspondence to the Clerk’s successor in due course. WH agreed that this was a good idea and LB suggested that he ask Philip Normington if he could help in setting this up.

Meeting protocol

The participation of the public at PC meetings was discussed. LB said that according to her understanding of government regulations, members of the public were only allowed to listen to the business being discussed at PC meetings, and were not entitled to speak unless specifically invited to do so by the Chairman. She suggested that the following clarification should be minuted:

‘Members of the public are welcome to observe at any PC meetings. They may raise questions by invitation of the Chairman during the time set aside at each meeting for public participation, but are otherwise not entitled to speak and should remain silent throughout the meeting. The public do not have a legal right to speak at parish council meetings.’

Devizes Gateway Station

WH reported that he and LB had attended the AGM of the Devizes Development Partnership on 8th February at which Catherine Symington (CS), WC’s consultant for the Gateway Station studies, made a presentation of the progress to date. As a result of the submission of the Outline Business Case study last November, it was concluded that there was a good strategic argument for the station. Network Rail had therefore been appointed by the Department for Transport to undertake an Interim Feasibility Study to supplement these findings. The study will be submitted to DfT at the end of March 2023. At this stage, WC/DDP will present the findings of the study to stakeholders, including the parishes most affected by the proposed station.

CS showed a tentative layout plan with access to the station from the A342 midway between the railway bridge and the Lydeway junction, and the station carpark to the south of the line. Further details of CS’s briefing are given on the Stert parish website, http://www.stertparish.com. 

AOB

LB raised the question of the administration of the village marquees, tables and chairs. Quite a number of chairs had been broken over time and the marquees should be checked to see if all the components are complete. At present there are 37 chairs and 6 tables kept in the shed at Manor Farm. It was subsequently agreed that, in future, a deposit of £20 should be made to cover damage costs on top of a £20 donation to the PC for loan of the tables and chairs. LC offered to administrate the loan of the PC equipment and check it was returned clean and in good condition.