LIMPLEY STOKE PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL VIRTUAL MEETING- DUE TO COVID 19 RESTRICTIONS HELD on the 2nd of March 2021 at 7.00pm

Councillors: Chairman – Mr Ian Barnes (IB) Francis Firmstone (FF), Ms Denise Barnes (DB), Chimene Roberts (CR), Lucy Poloniecka (LP), Elaine Curtin (EC), Mr E Elias (EE)

Mr Johnny Kidney (JK) (County Councillor for Winsley and Westwood)

Apologies: Mrs N Boulton (NB), Jessica Sibson (JS)

In attendance: Bryony Kohn (Parish Clerk)

Members of the public: 3

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Item Action

030/21 Declarations of Interest None

031/21 Open Forum

a. A resident addressed the council regarding the Experimental closure of Woods Hill and road and pavement issues in the village (Attachment 1). LP walked the route concerned with the resident. The report is attached. (Attachment 2)

A second resident enquired about the visual look of the proposed gates for the village in Lower Stoke. There was a concern that the location of the gateway would give an unfair perception of where the village started and would exclude some houses in Limpley Stoke. IB said that due to the topography of the village, it was difficult to include every house within the gateways. Other possible village sign sites are to be researched by LP.

Action 31/21 LP to research possible location

Speeding and acceleration is an issue along the stretch of the B3108 beside the railway. The speed cameras and the traffic counters can be used to monitor the situation and the data can be used to alert the police to the problem. The resident said that there had been an increase in heavy vehicles using this stretch of road. JK said that it could be due to the weight restriction imposed on Cleveland Bridge in Bath.

A third resident suggested some form of pavement could be made along the road to make it safer for pedestrians and a reduction in the speed limit on the road. There were concerns however about the safety of a virtual pavement on this road. The resident was concerned that traffic from the temporary closure of Woods Hill would be encouraged to use the B3108. JK said that encouraging vehicles to use the main roads rather than the lanes in the village would be beneficial to the village. The second and third residents said that they were happy for their drive to be used for any traffic measuring devices. b. Councillor for Winsley & Westwood Report. The Council were grateful to receive an update from Councillor Johnny Kidney outlining the latest developments from Wiltshire Council. (see attachment 3 for details). c. There was nothing of note to report from PC Laura Wallace regarding the latest policing issues in the area.

032/21 Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Limpley Stoke Parish Council held on the 2nd of February 2021 The Minutes (previously distributed to Councillors for comment) were approved with no comment and will be signed off as an official record by the Chairman.

033/21 Financial Items (BK). a. Approval of payment of invoices and notification of receipts. 1. SO135 – B Kohn. Clerk salary (Feb) Decision: Approved 2. DD180- C Moore. Play Park consultancy costs: £35 Decision: Approved 3. DD181- B Kohn. Stationery: £10.20 Decision: Approved 4. DD182- Pandora Technologies. Speed signs: £6486.60 Decision: Approved 5. DD 183 Chimene Roberts. Playpark Hedging: £137.82 Decision: Approved b. Ethical Bank A discussion will be held at a future parish council meeting when more information has been obtained.

033/21 Planning (FF) Nothing to report this month.

034/21 Nature Chain Project (CR) The Nature Chain launch will be on March 7th, 2021. Leaflets are being printed and will be distributed to residents. Articles have been submitted to the magazine and the website to publicise the initiative. A link will be activated on the website to encourage residents to take part.

035/21 Playpark (CR)

CR said that 34 hedging whips had already been put in the playpark by volunteers. The willow tree had been made safe and the wooden steps have been prepared in readiness for new woodchip to be laid. Alan Dun has created a large wooden hedgehog for the park which has been much admired.

036/21 Your Voice (IB) IB informed the councillors that there had been no responses this month from residents via the Your Voice link on the website.

037/21 Action Plan See attachment.

Information Board- A second site near the church is being discussed by DB with the church warden Playpark- Gates and safety boards need painting. IB will order the paint. LP has successfully met with Wiltshire CC regarding the relocation of the dog waste bin on the footpath opposite the church. IB has spoken to the resident who owns the land on Church Lane who is happy for the speed camera to be installed on the pole. White line painting has been delayed- now will be in April 2021. DB will obtain the No Dogs signs for the Playpark IB will take down and keep in storage the litterbins in the Playpark. EC- has spoken to the Memorial Hall management about the cleared vegetation area at the back of the hall. It has now become a site for Nature Chain for Middle Stoke residents. Many residents have volunteered to help and has become an interactive project for the community. Photographs will be taken for the website and newsletter. LP said that parking on pavements in the village was still an issue. IB said that views of residents should be sought via a survey as there were many differing views particularly as some residents had nowhere else to park. DB said that Electric charging sites in the village need to be researched and that a survey will be put on the website asking residents for their views on a possible electric community vehicle. DB said that Richard Mann from the Environment Advisory Committee Group will give a talk on rewilding along the River Avon to the Environment group in April. EE said that the website continued to attract many visitors to the site each day. There was an 80% open rate for the emails that were sent out and 151 contacts in the database.

038/21 Any Other Business None

039/21 Date of Next Meeting. Tuesday 6th April 2021 at 7.00pm. To be held virtually due to Covid 19 restrictions being in place.

The Chair closed the meeting at 9pm

Signed (Chair)……………………………………

Attachment 1

LUCY AND ANNE’S WALK ROUND LOWER STOKE, CROWE HILL, CROWE LANE AND CHURCH LANE MEETING 5 RESIDENTS WHO LIVE ON EACH PART OF THE ROUTE

LOWER STOKE – I showed Lucy the narrowness of the road from the telephone box library to the Old Brewery and it would be suitable for a white line giving space for pedestrians and the two disabled persons who live there. The Old Brewery layby is a. mess of tarmac where so many tyres have run over it and I know 3 people who have fallen down there. Passed the Manor house to Lower Hayes, the pavement is gravel where so many vehicles have ridden on it over it.

CROWE HILL – Paul talked of the vehicles who persist in parking on the pavement.. Pedestrians had to walk on the road passed ten parked vehicles on one occasion. The pavement at the bottom has never been finished and it was left uncompleted before lockdown began. (Lucy suggested asking Wiltshire Highways for cards to give to residents to place on vehicles where it is impossible to pass by)

CROWE LANE – Lyn walked around the length of the lane with us and showed how impossible it is for anyone to walk along the virtual pavement because it is cracked, broken, slipping and uneven. She has to walk on the road edge because she cannot walk on uneven and sloping surfaces. The road is frequently water logged. Ian’s neighbour is still limping from her fall several weeks ago. I added that since we walked Wiltshire Council has placed pieces of unedged tarmac on a small part of the pavement which will be scuffed out by vehicle tyres in a short time.

THE END OF CROWE LANE CORNER AND JUNCTION TOWARDS CHURCH LANE - Dr B gave us some concrete answers to the problem of the corner which is frequently difficult because vehicles parked on the pavement force vehicles into the middle of the lane and no one can see the oncoming traffic. He suggested double yellow lines before the corner to stop vehicles parking half way on the pavement so that traffic is not forced on to the right hand sign of the road meeting drivers, who cannot see, coming round the corner.

The junction is in BANES but he asked reasonably if the PC could contact Freshford PC to improve the junction and he suggested a yellow box which vehicles must make sure they are clear so that only one vehicle enters it.

CHURCH LANE - In places, it is impossible to walk on the pavement owing to its narrowness and bushes protruding onto the pavement to Aroona House. We watched a young family not using the pavement, just walking on the road.

From the Church, the virtual pavement has disappeared entirely. CR said this, In my opinion it would be ideal for the LS community to see all road/pavement repairs and renovations implemented, at all places deemed necessary within the village, prior to experimental closure of Woods Hill. This will be of benefit to all village residents.

I know NA and K, who live on the A36 junction are worried about increased pollution with extra traffic. The PC promise measurements, that does not stop pollution.

MIDFORD LANE – Mrs C emailed, Just to let you know, i have asked the school and there are five families who attend Freshford school walking over the road from Midford Lane daily and apparently ten who live in Middle Stoke, Cliffe Drive, Woods Hill who do or would potentially use that bit of road with virtual pavements. I know there are others who have older children who would need to cross to get school bus to Ralph Allen etc... I know there are other families on Midford Lane who's children are in private schools but also cross to use the village shop etc... I am sure there are more and there are many walkers daily risking their lives crossing the A36 and walking down Church lane hoping not to be run over. We discussed a pedestrian light would be necessary at the Midford Lane/Church Lane junctions to make it safe for residents to reach the village for school, shop, churches, friends. Highways England would need to be contacted for this much needed crossings.

IN CONCLUSION OF WALK – None of the residents wanted Experimental Closure of Woods Hill until the lanes are made safe.

Johnny Kidney emailed

Wiltshire Council was earlier this week granted an additional £22 million in funding from the Government for Highways improvements. I have spoken to my Council colleague, Cllr Bridget Wayman, Cabinet Member for Highways, to request that some of this funding is earmarked for maintenance works and improvements in Limpley Stoke, including surfacing works and reinstatement of virtual pavements.

Thank you to Johnny for pursuing this important step forward.

I wish to represent the Concerned Residents in deciding what needs to be renovated. There are now 47 on the list and I am intending to talk to Midford Lane residents as I understand they are also very worried about the PC closing a road without any consultation with villagers or major road improvements.

Residents were all appreciative of the speed camera in Lower Stoke.

They were grateful for their chance to make their views known to Lucy on the PC and myself for the Concerned Residents’ Group. I look forward to reading Lucy’s walk around LS when the minutes are published next month.

UPDATE

The EC of Woods Hill is scheduled to go ahead on the 15th March which is frightening to residents on the route while Woods Hill residents enjoy quiet roads.

A respected long standing parish councillor told me as far as he knew, no PC had asked Wiltshire for closure of Woods Hill and to make it one way had been mentioned.and never acted upon.

Attachment 2

NOTES ON WALK FROM LOWER STOKE TO A36 WITH MRS ANNE JARRETT 23.02.2021

In response to an email from Mrs Jarrett, I agreed to meet and her and walk around the village to see where the main problems with the pavements and other pedestrian road safety issues are. I had explained that not everything could be fixed short term but that LSPC was listening. AJ, having received a letter from Grant Shapps stating that a substantial grant had been given to WCC, believes we should definitely be bidding for some of it! We started at Lower Stoke by the phone box where there is no pavement – but it is not obvious how one could be created. AJ also feels that the passing point by the station should have been retained as a pavement. (I disagree with this as it is preferable to cars driving on the pavement but do believe the signage should be clearer). We continued up Crowe Hill noting that the pavement was very uneven and in need of repair. I was introduced to an elderly gentleman who suffers from people parking on the pavement and also blocking his drive. I undertook to see whether flyers could be obtained from WCC asking people not to park on pavements where this forces pedestrians, wheelchairs and pushchairs on to the road. At the top of Crowe Hill I was introduced to another resident who had injured herself falling on the uneven virtual pavement. I know that this is something of which LSPC is already very aware. We continued along Crowe Lane where we met a Freshford resident who had some suggestions for reducing speed along the road, including speed bumps. We noted that BANES were doing some road repairs at the time. We walked up towards the church noting that the pavement was blocked by an overhanging hedge and I agreed to find out whether an order to trim the hedge could be sent from LSPC. I now need to return and check the address. Continuing up Church Lane I was introduced to another resident who is pleased that the mobile speed camera will be set up outside her house for a period to monitor traffic. We discussed the fact that vehicles are liable to speed along the straight section of Church Lane, particularly at school run times. We also noted that the virtual pavement on Church Lane is pretty much invisible. I believe this is something that is already in hand as part of the White Line project. Finally we walked up to the A36 where AJ is keen that there should be a pedestrian traffic light to link the two parts of the village. My understanding is that much if not all of this is already covered by the published Traffic Management Plan.

Lucy Poloniecka

Attachment 3

Limpley Stoke Parish Council – Unitary Councillor’s Report March 2021

Local Plan Review – Reminder that consultation closes on 9 March 2021 Local Plan Review update – Verbal update on the importance of the Local Plan review consultation. BATH CAZ – Update A reminder that the Bath Clean Air Zone is coming into effect on 15 March. Further to the strong concerns I expressed during consultation on the CAZ proposals, Wiltshire Council is continuing to raise concerns with B&NES regarding the potential impact on our communities of traffic seeking to avoid the CAZ. We have already seen increased HGV traffic on the B3018 since B&NES introduced a weight limit on Cleveland Bridge, and there is real concern that the CAZ will further exacerbate this. The introduction of the Bath CAZ scheme on the 15th March 2021 will require all buses operating local bus services into the Zone to be equipped with engines that meet Euro 6 emission standards (or better). Most of the existing buses that operate into Bath do not meet these standards and so Government grants have been offered to bus operators to make modifications to their existing buses to meet the new standards. Most of the bus operators are taking advantage of this grant and are in the process of getting their vehicles adapted. The vehicles being modified include approximately 35 that operate on bus services to/from Wiltshire, including the D1 service. A new vehicle is being sourced by Libra Travel to operate the 94 service through Limpley Stoke. While they are waiting for this to arrive, the manufacturers will be loaning Libra a similar, but larger vehicle. Unfortunately this is too large to pass through Limpley Stoke village, so alternative arrangements are being made for the small number of bus users from the village who cannot use the D1 bus service until the new bus arrives. “Step up to Social Work” Wiltshire Council is hoping to welcome the next generation of social workers to make a positive difference for Wiltshire as it seeks to recruit to the 'Step Up to Social Work' programme The council has five students due to qualify in March 2021 after successfully completing a 14 month programme that gives participants hands-on training to become the next generation of qualified child and family social workers It is part of the UK Government's Plan for Jobs and Wiltshire Council is part of the South West Regional Step Up to Social Work Partnership with Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole and Dorset Councils Wiltshire Council is now opening a further recruitment round and seeking graduates and people looking to change career to participate in Step Up to Social Work programme until the closing date of 7 April. ------COVID LIVE UPDATE – The latest of the Council’s live Covid webinars with the Council, Chief Exec and Director of public heath will take place on 2 March 5:30pm. You Can find a link on the news section of the Council website. Wiltshire Council’s BUDGET was approved at Full Council in February. Despite the impact of Covid- 19 on local authority finances, Wiltshire Council has again delivered a balanced budget, protecting all Council services and increasing investment. The budget was signed off at a meeting of Full Council on 23 February 2021, and the budget for 2020/21 was confirmed as balanced, despite the unprecedented challenges of the past year. The proposals agreed include: A 1.99% general increase in basic council tax A 3% council tax levy specifically for Adult Social Care to address the £8.6m growth due to the increasing age demographic and needs of the residents of Wiltshire A £6.6m allocation for investment in Children's Social Care and a further £1.5m to respond to rising demand for special educational needs service Increase of investment in waste services by £2.6m to a total of £42.3m A six-fold increase in its discretionary hardship fund to £300k, held to assist those families and residents that, after undertaking all avenues of support to reduce their council tax bill, need further support from the council An investment of nearly £2m to help fund the planned £214m investment in its capital programme, which includes: Investing over £22m in maintaining Wiltshire's road network. Investing over £23m in schools. Continued investment of over £20m in the council's Health & Wellbeing centre sites, including the significant investment in Melksham Community Campus Continued investment into carbon reduction initiatives, with £3m for the final transition to LED streetlights and more than £4m for energy efficiency projects for Council buildings and estate Investment of over £50m in housing for Wiltshire, with around 1,000 new energy efficient council houses provided over the next 10 years. Following the impact of the ongoing pandemic, towns throughout the county will need support to help them recover. The £4m fund set aside, made up of £1m a year for the next four years, will be set up to support market towns to bounce back. More details on how this funding will be distributed and its use will be available in due course. COMMUNITY COVID TESTING Wiltshire Council has begun to roll out the government's targeted rapid COVID-19 community testing initiative locally to help drive down transmission rates. The council's programme, in partnership with the Department of Health and Social Care, is specifically aimed at asymptomatic people at small businesses, private early years settings and childminders. Eligible people will take a Lateral Flow Test. With its targeted approach, community testing aims to reduce the prevalence of the virus.

The testing sites are located at:

The testing sites are located at: Chippenham, Monkton Park Devizes Leisure Centre Salisbury, Five Rivers Health and Wellbeing Centre Trowbridge, County Hall Visit Community Testing www.wiltshire.gov.uk/public-health-coronavirus-testing to book a test .

HIGHWAYS MAINTENANCE FUNDING Wiltshire Council has been awarded £22,924,000 from the Government's Highways Maintenance Fund for 2021/22 to pay for a range of highways maintenance and improvement programmes, including resurfacing, re-signing, new road markings, traffic signals and filling potholes. This total includes the award of £9m from the Government's Pothole Fund, which will also be used for all aspects of highways maintenance throughout the coming financial year.

Elections – are going ahead on 6 May and while polling stations will be open with Covid-secure measures in place, people are nonetheless being urged to register for postal votes. Please visit https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/elections for more information. It has been a huge privilege to have represented our communities at the heart of Wiltshire Council’s administration over the past four years, and to have worked closely with the Parish Council on a range of initiatives, including attempts to secure the future of the Hop Pole. I will be seeking re- election in May, to keep the momentum going on a range of priorities, including continuing to work with our local MPs to secure safety improvements on the A36 where it passes through Limpley Stoke; fighting to protect our precious green spaces; and giving our communities influence with the administration at Wiltshire Council. Attachment 4 to Limpley Stoke Parish Council Minutes 2nd March 2021

Limpley Stoke Parish Council Action Log – 2nd March 2021

Month Ref. Title Description Lead Update Target Entered Date May 04/19 Playground Information Board Install a new Information IB 1st Board ready for installation in Park. March 21 board. Frame has been purchased. Tom Harper installing 7/8th March. Church and Village Hall possible second sites. May 05/19 Playground clearance Inspection report – required DB/JS Ongoing. Annual Inspection received. Ongoing actions repairs. Vegetation JS equipment audit completed. Gate clearance and tree removal spring ordered. Gates to be painted. Basketball net has been replaced. Bulb and tree planting started. July 13/19 Community Led Housing Promotion of project and FF Ongoing quarterly review. Ongoing review of available space in LS March 03/20 Playpark Hedging Possible tree/hedge planting DB/CR Hedges bought. 34 whips have been Spring 21 in playpark planted October 19/20 Dog Bin re-siting Dogbin opposite St Mary’s LP LP liaising with WCC. Relocation of Spring 21 Church to be moved bin underway October 21/20 Glass covers for village Glass frontage needed to FF FF to obtain quotes Spring 21 noticeboards protect notices from the elements December 23/20 Speed Warning signs and white line 2 new signs for village and IB IB has purchased 2 mobile signs for the Apr 2021 painting repainting virtual village village. 1st installed. White line pavements painting starting in April. Delayed due to weather. Jan 25/21 Playpark No Dogs signs Purchase 3 new signs DB DB is designing 3 new signs. Awaiting April 21 installation Jan 26/21 Gate spring Purchase and fit new spring DB DB to speak to A Duck to fit April 21 Jan 27/21 Litterbin removal Playpark litterbin removal IB/ BK IB to remove and BK has cancelled April 21 emptying contract with idverde Jan 28/21 20% Rewilding campaign- Encourage residents to rewild DB/CR DB to establish a subcommittee and March 21 gardens plan. Nature Chain launch March 7th Renamed Nature Chain Article on website and newsletter. Feb 29/21 Bus Timetable New timetable on website LP New timetable for communications- March 21 and newsletter on hold whilst new buses are being sought for the narrow lanes Feb 30/21 Liveable Neighbourhood Draft an initiative for Limpley CR Liveable Neighbourhood Summary April 21 Stoke To be drafted for LSPC March 31/21 Village sign on B3108 Research a possible site for LP Possible location on B3108 near the April 21 village sign railway line stretch for village sign