ANNUAL REPORT
2011-2012
www.urchfont-pc.gov.uk
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CHAIRMAN’S REVIEW (Mrs. Nicky Mitchell)
Life is never dull in Urchfont is it? In addition to all the usual items we have had to deal with over the course of the year, we had 2 major, contentious issues to consider:
1. The Development of Manor Farmyard reappeared in November, historically controversial; and 2. In January the news that Wiltshire Council had decided to sell Urchfont Manor. The impact of this news being twofold, firstly the loss of the Residential Adult Education College with the related economic implications for the village and secondly the potential threat to our community facilities which occupy part of the Manor estate.
This year I feel I must begin my report by highlighting our volunteer Parish Councillors. They have put in a particularly enormous amount of work due to these 2 major issues arising within a very short space of time requiring our immediate action as well as the general running of Parish business.
When you look at the display boards and listen to the Chairmen’s reports to come, you may not realize the time and effort that goes into it all. Our thanks go in particular to Liz Clifton-Page for updating the photos in the display for this year.
Have you ever thought what would happen if we didn’t have a Parish Council? How would all these things be accomplished and issues be coordinated?
Many are statutory requirements but many are to deal with our own Parish requirements, requests from you, the residents, to improve our facilities. Once in place they have to be managed.
These activities include:
Financial management - You will find the latest unaudited accounts below and you will be pleased to hear that we have kept the precept at the same level this year as last. Insurance; Risk and H&S Assessments; We are regularly updating Policies to ensure we deal with matters correctly; Grant Applications to assess; Setting up Working Parties to deal with specific problems; Agendas have to be drawn up; Minutes written and approved; Planning Site Meetings to be arranged; Website to be managed; Consultation on wider issues; and External Meetings to attend.
The list goes on and it’s a very long list!
The Chairmen bear the brunt of this. Peter Newell, our Vice Chairman is the fount of all Parish knowledge and again he has been a tremendous support to me in my role over the year, but all the councillors contribute a great deal and we work as a team.
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We don’t always agree ------That’s Democracy! So please, reflect on their generosity, giving their time to the Parish and join me in thanking them.
In addition we have 2 other vital members of our team who we employ: Bob Lunn and Sandra Johnston
Bob has been our Parish Clerk for almost a year now and he’s really got to grips with the job, admirably managing financial and administrative matters in a very professional manner, keeping us in order, he has updated the Cemetery Records, competed the Parish Contractors contract and has been very active in evaluating bids for and building the new Parish and Community Website, now taking on the role of Webmaster; and of course Urchfont Manor deliberations remain ongoing as do other interactions with Wiltshire Council. Now ALL he’s got to do is find time to complete the demanding CILCA course required for our Quality Status renewal in September – no pressure Bob!
Sandra, our Planning Administrator, works with the Planning Chairman, Simon Holt. Due to the large number of applications we receive she deals with reams of paperwork from Wiltshire Planning. This entails sorting and distributing plans, informing applicants and neighbours of planning meetings, arranging site meetings where necessary and she has had the significant additional workload dealing with the Manor Farmyard Development. Imagine taking the minutes of that Planning Meeting!!
Equally important, they are both great to work with and we certainly appreciate all they do - Thank you both.
In November Robert Anderson joined us on the Council as a Wedhampton representative following Colette Culligan’s resignation and is now an active participant. He is due to retire in a few months and was looking forward to having more time to give to his new role. Reluctantly, however, due to personal reasons, he and his partner, Dayne, are leaving Wedhampton and will therefore have to leave the Parish Council in the near future. This is a great shame as I am sure he would have been a strong member of the team but we’ll hang on to him as long as possible as will Wedhampton!
In March we were very disappointed that Andy Stephens had to resign due to heavy work commitments at Flying Pictures which take him all over the world; it is this work that is responsible for his absence tonight! He joined us in 2008 and 2 years ago he took on the Chair of a newly created Highways Committee to deal with the appalling state of the roads in the Parish. Andy is a bit like a dog with a bone and he took on Wiltshire Highways and consistently nagged and chased them until things happened in Urchfont. Potholes filled, stretches of roads resurfaced and flooding issues were addressed. Wedhampton remains an ongoing issue. However, last year it was felt that Highways could be re-merged with Amenities as councillor numbers were spread rather thinly across the committees. He also instigated the Community Speed Watch Programme, initially requested by a resident on the B3098 and until recently he was involved when time allowed. I’m not sure that I agree with James Bond taking precedence over us but we do understand the nature of the man------he can’t be a councilor if he can’t commit 100%. Thank you for your significant contribution, Andy.
We are currently seeking applications to fill the vacancy created by Andy’s resignation, so if you or anyone you know could be encouraged to apply, do express an interest by contacting Bob Lunn.
Simon Holt will update you on Manor Farmyard Development in his Chairman’s report.
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The latest news we have on Urchfont Manor is that Wiltshire plan to market it in May or shortly thereafter. As you know, at the Wiltshire Council Cabinet Meeting in January, they did include an amendment to protect the community facilities which are currently part of the Manor estate. Following a meeting with Mark Stone from Wiltshire Council the Parish Council drew up a set of proposals which we submitted to Wiltshire and have been informed that they are progressing with OUR proposals regarding the Playing Fields and the Cricket Club; Proposals from Friends of Oakfrith Wood; and they hope to meet with John Snook who generously allows the Cricket Club to use one of the fields he leases from Wiltshire Council. Wiltshire Council hope to respond next month. We have also been informed today that there is a petition on the Wiltshire Council Website for signatures of anyone opposing the sale of the Manor; a link to this will be put on our Parish website as well.
I would like to thank all those who contribute to the work of the Parish Council: Lionel Grundy, our Wiltshire Councillor who continues to support us and attends many of our meetings. Co-opted members of Committees and Working Parties Paul Papworth-Smith our internal auditor Friends of Farmer’s Field, Elaine Bancroft and her friends for looking after the ducks and geese in all weathers and when they are ill; these ducks are a great attraction for the Village. June Turnbull and her green fingers planting the Triangle. The Rights of Way Group who continue their good work and undertook some serious construction work through the wood in the Bottom. I met a small army of workers there when walking my dogs. Richard and Janet Hawkins for their work on the Parish magazine ‘News and Views’ which has now been amalgamated with Redhorn Team News to become ‘Redhorn News’. Also for their design skills for Parish Council posters, of which we’ve had quite a few lately for hot topics! John and Carole Snook for the electricity supply for lights around the pond at Christmas and other festive events during the year. They make a significant impact. All those who helped with erection of lights and the tree at Christmas. I apologize for accidentally omitting a ‘thank you’ from the February edition of News and Views. That was Richard --- wasn’t me! Mark Goddard, the Parish Contractor, who is now signed up to keep the Parish looking smart for the next 5 years. Kevin Summers who provides the skips at the Playing Field, The Croft and Wedhampton and until recently the volunteers for the cardboard and plastic skip at the Village Hall which has now become a kerbside collection. Clare Milanes for sharing the task of weekly checks of the Defibrillator with me. Colin Whitehead for his work coordinating Neighbourhood Watch. Marion Whitehead keeping a watching brief when the Clerk is absent. Members of the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group – Stuart Davies, Julie Elliott, Bill Donald, Richard Hawkins, Alex Hiscock, Simon Holt, Linda Jennings, William Lang, Dave Mottram, Geoff Potter, Andy Stephens and Colin Whitehead. The Parish Steward employed by Wiltshire Council to undertake minor highways maintenance.
Last year, at the Village Welcome event, it was amazing to see how many organizations we have in the Parish and it highlighted just what a busy and vibrant community we are. Many of us are very grateful to be living here, enjoying and participating in what it offers, it’s certainly not just about the Parish Council. We have an exciting few months ahead with the Scarecrow Festival and the Parish
4 celebrations for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee; further demonstration of more voluntary contribution. The challenges we have at present will continue into the coming year but let’s hope, we, the Parish Council, have a good one!
Community Grants 2011/2012
Organization Grant Awarded For: Grant
Urchfont Women’s Institute Flower troughs to sit under three Urchfont Gateway £450 Signs Link Scheme To supplement funds to meet expenses of volunteers £150 and admin costs Friends of Oakfrith Wood Interpretation Boards, chainsaw training equipment £500 St Michael & All Angels Parochial Pruning of Holly Hedge in Churchyard, printing of £430 Church Council Welcome to Urchfont and Wedhampton booklet Parochial Church Council Welcome event refreshments and hall hire £75 Welcome Event Urchfont Pre-School Digital camera and replacement play equipment £250 St John’s Ambulance Funds towards two rapid response vehicles £100 Neighbourhood Development Funds towards expenses for development of the new £300 Plan plan Wiltshire Music Centre Contribution to music event sponsorship, Urchfont £100 School being a participant Allotment Association Contribution towards the purchase of a communal shed £300 for the allotment holders TOTAL £2655
Parish Council Unaudited Accounts 2011/12 as at 31st March 2012
2010/11 Receipts 2011/12 19,188.34 B/fwd 1 April 2011 19,398.90 26,260.00 Precept 27,260.00 14.66 Interest on accounts 119.05 365.00 Magazine 367.50 1,250.00 Other Grants 0.00 715.00 Cemetery 420.00 584.38 Allotments 90.00 220.00 Playing field rent/maintenance 250.00 0.00 Youth Group 0.00 10.00 Duck House 20.00 2,075.30 VAT refund 1071.95 50,682.68 Total Receipts 48,997.40
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2010/11 Payments 2011/12 7,077.33 Clerk's salaries & Expenses 10,631.38 6,545.50 Contractor's Fee 6,692.91 5,220.77 General Admin 4,404.44 1,657.50 Magazine 1,760.00 4,550.00 Other Grants 2,655.00 20.49 Chairman's Allowance 85.90 0.00 General Contingency 1,025.00 232.48 Cemetery 1,532.56 285.50 Allotments 440.10 316.67 Playing field rent/maintenance 0.00 0.00 Play equipment/RoSPA 156.00 84.53 Farmers Field 407.00 1,064.93 Pond 709.07 1,195.00 Skips & Chipper 1007.50 358.86 Notice Boards 265.00 16.57 The Triangle 92.00 281.00 Village Signs 0.00 500.00 Eco-mapping 0.00 1,876.65 VAT payments 980.07 31,283.78 Total Expenditure 32,844.53 19,398.90 Balance at 31 March 2012 16,152.87
Achievements and Activities during 2011/12
Despite the economic climate the Annual Precept for the Parish for 2011/12 remained unchanged at £27,260.00. The Planning Committee considered some 56 Applications during the year. There were 18 Full Planning Applications, 6 Listed Building Consent Applications and 30 Applications in respect of trees. The application in respect of Manor Farmyard has resulted in 6 meetings (3 of them public and 1 site meeting with the Planning Officer). Over 100 feedback sheets from Parish residents were considered by the Planning Committee. Latest information indicates that the application is still being considered by Wiltshire Council with no forecast of a decision date; new plans have been submitted by the developer for plots 18 & 19 and other alterations; negotiations are taking place with Highways Dept; new research has been undertaken in respect of trees and landscaping; and it is understood that the application will be considered by the full Eastern Area Hub Planning Committee rather than under delegated powers by the Planning Officer. A Health & Safety inspection of the Cemetery was instigated by the Parish Clerk in August 2011, such an inspection will be carried out annually in future. Main issues identified were some potentially unsafe headstones and overhanging tree branches, all issues have now been resolved. The rubbish pile in the south west corner of the Cemetery has been removed and the area prepared for grass; this results in extra space for graves and improves the appearance of the cemetery. Consideration is being given to placing a skip at the cemetery for waste soil and green waste.
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The Bier House needs some money spending on it, but before the extent of this is considered we need to identify better use of the storage accommodation. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Currently the supply and demand for allotments is well balanced. The size and location for a communal shed on the allotments has been agreed. No major problems were identified by the annual ROSPA inspection of the playing field equipment. A welcome enquiry has been received from a young parishioner about the possibility of a skate board ramp on the playing fields; this will be considered when the future ownership of the playing field is determined. Such enquiries are to be encouraged. The Parish Contractor contract has been the subject of competition and evaluation which resulted in the award of a new five year contract to Mark Goddard & Son Landscaping. The new Parish Council and Community Website (www.urchfont-pc.gov.uk) was launched in February 2012; this following a comprehensive evaluation of tenders received in response to a detailed specification for a Web Content Management System and hosting environment. The chosen provider is eMango and following training Cllr Mottram and Bob Lunn set about building the very comprehensive web site demonstrated at the Parish meeting. The objective is to provide an easily accessible website giving up to date information about the Parish Council and Community organizations, with a particular emphasis on ‘News & Events’. We need input on the latter from the Parish residents. Our thanks go to Ian Maidment for setting up and managing for several years the now superseded Parish Website; his hard work is much appreciated. The Community Speed Watch Team coordinated by Cllr Liz Clifton-Page has been hard at work trying to reduce the speed of traffic through Urchfont on the B3098. Since formation in February 2011 there have been 53 sessions during which 656 vehicles were recorded at speeds exceeding 35mph; of these 172 were doing more than 40mph, 6 more than 50mph and one at 62mph. We continue to try and have the 30mph speed limit along the B3098 extended; west to Witchell Lane and east beyond Crooks Lane which is a particularly dangerous junction and where children have to cross the road to catch school buses. It is an uphill struggle with Wiltshire Council but we will persevere. We continue to try and have the Gateway Sign to the east of the Village re-sited to properly reflect that Crooks Lane and Foxley Fields are part of the Village. Plans are underway to improve signage to the Church, Village Hall and School, the latter being particularly important following an incident where an ambulance could not easily find the School having been incorrectly directed by satnav through the Manor grounds. A Steering Group of 12 Parishioners was set up last summer to consider early development of a Neighbourhood Development Plan for Urchfont, Wedhampton and Lydeway. This Group has produced an implementation Plan; obtained a small grant from the Parish Council; produced a list of business activities in the Parish; externally inspected every residential dwelling in the Parish to analyze housing stock; and in broad terms looked at the potential for a ‘tractor bypass’ for Urchfont. Agreement is expected in early May from Wiltshire Council to produce the Development Plan under the Localism Act, a Parish Referendum will be held in due course to seek adoption of the Plan. The Climate Friendly Community work was transferred to the Redhone Community Trust.
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MEMBERS OF URCHFONT PARISH COUNCIL
Cllr Robert Anderson 2 Fleece Cottage, Green Gate Road, Wedhampton, SN10 840877 3QB Cllr Jim Batt High Lodge, The Cartway, Wedhampton, SN10 3QD 840634 Cllr Liz Clifton-Page Red Gables, Blackboard Lane, Urchfont, SN10 4RD 07740 029078 Cllr Sean Donlon Lydeway Bungalow, Andover Road, Lydeway, 848609 SN10 3PS Cllr Simon Holt The Tiled House, High Street, Urchfont, SN10 4QL 840100 Cllr Nicky Mitchell 1 Oakston, High Street, Urchfont, SN10 4QL 848410 (Chairman) Cllr Dave Mottram Cranfield, The Bottom, Urchfont, SN10 4SD 840612 Cllr David Myers 11 The Orchard, Urchfont, SN10 4QX 810860 Cllr Peter Newell (Vice- 4 Peppercombe Close, Urchfont, SN10 4QS 840317 Chairman) Cllr Andy Stephens The Old Barn, Cuckoo Farmyard, Urchfont, SN10 4RA (Resigned from the Council in March 2012) Cllr Royston Thomas Peppercombe, Peppercombe Lane, Urchfont, 848100 SN10 4QR
Clerk to the Council 14 Walnut Close, Urchfont, SN10 4RU 848737 Bob Lunn Planning Assistant 24 The Paddock, Urchfont, SN10 4SH 848774 Sandra Johnston
The Council is represented on the Devizes Area Board, Devizes Community Area Planning Partnership, Village Hall Management Committee and the Parish Trust. A Councillor is also appointed as liaison with the Ministry of Defence.
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