and PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Annual Parish Council held on Tuesday 7th May 2019 at Semley Village Hall, commencing 7.30pm.

Public Participation and Presentations: No members of the public present and no questions/concerns raised prior to the meeting.

Wiltshire Councillor Report: Bridget Wayman reminded all about the Highways meeting at the City Hall, Salisbury tomorrow evening. Council Local Plan under review up to 2036 (formerly known as the Core Strategy), early draft consultation will be available in early 2020. Renewals for the Green Waste Bins have been sent out. Fly tipping reports 18/19 are down by 11% in comparison to year 17/18 though £2.7m is spent each year on picking up dropped litter.

001/05/19 Elect Chairman: Proposed by Cllr L Oatts to nominate Cllr. L Stopford as Chairwoman for a further year seconded by Cllr R Moors (unanimous). Cllr. L Stopford happy to accept.

002/05/19 Elect Vice Chairman: Proposed by Cllr L Stopford to nominate Cllr. A Ebbens as Vice Chairman for a further year, seconded by Cllr. R Moors (unanimous). Cllr. A Ebbens happy to accept.

003/05/19 Present: Cllr L Stopford (Chair of Meeting), Cllr A Ebbens, Cllr R Moors, Cllr R Conlon, Cllr D Curless, Cllr L Oatts. In attendance: Mrs B Ford Parish Clerk and Wiltshire Cllr. Bridget Wayman.

004/05/19 Apologies: Received from Cllr Y Barclay, Cllr. A Bowerman and Cllr. C Betts.

006/05/19 Dispensations: a. declarations of disclosable pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests already declared in the Register of Interests. Received from Cllr. L Stopford, planning appl.19/03058/Ful. b. declarations of disclosable pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests not previously declared in the Register of Interests. Received from Cllr. L Stopford, planning appl.19/03058/Ful.

Reminder – If required please update Interests registered with .

007/05/19 Adopt Minutes of Meetings: Minutes of the Interim/Planning meeting held on Tuesday 2nd April 2019 were adopted and signed as a true record, proposed by Cllr A Ebbens and seconded by Cllr D Curless (unanimous).

008/05/19 Planning: New Applications for comments by Parish Council 19/03184/FUL Myrtle cottage, Semley. SP7 9AU. Demolition of existing garage and construction of a new garage a with bedroom over. No Objections. Proposed by Cllr R Moors and seconded by Cllr L Oatts (unanimous). 19/03058/Ful The Cow Stall, Lower House Farm, Sedgehill. SP7 9JF. Barn conversion to a dwelling with associated alterations, extensions and development. Proposed by Cllr. A Ebbens and seconded by R Moors (unanimous). No comment, due to uncertainty on new planning regulations regarding this second application, planning department to clarify. 19/03368/LBC Dilkusha, Gutch Common, Semley. SP7 9BE. Two single storey extensions and + 19/03360/Ful wheelchair access. Proposed by Cllr. R Moors and seconded by Cllr. L Oatts (unanimous). No objections to development work to dwelling but concern raised regarding the proposed wheelchair access that appears to exit on a blind bend. It was noted Wiltshire Wildlife Trust has raised the same concern. 19/03632/Ful Shalom, Semley. SP7 9HG. Demolish existing garage to form a new extension for the existing bungalow and carryout internal/external alterations. No objections. Proposed by Cllr R Moors and seconded by Cllr L Oatts (unanimous). Applications approved by Wiltshire Council 19/01261/VAR Whitebridge Farm, Semley Common, Sedgehill SP7 9JT. Variation of Conditions 3 of S/92/0678/TP and condition 2 of S/1998/978 to clarify tourist use and to allow exemption of tourist use during winter months. WC Approved 16/4/19 Applications awaiting approval by Wiltshire Council 19/03160/HRN Wessex Water, Barkers Hill, Semley SP7 9BJ. Target date 8/5/1

009/05/19 Matters for Consideration: a. Traffic Calming Church Farm Junction (CATG Issue 6041): • Confirm Village Support – to date no objections received from villagers, but to ensure all are well informed of these safety improvements a notice will be placed in the Parish Magazine and parish council website, and on the Benett Arms and village notice boards. Action: Cllr. D Curless and Cllr. L Oatts • Funding – the parish council are expected to match fund 25% (estimate £2,750 parish council share of costs) of the cost of works, the majority of funds have been ear marked from parish precept year 19/20 and 20/21 forecast, the short fall of £250 is available from reserve funds and savings over the past few years from other projects. Proposed by Cllr. A Ebbens and seconded by Cllr. L Stopford (unanimous) to confirm to Wiltshire Council Highways to proceed with works. b. Milestone on A350 – Cllr L Stopford informed the PC about a volunteer who has cleaned up a number of milestone in Motcombe and agreed to do attend to the one on the A350 later in the year.

c. 010/05/19 Finance: a. Income & Expenditure Report – as at 30th April 2019 Proposed by Cllr. L Oatts and seconded by Cllr. R Moors (unanimous) to reimburse £5.13 additional travel cost to Cllr. A Ebbens who attended a Rights of Way talk at the Area Board Meeting held in Whiteparish. b. Internal Audit – Andrew Oatts happy to carryout internal audit for financial year 18/19. c. External Audit – The accounts for financial year 18/19 meet the criteria for exemption of external audit. Certificate of Exemption signed by Chairwoman and Clerk/RFO. Proposed by Cllr. R Moors and seconded by Cllr. L Stopford (unanimous) to adopt financial accounts for year 18/89 and a true and accurate record, subject to verification by Internal Auditor.

011/05/19 Port Folio Holders: Cllrs talked through draft copy circulated prior to meeting, revised draft to be circulated with changes.

012/05/19 Police/Community Safety Reports: Tisbury Community Area newsletter – April 2019 emailed to all Cllrs. A New Community Coordinator – PC2342 Helen Daveridge is covering /Westbury/Tisbury/Mere and surrounding villages. Police & Crime Commissioner Angus MacPherson will not be standing again for re-election in 2020.

013/05/19 Area Board Report: Cllr. Liz Stopford was unable to attend the last Area Board Meeting. Next meeting to be held on 4th June 2019 which this time features a themed item on local drug and alcohol misuse.

014/05/19 Health & Wellbeing Report: Nothing to report from Cllr. L Oatts or Cllr. R Conlon. First Aid: Cllr. A Ebbens confirmed that all Defib checks had been completed to date. The “refresher” self-help first responder training in Semley Church on the 12 April 2019, although advertised in the Parish Magazine, was poorly attended (4 only). It was at the beginning of the school Easter holidays, so that may have been a factor. The plan is to do another one, but only if there is enough commitment from the community. It is also intended to offer another short “certificate-earning” course by a qualified instructor towards the end of September, details will be published in the summer.

015/05/19 Common Land Committee Report: Cllr. Alan Bowerman reported no meeting held as yet. Due to the Common Land now having so many different owners, and very few of those whom hold Commoners Rights actually exercising them, the character and habitat of the Common Land is rapidly changing. Concern was raised at the Annual Parish Meeting along with Wiltshire Wild Life Trust at the potential misuse of this common land that could arise in the future. There have already been signs of this happening (see below RofW paragraph 4). It was suggested to try and form a Friends of the Commons Committee to monitor and assist in protecting this common land. As a starting point Cllr. L Oatts offered to research further information and contact www.actionforcommland.org

016/05/19 Rights of Way Report: Cllr. Andrew Ebbens SESE22 (S of Bowmarsh Cottage). On 2 May, S4S attempted to complete the final stile and hedge gap required to complete access on this path, but they were prevented from doing so by a local landowner. Also, the new owner of the Common Land between Bowmarsh Cottage and the A350 has planted a hedge. This problem has been reported to WC RoW and is now for their resolution (including the erection of RoW signs). Padlocked Gates on RoW. A couple of recent reports had been received about locked gates. On closer investigation of the gate (at the sharp 90-degree bend in Sedgehill), there is actually a pear-link clip which allows the gate to be opened. On the other occasion, a gate was locked on SESE41 while the farm occupants were away. The V/Chair + RoW Rep will write a short article for the parish magazine to remind both RoW users and land owners of their responsibilities regarding RoW. Action: Cllr. A Ebbens

On Sat 13 April Cllr. Ebbens was the guide for a WfH walk from Gutch Common along the quiet lanes towards Hatts Farm and back through the WWT woods on the ridgeline bridleway (BW). At the Gutch Common end, strong winds in early Feb have caused a number of trees to come down across the path. Walkers have found ways around the blockages. A huge beech tree in a field on the ridgeline has fallen across the BW into the WWT woods; it appears that the landowner is gradually clearing this. Cllr. A Ebbens will inform WWT in order that they can have the trees removed. SSPC RoW Rep attended the South Wilts Area Board meeting in Whiteparish on 1st March 2019 because the Wiltshire Council RoW Rep was briefing on “The Do’s and Don’ts” for users and owners of RoW. The briefing stimulated lots of discussion, and table groups were invited to discuss RoW issues and present their main questions to the RoW Officer. Once the Power Point brief has been received, details will be extracted for the magazine article. In simple terms, RoW are treated as highways and it is illegal to block them; landowners are actually responsible for maintaining access (gates, stiles, bridges, hedges and passage through crops); however RoW users also have responsibilities … to respect the Countryside Code (Main issues are gates left open, dog faeces and dogs attacking livestock).

017/05/19 Highways: No Parish Steward visit in May due to verge cutting – future dates to be advised. April Highways Newsletter emailed to all Cllrs. Litter picking along A350. http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/downloads/17239 SEDGEHILL AND SEMLEY A350 the Turnpike to Hays Nursing home BORDER (21 bags) 19/03/19 – Apologies no photos. SEDGEHILL AND SEMLEY A350 to Langford’s car spares (34 bags 4 tyres) 20/03/19 A350 one-night road closure on 17th May 2019 for Wessex Water to carryout work.

018/05/19 Community Resilience & Emergency Plan: Promoting safety with overhead power lines https://www.ssen.co.uk/WorkingSafely/

019/05/19 Next Meeting Dates: Full Meetings: Monday 1st July and 4th November 2019 at Sedgehill Village Hall. Monday 2nd September 2019 a Semley Village Hall. Interim/Planning Meeting: Tuesdays 4th June, 6th August, 1st October and 3rd December at 2019 at Sedgehill Village Hall.

With no further business the Chairwoman closed the meeting at 21.20