Notes of the meeting held by Potterne Parish Council on Wednesday, 12th February 2003

Information Commissioner - Freedom of Information Act 2000
The Information Commissioner confirmed in writing that they have accepted Potterne Parish Council have adopted the Parish Council model scheme and that this is the appropriate scheme for the Parish Council to accept. The Information Commissioner will review the present scheme in 2007 when Parish Councils will need to re-adopt the present or an amended scheme.

Pedestrian Crossing & Round-a-Bout
After discussion it was decided that Councillors will have a look at the site ready for further discussions about its safety at the next Council meeting in March.

Footpath sign to Tollbar Lane from Blackberry Lane
This signpost has come down and is with the owner of 63 Blackberry Lane. The Clerk will contact Esther Daly, Rights of Way warden for the sign to be re-erected.

Tollbar Lane to Blackberry Lane being used by Motor Cyclists
The Parish Council has been told that motor cyclists are using Tollbar Lane as a short cut into the bottom of Blackberry Lane. The Clerk will contact Wiltshire County Council to see if it is possible to have some barriers erected to stop this problem.

Ryleaze Estate to Coxhill Lane steps
These steps are in needed of clearing. The Clerk had contacted Clarence and Mr Amer from Wiltshire County has advised that this work should be carried out by the Parish Lengthsman and to put it on their list of work to be carried out when they are next in the area.

KDC - Voluntary drivers needed for Youth project, Summer 2003
Voluntary drivers are need to help with this scheme. Drivers will be asked to pick up two or three people on route to Lydeway and then collect later in the day. This will be placed in the Parish Magazine.

Local Resident - Safety to pedestrians
A copy of a letter sent to Wiltshire County Council from a resident in Whistley Road had been sent to the Parish Council for their information. Among several points raised were increasing traffic along Whitley Road and the damage to roadside verges, particularly at the pump.

WCC - Seminar on Pollution, 17th March 2003
Mr Hobbs has said that he will attend on behalf of the Parish Council.

KDC - Just A Call Away
A new service with a dedicated team has been set up at Hopton Depot in Devizes which will enable a resident to get in touch with the Council with one single call - from refuse collection to grass cutting, abandoned vehicles to street cleaning. The telephone number to call is 01380 734665

Two Residents - Village Appearance
Two residents both are saying the same thing about the general untidiness of the village, particularly at the Bell. The Clerk has been in contact with Kennet District Council seeking their help in removing the dumped caravan and clearing the area of rubbish that has accumulated around the recycling area. The Clerk has also written to the owners asking for their assistance and also trying to ascertain when work might commence to build the houses they have planning permission for, as this would help tidy the area. Again the footpath along Highlands wall was giving cause for concern, particularly where the wall has fallen in several places and soil falls onto the footpath. The Council will place this item on the agenda for the March meeting when the Clerk can bring along the searches that were made by the Land Registry when ownership of the wall was trying to be clarified.

WCC - Community Emergency Volunteers
The Office of the deputy Prime Minister has advised that parishes should have a member of the community who can act as the emergency co-ordinator in the event of a major incident affecting their area. Volunteers are being sought to be trained as Community Emergency Volunteers and will play a similar role to and also carry out some of the functions of the old Community Advisers.

Potterne Youth Centre
A letter from Mrs Sandra Scratchley, Secretary to Potterne Youth Club informed the Council that the Youth Club as from 21st January 2003 had disbanded. The Youth Club hut has now been handed back to the Trustees. Mrs Scratchley informed the Council the names of the trustees. The Clerk will write a letter of thanks to the Youth Club committee for all of their hard work over the years.

Sarsen Housing Assoc. - Proposed development of two new homes, Ryeleaze
A letter from Sarsen Housing Association informed the Parish Council and residents in the area that they were hoping to start the work on demolition of the garages and the construction of a 3-bedroom and 2-beroom house for affordable rent towards the end of February.

WCC - Potterne/Urchfont Railtrack works
Wiltshire County Council advise that a video of the haul route has been recorded. Previous experience of concluding matters with Railtrack, where extensive damage has been caused, has been excellent. The time scale of the scheme is in the region of 6 months, having commenced earlier in January. This may be extended due to the presence of badgers that may not now be evicted before the end of their mating season in July.

RoSPA play equipment inspection service
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents offer a playground equipment inspection service for £59 plus VAT per site. The Parish Council agreed that Rospa should be engaged to carry out the annual inspection of their play equipment at Blounts Court. The Clerk will arrange the necessary forms to commence inspections in the coming financial year.

Laurel Hedge in cemetery
This laurel hedge although having been cut by the maintenance contractors this year is in need of cutting lower and also thinning before the new maintenance contractors starts at the beginning of April. The hedge needs to be lowered to that of the horizontal bar in the metal fence. Also the trees adjacent to the skip are in need of severe pruning to stop them encroaching on the older grave spaces. The Council will investigate ways of carrying out this work, whether to employ a contractor or a self help group. Mrs Goddard is arranging for a cemetery clean up with volunteers on 22nd March.

Kennet District Council approved planning applications for:
K/041989/L Clench Properties The Bell Inn, Potterne The conversion of a public house into two dwellings
K/043914 Mr & Mrs J Shortt Montecello Farm House Demolition of existing garage and erection of extension and link on site of existing building.

Kennet District Council refused planning applications for:-
K/044541 Mr & Mrs A Howes Marsh House, Caen Hill Potterne New access to dwelling, pond & noise reduction embankment
K/044425 Mr M Bodman Wick Farm, Potterne Wick Removal/variation of condition 1 on K/043328. Retention of existing lampposts to driveway
KDC - Tree works at 29 Blounts Court, Potterne
Following the Parish Councils comments a letter from the Arboricultural Officer said that he thought the application submitted was appropriate to improve the trees condition. The Parish Councils suggestion of extensive re-shaping in this particular case is unlikely to be considered appropriate work as this typically induces decay in to a main limb and often leads to increased problems in the future, such as branch shredding, as well as leaving the tree looking unsightly.

Planning Inspectorate - Appeal decision re 25 Blounts Court
This appeal was dismissed by the Planning Inspectorate.

WCC - Stert Valley Lane
An order has been made by the County Council to make Stert Valley Lane as a byway open to all traffic. The decision to make this Order has been made because of the discovery of historical records that show the route to be an old road.

New gate replacing stile
A resident in Whistley Road wrote to the Parish Council saying that she was pleased that the farmer had installed a new gate on a footpath 66. The placing of this gate is where the Parish Council had wanted to put a kissing gate, but had been refused permission.

Previous Meetings:
8 January 2003
11 December 2002 13 November 2002 9 October 2002 11 September 2002 14 August 2002 10 July 2002 12 June 2002 8 May 2002 10 April 2002 13 March 2002