Notes of the Parish Council meeting held on April 10th 2002

The Rural Ministries have responded to the letter that was sent after the March meeting, concerning the Chapel in Mill Lane. The Parish Council had asked if the building was available for lease as a village amenity. The Rural Ministries replied that they had made the decision to sell the Chapel if they could get change of use. Kennet District Council have now granted permission for the building to be changed into a dwelling.

Wiltshire County Council have written to the Parish Council proposing traffic calming measures in the village that will be introduced in the summer. These measures will include red patches and count down lines on the A360 before drivers enter the village and there will be new 30 mph signs with a yellow backing. The Clerk will be contacting the County Council enquiring whether these works will coincide with those already proposed.

Potterne.net is now up and running, and operational. The group, set up from the Pathfinder project, holds computer training sessions on Monday nights. The first Monday training session was well attended. The Parish Council hope that the website will be updated on a regular basis in order to get items included, such as the Parish Council minutes.

It has been proposed that the Parish Council will adopt the Model Code of Conduct from May 1st 2002. All Councillors will have to sign a new Declaration of Acceptance of Office after that date.

In the Open Session the Parish Council was advised that the Local Strategic Partnership (the Devizes Community Planning Partnership) have a vacancy. The Councillors were given the opportunity to stand for election on the Partnership.

It was brought to the attention of the Parish Council that the handrail in Duck Street still had not been repaired. The Clerk will be chasing a reply to the Parish Councils earlier letter to the County Council.

Several complaints have been received about the use of land off New Lane for motor scrambling. This has already been reported by members of the public to Kennet District Council who will investigate.

Potterne has been allocated 12 amenity skips for this financial year. The Parish Council has been offered the opportunity of purchasing more skips. It has been decided to buy another 7 skips for the year 2002/2003. The new list of skip dates will be displayed on the village notice boards and on Potterne.net. In the letter from Kennet District Council the Parish Council have the opportunity to apply for a litter grant to assistant the Parish Council in the clean up of the village, hopefully taking place in May.

It has been brought to the attention of the Parish Council the amount of vandalism and litter in Blounts Court play area. As of April 1st 2002, Sodexho took over the contract for the maintenance of the play area, including emptying the litter bins and keeping the bark area clear of weeds. The fence around the play equipment has been badly vandalised and Councillors will view the site to decide whether to repair or replace the fence.

Kennet District Council have granted planning permission to:

• The Chapel in Mill Lane for change of use to a dwelling
  
• 34 Highlands for the demolition of a garage and the building of an extension.