Notes of the Parish Council meeting held on September 11th 2002.

Grass verge opposite bus shelter (A360)
A letter from Ringway Parkman told the Parish Council that they would not consider the Councils request to have the piece of land that ran immediately on from the bus lay-by on the A360 towards Butts Farm laid to tarmac, as this would lead to cars parking on the area! The Clerk telephoned Ringway Parkman to ask were we talking about the same piece of ground but was told that cars are more likely to park on tarmac than a grass verge. Ringway Parkman said that the Parish Lengthsman could be told to keep tidying this piece of ground, as verge cutters would not cut it, as the area is too small.

Sarsen Housing Association
Grass Cutting areas: Sarsen Housing Association had forwarded a copy of a map of grass areas that they maintain in Blackberry Lane as requested by the Parish Council.

Village Hall wall - subsistence
Mr Day informed the Parish Council that the wall on village hall extension had developed a very serious crack from which daylight could be seen.

War Memorial step
Mr Day asked that the Parish Council get the bottom step of the War Memorial repaired before the Remembrance Service in November. The Clerk will write to a company called Sarabian Ltd (specialists in memorials and headstones) who are based in Kington St.Michael, Chippenham to give a quotation and Mr Day will contact local contractor to see if he would also give a quotation.

Footpath into Devizes and improved lighting
Mr Hoddinott asked the Clerk to write to Wiltshire County Council asking them if the footpath along the A360 would overlap at the point near to Broadleas Lodge where the visibility was very poor and also enquire if the street lighting would be improved as promised when the road maintenance took place.

Resignation of Parish Councillor
A letter of resignation had been received from Mrs Dawn Vernon on 9th September 2002. The Clerk has sent a letter to Mrs Vernon accepting her resignation and also informed the Returning Officer at Kennet District Council. A bye-election to fill the vacancy will be held if within 14 days (not counting Saturdays and Sundays) from 9th September 2002 ten electors from the parish give notice in writing claiming such an election. If no such notice is given the Parish Council can then fill the vacancy by co-option.

Copy letters concerning pedestrian crossing
Mr Hoddinott told the Council that he had received three letters of complaint regarding the installation of a zebra crossing on the A360.

Potterne Conservation Area Statement
The Conservation Area Statement for Potterne was approved by the Community development Policy Committee of Kennet District Council on 11th June 2002 and a copy of the final document was forwarded to the Parish Council. The approval means that the statement has been adopted as Supplementary Planning Guidance and thereby provides additional information on the interpretation and implementation of policies in the Replacement Kennet Local Plan. The Statement will also be taken into account in future development control considerations. The letter went on to say that the Parish Councils observations had been taken into account and amendments made as appropriate. The Parish Council will write back saying that they were disappointed with the Statement as they felt that none of the Parish Councils observations had been noted.

Cobbled footway at Crown Place
Mrs Benson reported that the Cobbled footway at Crown Place had become very overgrown and Tollbar Lane was having household rubbish dumped. Both of these items the Clerk will report to Clarence.

Montecello Back Lane - Fly tipping
Mr Hoddinott reported that he had been in contact with Kennet District Council following reports that Ringway Parkman have been tipping all of their debris from the road works on the A360 onto adjacent ground. Kennet District Councils Enforcement Officer will now be looking into this.

Bus stops/lay-by
It was noticed that new kerbstones were being laid at both bus stops adjacent to the Bell Inn and that the pull-ins were being removed. Both Mr Hoddinott and Mr Willmott had been in contact with Wiltshire County Council to stop this with immediate effect, as the visibility from Blackberry Lane onto the A360 would be significantly reduced. Wiltshire County Council are making Ringway Parkman re-instate the pull-ins and the Parish Council will be consulted at a later date when and if improvements to bus stops are required.

Cemetery upkeep
A letter had been received complaining at the state of the cemetery. The Clerk had written back saying that the Parish Council would be looking for an improved maintenance contract next year following complaints from parishioners, albeit costing the parish considerably more.

Previous Meetings:
4 August 2002 10 July 2002 12 June 2002 8 May 2002 10 April 2002 13 March 2002