Biddestone and Slaughterford Parish Council

BIDDESTONE AND SLAUGHTERFORD PARISH COUNCIL NOTES FROM THE JULY MEETING Five members of the Council were present. Several issues concerning The Green were discussed: • As there are now two benches missing it was agreed that Mr Robert Hibberd would be asked to make two new benches, rather than the one originally requested. • A cheque has been received from comet as compensation for damage by one of their vehicles. Stones have been placed to prevent further damage and the grass will be restored when the weather is right. • The Council expressed its gratitude to Mr John Alston for removing two moles, which had started tunneling. • The Royal British Legion would like to see restoration of the War Memorial. Enquiries regarding grants are in progress and the council is advised that English Heritage listing of the Memorial would be advantageous. This process has been set in motion. Other issues included: • A letter has been received confirming that the road through the village linking A4 and A420 is to be repaired, following the sub-standard resurfacing carried out in 2005. (02/08-work appears to have started on patching the worst affected areas). • A proposed meeting with NWDC, regarding closure of the toilets in Church Road, has been postponed as NWDC are rethinking their approach. They acknowledge that an ‘eloquent’ case for retention of the toilets has been made by the Parish Council. However, even with adequate funding, the Parish Council is not prepared to be responsible for employing somebody to undertake maintenance of the toilets. They are a District responsibility and the Parish Council does not have the infrastructure to act as employers. The need for them is beyond dispute. • Illegal parking is to be decriminalised from September and enforcement will be the responsibility of NWDC. • The council is in favour of NWDC being responsible for enforcing the Clean Neighbourhood and Environment Act (2006), which covers dog control, graffiti, dropping of litter and fly tipping. It is not yet clear how enforcement will be achieved. • The North Wilts Local plan has now been adopted and can be viewed at www.northwilts.gov.uk. • Notes of the council meetings and other news of happenings in Biddestone and Slaughterford can now be viewed at www.wiltshirecommunityweb.org.uk. Thanks are due to Mrs Annabel Llewellen Palmer for establishing this Internet link. Tim Smith