Points of interest from the meetings held in September 2020
Tender for works
The Parish Council have released a tender document for and end-to-end project for the construction of 2 new laybys in the Parish. One for Draycot Close in Draycot Foliat and one in Windmill Piece in Chiseldon. This will be a 2 year project. If anyone has a contact who may like to quote for the work then please email the Clerk for the details. The tender is also on the Governments “Contract Finder” website as per legal requirements.
Living Wage Accredited
The Parish Council is pleased to announce it is now a Living Wage employer. The Real Living Wage tracks the minimum hourly salary required based on the cost of living, included household goods and services.
You can visit https://www.livingwage.org.uk/what-real-living-wage for more information.
Remembrance Sunday
Holy Cross Church has had to regrettably cancel the Remembrance Service this year due to the requirement to safely social distance any congregation. They are looking into how they can hold a safe church service.
Castle View play area
Our Administration Officer Nina is currently investigating the options to purchase a new large piece of play equipment for Castle View Road. The wooden structure in the middle is tired and in need of repair so funds were set aside for this financial year to find a replacement. The Council will vote on what item to purchase in the coming months.
Draycot Foliat speed change
A public consultation is currently underway by SBC Highways Dept to change the speed limit at Draycot Close in Draycot Foliat from 60mph to 40mph to ensure the safety of residents exiting the parking area. The consultation is open until 23rd September and can be located here if you would like to offer your support or object to the scheme.
https://www.swindon.gov.uk/info/20135/traffic_management/657/find_out_about_traffic_regulation_orders_tros/3
“Need help moving forward?”
Phoenix Enterprises is a local group that can help with Employment and CV’s, debt management, universal credit/benefits, housing, well-being and lifestyle, social isolation and signposting.
You can contact them on 01793 542 321, info@phoenixenterprises.co.uk or www.phoenixenterprises.co.uk
Covid19 Government Change
In line with the latest Government rule changes on 14th September the parish council has been contacting all formal users of the Rec field and grounds to ensure the new rules are adhered to. The Rec Hall is currently closed but the EGPA committee will review shortly to see if small groups can be allowed in as per guidelines.
Castle View play area is subject to the legislation of a maximum of 6 people attending at any one time. The EGPA committee will monitor this and decide whether the close the area or not, depending on the usage the area gets and whether people follow the new laws.
Annual Governance Review
The Parish Councils Annual Audit and Governance Review documents have been completed and sent off to the External Auditor. The relevant paperwork is displayed on our website and on the noticeboard at the Spar.
Swindon Ladies Football.
The Parish Council Recreation Ground welcomed Swindon Ladies Football Club for the end of the summer season of training at our pitches. It was only a short season as they now need to move to a 3G pitch for winter training. We look forward to working with them next year hopefully.
Activities and things to do during lockdown.
We are always on the lookout for things people can do at home, or remotely whilst we remaining in lockdown/social distancing. We post these on the Chiseldon Community Facebook page and would encourage others to post their ideas as well.
There is currently line dancing classes on the Rec field on Wednesday AM, Netball training Tuesday evening and an exercise class on a Friday evening. Football training has also resumed and line dancing has some classes in the grounds of Chiseldon House hotel. We are hoping to publish a list with contact details on our website – see details at top of this page.
New outside gym equipment at the Rec ground.
The Parish Council has agreed in principle that recent CIL (Community Infrastructure Levy) funds received from SBC would go towards a new outside gym facility. The council felt that this would benefit everyone from teenagers upwards and meets the needs for this request which has occurred several times over the past few years from residents – more to follow…..
Update – the council are due to vote on the preferred supplier on 20th September as more information was requested.
Covid-19 and postponed events/activities.
The Parish Council continue to monitor advice given by WHO, NHS, the Government, and Swindon Borough Council as well as organisations we belong to that are Parish Council specific.
Our buildings remain closed and we are holding all our meetings remotely via MS Teams in line with newly introduced law.
In the meantime we ask people to apply sensible caution and follow the advice of the WHO and NHS in regards to hand washing, self-isolation and signs of illness to watch out for.
Memory Café – will begin when social distancing is lifted – dates to be confirmed.
Everyone who has Dementia, and those caring for someone with Dementia is welcome to attend. There is a relaxed atmosphere with singing, and music from local musicians. There is complimentary tea, coffee, cake and biscuits. You can contact 07920 798824 for more details.
Neighbourhood Watch meeting – will begin when social distancing is lifted – dates to be confirmed.
Meetings are held on Monday’s 6.45pm at the Recreation Hall off Norris Close approximately every 2 months.
Recreation Hall on Norris Close & Chapel on Butts Road – temporarily closed
The Hall is available to hire on an hourly/morning/afternoon/evening basis. We can also arrange pitch hire for Football or Softball games– please ask us for details.
The hall has undergone a tidy up and now has new carpet and cleaned/painted walls. It makes an excellent space for a gathering/party/occasion. We can now offer free 4G wifi in the hall for all users.
The Chapel on Butts Road is a fully functioning meeting space, as well as being the Clerk’s office.
There is table space for 10 people with extra seating available. There is access to a projector and screen, large flat screen monitor, microwave and free wi-fi. Tea and coffee making facilities are provided; you just need to bring your own milk.
This useful local space is available for hire for only £35 per morning/afternoon or evening session subject to availability. Discounts are available for registered charities.
Please contact the Clerk for more information.
Defibrillator in Badbury & recreation field.
Both devices have been purchased and we are just awaiting the end of restrictions so we can get them both installed. We have instructed our electrician to approve work from SSE to the Badbury phone box so that new electrics can be in place for safe installation of the device.
Emergency Plan contacts
We are compiling a list of emergency contacts across the Parish for situations such as heavy snow. This list is held centrally by SBC and also by CPC. We do have a contact for each area but more volunteers are always useful. Please contact the Clerk if you would like to be a contact. The role is to liaise with the main controller (The Clerk) to ensure people are safe in an emergency situation and that reports can be gathered such as power outages, roads unpassable, anyone needing food or blankets, whether pubs are open and offering a safe warm place to go to.
Community Speed Watch
The group are looking for more volunteers to be trained to do speed watch activities on roads in the parish. Full training is provided and results are given to the police, letters and a police visit can then be triggered when a threshold is met. This is not a Parish Council led initiative but one of our Cllrs heads-up the local group. Please contact the Clerk if you wish to discuss this further and I can put you in touch.
We are currently Co-opting for 5 New Parish Councillors
Want to help make the parish a better place?
Want to work with like-minded people?
Want to be involved more in local matters and give your time and expertise?
Perhaps being a Parish Councillor is the perfect match for you….?
As the election in May 19 was uncontested this leaves the Parish Council with a number of vacant seats that need to be co-opted. The Co-option notice is at the end of this article. Our website will also have a copy and also further information on the attributes and duties of a Parish Councillor. Please do contact us if you are interested as we will need to have a covering letter and some information from you on why you believe you could be a Parish Councillor.
We are hoping to do a leaflet drop when restrictions are lifted so if you are able to deliver some leaflets to encourage new Councillors, we’d love to hear from you. Keep an eye out for our posters appearing around the parish.
What is Co-option?
Co-option is a method whereby a Parish Council can elect new Councillors by majority vote. This can happen after an election if not all seats are filled (an un-contested election), or upon the resignation or death of a Cllr between election periods.
Candidates would present themselves to the existing council members at an applicable council meeting who would then vote on the successful applicant.
Local grants and funds available
The Parish Council have set up a short term sub-committee to look into grants and funds that are available to benefit the parish. The committee will look to set up a “wish list” of what the parish needs and can then look at what funds are out there. There is the scope to add residents to this committee so please contact the Clerk in the first instance if you think you can spend some time to help investigate this.
Defibrillators – a reminder
A reminder that the Parish has 2 defibrillators – one outside Cameo Hairdressers on High Street, and one outside the Calley Memorial Hall on Draycott Road. Both units are accessed by calling 999 to gain the code for the box. You cannot use these defibrillators on someone who doesn’t need it as the machine will not work. It also provides audible instructions on how to use them
Parish Council Grants and Donations fund & Calley Memorial Hall fund
The Parish Council have an annual fund that we can donate to worthy causes within the Parish. If you are a group, charity or society that believe you could benefit from this fund then please contact the Parish Clerk for further details.
The trustees of the Calley Memorial Hall fund are also able to approve grants and donations to worthy causes within the Parish. (This doesn’t have to be connected to users of the Memorial Hall). Please contact the Parish Clerk in the first instance who can provide you with an application form.
(It should be noted that this fund is not connected to the Parish Council)
Home Library Service – check service as may currently be suspended.
There is a Home Library service for Chiseldon Parish. It is run by volunteers and covers all areas of the parish and can deliver books based on your preferences. Call 01793 465 495 for more details.
Next meetings
All Parish council meetings are currently on Zoom. Please contact the Clerk for login details.
The next Full Council meeting of the Parish Council will be on Monday 12th October 2020. This will start at 7.30pm and will be held remotely. Residents are welcome to login and there is a public recess at the start of proceedings, after which residents can choose to leave the session.
PARISH COUNCIL OF CHISELDON (Chiseldon and Lawn WARD)
VACANCY FOR COUNCILLORS
Notice is hereby given that by reason of an uncontested election on 2nd May 2019, a number of vacancies has occurred among the members of the Parish Council.
Any person willing to fill this vacancy should apply to the Clerk in writing (email is acceptable) on or before Wed 7th October 2020.
Applicants should be free the evening of Monday 12th October 2020 to attend the Parish Council meeting at 7.30pm for the co-option voting procedure via MS Teams.
Being a Parish Councillor is an opportunity to provide time and knowledge to the area where you live in order to help make it a better place.
You will be working with like-minded people who come together as volunteers for the good of the parish.
The applicants name must appear on the current register of the Voters List or the applicant should during the whole of the 12 months preceding the relevant date have resided in or within 3 miles of the parish or the applicants only place of work during the whole of the 12 months preceding the relevant date is in the parish.
The applicant must not be disbarred from standing as a councillor. Applicants living in Badbury Ward meeting the above criteria are also welcome.
Candidates (if successful) should be able to attend Parish Council meetings which can be seen here: https://www.chiseldon-pc.gov.uk/committees/parish-council/
Dated 18th September 2020
Signed: Clair Wilkinson, Parish Clerk
The Old Chapel
Butts Road
Chiseldon Wilts SN4 0NW