Points of interest from the meetings held in June 2019

Memory Café

The next memory café is Friday 28th June at the Church Hall from 10.30am. 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.

Recent Grants awarded

The Parish Council were delighted to award a grant to Wiltshire & Dorset Fire and Rescue service for their “Stay Safe, Stay Alive” campaign which aims to show all teenagers the dangers of reckless driving whilst a newly qualified driver. This initiative is run annually to all age appropriate children in the Borough and is completely free of charge to all schools. The results from the years of running this show a reduction in teenage accidents, injuries and fatalities.

Annual Audit for 2018/19

The internal audit is now complete and the paperwork sent to the external auditor PKF Littlejohn. Relevant documents and papers are available to view at the Chapel office by appointment if required.

This is a mandatory activity the Parish Council has to comply with on an annual basis.

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.

Dayhouse Lane closure during J15 works

It has been confirmed that Dayhouse Lane will close for approximately 12 months whilst the bridge crossing it is re-built as part of the J15 works. As we get information from Highways England who are running this scheme we will let you know. Swindon Borough Council are looking at ways of mitigating rat running through Badbury – final details to be released shortly.

Church Summer fete 29th June

Can anyone lend us any Halloween decorations (Not pumpkins) as we are creating a gloomy dungeon with stocks for the fete. We also need volunteers for a soaking with a wet sponge! If the weather is like last year’s fete we will all be fighting for a turn on the stocks! Please turn up and enjoy this great afternoon that supports such a worthy local cause, our beautiful Holy Cross church.

Neighbourhood Watch meeting

The next meeting is Monday 29th July at 6.45pm in the Recreation Hall off Norris Close. All residents are welcome to go along. The next meeting is 29th July.

VE Day 2020

The Parish Council have indicated that they’d like to be part of a group organising VE Day celebrations in 2020. It hasn’t been discussed at council yet but if anyone already has any plans for this, we’d love to hear from you to see if we can work together to create something memorable for the Parish.

New Road Memorial Stone

The stone was inspected recently and found to be in good condition. A small amount of pointing needs to be done, which will be arranged shortly.

Goodbye to our ex Parish Councillors

Last week we had a little “do” in the Plough Inn to say goodbye to Cllrs who stepped down at the May election. The landlord very kindly provided a little area for us to sit in, and we had a collection to buy some nibbles and gifts. We presented David Hill with a crystal plaque commemorating his many years of service, and our outgoing Chair Caroline Brady, some plants for her garden and a bottle of champagne.

We will miss all our ex Cllrs very much, and look forward to welcoming new ones……..

Co-opting of 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 was uncontested this leaves the Parish Council with a number of vacant seats that need to be co-opted. This date for this will be Monday 8th July at the next full council meeting at the Recreation Hall off Norris Close at 7.30pm. 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.

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 Draycot 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

Recreation Hall on Norris Close

The Hall is available to hire on an hourly/morning/afternoon/evening basis. Please contact the Clerk on the details above to make an enquiry about prices, or availability. 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.

Chapel meeting space hire

After its refurbishment summer 2017 the Chapel on Butts Road is now 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 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.

Grants and Donations 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.

Calley Memorial Hall fund

The trustees of this 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

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

The monthly Borough Councillors Surgery which will have a Parish and Borough Councillor in attendance will take place on Saturday 6th July 2019 11.30 to 12.30 in the Calley Memorial Hall on Draycott Road.

This is an opportunity for residents to discuss any concerns with both Parish and Borough Councillors so do come along and say hello.

The next Full Council meeting of the Parish Council will be on Monday 8th July 2019. This will start at 7.30pm and will be held in the Recreation Hall, off Norris Close. Residents are welcome to attend and there is a public recess at the start of proceedings, after which residents can choose to leave.

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 have 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 Tuesday 2nd July 2019.

Applicants should be free the evening of Monday 8th July 2019 to attend the Parish Council meeting at 7.30pm for the co-option voting procedure.

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 14th June 2019
Signed
Clair Wilkinson, Parish Clerk
The Old Chapel, Butts Road
Chiseldon, Wilts
SN4 0NW