CHISELDON PARISH COUNCIL REPORT
Points of interest from the meetings held in
February 2023
The Old Chapel, Butts Road, Chiseldon SN4 0NW
Facebook page – Chiseldon Parish Council Notices
email: clerk@chiseldon-pc.gov.uk; telephone: 01793 740744
Chiseldon Parish Council Gravestone Audit Inspections April 2023
Chiseldon Parish Council takes its responsibilities for the Health and Safety of the public, staff, contractors and all others who visit our graveyards seriously.
Recent ongoing staff training has highlighted the need for a professional periodic check of graveyard memorial stones to ensure their safety for all who visit the site.
It was voted to approve a full independent inspection of all memorial stones in the Butts Road cemetery by the ICCM.
This inspection is purely a precautionary and preventative measure at this time.
We will follow the advice of the Institute for Cemetery and Crematoria Management (ICCM), of which we are a member, in the event of an unsafe memorial stone being found.
Family members are welcome to attend at the grave side of their loved one during the audit if they wish. We ask that they come dressed in appropriate sturdy footwear as the ground is uneven in places and follow all H&S advice of the ICCM professionals who are conducting the inspection.
You can contact the council office on 01793 740744 or email clerk@chiseldon-pc.gov.uk to find out more about the procedure and how gravestones will be made safe to avoid risk. Where possible to do so, plot owners will be notified to make their own arrangements to ensure the safety of the memorial stone.
Please also contact us if you would like to be on-site during an inspection so we can liaise with the ICCM.
The dates for this inspection are Tues 25th April to Thurs 27th April 2023.
We hope that everyone will appreciate the need for this sensitive respectful inspection by professionals, who will respect the legacy of the Butts Road graveyard for local people.
Coronation event 29th April 2023 – 12-4pm Rec Field. “Save the date”
We are planning another community event to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III.
Please do make a note in your diary and come along to join us. Profits from the event will go to our 2 chosen charities Brighter Futures for the GW Hospital and Prospect Hospice.
Supporting people to vote in the 2023 English local elections
The government has introduced a requirement for voters to show photo ID when voting at a polling station at some elections.
From 4 May, voters in England will need to show photo ID to vote at polling stations in some elections. This will apply to:
- Local elections
- Police and Crime Commissioner elections
- UK parliamentary by-elections
- Recall petitions
From October 2023, it will also apply to UK general elections.
Individuals who don’t have an accepted photo ID can apply for a free voter ID document, which is known as a Voter Authority Certificate.
Further information about accepted forms of photo ID, how to apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate, and what to expect on polling day can be found below.
The Electoral Commission is aware that some groups are more likely to experience barriers with this change and may need support to access photo ID. Organisations working directly with voters, including councils and charities, are encouraged to help voters make sure they have photo ID ahead of the elections.
The Electoral Commission has produced partner packs for organisations in England, including councils, to help them raise awareness and support voters with applying for a Voter Authority Certificate. The packs also include information on voter registration.
The Electoral Commission has also produced resources to help those who are likely to need support with the new voter ID requirement.
More information:
https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/voter-id
https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/
Youth Club provision – volunteers needed
The parish council is trying to ascertain whether a youth club provision is viable within the parish.
We would have a paid qualified youth worker but would need a number of volunteers to commit to assisting with the weekly rota.
Training, DBS checks and insurance would all be covered by the council.
Please email the Clerk if you think you can help. Thank you.
Neighbourhood Plan update
The working party consisting of members of the public and Cllrs have nearly got a first complete draft of the plan in place, working alongside our Consultant.
All the documents are ready or pending approval and we look forward to reviewing the first draft.
We will publish items on our website once completed.
Co-option of Parish Councillor
We still have 1 vacancy on the council. If you would like to know more about co-option or present yourself for co-option at the next meeting please contact the Clerk.
Current Projects in progress/under investigation/for consideration. Update from February edition.
Solar light at Strouds Hill carpark approved. Awaiting confirmation from SBC on specific locations before ordering. Pending further assistance from SBC.
Road re-surfacing at New Road – A holistic whole village approach will be considered by SBC Highways – more to follow. The road has recently had some tests carried out on it. Still waiting for confirmation of action by SBC.
Removal of Build Out on New Road – This item is part of the considerations above.
Inclusion of further facilities on Castle View Green area. EGPA committee are investigating and a survey will come out to local residents shortly to allow them to provide feedback.
Youth Provision project. EGPA committee are investigating.
Hedge cutting work at the New Road allotments – quotes being obtained. Quote approved, work to go ahead during February.
Forthcoming roadworks and closures.
Slipper Lane, The Crescent, Norris Close, New Road, Draycot Road, Hodson Road, Badbury Lane, Marlborough Road 19 Sept to 22 April 23. All Wales and West Utilities forward planning notification of works.
Sambre Road 6th to 15th March – Openreach roadworks
A346 closures near Ogbournes – 10th Feb to 14th Feb. Unknown if 24/7 or night time closures only at this time.
17th Feb 9.30 to 3.30 road closure for Openreach cabling. New Road near Canney Close
You can get details of local roadworks by looking on one.network and signing up to their alerts.
Transfer of Land Registry to Parish Council for Castle View green area
The council are finalising the solicitors work to take on Land Registry title ownership of this area. This gives the Parish Council more say in how the area is used and improved in the future.
Subscribe to the Parish Council’s newsletter:
To receive regular updates on Parish news, go to our website www.chiseldon-pc.gov.uk and go to the “Subscribe” option at the foot of every page.
Enter your email and receive weekly updates from us direct to your in-box.
Alternatively email the Parish Clerk who can set up your submission for you.
Speed Watch Volunteers – a message from the team.
Vacancies for Chiseldon
We are looking for Volunteers aged over 17 to join the team to help deal with the local issues of speeding. The Community Speedwatch is co-ordinated by Wiltshire Police, if you are interested or would like more information, please contact the Chiseldon Parish Clerk (Clair Wilkinson) who will pass your details to the local co-ordinator.
More information can be via the Wiltshire Police website www.wiltshire.police.uk and searching for “Community Speedwatch”.
Memory Café next date
The popular memory café is next running Friday 3rd March 2023 10.30am at the Church Hall off Butts Road. The café was created for anyone who wants some company and a chat over a cup of tea or coffee. Also for carers who look after anyone with Dementia or Alzheimer’s to come along with their loved ones. There is singing and dancing, all very informal and fun. There is no charge to attend.
Recreation Hall, Recreation field and Chapel hire:
The Rec hall off Norris Close, the Rec field in the same location and the Parish Council Chapel offices are all available for hire for events, meetings or parties.
Please contact the Clerk on the details above who can advise of charges, availability and what space would suit your needs.
Defibrillators – a reminder
A reminder that the Parish has 4 defibrillators – one outside Cameo Hairdressers on High Street, one outside the Pavilion on the Recreation Field, one outside the Calley Memorial Hall on Draycott Road and one in the BT Box in Badbury. All 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.
There is also a defibrillator on the outside wall of the school in Ogbourne St George.
FINAL CHANCE TO APPLY BY 31st MARCH 2023 – OPEN FOR 2022/23 SUBMISSIONS – 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)
Next Parish council meeting
The next Full Council meeting of the Parish Council will be Monday 13th March 2023. This will start at 7.30pm at the Rec Hall off Norris Close. There is a public recess at the start of proceedings, after which residents can choose to leave the session. Meeting locations may change so please verify the location before making a journey. Our committee meetings will now meet in the Chapel Office on Butts Road.