Points of interest from the meetings held in April/May/June 2020
Welcome to Cllr Andy Rogers
The Parish Council welcome our new Cllr Andy Rogers who was co-opted on Monday 8th June into the council. Andy lives in Hodson so it’s excellent to get one more area of the parish represented by a resident. We are still looking for 5 more Cllrs from all areas of the parish and from all demographics – the Parish Council would love to have representations from everyone who lives in the parish.
New Road – Road resurfacing
Letters were recently delivered to all homes in the New Road vicinity to ask resident’s to give their support to a temporary road closure of New Road to hopefully indicate to Swindon Borough Council that this should not be an obstacle to any proposed scheme. You can email or write your support for this scheme by the 17th July using the details at the top of this page.
Food and toiletries boxes and kids craft boxes
The Parish Council obtained a grant from SSE to fund food and toiletry boxes and craft packs for kids and we are working with Swindon Scrapstore to get these to residents.
If anyone feels they would benefit from one of these boxes or packs or knows of anyone who would benefit then please email nina.hempstock@chiseldon-pc.gov.uk with name and address details and any specific dietary requirements. Our first batch of 15 boxes were delivered on Friday 12th June.
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.
New outside gym equipment
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….
History Board outside the Church Update
The Parish Council have given their support in assisting the Chiseldon History Group erect a visual history board outside Holy Cross Church. A grant was £700 was awarded this month to go towards their costs. The group hope to have the board installed in the Autumn.
Consultation on the proposed closure of Day House Lane to traffic
(For information, deadline to reply has expired)
PUBLIC NOTICE
The Swindon Borough Council (Day House Lane) (Prohibition of Motor Vehicles) Order 2020
NOTICE IS GIVEN that Swindon Borough Council proposes to make an Order under provisions of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, the effect of which will be for the prohibition of motor vehicles on Day House Lane between the junctions of Meadow Way and Homington Avenue.
A copy of the documents for the Order may be inspected online at www.swindon.gov.uk/trafficregulationorders
Objections or representations to the proposed Order should be made completing the consultation form which can be found at www.swindon.gov.uk/trafficregulationorders under ‘Stage 2 – Formal consultation’ with reference (H&T/TRO/Day House Lane) by no later than 5 June 2020. Any objection or representation received will form part of a public record which may be made publicly available.
Head of Highways and Transport, Civic Offices, Euclid Street, Swindon, SN1 2JH 15 May 2020
For further information please email: TrafficManager@swindon.gov.uk
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 Zoom 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.
Recruiting for an Administration Officer for the Parish Council. UPDATE
Nina Hempstock joined us on 1st April under unusual circumstances to start the role of Administration Officer. Working completely from home, we communicate via email, phone and messaging but have managed very well so far and Nina has already taken on projects and some workload from the Clerk
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.