Points of interest from the meetings held in October 2018
Christmas Light Switch on.
There will again be a Christmas tree on New Road, opposite the War Memorial. Our thanks to the Chiseldon Football Club who supplied the funds for the tree and electricity costs. We will have a 14 foot tree this year.
The lights will be switched on at 6.00pm on Wednesday 5th December with the local Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Rainbows, Brownies and Guides attending. We will hold a lottery on site to see what child turns the lights on. We will have singing from RONSTARS starting at 5.45, until 6.15. The Chiseldon Sports & Social Club will then be hosting mulled wine and hot chocolate from 6.30pm onwards. Everyone is welcome to both parts of this evening.
New Castle View Play area facilities
The new see saw and bench have now been installed in the play area and the see saw has proved very popular. We will be looking at matting for underneath the see saw to prevent the area getting too muddy.
Neighbourhood Watch
The next Neighbourhood meeting is Monday 3rd December 2018 at 6.45pm at the Recreation Hall off Norris Close. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Dates for 2018/2019 will be on the Parish Council website and also on the noticeboards at New Road by the Spar, at Hodson, Draycott Foliat, Ridgeway View and at Badbury
5 year plan consultation groups
The Parish Council are keen to start work on a long term plan of what changes the Parish and residents would like/need to see. With this in mind we are hoping to set up consultation groups, made up of all demographics of residents from all areas of the parish. More information to follow on how you can get involved to shape the parish for the future.
Crime Stats
There was a vehicle break in on Norris Close last month where tools were stolen. Norris Close is a central well-lit street, so please make sure valuables are removed from vehicles and vehicles kept locked at all times.
There were 23 crimes in the Parish last month, including 11 for petrol drive-offs at the garage, 4 in Home Close & 6 in Badbury.
Recreation Ground carpark improvements
Last week the carpark area was improved, by having the current area enlarged to hold more vehicles, an overflow carpark created, and the area re-covered with new scalpings.
The Parish Council want to encourage use of the area, and with the improvements to the football pitch in progress as well, we hope to create more revenue from the facility, to offset the precept in future years. The Tennis Courts and Club is also sited here, we have an excellent floodlit facility available. Please contact the club direct for playing or membership details. https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/ChiseldonTennisClub
Beat the Street Scheme – From Swindon Borough Council
Swindon smashes Beat the Street record with more than 313,000 miles.
Swindonians have officially entered the record books with a barnstorming Beat the Street performance which saw the town clock up 313,353 miles.
The game, delivered by Intelligent Health on behalf of Sport England and Swindon Borough Council, started on Wednesday, 12 September and finished on Wednesday, 24 October.
During that time, 32,488 people walked, ran and cycled a distance greater than that from Earth to the moon. They beat the record of 2297,000 miles set by Reading in 2016.
Local schools and organisations created teams and competed against each other to see who could travel the furthest to win some fantastic prizes.
The community teams who ended the game with the most points were, in first place, Swindon Home Educators, Swindon Street Trotters in second place and Swindon Stragglers in third.
Winners of the Fitness category, which was made up of organised running or cycling clubs, were Swindon Parkrun, with the Wichelstowe Runners and Slinn Allstars coming in second and third, respectively.
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
SHELAA – Strategic Housing & Economic Land Availability Assessment from SBC.
The start of the SHELAA consultation has begun with Swindon Borough Council. Area’s identified as possible locations for development within the Parish include the area adjacent to New Road and the area on the final bend on Hodson Road.
A public meeting was held on Thursday 15th Nov at the Sports & Social Club. A full report on the highlights of the night can be requested from the Parish Clerk. They will also be displayed on Parish Council website and referenced on the Community Facebook page.
Castle View Play area football goals
Local residents are trying to raise funds for a set of permanent football goals on the green area in Castle View Road. They already have a fundraising page where you can donate, or check the Chiseldon Community Facebook page for their fundraising updates.
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/julie-thompson-2
2019/20 Precept & budget
During the November Finance meeting, Councillors will vote on the final draft of the budget. The budget will then be placed before Full council for a final vote, or the chance to make any last adjustments before Full council in January. You can view the draft precept and budget on the Council’s website. The final version will also be uploaded.
Norris Close new layby parking area
Progress is still pending the amended drawings from SBC and also confirmation of whether planning permission is required. We are talking to SBC and will get information out to residents of Norris Close when we know more. We will undertake a full consultation with residents before any work is agreed on.
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 last summer 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)
Works required within the Parish
We continue to report on any issues that need attention in the Parish, either to SBC if it is their responsibility or to our contractor to deal with.
A full list of responsibilities in being compiled and will be on the Parish Council’s website and linked to the Parish Facebook page so people can understand who is responsible for what items with the Parish.
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 1st December 2018 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 will be on Monday 10th December 2018. This will start at the earlier time of 7.00pm and will be held in the Chiseldon House Hotel, on New Road. Residents are welcome to attend and there is a public recess at the start of proceedings, after which residents can choose to leave.
The Police & Crime Commissioner Angus McPherson will be holding a Q&A session during the meeting so please do attend if you would like to pose a question to him.