Points of interest from the meetings held in April 2019
Memory Café
The next memory café is Friday 26th April 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.
Neighbourhood Watch meeting
The next meeting is Monday 3rd June at 6.45pm in the Recreation Hall off Norris Close. All residents are welcome to go along. The next meeting is 29th July.
Annual Parish meeting
The Annual Parish meeting will be Monday 29th April in the Chiseldon House Hotel from 7.30pm. This is a chance for resident’s to find out more about the work of the Parish Council over the last 12 months and the work the council has scheduled in over the following 12 months. Tea and coffee will be available and we have local speakers from Brighter Futures, Prospect Hospice and local author Debi Evans. Please do come along and join us.
May local elections
Badbury (in Ridgeway Ward) and Chiseldon (In Chiseldon and Lawn Ward) both returned their elections uncontested. This means there will be not parish elections on 2nd May. There will still be elections on this day for Ward Councillors.
Swindon Borough Council is the Monitoring body for this so they will control the counts and notifications.
Polling cards will be delivered by Swindon Borough Council.
We will provide relevant information on our website as we receive it.
Co-opting of New Parish Councillors
As the election 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 13th May 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.
Great British Spring Clean Litter Pick
We had a wonderful sunny day with an excellent turnout of resident’s from all areas of the Parish. Our contractor Allbuild took away all the rubbish (over 1 lorry load) free of charge for us.
Thank you to the hotel and pubs that provided tea and coffee to the workers.
Most of all thank you to all the volunteers who came out and worked hard, everyone did an amazing job.
Hodson Road and Mays Lane re-surfacing
Swindon Borough Council’s contractors “Rockstone” have recently finished re-surfacing a section of Hodson Road in Chiseldon. The feedback appears to say that it was a job well done. Thank you for everyone’s patience whilst the road was closed to achieve this. At the time of going to press we hope that the May’s Lane re-surfacing is also under way as this was scheduled in for 10th April for 2 days.
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.
Local Services after the year end
There are no changes to the levels of services provided to the Parish by the Parish Council after the year end and start of the new financial year on 1st April 2019.
A brief summary of regular works are:
Grass cutting – public verges, Recreation ground, Butts Road and Sir Henry Calley cemeteries, Strouds Hill green area and Castle View green and play area.
Provision & emptying of litter bins
Provision & emptying of dog waste bins
Some hedge cutting in specific areas
Litter picking in all areas of the parish.
Removal of fly tipping
The past 12 months and next 12 months sees the improvement of the drainage of the Recreation Field – verti-draining, fertilizing and seeding are being carried out by our expert contractor to improve drainage and the soil/grass quality to ensure the field can be used all year round.
There are a few specific projects that the Parish Council voted in favour of this year– these will be noted as they are underway in this magazine and at completion throughout the year.
Advanced Notice of charity bike ride on the Ridgeway
On Sunday 2nd June there will be around 300 cyclists starting off at 10.00 in Swindon and cycling all the way to Avebury fundraising for MacMillan. They will be using the railway path along Chiseldon. Signage will be put up for dog walkers and horse riders. It is expected that most will have passed by 13.30.
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.
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)
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 4th May 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 which will also include the Annual meeting of the Parish Council will be on Monday 13th May 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 Friday 10th May 2019.
Applicants should be free the evening of Monday 13th May 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 9th April 2019
Signed
Clair Wilkinson, Parish Clerk
The Old Chapel
Butts Road
Chiseldon
Wilts
SN4 0NW