Points of interest from the meetings held in July 2021.
BMX planning help needed – a message from the Working Party
This group of volunteers are asking if there is anyone local with planning knowledge who could assist them with the process that would be required for applying for planning permission for a track to be built – when a site and suitable design has been selected. Please contact the Clerk in the first instance who can pass your details on. Thank you
Update on Highway’s England’s progress on Hodson Bridge maintenance works and Road closure.
“Highways England’s work has now been extended until the end of August due to the amount of concrete repairs needed on the bridge. Work activity is all dependent on the stages of cure on the concrete repairs, it is very likely that days of inactivity is seen but they are simply waiting for the concrete to cure before they can progress onto the next stages of the work.
Work details, end dates of the works and works descriptions can be obtained from one.network where you will be able to view the works on the interactive map and see live information regarding the works and the progress.
Kind Regards
Councillor Jenny Jefferies.”
Details of the road safety and 20mph scheme consultation:
A Swindon Borough Council consultation has opened on road safety and 20mph schemes. You can visit this link for details on how you can have your say on the consultation.
https://www.swindon.gov.uk/info/20019/consultations_engagement_and_surveys/1201/road_safety_strategy_and_20mph_schemes_consultation
“We are seeking views on the updated draft road safety strategy and draft 20mph schemes policy.
Our last road safety strategy – The Strategic Plan for Accident Reduction – was approved in 2010 and with changes in national guidance and best practice and the slowing of progress in road casualty reductions, it is timely that the council’s approach to road safety be updated.
Swindon’s road safety strategy is intended as an interim 2-year strategy and seeks to introduce a safe systems approach to how the council will achieve further reductions in the number of casualties injured in road traffic collisions on Swindon’s roads.
Key to the adoption of a safe systems approach to road safety, is having the wider community at its core. So whilst Cabinet approved this draft interim 2-year strategy in March 2021, we are keen to understand the views of Swindon’s businesses and residents on this new approach and the proposed vision and objectives of our road safety activities.”
Update to Community Speed Watch
As message from Wiltshire Police:
“A new initiative introduced by the Wiltshire Police Criminal Justice Department has committed a dedicated resource to support Community Speed Watch Volunteers across the Force area.
The new role of Police Community Speedwatch (CSW) Enforcement Officer will complement existing policing methods carried out by the Roads Policing Unit and Community Policing Teams. The overall aim is the further reduction of road casualties and to keep our roads safer.
Our proactive enforcement strategy supports our communities where there are concerns around excess speed or known levels of high offending, with CSW volunteers acting to help keep their localities safe within 20mph, 30mph or 40mph speed limits.
At the present time there are around 1000 individuals actively involved in CSW in Wiltshire & Swindon with a further 3000+ subscribers to the Community Messaging CSW group.
For those who expressed a more cynical view on the role of CSW during Volunteers’ Week last month, you will find that the new roles and new state-of-the-art back office solution and Home Office approved roadside cameras are going to make a significant difference. The new kit will speed up the issue of the 15,000 – 20,000 warning letters and Notices of Intended Prosecution sent out each year.
Head of Criminal Justice for Wiltshire Police, Paul Oatway said: “This is an important investment and role to support our Communities and the Community Speed Watch schemes across Wiltshire and Swindon. We have invested in the latest, state of the art, road-side camera equipment and back-office processes to swiftly deal with enforcement and improved the system to administer the large levels of intelligence that is coming into us from the volunteers. The message is clear motorists need to treat our communities with the respect they deserve ”
Crime Stats
Cllr Sunners who is also the Neighbourhood Watch local contact provides full council with crime stats from the Wiltshire Police website. Stats for May saw an increase from April. There were 1874 in the Swindon area with 18 crimes in the Parish. 7 were for non-payment at the Esso station.
Openreach Fibre update:
The closing date to apply for a voucher to pledge for the scheme is 20th August. Even though the scheme has had enough support to go ahead there is still around 40-50% of the local population who haven’t signed up yet. Happily the Badbury area and a few small pockets in Chiseldon are now included in the scheme. Openreach are expecting to do another leaflet drop. Once copper is switched off in 2025 there will be other solutions that don’t use fibre but it is not sure yet what form these will take. Fibre is known to be the most reliable option so far.
Coate Water Splash Park
The splash park is open after a clean up and service on Monday 19th July. Further improvements are expected to Coate Water over time. The diving board will hopefully be preserved in 2022. More updates will follow from Swindon Borough Council over the next 6 months.
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.
NOW OPEN FOR NEW 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 9th August, location to be confirmed. This will start at 7.30pm. There is a public recess at the start of proceedings, after which residents can choose to leave the session. Covid restrictions state we must adhere to max. number of attendees to be safe, so regrettably we may need to turn away extra visitors if space does not allow. Please register your interest in attending a meeting with the Parish Clerk, or send in a written report to be read out on your behalf. Meeting locations may change so please verify the location before making a journey. Our committee meetings will now meet in the Rec Hall off of Norris Close.