Points of interest from the meetings held in April/May 2020
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.
M4 Bridge at Hodson Closed
The bridge will be closed from 7.00am to 6.00pm on 1st to 4th June for survey work.
Consultation on the proposed closure of Day House Lane to traffic
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
If you wish to make the Parish Council aware of your views on this consultation then please send them to the email address at the top of this article no later than 25th May so they can be included in the Planning, Transport and Highways meeting on the 26th May.
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 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.
What is Co-option?
Co-option is a method whereby a Parish Council can elect new Councillors by majority vote. This can happen after an election if not all seats are filled (an un-contested election), or upon the resignation or death of a Cllr between election periods.
Candidates would present themselves to the existing council members at an applicable council meeting who would then vote on the successful applicant.
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.
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 Draycott 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
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)
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
All Parish council meetings are currently on Zoom. Please contact the Clerk for login details.
The next Full Council meeting of the Parish Council will be on Monday 8th June 2020. This will start at 7.30pm and will be held remotely. Residents are welcome to login and there is a public recess at the start of proceedings, after which residents can choose to leave the session.
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 has 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 Wed 3rd June 2020.
Applicants should be free the evening of Monday 8th June 2020 to attend the Parish Council meeting at 7.30pm for the co-option voting procedure via Zoom.
Being a Parish Councillor is an opportunity to provide time and knowledge to the area where you live in order to help make it a better place.
You will be working with like-minded people who come together as volunteers for the good of the parish.
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: www.chiseldon-pc.gov.uk/committees/parish-council/