Points of interest from the meetings held in November 2020.
Faster Broadband Update.
We are still waiting to hear back on the update of improved broadband to the parish. An update is expected in a few weeks’ time but the BT OpenReach Gigabit Fibre scheme is still expected for the parish. This is not to be confused with the CityFibre roll out in Swindon.
Hall opening update – The hall is closed for Lockdown 2.
Our Recreation Hall is currently taking limited bookings for up to 6 people who can provide a risk assessment of their activities and follow the councils own risk assessment requirements. Please contact the Clerk for information.
Quotes needed for tarmacking Chapel path
The Council would like to hear from anyone who can provide a number of quotes for the path at the Chapel on Butts Road. Both tarmac other suitable surface quotes are required. Contact the Clerk for more information.
BMX track update – new members still needed
We are looking for adults and teenagers who can join the Working Party to investigate the installation of a BMX/pump track within the parish for everyone to enjoy. This group will be working independently of the council but will report back to the council as they will be the owner of the site and manage repairs, insurance and land use etc. This is a long term project and relies on public support to be successful. Anyone with Project Management, Fund raising, budgeting, design etc would be welcome.
Tender for works
The Parish Council have released a tender document for and end-to-end project for the construction of 2 new laybys in the Parish. One for Draycot Close in Draycot Foliat and one in Windmill Piece in Chiseldon. This will be a 2 year project. If anyone has a contact who may like to quote for the work then please email the Clerk for the details. The tender is also on the Governments “Contract Finder” website as per legal requirements.
Remembrance Sunday.
Wreaths, crosses and painted pebbles were quietly laid on Sunday 8th November at New Road.
On Wednesday 11th Nov one Cllr quietly laid a wreath at the Memorial Stone at Chiseldon Camp, and we see that resident’s also laid their own wreaths to mark their respects.
At the New Road site, Chiseldon Primary School Head Girl and Boy and their deputies laid a wreath and also read out poems to honour those who fought and lost their lives. The video of this is shared on the Chiseldon Community Facebook page if you would like to watch it.
Washpool Improvements
The Parish Council are working with WARP (Washpool Area Restoration Project) volunteers to see if a grant can be secured to upgrade the wooden decking that has been in place since 2009 approximately. The boardwalk is made of oak and is now starting to decay. WARP are always looking for more volunteers to join their group, to ensure that the Washpool can be enjoyed by everyone for years to come. Please contact the Clerk if you’d like to be put into contact with them.
Badbury Road re-surfacing – via Ward Cllr. Estimated for Spring/Summer 2021
Funded by “Challenge 2” for Highways
Badbury Lane (Ridgeway Ward):
Location: Through ‘s’ bends West end of village
Condition: Significant micro wear and de-lamination.
Outcome: Full carriageway width surface course replacement for approx. 150m length through ‘S’ bends.
Badbury Lane (Ridgeway Ward):
Location: M4 overbridge to east village boundary
Condition: Significant micro wear and de-lamination.
Outcome: Full carriageway width surface course replacement for approx. 220m length.
Castle View play area
The council approved a new climbing net structure for the play area on 9th November. We await confirmation from Swindon Borough Council as to whether we need any planning permission, but otherwise will aim for installation ASAP.
QR Codes at Castle View Play area
There are 2 new metal signs on the gates of the play area for scanning in regards to Covid19 track and trace. If you are using the play area with children please do scan the code on your mobile device.
“Need help moving forward?”
Phoenix Enterprises is a local group that can help with Employment and CV’s, debt management, universal credit/benefits, housing, well-being and lifestyle, social isolation and signposting.
You can contact them on 01793 542 321, info@phoenixenterprises.co.uk or www.phoenixenterprises.co.uk
Covid19 Government Change
All outside Recreation Field activities have had to be closed temporarily due to lockdown. Chiseldon Football Club and Chiseldon Tennis Club are also not meeting during this time. All Council meetings remain remote and the Chapel Office remains closed to visitors and staff are working from home.
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 – installation expected in the next couple of weeks
Both devices have been purchased and we are just awaiting the end of restrictions so we can get them both installed. We have instructed our electrician to approve work from SSE to the Badbury phone box so that new electrics can be in place for safe installation of the device.
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 – Community Heroes wanted.
Chiseldon Parish Council needs you! We are calling for community heroes to put themselves forward for one of FIVE vacancies on our local Parish Council. We want people of all backgrounds and experience to represent the community and help #MakeAChange.
There are five simple steps to becoming a Chiseldon Parish Councillor:
- Contact the clerk to find out more information, whether there are any vacancies and register your interest
- Submit your nomination to the clerk — a brief summary of who you are and why you want to be a councillor
- Join a council meeting via MS Teams to meet the team and share your nomination with current members – don’t be daunted by this, we are a small very friendly bunch!
- Current members will vote on approval of your membership (called co-option)
- If accepted, you will sign the declaration of office of acceptance and become a Chiseldon Parish Councillor
Please email clerk@chiseldon-pc.gov.uk for more information or call (01793) 740744, leave a message with your name and number and we will call you back. Many thanks.
What is Co-option?
Co-option is a method whereby a Parish Council 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 – check service as may currently be suspended.
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 MS Teams. Please contact the Clerk for login details.
The next Full Council meeting of the Parish Council will be on Monday 14th December 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 9th December 2020.
Applicants should be free the evening of Monday 14th December 2020 to attend the Parish Council meeting at 7.30pm for the co-option voting procedure via MS Teams.
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: https://www.chiseldon-pc.gov.uk/committees/parish-council/
Dated 13th November 2020
Signed: Clair Wilkinson, Parish Clerk
The Old Chapel
Butts Road
Chiseldon Wilts SN4 0NW