Present:

Blossom Funnell (Chair)
Steve Holmes (Vice Chair)
Grace Jones
Pat Ogden
Jean Allgrove
Jennifer Smith
Eileen White
Margaret Aglass
Rob Kirby
John  Meikle
Alan Wedderkopp
Alan Stoodley (Secretary)

Apologies:

Carol Hobson (Treasurer)
Alwyn Lynley
Terry Hall

Previous Minutes:

The apologies were accepted. The previous minutes were reviewed and agreed subject to the following observation

The Greenfest imitative referred to in the minutes has in fact been renamed as The Wilton Environmental Project.

1. - Venture Developments – 4 Wilton Street:

The issue of no provision for parking facilities at the proposed above development has caused considerable concern. It is felt that the parking of the future residents of the development will have to be away from the site and this will only further compound the parking difficulties already encountered in the area. However the meeting was advised that after considerable discussion regarding the issue from all interested parties it seems that Planning Permission has been granted. The key issues aiding the application are the facts that the emergency services had no objection and government guidelines do no dictate that parking facilities have to be provided on new developments of this nature.

Action Points arising from this very emotive issue were as follows:
Jean - to ask Judith Jackson if people with no parking facilities have any right to ‘privileged’ off site parking.

Rob – To write to Jeremy Browne reference developments with no parking. Specifically regarding the fact that Local Councils are dictated to by national strategies on this issue and are not allowed to make their own decisions which would bring local circumstances into the equation.      
 

2. – Parish Farm update:

No real change as yet. The interior fittings have been removed but the fabric of the building has not been dismantled and the concrete slab is still in place. There is still two months for the work to be completed and it was agreed that we can only maintain a watching brief. To be reviewed at the next meeting

 3. - Vagrancy update:

The vagrancy problem seems to move from place to place. They have moved from the Rifle Butts area and it is thought that they are currently residing on private land. Rob has written to the Headmasters of Bishops Fox’s and Richard Huish schools and also to the Community Support Officers to express concern regarding the problem. The Community Support Officers advise that they are aware of the problem but there is little they can do at present as the vagrants have the permission of the land owner to use his land. As the vagrants are currently residing outside the WSCA area it was concluded that we have done all we can and now keep an eye on the situation and deal as appropriate should the problem reoccur.
 
4. - Parking Issues:

1. Sherford Rd / Middleway:   Ian Titcombe has been approached by Blossom with regard the safety issues at the junction of Sherford Rd. and Middleway. Ian has agreed to review the situation.     

The issue of large Lorries using Lower Sherford Rd for access to Mr. Parish’s farm was also raised with Ian. He accepted that this was causing problems and agreed to arrange for the provision of width and weight restriction signs.

Mr. Parish was also approached by Blossom, he accepted that there is a problem and suggested that he has tried to encourage the lorry drivers to use the alternative route.  The situation to be monitored particularly with regard policing of the restrictions once they are imposed.

2. Sherford Lane: Two accidents to date have known to have occurred opposite Bridge House due to dangerous parking. It was thought that it may be beneficial to discuss the problem with Ian Titcombe to explore the options for a resolve. However it was thought that options such as yellow lines would only push the problem else where.   

3. Haines Hill:  No movement to date. There is a committee within Haines Hill who are also dealing with the parking problems in this area however there seems to be no obvious  or easy solution.

5. – A.O.B.

1. Notice Board:  The meeting was advised that there is a possibility of £300 funding via Stephen Martin-Scott. Steve H. has investigated the cost of constructing the board and has received a quote of £169; there will of course be some additional costs relating to its erection. The location of the Notice Board was discussed, it was considered that close to Bridge House would be ideal. Blossom agreed to discuss with the local neighbours to see if a private site could be agreed. However if not public sites should be considered but if a public site is to be used consent for provision of the notice board will need to be sought and Health and Safety issues will need to be considered. 

2. Friends of Vivery Park:  Terry Hall may a good point of contact, Blossom to pursue. It was reiterated that attendance of a member of our committee at their meetings and vice versa may well be beneficial.

3. Shuttern Post Office:  There is a petition to save Shuttern Post Office however it was agreed that the Association should remain neutral on the issue and support to oppose the closure should be made on an individual basis.

4. Highlands Development:  The meeting was advised that there had been a planning request for an extension at a building in Highlands to facilitate the running of a business from the extension. The applicant was subsequently advised that there is a covenant on the property which prohibits the running of a business from the property. The application has since been withdrawn and resubmitted as a request for residential use, this has been granted. Item for information only we can have no input as the matter is now a private issue.

5. Allotments:  The pillars at the entrance to the allotments next to Wilton Church have been damaged in an attempted theft of the stones. The theft was not successful and the stones involved (including engraved coping stones) are now in safe keeping awaiting restoration. In the meantime the remaining stones have been encased in wood for protection.

Concern about the upkeep of the allotments has been raised in the past and it is now understood that a number of the allotments have been reallocated and as a result the situation is now greatly improved.

6. Booking and payment of rooms for future meetings was raised. A donation of £100 is normally made by the Association for the use of meeting rooms but apparently this has not been made for  last year. It was agreed that this should be looked into and the payment made as the facility is invaluable to the Association.

There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.00pm