Parish Council Latest News from Linda Bragg, Parish Clerk – December 2015
There is no Parish Council Meeting in December but that doesn’t mean we haven’t been busy….
Salt Bin – We have purchased a new high-capacity salt bin to ensure that the village has adequate supplies before the weather deteriorates. It has been installed at the Village Hall on the left-hand side of the entrance (where the old recycling bins used to be).
B4069 Weight Restriction –Wiltshire Council is considering the implementation of a permanent 18 tonne weight restriction (except for access) for the route from Draycot Cerne to Lyneham. However, prior to any final decision being taken, it has been decided that an informal pre-consultation process should take place, to ensure that there are no issues with the proposal and the Parish Council (PC) were asked to comment by 6th January 2016. We have fully supported the proposal.
Draycot Cerne Chapel – Work was completed in early December 2015 on the new roof for the Draycot Cerne Chapel of Rest. The result of the hard work by a small team of volunteers that set up a charity to repair and maintain this important and much loved, albeit abused feature of the DC community.
Many people don’t realise, but when the tiles were stolen from the roof, it became apparent that the chapel and graveyard is owned by the people of the village. It was given to the village in the late 1800’s. In the past it has always been maintained by village residents on a voluntary basis and since the early 1980s this has been done almost entirely by Rueben Couzens, to whom we are indebted. The PC were pleased to support the repair of the roof by granting the Friends of Draycot Cerne Chapel £500 under the Community Grant Fund.
New Benches on the Rec – The PC has purchased two new benches costing £1,128, which are now installed on the Playing Field. The benches were donated to the Sutton Benger Village Hall as part of the playground renovation project.
Arms Farm – the Appeal was Dismissed by the Planning Inspectorate on the 11 December 2015.
Read the Planning Inspectorate’s full decision. 
Vacancies – there are currently 4 vacancies on the PC and it would be great to have some new Councillors to join us. If we cannot fill the vacancies there is a danger that Wiltshire Council may have to make direct appointments of people (from outside our community) as parish councillors. Please contact the Parish Clerk for more information or tel: 07757 351584.
Overgrown Hedges –Land owners (including Wiltshire Council) and occupiers are required by law to trim any hedge or grass next to a road, footway, cycle way or public right of way where the growth is preventing the passage, or affecting the safety, of the highway user, including cyclists and pedestrians. Report an Overgrown Hedge, Verge or Footpath to:
Wiltshire Council Highways / Street Care Service – 0300 456 0105
Email: localhighways@wiltshire.gov.uk
www.wiltshire.gov.uk/parkingtransportandstreets/roadshighwaysstreetcare/mywiltshireregister.htm
Or via the MyWiltshire app – available to download at both the App Store (for iPhones and iPads) and from Google Play™ (for Android phones).
The next Parish Council Meeting is on Wednesday 13 January 2016 at the Sutton Benger Village Hall, commencing at 7.45pm.
We would like to Wish You All A Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year!