Below is a report from the Ludgershall Town Council Meeting held on 14th October 2008

Town Council meetings are held on 2^nd Tuesday of the month at 7-00pm in a venue to be advertised on the notice boards as legally required. The first 15 minutes is set aside for questions from members of the public, the Town Council will liaise or direct the public to the appropriate authority to deal with these issues.

The October 2008 meeting was held in the Church Rooms, St James Street, Ludgershall to enable access to all disabled persons.

The police reported they had patrolled the Recreation Ground regarding nuisance from motorbikes & under age drinking but had not found any alcohol or witnessed any motorbikes. C'llrs still have concerns about both issues & will report again to the police however all incidents must be reported at the time by the person who is the witness.

Three casual vacancies for new Councillors to be co-opted, two letters were received expressing an interest, both interested parties invited to attend the October meeting. Mr Tony Pickernell was present & he was invited to introduce himself. Mr Hollis however was unable to attend due to prior commitment; he will be invited to the November 2008 meeting. From the chair, C'llr Williams proposed that Mr Pickernell should be co-opted as a new member of Ludgershall Town Council, seconded C'llr Newman, agreed unanimously, carried.  Mr Pickernell duly signed his ‘Declaration of Acceptance of Office' form & the clerk will send his details to the Returning Officer.

C'llr Betteridge volunteered to attend the recent Tree Warden Scheme for Wiltshire held at Dinton Village Hall and this event was sponsored by the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust & WCC. This is a national initiative to enable people to play an important role in conserving and enhancing their local trees and woods.

County Councillor Mark Connolly reported - 1) Castledown Business Park - slippage of opening date due to snagging lists not having been completed. The incubation centre will open from autumn 2009 and run by Tidworth Development Trust. The Wellington College hopes to use an office until 2009.

2) Unitary Elections will be held on Thursday 4^th June 2009 with the European elections.

C'llr put the following questions to C.C. Connolly - 1) Did WCC have an 8 million investment with Icelandic Bank? - Yes- no confirmation if this can be recovered however with the prediction of 6 million being made in each of the first 3 years of Unitary Authority this should not present a problem.  These investments had received Treasury backing having a good credit rating. 2) Wellington Academy - are there any community governors on the new Governing body? - No not at the moment but C.C. Connolly will push for this issue at first meeting in 6 weeks.

There are 2 bidders interested at present for new build with plans hopefully available for public consultation by end of November.  It has been agreed the Sports Centre will be refurbished, the bowling green will remain open maybe with slight movement, the recently refurbished science block will be used for other purposes and an all weather sports pitch for public use will be available at a later date.  The boarding element of the new Academy is to open 2011/2012. At the existing Castledown school there is now a total of 550 pupils after year 7 intake for Sept 2008 being 140 +, hoping for 180 intake September 2009.

District Councillor Beard reported - in a recent national survey Kennet District Council Street Cleaning department had come out top of the Country.

Cemetery - a wicker plant stand placed on a grave has been removed due to health and safety reasons, unfortunately the next of kin has not been traced so a notice of the Council's action has been placed on the grave.

Recreation Ground, Dewey's Lane - Football goal posts, it was recommended that the quote for 2 goal posts is accepted; made from 3" welded box section steel galvanized post  & erected with a 10-year guarantee on galvanization & 5-year guarantee against breakage. These items have now been installed.

A letter received from our solicitor re Disabled Discrimination Act, it was agreed the Chairman and Vice-Chairman should arrange a meeting with Mr Barlow to discuss the way forward on this matter.

Pavilion - this building has now been demolished following the removal of all asbestos related material.

A thank you letter received from Royal Engineers for the use of recreation ground for their recent half marathon event.

It was agreed that Allotment rents should remain the same as last year, rent notices will be issued shortly and the rent can be paid at the Garden Club Annual Presentation on Thursday, 4^th December 2008 in the Scout Hall at 7-00pm.

The following Planning Application has been received & viewed by Ludgershall Town Council: - Application number K/59593/O for erection of a garden centre incorporating associated landscaping, car parking and café at land adjacent to Empress Way, Ludgershall. LTC raised no objections to this application.

Planning permission has been granted subject to specified conditions for a terrace of three new dwellings at the Workshop, Andover Road, Ludgershall.

Police Helpdesk number 0845 408 7000

Castledown Radio to report news and local events 01264 841047

Town Council website www.thelocalchannel.co.uk/ludgershall

Clarence to report Highway Defects Tel: 0800 232323 or e-mail Clarence@wiltshire.gov.uk

Mrs J. White - Clerk of Ludgershall Town Council Tel: 02164 790213 e-mail janetwhitepc@aol.com