Below is a report from the Ludgershall Town Council Meeting held on 9th September 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 September 2008 meeting was held in the Church Rooms, St James Street, Ludgershall to enable access to all disabled persons (please note as above the venue may change).

Sgt Martin Phipps introduced himself, he is normally stationed at Amesbury but over the next few weeks will be acting for Sgt Mark Freeman in the Tidworth Area. Crime figures 1^st March - 31^st August 2008 - 16 incidents reported with 13 arrests being made.

Complaints raised by Councillors - youths drinking in the Recreation Ground causing a nuisance to nearby residents, leaving a lot of litter and broken bottles. Motorbikes are using the same area early evenings and during weekends & the riders are not wearing helmets, could the police please patrol this area on foot and also remind the supermarkets not to sell alcohol to underage persons.

A question from a member of public: - Had the use of the Wiltshire air ambulance been confirmed, the chairman stated that the Primary Care Trust had assured the new Tidworth Community Area Board meeting that use of the shared Police/Air Ambulance helicopter had been secured for the next 2 years.

Concerns were raised about the wording of new Allotment signs ‘Owned & Operated by the Town Council; members of the Garden Club would like this altered. Unfortunately due to the costs of new signs it was not an option to change them, all signs needed to be altered to display the new Town crest and the wording has been used on all Council property signs as the Councillors represent the interests of the electorate of the area.

Noise nuisance from the Crown Inn- Police to review the situation in October, the Town Council received another complaint about noise, it was stressed all incidents must be reported at the time direct to the Police & not wait to report at town Council meetings

Allotments - a recent site visit showed a high standard of cultivation on most allotments at both sites.  A Tree Preservation Order covers a section of hedge at Bell Street, the clerk was asked to obtain planning permission for this section to be cut back & then invite firms to quote for this work.

Planning Committee - Amended plans for entrance at Ludgershall Pre-School Playgroup, in Short Street was still opposed by Ludgershall Town Council as they still considered the access to be dangerous.

Ludgershall Sports Club - New fencing to southern & western boundary of the Sports Club field raised no objections providing the new fence was only erected to the full height when sporting activities were in progress.

Memorial Hall Action Group - KDC confirms that WCC Cabinet has agreed to allow Kennet to provide funds for a new library as part of the Memorial Hall replacement project.  The amount agreed is £350,000-00p, £35,000-00p of this money can be used by the Town Council to complete detailed plans, so we can go out for tender. The remaining money is ring fenced for the project when the new Wiltshire Council comes into force on 1^st April 2009.

Pavilion - The Town Council were required to have a Type III asbestos survey carried out prior to demolition; it revealed some brown asbestos in the soffit which needed to be removed by a specialist firm, other materials found in the floor tiles & toilet cistern could be removed under Health & Safety Executive guidelines. The Town Council recommended that Merryhill Ltd carried out the removal of all asbestos related materials, this is now complete and the building has been handed over for demolition.

Recreation Ground Committee recommends having new wet pour safety surfacing installed under existing swing area as the existing black crumb safety tiles are being vandalised and beyond repair.

The Council has agreed to purchase a set of new goal posts with a 5-year guarantee against breakage; these posts will be installed as soon as possible.

All committee's are reviewing their budget requirements for Financial Year 2009/2010 so that the Town Council can submit a request for our Precept by January 2009.

The Chairman had been contacted about the speculation of 700 new houses for MSA site in Ludgershall. At present the Kennet Local Plan states the Medical Services Agency site should consist of a mixed development, commercial & residential. A meeting at KDC in 2 weeks will discuss this issue.

Police Helpdesk number 0845 408 7000

Castledown Radio to report news and local events 01264 841047

Ludgershall Town Council Website

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