Compton Bassett Parish Meetings

6.30pm, 11th April 2018

in the Benson Hall

Under provision of The Local Government Act 1972 it is a requirement that an annual Parish Meeting is held once a year on or after 1st March and on or before 1st June. This year set for 11th April. The meeting is normally to be called by the Chairman of the Parish Council, and if present should preside, it may also be called by any two councillors for the parish or six electors from that parish. If the Chairman is absent, then the Vice Chairman should preside. If also absent, the parish meeting may appoint a person to take the chair, and that person shall have, for the purposes of that meeting, the powers and authority of the chairman. But is not for the regular conducting of Parish Council business except where to inform the meeting of a development in previous public interest events or campaigns or to answer a question raised by a member of the public entitled to attend. The meeting should be minuted and the minutes entered in a book provided for that purpose and signed at the same or the following assembly of the parish meeting by the person presiding at that meeting.

This year there will be a presentation by North Wesex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty looking at our ever changing environment and I have entered the agenda as circulated by the PC below.

What will happen?

• There will be a presentation from Henry Oliver who is a director of North Wessex Downs AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty). The North Wessex Downs is an amazing landscape. Its story begins more than 150 million years ago when tiny algae were deposited on the beds of warm seas creating the layers of chalk we now see in the characteristic rolling hills. Over the last 6,000 years humans have lived, farmed, fought, hunted and prospered here and there is evidence of this everywhere around us. For wildlife it offers a rich variety of special habitats for many unusual and rare species. It's not surprising that this area has been designated as an AONB protected by law to ensure that its special qualities are conserved and enhanced - but what does that mean for people who live and work here and the visitors who come to explore the area every year?
• There will be short talks on local matters i.e. St Swithin's Church, GreenSquare's redevelopment in Briarleaze, Broadband and Road Management.
• We are delighted to let you know that our new vicar the Reverend Matthew Earwicker will be joining us for the evening! A great opportunity for us to get to know each other a little ahead of his official arrival during early summer.
• We will then close the meeting and continue our evening with wine, soft drinks, nibbles and chat.

We hope this will be an informative evening with discussions on topics that matter to us all and very much hope to see you there.

If you have a specific question or issue you would like to discuss during the evening please contact our clerk Diane Zeitzen cb.parishclerk@gmail.com