Jackie Grey THE Goodworth Clatford Parish Council paid warm tribute to their clerk, Jackie Gallop, who is leaving at the end of the July to go to Brunei for two years with her husband and family.

"We would like to thank you for all your help," said council chairman Cllr Alan Lloyd Davies.

Bob Wheadon, who is currently the responsible financial officer for Smannell parish council and was previously their clerk for six years, will take Jackie's place.

He was introduced to councillors and welcomed to the meeting, as was Cllr David Benwell, sitting for the first time.

The following topics were then discussed: Allotments: A heated debate about allotments dominated much of the meeting. Cllr Alan Willens had prepared a detailed report on the village facility, which is currently full with a waiting list for vacant plots, but his proposals met with resistance from the rest of the council.

A suggestion that part of the conservation land could be used to provide additional allotments for villagers on the waiting list was rejected on the grounds that changing the designation of the area would be difficult.

However, Cllr Jenny Rundle revealed that Testway Housing is looking at land it owns in the village with a view to providing more allotments.

In an attempt to make the allotments self-financing, and not subsidised by other villagers, Alan Willens recommended a more substantial rise in rent to cover costs, particularly for plot holders from outside the village.

This too was rejected on the grounds that the allotments are a village amenity and therefore the council expects some expenditure.

Several amendments were made to the allotment holders' agreement in an effort to simplify the document.

Highways: It was proposed that Cow Down Lane should be subject to a width restriction to avoid heavy vehicles getting caught while using it as a rat run to access the A303. The clerk will write to the Highways authority.

Recreation ground: The annual inspection of equipment has taken place and no serious problems were found.

As only two complaints about improper behaviour had been made since the youth shelter was re-opened it will remain open for another two months.

However, it was noted that the new bin had gone missing within a few days of being provided and that litter continues to be an issue.

The volunteer in charge of the cleaning rota is to be asked to communicate with the council so the situation can continue to be monitored. The police are still visiting regularly.

Riverside project and Sheepwash: The environmental group notified the council of their success in the Nationwide south east England Community and Environmental award scheme. The group is among six regional winners which will receive awards later this month and one will be chosen to go forward to a national final in November.

Kate Savage, Richard Ryder and Jenny Rundle will represent the group at the ceremony.

A mobile laboratory is to visit the village and supervise river dipping at the Sheepwash and riverside walk.

Experts will be on hand to help people identify plant and animal life, especially insects. If successful the event will be repeated.

Concerns were raised about the unusually low level of the river and the possibility of illegal abstraction or obstruction was raised.

Sustainable villages: The council expressed interest in information supplied by Charles Crosthwaite-Eyre after his presentation on climate change at the previous meeting. David Benwell offered to attend future discussion meetings on behalf of the council.

Correspondence: The council was disappointed to hear from the owner of The Park, through which footpath two runs, that he was unable to sell the recently cut hay due to the amount of dog excrement it contained.

Councillors had hoped that the provision of more bins had been more effective and that those who exercised their dogs in the village would be more responsible.

Next meeting: The next council meeting will be held at the village club on 2 September at 7pm.