A meeting of the Award Land Committee was held on
Monday 30th March 2009 at 7.30 p.m, Winscombe Community Centre, Amesbury Room
Committee Members Present: Mrs. A Brading, Mrs. P Bushnell, Mrs. P Cram, Mr. A Forbes,
Mr. G Luckett, Mrs. V McGann, Mr. C Sampson, Mr. J Westlake (chairman)
Advisor to the Committee: Mr. J Cornish
Clerk: Mrs. L Rampton
Members of the public: One
1. Apologies for Absence: Mr. R Jones
2. Declaration of Interest None Received
3. Minute Update from the Committee meeting minutes 19th January 2009 there were none other than those included as Agenda Items.
4. Public Participation None
5. Award Land Boundaries
(i)To consider boundary lines between Award Land & Ski Centre. In the absence of Mr. Cronk as invited speaker to the meeting and any supporting correspondence, the exact location of the verbal request to install fencing was uncertain. A letter should be sent to Mr. Cronk expressing the disappointment of the committee that he was unable to attend this committee meeting and asking again for a written request to install fencing to be submitted to the Parish Council for consideration. An enquiry should be submitted to Land Registry to ascertain the registration of land around the Award Land and further discussion given to incurring expenditure to gain details of the several title numbers surrounding the Award Land at the next committee meeting in three months time should Mr. Cronk fail to supply his details of registration.
AB reported that on 1st April 1993, as recorded in minutes of the Annual Parish Assembly ownership of 8 acres was confirmed with ARC as quarry owners who would mark the boundary with boulders. JW advised that some of these boulders are still in situ. Further Parish Council minutes from a meeting held 21st September 1995 advise that stakes have been placed to mark the boundary of the Award Land
(ii) Purchase of an OS Map. AF advised that local architects submit OS maps as part of planning applications and an enquiry could be made as to their source to save travelling into Bristol to purchase this map. RJ has the dimensions, as recorded using satellite links that will be transferred to the OS map.
It was proposed by VMcG, seconded by AB, all members in favour that an OS map is purchased at a cost of around £20.
6. Review of Parish Council committee structure & possible amalgamation of committees. A discussion took place regarding the recommendation of the Employment & Policies Committee at their meeting held 23rd March 2009 to amalgamate this committee into the Environment Committee with the current Environment Committee Chairman remaining as Chair. Practicalities such as the need to hold regular site meetings of the committee were amongst reasons not to consent to this recommendation along with a busy period ahead collecting the necessary documentation in able to approach Land Registry for voluntary registration of the land. Less time could be spent in meetings by major committees to reduce the amount of time then spent recording these. The Parish Council should ask if it is worth altering a system that currently works well if there does not appear to be significant financial advantage.
The following proposal should be put to the Parish Council for consideration:
(i) That the minutes of the November 2008 Parish Council meeting are adhered to and that the Employment & Policies Committee Chairman meet with the Clerk & Assistant Clerk to discuss methods of reducing current work-loads.
(ii) As reference has been made by the E&P Chairman to financial reasons for the amalgamation of committees, this committee would like to know much will be saved in hours and monetary terms.
(iii) Whilst usual quarterly inspections of the Award Land are carried out for health & safety reasons, the annual number of meetings could be reduced from four to three and an amendment to reflect this made in committee terms of reference.
(iv) Whilst remaining as two separate committees, meetings of the Award Land committee could be held on the same evening as the Play Area & Skate Park Committee reducing room hire charges.
Proposed: AF Seconded: VMcG 7 in favour, 1 abstention.
7. Forge Maintenance JW & JC have purchased mortar and sand as agreed at the last committee meeting. A number of quotations to carry out the remedial works to the forge are currently being invited as the condition of the forge is deteriorating.
8. Ground Maintenance purchase & fitting of new chain & lock. A new lock to the gate has yet to be purchased as JW is attempting to clarify which Mendip Wardens require access through the gate. Purchase of a digital lock was considered and dismissed. JC will provide a chain for the gate and JW is to proceed with the purchase of a traditional padlock with Mendip Wardens being advised whereabouts they will be able to obtain a key from when access is required.
9. Badgers Sett Licence Renewal An application should be made to Natural England, Wildlife Management and Licensing Unit for renewal of a licence under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992. The committee were advised that more than one tunnel exists. At the open event held at the Sandford Depot held this evening a useful information poster on badgers was supplied to VMcG & JW.
10. Information either points of information or subjects for discussion at next meeting
Motorbikes are
still accessing the Award Land from the bridleway and the matter will be
reported to the police by JW. Fencing as verbally proposed by Mr. Cronk may
deter access being gained onto the Award Land.
Meeting Closed: 8.25 p.m.
Date of next meeting: Monday 20th July 2009
Minutes: LR Checked: JW
Signed (Award Land Committee Chairman)
Date