Clerk: Mrs. L Rampton

Parish Council Office,

Winscombe Community Centre,

11 Sandford Road, Winscombe,

North Somerset BS25 1JA

Tel: 01934 844257   Fax: 01934 844292

 

A Meeting of the Award Land Committee was held on

Monday 24th November 2008 at 7.30pm, Winscombe Community Centre, Amesbury Room

 

Members Present: Mrs A Brading (AB), Mrs P Bushnell (PB), Mr J Cornish (JC), Mr A Forbes (AF), Mr G Luckett (GLu),

Mrs V McGann (VMc), Mr C Sampson (CS), Mr J Westlake – Chairman (JW).

Clerk: Mrs L Rampton (LR)                     Public: One

1

Apologies for Absence - Mr R Jones (RJ), Mrs N Flint (Assistant Clerk)

 

2

Declarations of interest – no interests were declared

3

Minute Update from the Committee  meeting minutes 21st July 2008 – there were none other than those included as Agenda items

4

Public Participation – none

5

 

Registration of Award Land – inspection of boundary

GLu advised the committee that an OS detailed map 1:500 that could include contours of the land, AONB & settlement boundaries along with the National grid reference can be obtained from NSC GIS Department without charge. It was considered that this map may partially fulfil requirements to enable voluntary registration of the land with Land Registry. All members were in favour of JW & GLu making enquiries & obtaining this document, with no cost being incurred by the Parish Council.

The annual inspection of boundary posts was set for Saturday 6th December 10am with AB, JC, GLu & JW to attend

 

6

.

 

Forge Maintenance

It was reported that further deterioration of the forge has taken place over the last 12 month period and works for the repair of this should be instigated as soon as practical after receipt of 2009/10 precept monies. Initial quotations for labour only costs have been obtained and further investigation into the type of mortar to match existing may be required. Previous advice of NSC had been issued to the Committee Chairman in 2007 by the Clerk and should be re-issued for further consideration. The costly value of analysis on mortar types was considered and in conclusion, it was decided that a local company would be asked for advice on suitable lime mixes without the view of matching the original mix.

JC advised that works to cut-off bolts and acquire a paving slab are shortly to take place.

 

7

Ground Maintenance

The Winscombe & Sandford Working Partnership team is to clear the area around the forge and P.O.W toilets of vegetation. Both Mike’s and Uplands paths are to be cut back by the team and JW has secured the services of the team with immediate effect.

 

8

 

.

Badger Sett – Licence Renewal

JW advised committee members that due to some deterioration of the land on footpath AX29/67, a regular check of footpaths is made by him. As badgers are protected at all times of the year, an application for renewal of the licence granted for a four month period earlier this year should be made.

 

9

 

Risk Assessment Review

Frequent dog fouling of the path at the entrance to the Award Land is considered to be undesirable and LR/NF should liaise with JC & JW to install signage to this effect. It was proposed by JW, seconded by GLu, all in favour that suitable ‘polite’ signage be purchased with JC offering to install this. JW thanked JC for the regular cutting of grass on this footpath.

The risk assessment document for the Award Land accepted by the Parish Council in 2004 was discussed by the committee and accepted without amendment. Proposed by AB, seconded by AF, all in favour.

 

10

Committee Terms of Reference

The current committee Terms of Reference were considered by the committee and it was proposed these be included within revised Parish Council Standing Orders without amendment.

Proposed by AB, seconded by VMc, all in favour.

 

11

Precept Request 2009/10

An initial request of £2,000 had been submitted to the Finance Committee by the Award Land Chairman that was considered by the committee at this meeting.

Provision within the next precept should be made for ‘mapping’ of the Award Land for Land Registry purposes with legal costs for voluntary registration of the land being met from an alternative Parish Council budget heading. A lengthy discussion ensued regarding likely costs for registration of the land, length of time the marker posts have been in situ and registration of land surrounding the Award Land.

Resolved: A revised committee budget request should be submitted to the Finance Committee of £2,500. This is made up of £1,200 forge repair labour costs, £300 materials for the forge, £600 for possible mapping of the Award Land (should NSC County Archaeologist fail to secure necessary equipment to complete the task free of charge), and £400 for annual maintenance of the Award Land.

The Committee Chairman was reminded that likely expenditure for the remainder of this financial year be submitted to LR before end 2008.

 

12

Review of Committee Structure at request of M Williamson & C Sampson

CS advised that this review had been discussed by the Parish Council at their meeting held on 20th November 2008 and is currently in abeyance.

 

 

Matters for Information – either points of information or subjects for discussion at next meeting

(i)                   AB volunteered to investigate Parish Council records for the period 1993 – 1998 to ascertain dates for the installation of boundary marker posts.

(ii)                 The next meeting will not be a site meeting.

 

 

Date of next meeting: Monday 19th January 2009 at 7.30pm

 

 

 

Meeting Closed:                    8.25 p.m.

 

Minutes: LR     Checked: JW

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signed _____________________________ Award Land Committee Chairman  

 

Date     ____________________