A MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL CHAIRMAN’S COMMITTEE was held

on Thursday 15^th October 2009, Parish Office 12.15pm.

Present:                                   Mrs. A Brading, Mr. A Forbes (chairman), Mr. G Lloyd, Ms D Powell (vice-chairman), Mr. C Sampson (vice-chairman), Mr. M Williamson, Mr. J Westlake

Clerk:                                       Mrs. L Rampton.           

Members of the public:            None

Apologies for absence:            Mr. S Bridges

1.    DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST - none declared

2.    MATTERS ARISING FROM THE PREVIOUS MINUTES – no matters arising

3.    PUBLIC PARTICIPATION - none

4.    TO RECONSIDER A REQUEST FROM WESTERN POWER DISTRIBUTION TO REMOVE TWO OAK TREES WITHIN FALL DISTANCE OF THE MAJOR POWER LINE RUNNING ACROSS THE ILEX LANE CEMETERY.

A request has been received from Mr A Forbes, Ms D Powell & Mr C Sampson to reconsider a decision of the Chairman’s Committee (meeting held 23.06.09) granting permission to WPD to remove two mature oak trees in light of further information received from the North Somerset Council Tree Officer, Linda Saretok.

Works had been requested by Western Power Distribution to enable them to comply with new regulations (chapter 29, schedule 4 of the Electricity Act of 1989 with the proposed works to achieve standards compliant with the 2006 amendment to the Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations) to improve the resilience and reliability of overhead electricity distribution networks through better management of vegetation in close proximity to overhead power lines.

A visual inspection of the two oak trees in question has been carried out by the NSC Tree Officer on 9^th October 2009 and the Officer concludes that the trees are both sound with a low likelihood of harm to the public. As the trees are currently in good condition, WPD should show why the removal of the oak trees is necessary. Whilst there are other oak trees in the immediate vicinity, both trees are considered worthy of protection and tree preservation orders could be placed on these to carefully monitor and control future works that may be requested by WPD.  

In discussion, oak trees are considered to be slow growing and retaining these trees at this time will allow the three new oak trees planted in the cemetery extension area in the past year to become established. A total of 14 new trees have been planted in the new cemetery area but any necessary removal of trees will always be an emotive subject. The previous impression given by representatives of WPD was that the Parish Council had little choice in the removal of the oak trees.

It was proposed by Mrs Brading, seconded by Mr Forbes that in light of further information received from the North Somerset Council Tree Officer, tree preservation orders should be placed on two mature oak trees in the Ilex Lane Cemetery. 6 members were in favour, 1 member against.

In view of the decision to reconsider a previous decision of this committee, the minutes to this meeting and actions will be presented to the full Parish Council for approval.

5. ANY OTHER BUSINESS- none

The meeting concluded at 12.3 0pm

Signed...................................................................(Chairman)                         

Date...........................