A meeting of the Environment  Committee

was held on Tuesday  January 8th,  2008

in the Winscombe Community Centre.

Committee Members Present:  Mrs. A Brading (AB), Mr Steve Bridges (SB), Mrs Phyllis Cram (PCr), 

Mr Archie Forbes (AF), Mr Roy Jones (RJ), Mrs Val McGann (VM), Mrs Avril Richmond (AR), Miss Beryl Roper (BR),

Mr Chris Sampson (CS).

 

Members of public present:  None

1

 

Apologies for absence: Mrs Pat Bushnell (PB)

 

2

 

 

a

b

 

c

 

d

 

e

 

f

 

g

h

 

i

 

Matters Arising from Meeting  Dated November 6th 2007 that do not appear as an Agenda item -  

Minute 2 a.  Resurfacing of first section of  footpath AX29/1 is at last completed.

Minute 2 b.  The letter regarding 6/P/2241/F from M Heppenstall, NSC Planning Enforcement Officer is to be put on file and a response awaited.

Minute 2j.   Precept requirements of this committee have been submitted to the Finance Committee.  The Committee is to meet again on January 10th 2008. 

Minute 5a.  A quote has not been received for clearing the area near the drain on Belmont Road triangle. 

Minute 5c.  Details why NSC has again refused a request for a crossing near Dunster Court on Woodborough Road should be placed on Parish notice Boards.

Minute 5e .  Trees felling in Knapps Close wood had been completed legally on the request of NSC.

Minute 6aii.  A response from NSC is still awaited regarding the state of a Shipham Lane hedge.

Minute 13.   The NSC area officer for the parish was unsure of when the road markings in Church Road are to be repainted. PC

Minute 16. RJ and GL are to meet volunteers interested in producing a parish booklet describing ‘walks for the less-mobile’!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GL1/PC1

 

 

 

PC2

 

 

 

RJ/GL2

3

 

Declarations of Interest.   None

 

4

 

Public Participation.  None

 

5

 

a

 

 

b

 

 

 

c

 

 

d

 

 

e

 

f

 

 

 

Correspondence – telephone calls/letters/emails etc.

Letter - from The Planning Inspectorate informing the Parish Council of its intention to confirm a modification of a previous order that footpath AX3/23 become a Restricted Byway.

An up-to-date map of the parish footpaths was supplied to each member of the Committee.

Letter - from the Sidcot Friends Housing Society regarding a threat of  flooding to Sewell House as a result of surface water running off Belmont Road.  SB and GL are asked to arrange a site meeting with representatives of  the Housing Society and a representative of NSC to try and devise a system to alleviate the problem.

Letter  - from Oakridge Close asking that a grit bag/bin be reinstated close to Coombe House/kissing gate.  It was proposed by AB, seconded by CS and agreed by all, that a bin, funded by the Parish Council, be positioned by NSC in such a position.

Telephone Call – the light sensor in Winscombe’s  ladies’ toilet is so positioned that a light comes on only when those entering are well inside.  NSC asked to adjust the sensor so that potential users realise well in advance that the toilet is  well illuminated.

Telephone Calls – much white paint has been spilt on The Green’s footway. PC asked to discover whether NSC’s graffiti removers could be persuaded to attempt to remove this paint.

Telephone Calls – the street lighting on  Woodborough Road, near The Green, is at a reduced power and does not reach a full power until about 10.00pm.  This has now been checked by the power supplier and shown not to be the case.  General observations by members of this Committee supported this check. 

 

 

 

 

SB

GL3

PC3

 

 

 

PC4

 

 

PC5

 

PC6

 

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

a

 

b

 

c

Blocked footpaths, overgrowing vegetation, etc. 

Those noted at the last meeting. 

The chairman reported that AX29/24 and AX29/25 are clear.

Those noted since the last meeting.

None

Drainage trench construction near top entrance to Hillyfields.  SB reported that this is in hand.

 

7

 

a

 

b

Widening/positioning footways.

Adjacent to Woodborough Bridge. Ian Sansum of NSC is now responsible for this project and has been in contact and asked for further details.  These have been supplied.

NSC has reported that the cost of the Sandford footway scheme now will total £18 000.  In addition the South Area Committee has recommended to the Executive Member Strategic Planning, Highways and Economic Development that the funding allocated for the Sandford Scheme be increased to £18 000. (Dated 21st November 2007.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8

 

 

a

 

 

 

b

 

c

 

d

e

Recycling - Centre behind Woodborough Hotel.

 

The Chairman reported that: the centre has been expanded to take up an additional car parking space; the clothing  container remains; a larger container has now replaced the original tetra-pack containers; a container for recyclable plastic bottles has been added; a small row of planking has been added to the bottom of the enclosing walls.

The alignment of the additional containers limits, to some extent, the view from Hillyfields of the unattractive contents of the centre.

Excessive and overflowing rubbish is being efficiently removed by the contractors when informed of any problems.

However, some local resident are still unhappy with the site.

The general opinion is that the appearance and treatment of the site’s contents has improved and that this Committee should continue to keep a watching brief.

 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9

 

a

 

 

 

 

b

Parish flowers, tubs, seats, etc.

The seat positioned in front of the Church Hall, provided many years ago by Winscombe WI , has been destroyed.  The Parish Council had taken over the responsibility for maintaining this seat.  As any replacement seat would again have to be placed upon land that is not owned by either NSC or the Parish Council it was decided that it would be wrong for the Parish Council both to fund and take the responsibility for a replacement.

The contents of parish Parish flower tubs continue to be maltreated.

 

 

 

 

 

10

 

Finger posts refurbishing.  This remains only partly completed.

 

11

 

Heritage plaques.   Thatcher’s Cider had declined the invitation to have a Heritage Plaque positioned as a record of its achievements.

 

 

12

 

a

b

 

 

AONB Partnership Meeting. 

RJ will attend the February meeting of this Group and report back to this Committee.

SB and RJ have made an attempt to remove some of the roadside clutter in the parish.  Some of this has promptly reappeared.  The Committee agreed that we should all endeavour to keep the Parish as free from this roadside clutter as possible.

 

 

 

 

13

 

Sandford Millennium Stones.

It is proving difficult to gain quotes for the restoration of these, now weathered,  stones.  A new provider has been identified and the cost for both restoration and gilding will probably be fairly minimal.  Should this be the case it was agreed that the work should be completed.  Very regular maintenance will probably not be necessary.

 

 

 

 

PC7

14

 

a

 

b

Road safety. 

SB reported NSC’s the lack of progress with the introduction of vehicle s activated speed signs.  £3000 is being asked of the Finance Committee by this Committee to purchase, if required, a parish owned sign.

SB also reported that a Road Maintenance Working Group meeting has taken place.  He has been very disappointed with  the outcome: it appears to be nothing more than a talking shop.  What the Parish really needs is some action! The Committee could only agree!

 

 

 

 

15

 

Problem Lights   - generally should be reported with lamp number directly to Parish Clerk.       

 

16

 

a

 

b

Any Other Business

PCr reported that the roadway near Winscombe and Woodborough School is being badly broken up by school buses.

A meeting will take place on the 9th January at Yadley Way regarding the damage done to the roadway by the gas company when replacing and extending pipe work.  All are welcome!

 

17

 

Date of next Meeting.  Tuesday 5th  February 2008.

 

 

Signed                                                                                  Environment Chairman        Date