A Meeting of the Environment Committee was held on Tuesday 12th January 2010
at 7.30 pm, Amesbury Room, Winscombe Community Centre.
Committee Members Present: Mrs Mandy Brading (ABr), Mr Archie Forbes (AF), Mr. Gerald Lloyd (Committee Chairman) (GL), Mrs Valerie McGann (Committee Vice-Chairman) (VMc), Mrs Avril Richmond (AR), Mr Chris Sampson (CS)
Clerk Present: Mrs Lynne Rampton (LR) Assistant Clerk: Mrs Nina Flint (NF)
Press: None Members of Public Present: None
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a. Apologies for absence. Mr. Steve Bridges (SB), Mrs Pat Bushnell (PB), Mrs. Phyllis Cram (PCr), Miss B Roper (BR),
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b. Resignation of a councillor Concern was expressed that a Councillor had resigned in what was considered to be unacceptable circumstances. It was proposed by ABr , seconded by VMcG and supported by all present that the Chairman be asked to address the next main Parish Council meeting to state that the Committee believed that the circumstances of the resignation were unacceptable , to acknowledge the services of this Councillor as a valued former member of this committee and to express thanks for the time and effort spent on the behalf of parishioners while acting as a Parish Councillor.
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GL1 |
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Update of the minutes of the last meeting, already signed at main Parish Council meeting as being a correct record. Min 5 i), ii), iii) Appropriate letters have been sent. Min 8c. See below Min 8e. See below Min 8f. See below Min 9. See below
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Declarations of interest – None declared
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Public participation: an opportunity for members of the parish to make a statement. None
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Correspondence i) Several regarding addition of grit bins – see below ii) Cleanliness of car parks – see below iii) FairTrade Villages. A request to signify our new status on the signs at the approaches to Winscombe and Sandford. A letter has been received from the FairTrade Group advising of this new status and being very complimentary about CS as Parish Council representative on the committee, It was proposed by CS that a small sign is placed beneath the name signs at approaches to the villages advising that this is a Fairtrade Parish. No second was received to the proposal and the motion failed. Members preferred simple name signs for the villages without decoration or other wording. Practicalities of installing additional signage at entrances to the Parish such as at Sidcot could also be an issue. iv) Installation of kissing gates. Very many thanks have been received for the installation of these gates.
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Blocked footpaths, overgrowing vegetation, etc. a - Those noted since the last meeting Near Legg Lane AX29/1 and 72 – Two damaged stiles. These are damaged but they are presently not on the correct, definitively-defined, footpath, being onto and back off Legg Lane. NSC are to be asked to remove these two damaged stiles and replace them with a single stile in a position as shown in a diagram below and with additional, correct, signage. b. Claim that AX29/37 and part of AX29/33 (Winscombe Drove be recorded as a Bridleway Somerset County Council, along with North Somerset Council is investigating a claim that the footpaths identified are incorrectly recorded on the Definitive map and has requested information of this Parish Council. GL reported that parishioners living along or near Winscombe Drove were compiling evidence to prove that this had never been considered a Bridleway and that horse riders had been stopped and told of the fact. Also, that parishioners on AX29/33 had told GL that a sign had been on a gate across this footpath for many years indicating that horses were prohibited from using the footpath. The description of the footpath, produced by Mr Dick Dew, for NSC in 1999 included a note that this sign was in position at that time. GL also reported seeing, during the past few days, a sign still in position. A response should be sent to SCC advising that Parish Council minute books are available for inspection in the Parish Office and that GL is compiling evidence gained from parishioners refuting this claim. c. Those reported at this meeting – none. |
LR1
GL2/LR2
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General Environment a. Recycling centre behind Woodborough Inn. An update. Recycle bins have recently been reported to be overflowing as the refuse vehicles have not been able to adhere to the current emptying-schedule due to recent severe snow conditions. b. Parish Rubbish bins - addition at Brown’s Corner. NSC is to be asked to assess if there is space for the re-installation of a floor mounted bin at this location. c. Cleaning and removal of greenery in NSC car parks GL reported that the Payback team had completed, to a very high standard, the task of removing both unwanted greenery and rubbish from two Winscombe car parks. Some confusion existed within NSC as to whether these car parks are litter picked on a regular basis. NSC will litter pick both car parks in future. d. Complimentary letter sent to organiser of ‘pay back team’ re work in car parks GL had sent a letter to those concerned expressing thanks and commending those responsible for completing the tasks. e. Library – appearance GL reported that Mr Andy Risley of NS Library service had explained that the two options were available for the Winscombe Library. The first is for substantial refurbishment; the second is for a rebuild; the preferred option is the latter. The choice is to be made during the next two- three weeks. Mr Risley will keep this Committee informed of any developments. A letter should be sent to Ward Councillors and Mr G Turner advising of the necessity of keeping a library in Winscombe with repairs/refurbishment being very important. f. Replacement blue-plaque received for Toll House . Permission has been granted to replace this plaque. A replacement plaque will be put into position by AF and GL when the weather permits. g. Footways and signage. VMcG Concern was expressed for pedestrians that there are no footways over the bridge on The Lynch. A sign stating this was requested. In discussion about an area that does not have a history of accidents and not wishing to install too many signs around the Parish that motorists take little notice of, it was considered that most vehicles approach the bridge with caution and are thought to be mainly local traffic that is aware of potential hazards. The suggestion was rejected. A number of footways around the Parish are now considered to be in a bad state of repair and a site meeting should be requested with NSC to assess worst affected areas. A large amount of dog fouling appears on the Sandford Road footways and contact should be made with the NSC dog Warden in this regard for guidance. It has been advised by our NSC Area Officer that the zebra crossing on Woodborough Road is to be repainted when ’white-lining’ takes place for road markings in this area.
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LR3
GL3/LR4
GL4/AF1
LR5
LR6
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Risk Assessment Review – Parish Owned Open Spaces and other Assets. The risk assessment circulated with agenda papers to the meeting was accepted by the committee for the next twelve month period. Proposed by GL, seconded by AF, all members were in favour.
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Precept - any further additions/changes. No changes were made to the precept request agreed by this committee in November 2009. As proposals have been made by NSC to reduce the speed limit on A368 Sandford, no inclusion should be made in the forthcoming precept request for a vehicle activated sign. |
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Parish flowers, tubs, seats, etc. All tubs are planted and being cared for by parishioners/local businesses. |
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Road Safety a. Possible addition of grit bins at Winnowing End – due to the close proximity of the access steps to the children’s play area this bin is already in position at the direct request of parishioner to NSC. Due to recent snow and ice conditions, a number of requests have been received from Parishioners for the installation of grit bins. Grit bins may be purchased from NSC at a cost of £114 each and the current practice is that NSC will then fill these bins with salt/grit on a regular basis free of charge to the Parish Council. Following discussion, it was agreed that a request will be submitted to NSC for the installation of grit bins in the following locations: Two bins on Oakridge Lane past the Oakridge Close junction, one bin on Winscombe Hill close to Barton Drove, one bin on Quarry Road close to Hill Road junction, one bin on Mooorham Road on the incline after the split from Oak Road, one bin at the very top of Oakridge Close and one bin to be located in Helens Road/Fieldway. Proposed by CS, seconded by ABr, all members were in favour. GL is to meet with the NSC Area Officer to agree exact locations for the installation of the bins. b. Lack of drop kerbs in Ash Close/Oak Road/Moorham Road area - GL GL had, as instructed by this Committee, inspected the above area and recommended the positioning of dropped kerbs in positions shown on the map below that was agreed by the committee. Details should be forwarded to NSC
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LR7
GL5
LR8 |
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Somerset Walks - it was noted that a Winscombe and Sandford Parish walk, as previously published, is to be promoted/described in the ‘Somerset Life’ newsletter. Details of the walk chosen were not available.
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Problem Lights - failures should be reported immediately, with lamp number, directly to Parish Clerk. VMcG & ABr reported that the light outside 55 The Lynch is again out of action and should be reported to NSC.
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LR9 |
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Information – either points of information or subjects for discussion at next meeting. a. Road safety at the road junction at Hillyfields Way and Woodborough Road should appear as an agenda item for the next committee meeting. b. Signage, as previously requested by this committee has not appeared close to the Nye Road bridge and a reminder should be submitted to NSC of this request.
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LR10
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Next Meeting. Tuesday 2nd March 2010 |
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Meeting Closed: 9.10 pm
Signed ……………………………………….. Environment Committee Chairman Date …………………..
