A MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL
was held Thursday 15th March 2007
Winscombe Community Centre at 7.30 p.m.
Present: Mrs. M Ballard, Mrs. A Brading, Mr. S Bridges, Mrs. P Cram (vice-chair), Mr. A Forbes,
Mr. G Lloyd, Mr. G Luckett, Ms. D Powell (vice-chair), Miss B Roper, Mr. J Westlake,
Mrs. P Witter.
Ward Councillor: Mrs. A Harley
Members of the public: eight
NSC Parish Liaison Officer: Mr. J Foster
Police: P.C.Church, Beat Manager, PCSO Wright
Guest Speaker: Mr A Smith, English Rural Housing Association
Clerk: Mrs. L Rampton
Press Representatives: Mr G Jones – Freelance Reporter
Mr. M Mistry – Weston & Somerset Mercury
Apologies for absence: Mr. R Jones, Mr. C Sampson (chairman).
In the absence of the Chairman, Mrs Cram (vice-chairman) took the chair.
159 CHAPLAIN – Mrs. M Ballard
(Agenda item 1)
160. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST - none declared
(Agenda item 3)
161. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD 15TH FEBRUARY 2007.
(Agenda item 4)
The minutes of the meeting were accepted and signed as a correct record with the addition of the following statement being inserted in min 150 – St Monica Trust Planning Application.
“of those attending the public consultation, returning completed questionnaires or attending another Sandford meeting, the majority of Parishioners were in favour of the proposed development with reservations.”
Proposed: Mr A Forbes Seconded: Mrs. A Brading
All in favour
162. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES & CLERKS REPORTS– Annex 1
(Agenda item 5)
Min 152 Parish Plan – Community Action had advised at a recent training event that the issuing of a flyer prior to a launch meeting is not always effective.
Clerks Report, Dog Control Orders – Although the entire War Memorial Recreation Ground had been included within the new legislation, it was hoped that the discretion of the enforcing officer was used if encountering persons walking dogs across the car park onto/from the Strawberry Line Walk. NSC Strawberry Line Heritage Trail had contributed towards the resurface of the car park in 2006.
Clerks Report Annex 1 Strawberry Line Management Comm Min 4 – a time schedule for completion of these works was requested. The Clerk was asked to contact the project officer for clarification.
163. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION -
(Agenda item 6)
Woodborough Drive Parking Problems – Mrs J Prescott
Mrs Prescott reminded Councillors of the inconsiderate parking that causes severe inconvenience to local residents – a matter that has been raised over a number of years. A letter has been sent to Ward Councillor Harley, copied to all Parish Councillors outlining Mrs Prescott’s major concerns.
Amongst the actions requested by Mrs Prescott and neighbours is the introduction of yellow parking restriction lines on what they consider to be the busiest section of the village along with the re-routing of Churchill School buses to an alternative route and the pedestrian waiting area at the Brown’s Corner bus stop to be incorporated into the car park as additional parking bays.
Mrs Prescott was advised by Ward Cllr Harley that due to the decriminalisation of Parking Act, new parking restrictions will not be investigated by NSC until 2008 and that inconsiderate parking was not due to lack of space in official car parks.
The Chair advised that this matter would be investigated by the relevant Committee.
Banwell & Winscombe Children’s Centre – Ward Councillor Harley
The Parish Council was advised that future funds will not be requested of the Parish Council and that the name of Banwell & Winscombe Children’s Centre can not be amended due to funding being obtained using data from the Banwell & Winscombe area.
164. CRIME REPORT 15TH FEB – 15TH MARCH 2007 – PC CHURCH Annex 2
Direct office no 01934 638123
(Agenda item 7)
The current problem with local Youth causing disruption on a Friday evening in Winscombe is being exasperated by youth from outside the Parish. Children as young as 13/14 are consuming alcohol and one local store, at the request of the Police, has now adopted a policy of requesting ID before selling alcohol to anyone considered to be under 25. The Police Town Centre anti-violence vehicle has been dispatched to this Parish on more than one occasion recently and parents are requested to take responsibility for the whereabouts of their children.
New issues of concern in this Parish are 1.) ‘bogus charity collectors’ currently collecting, supposedly for Comic Relief 2.) the ‘distraction burglary scam’ with bogus water board officials. PC Church is to supply the Clerk with crime sheets identifying these risks for display on Parish Council notice boards.
165. AFFORDABLE HOUSING – Mr. A Smith, Strategic Development Manager, English Rural Housing Association
(Agenda item 8)
Mr Smith outlined details of the “build” affordable housing scheme. English Rural Housing Association (ERHA) is currently involved with a build scheme of 10 new homes in Churchill and has previously been involved in the implementation of affordable housing at Winford & Cleeve.
Building a development of affordable housing within rural areas provides homes within the villages for those who cannot afford to buy a property on the open market by allowing them to rent or purchase on a shared ownership basis. ERHA works in partnership with Parish Councils to identify housing needs for the area by carrying out a survey, advertising this within local publications and providing a summarised report of survey responses. North Somerset Council would be invited to participate within the project at this stage and a suitable small piece of land sought on the edge of the settlement boundary. An acceptable design to NSC Planners and the Parish Council for the development would be prepared by ERHA and a consultation event for the Parish held locally. Concerns of residents and the Parish Council would be accepted and should it be necessary, alternative site locations considered – the project should have overall community support. Planning Approval would be obtained and the houses built before those that registered an interest at the outset are sent application packs. The Parish Council would be asked to verify applicant’s connection to the Parish on initial sale, re-let or resale of the homes to ensure a local connection is kept. It was confirmed that approximately 10 houses could be built on a one acre site and that these schemes are usually oversubscribed three times.
166. TO AUTHORISE BILLS FOR PAYMENT – The Clerk Annex 3
(Agenda item 9)
Proposed: Mr. G Lloyd Seconded: Miss B Roper
All in favour.
167. WINSCOMBE WOODBOROUGH COUNTY PRIMARY SCHOOL REPORT – Mrs. P Cram
(Agenda item 10)
The school has taken part in two swimming galas – one at Churchill where the relay race was won and the second at Sidcot. Pupils have attended a ‘rabbit week-end’ at Langford, some with their pet rabbits and were offered advice as to their care. Competitions were entered and won at Langford with the greatest success being in the poetry section where 1st, 2nd & 3rd prize were won by school pupils. A wind-turbine project is being undertaken and Year 6 pupils have explored traditional tales with discussion and a re-write - Gold-E-Locks lives happily ever after with 240 hours of community service!
168. SANDFORD COUNTY PRIMARY SCHOOL REPORT – Mrs. P Witter
(Agenda item 11)
A successful parents evening event has taken place for both key stages. An array of 1st and 2nd place medals has been won at the Churchill Community School cluster swimming gala.
£1 is being requested of pupils as their contribution to not wear school uniform on Comic Relief Red Nose Day, 16th March 2007.
It was advised the PCSO Wright had contacted the school twice offering to visit and talk to the pupils on policing matters with no response currently being received from the school. Mrs Witter offered to investigate.
169. CONSULTATION ON AMENDMENTS TO THE MODEL CODE OF CONDUCT FOR LOCAL AUTHORITY MEMBERS Annex 4
(Agenda item 12)
The amendments to the code of conduct were discussed by the Parish Council and the addition of the ‘public service interest’ considered an improvement. No comments/responses were thought necessary to send to the Directorate at Communities and Local Government.
170. HORSEWATCH SCHEME – Mr S Bridges Annex 5
(Agenda item 13)
Due to theft of horses & horse tack in this area, police are trying to deter such crime by starting a ‘Horsewatch Scheme’ that encourages the marking of equipment and the setting up of a network of contacts to pass on information and intelligence within the community. Money is needed to produce pamphlets and leaflets promoting the scheme with some successful sponsorship already having been obtained. A lively discussion ensued that suggested a precedent could be set if a financial contribution was made towards the scheme. The Parish Council does not directly contribute to the local Neighbourhood Watch scheme.
Proposed: that a financial contribution is made towards the setting up of the Horse Watch Scheme within this Parish.
Proposed: Mr S Bridges No second received
Motion not carried
171. PARISH PLAN REPORT – Mr. S Bridges Annex 6
(Agenda item 14)
A draft flyer has been produced as agreed by this Parish Council to gain support/interest in a Parish Plan. It was reported that current grant monies through Community Action have already been allocated with further grant funding not being available until June/July 2007. Mr Bridges offered to investigate grant allocation procedures especially regarding the implementation and instruction of initial costs and the implications of not continuing with a plan should the response from the Parish not be favourable. Parish Plan workshops run by Community Action are to be repeated later this year, the initial leaflet should be professionally produced and questionnaires not distributed in rural areas over winter months. The method of distribution would need further consideration.
Due to the possible election of a new Parish Council in May 2007 and lack of grant funding, no decision was made to progress with this scheme.
Proposed: The submitted flyer is accepted as a working document that is to be progressed over the coming months and then passed to the new Parish Council for consideration.
Proposed: Mr S Bridges Seconded: Mr G Lloyd
9 in favour, 1 against
172. OFFICE EQUIPMENT – LASER PRINTER PURCHASE
(Agenda item 15)
Following a number of years use, the Parish Office laser printer now needs repairs to the fuser and feeder rollers with repair costs expected to exceed £150. A number of alternative new printers to purchase were considered by the Parish Council and a fairly heavy duty printer with lower page production costs was thought necessary for the office from the options presented.
Proposed: The Clerk should proceed with the purchase of a new laser printer for the Parish Office at her discretion, cost not exceeding £500 with comparable cost per page production rates.
Proposed: Mrs A Brading Seconded: Mr G Luckett
All in favour
173. BANWELL & WINSCOMBE CHILDREN’S CENTRE
(Agenda item 16)
Councillor Luckett reported on the recent meeting held in Banwell on 8th March 2007. Councillors were advised that drawings shown to this Parish Council for the centre have now been finalised, largely unchanged and are to be submitted for planning approval. Existing bus services are considered adequate and it is hoped that there will be “outreach” between the youth of Banwell and this Parish. Representatives of Winscombe Nursery School have attended meetings of the Partnership and Winscombe Primary School has asked to be kept informed with the progress of this project although no response has been received from Sandford Primary School. Works are expected to commence in August 2007 with the Centre opening early 2008 – the expected budget for this scheme is £250,000 with fundraising concerts being held to provide additional equipment.
During the day, the centre will provide for the needs of 800 children aged 5 and under and will be used by the appropriate carer staff. The Banwell & Winscombe doctors’ surgery have been consulted and fully support this scheme. Children living in Banwell, Winscombe & Sandford will be referred to this centre. In the evening, the centre will be used as a youth club with many of the services to be provided based on the ideas of the local youth.
Certain criteria has to be met to allocate the position of a centre that includes economic depredation. At this current time Winscombe & Sandford Parish does not meet this criteria and therefore the possibility of locating the centre in this Parish is not possible.
Councillor Roper expressed her concern at the lack of initial involvement of this Parish Council and considered that the Parish Council has been informed rather than consulted with on this project. Although no funding has been requested at the outset to the project, the possibility remains for a request to contribute to the ongoing running costs of the centre as no future Government funding has yet been secured.
Parish Liaison Officer, Mr Foster again apologised on behalf of North Somerset Council for the manner in which this Council was not informed of this project from the outset. It was advised that all local authorities are involved in this initiative with funding being provided from central Government and that this project should be judged on its merits. Should continued central Government funding be withdrawn, this matter would be pursued by North Somerset Council. The concept of Children’s Centres replaces the ‘sure-start scheme’ for early development and progresses on this plan.
It was considered that the children of this Parish will benefit from the centre and that all children shouldn’t be deprived of this opportunity.
Proposed: Winscombe & Sandford Parish Council disassociates itself with immediate effect from all connection with the project called ‘The Banwell & Winscombe Children’s Centre’ and requires that any mention of the Council be removed from all documentation and plans relating to this project.
Proposed: Miss B Roper No second received Motion not carried.
174. MAY FAIR ON THE GREEN, SATURDAY 12TH MAY 2007
(Agenda item 17)
Resolved: That the Parish Council participate in the Millennium Green Fair by holding a stall at this event on 12th May 2007.
Proposed: Mr S Bridges Seconded: Mrs M Ballard
Volunteers will be needed to man the stall.
Mr Westlake and Mr. S Bridges, if elected at the possible forthcoming Parish Council election will organise the stall and collect all relevant information/equipment from Mr. G Lloyd.
175. CHURCHES TOGETHER IN WINSCOMBE
GOOD FRIDAY WALK & SERVICE ON THE VILLAGE GREEN – 6TH APRIL 2007
(Agenda item 18)
The Churches Together Committee are permitted to hold their annual Good Friday Service on the village green in front of the Woodborough Inn on Friday 6th April 2007.
Proposed: Mrs A Brading Seconded: Mr G Lloyd
All in favour
Members of the Press, Public and Cllr Harley left the meeting at 9.00 pm
176. CO-OPTION OF A COUNCILLOR ON TO PARISH COUNCIL COMMITTEES
(Agenda item 19)
Parish Councillor Roy Jones was co-opted onto the Planning, Environment and Award Land Committees with his consent.
Proposed: Mr S Bridges Seconded: Miss B Roper
All in favour
177. WAR MEMORIAL RECREATION GROUND COMMITTEE REPORT – Mr A Forbes Annex 7
(Agenda item 20)
a.) Amendment to Constitution of the War Memorial Recreation Ground Committee
The proposed amendments to the constitution were accepted by the Parish Council with 3 minor changes to the proposal submitted by the Committee.
Proposed: Mrs A Brading Seconded: Mr A Forbes
All in favour
The minutes of the Committee were discussed by the Parish Council
178. PLAY AREA & SKATE PARK COMMITTEE REPORT – Mrs. A Brading Annex 8
(Agenda item 21)
The proposals of the Play Area & Skate Park Committee Report were considered and recommended for action by the Parish Council.
Proposed: Mr. A Forbes Seconded: Mr. G Luckett
All in favour
The swing set removed by contractors at the War Memorial Recreation Ground in error is to be replaced with a 4 flat seat swing set free of charge with new wet-pour safety surfacing beneath.
The Clerk was requested to send a letter of thanks to Mr M Smith for allowing the use of his yard to store play area equipment prior to installation at the War Memorial Recreation Ground and also to Ford Bros for the use of their fork-lift truck at short notice to remove the Kyle shelter from the delivery lorry. Mr Bridges was thanked by Committee members for arranging this.
179. ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE REPORT – Mr. G Lloyd Annex 9
(Agenda item 22)
The minutes for the Environment Committee from the meeting dated 6th March 2007 were approved and signed as a correct record by the Committee Chairman.
Proposed: Mr. S Bridges Seconded: Miss B Roper
All Committee members present were in favour
The decisions of the Committee were considered and recommended for action by the Parish Council.
Proposed: Mrs. A Brading Seconded: Mr. G Lloyd
All in favour
Mr Bridges advised that as instructed by the Committee, he has driven around all roads in the Parish and a report of roads and footways requiring attention passed on to the NSC Area Officer for this Parish.
180. AWARD LAND COMMITTEE REPORT – Mr. J Westlake Annex 10
(Agenda item 23)
It was reported that Mr V Russett now has funding through NSC for the necessary equipment to record the land and this will be carried out before the summer.
To date, High Action have not responded to the request to remove barbed wire from a boundary gate on the Award Land, a final letter will be issued from the Parish Office before this work is carried out on instruction of the Parish Council.
181. CEMETERY & ALLOTMENT COMMITTEE REPORT – Ms D Powell Annex 11
(Agenda item 24)
The attention of the Parish Council was drawn to the recommendation of a new condition for the Parish Cemetery and subsequent actions.
The proposals of the Cemetery & Allotment Committee Report were considered and recommended for action by the Parish Council.
Proposed: Ms D Powell Seconded: Mr. G Luckett
All in favour
Councillors were advised that allotment plot no 1 is currently a fallow plot and has been for a number of years. This has previously been considered too shady to cultivate successfully due to the close proximity of the boundary hedge. Following the removal of the old hedge and replanting of a natural hedge, the Cemetery Orderly has volunteered to attempt to return allotment plot 1 to a cultivated state. This may be in the form of a narrow half plot rather than a full plot – measurements currently being investigated by Mr Luckett.
It was proposed that the Cemetery Orderly be requested to attempt to cultivate allotment plot no 1 and, if successful, the tenancy of this plot should be offered to the Orderly.
Proposed: Ms D Powell Seconded: Mr J Westlake
All in favour
182. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
(Agenda item 25)
Payment method of Precept – A letter has been received from NSC advising that payment of the forthcoming precept in April 2007 may be made directly into the Parish Council bank account via BACS. NSC should be advised that the Parish Council wish to receive payment by this method.
Primary Care Trust – Miss Roper reported on a recent meeting of the Primary Care Trust where it was considered that that the PCT did not look at proposals from a rural point of view. The PCT would now like to use bodies such as the Parish Council for consultation purposes and a regular item should appear on the agenda for these purposes.
It was proposed by Mr Bridges, seconded by Mr Forbes, all in favour that Miss Roper be authorised to represent the Parish Council at future meetings of the PCT until May 2007 when representatives to outside bodies would be appointed by the new Parish Council.
Nomination Papers for Parish Council Elections May 2007 – nomination papers have now been received at the Parish Office for submission to North Somerset Council by noon on 4th April 2007.
Parish Assembly – PCSO Wright and PC Church should be invited to speak at the Parish Assembly to be held on 12th April 2007 on the role of the PCSO within this Parish and also other local policing matters.
Towerhead B.O.A.T Public enquiry – it was reported, although not yet confirmed that the enquiry will be held in Sandford on 24th May 2007.
With no further business, the meeting concluded at 9.40 pm
Signed................................................................... (Chairman)
Date.......................................................................
Winscombe and Sandford Parish Council acknowledges the general duty placed upon it by the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000. The Council will continue within its functions and policies to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, promote equality of opportunity and promote racial equality of different racial groups.