A MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL
was held Thursday 15th April 2010, Sandford Village Hall at 7.30 p.m.
Present: Mrs. A Brading, Mr. S Bridges, Mrs. P Cram, Mr. A Forbes (Chairman), Mr. G Lloyd, Mr. G Luckett, Mrs V McGann, Ms. D Powell (Vice-Chair), Mrs A Richmond, Dr G Rider, Miss B Roper,
Mr. C Sampson (Vice-Chair), Mr J Westlake, Mr M Williamson.
Ward Councillors: Mr A Lake
NSC Liaison Officer: Mr J Foster
Police: PCSO Wright
Clerk: Mrs. L Rampton
Press Representatives: Ms P Chambers, NS Mercury & Mr G Jones, freelance reporter
Members of the public: Six
Apologies for absence: Mrs P Bushnell, Mr T Marter
184. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST (Agenda item 2)
A personal & prejudicial interest was declared by Mr Forbes in agenda item 11 and any other agenda item should reference be made to the Hinkley Point C Connection project as a land owner on one proposed route for new power lines.
Mrs McGann declared a personal & prejudicial interest in agenda item 12, Provision of Affordable Housing Update due to a family member being employed by Summerfield Developments. This same interest was also declared for agenda items 3, 4 & 6 should any matters relating to this interest arise from the previous Council meeting minutes or public participation.
185. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD 18TH MARCH 2010
(Agenda item 3)
The minutes to the meeting were approved & signed as a correct record.
Proposed: Mrs A Brading Seconded: Mrs P Cram
All members present at the last meeting were in favour.
186. MINUTE UPDATE FROM THE MARCH MINUTES AND APRIL CLERK’S REPORT Annex 1 (Agenda item 4)
Min 183 The NHS PCT report has now been circulated to Councillors.
Clerks Report – An amendment was made to a heading concerning recycling and NSC have advised that the recycling centre at the Recreation Ground has been removed due to the low tonnage of items deposited at the centre.
187. CRIME REPORT 19TH MARCH – 15TH APRIL 2010– Annex 2 (Agenda item 5) Direct office no 01934 638123. Weekly Beat Surgery Tuesday 10 am – 1 pm
The crime report was given at minute 190 as PCSO Wright arrived during the meeting after attending to a local incident.
188. RESPONSE TO MATTERS RAISED DURING PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AT THE PREVIOUS PARISH COUNCIL MEETING (Agenda item 6)
Due to a previously declared personal and prejudicial interest, Mrs McGann left the meeting.
Councillor Rider advised that he has since spoken to the parishioner that raised concerns at the last parish council meeting regarding affordable housing for the Parish and then spoke in favour of affordable housing for the parish where a need is proven adequately and robustly.
189. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION (Agenda item 7)
The Chairman reminded members of the public present that this would be the only opportunity within the meeting to address members of the Council and is not a session for debate.
The Chairman suspended the meeting to allow members of the public to address the Council.
A Sandford resident hoped that future objectors to sites for affordable housing could be constructive and offer alternative sites.
The Chairman reconvened the meeting.
Mrs McGann returned to the meeting.
190. TO SET COMMUNITY POLICING PRIORITIES FOR THE PERIOD TO 20TH MAY 2010(Agenda item 8)
PCSO Wright advised those present at the meeting that the public may have a say in setting Policing Priorities through comments made during public participation. Whilst the number of calls made to the police for this period has increased from 41 to 47, actual crime recorded has decreased by 42%.
Details of a charity cycle event to take place on Friday 28th May 2010 were relayed to the meeting with volunteers to collect donations along the route being requested along with use of village halls for refreshments.
It was reported that ‘unofficial trimming’ of vegetation and trees along the Strawberry Line is taking place with NSC and police being involved in dealing with those identified. Damage has been caused to the newly installed matting at the Sandford play area by arson.
Priorities set for the last month were detailed to the meeting. Local Police Priorities for the period to the next scheduled Parish Council meeting were considered by members present and it was clarified that priorities are not listed in order of importance:
1. Speeding traffic with particular attention to Station Road, Greenhill Road and Sandford Road
2. Parking issues especially on Woodborough Road and Sandford Road
3. Visible patrol in the Parish
4. Anti-social youth behaviour and ‘pruning of vegetation’ at the recreation ground and on the Strawberry Line after 11pm and week-ends along with anti-social behaviour at the parish cemetery
5. Parking of vehicles on footways with particular attention to Sandford.
.
191. WARD COUNCILLOR & NSC PARISH LIAISON OFFICER UPDATE (Agenda item 9)
It was advised that once the new system for recycling is fully operational in this parish in September 2010, pressure on the current parish recycle centres will reduce but in the meantime Ward Councillors are trying to secure additional banks for the Woodborough Drive recycle centre.
It was confirmed that Ward Councillors are included in the invitation for Parish Council and community involvement in the forthcoming police charity cycling event and Councillor Lake is to make enquiries for the availability of Sandford Village Hall for this date.
Mr Foster advised on changes to take to the waste collection service from bank holiday Monday 3rd May and of reduced costs for the installation of Care Link, a NSC monitored alarm service for those less able bodied.
Councillor McGann advised of concerns reported to NSC for wheely bins or recycle containers straying onto the highways following collection.
192. TO AUTHORISE BILLS FOR PAYMENT. Annex 3 (Agenda item 10)
Cheques 102979 – 103008 and direct debits payments detailed were authorised for payment
Proposed: Mrs A Brading Seconded: Mrs P Cram All in favour.
193. UPDATE ON NATIONAL GRID HINKLEY C CONNECTION – Councillors Bridges, Luckett & Williamson (Agenda item 11)
Due to a previously declared personal and prejudicial interest in this agenda item, Mr Forbes left the room and Vice-Chairman Mr Sampson took the Chair.
No meeting of local action groups opposing National Grid proposals for overhead pylons has taken place since the last Parish Council meeting report but due to pressure placed on National Grid by local communities and the Mendip Hills AONB Service, figures are to be supplied for alternative underground/underwater options. It was still thought that the majority of Parishioners are unaware of the impact that National Grid proposals for additional/increased size pylons will have on the landscape or property values in this Parish. A public meeting is to be arranged by concerned Parishioners and leaflets advising of this are to be delivered to each household in the Parish.
Mr Forbes returned to the meeting and resumed the Chair.
194. UPDATE ON THE PROVISION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR THE PARISH (Agenda item 12)
Due to a previously declared personal & prejudicial interest, Mrs McGann left the room.
Whilst no progress has been made in the identification of a site for affordable housing in this Parish, the meeting was advised of an email from the Housing and Planning Minister concerning possible changes to criteria allowing Parish Councils to permit permission for small scale affordable housing developments without Planning Authority approval.
Mrs McGann returned to the meeting.
195. TO CO-OPT COUNCILLOR RIDER TO PARISH COUNCIL COMMITTEES (Agenda item 13)
Councillor Rider wished to be considered as a member of the Parish Council Affordable Housing Working Party, Employment & Policies Committee, Finance Committee and Planning Committee and the following votes were recorded:
|
Committee |
Proposed |
Seconded |
Vote |
|
Employment & Policies |
Mr M Williamson |
Mr G Lloyd |
All in favour |
|
Finance |
Mr C Sampson |
Mr S Bridges |
All in favour |
|
Planning |
Mr A Forbes |
Mrs A Richmond |
All in favour |
Affordable Housing Working Party Proposed: Mr M Williamson Seconded: Mr A Forbes
6 in favour, 6 against, 2 abstentions. The casting vote of the Chairman was in favour and Councillor Rider was duly co-opted.
196. TOWN AND PARISH CHARTER – DRAFT FOR CONSULTATION Annex 4(Agenda item 14)
A consultation document has been produced for comment until 31st May 2010 that was considered by Councillors with the following items highlighted by both Councillors and Officers:
· Power to promote wellbeing.
· Concern for IT training when some libraries are closing.
· The future benefits of Quality Council status.
· Transfer of additional services.
· Parish Planning
· Planning applications and the need to reduce paper copies.
· An 8 week response to NSC consultations
· Procurement. As detailed would seem beneficial to the Parish Council.
· An invitation could be extended to the Charter Working Group to give a presentation to the Parish Council at a later date.
197. REPORT ON VOLUNTARY SECTOR FORUM MEETING HELD 31ST MARCH 2010 – Mr C Sampson (Agenda item 15)
A report of the meeting was given including details of a ‘star’ system for satisfactory performance and plans to amalgamate audit authorities. Further details of the meeting are available from the Parish Office
198. AWARD LAND COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN’S REPORT Annex 5 – Mr J Westlake (Agenda item 16)
No further tree cutting is to take place due to the ‘bird nesting’ season and digital mapping of the Award land is to be considered by Committee members.
199. UPDATE ON CEMETERY & ALLOTMENT COMMITTEE – FACULTY APPLICATION FOR THE LEVELLING OF GRAVES AT THE ILEX LANE CEMETERY – Mr M Williamson (Agenda item 17)
Since grant of a faculty to level some graves, last known owners of the ‘exclusive right of burial’ in those graves have been written to on two occasions advising of proposed works. One relative of an affected grave has objected to the proposed works to his mother’s grave and it has been agreed that works to level this grave will not take place without his consent.
Agreed works by Western Power appointed contractors are to take place in the next few weeks with the small wall and commemoration tablet to be installed shortly after this date.
200. REPORT ON EMPLOYMENT & POLICIES COMMITTEE MEETING HELD 12TH APRIL 2010 Annex 6 – Mr S Bridges (Agenda item 18)
The minutes for the Employment & Policies Committee from the meeting dated 1st March 2010 were approved and signed as a correct record.
Proposed: Mr C Sampson Seconded: Mr A Forbes
All Committee members present were in favour
The decisions of the Committee were recommended for action by the Parish Council.
Proposed: Miss B Roper Seconded: Mrs A Brading All in favour.
201. UPDATE FOR ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE – Mr G Lloyd (Agenda item 19)
I) To Consider A Request from a Parishioner to move a Parish Street Light at their expense (Column C1 The Green) Consent from the closest neighbour to the lamp post and NSC has been sought.
Permission is granted to the Parishioner requesting to move Column C2 on The Green at their own expense subject to consent being received from owners of Gable House, NSC. and the street light being left in good working order following any movement.
Proposed: Mr G Lloyd Seconded: Mrs V McGann All in favour
Ii) To Consider Installation of a Hand Rail Outside The Post Office to Assist Elderly and Disabled Parishioners and to agree associated expenditure of Ł100 incl Vat.
It was advised that the Post Office will add the rail to their insurance and take over future responsibility for the rail installed on their property. Written confirmation of this should be received by the Parish Council prior to issuing instruction for the installation of the rail.
White marking lines to the centre of Woodborough Road still require repainting and should be reported to NSC.
202. UPDATE ON PLAY AREA & SKATE PARK COMMITTEE - NSC PLAYBUILDER PROJECT– Mrs A Brading (Agenda item 20)
Equipment as provided by NSC has been installed at the Recreation Ground and works are nearing completion at the Sandford Play Area. Issues to consider at the next committee meeting include increased insurance cover including possible premiums for alternative amounts. Concern was expressed for the wooden picnic benches to be installed at the expense of the Play Builder project.
A report was made of arson to a bin at the recreation ground and Mr Foster was asked to enquire as to the possibility of obtaining 2 no. redundant bins formerly placed along Weston sea front for the skate park and car park area.
203. MATTERS FOR INFORMATION (Agenda item 21)
· It was advised that minutes to the PCT Rurals Group are now issued promptly and that discussions regarding the concerns for the future of the Churchill practice used by many of our Parishioners are taking place.
· It is pleasing to see that many pot holes in the central Weston area have now been filled and it is hoped that works will now filter out to the surrounding parishes.
· It was reported that music is being played in Shipham Lane during some evenings.
· Urgent repairs to the WMRG tractor are required that will be considered by the finance committee at their next meeting.
· A reminder was issued to all Councillors of the annual meeting of the Parish on 29th April 2010
With no further business, the meeting concluded at 8.50 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.