A MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL
was held Thursday 15th June 2006
Winscombe Community Centre at 7.30 p.m.
Present: Mrs. M Ballard, Mrs. A Brading, Mr. J Bushnell, Mrs. P Cram (vice-chair), Mr. A Forbes,
Mr. G Lloyd, Mr. G Luckett, Ms. D Powell (vice-chair), Miss B Roper, Mr. C Sampson (chairman), Mr. J Westlake, Mrs. P Witter.
Members of the public: four
Police Beat Manager: PC Church
Clerk: Mrs. L Rampton.
Press Representatives: Mr. O Hulme – Cheddar Valley Gazette
Mr. G Jones – freelance reporter
Apologies for absence: Mr. S Bridges, Mr. M Hagen, Mr. J Foster, Mrs. A Harley
23. CHAPLAIN – Mrs. A Brading
(Agenda item 1)
24. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
(Agenda item 3)
Mrs. Ballard declared a personal interest in Agenda item 12. Sandford Stone Site as she lives opposite the site entrance.
With the permission of the Council, the order of the Agenda was varied at this stage to consider Agenda item 9. Declarations of Acceptance of Office.
25. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD 18TH MAY 2006.
(Agenda item 4)
The minutes of the meeting were accepted as a correct record subject to the following:
Min 14, second line – Cleve being amended to read Kilve
Proposed: Mr. J Westlake Seconded: Mr. A Forbes
All in favour
26. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES & CLERKS REPORTS– Annex 1
(Agenda item 5) - none
27. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
(Agenda item 6)
Mr. D Stephens addressed the Council regarding footpaths at Sandford Quarry. This longstanding resident of the Parish walked a circular walk on a regular basis. Incidents of war games being played using BB guns close to footpaths were reported and could be considered a hazard to those not wearing protective clothing.
Members of the public could be deterred from walking the land due to noise created by clay pigeon shooting. Horses could easily be spooked on the bridleway and only minimal warning signs were displayed to advise of this activity.
Mrs. S Sweeting spoke concerning the removal of a Parish Council bench, Quarry Road. Reports were made that a Parishioner had removed this bench and the land then claimed as part of his property curtliage. Mrs. Sweeting requested that the bench be replaced.
The Chairman advised that the bench was removed following another spate of vandalism with the consent of the Environment Committee.
28. CRIME REPORT 18th MAY – 15TH JUNE 2006 – PC Church Annex 2
PC Church direct office no 01934 638123
(Agenda item 7)
PC Church reported on a recent meeting with a North Somerset Council representative concerning a prospective crossing on Woodborough Road close to Dunster Court. A site meeting had taken place and the project looked upon favourably. A feasibility study is to be carried out and possible proposals for funding put to NSC end 2006. The efforts of PC Church were yet again applauded by the Council.
29. TO AUTHORISE BILLS FOR PAYMENT – The Clerk Annex 3
(Agenda item 8)
Business Account Chqs 101802 – 101825 and WMRG Chqs 100232 - 100236 were authorised for payment in addition to reported Direct Debit Payments
Proposed: Mr. A Forbes Seconded: Mrs. P Cram
All in favour.
30. DECLARATIONS OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE
(Agenda item 9)
With the permission of the Council, this item was considered after Agenda item 2
The following declaration of acceptance of office had been signed before the Clerk:
Mr. J Bushnell 19th May 2006
Mr. M Hagen 19th May 2006
Mr. C Sampson, Chairman 26th May 2006
31. TO APPOINT PARISH COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES TO OUTSIDE BODIES
(Agenda item 10)
(i) Nominations for an additional Parish Council Representative, Winscombe Community Association were requested. None were received.
Resolved: Mrs. Cram, President Winscombe Community Association would act as Parish Council Representative and the matter considered further at the September meeting of the Parish Council.
Proposed: Mr. C Sampson Seconded: Mr. G Lloyd
All in favour
Mrs. Cram invited Councillors to attend a meeting of the Association, without commitment – meetings normally take place on 4th Tuesday of each month.
(ii) Mr. M Hagen had expressed a willingness to serve as a Parish Council Chaplain.
Mr. Hagen should be added to the current appointed list of Chaplains
Proposed: Mr. J Westlake Seconded: Mrs. A Brading
All in favour
With the agreement of the Council, the Cheddar Valley Railway Walk Society should be amended to Strawberry Line Heritage Trail Representative.
32. TO APPOINT PARISH COUNCIL COMMITTEE STRUCTURE
(Agenda item 11)
Mrs. Ballard was nominated as the fourth Parish Council Representative to the War Memorial Recreation Ground Committee
Mrs. Ballard was duly elected
Proposed: Mr. J Westlake Seconded: Mrs. A Brading
All in favour
33. SANDFORD STONE SITE, STATION ROAD, SANDFORD – TO DISCUSS MEETING FORMAT
(Agenda item 12)
A discussion ensued as to possible meeting formats with an extra-ordinary meeting of the Parish Council and Public meetings being considered. It was hoped that the Bird Group would listen to views expressed by Parishioners prior to any planning application being made.
Resolved: It should be requested of the Bird Group that a public meeting be held in Sandford, with the Parish Council Chairman officiating. The Bird Group should be invited to submit outline proposals for publication prior to the meeting and then present these ideas to attendees of the public meeting before an open forum takes place.
34. WINSCOMBE WOODBOROUGH COUNTY PRIMARY SCHOOL REPORT – Mrs. P Cram
(Agenda item 13)
Councillors were encouraged to attend the annual school summer fete to be held Saturday 17th June 2006, starting at 2pm.
The P.T.A had recently awarded £200 to each class for an extra outing or special visitor. Years 2 & 3 had a joint visitor, a Community Artist. This combined event was hoped to assist in the transitional period between Infants and Juniors.
Jane Flood, a local storyteller has been into school as part of a Gifted and Talented workshop and Science week will be held from 19th June when an inflatable planetarium will be in school.
35. SANDFORD COUNTY PRIMARY SCHOOL REPORT – Mrs. P Witter
(Agenda item 14)
The annual school summer fete and silent auction is to be held Saturday 17th June 2006, starting at 4pm and Councillors were encouraged to attend after first visiting the Winscombe School fete.
Year 5 & 6 would shortly be departing for their outward bound residential visit at Sandymouth. A theme week is to take place where individual classes will study a given Continent and then move around to other classes to learn about the other Continents. Induction day for new reception class pupils has taken place and year 6 children are shortly to visit Churchill Community School. A writing evening is planned for parents to advise the best way to support their children.
36. TO APPROVE PARISH COUNCIL AND COMMITTEE MEETING SCHEDULE AUG – OCT 2006
FOR INCLUSION IN LOCAL PUBLICATIONS
(Agenda item 15) Annex 4
The meeting schedule was approved for publication in local magazines
Proposed: Mrs. A Brading Seconded: Mr. A Forbes
All in favour
37. RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE Annex 5
(Agenda item 16)
The attention of the Council was drawn to min. 7 regarding the purchase of a new tractor for the WMRG and min. 9 small grant applications.
The minutes of this Committee were ratified and accepted by the Council.
Proposed: Mr. J Westlake Seconded: Mrs. A Brading
All in favour
38. PLAY AREA AND SKATE PARK COMMITTEE REPORT – Mrs. A Brading Annex 6
(Agenda item 17)
Following the monthly play area inspection report carried out by GB Sport & Leisure, further deterioration has occurred and removal of the multiplay unit at the War Memorial Recreation Ground site is now recommended. Councillors carrying out weekly inspections of the sites echo these sentiments along with Committee members. The removal of this major piece of equipment leaves almost no equipment on which to play and 20 grant applications have now been made by the Clerk for the replacement of this play area.
Adverts for the tender of the replacement play area at the War Memorial Recreation Ground should be placed in local papers to comply with Parish Council Standing Orders.
Proposed: Miss B Roper Seconded: Mr. A Forbes
All in favour
The hedge surrounding the Winnowing End play area is to be cut following the bird nesting season in August to assist with grass cutting of this area.
The minutes of this Committee were accepted by the Council.
Proposed: Mr. G Luckett Seconded: Mr. A Forbes
All in favour
39. AWARD LAND COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN’S REPORT – Mr. J Westlake Annex 7
(Agenda item 18)
The location for the siting of the stone to hold the information panel was discussed and the Committee Chairman advised that due to the weight of the stone, this would be very difficult to move again.
Pallets to store artifacts on are now in the Cemetery Garage.
The Clerk should write to Vince Russett, North Somerset Council requesting an appointment following receipt of satellite navigation equipment by NSC to discuss the mapping of the Award Land.
Following discussions with Mr. J Flannigan, NSC Tree Officer, contact has been made by the Clerk with The Forestry Commission regarding maintenance of the land and possible grant funding.
Works have been instructed at a cost of £65 to remove barbed wire from the bridleway fencing. Further quotations should be obtained to remove all barbed wire from this land and guidance sought from the HSE regarding the use of such wire in a public place.
The minutes of this Committee were accepted by the Council.
Proposed: Mrs. A Brading Seconded: Mr. A Forbes
All in favour
40. ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE REPORT – Mr. G Lloyd Annex 8
(Agenda item 19)
Min 13. Parish Guide – Due to the considerable amount of work invested by the Committee in the updated guide and possibly the deletion of the golden cover, the print price per guide had reduced by 25p per copy since the 2000 publication. Pricing of the new guide or free distribution to all are still to be considered by the Committee.
A surplus of £160 for this project from the 2006/07 budget is therefore anticipated.
Min 15. Planned Project, Winscombe Square – The proposed improvement works to tidy this site have been agreed with our NSC Area Officer, Helen MacBean although NSC approved contractors only can be instructed by the Parish Council for Highway works. Of the contractors from this list approached, works were considered too small by many to travel the distance required. Two local approved contractors were approached, one of whom offered a meeting and quotation for the proposed works.
Four options for the central area were originally considered by the Committee, gravel & tarmac were later disregarded by residents of The Square. The contractor recommends block paving in the area to match surrounding, to use kerb stones and cut round signs, poles etc. Flower tub to be placed in the middle of the hard-standing island and new grit bin location to be considered.
A quotation in excess of £1,200 was originally submitted, later re-negotiated to £980 with the removal of secure fastenings for the flower tub.
It was proposed that Ford Bros be instructed to proceed with these works at a cost of £980. Unused monies from the Parish Guide should be viaed to the Winscombe Square project, with remaining funds being allocated from the Parish Enhancement budget
Proposed: Mr. J Bushnell Seconded: Mr. J Westlake
All in favour
The Committee Chairman has attempted to contact the WMRG Committee Secretary regarding issues raised in the WMRG minutes to the May 2006 meeting.
The minutes for this Committee were accepted by the Council.
Proposed: Mr. A Forbes Seconded: Mr. J Westlake
All in favour
41. CEMETERY & ALLOTMENT COMMITTEE REPORT – Ms D Powell Annex 9
(Agenda item 20)
As a quorum of this Committee was not present at the scheduled meeting, but due to the urgent matters to be discussed, a site meeting took place with decisions to be ratified by the Parish Council.
A letter of complaint has been sent to NSC regarding the removal of the hedge without prior consultation. New fencing has now been erected and Harris fencing further protects allotment holders’ crops although the new hedging has yet to be planted.
Min 5 Permission given to Mr. Chandler for tree planting
Proposed: Mr. G Lloyd Seconded: Mrs. A Brading All in favour
Min 7 Storage of items at Cemetery Garage – add ‘normally’ before other organisations
Proposed: Mrs. A Brading Seconded: Mrs. P Witter All in favour
Min 8 Cemetery Conditions – were accepted with 3 amendments
Proposed: Mr. A Forbes Seconded: Mrs. A Brading All in favour
Min 13 Orderly – following a house move to Hutton, traveling expenses have been requested. This request could set a precedent and therefore should ,regrettably be refused.
Proposed: Mrs. A Brading Seconded: Mr. G Lloyd All in favour
Due to outstanding/ongoing matters, it was requested that Committee members stayed behind after the Parish Council meeting to arrange a convenient Committee meeting.
42. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
(Agenda item 21)
Urgent business – computer failure at Parish Office
The computer used as back-up support and for financial works by the Finance Assistant has now failed. Works to rectify the power supply fault are estimated at £100. The computer is approx 7/8 years old. A new PC can be purchased, basic software installed for under £400.
A new computer should be purchased with immediate effect
Proposed: Miss B Roper Seconded: Mrs. P Cram
All in favour
Strawberry Line Barriers – tried and tested barriers are currently being installed at Strawberry Line Heritage Walk Access points. Ilex Lane is now considered to be a restricted byway meaning that this may be used by all, other than motorized vehicles.
Speedwatch – All Councillors were encouraged to take part in this Community Service. Regrettably during peak school delivery times, vehicles had been recorded at 50mph at Winscombe bridge and GAB in Sandford.
War Memorial Recreation Ground – Margaret Ballard had visited the Recreation Ground during the recent annual football exchange with Wolkersdorf, Germany. The exchange was a huge success and the Recreation Ground was considered to be extremely well used. The goal posts installed this year by the Parish Council were reported as being used by players young and not so young! Goal positions have been changed to summertime locations (backing onto Winscombe AFC first pitch).
A368 Greenhill Road – closure of this road will now take place for one day only on Saturday 17th June 2006. Information was gained by telephoning NSC Highway Dept.
A38 Shute Shelve – Sidcot traffic lights
This road will be light controlled for 3 weeks with effect 19th June 2006 for resurfacing works. Works to take place between 9.00 – 15.30 week-days only. Notification was received by the Parish Office from two Councillors resident close to the effected works.
It was considered that the use of diversion routes such as Winscombe Hill added to the deterioration of rural roads and that NSC should consider the repair of these rural roads within the budget costs for carriageway improvements.
Knightstone Housing – Homebuy Fund
The closing date for applications to this fund was 31st May 2006. 15 application forms were issued by Knightstone with 4 completed returns being received by the closure date. Two applications were from families, one from a couple and one from a single person (three applications from people living in Winscombe and one in Sandford).
It will not be possible to fund all applications and therefore NSC will be asked for advice to prioritise according to the Council’s Housing Needs Register.
Knightstone will let us know when the final decision has been reached about who will be allocated funding – general information only, no names and addresses to be divulged.
The meeting concluded at 9.03 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.