A MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL

was held Thursday 15^th November 2007

Winscombe Community Centre at 7.30 p.m.

Present:      Mrs. A Brading, Mr. S Bridges, Mrs P Bushnell, Mrs. P Cram (Vice-Chair), Mr. A Forbes,

Mr. R Jones, Mr. G Lloyd, Mr. G Luckett, Mrs V McGann, Ms. D Powell (Vice-Chair), Mrs A Richmond,

Miss B Roper, Mr. C Sampson (Chairman), Mr. J Westlake, Mr M Williamson.

Ward Councillors:                             None

NSC Parish Liaison Officer:                        Mr J Foster

Members of the public:                 Mr D Shopland, Chair of NSC and two others

Police:                                             PCSO Wright

Clerk:                                               Mrs. L Rampton

Press Representatives:               Mr G Jones – freelance reporter

Ms S Pope – North Somerset Mercury

Apologies for absence:                 Ward Councillors Mrs A Harley & Mr T Marter

103.     DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST (Agenda item 3) - none

104.     APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD 18^TH OCTOBER 2007.

(Agenda item 4)

With the word ’of’ being removed first line minute 85, the minutes were approved as a correct record for the meeting.

Proposed:      Mr M Williamson                   Seconded:     Mr A Forbes All in favour

105.     MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES & CLERKS REPORTS– Annex 1(Agenda item 5)

Clerks Report

Mr Westlake asked for clarification on matters relating to the Traffic Regulation Order reported for Nye Road. Details of this order are currently displayed on the Sandford notice board.

Mr Williamson requested that a review be made of current Parish Office opening arrangements during school holiday periods and this should be considered as a future agenda item.

106.     PUBLIC PARTICIPATION (Agenda item 6)

            Councillor David Shopland, Chairman of North Somerset Council addressed the Council after commenting on the appearance of ‘public participation’ as an agenda item within a Parish Council meeting. Cllr Shopland spoke on the influence that Parish Councils play in relation to the planning system with local knowledge and also on the ability to set unlimited precept levels for the benefit of the Parish.  Cllr Shopland offered future assistance to this Parish Council as Chair of NSC.

Responses received to questions asked of Cllr Shopland:

If response not received to repeated letters sent to NSC, write to the Chief Executive asking why?

Responsibility is to our Parishioners regarding precept levels.

Staff turnover within NSC is comparable with other local authorities nationally at 8-10% p.a.

Duties are being passed down from Government to unitary and district councils without additional funding.

107. CRIME REPORT 18^TH OCTOBER – 15^TH NOVEMBER 2007– PCSO Wright Annex 2

(Agenda item 7) Direct office no 01934 638123

PCSO is still visiting and talking to community groups and the Sandford Primary School children will be taking part in ‘speed watch’ using the gun to register speed. The list of police priorities appended to the minutes is not in priority order. A debate ensued regarding parking on yellow lines throughout the parish versus speeding traffic when these obstacles are removed. People working in Winscombe and parking all day in the often full car parks should be encouraged to use the Recreation Ground car park as this has plenty of space during the day.

108.     WARD COUNCILLOR UPDATE & NSC PARISH LIAISON OFFICER UPDATE  (Agenda item 8)

            Mr Foster spoke on the subject of financial reductions of 10% over the next 2 year period for NSC with a spending review taking place. There will be a reduction in services across the county. A detailed paper of preferred options will be submitted to Executive Officers on 11^th December and a further update will be given by Mr Foster at the January Parish Council meeting. North Somerset is the fourth worst funded authority by Government despite an above average elderly population that is increasing and a large percentage of young people for which education is a high cost.

109.     TO AUTHORISE BILLS FOR PAYMENT – The Clerk Annex 3

(Agenda item 9)

Cheques 102251 – 102277 were authorised for payment

Proposed:      Mr G Luckett             Seconded:     Mr J Westlake                      All in favour.

110.     WINSCOMBE WOODBOROUGH COUNTY PRIMARY SCHOOL REPORT -  Mrs P Cram

(Agenda item 10)

One teacher has been made redundant resulting in two classes having 36 children in each. The bonfire event was very successful and a group of children representing the school came second in the Rotary ‘Youth Speaks’ public speaking competition. It is hoped that the £20,000 cost of the planned wind turbine will largely be met from grant funding and could save the school £500 per annum in electricity costs – it was commented upon that the savings created by turbine would take a significant amount of time to recoup expenditure. Pupils will be supporting the BBC ‘Children in Need’ fundraising event by selling cakes and paying to wear spotty clothes.

111.     SANDFORD PRIMARY SCHOOL REPORT (Agenda item 11)

Mrs Witter, Sandford Primary School Governor provided a report that was read to the Council by the Chairman. Numbers on the school roll are 132 and last year’s Year Six pupils obtained very good SATS results across the board. New Reception Class children have settled very well in to the school environment.

The P.T.A have been busy organising a ‘Ladies Night’, discos for all the children and a stall at Coombe Lodge firework display with all proceeds going to the school. A Virtual Learning Environment is being rolled out across the school where pupils and parents will have access to school information and homework details via computer – the system is protected by a series of passwords. The Children in Need event will be supported by a non-uniform and crazy hair day.

Attempts are being made to find a new ‘lollipop’ person and any interested parties should contact the headmistress.

112. PARISH PLAN & AFFORDABLE HOUSING UPDATE   – Mr S Bridges   (Agenda item 12)

The grant funding application submitted to Quadrant is currently being processed and an amendment has been made to the Parish Plan leaflet so that the affordable housing question states that this is for local residents. 2,500 leaflets are to be printed and distributed to each house in the Parish early February 2008 along with the housing survey questionnaire. It is intended that Community Events take place the same week as distribution with leaflets being collected after this. The surveys and community events will be advertised in local magazines and posters in January, paid for by English Rural Housing Association.

113.     FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT – Mr C Sampson  Annex 4 (Agenda item 13)

The minutes of the Finance Committee from the meeting dated 29^th October 2007 were approved and signed as a correct record.

            Proposed:      Mrs A Brading                       Seconded:     M Williamson

All Committee members present were in favour

Min 3 (i) Moot Account – some members suggested that as a large number of trophies are already presented at the Michaelmas Fair, consideration should be given to donating a trophy to the schools within the Parish.

Min 11 Employment  Sub-Committee - Some members considered that due to the large amount of information to be discussed by any committee dealing with employment matters and meeting on a regular basis, a committee of the Parish Council could be convened rather than a sub-committee of the Chairman’s Committee. It was further suggested that terms and conditions for this committee could include ‘policy’ issues and members of the committee be taken from the full Parish Council.

The decisions of the Committee with the exception of min 11, were considered and recommended for action by the Parish Council.

Proposed:      Mr S Bridges             Seconded:     Mr R Jones                All in favour

The provision of an employment and policy committee/s should be further considered by the Parish Council as an Agenda item at the January meeting.

114. WAR MEMORIAL RECREATION GROUND – Mr S Bridges Annex 5 (Agenda item 14)

(i) COMMITTEE REPORT – annual charges to sports clubs have now been rationalised with rugby, football & cricket clubs all making a contribution towards the maintenance of the changing rooms. Football and cricket clubs also pay an annual charge for the use of pitches.

Due to Child Protection Guidance offered to sporting clubs, mobile phones have now been banned from the changing rooms and appropriate notices displayed.

Hard Wire testing of the changing rooms has been carried out and although no hazards have been identified, recommendations for improvements will be actioned.

The decisions of the Committee were considered and recommended for action by the Parish Council.

Proposed:      Mr S Bridges             Seconded:     Mr M Williamson                   All in favour

(ii) Lease of Land from Sidcot School for Use as Additional Car Parking

Sidcot School have agreed to lease a section of land to the Parish Council that is adjacent to the WMRG on a 15 year term for a peppercorn rent for use as additional car-parking subject to approval of the Charities Commission and terms outlined in the annexed paper. All legal costs for the school, estimated at £1,000 are to be met by the Parish Council.

After further discussion, it was suggested that this proposal will go some way to alleviate parking difficulties experienced by both players and residents each week-end by providing up to 40 extra parking spaces.  Fund-raising will be undertaken by the sports clubs towards the preparation and surfacing of the new area and potential flooding problems for local residents would be taken into consideration when finalising car-park surface details. Planning permission will need to be obtained.

It was proposed that the lease of land from Sidcot School is progressed with legal costs of approx £1,000 being met by the Parish Council

Proposed:      Mr S Bridges             Seconded:     Mr M Williamson                   All in favour

115.     PLAY AREA & SKATE PARK COMMITTEE REPORT – Mrs A Brading  Annex 6  (Agenda item 17)

The new ‘bute’ shelter recently installed on the Community Centre playing field to replace the Youth Shelter damaged by fire should in future be referred to as a ‘Community Shelter’ as it is used by all age groups at different times of the day. Contractors of Record RSS have not yet completed snagging works to the WMRG play area and therefore final settlement of this account has not yet been made.

            With the exception of the annual maintenance budget for this committee, the only Precept request of this committee is to complete the path to the new WMRG play area and replace old fencing at the Sandford Play Area.

The minutes of the Play Area & Skate Park Committee from the meeting dated 12^th November 2007 were approved and signed as a correct record.

            Proposed:      Mr A Forbes              Seconded:     Mrs A Brading

All Committee members present were in favour

The decisions of the Committee were considered and recommended for action by the Parish Council.

Proposed:      Mrs V McGann                      Seconded:     Mr R Jones                All in favour

116.     ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE REPORT – Mr G Lloyd  Annex 7  (Agenda item 16)

The minutes for the Environment Committee from the meeting dated 6^th November 2007 were approved and signed as a correct record with one amendment being made to min 12.

            Proposed:      Mr S Bridges             Seconded:     Miss B Roper           

All Committee members present were in favour

Min 5 d.) The advertisement on the pole has now been removed on request to the owners of this sign.

Min 5 e.) It was confirmed by Mooseheart that upon advice from NSC, and after seeking advice from two tree surgeons, they have instructed 37 trees  to be felled on Mooseheart Land.

Min 6 b.) iii) The gardener has now been instructed to cut back overgrown vegetation.

The decisions of the Committee were considered and recommended for action by the Parish Council.

Proposed:      Mrs P Cram               Seconded:     Mrs A Brading                       All in favour

Email correspondence has been received from NSC 14^th Nov regarding a ‘Public Convenience’ questionnaire  with responses requested by 20^th Nov 2007 - NSC is currently looking at budget cuts for the next financial year. The conveniences are considered to be very important to users of the ‘Strawberry Line Walk’  with some benefit to Parishioners. No cost information has been provided at this time.

It was proposed that Mr Lloyd and the Clerk respond to the questionnaire requesting further details of costs and advising that the Parish Council may consider making a small financial contribution towards running costs of the public conveniences, Woodborough Road.

Proposed:      Mr G Lloyd     Seconded      Mr M Williamson       All in favour

117.     AWARD LAND COMMITTEE REPORT - Mr J Westlake Annex 8  (Agenda item 17)

A meeting with a local building company has been arranged for 16^th Nov to discuss mortar for the old forge. Contact with Vince Russett has so far proved unsuccessful regarding the survey of the Award Land. No recent evidence of quad bike activity has been noticed on Parish Council land. Goblin Coombe may start works in accordance with the woodland management plan before 01.12.07.

118.     CEMETERY & ALLOTMENT COMMITTEE REPORT - Ms D Powell  Annex 9  (Agenda item 18)

The minutes of the Cemetery & Allotment Committee from the meetings dated 22^nd October 2007 were approved and signed as a correct record with one amendment being made to last line min 6.

            Proposed:      Mr M Williamson                   Seconded:     Mr G Luckett

All Committee members present were in favour

The minutes of the Cemetery & Allotment Committee from the meetings dated 13th November 2007 were approved and signed as a correct record with one amendment being made to ascertain approx measurements only by GLu.

            Proposed:      Mr G Luckett             Seconded:     Mr M Williamson      

All Committee members present were in favour

Costains are currently liaising with Bristol Water regarding the stand pipes installed at the allotments to bring these up to current standards and an accurate record with a permanent marker will be sought for the line of the water main pipe.

            Three quotations for tree planting at the cemetery have been received and it is recommended  planting takes place as soon as possible with £679  taken from the Parish Council contingency fund to pay for this. It was considered that the Parish Council have a duty to ensure the cemetery field is suitable for burial purposes and a tier 1 risk assessment survey is to be instructed.

            The Cemetery & Allotment Committee have requested that an application for ‘106 agreement’ funding be made by the Planning Committee towards the cemetery extension.  Should a written report explaining findings of the magnetometer survey not be received at the Parish Office, a contribution towards costs will not be made. It was suggested that the County Archaeologist may be asked to interpret results of the survey.

The decisions of the Committee were considered and recommended for action by the Parish Council.

Proposed:      Mr G Lloyd                 Seconded:     Mr A Forbes              All in favour

119. ANY OTHER BUSINESS  (Agenda item 19)

The ‘Travelling Light Magic Lantern Tour’ will be at the Community Centre on Sat 24th Nov, 7.30pm. Tickets are purchased in advance from the Thursday Market and cost £7.50 per head to include supper. This is highly recommended by a number of Councillors.

The Parish Council would like to nominate both PC Church & PCSO Wright for the ‘Community Policing Awards’ for Avon & Somerset Constabulary in association with Western Daily Press.

The History Society annual Christmas Party is to be held at the Community Centre on Thurs 29^th Nov.

Mrs Bushnell issued a written report of the Banwell and Winscombe Children’s Centre Partnership meeting that took place today to all Councillors that is appended to these minutes as Annex 10 for information purposes. Banwell Parish has  a playpod full of play equipment supplied by funding from Big Lottery  and Winscombe Youth Club are encouraged to submit an application for grant funding of play equipment/ranger to the ‘Big Lottery Fund – Playful Ideas’  scheme with closing date for application being 31^st December 2007. Steve Bridges as Parish Council Youth Club representative will liaise with Youth Club leaders in this application with the backing and support of the Parish Council. There are no financial implications to the Parish Council and the siting of any equipment at the Community Centre is to be agreed with the Management Committee of that organisation.

With no further business, the meeting concluded at 9.50 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.