A MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL
was held Thursday 16th July 2009, Winscombe Community Centre at 7.30 p.m.
Present: Mrs. A Brading, Mr. S Bridges, Mrs P Bushnell, Mrs. P Cram, Mr. A Forbes (Chairman), Mr. R Jones, Mr. G Lloyd, Mr. G Luckett, Mrs V McGann, Ms. D Powell (Vice-Chair), Mrs A Richmond, Miss B Roper,
Mr J Westlake, Mr M Williamson.
Ward Councillors: Mrs A Harley
NSC Liaison Officer: M J Foster
Police: PC Church
Clerk: Mrs. L Rampton
Press Representatives: Mr G Jones, freelance reporter
Members of the public: Eight
Apologies for absence: Mr. C Sampson (Vice-Chair).
43. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST (Agenda item 3) Mrs McGann declared a personal & prejudicial interest in agenda item 11, Provision of Affordable Housing Update due to a family member being employed by Summerfield Developments. This same interest was also declared for agenda items 4 & 5 should any matters relating to this interest arise from the previous Council meeting minutes.
Mr Williamson declared a personal & prejudicial interest in agenda item 13, cricket club lease as treasurer to Winscombe Cricket Club.
44. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD 18TH JUNE 2009 (Agenda item 4)
Mr Jones advised that he would not be voting in favour of this item due to a matter discussed in private with the Chairman.
The minutes to the meeting were approved & signed as a correct record.
Proposed: Mrs A Brading Seconded: Miss B Roper
11 in favour, 1 against, 2 abstentions with one of these being due to the member not being present at the last meeting.
45. MINUTE UPDATE FROM THE JUNE MINUTES AND JULY CLERK’S REPORT– Annex 1
Min 36 – In response to a question from Mr Lloyd, it was confirmed that whilst still in the early stages, revised Parish Office opening hours are being respected and no adverse comments have been received from Parishioners.
46. CRIME REPORT 18TH JUNE – 16TH JULY 2009– Annex 2 (Agenda item 6) Direct office no 01934 638123.
Weekly Beat Surgery Tuesday 10 am – 1 pm & 6 - 7PM prior to a Parish Council meeting.
PC Church advised those present at the meeting that the public may have a say in setting Policing Priorities through comments made during public participation. Priorities set for the last month were detailed and it was advised that the strict zero tolerance policy continues to be applied to the youth in the Parish following the recent spate of vandalism with alcohol being seized from those underage. Parents were urged to take responsibility for their children that may come home under the influence of alcohol. Both calls made to the police and crime recorded are slightly up on the last period with at least three clusters of damage in the villages over the last few months being thought to be due to the behaviour of youths.
Miss Roper advised PC Church of a party for local youths that is to be held at Sandford Village Hall and in response to a question, Mr Westlake was advised that the recent case of a ‘chicken rustler’ has been solved and an individual brought to justice.
47. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION (Agenda item 7)
a. An Agent to St Monica Trust spoke on matters relating to the planning application for a 25 bed care home. It was advised that concerns of the Parish Council, the local community and residents of Roman Road have been addressed as far as practical in the submission of this revised application. The reduction from the original planned 72 bed care home has been made viable by making the 25 bed care home an extension of the existing home and will enable residents of the care village to stay within that community as their nursing needs change. A separate planning application to deal with the landscaping is being dealt with by NSC.
A resident of Roman Road stated that St Monica Trust had overcome concerns and he has no objection to the current application regarding height and size of the proposed care home. Consideration could be given to the undeveloped land remaining open space in perpetuity for the benefit of residents of the care village.
b. A Parishioner expressed his disappointment at the Parish Council decision not to allow sheds on allotment plots at the Ilex Lane Cemetery. The Parishioner advised that should the Parish Council not rescind this
decision, he intends to exercise his right to under section 12 of the 1950 allotment act to keep hens or rabbits on the land and will erect a shed in which to keep them. The Parishioner also stated that the Parish Council is unable to close the allotments without the permission of the Secretary of State (this is a matter that has not been considered by the Parish Council or any of its committees).
c. It was advised that the 30mph vehicle activated road sign on Station Road is obscured by vegetation and that whilst recent improvements to the bus stop on Station road are welcome by the introduction of a bus shelter, the much used floor mounted litter bin has been removed. In response to the subject of the future of the Sandford Village Store, the Parishioner was advised that the Sandford WI has been writing to a number of businesses trying to gain some interest in the shop.
48. TO SET COMMUNITY POLICING PRIORITIES FOR THE PERIOD TO 17TH SEPTEMBER 2009 (Agenda item 8).
Local Police Priorities for the period to the next scheduled Parish Council meeting were considered by members present and following discussion, set as follows:
1. Anti-social behaviour & criminal damage should be given priority with the zero tolerance policy aimed at the youth to be continued.
2. Visible police presence around the Parish to deter further crime & allay Parishioners concerns.
3. Parking problems should continue to be targeted.
4. Speeding through the Parish should continue to be targeted.
Proposed: Mrs A Brading Seconded: Miss B Roper All in favour.
49. WARD COUNCILLOR UPDATE & NSC PARISH LIAISON OFFICER UPDATE (Agenda item 9)
Mrs Harley advised that NSC South Area Committee is due to hold a site inspection at the Station Master’s House in Sandford.
Mr Foster informed the meeting that the latest information received reports that the Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) has been delayed by Government and further information may be available at the September Parish Council meeting. The draft document proposes a further 9,000 homes close to Long Ashton which NSC objects to.
At the request of Mr Lloyd, Mr Foster will investigate the lengthy delay by NSC in the installation of promised kissing gates on agreed public rights of way in the Parish.
Mr Westlake expressed dismay at being advised the Parish Council is to be charged £40 for advice from a NSC planning officer regarding the old forge on the Award Land.
NSC is hopeful that the majority of the £3million invested in an Icelandic bank will be recovered.
49. TO AUTHORISE BILLS FOR PAYMENT – The Clerk Annex 3 (Agenda item 10)
Cheques 102778 - 102801 and direct debits payments detailed were authorised for payment
Proposed: Mrs P Cram Seconded: Mrs A Brading All in favour.
Cheque 102782 will be released on satisfactory completion of works at the WMRG Changing rooms.
50. PROVISION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR THE PARISH UPDATE – Mr S Bridges (Agenda item 11)
Due to a previously declared personal & prejudicial interest, Mrs McGann left the meeting.
The draft Exception Site Search & Selection Report accepted by the Parish Council at the May meeting has now been amended to incorporate suggestions made by the Parish Council. Efforts have again been made to contact owners of Mooseheart with no response received by English Rural Housing Association (ERHA) to date. Further attempts in this regard will continue to be pursued by ERHA.
The draft report commissioned by ERHA will now be released into the public domain for comment with responses to this initially being directed to ERHA and subsequently to NSC should any of these sites progress to planning application stage.
It was proposed that the revised draft ‘Exception’ site search & Selection Report be released into the public domain for comment. The report should be made available on the Parish Council website with hard copies of the document available in the Parish Office and Winscombe Library. Flyers advising on how to obtain a copy of the document should be posted on the Parish Council notice-boards and an article submitted to the Parish Magazine for inclusion in the August publication. A copy of the report should be issued to the Mercury and Cheddar Valley Gazette and notification sent to the spokesperson
for the objectors of the initial ‘Exception’ site search & selection report. Comments on this document should be submitted to ERHA.
Proposed: Mr G Luckett Seconded: Mrs A Brading All in favour.
Mrs McGann returned to the meeting.
51. TO CONSIDER PLANNING APPLICATION 09/P/1055/F LAND ADJACENT TO THE FORMER SANDFORD STONE CENTRE, STATION ROAD, SANDFORD, WINSCOMBE, SOMERSET, BS25 5RF – Mr. A Forbes (Agenda item 12)
Construction of a 25 bedroom single storey care home for the elderly including a reception building with glazed access links to the new care home and existing dementia unit/service block and erection of a bin store.
This major planning application had been deferred to the full Parish Council for comment and decision by the Planning Committee at their meeting held on 22nd June 2009 and plans were viewed by all those present at the meeting by way of a power point presentation. St Monica Trust held an open day presentation event at The Russets dementia care home on 1st June 2009 that was attended by a number of Parish Councillors along with members of the public.
The proposed care home is situated outside the settlement boundary on open fields. The alignment of the home is such that the Station Master’s House (listed building) will still be dominant & visible within the site.
The ridge height of the proposed home is no higher than the approved dementia care home and lower that the adjacent Station Master’s House. Dimensions for the bin store were detailed. As advised by Mr Wilson, this planning application is for the construction and link for the new care home and bin store only. The surrounding land will be dealt with by way of a separate planning application. Compliance with planning policies GDP1, GDP3 and H/11 of the NSC Replacement Local Plan were considered.
The Parish Council recommend approval of this planning application to NSC.
Proposed: Mr S Bridges Seconded: Mr M Williamson All in favour
52. TO AGREE TERMS OF LEASE AGREEMENT FOR GROUND RENT (CRICKET CLUB HOUSE BUILDING) AT THE WAR MEMORIAL RECREATION GROUND Annex 4 - Mr A Forbes (Agenda item 13)
Mr M Williamson declared a personal and prejudicial interest in this agenda item and left the meeting.
As land value and use at the Recreation Ground is governed by way of covenants within the original purchase documents, this is not thought to be open to usual market forces and therefore a suggestion to involve a Land agent at cost to the Parish Council was dismissed. It was considered that the fairest method to determine an increase to the leasehold payments was to use the Retail Price Index from the time of the last rental increase in November 2005 to March 2009.
It was proposed that a 15 year extension should be made to the lease agreement between the Parish Council and Winscombe Cricket Club incorporating those amendments as detailed in Annex 4 to these minutes. The annual Cricket Club House ground rent charge should be set at £1,250.00 for the first five year period of the 15 year lease.
Proposed: Mrs A Brading Seconded: Mr J Westlake All in favour.
Advice has been sought from Avon Local Councils Association (ALCA) and National Association of Local Councils (NALC) regarding the use of a solicitor to draw up a new lease agreement. It has been recommended that the Council does take the appropriate legal advice and reference was made to NALC Legal Topic Notes 45, 46, 48 & 49, copies of which are available in the Parish Office or on the ALCA website.
Solicitor costs of between £500 and £750 have been estimated from Parish Council Solicitors to review & update the old lease agreement with time being charged on an hourly basis. An alternative quotation should be obtained from a local Solicitor Practice before instructing these works.
Mr Williamson returned to the meeting.
53. PARISH FESTIVAL 12TH – 27TH JUNE 2010 (Agenda item 14)
A letter has been received from the Festival Co-ordinating Group confirming the dates for the festival and advising that a programme of events is now being formulated. Confirmation of involvement is now being sought from organisations. Mr Bridges confirmed that the Sports Clubs will be involved in a number of activities throughout the festival period. Mr & Mrs Lloyd intend to hold a ‘best scarecrow display’ for which they sought the support of the Parish Council.
It was thought that the Festival would not follow a similar format to that of the May Fair on The Green or Michaelmas Fair therefore the usual Parish Council stall may not appropriate in this instance.
A letter of support should be sent to the event organisers stating that the Parish Council will advise of any specific events following the September Parish Council meeting.
54. AWARD LAND CHAIRMAN’S REPORT Annex 5 - Mr J Westlake (Agenda item 15)
Mr Westlake advised that works to the old forge have not yet commenced and that methods to cover this will be discussed by the committee at a forthcoming meeting. Mr Westlake spoke on the requirement of the Parish Council to pay £40 for planning advice from NSC. The Community Service team continue to provide a good service in clearance works at the Award Land and no recent reports of motorbikes on the land have been made.
Some large quarry stones are shortly to be moved from the Award Land to the War Memorial Recreation Ground to restrict access to the WMRG car-park across the Strawberry Line.
55. TO APPROVE MINUTES OF THE CHAIRMAN’S COMMITTEE MEETING HELD 23RD JUNE 2009 Annex 6
(Agenda item 16)
The minutes for the Chairman’s Committee from the meeting dated 23rd June 2009 were approved and signed as a correct record.
Proposed: Mr S Bridges Seconded: Ms D Powell
All committee members present were in favour
56. MATTERS FOR INFORMATION (Agenda item 17)
· All Saints Church Sandford, 125th Anniversary Service. Mr Luckett will be representing the Parish Council at this service on that will be attended by the Bishop of Taunton.
· Bristol International Airport Event 15th July 2009. Mr Bridges reported on the excellent presentation and considered the biggest problem for the airport expansion plans to be limited transport links. Information from this event will be passed to the Parish Office.
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.