A MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL
was held Thursday 17TH JANUARY 2008
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: Mrs A Harley
NSC Parish Liaison Officer: Mr J Foster
Police: PC Church
Guest Speakers: Mr Bob Cook & Mr Mervyn Vowles, North Somerset Agricultural Society
Clerk: Mrs. L Rampton
Press Representative: Mr G Jones – freelance reporter
Members of the public: three
Apologies for absence: Ward Councillor Mr T Marter
A moment of silence was observed at the start of the meeting to remember former Parish Councillor Valerie Coates who sadly passed away last week.
120. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST (Agenda item 3) - none
121. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD 15TH NOVEMBER 2007.
(Agenda item 4)
The minutes were approved as a correct record for the meeting.
Proposed: Mr A Forbes Seconded: Mr G Luckett All in favour
122. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES & CLERKS REPORTS– Annex 1(Agenda item 5)
Min 106 Public participation – Mrs McGann welcomed public participation at Parish Council meetings but considers this best placed before the start of the meeting.
Min 114 Lease of Land from Sidcot School at the WMRG – The school Estate Bursar has answered questions from the Charities Commission regarding the lease and is awaiting their final approval.
123. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION (Agenda item 6)
Mr J Ellis, Chairman of Winscombe-Sandford & District Senior Citizens Forum – A copy of the January 2008 Information sheet was distributed to all Parish Councillors. Mr Ellis explained one aim of the forum is to raise their profile within the community and work closely with the Parish Council in the future. An overview of the work of this organisation, established over three years ago was given. The Parish Council Community Event day on 6th Feb is to be publicized by way of a flyer on each seat at their meeting to be held Fri 18th Jan in Sandford and the Parish Council were invited to submit further notices for inclusion in the Information Sheet. Printing and admin costs for the forum are expensive and any financial contribution towards this is much appreciated.
Mrs Ballard commented that time allocated in Sandford for the Parish Council Community Event Day was less than that allocated to the Event in Winscombe.
124. CRIME REPORT 15TH NOVEMBER 2007 to 17TH JANUARY 2008– PC Church Annex 2
(Agenda item 7) Direct office no 01934 638123
PC Church reported on the breakdown of crime within the Parish. Compensation has been paid to the Rugby Club for damage caused to the pitches and those responsible for the attack to a person on the Millennium Green have now been brought to justice. A file has been sent to the Crown Prosecution Service in relation to the recent incident at a local take-away restaurant with results anticipated shortly.
An invitation had been issued to our Ward Councillors for a representative to attend meetings of the ‘Anti Social Behaviour Panel’ to which Mrs Harley volunteered her services.
125. NORTH SOMERSET AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY PLOUGHING MATCH, 13TH SEPTEMBER 2008
Mr Bob Cook, Chairman, Ploughing Committee & Mr Mervyn Vowles, Society Member
The 166th annual ploughing match for the society will take place in fields off Shipham Lane this year with kind consent of the land owner. The ploughing and hedging competition attracts around 60-70 entries annually with encouragement being given to young farmers and around 800 entries are anticipated to the produce competition held in a marquee along with a handicraft show. Throughout the day there will be a licensed bar & refreshments with a buffet in the marquee. The event will be followed by an evening fund-raiser organised by Young Farmers for charitable purposes.
As Shipham Lane is narrow, traffic management will be discussed with the Police. A map indicating land use for the day was supplied that will be available to view in the Parish Office.
It was considered unfortunate that this event takes place on the same day as the Winscombe Community Centre Michaelmas Fair although it is anticipated that different audiences will be attracted to each. The annual ploughing match has regular supporters and an offer was made to display posters advertising the Michaelmas Fair at the match. NS Agricultural Society members requested that the Community Centre advise them should their fund-raising event suffer due to the match taking place. Councillors considered the Parish could accommodate both and welcomed the match to Winscombe & Sandford.
126. WARD COUNCILLOR UPDATE & NSC PARISH LIAISON OFFICER UPDATE (Agenda item 9)
Progress on budget planning was reported on with a draft increase of 1.9% in council tax being proposed. All 631 services provided by NSC are under review and recruitment of staff stopped in May 2007 to best absolve the £17m shortfall in Government funding over the coming two financial years. The grant does not reflect the increasing challenges of an elderly and younger population. The loss of jobs within NSC could be a possibility although retirement, deployment of staff and voluntary redundancy are preferable options. Town & Parish Councils are being consulted in a review of the future for a number of front line services currently provided.
It was confirmed that the provision of library services and public conveniences within this parish will continue for the 2008/09 financial year. Consideration could be given to NSC, the Strawberry Line Management Committee and Parish Council all taking responsibility for the future of public conveniences by the Woodborough Road former railway bridge.
Mrs Harley reported that this difficult process has been handled in the right spirit thanks to the Officers & Staff of NSC.
Mrs Harley was requested to clarify the difference between a site inspection and site meeting of the NSC South Area Planning Committee.
A Site Inspection is for NSC Councillors and NSC Officers only
A Site Meeting is open to all to participate
The dissatisfaction of the Parish Council regarding a recent planning application referred to South Area Committee for consideration was expressed by the Planning Committee Chairman. It was understood by the Parish Council that both Parish Councillors and objectors to the application would be invited to attend a site meeting so that alternative options could be suggested. An inspection took place to which the Parish Council were not invited, the planning application approved and subsequently the committee consider that a Parishioner has been let down. Mrs Harley advised that a misinterpretation or confusion had arisen at SA Committee and apologised for this.
Objectors to the application have been advised that should planning approval conditions be breached, all complaints regarding this will be treated very seriously by North Somerset Council.
127. TO AUTHORISE BILLS FOR PAYMENT – The Clerk Annex 3
(Agenda item 10)
Cheques 102278 – 102319 and direct debits detailed were authorised for payment
Proposed: Mrs P Cram Seconded: Mrs A Brading All in favour.
128. PARISH PLAN & AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMMUNITY EVENT UPDATE, 6TH FEBRUARY 2008 Mr S Bridges (Agenda item 11) Annex 4
Leaflets to gauge interest in a Parish Plan have been printed and are awaiting distribution. A second leaflet, agreed by the working party has been produced by English Rural Housing Association that will be delivered and collected at the same time.
The Community Event on Wednesday 6th Feb will take place in Sandford between 12 noon -2 pm and then move to Winscombe Primary School 3 pm – 7pm. The consultation has been planned for one day due to a number of organisations such as English Rural Housing Association, Community Action, North Somerset Council along with the Parish Council all taking part in this. Leaflets will be delivered by volunteers to every home within the Parish between 31st Jan – 4th Feb and collected 10th Feb or shortly after. Completed leaflets may also be returned to the Community Event or Parish Council Office. The Parish Council would prefer a response rate of 50% or more from Parishioners.
Additional forms will be available from the Parish Office should householders wish to complete individual forms. Identification for those collecting leaflets was not thought necessary as they are most likely resident in the road of delivery.
129. PRIMARY CARE TRUST UPDATE – Miss B Roper (Agenda item 12) Annex 5
Miss Roper gave a report of the meeting held 21st November 2007. A comprehensive Directory of Transport Schemes is currently being updated and some services from hospitals have now been put into local doctors’ practices, saving time & effort for patients.
40% of North Somerset residents live in rural villages, and 70% of these are aged over 60.
Min 6 - It was noted that Miss Roper had not resigned from the position of Chairman, but reminded the group of the procedure to elect a Chairman for the next year.
Mr Forbes thanked Miss Roper for the invigorating report
130. PROVISION OF EMPLOYMENT, STANDING ORDER & POLICY COMMITTEE/S
Due to the large number of employment issues, policies and implication on Parish Council standing orders, after debate it was considered that this matter best be dealt with by way of a separate single committee. As items to be considered by this proposed committee are not usually considered of an urgent nature, this is outside the remit of the Chairman’s Committee. As with the previous re-write of Parish Council Standing Orders, all input from Councillors will be considered.
Resolved: That a new committee of the Parish Council be formed to deal with all items relating to employment of staff, policies and Parish Council Standing Orders.
Proposed: Mr M Williamson Seconded: Mr A Forbes All in favour
Miss Roper, Mr Jones, Mr Williamson and Mr Bridges were nominated as members of the Employment and Policy Committee with Parish Council Chairman and Vice-Chairmen acting as ex-officio members.
Proposed: Mrs A Brading Seconded: Mrs V McGann All in favour
Parish Council Office opening hours will be considered by this committee at a future date.
Committee members were requested to stay behind after this meeting to arrange a first committee meeting date.
131. TO APPROVE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE – Annex 6 (Agenda item 14)
The minutes for the Finance Committee from the meeting dated 10th January 2008 were approved and signed as a correct record by the Chairman
Proposed: Mr M Williamson Seconded: Ms D Powell
All Committee members present in favour
Considerable cuts to requested budgets have been made by all Committee Chairmen to enable a substantial amount of funds to be allocated towards the extension of the Parish Cemetery, for which the Cemetery & Allotment Committee Chairman was appreciative.
Whilst still contributing towards two substantial projects – the cemetery extension and WMRG car park extension within the next financial year, all other expenditure that could be reduced, was. Although an increase in precept has been requested, this has been kept to the minimum amount thought possible without jeopardising current standards.
The Finance Committee recommend that the Precept figure for the 2008/09 financial year be increased by £10,000 to £106,000. This would mean a Local Council Element of Headline Council Tax per D Band property increase from £51.44 to £56.23.
Proposed: Mr S Bridges Seconded: Mr A Forbes All in favour
The decisions of the Finance Committee were considered and recommended for action by the Parish Council.
Proposed: Mr M Williamson Seconded: Mr A Forbes All in favour
It was suggested that a strong reply be sent to NSC in response to the Budget Strategy Consultation letter. Mr Bridges proposed a vote of thanks to the Finance Committee for a very well planned budget for the next financial year, seconded by Mr Sampson.
132. TO APPROVE MINUTES OF CHAIRMAN’S COMMITTEE MEETING HELD 10TH DEC 2008
Annex 7 (Agenda item 15)
The minutes for the Chairman’s Committee were approved and signed as a correct record by the Committee Chairman.
Proposed: Ms D Powell Seconded: Mrs A Brading All in favour
133. PLAY AREA & SKATE PARK COMMITTEE REPORT – Mrs A Brading (Agenda item 16)
With no matters arising, the meeting of the committee scheduled for 14th January had been cancelled. It was reported that final works to the play area at the War Memorial Recreation Ground have been completed and the balance due paid. A metal bin has been installed by the Youth Shelter and a new gate at the Sandford play area. Due to budget restrictions, no new equipment is planned for the 2008/09 financial year.
134. ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE REPORT – Mr G Lloyd Annex 8 (Agenda item 17)
Min 6 c. it was reported that a volunteer is shortly to carry out these works with the consent of the land owner.
8 a. Our North Somerset Council Area Officer has recently been seen tidying this area. It was considered that the situation regarding the cleanliness of this site is improving following recent expansion works.
Min 14 a. Due to fund restrictions, monies to purchase our own vehicle activated sign had been removed from the budget for the next financial year.
A notice detailing the reasons for the refusal by NSC to install a road crossing on Woodborough Road near Dunster Court are to be displayed on notice boards with a copy of this being sent to Dunster Court and the Senior Citizens Forum. A letter should be sent to NSC Highways Department asking for suggestions regarding Road Safety in this area.
a. North Somerset Council Road Maintenance Working Group Meeting Report – Mr S Bridges
A verbal report of the meeting held 14th Dec 2007 was given. Representative of the 14 Parish Councils present were advised they were the ‘eyes & ears’ from the Parishes to NSC and a road maintenance schedule now appears on the NSC website. Ideas to report road surface issues through the police were considered along with the lack finance to implement a long term maintenance initiative. Change of Officers within NSC could sometimes be the cause of projects being delayed and the use of Parish Councillors as supervisors for works in progress was discussed.
A request for minutes to this meeting should be made to NSC.
The minutes for the Environment Committee from the meeting dated 8th Jan 2007 were approved and signed as a correct record.
Proposed: Mr A Forbes Seconded: Mr R Jones
All Committee members present were in favour
The decisions of the Committee were recommended for action by the Parish Council.
Proposed: Mrs A Brading Seconded: Mr G Lloyd All in favour
135. AWARD LAND COMMITTEE REPORT - Mr J Westlake Annex 9 (Agenda item 18
Maintenance works are to be carried out to the land free of charge by volunteers from Goblin Coombe and a schedule of works will be requested.
136. CEMETERY & ALLOTMENT COMMITTEE REPORT - Ms D Powell Annex 10 (Agenda item 19)
The minutes of the Cemetery & Allotment Committee from the meetings dated 7th December 2007 were approved and signed as a correct record
Proposed: Mrs A Brading Seconded: Mr G Luckett
All Committee members present were in favour
Metal work from the perimeter hedging has been removed and the tenancy of the field relinquished. The magnetometer survey report is now in the Parish Office and payment for this released. The Tier One Hydrogeological Risk Assessment Report has now been received and a copy will be issued to all Committee members.
Bristol Water has been contacted and will shortly be digging trial pits to establish the exact location of the water main pipe running through the cemetery – all Councillors are welcome to attend and observe. The Community Service team will soon be painting the inside of the waiting area building and padlocks are to be used to lock the water stand pipes on the allotments to comply with Bristol Water regulations.
Ms Powell thanked the Council for the support shown to the cemetery extension project.
The decisions of the Committee were recommended for action by the Parish Council.
Proposed: Mrs A Brading Seconded: Mr G Lloyd All in favour
The Committee Chairman advised that a favourable meeting had taken place on 16th January 2008 with representatives of The St Monica Trust to discuss a financial contribution towards the cemetery extension should planning permission for the proposed care village in Sandford be granted.
137. ANY OTHER BUSINESS (Agenda item 20)
North Somerset District Council (Various Sites) (Off Street Parking Places) (Variation No. 3) Order 200 – a copy of this order detailing parking charge increases for car parks in NS was issued to all Councillors.
07/P/3232/F & 07/P/3233/LB Planning Application for a Care Village on the former Sandford Railway Station Site – these applications, recommended for approval by the Parish Council Planning Committee at their meeting held 7th Jan 2008 could be considered by the NSC South Area Committee on 13th Feb 2008.
NSC Strawberry Line – whilst the Officer that normally deals with this is on sick-leave, items may be reported through committee members. Comment was made on the number of plastic bags containing dog faeces thrown into the hedges along the route despite an increase in the number of dog bins provided. It was not thought that additional signage would alleviate this problem.
WMRG Changing Rooms – the Community Service Team have started to paint the inside of the sports clubs changing rooms. Mr Williamson was thanked for arranging this.
With no further business, the meeting concluded at 9.30 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.