A MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL

was held Thursday 15th October 2009, Winscombe Community Centre at 7.30 p.m.

 

 

Present:           Mrs. A Brading, 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), Miss B Roper, Mr. C Sampson (Vice-Chair), Mr J Westlake, Mr M Williamson.

 

Ward Councillors:                                Mrs A Harley

NSC Liaison Officer:                            Mr J Foster

Police:                                                 PC Church & Inspector Davis

Clerk:                                                            Mrs. L Rampton

Press Representatives:                     Mr G Jones, freelance reporter

Members of the public:                     Five

 

Apologies for absence:  Mr. S Bridges, Mrs A Richmond, Ward Cllr Marter.

 

 

76.        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.

 

77.        APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD 17TH SEPTEMBER 2009 (Agenda item 4)

Two Parishioners have objected to the draft Parish Council meeting minutes dated 17th September 2009. Full details of these objections were forwarded to Parish Councillors by email and hard copies of the communications issued in advance of this meeting to ensure Councillors were aware of the concerns prior to approval of the meeting minutes

The minutes to the meeting were approved & signed as a correct record.

Proposed:        Mrs A Brading             Seconded:       Miss B Roper                           

All those present at the last meeting were in favour. 

Miss Roper considered that some Parishioners may not be aware of the procedure that should be adhered to by the Parish Council when dealing with comments and concerns from members of the public during Parish Council or committee meetings. A short statement outlining correct procedure should be prepared by the Employment & Policies committee that could be placed on public chairs at future meetings.

Proposed by Miss B Roper, Seconded by Mr C Sampson. All members were in favour.

 

78.        MINUTE UPDATE FROM THE SEPTEMBER MINUTES AND OCTOBER CLERK’S REPORT– Annex 1

Clerk’s Report – Attention was drawn to National Grid Public Exhibitions that are to be held in Sandford, at the Webbington Hotel and in Banwell amongst other locations on the intended route. Mr Luckett is to attend a meeting for Parish Councils potentially affected on 22nd October 2009.

 

79.        CRIME REPORT 17TH SEPT – 15TH OCT 2009–  Annex 2 (Agenda item 6) Direct office no 01934 638123. 

Weekly Beat Surgery Tuesday 10 am – 1 pm

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 recorded crime and calls from the Parish are slightly higher than the same period last year. PC Church requested that his personal thanks be recorded to Nurse Jane Tarquini and Zoe Heath from ‘Pagets’ who administered first aid to the patient when an elderly lady was knocked down in Woodborough Road on 1st October 2009 allowing PC Church to begin to deal with the incident.

Miss Roper advised that a disco to be held in Sandford Village Hall for the Youth of the Parish is no longer taking place due to lack of support.

 

80.       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.

a. It was advised that the former ticket office on the Sandford Station site has now been restored and leased to a local volunteer group (that is to be set up as a company limited by guarantee) at a peppercorn rent. A vast amount has been spent by St Monica Trust on this building and adjoining track with this now being considered as a feature of the site. Grant aid is being applied for, and if successful a museum consultant will be engaged. It is anticipated that the building will be formally leased to the volunteer group next Easter with this being opened to the public in time for the spring bank holiday.

b. Initial analysis of the Parish Plan is currently taking place by a number of volunteers. It is hoped that the final plan will be complete around Christmas time.

c. A Parishioner enquired if PC Church was aware of incidents of vandalism that have recently taken place on one night around the Hillyfields footpath leading from the doctors surgery to the field entrance and Belmont Road hammerhead. Instruction to repair the damaged fence has been given and the Parishioner advised he planned to visit the weekly ‘Beat Surgery’ next Tuesday.

 

81.       TO SET COMMUNITY POLICING PRIORITIES FOR THE PERIOD TO 19TH NOVEMBER 2009 (Agenda item 8).

            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. Following discussion, priorities were set as follows:

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 at the recreation ground after 11pm and week-ends

5.       Parking of vehicles on footways with particular attention to Sandford.

 

82.        WARD COUNCILLOR & NSC PARISH LIAISON OFFICER UPDATE (Agenda item 9)

Mr Foster informed the meeting that a new waste collection and waste disposal/treatment contract has been agreed by NSC at a meeting held 13th October 2009.

It was advised that 65,000 tonnes of waste was sent to landfill last year. Current waste costs to landfill were detailed with our local authority spending £4.5million sending waste to landfill and fines will be imposed for exceeding allocated limits. Waste costs could double by 2016 and be accountable for 10% of annual council tax bills. There are financial and environmental benefits for changing the manner in which current waste and recycling is dealt with that are addressed in the new contract that includes:

(i)                   An improved weekly recycle service collecting paper, all cardboard, plastics, food & drink cartons, glass, tins and cans, textiles and some other items.

(ii)                 A new weekly food waste collection will be introduced using sealable containers.

(iii)                Non-recyclable waste will be collected every other week in wheeled bins.

(iv)                The current schedule of collecting garden waste every other week through the summer months and monthly during winter will stay the same.

(v)                  Collections will be made on public holidays with the exception of Christmas and New Year.

It was advised that there is flexibility within the contract to enable individual circumstances such as Parishioner mobility or property location to be taken into consideration. Due to the increase in kerb-side collections is it anticipated a reduction in the use of local recycling banks? Mr Foster will respond to the Clerk in this regard.

The size of the wheeled bin will limit the amount of recyclable materials collected but recycling amounts will not be limited. Confirmation was requested, that will be forwarded to the Clerk regarding the collection of lithium batteries and low energy light bulbs.

 

A major incident occurring at the annual beach race held in Weston-Super-Mare on Sunday 11th October was discussed. A meeting has been held by NSC and the HSE but it is not considered that the event cancelled due to the accident could be held this forthcoming week-end due to short notice to all parties involved including the emergency services.

 

83.        TO AUTHORISE BILLS FOR PAYMENT – Annex 3 (Agenda item 10)

Questions were answered concerning invoices presented for payment and it was confirmed that CQ 102873 included two months office postage costs.

Cheques 102847 - 102876 and direct debits payments detailed were authorised for payment

Proposed:        Mr G Lloyd                   Seconded:       Mrs P Cram      All in favour.

 

84.       UPDATE ON THE PROVISION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR THE PARISH. (Agenda item 11)

          Due to a previously declared personal & prejudicial interest, Mrs McGann left the meeting.

            A further public consultation event is to take place but a date for this has yet to be set by English Rural Housing Association. Mrs McGann returned to the meeting.

 

85.       TO CONSIDER THE ROLE OF CHAPLAIN AT PARISH COUNCIL MEETINGS (Agenda item 12)

In response to an Employment & Policies Committee meeting minute (24th August 2009, minute 6b) a request has been received from a Parish Councillor that the role of Chaplain be considered at this meeting. Subsequent to the September Parish Council meeting a letter has been received from a Parishioner concerning the practice of standing to hear Christian prayers before the start of Parish Council meetings and part of this letter was read to the meeting. A lively discussion ensued in which the following points were raised:

(i)              Prayers offer a period of calm and reflection before the start of a Parish Council meeting but may convey an incorrect impression that the Parish Council is affiliated to the Church. Committee meetings of the Parish Council are not opened with a prayer.

(ii)            The Parish Council represents the civil Parish of Winscombe & Sandford and is not directly linked to the ecclesiastical Parish.

(iii)           Parish Councillors and others present at the meeting could be given a choice if they wished to stand and participate in prayers or not, although some considered this may make people feel uncomfortable. Religious views should be respected but not inflicted upon others.

(iv)           Consideration could be given to having a reading or a period of silence at the start of a meeting allowing individuals to decide what they would like to focus on.

(v)             The first meeting of the Parish Council held in 1894 included a short prayer and it is understood that this tradition has continued ever since. As far as this Council is aware, this is the first complaint received from a Parishioner regarding this practice.

(vi)           Decisions have previously been made by the Parish Council not to have the current burial ground at  Ilex Lane Cemetery consecrated by the Church of England so that this may be used more freely by those from other denominations or of no religious belief.

(vii)          A forthcoming Equality Bill will include a section on Religion or Belief although full details of this are not yet known.

(viii)        A decision made by the Parish Council concerning the role of Chaplain at Parish Council meetings will not affect representatives attending religious services.

Parish Council meetings are not considered a suitable place for prayer and the practice of opening Parish Council meetings with a prayer from a Chaplain should be discontinued.

Proposed:        Mrs A Brading              Seconded:       Mrs V McGann

7 in favour, 3 against and 3 members abstained from voting

Mrs Cram requested that it be recorded in the minutes to the meeting that she had abstained from voting and regretted the breaking of this tradition.

 

86.       REPORT ON AVON LOCAL COUNCILS ASSOCIATION GROUP MEETING HELD 14TH OCTOBER 2009

 Mrs P Cram (Agenda item 13)

            The meeting was again poorly attended but listened to a speaker on the implications of the ‘digital switch-over’.  A second speaker from the AONB Service described the functions of the service & the NSC Liaison Officer for ALCA received complaints regarding the lack of communication about the Parish Charter. A replacement secretary is required for the NS ALCA group and a representative is needed on the Executive Committee.

 

87.       TO APPROVE MEETING SCHEDULE FOR PARISH COUNCIL & COMMITTEE MEETINGS 2010

(Agenda item 14)

Changes were made to some Environment Committee meeting dates and enquiries should be made about the possibility of holding the January & September 2010 Parish Council meetings at the St Monica Trust Care Village in Sandford.

The meeting schedule for Parish Council and Committees in 2010 was accepted by the Council.

Proposed:        Miss B Roper                Seconded:       Mr J Westlake              All in favour

 

88.        REMEMBRANCE DAY SERVICES 8TH NOVEMBER 2009 & REPRESENTATIVES TO LAY POPPY WREATHS  (Agenda item 15)

The annual contribution to the Royal British Legion to include purchase of two poppy wreaths, under section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972 was agreed by the Council. Mr Sampson will lay the wreath in Winscombe & Mr Westlake will attend & lay the wreath in Sandford.

 

 

89.              TO APPROVE MINUTES OF THE AWARD LAND COMMITTEE MEETING & CHAIRMAN’S REPORT Annex 4 

Mr J Westlake (Agenda item 16)

Materials to repair the old forge have now been collected from Mr Westlake and it is anticipated that works will soon commence. Repairs will be carried out to a seat on the Award Land by the Community Service Team and a meeting has taken place with a local tree surgeon for a quotation to remove brash from the land. The boulder blocking a path has now been removed.

The minutes for the Award Land Committee from the meeting dated 5th October 2009 were approved and signed as a correct record.     

Proposed:         Mr G Luckett                Seconded:        Mrs A Brading

All Committee members present were in favour

 

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

Proposed:         Mr G Luckett                Seconded:        Mrs A Brading                          All in favour.

 

90.       TO APPROVE MINUTES OF THE PLAY AREA & SKATE PARK COMMITTEE MEETING  Annex 5  

Mrs A Brading (Agenda item 17)

          A consultation exercise is to be arranged by NSC for the Playbuilder scheme.

The minutes for the Play Area & Skate Park Committee from the meeting dated 5th October 2009 were approved and signed as a correct record.           

Proposed:         Mr G Luckett                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:        Mr G Lloyd                  Seconded:        Mrs V McGann                        All in favour.

 

 

91.        MATTERS FOR INFORMATION  (Agenda item 18)

·            It was advised that Mr Bridges currently remains in hospital in Bristol and an update of his condition was given. A card is to be sent from the Parish Council.

·            Mr Williamson reported on the official opening ceremony of the Cemetery & Allotment Extension. Letters of thanks should be sent to St Monica Trust and the main sub-contractor involved in these works. Mr Sampson thanked Mr Williamson for all his time spent in the completion of this project.

·            Mr Lloyd requested contributions to the next edition of ‘The Occasional’ and advised that the Winscombe Beavers have adopted one plant pot in the village with Mr Lloyd attending one of their meetings and talking to them.

·            Mrs Brading advised that Sidcot School have taken on works at the former Woodborough Green and will continue with the community orchard idea.

·            A meeting of the Chairman’s Committee has taken place to reconsider the future of two oak trees at the Ilex Lane Cemetery that will appear as an agenda item at the next Parish Council meeting.

·            Mr Forbes has contact details of an excellent parliamentary researcher

 

With no further business, the meeting concluded at 9.15 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.