A MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL
was held Thursday 18th March 2010, 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. G Lloyd, Mr. G Luckett, Mrs V McGann, Ms. D Powell (Vice-Chair), Mrs A Richmond,
Dr G Rider, Miss B Roper, Mr. C Sampson (Vice-Chair), Mr J Westlake, Mr M Williamson.
Ward Councillors: Mrs A Harley, Mr T Marter
Police: PC Church
Clerk: Mrs. L Rampton
Assistant Clerk: Mrs N Flint
Press Representatives: Mr P Welch, Editor Mid Somerset news & media, Mr I Matt, Reporter Cheddar Valley Gazette, Mr G Jones, freelance reporter
Members of the public: Approx twenty five
A moment of silence was observed by all present at the meeting as a mark of respect to John Gower, former Parish Councillor and advisor to the Cemetery & Allotment Committee who sadly passed away earlier this week.
It was reported that newly elected Councillor, Dr Gavin Rider signed his declaration of acceptance of office in the presence of the Clerk on 2nd March 2010. and was welcomed to the Parish Council by the Chairman.
Apologies for absence: Mr J Foster, NSC Liaison Officer
163. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST (Agenda item 2)
A personal & prejudicial interest was declared by Mr Forbes in agenda item 11 and any other agenda item should reference be made to the Hinkley Point C Connection project as a land owner on one proposed route for new power lines.
Mrs McGann declared a personal & prejudicial interest in agenda item 10, Provision of Affordable Housing Update due to a family member being employed by Summerfield Developments. This same interest was also declared for agenda items 3, 4 & 6 should any matters relating to this interest arise from the previous Council meeting minutes or public participation.
A personal and prejudicial interest was declared by Mrs Cram in Agenda item 18 (claim that part of Winscombe Drove be recorded as a bridleway) as an adjacent landowner should reference be made to this.
164. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD 24TH FEBRUARY 2010
(Agenda item 3)
With one amendment to minute 160, public participation the minutes to the meeting were approved & signed as a correct record.
Proposed: Mr G Luckett Seconded: Mr G Lloyd
Of those present at the last meeting 8 were in favour and three members abstained.
165. MINUTE UPDATE FROM THE FEBRUARY MINUTES AND MARCH CLERK’S REPORT Annex 1 (Agenda item 4)
Min 159 – ALCA NS Group meeting. The letter from Blagdon Parish Council has now been received and circulated to Councillors.
166. CRIME REPORT 19TH NOV 2009 - 21ST JAN 2010– Annex 2 (Agenda item 5) 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 to the meeting. It was reported that cars are accessing the Strawberry Line through an unlocked gate and confirmed that the three incidents of criminal damage recorded were made up of damage to a seat on the Strawberry Line, a rock being thrown at a bus and the window to the kebab shop being broken.
167. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION (Agenda item 6)
The Chairman reminded members of the public present that this would be the only opportunity within the meeting to address members of the Council and is not a session for debate.
Due to a previously declared personal & prejudicial interest, Mrs McGann left the room.
A Sandford resident advised of her confusion after reading a recent press article concerning affordable housing ‘need’ and spoke in favour of affordable housing for this Parish. Reference was made to promises made in the leaflet distributed on behalf of a newly elected Councillor in the lead-up to the Parish Council election.
A letter in favour of Affordable Housing for the Parish was read to the meeting at the request of the author by the Chairman (the identity of the parishioner was not disclosed).
Mrs McGann returned to the meeting.
168. TO SET COMMUNITY POLICING PRIORITIES FOR THE PERIOD TO 15TH APRIL 2010(Agenda item 7)
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:
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 and on the Strawberry Line after 11pm and week-ends
5. Parking of vehicles on footways with particular attention to Sandford.
Concern was expressed over the dangers caused by parking of multiple delivery lorries on Woodborough Road outside the Co-op and PC Church offered to discuss this matter with the store manager.
169. WARD COUNCILLOR & NSC PARISH LIAISON OFFICER UPDATE (Agenda item 8)
Funding from the NSC Playbuilder project has resulted in numerous additions to play equipment for Sandford and it was suggested an invitation could be extended to the Play Rangers asking them to visit the Parish play areas over the summer period. Recent negative publicity concerning drugs in WSM appearing in local press was considered upsetting and it was hoped that future articles may focus on the more positive aspects of the town. It was reported that works are planned (funding allocated) to improve Winscombe library and the closure of Banwell library has been delayed until these works are complete.
A Parish Councillor addressed her concerns to Ward Councillors regarding the lack of response received from NSC to an enquiry regarding changes to the recycling and refuse collection service. Ward Councillors would assist in holding a public meeting in the parish with officers from NSC present in which concerns may be addressed. Councillor Lloyd had attended a recent NSC briefing event on the changes to the waste collection service along with the Clerk and had been very impressed with the presentation and service.
170. TO AUTHORISE BILLS FOR PAYMENT. Annex 3 (Agenda item 9)
Cheques 102957 – 102978 and direct debits payments detailed were authorised for payment
Proposed: Mrs P Cram Seconded: Mr G Lloyd All in favour.
171. UPDATE ON THE PROVISION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR THE PARISH Annex 4 (Agenda item 10)
Due to a previously declared personal & prejudicial interest, Mrs McGann left the room.
Notes for a meeting of the working party held on 16th March 2010 were distributed to Councillors and were available for public and press present at the meeting. A précis of the report was given to the meeting by the Chairman. Mrs McGann returned to the meeting.
172. UPDATE ON NATIONAL GRID HINKLEY C CONNECTION – Councillors Bridges, Luckett & Williamson (Agenda item 11)
Due to a previously declared personal and prejudicial interest in this agenda item, Mr Forbes left the room and Vice-Chairman Mr Sampson took the Chair.
It was reported that nominated Councillors Bridges, Luckett and Williamson had attended a meeting with representatives of Loxton and Compton Bishop Parish Councils and protest groups with each person present being invited to send a further letter of objection to current pylon proposals to National Grid. A letter sent to National Grid by Mr Bridges asking for underground/undersea costings and confirmation of plans for further public consultation has been circulated to other Parish Councillors. A protest group for this parish is currently being formed and a leaflet drop to all homes will take place inviting everyone to a public meeting to be held on this subject by the protest group. In a letter to the Parish Council it was advised that John Penrose MP has joined forces with other local MPs in the area and organised a debate in the House of Commons to oppose the pylons. A joint paper has also been submitted calling for a change in planning rules to force National Grid to consider alternatives to protect the landscape and to ensure that the final decision would be debated in Parliament and approved by a Government Minister, rather than passed to the Government’s unelected Infrastructure Planning Committee (IPC). A Ward Councillor advised of the stance to the pylons taken by NSC who are in favour of underground or undersea routes. Mr Forbes returned to the meeting and resumed the Chair.
173. TO CONSIDER THE POSITION AND FORMAT OF ‘PUBLIC PARTICIPATION’ DURING MEETINGS OF THE PARISH COUNCIL (Agenda item 12)
Considerable discussion and debate took place on this subject but with all Councillors being in agreement that ‘public participation’ is welcomed and to be encouraged at meetings. To allow proper respect to be paid to matters raised by Parishioners and to enable Councillors to respond, consideration was given to introducing a period at the following Parish Council meeting where previous matters raised could be addressed. To allow for a large amount of discussion that may not be appropriate at full meetings of the Parish Council, further consideration could be given to the introduction of a regular workshop type event that would allow the public to engage in a less formal interactive discussion with Councillors.
An additional agenda item should appear for full meetings of the Parish Council ‘Response to previous meetings public participation’
Proposed: Mr S Bridges Seconded: Mr M Williamson All in favour
‘Public Participation’ should remain in the current agenda order, within the main body of the meeting but the meeting will be suspended to allow this item and then re-opened on conclusion of this.
Proposed: Mr S Bridges Seconded: Mr M Williamson
10 were in favour, 4 against, 1 abstained from voting.
Brief notes of public comments will be taken with members of the public encouraged to hand in a written record of speeches made
Proposed: Mr S Bridges Seconded: Mr M Williamson All in favour
A maximum time limit of 15 minutes will be allowed for ‘public participation’ as an agenda item.
Proposed: Mrs V McGann Seconded: Mr S Bridges
12 were in favour with 3 members voting against.
Parish Council Standing Orders will be updated to reflect these changes.
174. TO CO-OPT NEWLY ELECTED COUNCILLOR RIDER TO PARISH COUNCIL COMMITTEES (Agenda item 13) At the request of Councillor Rider, this item was deferred to the next meeting.
175. NSHOUSING STRONGER COMMUNITIES STRATEGY (TO 2012) – RESPONSE FROM PARISH COUNCIL (Agenda item 14)
It was confirmed that this item does not relate to the provision of affordable housing.
The response as prepared by Councillors Bridges and Luckett was agreed by the Council
Proposed: Mrs V McGann Seconded: Mrs A Richmond All in favour.
176. REMOVAL OF RECYCLING BINS AT THE RECREATION GROUND CAR PARK AND REDUCED BINS AT WOODBOROUGH DRIVE CAR PARK (Agenda item 15)
Recycle bins at the Recreation Ground have been removed temporarily due to the number of available bins in the change over of NSC contractors. These will be replaced shortly but the future of this site is still subject to future review within NSC. We are currently working with a reduced number of recycle bins at the Woodborough Drive car park site but as more frequent empties of the site are taking place, with the exception of a week-end period, no problems are being encountered. Ward Councillors are to try to ensure speedy replacement of those bins removed from both sites.
177. AWARD LAND COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN’S REPORT Annex 5 – Mr J Westlake (Agenda item 16)
Due to continuing problems caused to footpaths by native animals, a new licence from Defra will be applied for. Thanks were given to the Council for their good wishes during Councillor Westlake’s recent health issues and to Councillor Williamson for taking charge of the Community Service Team on the Award Land and the transport home from hospital. Whilst it was reported in the March 2010 Clerk’s Report, increased contributions to costs of the Community Service Team will be applicable with effect 1st April 2010, these works are still considered to be very good value by the Parish Council.
178. REPORT ON EMPLOYMENT & POLICIES COMMITTEE MEETING HELD 1ST MARCH 2010 Annex 6 – Mr S Bridges (Agenda item 17)
The minutes for the Employment & Policies Committee from the meeting dated 1st March 2010 were approved and signed as a correct record.
Proposed: Mr M Williamson Seconded: Ms D Powell
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 C Sampson All in favour.
179. REPORT ON ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING HELD 2ND MARCH 2010 Annex 7 – Mr G Lloyd (Agenda item 18)
Min 5 c. Litter along verges – details of the litter picking route for the Sandford Orderly were clarified.
The Committee Chairman has been contacted by a local Horticultural Society and the Parish Council commended for planting daffodil displays on verges and Parish Council Land. An invitation was extended to the Committee Chairman to enter some of these exhibits into the horticultural show to be held this forthcoming Saturday.
With amendments to minutes 5 c. and 6 b. the minutes for the Environment Committee from the meeting dated 2nd March 2010 were approved and signed as a correct record.
Proposed: Mr G Lloyd Seconded: Mrs V McGann
All Committee members present were in favour
The decisions of the Committee, with the exception of minute 8 which would be dealt with separately by the Parish Council were recommended for action by the Parish Council.
Proposed: Mr G Lloyd Seconded: Mrs V McGann All in favour.
1.) Plans for changes to the footway at Winscombe bridge and request for parish council (section 137) funding
Details of the proposed scheme to widen the footway village shop side of the railway bridge by moving back a retaining wall (in NSC ownership) were detailed to the meeting. The current footway does not safely allow access to the village by those with mobility issues or pushchair users and is not considered safe for able bodied pedestrians due to the close proximity of passing vehicles on Woodborough Road. No alternative footway is present on the opposite side of the road at this point and reports of a previous accident involving a pedestrian were relayed to the meeting.
A NSC Highway engineer has compiled costs for the scheme at a total of £10,000 but current known funding within NSC from a ‘minor works scheme’ only amounts to 50% of that needed at £5,000. Ward Councillors have previously been contacted for assistance in this matter with a Ward Councillor responding that no further NSC funds are available to assist. Councillors considered that as the Parish Council has previously contributed financially to a scheme to widen a footway on the opposite side of the railway bridge, it would be foolhardy not to complete the project and allow safe passage on foot to parishioners from the Church Road end of the parish to the village centre.
It was proposed that due to pedestrian safety, the Parish Council contribute a sum of £5,000 towards a NSC scheme to widen the footway by The Green and railway bridge on Woodborough Road. The monies will be allocated from within the 2010/2011 financial year, taken from the contingency fund and deducted from (LGA 1972) Section 137 allowed funding.
Proposed: Mr M Williamson Seconded: Mr C Sampson All in favour.
Thanks were given to Councillor Lloyd for progressing the scheme to this stage.
180. TO RECONSIDER A PREVIOUS RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL (MIN 109 NOV 2009) TO PRESERVE AN OAK TREE AT ILEX LANE CEMETERY (Agenda item 19)
In accordance with standing order13, a request to reconsider this item has been received from 5 Councillors.
A site visit with representatives of WPD and the NSC Tree Officer has previously taken place to which all Councillors were invited to attend. Concern was expressed by the NSC Official of root damage caused to the oak tree (by the recently installed roadway at the cemetery) and the future stability of the tree due to this.
It was proposed that the previous decision of the Council to preserve the oak tree adjacent to the ‘hearse access’ roadway be reversed and that the tree should be felled by WPD with the stump being ground out.
Proposed: Mr M Williamson Seconded: Mr G Luckett All in favour
It was considered that delightful views exist from the cemetery to the surrounding countryside and that the replacement of all trees to be felled could minimise this in the future. No additional planting should take place along the bottom hedge line towards Banwell Castle. Requirements from Bristol Water have been checked regarding the planting of an oak tree in close proximity to a water main pipe.
It was proposed that one new oak tree be planted at the cemetery in the hedge line close to the cemetery vehicle entrance gate, in accordance with the 3m easement required by Bristol Water for a tree without a root barrier.
Proposed: Mr S Bridges Seconded: Mr G Lloyd 12 in favour, 3 against
181. REPORT ON FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING HELD 23RD FEBRUARY 2010 Annex 8 – Mr C Sampson (Agenda item 20)
It was confirmed that the link to the digital mapping was using Google Earth aerial photography rather than the recently launched Google Streetscene. Confirmed costs for the package are in accordance with those recommended by the Finance Committee.
To continue with current Parish Council insurers will result in an annual premium of £4,199.77 opposed to an annual premium with AVIVA recommended by the Finance Committee to include a 3 year binding agreement of £3,121.77.
The minutes for the Finance Committee from the meeting dated 23rd February 2010 were approved and signed as a correct record.
Proposed: Mrs A Brading Seconded: Mr S Bridges
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: Mr S Bridges 14 in favour, 1 abstention.
182. WAR MEMORIAL RECREATION GROUND COMMITTEE – Mr S Bridges (Agenda item 21)
1.) Request for YANSEC grant assistance for Winscombe sports clubs to purchase slitting machine
Regular use of the machine will improve drainage of the ground and it is intended that the machine will be gifted to the parish Council for insurance purposes.
10% third party funding of £314.50 for a grant from YANSEC to Winscombe Sports Clubs to assist with ground maintenance at the Parish Council owned WMRG should be paid from within the WMRG agreed budget.
Proposed: Mr G Lloyd Seconded: Mr M Williamson All in favour.
2.) To consider entering into a ground sharing agreement between committee and sports clubs Annex 9
Councillors considered the document to be an excellent agreement and a good move to ensure harmony between clubs using the recreation ground. Whilst it was considered that using the Chairman of the WMRG Committee (or the Parish Council Chairman in the case of the WMRG Chairman having strong associations with either club), as arbitrator in the event of a dispute is commendable, there is no need for the Parish Council, or committee to be party to the agreement as this in some sections directly conflicts with the constitution agreed at Parish Assembly for the management of the grounds.
It was proposed that the agreement be signed by the Chairman to the War Memorial Recreation Ground Committee
Proposed: Mr S Bridges Seconded: No second was received
Motion not carried
3.) To consider request from football club to erect a marquee at the recreation ground
The marquee is required from 1st – 4th June to hold the 25th Anniversary Celebration events of the annual exchange between Winscombe Football Club and the German village of Wolkersdorf. Agreement has been obtained by the football club from the cricket club and the football club are to arrange insurance of the marquee and organise security of this.
Permission should be granted to Winscombe AFC to install a marquee at the WMRG as requested.
Proposed: Mr S Bridges Seconded: Mr M Williamson All in favour.
4.) To consider request from rugby club to install two temporary toilets at the WMRG for 1 day.
Mr Williamson declared a personal and prejudicial interest at this point as Chairman of the Rugby Club Junior Section and left the meeting. Mr Bridges declared a personal interest as President of the Rugby Club.
The junior section of the Rugby Club are to host a ‘Sevens’ tournament on 2nd May that has attracted entries from all over the country. Due to planning constraints on the Blomfield pitch, off Yadley Way it is not possible to erect temporary toilets on site and therefore a request is made for permission to install two portable toilets in the WMRG carpark by the crossing of the Strawberry Line to Yadley Way for use by players and spectators using the Blomfield pitches.
Permission should be granted to Winscombe Rugby Club to install 2no portable toilets at the WMRG as requested.
Proposed: Mr G Lloyd Seconded: Mrs V McGann All in favour.
Mr Williamson returned to the meeting.
183. MATTERS FOR INFORMATION (Agenda item 22)
· Renewal of the Lease of land (beneath the clubhouse) to Winscombe Cricket Club has now been signed by the Chairman and a Vice-Chairman.
· Banwell, Winscombe and Sandford Children’s Centre has been extended to encompass Bleadon and details of current grant funding for play equipment suitable for 0 – 5 year olds was detailed. The Winscombe Community Centre Chairman has been made aware of the grant funding scheme.
· Mendip Hills AONB Partnership – terms of reference for the partnership have been reviewed and due to a poor response of Parish Council representatives attending meetings, membership has now been limited to one person from each of the three counties. Due to financial constraints, the number of meetings held will also be limited.
· A report of a NHS PCT meeting was given with notes of this meeting to be forwarded to the Clerk for circulation to Councillors.
· The Sandford Play Area may be closed for a short time during installation of the NSC Play Builder Equipment around the end of March 2010.
With no further business, the meeting concluded at 9.45 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.