A MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL
was held Thursday 19th February 2009, Sandford Village Hall at 7.30 p.m.
Present: Mrs. A Brading, Mr. S Bridges, Mrs. P Cram, Mr. A Forbes, Mr. R Jones (Vice-Chair), 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 Ward Cllr Harley, Ward Cllr Lake
Guest Speakers: Mr A Higton, NSC ALCA Liaison Officer
Mr J Foster, NSC Liaison Officer
Police: PC Church
PCSO Wright
Assistant Clerk: Mrs. N Flint
Press Representatives: Alex Ross, Weston & Somerset Mercury
Members of the public: approx 48
Apologies for absence: Mrs P Bushnell, Ward Cllr Marter
156. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST (Agenda item 3) As the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 15th January 2009 had not yet been approved Mrs V McGann re-confirmed a personal interest in agenda item 11 due to (1) a family member being employed by the owners of the field (2) a family member being Chairman of the rugby club (3) a family member being a non-playing member of the rugby club.
157. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD 15TH JAN 2009 (Agenda item 4)
The minutes to the meeting were approved & signed as a correct record.
Proposed: Mr S Bridges Seconded: Mr J Westlake
All members present at the last meeting were in favour
158. MINUTE UPDATE FROM THE JANUARY 2009 MINUTES AND FEBRUARY CLERK’S REPORT– Annex 1
(Agenda item 5)
Feb Clerks Report – BT’s Adopt a Kiosk Programme - Mr Bridges asked if confirmation had been received confirming transfer of ownership from BT to the Parish Council.
159. CRIME REPORT 15TH JANUARY 2009 – 19TH FEBRUARY 2009– Annex 2 (Agenda item 6)
Direct office no 01934 638123. Weekly Beat Surgery Tuesday 10 am – 1 pm
Mr C Sampson congratulated PC Steve Church and PCSO Emma Wright on winning the Beat Officer Award for the District.
This month 39 calls had been made to the police with 4 crimes being recorded – 2 x theft and 2 x assault.
Local Police Priorities (LPP) are: - (1) speeding traffic throughout the Parish (2) parking issues throughout the parish (3) to be a visible presence in the villages and increase public confidence (4) anti-social behaviour and vandalism. LPP, at the moment are decided in partnership with the Parish Council at the monthly meeting, but more involvement is being requested from the community so please contact PC Church or PCSO Wright with your views. Neighbourhood Watch is being promoted.
19 people this month have been caught speeding with the majority of offenders being non-residents of the village.
The weekly Beat Surgeries held on a Tuesday morning are being extended to an evening surgery as well This will be held 6pm – 7pm prior to the full Parish Council meeting commencing Thursday 19th March.
The date for those charged with offences in relation to the attack at the Indian takeaway in Oct 2007 due to go to court on 22nd January 2009 is changed to 23rd February 2009 due to snow.
160. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION (Agenda item 7) A signed petition was handed to the Parish Council together with a statement which was read by Mr S Fletcher on behalf of parishioners concerning the proposed development of affordable housing for the Parish on land off Well Close.
161. PROPOSED AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR LAND OFF WELL CLOSE. PUBLIC CONSULTATION UPDATE ON EVENTS HELD 26TH JAN & 4TH FEB – Mr R Jones (Agenda item 8)
As public participation related to the proposed development of affordable housing for the Parish on land off Well Close, Mr C Sampson requested that agenda item 11 became agenda item 8 and vice versa.
Mr R Jones advised that there were two public consultations on 26th January 2009 and 4th February 2009 with English Rural Housing and Summerfield Developments.
162. PRESENTATION ON TOWN & PARISH CHARTER REVIEW – Mr A Higton NSC & Mr J Foster, NSC Liaison
Officer (Agenda item 9)
Mr Higton explained that the North Somerset Town and Parish Council Charter was formed so that North
Somerset Council and the area’s local councils could work together to meet the needs of the communities they
serve. The Charter is a living document and as such, in consultation with local councils, will be reviewed annually. A letter would be sent to every ALCA affiliated Parish and Town Council requesting volunteers and a working group of councillors, clerks and NSC officers would meet once a month for the next 6 months to achieve this. Mr Higton left his contact details for future reference.
Mr J Foster advised that North Somerset Council Tax for 2009/10 was the lowest in the South West. Precept for
2009/10 was down 2.5%. Like everyone else North Somerset Council had been effected by the current
Economic situation but no reduction in services was envisaged at present.
163. WARD COUNCILLOR UPDATE & NSC PARISH LIAISON OFFICER UPDATE (Agenda item 10)
Ward Cllr Lake apologised that the vehicle activated speed signs to be installed on Greenhill Road & Station Road still had not been installed. They should be fully operational week commencing 2nd March 2009.
A planning application on behalf of St Monica’s Trust is to be discussed at a Parish Council Planning
meeting 23rd February 2009. Ward Cllr Marter is investigating the possibility of a public meeting so that
further discussion can take place.
Ward Cllr Harley welcomed the number of parishioners at the Parish Council Meeting and acknowledged their
concerns over the proposed development of affordable housing for the Parish on land off Well Close. She
reminded parishioners that this was still at consultation stage but if a planning application was registered by
Summerfield Developments then Ward Councillors could get involved on the Parish Councils’ behalf.
A meeting of the AONB partnership was held on Wednesday 4th February 2009 at Ubley Village Hall.
Regrettably due to a shortfall in AONB funding over the next three years it was decided that the two Wardens
who look after The Charterhouse Adventure Centre be made redundant.
Cllr McGann asked what the position was with regard recycling materials and wondered if North Somerset
Council were currently storing the waste or recycling it. Ward Cllr Lake advised that North Somerset Council
had a contract and it was the Contractor’s responsibility to dispose of the recycling materials. There would be a
new tender shortly.
Cllr Forbes asked if North Somerset Council was to be compensated from Central Government on its
£3million losses from Icelandic Bank. Ward Cllr Lake said that a decision was imminent and that he was fairly
confident that NSC would get some, at least 50%, if not all of it back.
Cllr Brading asked if there were any plans to close the library in Winscombe. Mr J Foster, NSC Liaison Officer
advised that there were none to his knowledge.
164. TO AUTHORISE BILLS FOR PAYMENT – The Clerk Annex 3 (Agenda item 11)
Cheques 102628 - 102649 and direct debits payments detailed were authorised for payment
Proposed: Mr G Lloyd Seconded: Mr G Luckett All in favour.
165. GOOD FRIDAY WALK & SERVICE ON THE VILLAGE GREEN 10TH APRIL 2009 (Agenda item 12)
The annual event on the village green was approved by council.
Proposed: Mr J Westlake Seconded: Mrs A Brading All in favour.
166. AVON LOCAL COUNCILS ASSOCIATION - Mr R Jones (Agenda item 13)
A meeting of ALCA , North Somerset Group was held on Wednesday 11th February 2009 at Felton Village Hall.
Topics of conversation were Felton Common, a large Nature Reserve in Felton Parish Council and a 5 year Avon wide project to restore and link up species rich grasslands, one of which is Kings Wood, in this Parish.
Alistair Higton ALCA Liaison Officer with NSC advised that the structure of the Local Strategic partnership had been amended resulting in ALCA representation being terminated. Parishes will have two representatives on the Stakeholders Forum but the only democratically elected member of the Board, which is the decision making body will be the Chairman who is to be the Leader of North Somerset Council. Noel Walters, Chairman of ALCA will write to NSC to express their reservations.
Mr A Higton gave a short presentation on the Parish Charter – (minute 162 refers)
The Group AGM is to be held in Winscombe on Thursday 11 June 2009.
Mr S Bridges left to move his car and approximately 26 parishioners left the meeting.
167. SPECIAL EXPENSES – CONCURRENT FUNCTIONS CARRIED OUT BY DISTRICT & PARISH COUNCIL (Agenda item 14)
North Somerset Council requested the Parish Council’s views on Special Expenses incurred by them, ie that the full costs incurred by the District are charged directly to the Parishes which do not provide the services themselves. It was felt that this would have a detrimental effect on our finances and would increase the Precept unreasonably. It was decided that there should be no change to the present system or any functions transferred.
A formal reply is to be written to NSC to this effect.
Proposed: Mr R Jones Seconded: Mr M Williamson
1 abstention 13 in favour
Mr S Bridges returned to the meeting and abstained from the voting.
168. NHS NORTH SOMERSET RURAL GROUP MEETING 29th JANUARY 2009 – Miss B Roper (Agenda item 15)
The NHS North Somerset Rurals’ Group Meeting was held on 29th January 2009 with the adoption of a new membership structure of the Group. A consortium from Kent, which is GP led, will run the new group practice at Worle and the GP drop in centre in Weston. The Worle practice is to open shortly and the GP facility will be based initially in the hospital grounds and it is hoped will take some of the pressure off the A & E Department at the hospital. District Nurses in the rural areas were currently at full strength but needed to be monitored carefully as they are the first point of call for NHS shortages. St Monica’s Trust had secured the services of Dr John’s practice and Cllr Forbes wondered what effect this would have on the surgery and if extra staff were being employed.
169. MENDIP HILLS AONB PARTNERSHIP UPDATE – Mr R Jones (Agenda item 16)
Mr Jones expressed a personal interest as a volunteer Mendip Ranger and held a different perspective in the redundancies of two Mendip Hills AONB Wardens than Ward Cllr Harley (minute 163 refers)
Cllr Jones advised that due to a shortfall in AONB funding over the next three years a review of the work of the AONB together with the structure of the staff who carry out the work at Charterhouse was necessary. This resulted in the Senior Warden being offered a post at 15% less than his present salary or early retirement and the second Warden’s post being made redundant. Concerns were expressed about the future role of ANOB.
170. APPOINTMENT OF A SPORTS DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE – Mr C Sampson
Before any increase to pitch rental and contributions towards changing room maintenance costs can be
considered from the sports clubs the lease agreement for the changing rooms needs to be clarified. The
former WSDC Committee is to be resurrected with Cllrs Brading, Forbes, Lloyd & Roper representing the Parish
Council and 3 representatives from the 3 sports clubs. Terms of Reference to be agreed by Council.
Cllr Lloyd felt that once the legalities of the lease had been rectified the SDC Committee could close and
responsibility of the changing rooms revert back to the WMRG Committee.
Cllr Forbes agreed that the purpose of resurrecting the SDC Committee was to sort out the legalities of the
lease.
Cllr Bridges reiterated that clarification was sought on (1) The Constitution (2) Charges to the Sports Clubs
regarding changing room maintenance costs (3) Charges to the Sports Clubs regarding Ground Rent Charges.
Cllr Forbes did not agree that the SDC Committee should discuss the Constitution as it has no implication on
the lease.
It was proposed that the SDC Committee is reformed.
Proposed: Mrs A Richmond Seconded: Mrs V McGann All in favour
171. REPORT ON VOLUNTARY ACTION MEETING HELD 15th JANUARY 2009 – Mr C Sampson
The Forum took place in the Princes Hall Clevedon and is run by Voluntary Action North Somerset Ltd
The purpose of the Forum is to provide a centre, guidance & feedback for a wide range of voluntary
organisations with a means for internal & external communication to local and regional bodies.
172. ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE REPORT Annex 4 – Mr G Lloyd (Agenda item 19)
The minutes for the Environment Committee from the meeting dated 12th February 2009 were approved and signed as a correct record.
Proposed: Mrs V McGann 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 Lloyd Seconded: Mrs V McGann All in favour
173. EMPLOYMENT & POLICIES COMMITTEE REPORT Annex 5 – Mr. R Jones (Agenda item 20)
The minutes for the Employment & Policies Committee meeting held 26th January 2009 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: Mr R Jones Seconded: Miss B Roper All in favour
.
174. CEMETERY & ALLOTMENT COMMITTEE REPORT Annex 6 – Mr M Williamson (Agenda item 21)
The minutes for the Cemetery & Allotment Committee from the meeting dated 11th February 2009 were approved and signed as a correct record.
Proposed: Mr G Luckett Seconded: Mrs A Brading
All Committee members present were in favour
Cllr Williamson confirmed that the new allotments were progressing nicely.
The decisions of the Committee were recommended for action by the Parish Council.
Proposed: Mr G Lloyd Seconded: Mr G Luckett All in favour
175. PLAY AREA & SKATE PARK COMMITTEE REPORT Annex 7 – Mrs A Brading (Agenda item 22)
The minutes for the Play Area & Skate Park Committee from the meeting dated 10th February 2009 were approved and signed as a correct record.
Proposed: Mrs V McGann Seconded: Mr C Sampson
All Committee members present were in favour
The decisions of the Committee were recommended for action by the Parish Council.
Proposed: Mr A Forbes Seconded: Mrs V McGann All in favour
176. WAR MEMORIAL RECREATION GROUND COMMITTEE REPORT Annex 8 – Mr S Bridges (Agenda item 23)
Minute 8b – Oak Tree overhanging Tennis Club House – Cllr Bridges advised that the estimated cost to reduce the crown and overhanging branches would be approx. £250 - £400. and is deemed as a Health & Safety issue. The tree is subject to a TPO (preservation order) and any work carried out will be subject to planning permission first.
Cllr Williamson reported a disturbance on the Recreation Ground car park. Consideration to close the gates for a trial period should be a future agenda item for the War Memorial Recreation Ground Committee. .
It was proposed to make the tree safe once planning permission is obtained.
Proposed: Mr G Lloyd Seconded: Mr G Luckett
1 abstention 13 in favour
It is anticipated that whilst the works will be carried out prior to the end of March these will be invoiced for in the 2009/10 financial year.
Minute 12 – Sealed Knot event 2010 – Cllr Lloyd felt that the Parish Council should support this event, however, in light of previous profit made from similar events he suggested that a voluntary donation be given from each of the individual sports clubs to the Parish Council towards the changing room fund.
It was proposed that a voluntary donation be given to the Parish Council from each of the individual sports clubs and allocated to the Sports Development Committee Changing Room Fund.
Proposed: Mr G Lloyd Seconded: Mr R Jones All in favour
177. AWARD LAND CHAIRMAN’S REPORT Annex 9 – Mr J Westlake (Agenda item 24)
The minutes for the Award Land Committee from the meeting dated 19th January 2009 were approved and signed as a correct record.
Proposed: Mrs A Brading 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: Mrs R Jones Seconded: Mr V McGann All in favour
MATTERS FOR INFORMATION (Agenda item 24)
· Sandford Village Hall –Copies of brochures regarding their Centenary are now available.
With no further business, the meeting concluded at 9.30pm
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.