A MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL
was held Thursday 19th March 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, Mr. R Jones (Vice-Chair), Mr. G Lloyd, Mr. G Luckett, Mrs V McGann, Ms. D Powell (Vice-Chair) Miss B Roper,
Mr. C Sampson (Chairman), Mr J Westlake, Mr M Williamson.
Police: PC Church
Clerk: Mrs. L Rampton
Press Representatives: Mr. I Matt, Cheddar Valley Gazette
Members of the public: Eight
Apologies for absence: Mrs A Richmond, Ward Cllr Harley, Ward Cllr Marter
178. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST (Agenda item 3) Mrs V McGann declared a personal & prejudicial interest in agenda item 10 due to a family member being employed by Summerfield Developments.
179. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD 19TH FEBRUARY 2009 (Agenda item 4)
The minutes to the meeting were approved & signed as a correct record.
Proposed: Mrs. A Brading Seconded: Mr A Forbes
All members present at the last meeting were in favour
180. MINUTE UPDATE FROM THE FEBRUARY MINUTES AND MARCH CLERK’S REPORT– Annex 1
(Agenda item 5)
Min 158 – BT’s adopt a kiosk programme. Confirmation has not yet been received regarding transfer of ownership from BT to the Parish Council in relation to the kiosk on Parsons Way.
Min 170 – The first meeting of the Sports Development Committee is to be held on 7th May 2009.
Clerk’s Report – It was clarified that the Parish Plan Officer post within NSC will no longer continue after 31st March 2009 although it is hoped that contacts made by the Parish Council and Parish Plan Steering Groups will allow Parish Plan work within the Parishes to continue.
181. CRIME REPORT 19TH FEBRUARY – 19TH MARCH 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.
Incidents have been reported of mud & stones being dropped onto cars from the Woodborough Road Railway Bridge. PC Church advised members of the public of the method used to prioritise Local Police Priorities and of the number of ‘uniformed patrol’ policing days spent in the parish with the resulting penalties. Sentences have now been passed on those charged with the assault on staff at the Indian take-away shop in Winscombe in October 2007 and these were detailed to the meeting. Miss Roper asked that her thanks be recorded to the Police for the prompt removal of an abandoned vehicle in Sandford.
182. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION (Agenda item 7) A Sandford resident expressed concern about the removal of the First Bus Service from WSM to Bristol resulting in no public transport from the parish to Bristol.
The Treasurer of the Parish Plan advised that a pilot questionnaire has now been produced that has been distributed to volunteers to comment on ‘ease of use’ prior to the full print of the questionnaire taking place. It was reported that the NSC Parish Plan Officer has been very helpful to the Steering Committee in the initial stages of the group and the removal of this post is considered a great loss to all Parishes still contemplating or producing plans. The Steering Committee will be writing to NSC expressing dismay at the loss of this Officer and requested that the Parish Council also make contact with NSC regarding this issue.
183. WARD COUNCILLOR UPDATE & NSC PARISH LIAISON OFFICER UPDATE (Agenda item 8)
No Ward Councillors or NSC Liaison Officer was present at the meeting. Councillor McGann was to ask our representative members if they were aware of the removal of the 121 bus service from WSM to Bristol and ask of their proposals to safeguard this service that is to be removed from 10th May by First Bus due to lack of passenger numbers. Reference was made to the Joint Local Transport Plan 2006/07 – 2010/11 advising that one aim of the plan is to improve rural access to bus services. It was proposed by Mr Sampson, seconded by Mrs McGann, all members in favour that a letter is sent on behalf of the Parish Council to NSC objecting to the removal of the 121 bus service.
184. TO AUTHORISE BILLS FOR PAYMENT – The Clerk Annex 3 (Agenda item 9)
Cheques 102650 - 102684 and direct debits payments detailed were authorised for payment
Proposed: Mr G Lloyd Seconded: Mrs A Brading All in favour.
185. UPDATE ON THE PROVISION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE PARISH - Mr S Bridges Annex 4
(Agenda item 10)
Due to a previously declared personal and prejudicial interest, Mrs McGann left the room.
Representatives of English Rural Housing Association, Summerfield Developments and NSC have recently met with members of the Parish Council Affordable Housing Working Party to provide an update on the current situation for the provision of affordable housing within the Parish. An update brief prepared by Summerfield has been sent to all Key Stakeholders including Parish Council members for the potential site for Affordable Housing on land at the end of Well Close. This update detailing the results of the Public Consultation Events held on 26th January and 4th February 2009 and advising how issues raised through the consultation process are starting to be addressed was distributed to all present at the meeting. An Area Forum, being advertised as a public meeting is to be held by NSC South Area Committee to discuss Affordable Housing in Winscombe at St James Church Hall on Monday 23rd March 2009 at 6pm.
Mrs McGann returned to the meeting.
186. TO CONSIDER RE-INSTATEMENT OF AVON LOCAL COUNCIL REPRESENTATION ON THE NORTH SOMERSET STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP BOARD – Mr C Sampson & Mr R Jones (Agenda item 11)
At the ALCA North Somerset’s Group meeting held on 11th February the termination of the Group’s representation on the board was discussed. Although the NS Group is to be invited to provide representation on each of the three delivery partnerships, the ALCA meeting considered that the Group would not have the same influence as that of being a member of the board. A letter received from Cllr Nigel Ashton, Chairman of the North Somerset Partnership responding to objections to these changes states that ALCA fully engaged in a meeting of the public sector held on 2nd December 2008 and indicated that it would no longer be seeking a place on the board. ALCA representative for this Parish Council, Mr R Jones argued against the statement of Cllr Ashton advising that the changes within the Partnership were a move to involve other organisations with the removal of the ALCA representative creating another space.
It was proposed that a letter be sent to the North Somerset Partnership Chairman requesting that the ALCA representation on the North Somerset Strategic Partnership Board be re-instated.
Proposed: Mrs A Brading Seconded: Mrs P Cram All in favour
187. MAY FAIR ON THE GREEN 9TH MAY 2009 – TO AGREE PARISH COUNCIL REPRESENTATION & VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO RUN A STALL. (Agenda item 12)
It was proposed by Mr J Westlake, Seconded by Mrs V McGann, all members in favour that the Parish Council be represented by way of a stall at the Millennium Green Event on 9th May 2009.
The Chairman requested that Councillors contact the Clerk with their availability for the day to enable a rota to be established.
188. HILL ROAD NSC DEPOT – REPORT ON MEETING WITH BALFOUR BEATTY REPRESENTATIVES – Mr S Bridges (Agenda item 13)
As requested at the Planning Committee meeting on 2nd February 2009, Mr Bridges & the Clerk had attended a meeting with NSC contractors, Balfour Beatty on 2nd March to ascertain intentions for the re-use of this site. Ward Councillors Harley & Lake were also in attendance. With effect from 1st April Balfour Beatty will be taking over the NSC highway maintenance contract from Ringway and the old depot opposite Sandford Quarry will be used as their base within the county. The site is currently being cleared after an absence of use of seven years and made ready for the occupation of 35 staff & plant storage. The number of lorry and van movements from the site was discussed along with the hours of most activity and safety of school children. As the supply of salt and road-gritters will be based at the site, it is hoped that the major roads through the Parish will benefit from this. A number of personnel from Ringway will be transferred to Balfour Beatty under their existing terms of contract and the re-use of this site may increase employment within the Parish. One Councillor made reference to a refused planning application opposite this site for the parking of coaches during school term-time to ease Banwell congestion but was reminded that the application was refused for ecological reasons.
189. PCT LOCAL RURAL WORKING GROUP MEETING UPDATE – Annex 5 Miss B Roper (Agenda item 14)
Miss Roper advised that this group should in future be referred to as NHS North Somerset rather than the PCT. The Community Action representative on the group is present to consider all aspects of transport to medical facilities and are currently concerned about insurance & the pressure on voluntary transport groups such as the ageing Contact Scheme. Previous attempts of Community Action to provide a mini-bus service have failed as costs were prohibitive but these made need to be reconsidered in light of planned bus service cuts.
190. AWARD LAND CHAIRMAN’S REPORT Annex 6 – Mr J Westlake (Agenda item 15)
Mr Westlake and some committee members had attended a site meeting with land owners of Lyncombe Lodge where boundaries of the land were discussed. It was advised that land belonging to Lyncombe Lodge has been registered with Land Registry and a proposal was made regarding a line of fencing that is to be installed to demark the boundaries that will be confirmed in writing before consideration of this by the Parish Council. At the site meeting, members were advised that some functions such as clay pigeon shooting previously carried out on the land will no longer continue
Reports have been made to Mr Westlake of quad bikes accessing Sandford Hill through a usually locked gate on the Award Land and this matter has been reported to the police.
It was proposed that a new substantial lock and chain be purchased to replace the current lock on the gate at the Award Land to limit access through the gate to those authorised.
Proposed: Mr M Williamson Seconded: Mrs A Brading All in favour
Land owners of Lyncombe Lodge will provide a map showing their land ownership and this should be considered as an agenda item at the next committee meeting prior to maps of the Award Land being purchased.
191. CEMETERY & ALLOTMENT COMMITTEE REPORT Annex 7 – Mr M Williamson (Agenda item 16)
The minutes for the Cemetery & Allotment Committee from the meeting dated 27th February 2009 were approved and signed as a correct record.
Proposed: Mrs V McGann Seconded: Mr G Luckett
All Committee members present were in favour
Recent wet weather has delayed completion of the cemetery & allotment extension but works are now again progressing rapidly. Should the current dry spell of weather continue it is hoped that rotivation of the allotment area will take place over the next few days but due to the delay in allowing new allotment tenants access to their new plots, they may be limited in the amount of crop they can grow in the coming season. It was proposed by Mrs V McGann, seconded by Mr G Luckett, all members in favour that for the 2009/10 rental year for allotments in the extension area only, a reduced fee of £10 for full plot and £5 for a half plot be charged.
In response to a question from a member, Mr Williamson advised that current scale of allotment fees has been set for the 2008-2011 period. A small number of allotment plots are still available for Parishioners that will be advertised through local magazines and notice-boards. Should any allotments remain vacant at the next meeting of the committee in May 2009, consideration will be given to allocating these to members of the public resident outside the Parish that are currently on our waiting list.
The committee would like to hold an official opening ceremony at Ilex Lane during the summer months and any ideas for this ceremony should be passed to a committee member for consideration at their next meeting.
The decisions of the Committee were recommended for action by the Parish Council.
Proposed: Mr S Bridges Seconded: Mrs A Brading All in favour
192. CHAIRMAN’S COMMITTEE REPORT Annex 8 – Mr C Sampson (Agenda item 17)
No further water damage to the changing rooms has been reported other than that detailed in the committee minutes.
Mr Williamson advised the Council that contractors for St Monica Trust will be rotivating the allotment area prior to turf being laid to demark the new plots by a contractor appointed by the Parish Council.
The minutes for the Chairman’s Committee from the meeting dated 4th March 2009 were approved and signed as a correct record.
Proposed: Mr M Williamson Seconded: Ms D Powell
All Committee members present were in favour
193. ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE REPORT – Annex 9 Mr G Lloyd (Agenda item 18)
The minutes for the Environment Committee from the meeting dated 3rd March 2009 were approved and signed as a correct record.
Proposed: Mr G Lloyd Seconded: Mrs A Brading
All Committee members present were in favour
Councillors were requested to forward items for inclusion in the next edition of ‘The Occasional’ to Mr Lloyd. Mr Sampson will write an article on the 2009/10 precept and Mr Williamson on the availability of allotments for Parishioners.
Min 5 i) – the broken bollards beneath the railway bridge have now been removed.
Min 11 – It was confirmed that the Yadley side of the railway bridge is the corner suffering from overgrown vegetation.
Mr Bridges apologised for inconsistent attendance at meetings of this committee due to a clash of dates with another regular meeting.
The decisions of the Committee were recommended for action by the Parish Council.
Proposed: Mr G Lloyd Seconded: Mr M Williamson All in favour
194. WAR MEMORIAL RECREATION GROUND COMMITTEE REPORT – Mr S Bridges (Agenda item 19)
i) To approve expenditure to reduce & shape crown of an oak tree by 30% 09/P/0304/TPO
A planning application has been made on behalf of the Parish Council to carry out maintenance works as detailed above to a tree at the Recreation Ground for safety reasons. One bough to this tree fell to the ground in 2008 and further works have now been recommended to prevent a reoccurrence of this incident. Branches to the tree overhang both the Tennis Clubhouse and a football goalmouth and the Parish Council considers it prudent to carry out the recommended works as soon as possible. As the land and tree is owned by the Parish Council, it is not appropriate to comment to NSC on this planning application and the case officer has been advised accordingly.
On receipt of planning approval, works as detailed in application 09/P/0304/TPO and quotation of 21.02.09 should be instructed at a cost of £380 and these funds deducted from the committee budget.
Proposed: Mr S Bridges Seconded: Mr A Forbes
13 in favour, Mrs Brading abstained due to a personal interest that was declared at this point.
195. MATTERS FOR INFORMATION (Agenda item 20)
· Responding to the challenge of proposed housing growth in North Somerset. A letter dated 16th March 2009 from Councillor Nigel Ashton, Leader of North Somerset Council setting out how NSC is responding to these issues emerging from the Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) was read to the meeting. It was considered that the points raised were also concerns of Avon Local Councils Association (ALCA) and that NSC was representing the Towns and Parishes of North Somerset well.
With no further business, the meeting concluded at 9.00 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.