A MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL
was held Thursday 19th November 2009, Winscombe Community Centre at 7.30 p.m.
Present: Mrs. A Brading, 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, Miss B Roper,
Mr. C Sampson (Vice-Chair), Mr J Westlake, Mr M Williamson.
Ward Councillors: Mrs A Harley & Mr T Lake
Police: PC Church & Sergeant Holtby
Clerk: Mrs. L Rampton
Press Representatives: Mr G Jones, freelance reporter and Ms P Chambers, NS Mercury
Members of the public: Approx forty five
Apologies for absence: Mr. S Bridges, Mr. R Jones and NSC Liaison Officer Mr J Foster.
92. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST (Agenda item 2) Mrs McGann declared a personal & prejudicial interest in agenda item 12, 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 & prejudicial interest was declared in Agenda item 8 Hinkley Point C Connection project by Mr Forbes as a land owner on one proposed route for new power lines.
93. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD 15TH OCTOBER 2009 (Agenda item 3)
The minutes to the meeting were approved & signed as a correct record.
Proposed: Mr G Lloyd Seconded: Mrs A Brading
All those present at the last meeting were in favour.
94. MINUTE UPDATE FROM THE OCTOBER MINUTES AND NOVEMBER CLERK’S REPORT– Annex 1
Min 85 Role of Chaplain at Parish Council meetings. A Councillor enquired why letters received on this topic had not been circulated with agenda papers to the meeting but issued to Councillors by email. It was explained that no request had been received to include the Role of Chaplain as an agenda item for this meeting and therefore correspondence in this regard was post-decision and not considered to be meeting supporting papers. A number of Councillors had also visited the Parish Office to view letters received. Under normal circumstances, future letters received at the Parish Office relating to topics discussed or under discussion by the Parish Council will automatically be circulated to Councillors without delay.
Min 87 Schedule for Parish Council and Committee meetings 2010. Details of meeting venues will shortly be issued after confirmation from St Monica Trust of room availability.
95. CRIME REPORT 15TH OCT 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 and it was advised that had witnesses to an incident of anti-social behaviour at the Recreation Ground car park reported the incident to the police at the time, it would have been recognised as one of the Parish Policing Priorities and been dealt with as such. It was reported that two ‘Neighbourhood Watch’ groups have been formed in light of recent incidents at the Recreation Ground.
96. 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.
a. A Parishioner who lives along a 0.6 mile stretch of the A368 on Greenhill Road that currently has a 60mph speed limit addressed the Council on the subject of speed and accident history in this vicinity. The rural classification of the road was questioned and it was reported there has been an increase in the use and number of local businesses over the past ten years. Concern was expressed regarding the number of accidents along this short stretch of road with a recent incident resulting in a 12 year old schoolchild being knocked unconscious by a car when crossing the road to the school bus stop. It was advised that the SAFECAM partnership covers the whole of the Avon and Somerset Police Area with 53 ‘Community Concern Sites’ identified in the 5 Council Areas. Only one of these sites is recorded in North Somerset and that is Greenhill Road, Sandford. The Parishioner, speaking as the appointed voice for the residents who live along the 0.6 mile section of road between Sandford & Churchill addressed the NSC full Council meeting on 17th November resulting in Councillors Ap Rees and Lake agreeing to a site visit/walkabout and a request was made that the Parish Council consider including a sum of money within the forthcoming precept request to install a vehicle activated speed sign for the area.
b. A Parishioner living on the A368 at the opposite end of Sandford also spoke on the matter of pedestrian safety and advised the meeting that she has been fighting for the installation of a footway by the Railway Inn for a number of years. It was reported that funding allocated within NSC South Area Committee budgets for this project is due to be allocated elsewhere. The Parishioner also spoke of her dismay to learn that the Parish Council Environment Committee has rejected a request for the installation of a community notice-board in the bus lay-by opposite the new Sandford Care Village.
Due to a previously declared personal and prejudicial interest, Councillor McGann left the meeting.
c. The owner of a property in Woodborough Drive read a statement to the Council advising that he has many issues concerning the process used to date for the provision of Affordable Housing for the Parish but restricted his statement to one issue for the purpose of this meeting “- the inclusion of incorrect and biased statements in the official minutes of your meetings”. Requests have previously been made by the Parishioner to the Parish Council to correct inaccuracies identified (in his opinion) that have not been made to the minutes and this is considered unacceptable. The Parishioner complained that he had challenged the validity of claims that are being made in the findings of the village housing survey and not questioned the validity of the survey itself. A question was asked if notes to the Affordable Housing Working Party dated September 2009 had been changed? A demand was made that “unless you can back minuted statements up with evidence to prove they are correct, these are removed from the record” and that “The minutes of the September Parish Council meeting are so inaccurate that they too should be withdrawn and rewritten as an accurate record, without retrospective embellishments as have been identified regarding comments made by Councillor Bridges”.
The Parishioner considered that a decision of the Parish Council in principal to support a development for affordable housing on land to the end of Well Close should be withdrawn.
d. A Parishioner living close to Hillyfields stated that the decision of the Parish Council to ‘in principal support a proposal by English Rural Housing Association to provide Affordable Housing on land to the end of Well Close reserving the right to comment fully on all matters appertaining to any subsequent planning application’ contradicts September notes to the Affordable Housing Working Party meeting and asked if this site was chosen because no other site was currently available.? The Parishioner questioned if all personal and prejudicial interests had been declared by Councillors at meetings and asked what is the definition of ‘strong community support’? In response to a question asking why details of all cheques approved at Parish Council meetings are not published with the agenda front sheet to the meeting, the Chairman advised that this contained personal information including salary payments and that Parish Council accounts are available for inspection by appointment with the Clerk.
Mrs McGann returned to the meeting.
e. A member of the Clergy spoke in opposition to the recent decision of the Parish Council to discontinue the practice of prayers before meetings of the full Parish Council. In his opinion, the decision has added to Parishioners feelings of hurt and dismay and he requested that three Councillors submit a request for this matter to be reconsidered. Copies of a booklet were passed to the Clerk for distribution to Councillors.
f. A further three Parishioners also spoke against the Parish Council dispensing with the tradition of opening meetings with a prayer.
The majority of Parishioners left the meeting with 16 members of the public remaining
97. TO SET COMMUNITY POLICING PRIORITIES FOR THE PERIOD TO 21ST JANUARY 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. Following discussion, priorities should remain as for the previous period:
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.
Proposed: Mr M Williamson Seconded: Mr C Sampson All in favour
98. ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR AT NIGHT IN THE WAR MEMORIAL RECREATION GROUND CAR PARK – TO AGREE REMEDIAL ACTION (Agenda item 8)
Recent problems with some youth in vehicles causing a noise disturbance and letting off fireworks at the recreation ground car park late at night were detailed to the meeting. When a volunteer has previously locked the gates to the ground at 11pm, this anti-social behaviour ceases and it was considered that this agreement should be formalised. In discussion emergency service access, contributions from the sporting clubs, offensive behaviour towards close neighbours and employment practicalities were considered.
Resolved: The voluntary arrangement for the locking of the vehicular access gate at the War Memorial Recreation Ground should be formalised with a decision on employment issues being deferred to the Employment & Policies Committee at their meeting to be held on 7th December 2009.
99. TO CONSIDER A REDUCTION IN THE 60MPH SPEED LIMIT A368 GREENHILL ROAD – DINGHURST ROAD (Agenda item 9)
A previous request of the Parish Council in 2005, followed by a feasibility study in 2008 to reduce the speed limit on this short section of road between Sandford & Churchill was declined by North Somerset Council. It was considered that traffic that speeds up on this section of road as they enter the Parish continues through Sandford. Following a road traffic accident involving a school child, a renewed attempt to reduce the speed limit is being made to NSC by local residents and this action is supported by Churchill Parish Council.
Provision for a vehicle activated speed sign has previously been made within Parish Council budgets and consideration of this should be made by the Finance Committee for forthcoming precept consideration.
It was proposed by Mrs A Brading, seconded by Mr G Lloyd, that this Parish Council support a reduction in the speed limit on the A368 Dinghurst Road – Greenhill Road from 60 mph to 30 mph.
All members were in favour
Mr Forbes will attend and speak at the December NSC Parish Voice on this matter.
100. WARD COUNCILLOR & NSC PARISH LIAISON OFFICER UPDATE (Agenda item 10)
Councillor Lake advised that prayers are said before some meetings in NSC and will enquire how forthcoming equality issues may affect them. In response to a matter raised under ‘public participation’ Councillor Lake advised that to enable the footway on part of Station Road to be extended, consent of land owners to sell land is required and considerable costs would be involved in moving a telegraph pole. Limited funding will not allow for ‘compulsory purchase’ of land and rather than losing South Area Committee Road Safety funding, a difficult decision may soon have to be made to allocate funds to other projects in the area.
A review of all ‘A classified’ roads in North Somerset is taking place and once a decision has been made by NSC on which speed limits to change, one traffic regulation order will be made. Where police have previously objected to a change in a speed restriction, NSC may still proceed after taking further advice.
101. TO AUTHORISE BILLS FOR PAYMENT – Annex 3 (Agenda item 11)
Cheques 102877 - 102898 and direct debits payments detailed were authorised for payment
Proposed: Mrs P Cram Seconded: Ms D Powell All in favour.
Five further Parishioners left the meeting
102. UPDATE ON THE PROVISION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR THE PARISH. (Agenda item 12)
Due to a previously declared personal & prejudicial interest, Mrs McGann left the meeting.
The Village Housing Survey carried out in 2008 was a headline survey to give an overall view of Affordable Housing Need for the Parish & the ‘Registration of Interest’ process will provide greater detail. The draft ‘Exception’ site search and selection report is being continually reviewed as other sites for the provision of affordable housing are sought. English Rural Housing Association are not supporting a planning application for an affordable housing scheme on land to the end of Well Close at this time due to a number of issues currently outstanding.. Mrs McGann returned to the meeting.
Seven Parishioners left the meeting with four remaining
103. NATIONAL GRID – HINKLEY POINT C CONNECTION PROJECT. PUBLIC EXHIBITION & RESPONSE TO NATIONAL GRID (Agenda item 13)
Due to previously declared personal and prejudicial interest, Mr Forbes left the meeting. Mr Sampson, Vice-Chairman took the Chair.
Councillors Luckett and Westlake attended a meeting for Parish Councils hosted by National Grid in Banwell and a public consultation event had been held in Sandford Village Hall.
Mr Luckett detailed the aims of the project to connect the new Hinkley Point C Power Station to the Grid by installing a new 400,000 volt overhead line between the Bridgwater and Seabank (Avonmouth) substations along with methods to reach this to the meeting. The proposed two overhead corridors could include installation of 400kv pylons 46.5 meters high as opposed to the existing 132kv, 26.9 meter high pylons with National Grid staff advising that to bury cables will cost between 12 to 17 times more than the installation of overhead cables.
Concern was expressed over possible health risks should the high voltage cables pass overhead and impact on the landscape with National Grid proposing that additional or larger pylons pass through an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and close to The Strawberry Line and Sandford Care Village. Whilst it was accepted by the Council there is a national need for a means to transmit more electricity, detailed costs to route the line underwater in the Bristol Channel or under ground have not been shown in the consultations for comparative purposes and should be further investigated.
It was proposed that a response be sent to National Grid advising that the preferred option of this Parish Council is that the new 400kv connection is routed underwater in the Bristol Channel with second preference being that all cables be routed underground in the Mendip Hills AONB and close to populated areas. It is requested that detailed costings for offshore and underground alternatives are provided to the Parish Council and at future public consultations. Should undergrounding the cables in their entirety not be possible, then this Parish Council would prefer Corridor 2 parallel to the M5 as the less densely populated route for this area on the condition that cables are buried in the AONB.
Proposed: Mrs A Richmond Seconded: Mrs V McGann All in favour
Mr Forbes returned to the meeting and resumed the Chair.
104. TO CONSIDER AND COMMENT ON THE DRAFT BUSINESS PLAN FOR ALCA (AVON LOCAL COUNCILS ASSOCIATION) Annex 4 (Agenda item 14)
The business plan was considered by the Council and accepted without recommendations for change.
105. REVIEW OF THE MENDIP HILLS AONB PARTNERSHIP – QUESTIONNAIRE (Agenda item 15)
It was proposed that Councillors Luckett, Bushnell and Brading compile a response to be submitted to the AONB partnership within the agreed timescale.
Proposed: Mr G Luckett Seconded: Mrs V McGann 12 in favour, 1 abstention.
106. REPORT ON LOCAL RURALS WORKING GROUP (Agenda item 16) Miss B Roper
The scheduled meeting had not taken place due to staff sickness and a report will be given to a future Parish Council meeting.
107. AWARD LAND COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN’S REPORT Annex 5 Mr J Westlake (Agenda item 17)
The seat has now been fitted on the Award Land by the Community Service Team and works to restore the forge have been completed. Due to manpower constraints, the Community Service Team is no longer able to spend as much time at the Award Land.
108. TO APPROVE MINUTES OF THE CEMETERY & ALLOTMENT COMMITTEE MEETING HELD 2ND NOVEMBER 2009 Annex 6 Mr M Williamson (Agenda item 18)
The minutes for the Cemetery & Allotment Committee from the meeting dated 2nd November 2009 were approved and signed as a correct record.
Proposed: Mr G Luckett Seconded: Ms D Powell
All Committee members present were in favour
a. Update on current position of structure on allotment 31b
With the permission of the allotment holder, an inspection of the shed interior has taken place and it was noted that no objects associated with allotment keeping were being stored in this. The allotment holder has verbally advised that works to fabricate a moveable run for the hens is taking place at home and it is anticipated the hens will arrive at Ilex Lane by end of February 2010. In discussion concern was raised regarding health issues for fellow allotment holders and poultry with the timescale between erection of the shed and the arrival of the hens being questioned.
It was proposed that a letter be sent to allotment holder 31b asking for a detailed plan of work progress to convert the shed into a hen house. It should also be advised that hens as permitted by statute should be present in the structure erected at the end of October 2009 before 28th February 2010 or steps will be taken to terminate the allotment tenancy agreement.
Proposed: Mrs A Richardson Seconded: Mr C Sampson
12 in favour, Mrs V McGann abstained from voting.
The decisions of the Committee were recommended for action by the Parish Council.
Proposed: Mr G Luckett Seconded: Ms D Powell All in favour.
109. TO APPROVE MINUTES AND ACTIONS OF THE CHAIRMAN’S COMMITTEE MEETING HELD 15TH OCTOBER 2009 Annex 7 Mr A Forbes (Agenda item 19)
The minutes for the Chairman’s Committee from the meeting dated 15th October 2009 were approved and signed as a correct record.
Proposed: Mrs A Brading Seconded: Mr G Lloyd
All Committee members present were in favour
The placing of a Tree Preservation Order on the oak tree closest to the allotment fence will restrict future burial area for the cemetery and roots are already appearing at ground level that may affect existing graves. The oak tree in the hedge line is not considered to be interfering with burial spaces and is worthy of protection.
It was proposed by Mrs Brading that a TPO should be placed on the oak tree closest to the cemetery roadway and Western Power being permitted to remove the second oak tree by the allotment fence line as recommended by the Chairman’s Committee.
An amendment to this proposal was made to remove both oak trees.
Proposed: Mr M Williamson Seconded: Mrs A Richmond
3 in favour, 8 against, 1 abstention Amendment not carried.
A TPO should be placed on the oak tree closest to the cemetery roadway and Western Power permitted to remove the second oak tree by the allotment fence line as recommended by the Chairman’s Committee.
Proposed: Mrs A Brading Seconded: Mr G Lloyd
9 in favour 2 against, 1 abstention
110. ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE REPORT – Annex 8 Mr G Lloyd (Agenda item 20)
The minutes for the Environment Committee from the meeting dated 2nd November 2009 were approved and signed as a correct record.
Proposed: Mr G Lloyd Seconded: Miss B Roper
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.
111. FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT – Annex 9 Mr C Sampson (Agenda item 21)
The minutes for the Finance Committee from the meeting dated 26th October 2009 were approved and signed as a correct record.
Proposed: Mrs A Brading Seconded: Ms D Powell
All Committee members present were in favour
It was noted that both internal & external audit reports are considered excellent and a vote of thanks was proposed to both the Clerk and Finance Assistant by Miss Roper. Winscombe Sports Clubs may apply for grant assistance towards changing room improvements and it was noted that rent for this facility is fixed within the lease.
The decisions of the Committee were recommended for action by the Parish Council.
Proposed: Mr M Williamson Seconded: Mrs A Brading All in favour.
112. TO APPROVE MINUTES OF THE SPORTS DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING HELD 22ND OCTOBER 2009 – Annex 10 Mr C Sampson (Agenda item 22)
The minutes for the Sports Development Committee from the meeting dated 22nd October 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 committee recommend to the Parish Council for approval that enforcement action would only be taken against the clubs assets rather than that of the tenants for the performance of the tenants obligations. From solicitor responses to questions raised it was advised that the tenants are responsible for the repair of the building interior including boilers and council tax and that the tenants may request an extension to the lease at the end of the current term.
It was proposed that Miss B Roper be co-opted onto the Sports Development Committee with immediate effect.
Proposed: Mr A Forbes Seconded: Mr C Sampson All in favour
The decisions of the Committee were recommended for action by the Parish Council.
Proposed: Mr G Lloyd Seconded: Mrs A Brading All in favour.
113. MATTERS FOR INFORMATION (Agenda item 23)
· A Development & Control Workshop is to be held on 26th November 2009 – attendance at this training should be reported to the Clerk
· Winscombe Hill will be closed to traffic on 7th December for a period of 3 days for carriageway repairs.
· The next NSC Streets & Open Spaces Area Officer Surgery will take place at the Parish Offices on 26th November 2009.
With no further business, the meeting concluded at 10.10 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.