A MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL
was held Thursday 21st January 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, Ms. D Powell (Vice-Chair), Mrs A Richmond, Mr J Westlake,
Mr M Williamson.
Police: PC Church
Clerk: Mrs. L Rampton
Assistant Clerk: Mrs N Flint
Press Representatives: Mr G Jones, freelance reporter and Ms P Chambers, NS Mercury
Members of the public: Thirteen
Apologies for absence: Mrs V McGann, Miss B Roper, Mr. C Sampson (Vice-Chair), Ward Councillor Harley,
NSC Liaison Officer Mr J Foster
114. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST (Agenda item 2)
A personal & prejudicial interest was declared by Mr Forbes in agenda item 6, 17 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 A Brading declared a personal interest in agenda item 13, Award Land Committee as an ex-family associate of an appointed contractor.
115. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD 19TH NOVEMBER 2009
(Agenda item 3)
The minutes to the meeting were approved & signed as a correct record subject to an addition being made to minute 94.
Proposed: Mr M Williamson Seconded: Mrs A Brading
All those present at the last meeting were in favour.
116. MINUTE UPDATE FROM THE NOVEMBER MINUTES, DECEMBER AND JANUARY CLERK’S REPORT Annex 1 (Agenda item 4)
Min 99 Speed restriction on A368 Greenhill Road - Following the December South Area Committee meeting (Parish Voice), a recommendation is to be made by NSC that the present 60mph speed limit on a 0.6mile section of road be reduced to 40mph and an island installed in the centre of the road where there is now hatching at Pye Corner. Works to be carried out at the expense of NSC will include the installation of a vehicle activated speed sign and this has therefore been removed from the Environment Committee precept request. The Chairman offered thanks to Ward Councillor Lake for his assistance in this matter.
Min 103 National Grid Hinkley Point C Connection. Due to a previously declared personal and prejudicial interest, Mr Forbes left the room and Ms D Powell, Vice-Chairman took the Chair. Mr Luckett advised that it would cost an estimated £1.9billion to lay the proposed cables under the Severn Estuary. Mr Forbes returned to the meeting and resumed the Chair.
Min 105 Review of Mendip Hills AONB Partnership Questionnaire. The completed response sent on behalf of the Parish Council is available to view in the Parish Office.
January Clerk’s Report – Election following resignation of a Councillor. Mr Lloyd, speaking on behalf of the Environment Committee, considered the circumstances leading to the resignation of a fellow Parish Councillor to be disgraceful. The Parish Council has lost a valued member and thanks were offered to the Councillor for his previous service to the Council and community. It was proposed by Mr Lloyd, seconded by Mrs Brading, all members in favour that a letter is sent to the former Councillor. The required number of Parishioners have now requested that a poll be held to fill the vacancy by an election and this is to be held on 25th February 2010 at a cost of £3,850 (including poll cards) to the Parish.
117. 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. Of the seven calls made to the police regarding anti-social behaviour over this two month period, only one incident involved youth at the War Memorial Recreation Ground. Parking on a footway in
Sandford has lead to increased costs to the offender when they contested the fixed penalty fine and later lost the case in court.
118. 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. The owner of a property in Woodborough Drive apologised if any Parish Councillors had found his past communications offensive or intemperate and explained that his objective has been to try to protect the environment and village from inappropriate development. He believes there have been mis-statements of fact during the consideration of Affordable Housing with one example of this being the report on the village housing survey and a summary of the most serious example of false information has today been supplied to the Parish Council. It was requested that Parish Councillors now read this communication and the report with an ‘open mind’ and form their own independent conclusions rather than relying on the assurances or approval of others. Should the Parish Council agree, it was requested that the report be removed from the PC website and the previous resolution of the Parish Council to support the ‘Well Close proposal in principle’ be reversed.
b. A member of the Fairtrade Steering Group spoke of the support from bodies within the Parish in helping them achieve Fairtrade status for the Parish with thanks being given to members of the Parish Council for their encouragement and support at the outset. John Penrose MP is to present the certificate to the Parish Council Chairman and Community Association Chairman at a ceremony to be held on 26th February 2010, 3pm at Winscombe Community Centre. A request for permission to place signs beneath some of the village name signs advising that this is a Fairtrade Parish was made and examples of how these may look were passed to Council members. The cost of the signs would be met by the Fairtrade Steering Group.
c. A Parishioner informed Council members that in his communications with the National Association of Local Councils, he has been advised that full details of invoices for payment should appear in the main body of Parish Council minutes or the annex made readily available to the public. Parishioners should not have to request this information. The Chairman advised that this matter would be investigated and the Parishioner informed of the outcome.
d. A member of the Clergy empathised that praying can be difficult and advised that all registered Clergy within the Parish are willing to take turns to offer prayers before Parish Council meetings. A standard response to letters received on this topic is considered disrespectful. A request was made that Christian Councillors submit the necessary request to enable this issue to be revisited. It was reported that Rev. Slade has accepted an offer from NSC to undertake the role of Chaplain for one year.
A member of the Clergy left the meeting
119. TO SET COMMUNITY POLICING PRIORITIES FOR THE PERIOD TO 18TH FEBRUARY 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, and in consultation with the police representative present at the meeting, it was agreed that 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: Ms D Powell All in favour
Members of the press left the meeting
120. WARD COUNCILLOR & NSC PARISH LIAISON OFFICER UPDATE (Agenda item 8)
There were no Ward Councillors or Parish Liaison Officer present
121. TO AUTHORISE BILLS FOR PAYMENT – Annex 3 (Agenda item 9)
Cheques 102899 – 102937 and direct debits payments detailed were authorised for payment
Proposed: Mrs P Cram Seconded: Mrs A Brading All in favour.
122. UPDATE ON THE PROVISION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR THE PARISH. (Agenda item 10)
There is no progress to report on land negotiations for the provision of affordable housing and proposals for land to the end of Well Close are currently in abeyance. At this time, the public consultation event proposed for late February 2010 will not be taking place as the Council is currently in an election period.
PC Church & Councillor Williamson left the meeting
123. TO APPROVE RISK ASSESSMENT REPORTS - Annex 4 (Agenda item 11)
The risk assessment reports, reviewed in detail by individual committees were accepted en-block.
Proposed: Mr G Lloyd Seconded: Mr S Bridges All in favour.
124. CONSULTATION TO 31ST JANUARY 2010 ON NSC DRAFT HOUSING STRATEGY 2010 – 2026
(Agenda item 12)
http://consult.n-somerset.gov.uk/inovem/consult.ti/drafthousingstrategy2010_2026/consultationHome
Some Councillors reported of difficulties when accessing the document on the NSC website and hard copies of the document will be provided on request from the Parish Office. Individual Councillors should respond directly to NSC using the consultation questionnaire before the deadline date.
Four members of the public left and Councillor Williamson returned to the meeting
125. REPORT ON AWARD LAND COMMITTEE MEETINGS HELD 23RD NOV 2009 & 18TH JAN 2010 Annex 5 (Agenda item 13) Mr J Westlake
The minutes for the Award Land Committee from the meeting dated 23rd November 2009 were approved and signed as a correct record.
Proposed: Mrs A Brading Seconded: Mrs P Cram
All Committee members present were in favour
The minutes for the Award Land Committee from the meeting dated 18th January 2010 were approved and signed as a correct record.
Proposed: Mrs P Cram Seconded: Mr G Luckett
All Committee members present were in favour
One boulder restricting access to the Award Land mentioned on the accepted risk assessment report has been removed as access is required for maintenance vehicles. A drop down bollard is in situ further along the track to restrict unauthorised vehicular access and the Parish Council Health & Safety Advisor should be informed accordingly.
The decisions of the Committee were recommended for action by the Parish Council.
Proposed: Mrs A Brading Seconded: Mr G Luckett All in favour.
126. REPORT ON CEMETERY & ALLOTMENT COMMITTEE MEETING HELD 4TH DEC 2009 Annex 6 (Agenda item 14) Mr M Williamson
The minutes for the Cemetery & Allotment Committee from the meeting dated 4th December 2009 were approved and signed as a correct record.
Proposed: Mr G Luckett Seconded: Mrs A Brading
All Committee members present were in favour
Min 10 Faculty Application for the levelling of graves at Ilex Lane Cemetery – It was advised that the faculty application has now been submitted with notices advising of the application being displayed for the required 28 day period at St James the Great Church, Ilex Lane Cemetery and a Parish Council notice-board outside the library. Consent of the Diocesan Advisory Committee and Parochial Church Council has been obtained.
The decisions of the Committee were recommended for action by the Parish Council.
Proposed: Mr M Williamson Seconded: Mr G Lloyd All in favour.
127. REPORT ON EMPLOYMENT & POLICIES COMMITTEE MEETING HELD 7TH DEC 2009 Annex 7 (Agenda item 15) Mr S Bridges
The minutes for the Employment & Policies Committee from the meeting dated 7th December 2009 were approved and signed as a correct record.
Proposed: Mr M Williamson Seconded: Ms D Powell
All Committee members present were in favour
Decisions of the committee were detailed to the meeting and included a recommendation not to place notices regarding public participation on chairs at meetings, salary pay settlements 2009 for the Clerk,
formalisation of an agreement with a Parishioner to lock the gates at the War Memorial Recreation Ground and additional hours to be worked by the Assistant Clerk for a six month period.
The decisions of the Committee were recommended for action by the Parish Council.
Proposed: Mr S Bridges Seconded: Mr M Williamson All in favour.
128. REPORT ON ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING HELD 12TH JAN 2010 Annex 8 (Agenda item 16)
Mr G Lloyd
The minutes for the Environment Committee from the meeting dated 12th January 2010 were approved and signed as a correct record.
Proposed: Mrs A Richmond Seconded: Mrs A Brading
All Committee members present were in favour
Min 5 iii) Fairtrade Village Signs – A discussion took place regarding the request to install signs at entrances to the Parish. To enable further information to be obtained from members of the public present at the meeting, the Chairman suspended the meeting at 8.26pm. Meeting was re-opened at 8.28pm.
At the request of some Councillors, this item should be referred to the full Parish Council for consideration at the February meeting and will include a proposal to include the Fairtrade logo on the Parish Council letterhead.
With the exception of min 5 iii), the decisions of the Committee were recommended for action by the Parish Council.
Proposed: Mr G Lloyd Seconded: Mrs A Brading All in favour.
129. REPORT ON FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING HELD 14TH JANUARY 2010 & TO SET 2010/11 PRECEPT Annex 9 (Agenda item 17) Mr C Sampson
The minutes for the Finance Committee from the meeting dated 14th January 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 Clerk & Assistant Clerk were thanked for preparation works in the setting of the annual precept.
An election for Parish Councillor to May 2011 has been called by 10 parishioners at a cost of £3,850 (including optional poll cards at £976) with these costs being met from the forthcoming precept. Mr Bridges expressed his desire to extend the car park facility at the Recreation Ground and considered that a sum for this should be included in the 2010/2011 precept request – a request that was voted against by members of the finance committee.
A Precept figure for the 2010/2011 financial year was set at £105,000, the same sum requested for the previous financial year. Due to an increase in the number of Band D equivalent properties in the Parish during the past year, this would mean a Local Council Element of Headline Council Tax per D Band property reduction from £55.04 to £53.41.
Proposed: Mrs P Cram Seconded: Mr G Lloyd 9 in favour, Mr Bridges and one other member voted against.
The decisions of the Committee were recommended for action by the Parish Council.
Proposed: Mrs A Brading Seconded: Mr G Lloyd All in favour.
130. REPORT ON PLAY AREA & SKATE PARK COMMITTEE MEETINGS HELD 14TH DEC 2009 & 18TH JAN 2010 Annex 10 (Agenda item 18) Mrs A Brading
The minutes for the Play Area & Skate Park Committee from the meeting dated 14th December 2009 were approved and signed as a correct record.
Proposed: Mrs A Richmond Seconded: Mr A Forbes
All Committee members present were in favour
With an addition to min 6, Playbuilder update for Winnowing End, the minutes for the Play Area & Skate Park Committee from the meeting dated 18th January 2010 were approved and signed as a correct record.
Proposed: Mr G Luckett Seconded: Mrs P Cram
All Committee members present were in favour
The final position for equipment to be supplied by NSC under the Playbuilder grant scheme was delegated to Councillors Forbes, Brading & Bridges for decision.
Proposed: Mrs A Richmond Seconded: Mr M Williamson All in favour
The Committee Chairman thanked Committee Members and the Assistant Clerk for additional works carried out to enable NSC to meet their funding deadline dates for this project.
The decisions of the Committee were recommended for action by the Parish Council.
Proposed: Mr G Lloyd Seconded: Mr G Luckett All in favour.
131. REPORT ON WAR MEMORIAL RECREATION GROUND COMMITTEE MEETING HELD 7TH DEC 2009 Annex 11 (Agenda item 19) Mr S Bridges
The attention of the Council was drawn to the proposed ground sharing agreement, installation of additional play equipment and seats, the committee considered the purchase of a soil slitter rather than a sand slitter and the Committee precept request was outlined for the benefit of the meeting.
The decisions of the Committee were recommended for action by the Parish Council with reference to slitting recommendations made by the Finance Committee (min 8b & 10).
Proposed: Mr S Bridges Seconded: Mr M Williamson All in favour.
132. MATTERS FOR INFORMATION (Agenda item 20)
· Members of the public still present at the meeting were advised that nomination packs for the vacant position of Parish Councillor are available from the Parish Office and completed forms should be submitted to NSC before the deadline date of noon on 29th January 2010.
With no further business, the meeting concluded at 8.52 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.