A MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL

was held Thursday 21st February 2008, Sandford Village Hall at 7.30 p.m.

 

Present:      Mrs. A Brading, Mrs. P Cram (Vice-Chair), Mr. A Forbes, Mr. R Jones, 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.

 

Ward Councillors:                             Mrs A Harley, Mr A Lake

Police:                                             PC Church

Clerk:                                               Mrs. L Rampton

Press Representatives:               Mr G Jones – freelance reporter, Miss S Pope – NS Mercury

Members of the public:                 twelve

 

Apologies for absence:                 Mr. S Bridges, Mrs P Bushnell, Mr M Williamson

Ward Councillor Mr T Marter, NSC Liaison Officer Mr J Foster

 

138.     DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST (Agenda item 3) - none

 

139.     APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD 17TH JANUARY 2008.

(Agenda item 4)

With it being recorded that the approval of the Chairman’s Committee minutes (min 132) was proposed by Ms Powell, seconded by Mrs Brading, the minutes to the Parish Council meeting held 17th January were approved as a correct record for the meeting.

Proposed:      Mr A Forbes               Seconded:     Miss B Roper           All in favour

 

140.     MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES & CLERKS REPORTS– Annex 1 (Agenda item 5)

Min 126 Consideration was given to the merits of NSC increasing the Council Tax for the forthcoming financial year by just 1.9% in light of the reported 17m shortfall in Government funding. It was advised that a 1% increase in NSC council tax equates to approx. £819,000 and that the settlement to be received from central government is higher than originally anticipated.

Min 128 The use of the word ‘prefer’ was questioned by a Councillor in relation to the survey response rate. The Chairman advised that a judgement would be made by the Council when figures were examined.

Clerks Report  The Chairman advised that having read the North Somerset Local Area Agreement (LAA) as detailed, this was worthy of inspection and available to all in the Parish Office.

 

141.          CRIME REPORT 15TH NOVEMBER 2007 to 17TH JANUARY 2008– PC Church Annex 2

(Agenda item 6) Direct office no 01934 638123

Figures for the month period were detailed by PC Church. Particular attention was drawn to incidents within other areas of the district involving bogus callers. Recorded crime for the year to 31/03/08 is down by 70 crimes on the previous year.

It was confirmed that the Local Police Priorities (LPP) were not in priority order and the bogus charity collector from last year was dealt with using the full sanction of the law at that time and received a caution.

 

142.     PUBLIC PARTICIPATION (Agenda item 7)

Statements were read to the Parish Council regarding Yadley, Eastwell & Fullers Lanes. Concern was expressed over (1) recent drainage works carried out by NSC to the section known as Muddy Lane despite statements made by NSC representatives at a Public Rights of Way (PROW) meeting held in WSM on 13th Dec 2005 and (2) access being obtained by 4 x 4 vehicles damaging natural habitat including badger setts.

Mr Withers, NSC Countryside Access Officer advised that drainage works have been carried out as the condition of the lane has deteriorated and could now constitute a health & safety risk. AONB funding has been used to finance the clearance of existing drainage systems that have become silted up to stop further deterioration of the lanes. Access to the lane designated as a bridleway is currently under consideration with plans to install a chicane type barrier at each end of Muddy Lane that will allow access to those entitled to use the PROW but stop access being gained by 4 x 4 vehicles.

A local resident spoke on the lack of progress for Vehicle Speed Activated Signs in Sandford and was advised these should be installed early in the new financial year.

Bus Service 121 WSM to Bristol via Sandford and the airport is under review however, NSC is currently investigating the possibility of a new improved service.

 

143.     WARD COUNCILLOR UPDATE & NSC PARISH LIAISON OFFICER UPDATE  (Agenda item 8)

Cllr Lake reported that a road sweeper has been ordered to clear debris to Greenhill Road and footway caused by recent muck-spreading. Any documentation regarding the opening of Sandford Village Hall almost 100 years ago would be welcomed by the Hall Committee.

 

144.     TO AUTHORISE BILLS FOR PAYMENT – The Clerk Annex 3  (Agenda item 9)

Cheques 102320 – 102347 and direct debits payments detailed were authorised for payment

Proposed:      Mrs P Cram                Seconded:     Mr G Lloyd                All in favour.

 

145.     PARISH PLAN & AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMMUNITY EVENT & SURVEY RESPONSE (Agenda item 10) Mr C Sampson

            The Chairman offered thanks to Mr Bridges for arranging the distribution of the leaflets and advised that both consultation events held at Sandford Village Hall and Winscombe Primary School had been well attended by Parishioners. Of the 1,800 leaflets delivered to households in the Parish, 342 (19%) parish plan leaflets have been returned to 19th February. 22 of returned forms indicate that we do not need a parish plan, 303 were in favour with the remaining 17 being undecided. 27 volunteers have supplied contact details to form a steering group and another 48 parishioners volunteered to assist in other ways.

Mr Luckett advised the Council he had spoken to Community Action that afternoon and been advised the deadline for funding for Parish Plan Questionnaire expires Friday 29th February 2008 with the possibility of no future funding being available. Previous advice supplied by Community Action to the Parish Office indicated a deadline date of 31st March for current funding.

A lengthy debate ensued regarding the percentage return rate of the leaflet, previous discussions of this Parish Council requiring a 50% response rate and, if the response was considered to be representative of the Parish.

Resolved: Whilst the Parish Council would have preferred a response rate of 50% to the Parish Plan leaflet distributed to households in the Parish,  in view of the Community Action  funding deadline date of 29th February 2008 the Parish Council  will proceed with the Parish Plan process on the basis of the current return rate.

Proposed:      Mrs P Cram      Seconded:              Mr G Luckett      8 in favour, 2 against, 1 abstention

            Affordable Housing Survey forms returned to the Parish Office have today been collected by Louise Davidson of English Rural Housing Association (ERHA) for analysis. ERHA will contact us again in due course with the results to the survey.

                       

146.          PRIMARY CARE TRUST UPDATE   – Miss B Roper (Agenda item 11) Annex 4

Miss Roper reported on a PCT presentation held to outline the initiative of virtual practices where patients from several surgeries could be treated by hospital specialists, not in purpose built premises. The situation where staff cover more than one role was again considered. Miss Roper has been elected Chairman of this group for the next year and will liaise closely with the vice-Chairman. A letter written to the national press regarding poly clinics was referred to for information purposes.

 

i)          NS Health & Wellbeing Strategic Partnership Stakeholder Conference 31.01.08 - Mr C Sampson

            Mr Sampson gave a verbal report of the conference held at the Winter Gardens WSM. Presentations were given on behalf of NS Community Café project and Domestic Abuse followed by a workshop in the morning. The afternoon session had a further workshop but the main contribution was an excellent overview of Health & Well-Being from a national perspective by Professor David Hunter of Durham University School for Health. Transcripts of presentations and conference papers are available at the Parish Office.

 

147.     WINSCOMBE PRIMARY SCHOOL REPORT – Mrs P Cram (Agenda item 12)

            The ‘Investors in People’ standard obtained by the school three years ago has been maintained. The weekly Friday Celebration assembly where children that have won a special award can have this presented to them before the school is very popular. A number of after school activities are currently offered with two Parish Councillors adding their name to the list of school helpers when at the recent Parish Consultation Event. Volunteers are still being sought to run an after school chess club.

 

148.     SANDFORD PRIMARY SCHOOL REPORT (Agenda item 13)

            A very favourable article is included in this week’s local press about the glowing Ofsted report for the school. The Chairman of Governors was quoted as saying: “The school has made great progress over the last few years and it is wonderful to see this acknowledged by Ofsted.”

           

149.     CHURCHES TOGETHER IN WINSCOMBE – Good Friday Walk & Service (Agenda item 14)

            The Churches Together Committee are permitted to hold their annual Good Friday Service on the village green in front of the Woodborough Inn on Friday 21st March 2008.

            Proposed:      Mrs V McGann                      Seconded:     Mrs A Brading                       All in favour

 

150.          AVON LOCAL COUNCILS ASSOCIATION REPORT – Mr R Jones (Agenda item 15)

Mr Jones reported on the sparsely attended meeting in Clevedon and commented on the number of invited speakers that failed to attend.  An interesting presentation was given by the Team Leader of the NSC Planning Enforcement Section which is summarised in a document deposited at the Parish Office. The RSCP grant which ALCA has received for the last three years will end in March resulting in a small cut in the hours of office staff. The draft Regional Spatial Strategy has been published and some of its’ main points were highlighted by CPRE Chairman of the N Somerset Group. Attention was drawn to an application for ‘permitted development’ in the form of a walkway at Bristol International Airport which CPRE believe should be subject to a full planning application and environmental impact assessment. ALCA should be invited to host the October 2008 group meeting in Winscombe & Sandford Parish.

 

151.     CONSULTATION ON ORDERS & REGULATIONS RELATING TO THE CONDUCT OF LOCAL AUTHORITY MEMBERS IN ENGLAND (Agenda item 16)

            This consultation document had been provided to each Parish Council in full on 25th January 2008.

            The Chairman gave a summary of the document and the Council were advised that this had been considered by the NSC Standards Committee at a meeting held 7th Feb 2007.

            This document was accepted by the Parish Council without suggestion for amendment.

Proposed:      Mr G Lloyd                 Seconded:     Mr R Jones                7 in favour, 4 abstained

 

 

152.     ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE REPORT – Mr G Lloyd  Annex 5  (Agenda item 17)

The minutes for the Environment Committee from the meeting dated 5th February 2008 were approved and signed as a correct record.

            Proposed:      Miss B Roper            Seconded:     Mrs A Brading

All Committee members present were in favour

 

Min 6b  A request to improve the condition of Puxton Lane is to be supported by this Parish Council as this road enters our Parish and is used by a large number of our Parishioners.

Min 12b Parish Council minutes dated 1997 would appear to indicate that the pole provided by SWEB was installed by the Church who applied to the Parish Council for assistance with funding. Mr Luckett tabled copy correspondence from 1995 at the meeting that would be further investigated.

A discussion took place in which it was suggested that a review of attitude to artificial light may be considered in the future. Each street light should be reviewed individually as overhead cables need replacing with underground cabling at considerable cost.

 

The decisions of the Committee were recommended for action by the Parish Council.

Proposed:      Mrs A Brading                       Seconded:     Mr Forbes                  All in favour

 

153.     WAR MEMORIAL RECREATION GROUND COMMITTEE REPORT (Agenda item 18)

Minutes to the meeting dated 22.01.08 have not been received from the Committee Secretary and a report was not available to the Council. The Parish Council wished the Committee Chairman a speedy recovery from his recent illness.

 

154.     AWARD LAND COMMITTEE REPORT - Mr J Westlake Annex 6 (Agenda item 19)

            Quarterly inspection sheets have been completed for health & safety purposes and paths are reported as being clear following recent works. The condition of the forge is not deteriorating at present and plans for repair works are still progressing. Works to any natural habitat must have the approval of the relevant organisation.

 

155.     EMPLOYMENT & POLICIES COMMITTEE REPORT – Miss B Roper  Annex 7  (Agenda item 20)

The newly elected Committee Chairman gave a report of the meeting and answered questions from Council members.

Min 6 It was suggested that the committee re-consider ‘terms of reference’ and ‘recommend’ salary rates rather than setting these. The Committee should also reconsider membership of the Committee Chairman to the Chairman’s Committee.

The minutes of the Employment & Policies Committee from the meetings dated 11th February 2008 were approved and signed as a correct record

            Proposed:      Miss B Roper                        Seconded:     Mr R Jones

All Committee members present were in favour

           

            The recommendations of the Committee were not approved for action by the Parish Council with the exception of min 9.

Proposed:      Miss B Roper                        Seconded:     Mr G Lloyd                 9 in favour, 2 against

           

 

156.          ANY OTHER BUSINESS  (Agenda item 21)

Winscombe Plastics Collection: Developments A sheet detailing current progress by the Winscombe Community Association Recycle Group was issued to each Councillor.

NSC Borough Status Plans A consultation period of four weeks has been set for Parish Councils to comment on this proposal. As this deadline date falls before the next meeting of this Parish Council, comment should be made through our Ward Councillors after the next meeting of the Parish Council.

Post meeting note: following a number of requests from Parish Councils for an extension to the deadline date, this has now been extended to 17th April 2008.

 

 

 

With no further business, the meeting concluded at 9.20 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.