AN EXTRAORDINARY MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL

was held Wednesday 24th February 2010, Winscombe Community Centre Mawson Room at 11.00 a.m.

 

Present:           Mrs. A Brading, Mr. S Bridges, Mrs. P Cram, Mr. A Forbes (Chairman), Mr. G Lloyd, Mr. G Luckett,  Mrs V McGann, Miss B Roper, Ms D Powell, Mr. C Sampson (Vice-Chair), Mr J Westlake.

 

Clerk:                                                            Mrs. L Rampton

Press Representatives:                     Mr G Jones, freelance reporter

 

Members of the public:                     Four                                         

 

Apologies for absence:  Mrs P Bushnell, Mrs A Richmond and Mr M Williamson

 

157.      DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST (Agenda item 2)

            A personal & prejudicial interest was declared by Mrs McGann in agenda items 4, 5 & 6 should reference be made to the provision of Affordable Housing on land to the end of Well Close.  A personal & prejudicial interest was declared by Mr Forbes in agenda item 4 & 5 should reference be made to the Hinkley Point C Connection project as a land owner on one proposed route for new power lines.

 

158.      APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD 18TH FEBRUARY 2010

(Agenda item 3)

The minutes to the meeting were approved & signed as a correct record.

Proposed:        Mrs P Cram                              Seconded:       Mr S Bridges   

All those present at the last meeting were in favour. 

 

159.      MINUTE UPDATE FROM THE 18TH FEBRUARY PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES (Agenda item 4)

Min 149 – ALCA NS Group Meeting. The letter from Blagdon PC, copied to all Parish Councils in NS has yet to be received and the Clerk is to enquire of the whereabouts of this correspondence.

Min 141 - National Grid Hinkley c Connection – Mr Forbes, having previously declared a personal and prejudicial interest in this item left the room. The Chair was taken by Mr Sampson, Vice-Chairman. It was reported that a statement had been drafted and sent to the IPC within the permitted time constraints and that a positive response been sent to the Chairman of Loxton Parish Council regarding the support and involvement of this Parish Council. Mr Forbes, returned to the meeting.

 

160.      PUBLIC PARTICIPATION (Agenda item 5)

            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.

Concern was expressed at the timing of this meeting

Mrs McGann, having previously declared a personal and prejudicial interest left the room as the owner of a property in Woodborough Drive addressed the meeting. A further objection was received to the handling of the complaint against the ERHA Village Survey report.

 

 

161.      TO CONSIDER ADVICE RECEIVED ON PARISH COUNCIL PROCEDURES AND TO FORMULATE A RESPONSE TO A COMPLAINANT (Agenda item 6)

            In accordance with Parish Council Standing Order 24 a resolution was proposed that in view of the special or confidential nature of the business about to be transacted, it is advisable in the public interest that the press and public be temporarily excluded and were instructed to withdraw from the meeting. The reason for the exclusion is due to the early stages of a dispute and potential preparation of a case in legal proceedings.  Proposed:       Mr A Forbes,  Seconded: Mr S Bridges   All members present were in favour.

 

            All members of the press and public left the meeting and Mrs McGann returned to the room.

                        It was proposed that the village housing survey 2008 report is to remain on the Parish Council website at this time with it being advised that the findings of the report may be subject to review following conclusion of the TSA investigation of ERHA. The report may be updated with detailed evidence of Affordable Housing need for this Parish and guidance will be sought from both NSC and ERHA in this regard.

Proposed:        Mr G Lloyd                  Seconded:       Mr C Sampson                        All in favour

 

Due to a previously declared personal and prejudicial interest, Mrs McGann left the room.

 

            Resolution passed by the Parish Council on 17th September 2009:  In principle, the Parish Council supports 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.

           

In accordance with adopted Parish Council Standing Order 13: Rescission of a Previous Resolution no request from Councillors has been received to review the previous resolution and therefore the motion is not to be reconsidered at this time by the Parish Council.  Plans for an affordable housing development on land to the end of Well Close were placed in abeyance in November 2009 by both ERHA and Summerfield Developments (land owners).

            Mrs McGann returned to the meeting.

 

            It was considered that standard procedures have been followed when assessing a proven need for Affordable Housing for the Parish.

            Proposed:        Mr C Sampson             Seconded:       Mr S Bridges                All in favour

 

The Parish Council understand that priority for affordable housing under the exception policy will be given to those with a connection to this or adjacent Parishes.                       

Proposed: Mr S Bridges           Seconded: Mr G Lloyd             All in favour

 

            The Parish Council would support a request for a meeting should there be a proposal for affordable housing for this parish to consider.

Proposed:        Mr S Bridges                Seconded:       Ms A Brading               All in favour

 

            The Parish Council Insurance Company should be advised of possible legal and criminal action against the Parish Council.

            The meeting was re-opened to members of the public and press although none returned to the meeting.      

 

162.      MATTERS FOR INFORMATION (Agenda item 7)

·            A vote of thanks to the Clerk was proposed by Mr Forbes, seconded by Mr Sampson, all in favour for the excessive amount of unpaid hours worked, created by the need to provide affordable housing to local people.

·            Whilst acknowledging support for affordable housing within the Parish, concern was raised of increased future financial costs to the Council and Parishioners should the complainant pursue affordable housing objections.

 

 

 

 

With no further business, the meeting concluded at 12.10 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.