A MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL
was held Thursday 16th March 2006
Winscombe Community Centre at 7.30 p.m.
Present: Mrs. M Ballard, Mrs. A Brading, Mr. S Bridges, Mrs. P Cram (vice-chair), Mr. A Forbes,
Mr. G Lloyd, Mr. G Luckett, Ms. D Powell (vice-chair), Miss B Roper, Mr. C Sampson (chairman), Mr. J Westlake, Mrs. P Witter, Mrs. K Wynne
Members of the public: ten
District Councillors: Mrs. A Harley
Parish Liaison Officer: Mr. J Foster
Police Beat Manager: PC Church
Clerk: Mrs. L Rampton.
Guest Speakers: Rev. J Harrison
Press Representatives: Mr. G Jones – Freelance Reporter
Apologies for absence: Mr. K Symons
171. CHAPLAIN – Mr. C Sampson
(Agenda item 1)
172. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST – none declared
(Agenda item 3)
173. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD 16TH FEBRUARY 2006.
(Agenda item 4)
The minutes of the meeting were approved as a correct record subject to min. 160 Weston Area Action Plan Report, 4th line being amended to read ‘Locking Camp & Weston Airport’.
Proposed: Mr. G Luckett Seconded: Mr. S Bridges
12 in favour, 1 abstention
174. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES & CLERKS REPORTS– Annex 1
(Agenda item 5)
Min 169. WMRG Committee Report – in investigating possible sources for a replacement tractor, the WMRG Committee have arranged for a new tractor to brought to the Recreation Ground for a demonstration Tuesday 21st March 2006 at 10.30 am. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Clerks Report. ALCA article – Input required from Town & Parish Councils- concern was expressed that a representative speaker from a Primary Care Trust Group felt that ‘parish councils could be ignored’. All comments on this forthcoming white paper on local government review should be submitted to the Clerk as soon as possible to enable any response to be submitted before the deadline date of 31st March 2006.
175. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
(Agenda item 6)
Mr. B Openshaw addressed the Council regarding the Practice Patient Partnership (PPP) for the Wrington Vale Medical Practice that includes the Churchill Doctors Surgery. The aims of the PPP were outlined along with works of the steering group and details of the inaugural AGM to be held 28th April 2006. Advance copies of the Practice Information Leaflet were distributed amongst Councillors and public and a request for volunteers to serve Winscombe & Sandford on the PPP made.
A full draft of Mr. Openshaw’s statement was distributed to both Councillors and the public.
Mr. G. Vennall responded to recent allegations made during ‘public participation’ at the meeting of the Environment Committee held 7th march 2006.
Min 3.a.ii. & 3.b.i. There is no current dispute with the planning authority regarding the partially constructed building and no request has been made to either construct or remove any items.
Min 3b.ii. The ‘Unsightly Heaps’ are in fact machinery made up of a road plane and other road surfacing equipment. North Somerset Council did not include the far end of Quarry Road in the resurface carried out in 2004 as this is private land, partly owned by the Parish Council & so this was made passable by local residents. It was reported at the meeting of the Environment Committee that North Somerset Council had demanded that ‘one pile of unsightly building/road making materials be removed, and the other be re-used. Mr. Vennall will be writing to the Chief Executive of North Somerset Council to ask where this information has come from.
The Parish Council, as land owners has not received notification of any complaint.
177. CRIME REPORT 13th February – 15th March 2006 – PC Church Annex 2
PC Church direct office no 01934 638123
(Agenda item 7)
Miss Roper was one of the victims of fraud recorded in this period and commended both CID and Victim Support for the manner in which she was dealt with. Monies fraudulently obtained from victims will go to the intended charities once legal proceedings are complete.
178. TO AUTHORISE BILLS FOR PAYMENT – The Clerk Annex 3
(Agenda item 8)
Business Account Chqs 101739 – 101759 and WMRG Chqs 100218 - 100222 were authorised for payment in addition to reported Direct Debit Payments
Proposed: Mr. G Lloyd Seconded: Mr. A Forbes
All in favour.
179. WINSCOMBE COMMUNITY SURVEY – Rev J Harrison
(Agenda item 9) Annex 4
Rev Harrison explained to the Council the reasons behind the instigation of the Winscombe Community Survey and advised that most members of the organising group were present at this meeting to answer any questions that the Council may have.
Rev Harrison read from the report, the purpose (p1) and the conclusions (p7). He also advised that the village could build on the success of the St James Parish magazine as they link with the Chapel of All Saints and Methodist Church in Sandford. The magazine could be delivered to all households within the Parish free of charge although issues of funding would need to be addressed.
The Volunteer group that had been responsible for the formulation and publishing of the Community Survey now felt that their work was complete. Many ideas within the survey were thought to have merit but will now rely on the public forming a steering group who could then approach the Parish Council with any requests.
There were no questions from the Parish Council.
Mr. Griffis handed a discussion note to the Clerk for later distribution to the Councillors.
The Parish Council Chairman thanked Rev Harrison for attending the meeting.
180. REGISTRATION OF PARISH COUNCIL OWNED LAND
(Agenda item 10)
The land off Ilex Lane known as the Cemetery, Allotment and Cemetery Field has now been voluntarily registered with Land Registry and consideration should be given to other Parish Council owned land not yet registered.
The Award Land has yet to be mapped to provide an accurate recording of the land. Mr. V Russett of North Somerset Council will carry this recording out on receipt of the necessary equipment as all marker posts are now in situ.
The War Memorial Recreation Ground is made up of a number of parcels of land, with some of these currently unregistered. Parish Council Solicitors have advised that these could be registered at a total cost of £400 to the Parish Council
Proposed: that the War Memorial Recreation Ground, The Lynch, Winscombe now is voluntarily registered with Land Registry.
Proposed: Mrs. A Brading Seconded: Mr. A Forbes
All in favour
181. WINSCOMBE COUNTY PRIMARY SCHOOL REPORT – Mrs. P Cram
(Agenda item 11)
At a recent meeting of the School Governors Finance Committee, it was discovered that the funding for the next financial year from North Somerset Council will not even meet staffing costs. Monies from the Government, not normally used to cover usual running costs of the school will now have to be used towards staff salaries as well as money drawn from the contingency fund.
North Somerset Council attaches a monetary value to each child taught at the school that decreases from reception through to Key Stage 2 but increases significantly again when the child enters Key stage 3 and moves onto secondary education. Cuts to the current school budget will have to be made but the school will try to avoid redundancies. It was thought that the situation will only worsen over the coming years
Values per child taught per school year: Reception £1,999.33
KS1 £1,931.92
KS2 £1,860.00
KS3 £2,600.07
The Parish Liaison Officer and District Councillor Harley advised the Parish Council that North Somerset Council has to fund children according to a complex Government funding formula and their role in the funding process is considered small. There have been no cuts in the NS education budget over a number of years but the £5.3mil growth for this year is very small when spread across 28,000 children. This may not be considered enough to cover new schemes or responsibilities that schools must implement. Within North Somerset, only schools with falling pupil numbers will receive a reduction in their funding levels.
A letter of complaint should be sent to the Government Minister for Education, copied to our local M.P. regarding the inadequacy of Government funding.
Proposed: Mr. S Bridges Seconded: Mr. A Forbes
All in favour
182. SANDFORD COUNTY PRIMARY SCHOOL REPORT – Mrs. P Witter
(Agenda item 12)
Year 6 children at the school are now working towards their SATS exams and an outside teaching area is to be installed that will create shade for the summer. Due to the linking of Churches in Winscombe & Sandford, Rev Slade will now be taking school assembly once month.
183. PARISH COUNCIL COMMUNICATION Annex 5
(Agenda item 13)
The content of the information to be placed in local publications was agreed by the council.
It should be advised that additional meetings may take place, but will be advertised in the usual manner.
Proposed: Mr. G Luckett Seconded: Mr. A Forbes
All in favour
184. WINSCOMBE SPORTS DEVELOPMENT FUND – FUND RAISING EVENT 2ND JULY 2006
(Agenda item 14)
A request has been made by the Sports Development Fund to seek permission to use the Recreation Ground for the annual fund raising event. This years event main attraction will be ‘The Rockwood Dog Display Team’ and other attractions will include market stalls, falconry, archery and Morris dancers. The profits from this event are distributed between the three sports clubs at the Recreation Ground.
The War Memorial Recreation Ground, The Lynch should be closed for one day only on Sunday 2nd July 2006 to enable the annual fund-raising event for the Winscombe Sports Development Fund to take place. WSDF should ensure that the necessary public liability insurance is in place for this event.
Proposed: Mr. A Forbes Seconded: Mrs. A Brading
All in favour
185. ANNUAL PARISH ASSEMBLY
(Agenda item 15)
Mr. Michael Reep, Planning Policy Manager at North Somerset Council has been invited to speak at the Annual Parish Assembly to be held on 27th April 2006. Three main topic areas to be considered are the Regional Spatial Strategy, the Replacement Local Plan and the Local Development Framework but using a Winscombe & Sandford perspective.
Committee Chairmen were reminded that individual reports for the Assembly were required and a request was made that a timed Agenda for this meeting was again issued.
186. PARISH COUNCILLOR VACANCY
(Agenda item 16)
Following notification of vacancy in office of Councillor for this Parish, no poll was requested and therefore the vacancy may be filled by co-option. Written applications for this position should be submitted to the Parish Office by Friday 7th April 2006 for consideration by this Council on 20th April 2006.
Proposed: Mr. S Bridges Seconded: Ms D Powell
All in favour.
187. CHURCHES TOGETHER GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE ON THE VILLAGE GREEN – 14TH APRIL 2006
(Agenda item 17)
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 14th April 2006 between 10 am & 11.30 am.
Proposed: Miss B Roper Seconded: Mrs. A Brading
All in favour
188. PLAY AREAS COMMITTEE REPORT – Mrs. A Brading Annex 6
(Agenda item 18)
Minutes to this committee meeting held Monday 13th March 2006 were issued to Councillors at this meeting.
A reduction to the quotation price to install grass matt safety surfacing beneath the igloo climbing frame at the Winnowing End Play Area has been negotiated if this is installed at the same time as the grass matt beneath the tyre swing.
As both these surface items are considered high risk items on our monthly inspection reports, works should be instructed immediately.
The multi-play unit at the War Memorial Recreation Ground is to remain in situ at present but the condition of this is considered poor.
Copies of three sets of graphic designs for a possible new play area at the WMRG are to be sent to the schools and nurseries within the Parish requesting comments and suggestions. Copies of these will also be displayed on two Parish Notice boards. Every effort to include the most popular ideas would be made. This consultation should close 3rd April 2006. Applications for grant funding will be made.
Should an amendment to the current WMRG Committee constitution be made, the responsibility for hedge cutting around the play areas and skate park should remain with the WMRG Committee.
The minutes of this Committee were accepted by the Council.
Proposed: Mr. A Forbes Seconded: Mr. G Lloyd
All in favour
189. AWARD LAND COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN’S REPORT – Mr. J Westlake Annex 7
(Agenda item 19)
Bristol Zoo has not yet replied to the offer of Ilex leaves to feed the animals.
Vince Russett at North Somerset Council has yet to obtain the equipment necessary to map the Award Land.
In response to a complaint made to the Environment Committee, Mr. Westlake had investigated the cutting down of trees on the Award Land. The two trees that had been cut were elm and not ash trees and showed signs of disease. Mrs. Brading had also walked the land and had had difficulty in finding the area where trees had been felled.
The minutes and report of the Chairman was accepted by the Council.
Proposed: Mrs. A Brading Seconded: Mr. A Forbes
All in favour
190. ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE REPORT – Mr. G Lloyd Annex 8
(Agenda item 20)
Although discussed by the committee, the purchase of a dog faeces bin to be positioned at the end of Belmont Road on the railings had not been recorded in the minutes.
It was proposed that a dog faeces bin be purchased and installed on the railings at the end of Belmont Road. The emptying of this should be added to the current Parish Council emptying schedule with SITA.
Proposed: Mr. G Luckett Seconded: Mr. S Bridges
All in favour.
Min 6 a & b – attention was drawn to the unallocated developers contributions for footway improvements at both Winscombe and Sandford.
Min 12 – the Parish Council have nominated Mr. Luckett as Parish Member of Mendip Hills Joint Advisory Committee and the ballot paper should be returned reflecting this.
Min 13 – Notices are to be displayed on Parish notice boards inviting all businesses to have free entry into the updated Parish Guide.
Details for the cost of road name signs including ‘no through road’ symbols have been passed to the Environment Committee.
The minutes for this Committee were accepted by the Council.
Proposed: Mrs. A Brading Seconded: Mr. A Forbes All in favour
191. CEMETERY & ALLOTMENT COMMITTEE REPORT – Ms D Powell Annex 9
(Agenda item 21)
Ms. Powell was welcomed back following her recent illness. Ms Powell thanked the Council for the cards and support received.
The box hedge to demark the new burial and cremation area to the right hand side of the centre path is in the process of being planted although in two installments and spanning two financial years. Mr. J Barratini is overseeing the actual planting to ensure the correct distance is maintained to the water line.
A quotation of £331 has been received for the construction of a soak away by the garage doors and this should be accepted.
Proposed: Mr. G Lloyd Seconded: Mr. G Luckett All in favour
A request to plant a tree at the Cemetery along the boundary line in memory of a loved one has been approved in principle by the Committee. Details of the tree to be planted have now been submitted and the suitability of this will be investigated.
The minutes for this Committee were accepted by the Council.
Proposed: Mr. G Luckett Seconded: Mr. J Westlake All in favour
192. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
(Agenda item 22)
Markings had appeared on the footway along The Green indicating that a resurface of this was imminent.
A photo call to promote the installation of vehicle activated signs within the Parish, arranged by North Somerset Council had been cancelled at the last minute. Mr. Bridges had offered to meet contractors on site to ensure the post on Greenhill Road, Sandford was correctly positioned but the contractors had ignored this offer and installed the post in the wrong place.
Bitten Parish Council has requested the support of other Parish Councils on decisions made by non-elected bodies. This should be included for discussion at the next meeting of the Parish Council.
A tree was obscuring view of a traffic light on Sidcot Lane. This matter should be reported by the Clerk to the NS Area Officer.
The meeting concluded at 9.10 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.