held on Monday October 9th 2006
Present; Pam Cobb, Vice-Chairman Mary Stanhope, Rowena Wood, Betty Harris and Stephanie Jenkins, Clerk.1 Apologies for absence ; apologies were received from Stuart Campbell, Hugh Delap, Ray Benfield, Gitte Dawson and Richard Blamey.
It was noted that this was possibly the first all-female meeting in the history of Freshford Parish Council.
2 Minutes
The Minutes of the meeting of September 4th were agreed to be an accurate record.
3 Election/Co-option of new Councillor
Councillors discussed the possible courses of action needed to fill the vacancy left by Alison Cavaliero’s resignation. Because of the proximity of Parish Council elections in May 2007 it was decided that the Clerk should put up notices stating that a vacancy exists and that, if more than one person expressed an interest in filling it, an election would be held, but, if not, the Parish Council would be looking to co-opt a Councillor until May. The Clerk agreed to check with B&NES Legal Services that this would be in order.4 Planning Matters
Woodpecker House/ extension; a revised application is now under consideration.
Monklea/ extension; permission granted for this.
Rock Cottage/ garage convert to studio; (Hinton Charterhouse) Despite the Clerk’s request for plans none had been received. Councillors were able to study small versions downloaded from the website and it was agreed that the application meant that there would be no change to the building’s footprint, the exterior appearance would be improved and that parking, in the absence of a garage, would not be a problem. Concern were expressed that vehicles visiting the studio might present problems in an area of the village where access is very tight, but the only major issue was seen to be the possible future use of the upgraded building as accommodation. RW agreed to take this point up with Tim Guymer, Case Officer.
Avenue Lodge, Crowe Lane/ replacement and enlargement of Conservatory; (Limpley StokeParish) this application had been passed on from Limpley Stoke as being of interest to Freshford. Councillors looked at the plans and had no objections to the scheme.
5 Freshford Mill
Ongoing. Councillors asked that SC should follow up the matter of site security.
6 Parish Plan
The public meeting has been re-scheduled for October 12th. RW agreed to attend and report back on any issues with particular Parish Council interest. 7 Village ShopHD had circulated Councillors with details of borrowing possible under the Local Government Finance Scheme, but it was still not clear whether the scheme would be appropriate.PC had approached Sainsburys and found that they have agreed to reconsider re-instating the delivery service formerly offered by Budgens. The possibility of a link with the 94 bus service was discussed and PC offered to liaise with the Manager of the store once HD has had time to consider the implications for the future of the Village Shop.
8 Affordable Housing
There has been no progress yet in finding a landowner prepared to participate in the scheme.
9 Footpaths, Walls and Trees
Tyning Waste Bin; there had been complaints that this had not been emptied for some time. The Clerk had contacted B&NES and asked that the schedule/route for Freshford’s bins be checked.
Cotswold Wardens; the Clerk had written to thank them for the work carried out within the Parish. SC to be asked to record thanks in the Parish Magazine so that villagers are aware.Cemetery Matters; MS to continue efforts to contact Alan Duck with a view to removing the conifer causing problems at the Glebe. Also the matter of the three gravestones that need to be laid flat.Hall Bank; SC to be asked to follow this up. 10 Highways and RailwaysState of Roads; RJB to be asked to let Councillors know the current state of play with B&NES Highways re the various ongoing complaints around the village.Pictorial Map; RW reported that she had obtained promises of further donations of £100 from Iford Manor and £100 from The Inn towards the costs of the map, bringing the current total to £400. It was noted that it will be important to ensure that information (opening times and dates) remains up to date.
Flowerbeds/ Planting; RW reported that Alan Duck has agreed to do the tree cutting and Mr Godwin, owner, has agreed to the trimmimg. Melanie Everard will oversee the work. There is funding of £500 from Heart of Wessex and the Friends of Freshford have agreed to a grant of £1500. The Clerk confirmed that there would be money within the Parish Council budget available if there were to be a shortfall.Cycle Hoops; Councillors felt that it would be sensible to take up the option of six hoops as these would be sited on the platform and would not take up car parking space.
Meeting with Station Manager; RW was asked to take up the matter of a fresh outbreak of graffiti on the station bridge. The Clerk asked if residents in Station Road could be given a direct contact number for the British Transport Policeman dealing with the area.11 Area Round the Parish Pump
This area has become very unkempt and Councillors agreed to two measures to correct this. Residents are to receive a letter (RW and the Clerk to compose) asking that any skips used for building work are not to be parked on this land. Martin Walker offered to approach the owners of Park House to request the cutting-back of trees overhanging the area. RW is to approach Wessex Water to see if funding might be available for restoring the area around the pump to cobbles.It was agreed that extending the wall would not be a good idea as it would further limit parking in a congested section of the village, at a point where a parked car helps to slow passing traffic.12 Correspondence
Community Action; Newsletter
Clerks and Councils Direct; Newsletter
ALCA; Newsletter, Minutes of Executive Committee Meeting, Legal Briefing on Employment issues, Reminder of AGM, Minutes of B&NES Area Group Meeting.
B&NES Community Alarm Service; Leaflets
Radstock Police Sector; Agenda for Parish Forum Meeting
Cotswold Conservation Board; Minutes of Meeting
B&NES Admission & Transport; poster on Child School Admission Procedures
Clerk to School Governors; letter confirming RJB’s continuing role as PC rep on School Governors Board.
13 Finance Payments needing to be made in OCTOBERIan Croker. Street Cleaning , £189.37
Open Spaces Society; Annual Sub £30
Mr Dewings; Annual Grass Cutting Fee. £1500
Southern Electric; Supply July-Sept, £256.72
SEC; Routine Maint. Charge July-Sept, £158.80
SEC Non-Routine Maint. £9.26
Income
B&NES Half Precept, £5441
B&NES Street Cleaning Funding, £272.20
James Long, Masons, Fee, £20
CS Bowyer, Undertakers, Fee, £45