held on Monday November 6th 2006
Present; Stuart Campbell, Chairman Mary Stanhope, Hugh Delap, Ray Benfield, Richard Blamey, Gitte Dawson and Stephanie Jenkins, Clerk.1 Apologies for absence ; apologies were received from Pam Cobb, Rowena Wood and Betty Harris
2 Minutes
The Minutes of the meeting of October 9th were agreed to be an accurate record.
3 Election/Co-option of new Councillor
The Clerk had posted notices advising the vacancy for a Councillor and offering electors the chance to call for an election. There had been no response to this within the specified fourteen days’ notice and so it would now be possible to go ahead and co-opt. A number of names were suggested and Councillors were asked to approach individuals before the December meeting. It was agreed that, for the May Elections in 2007, every effort should be made to persuade enough people to stand so that a genuine election can be held; canvassing for this to begin in January. The Clerk was asked to ascertain the likely costs for this.4 Planning Matters
Woodpecker House/ extension; the revised application has been approved.Village Pump Area; ongoing.Conservation Area Review; B&NES’ Conservation officer, Jessica Hunnisett, had advised the Chairman that the Review had reached draft stage and would shortly come to the Parish Council for consultation. Residents in the Conservation Area would need to be notified as there were some changes proposed which would affect boundaries. SC’s visual record of the village was progressing well.5 Freshford Mill
The Chairman reported that he had been approached by a Mr Desmond (of Epros?) who claimed to be close to exchanging on the purchase of the site. He stated that his company intend to develop the site on the basis of the current approved plans with their associated conditions and, because he understood there to have been opposition from local residents, he wished to make contact with the Parish Council to make his firm’s position clear and to offer reassurance. The Chairman asked Councillors’ opinions on the advisability of a meeting, given that the Parish Council’s standard response to requests about discussing planning issues in advance is that Councillors will only respond to an actual application. After discussion, it was agreed that, provided the purchase was complete, a meeting could take place at which the Chairman could refer Mr Desmond to the Parish Council’s documentation on the site and make sure that he was fully aware of the history of the various previous applications.
Should the company decide on trying to alter the plans once they own the site then, under new legislation, a full Flood Risk Analysis would be necessary. This, for reasons which the Parish Council could not understand, had not been considered important with the previous applications.
Security; with the sale possibly imminent, SC felt that Surrey and Counties were unlikely to be willing to spend money securing the site. He would be keeping a close eye on it and would ask David Linton to do the same.
6 Parish Plan
At the recent public meeting, attended by around 75 residents, Paddy Fitzgerald (Chairman of the Plan Committee) had given a very comprehensive report on the analysis of the returned questionnaires. As a result, six Working Groups had then been formed; these would deal with Built Environment, Natural Environment, Parking and Traffic, Village Hall, Youth Issues, Community matters and would report to the Plan Committee early in the new year.
Councillors thanked RW for her report on the meeting and made the following comments;
RJB reminded Councillors that in considering the statistics and ideas generated it was important to remember that only 50% of questionnaires had been returned. He also identified an additional perceived need for accommodation for the elderly within the village once their existing accommodation became too burdensome to upkeep. He felt that the Parish Council might try to encourage a developer to convert a large property given the obvious difficulty in identifying new-build sites.
HD informed Councillors that a summary of the questionnaire results was available in booklet form at the Post Office.
Councillors also noted the fact that, as yet, the Built Environment working group had no leader. As this will be a crucial area in the production of the important “Village Design Statement” HD was asked to keep a close watch on developments and report back. 7 Village ShopNegotiations are still in progress. GD reported that a very successful fund-raising dinner had mad over a thousand pounds.
8 Affordable Housing
HD reported that this is becoming an increasingly difficult issue, not only in finding a landowner willing to sell a suitable plot, but in dealing with the Planning Department.
Recent responses have been surprisingly negative; deeming the Ranikhet plot “too remote from village facilities”. Councillors felt that the goal posts seem to be moved at the whim of individual planning officers in a most disconcerting way.
GD was asked to check with West Wilts Councillors whether they felt a shared Limpley Stoke/Freshford site might be a possibility.9 Footpaths, Walls and Trees
Cemetery Matters; MS and the Clerk had sent in the tree-felling request form, backed by B&NES’ Arboricultural officer. When official permission is received Alan Duck will be instructed to carry out the work.
Hall Bank; SC reported that the owners were waiting on their contractors to finish this job.
Footpaths; MS reported that Mr Aldred (Hermitage Cottage) had expressed concern about the way in which people strayed from official footpath routes. It was agreed that this should be commented on in the Parish Magazine.
10 Highways and RailwaysState of Roads; RJB reported that the gulley outside Forsters House has been repaired; the white line restrictions on New Road have largely been adhered to, thus improving visibility at the crossroads; the Church Hill rat run problem has been addressed by signage at the top of The Hill and B&NES have agreed to resurface an area at the end of the Miss Vaiseys’ drive.Rosemary Lane Sewer; SC reported that, although Wessex Water had supposedly cleared the blockage which was thought to have been causing the manhole cover to lift and sewage to run down the hill, recent heavy rain had proved that the problem had not been solved. He had photographic evidence and was prepared to approach Wessex Water on behalf of the Parish Council, having first declared his interest as a resident of Rosemary Lane. Councillors were happy for him to do this.Dark Lane/ Wall Collapse; David Richardson, owner of the wall had informed the Parish Council that the road had been closed by B&NES as a safety measure and that it would remain closed until the wall had been reinstated, which could be some weeks.In the meantime a suggestion had been made by Paddy Fitzgerald, that Dark Lane should be pedestrianised to avoid its increasing use as a rat run through the village.His view was supported by RJB, who felt that the lane was too narrow to, be a suitable vehicular route, but MS and HD held strong objections, insisting that an alternative route out of the village was necessary given the frequent congestion at the crossroads. SC suggested the possibility of making the lane part of a one-way system. After discussion, RJB was asked to contact B&NES for advice and then create a questionnaire to canvass residents on the affected roads to see what the general view was.Rosemary Lane/ Peradins Bridge; SC, again declaring his interest as a Rosemary Lane resident, informed Councillors that Rosemary Lane residents had petitioned the Council about the increasing problems with traffic use of the lane and, at a site meeting with Traffic Engineer, Nick Jeanes, the suggestion of closing the bridge to traffic, effectively turning Rosemary lane into a cul-de-sac had met with qualified approval. This would be subject to the provision of a “turning head” down by the bridge and could only follow a full consultation within the village.PC had emailed a suggestion of blocking Rosemary Lane higher up, so that residents would suffer less inconvenience.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 up to £1K within the Parish Council budget available if there were to be a shortfall.Cycle Hoops; lack of space means that the option of 4 stands, positioned between the shelter and the gate entrance to the Bath platform, will be actioned.
Meeting with Station Manager; RW reported that; the lighting switch-off times are still not correct but will be dealt with shortly; currently there is no prospect of additional parking space as First Group would need to purchase land from Mr Godwin; the graffiti had been the work of a known culprit from outside the area, (identified by his artwork), but unless he is caught in the act it is not possible to prosecute; Freshford is still on the list of stations which are not allowed rubbish bins.
Station Map; RW stated that Phil Affleck is underway with this and will liaise with sponsors.
11 Correspondence
Community Action; Report and Financial Statement
Open Space Society; magazine
CPRE; magazine
Wickstead; catalogue of play equipment
Cotswold Conservation Board; Minutes of Meeting
B&NES Transport and Highways; magazine
B&NES; Council News
B&NES Environmental Services; Review of the Licensing Act 2003
B&NES Compact; notice of public consultation
Avon and Somerset Constabulary; letter from Chief Superintendent
Countryside Alliance; poster, Save our Post Offices
Clerks and Councils Direct; magazine
ALCA; survey
Life Cycle; bike stand offer
12 FinancePayments needing to be made in NOVEMBER
Ian Croker. Street Cleaning , £189.37
Clerk’s half-year expenses (April-Sept.) £165
Audit Fee, £141
British Legion Wreath; £15
Internet Connection and Security
Councillors authorised the Clerk to charge for half the costs of linking to Broadband (£53.50) and half the annual subscription for the Norton Anti-Virus and Fire Wall protection (£28.50). These sums form part of the expenses claimed for the period April-September
Income
B&NES Street Cleaning Funding, £272.20
CS Bowyer, Undertakers, Fee, £380
Annual Audit
Mazars have completed the annual audit and have approved the accounts and accounting procedures. There were no additional charges made over and above the standard rate of £141 inc VAT. The Clerk has placed the required notice of this on the Post Office board.