held on Monday December 4th 2006
Present; Stuart Campbell, Chairman Mary Stanhope, Hugh Delap, Ray Benfield, Pam Cobb, Rowena Wood, Betty Harris and Stephanie Jenkins, Clerk. Two members of the public were also present.1 Apologies for absence ; apologies were received from Richard Blamey and Gitte Dawson.
2 Minutes
With two emendations, the Minutes of the meeting of November 6th were agreed to be an accurate record.
3 Planning Matters
Flat 5, The Old House; internal alterations. Details had been circulated to Councillors and the application was supported.Village Pump Area;RW’s approach to Wessex Water still ongoing. Some cutback of overhanging trees reported.Conservation Area Review; the Chairman’s written response to the Planning Department’s Conservation Area Character Appraisal had been circulated to Councillors. In discussion it was agreed that, given a few stylistic simplifications and the identification of a number of additional vistas important to the outlook from the village, this was a very comprehensive and useful response. The Chairman was thanked for his work on this document.A letter had been received from Chris Bocci in response to the Appraisal and the Chairman agreed to reply to this and to incorporate his suggestions into the response document.RB wondered whether the points made in the Appraisal were a powerful enough justification for the proposed boundary changes.The question of county boundaries was raised. Councillors wondered whether B&NES and West Wilts liaise over matters like vistas. SC is to follow this up with Jessica Hunniset.Planning Details on Website; it was noted that these are not always updated as promptly as possible. The Clerk is to oversee this, once she has familiarised herself with the editing procedures.4 Freshford Mill
SC reported that, as he has had no further information from Mr Desmond, he has asked Hugh Warren to contact the Agents to discover whether Epros’ claim to be close to the point of purchase is true.
5 Parish Plan
HD reported that four of the six working groups set up in October are well under way. One, “Getting About”, has stalled and “Built Environment” is still without a leader. The Steering Committee had met on November 21st and acknowledged that the working groups may take longer to complete their tasks than anticipated. As a consequence the production and presentation of the Parish Plan may be delayed until later in the Spring. HD has agreed to take on the leadership of the “Built Environment” group. Councillors stated that, although the Parish Council had intended to distance itself from the production of the Parish Plan, the “Built Environment” aspect would undoubtedly benefit from Parish Council knowledge and input. HD stated that he would be seeking support in the role.
6 Village ShopHD reported that investigations of several solutions are still in progress.
7 Affordable Housing
HD reported that, once again, little obvious progress had been made. The Planners still felt that the Rhaniket Farm site could not be considered until all central sites had been definitely ruled out. Their suggestion was to look at sites within Limpley Stoke, specifically the land on Church lane uphill from The Grange. This would need to be done in collaboration with Limply Stoke PC.
HD and GD are to meet with Gary Ward and Jon Mutter (Western Challenge Housing Assoc.) on December 6th.
The question of re-establishing a genuine need for Affordable Housing was raised. Councillors wondered whether there was a given time-frame for this. HD to investigate with Gary Ward
8 Footpaths, Walls and Trees
Cemetery Matters; Alan Duck is to meet the Clerk at the Cemetery to finalise arrangements for tree-felling, headstone lowering and replacing the coping stone on the lower boundary wall.
9 Highways and RailwaysThe Old Forge/ boundary stones; a number of complaints had been received about the appearance of large stones along the wall of the property. These complaints centred on the fact that the stones would restrict parking and were visually detrimental. HD had taken the matter up with B&NES and the stones had been removed. He had also spoken to the owners who had wanted to protect climbing plants and had said that they intended taking up the matter with the Planning Department to see if a compromise could be reached.Councillors felt that the Doctor’s parking space should be re-established on the lane.RJB is to be asked to undertake this.Dark Lane/ Wall Collapse; David Richardson, owner of the wall had informed the Parish Council that his Insurers had just authorised repairs and so he would be able to move ahead shortly. SC reported that a phone conversation with Nick Jeanes (B&NES Highways) had elicited the information that any proposal to close a road would be subject to the widest consultation and would have a very low priority within his department. Rosemary Lane/ Peradins Bridge; the Chairman reported that he had arranged a meeting with B&NES Highways to gauge their views on the possible closure of the bridge, which had apparently been mooted following a petition by some residents of Rosemary Lane. After some discussion it was agreed that, even though other Councillors had had meetings with Highways about matters in which they had similar residential interest, it was felt that the impact on traffic and access from the 21 residences proposed for Freshford Mill was sufficiently heavy in its implications to lead to possible wrongful misinterpretation of such a meeting of the Chairman with Highways. It was therefore suggested that the meeting could be inadvisable. This view was expressed even though the meeting had been convened to establish whether Highways still held the same views as during the consultation on the most recent Mill application and to consider ways to address the resulting problems. The Chairman agreed on balance and, as there were other ways of approaching Highways about the problems, he would arrange to cancel the meeting. Councillors felt that it would be better to ask for a response to a wider range of issues; the matter of displacement traffic, the state of the bridge itself; problems with emergency access and tanker deliveries. The Clerk was also asked to notify the Environment Agency about the section of riverbank which has recently subsided alongside the road.Station Flowerbeds/ Planting; RW reported that she had not received the revised costings from Melanie Everard, but it seemed likely that the increased element of Health and Safety costs would mean that the parish council budget of £3K would be inadequate. After discussion, it was agreed to simplify the plans by eliminating the island beds. RW to liaise with Melanie over this. There was also a suggestion of planting rambling roses along the fence.
Meeting with Station Manager; RW reported that; the lighting switch-off times are now supposedly correctly set at one hour after the last train.. Cycle racks will shortly be installed.
Station Map; ongoing.
Train Usage Survey; Gordon Edwards had reported that, from the results of this usage at Freshford Station was deemed to have increased substantially (96 passengers, up by 29 from 2006).
10 Correspondence
ALCA; Newsletter and Survey
DEFRA; Code of Conduct, AONB Conservation Boards.
Severnside Community Rail partnership; Progress Report
B&NES Planning; Pre-submission Consultation Draft Statement of Community Involvement.
Somer Community Housing Trust; newsletter.
Sheila Little; letter against proposal to close Dark Lane.
Avon and Somerset Constabulary; letter from Chief Superintendent.
Action for Pensioners; newsletter.
Army Presentation Team; invitation to Reception and Briefing
Bristol International Airport; Master plan
Joint Local Transport Plan Team; joint delivery report.
B&NES Resources Planning; Parish precept Requirement Form.B&NES Electoral Services; Register of Electors 2007`B&NES Waste Services; Information LeafletsCharlie Murray; informing the Parish Council that the large part of her garden is to be repossessed for use as allotments and asking for support in rejecting this.Councillors agreed that, although there was a need for allotments within the village and that B&NES had been asked to look into this, the reclamation of just this one plot behind The Glebe gardens sent out an unfortunate message, that Social Housing tenants could lose their gardens whilst property owners remain in possession. The Clerk was asked to contact B&NES to ask them to put this matter on hold. 11 FinancePayments needing to be made in DECEMBER
Ian Croker. Street Cleaning , £189.37
Clerk’s quarter salary, £687.50
Retrospective approval
Memorial Hall, Donation towards running costs, £1K
Memorial Hall, Room Hire, £200
Hugh Delap, expenses (4/9/06), £6.90
Income
South Somerset District Council, Grant Award, £100
B&NES, Street Cleaning Funding, £272.20
Reconciliation
Peter Davies and the Clerk had completed the quarterly banking reconciliation (July-Sept). Councillors inspected this document..
Quote for new street lights
Two new lamps and brackets plus delivery charge will be £1309.12 plus VAT
This represents no increase on last year’s prices. The Clerk was authorised to order these.Election Costs; the Clerk reported that these will be met by B&NES and so do not need to be incorporated into the Precept budget.
Internal Auditor; the Clerk reported that Graham Jenkinson had agreed to take over this role. Councillors expressed their thanks.
Street Cleaning Payments; the Clerk was authorised to make payment of one week’s wages to Ian Croker for Monday December 25th as a Christmas bonus. She was also asked to purchase a box of biscuits for him.