held on Monday November 12th 2007
Present; Stuart Campbell, Chairman Mary Stanhope, Hugh Delap, Richard Blamey, Ray Benfield, Ann Ross, Mandy Knowles and Stephanie Jenkins, Clerk. Also present, Neil Butters, District Councillor and two residents of Station Road.1 Apologies for absence ; Rowena Wood.
2.Minutes
The Minutes of the meeting of October 1st were agreed to be an accurate record and were signed by the Chairman.
3.Planning Matters
Decisions; Laughing Snakes, Midford Lane/ new summerhouse, replacing old, but on different site; permitted.
2 High Street- 07/02740; single-storey extension; refused.
New Applications;
The Old Chapel, Pipehouse/07/03277/FUL; erection of extension and connection of existing garage to create bedroom/studio, extension of dining room and dormer window; AR to respond after consultation.
Sharpstone House/07/03078/FUL; replacement of two retaining walls with one and erection of timber garden store/summerhouse; HD responded, after consultation, stating that Freshford PC had concerns about this application in terms of the scale and relationship to their surroundings of both elements of the scheme.
On-going Items
Tennis Club Lighting; RW reported that she was still awaiting a response from the planning officer to her request for information on planting proposals.
Parking at The Inn and internal alterations; John Trenoweth, from Listed Building Enforcement, had informed the Clerk that an application for an alternative traditional staircase and a landscaping scheme would shortly be made.
General Items
Park Corner Pump Area; RJB reported that, following a meeting with Highways, three improvement actions had been costed; establishing a pennant-type curb around the bend; removing the existing marker posts and replacing with two timber posts in front of the telegraph pole; putting up a “Park Corner” sign. The total for the work would be £744.70. Councillors asked RJB and RB to examine sources of funding for this.
Fingerpost Renovation; RJB stated that Highways had informed him that such work would be contracted out. He will obtain contact details and quotes. Highways are unlikely to fund the work.
Core Strategy Document; MK, RW and RB had attended the Planning Training Meeting at which the document, B&NES’ proposed response to the Regional Spatial Strategy, was launched and a consultation exercise begun. It is intended as a Development Plan over a twenty -year period, aiming to establish consistency across all planning decisions at both local and national levels. Stakeholders are asked to consider the basic aims of planning law, particularly with reference to current housing needs. Ideas and options need to be presented by December 17th
SC stated that the resulting document would have a heavy impact, but not specifically on Freshford. However he suggested that Councillors might wish to support other parishes in view of the major housing development proposed to the southwest of Bath.
On a parochial level there would be comments to make on the difficulties attached to attempting to address the established need for Affordable Housing. It would be useful to ask what facilities and services should be seen as necessary for rural areas and how these could be provided and maintained.
HD stated that two transport issues which would directly affect Freshford might be raised again; the question of a Link Road/A36 and the idea of building new housing where there is existing rail access.
SC and HD are to examine the Core Strategy Document and prepare proposals for Councillors to discuss at the December meeting.4.Freshford Mill
Councillors had received copies of the minutes of the meeting (October 10th) with Tim Guymer, B&NES Planning, at which Councillors provided TG with a history of the site and concerns about a number of the conditions attached to the planning approval. TG had agreed to take up a number of points with the developers, YRD.
SC reported that he had received complaints from members of the public that police were not taking sufficient action over recent “raves” held at the site. YRD, when contacted, were similarly concerned.
RB stated that, with only a four-man team, police were unable to act unless they received advance notice of an incident.
NB suggested bringing the matter up for discussion at the first PACT meeting to be held early in December.
The Clerk reported that she had not yet heard from Tim Guymer about arrangements to photocopy plans. She was asked to remind him of this.5. Parish Plan
HD reported that the meeting at which the working groups can present their findings and recommendations to the public will take place in the Memorial Hall on Wednesday November 21st. This will be well-publicised and constructive criticism will be encouraged. The leader of each working group will make a short presentation and take questions. Summaries of their reports will be displayed and the full reports will be put on the website for further comment over a limited period.
6. Village Shop and developments re Post Office ClosureTemporary Post Office ;HD reported this is now operating smoothly, with many takers for the refreshments on offer. For a four-week trial period there will be a half-hour opening on Friday afternoon to catch the afterschool market for sweets.
Site for New Post Office and Shop ; HD reported that, encouraged by the Parish Council’s support, the Shop Committee is preparing an outline planning application for a Post Office and shop in Galleries Field, next to the Village Hall. Acknowledging concern expressed, the site has been re-positioned 15 metres further back from the road. A short description of the proposal will be made at the forthcoming Parish Plan meeting with the intention of gathering wider support. The OPA will then be submitted for consideration at the February meeting of the Development Control Committee.
7. Affordable Housing
HD reported that John Mutter (Western Challenge Housing Association) had heard from the owner of Site 4 that he was not prepared to sell his land. The owner of Site 1has not written formally, but has stated the same. As a consequence, JM has agreed that sites further afield, in particular Site 9 just off Ashe’s Lane, should be presented to the Planners for consideration. HD suggested that, as the Regional Spatial Strategy calls for a considerable increase in Affordable Housing country-wide, this might affect the way the planners looked at the more outlying sites identified.
There had been no response from B&NES or Somer Housing to the suggestion of considering the garage site behind The Glebe for housing.
RW reported that she had spoken to Lyn Honeker of Somer Housing about the fact that garages are currently rented out to non-residents of Freshford and a number are used purely for storage. Somer Housing policy allows for this. A waiting list is kept and a vacant garage would first be offered to a Somer Housing tenant on the list, regardless of where they lived. RW had suggested that a note should be included in the next parish Bulletin to inform Freshford residents that it would be possible to put
their names on the waiting list. Lyn Honeker agreed to this.
NB stated that the Chairman of Somer Housing, Steve Watson, had attended a recent meeting at Wellow and had been very approachable.
8. Footpaths, Walls and Trees
Overgrown hedges; MS reported that the Freshford Lane footpath has been identified as a Highways’ matter. RJB confirmed that Highways were aware of the problem and were currently checking the ownership of the hedge. The tarmac appears to run right back under the hedge, indicating likely Highways’ ownership. If this is so, they will cut the hedge right back so that their optimum pavement width of 1.2m can be achieved.
The hedge alongside the footpath at Pipehouse has been cut back.
The hedge bordering the Matthews’ garden is obstructing the footpath and Stuart Ballard, B&NES’ Footpaths Officer will deal with it.
Limpley Stoke Footpath Information; the Clerk is still pursuing this.
Signage; MS reported damage to the footpath sign at the bridge by The Inn. Stuart Ballard to remedy when he does a survey of signage.
Street Sweeper; The Clerk had contacted Trevor Cummings (B&NES TAWM) about safety and employment issues for the street sweeper and had been told that there was no form of contract available. In fact, if Freshford created such a document, he would like a copy for the Council’s records. His advice was that any such contract/letter of employment should be read through with Ian Croker who should then be asked to sign it, indicating that he agreed with and would abide by the conditions contained in it.
The Clerk was still awaiting a response from Monkton Combe about how they dealt with these issues. MK’s updated contract letter will shortly be ready for Ian Croker to sign.
Cemetery Inspection;. The Clerk is to meet with Alan Duck to look at the older, unsafe headstones identified recently. MK had contacted Alan Duck and B&NES Waste Management to obtain quotes for clearing the old Pound area adjacent to the cemetery. B&NES had quoted a total of £655 for removing an estimated three lorry-loads of waste, removing overhanging branches, stripping ivy from the cemetery wall, clearing the vertical bank of debris and removing rubbish deposited behind The Glebe gardens. Any suitable wood would be chipped on-site to provide a base to the cleared Pound area. MK is awaiting a price from Alan Duck.
War Memorial Grants; RJB reported that he had obtained two of the three required quotes for the work.(G Williams £1674+VAT and Rowlands £1775+VAT). AR suggested asking Richard Burridge to provide the third. SC asked if, at the same time, the area of grass in front of the memorial could be flattened. 9. Highways and RailwaysFlooding/ ongoing from September Meeting; with recent heavy rains two properties experienced serious flooding problems, largely as a result of blocked drains/culverts. The problem has been exacerbated by the fact that both B&NES and West Wilts are involved. A resident affected by flooding to his property, John Huitson, had also written asking for the Parish Council’s support in tackling this problem. SC is to approach both Councils (copying correspondence to Neil Butters and John Huitson).Doctor’s Parking Space; RJB reported that B&NES have turned down the requested re-siting. SC to investigate the petition being circulated via the surgery.Pipehouse Junction; RJB reported that B&NES’ view of the request for a turning lane on the A36 access to Pipehouse was that there had not been enough serious accidents to warrant the expenditure. Councillors disagreed with this and RJB was asked to raise the matter again.Lorries on Church Lane; RJB reported that he had contacted Highways who will make a site visit and take appropriate action.Station Matters; Recent Suicide; it was noted that there had been considerable confusion and, presumably, some delay as emergency services from both sides of the county boundary attempted to locate Freshford Station. RB to investigate why this had proved such a problem and whether vital information like this could be held on an immediately-accessible database. Garden Restoration; RJB reported that Melanie Everard had received no payment from First Group and NB agreed to follow this up.Meeting with Station Manager; RW had provided a report on her meeting with Pete Jobson when they had discussed problems with the lighting system and graffiti. The additional noticeboard is now in place with the second Freshford poster. A new cycle stand is to be provided by First Group and they have installed a waste bag, to be emptied three times a week.Station Lighting; Jill Wood, neighbouring resident, had written stating that the lights were again burning all night. She also complained about youths using the station platform as a meeting place, with subsequent vandalism. The Clerk is to provide her with a direct number for the Transport Police.Poster Funding; the Clerk reported that the Manager of Homewood Park had invited her to tea, to collect the donation of £100. 10. Shared SpaceRJB reported on the very well-attended public presentation made by Ben Hamilton-Baillie on Shared Space at the Memorial Hall on November 9th. The general concept was explained and illustrated and then the relevance to Freshford and Sharpstone examined. Possible solutions were displayed and questions from the floor invited. In the main these were general and positive, avoiding personal, specific issues. At the end of the meeting Stuart Campbell asked for a show of hands of those in favour of the Parish Council continuing to explore the implementation of Shared Space within the village. The response was overwhelmingly positive.
Further meetings; a site meeting with B&NES Highways and Planning, H-B Associates, RJB and RB had been arranged for November12th to establish the Council’s views on the efficacy and practicality of a shared space scheme in Freshford.
These were seen to be favourable and Councillors discussed the next steps in the process. RJB stated that costs of £800 for the evening’s presentation and the presence of H-B Associates at the ensuing meeting had already been incurred. Further meetings involving H-B Associates would be charged at £225+VAT per half-day and Councillors agreed that one further meeting (December13th) could be funded at which the various elements of the scheme would be prioritised. This plan could then be discussed at the January meeting, after which the Parish Council would approach B&NES, David Trigwell to ask his advice about the best way to proceed.
Shared Space Document to be displayed in Post Office
11. Correspondence
Community Action; Grants for Rural Transport, Report and Financial Statement for 2007
ALCA; Newsletter, Budget Affiliation Fees for 2008 (£107 against £104)
Cotswold Conservation Board; AONB Management Plan Workshop
B&NES TAWM; Newsletter.
B&NES Democratic Services, Minutes and Agenda for Parishes Liaison Meeting
Clerks and Council Direct; Newsletter.
West Wilts District Council; Notice of Leisure Recreation Plan Document, Submission Draft.
B&NES; Council Newsletter
Open Space; Magazine.
CPRE, B&NES division; newsletter and notice of AGM.
Avon and Somerset Constabulary; notice of Community Policing Awards, dates for visit to headquarters, Minutes of Parish Forum meeting.
B&NES Libraries; Survey of service provided.
John Huitson; concern about flooding at bottom of Church Hill
12. Finance
Payments needing to be made in NOVEMBER
Ian Croker, Street Cleaning, £196.68.
The Stationery Office, PPS3, £18.75
David Richardson, Photocopying, £17.63
Candy Harrison, publicity boards, £10
RJ Dewings, Annual Grass Cutting 2007, £1500
Sharpstone Productions, a second poster/map, £70.50
Royal British Legion, wreath, £15
Hugh Delap, purchase of Core Strategy Doc., £5
Income
B&NES; Street Cleaning, £282.71
James Long, Masons, £120 (2x£60)
Chairman’s Broadband
To be provided under a monthly contract by Zen, at a monthly cost to the Parish Council of £13. SC to pay the account and claim through expenses. The monthly contract means that, in the event of SC leaving the post of Chairman, the Parish Council will not be tied in for the remainder of a twelve month period. SC is to finance the set-up arrangements. Councillors approved this
Grass Cutting/Cemetery Maintenance 2008
The Clerk reported that she had received a quotation of £1600 for the grass cutting and £275 for clearing Tyning Bank and tidying the cemetery. (£1500 and £275 this current year) from Mr Dewings. Councillors agreed that this represented extremely good value and asked the Clerk to accept the quote.Accounts’ Resolution
The Clerk and Peter Davies had prepared and signed the document for the period July-September 2007 for Councillors to view.
13 Pre-Advised AOB
Friends of Freshford; Future Events; RJB announced a Barn Dance and supper at the Memorial Hall on December 7th and a Christmas Fair with stalls and entertainments at the School, 5.30pm on December 10th
Tyning Field/ School Usage;RJB, as School Governor representative, told Councillors that the School wished to pursue the idea of using a piece at the top end of the Tyning as a play area. SC stated that he had researched the legal implications, as the land is technically a Village Green. Only residents are entitled to use it, but others may at the invitation of the landowner. Initial approaches to the MacDonald Trust have established that they would be willing to sell the land. The School Governors will be meeting to discuss the matter.
Kissing Gate by The Inn; this had been reported to the Clerk as being in need of repair. RB agreed to inspect and report.Entrance to old Cottage Hospital building; MK expressed concern about the state of the stone archway. SC to inspect and report.