held on Monday December 3rd 2007
Present; Stuart Campbell, Chairman Mary Stanhope, Hugh Delap, Rowena Wood, Ray Benfield, Ann Ross and Stephanie Jenkins, Clerk. Also present, for the final stages of the meeting, was Neil Butters, District Councillor.1 Apologies for absence ; Richard Blamey, Betty Harris and Mandy Knowles.
2.Minutes
The Minutes of the meeting of November 12th were agreed to be an accurate record and were signed by the Chairman.
3.Planning Matters
Decisions;Sharpstone House/07/03078/FUL; replacement of two retaining walls with one and erection of timber garden store/summerhouse; permitted
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; the Parish Council response raised no objection, but asked that the materials and form should match those existing.
On-going Items
Tennis Club Lighting; ongoing
Parking at The Inn and internal alterations; ongoing.
General Items
Park Corner Pump Area; ongoing (RJB)
Fingerpost Renovation; ongoing (RJB)Core Strategy Document; SC and HD are still examining the Core Strategy Document and will circulate proposals to Councillors prior to the response date.
Planning Delegation Scheme; SC reported that, thanks to Peter Duppa-Miller’s eagle eye, Option 2 ( that the ability of a Parish Council to ensure that a matter with which they were in disagreement could be be referred to the Development Control Committee would be very severely constrained) had been identified as being extremely detrimental to Parish Council interests, and some intensive work and lobbying before the Planning Committee Meeting had led to that Option being put to one side for a period of three months, to allow consultation to take place. However, SC considered that the initial failure to consult had still not been properly acknowledged and that no proposals for future, more satisfactory, procedures had been forthcoming, despite a number of communications with senior executives at B&NES. After discussion, SC was asked to approach David Trigwell, B&NES Assistant Director of Planning and Transport Development, via his PA, Liz Humphries, to see if this matter could not be satisfactorily resolved.HD made the point that it would be useful to have the support of other Parish Councils for this issue.
4.Freshford Mill
RW reported that a meeting with Ken Williams, B&NES Highways, had been scheduled for later in the month at which solutions to the problem of traffic on Rosemary Lane, linked to possible changes to the site entrance at Freshford Mill would be examined.
The Clerk reported that, although she had emailed, she had still not heard from Tim Guymer about arrangements to photocopy plans of the successful application. She was asked to remind him of this again.SC stated that a rumour that the development had been put up for sale, which had surfaced via a local website, had been categorically denied by Phil Desmond of YRD.
5. Parish Plan
HD reported that the public meeting held on November 21st had been well-attended and the reports of the various working parties had been well-received. The Plan would be constructed from these reports and presented, in draft form, at a further public meeting in late January or early February.
6. Village Shop and developments re Post Office ClosureTemporary Post Office ; it was noted that the temporary Post Office had suffered a break-in. An (estimated) small amount of cash had been stolen, along with the stock of sweets. SC suggested that, should the money not be recoverable under the insurance scheme, the Parish Council should offer to reimburse the Shop Committee. Councillors agreed.
Site for New Post Office and Shop ; HD reported that, at the Parish Plan Meeting, the plans for the new shop in Galleries field had received enthusiastic support. An Outline Planning Application had since been submitted to B&NES. Councillors agreed that it would be important to muster as much public support as possible for the plan, to balance the Green Belt issue, which will undoubtedly worry the Planners. SC offered to liaise with Limpley Stoke Parish Council to ask for their support. RW suggested contacting the WI and the British Legion to ask members to contact B&NES with their support. It was agreed that as many messages of support, whether by letter or email, needed to be generated. Given the time-frame, it would be important to warn NB that, should Planning Officers recommend refusal, the Parish Council would want the application to go to the Development Committee. SC to undertake this.
7. Affordable Housing
HD reported disappointingly little progress. He had been told by Gary Ward of B&NES that there would be no possibility of Somer Housing selling the garage sites at The Glebe for Affordable Housing and Highways stated that they would oppose an access off Freshford Lane for this site, even though there is already vehicle access for the garages.
He stated that a site meeting had been set for December with Gary Ward (B&NES Social Housing) and Jon Mutter (Western Challenge H.A.) to explore the garage sites once more and to look at the sites beyond the first choices, all of which have been turned down by the owners or planners. Site 9, in Ashe’s Lane, would be considered first and Western Challenge would need to decide whether to risk the costs of preparing plans and making an application. If they were not willing to undertake this, HD stated that it would be necessary to take the whole matter of Affordable Housing to the highest level within B&NES.
8. Footpaths, Walls and Trees
Overgrown hedges; MS reported that the Freshford Lane footpath had been identified as part of the public Highway, but the hedge, which has encroached on it over the years, is private property and so no radical solution to the ongoing problem is possible.
Joint Rights of Way Improvement Plan; MS reported that four copies of this had been received and were available for inspection. Most of the themes identified were not particularly relevant to Freshford.
Limpley Stoke Footpath Information; maps and other details had been received from the Clerk of Limpley Stoke. MS had photocopied some of these. The Clerk is to ask whether Freshford might keep one of the four A3 copies of the footpaths map in the file.Signage; MS reported that repairs would be done between January and March 2008.
Street Sweeper; 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. Councillors expressed concern about the appearance of the graveyard with the increasing number of headstones which have had to be laid flat. AR agreed to contact a colleague to establish the current thinking about the necessity to undertake this work. It was suggested that the Historical Society might be prepared to fund the restoration of, perhaps, one headstone a year. SC agreed to approach Alan Dodge about the matter.Pound Clearance;. MK is still awaiting a price from Alan Duck. Councillors expressed some concern about the proposed costs for clearing waste, which, in Bath, would probably be undertaken as routine work by B&NES TAWM team. It was agreed to approach Waste Management Services (394041) to see if they could undertake this.
War Memorial Grants; ongoing (RJB)Kissing Gate Repairs; RB reported that, on inspection, it seemed that some recent welding had been done to the gate. The Clerk was asked to check with Bridget Baker, who had reported the damage initially. RB reported that, should funding be available to replace the metal kissing gate, the replacement would be likely to be a wooden one. Councillors noted that with concern.
9. Water ManagementErosion of Frome Riverbank; SC reported that responsibility for repairs was under dispute between local government and the agencies. It is also possible that the damage might have resulted from the deterioration of one of the mill weirs, which would involve a private landowner in the matter.Flooding at the bottom of Church Hill; following a letter from a resident of Church Hill, John Huitson, whose property had been flooded, SC reported that he had investigated the situation, which was complicated by the fact that the stream involved flowed through a number of private properties. The only point at which the Parish Council could become involved would be if a blockage causing flooding was found to be under the road. It was suggested that the problems with blockages could well be exacerbated by the fact that the gullies and drains on Church Lane (West Wilts responsibility) had been blocked for some time, leading to surface water and debris washing down into the centre of the village. SC was asked to contact the Chairman of Limpley Stoke Parish Council to ask if the matter could be taken up with the Local Authority. 10. Highways and RailwaysDoctor’s Parking Space;. SC had responded to a letter from Jean Hawker who had circulated a petition via the surgery asking for the reinstatement of the Doctor’s parking space. The letter and answer were tabled.Parking at School; RJB had sent a copy of a letter from residents on Freshford Lane to the school governors complaining about traffic chaos at the beginning and end of the school day. Their suggestion was that school buses and taxis should drop off and collect from the Hall car park. Councillors agreed that this would improve matters considerably, but they recognised that it might be problematic to implement.Re-surfacing Rosemary Lane; SC reported that this would not be taking place until February 2008Proposed Bus Shelter; RJB had stated in his report that Highways had agreed to install a bus shelter, but that it would involve moving the recently-positioned post box. Councillors were concerned about this development and questioned the need for a bus shelter. If it was primarily to serve the school, it should be sited on school land, and, if the residents of Freshford Lane had their way, there would be no need for a bus shelter close to the school. Other concerns expressed were about the new siting of the post box and the appearance of any bus shelter constructed. MS was asked to take these concerns to Richard Blamey in his roles both as School Governor and Parish Councillor with responsibility for Highways.Bus to Bradford on Avon; Following on from the Village Plan Meeting, HD reported that there is strong support in the village for a bus link from Freshford. RW stated that when the idea had been raised some time ago it had been ruled out, but she offered to ask Gordon Edwards what would be the best approach in making a further request.Closure of A36; SC reported on a meeting called by the Highways Agency to warn about the closure of the A36, end of March-end of June 2008 for major structural repairs between the end of the viaduct to just beyond Waterhouse Lane. He stated that, nearer the time, it would be important for the Parish Council to monitor and comment on the diversion arrangements proposed so that disturbance to residents could be minimised. RW suggested a very pro-active approach, in conjunction with Limpley Stoke Parish Council. She believed a 20mph speed limit right through both villages would be necessary.Pipehouse Junction; ongoing (RJB)Lorries on Church Lane; copies of correspondence to B&NES about damage to a property caused by a lorry had been received from David Richardson.Station Matters; Poster Funding; the Clerk reported that she had collected the promised donation of £100 from Homewood Park She will write to give official thanks from the Parish Council. RW reported that the donation from The Inn at Freshford had been promised shortly.Lighting; RW reported that this should now be functioning correctly.New Timetable; RW stated that this had just been published. She would be requesting copies from Gordon Edwards. 11. Shared SpaceThe Shared Space Document has been displayed in the temporary Post Office.
As per November Minutes, RJB and RB are to have further discussion with Hamilton-Baillie Associates to prioritise the various elements of the scheme.
RJB will report on further developments at the January meeting.12. Correspondence
ALCA; Newsletter
B&NES Planning Services; request for comments on the Revised Scheme of Delegation
West of England Partnership; copies of the Joint Rights of Way Improvement Plan.
Barclays Bank; updated version of Customers Terms and Conditions.
Wiltshire County Council; future consultation arrangements for Minerals and Waste Development Framework.
David Richardson; copy of letter to B&NES Highways in connection with sat-nav generated incident on Church Hill in which damage to property occurred.
Geoff Edwards, email informing the Parish Council of the addition of a community forum to his website, www.freshfordsomerset.co.uk
B&NES; Council Newsletter
Open Space Society; request for donation/funding for work on Village Green registration.
Avon and Somerset Constabulary; notice of date for visit to headquarters; 20/11/07
Clerks and Councils Direct; Newsletter.
13. Finance
Payments needing to be made in DECEMBER
Ian Croker, Street Cleaning, £196.68.
Stephanie Jenkins, Clerk’s Third Quarter Salary, £687.50
Income
B&NES; Street Cleaning, £282.71
Homewood Park; Donation for Poster Map, £100
Ian Croker’s Christmas Box
The Clerk was authorised to purchase biscuits. 14. PACT MeetingSC reported that the first area PACT meeting had been scheduled for Friday December 13th at Freshford Memorial Hall. Councillors expressed surprise at the shortness of the notice given and the fact that, as the meeting had been arranged for a Friday evening so near to Christmas, attendance would not be good. RB agreed to see if he could rearrange his plans in order to represent Freshford.
15. Parish Council Delegation PolicySC, having circulated a prior report on the matter, asked Councillors to consider whether delegating, on an honorary basis, responsibility for monitoring Government and Local Government publications and alerting the Parish Council to any relevant matters contained in them. Councillors agreed that this was an ever-increasing task and SC was asked to approach Nick Stevens, whose legal background made him an eminently suitable candidate, to see if he would be willing to undertake this role. Should he be prepared to do this, he would be invited to the January meeting and given a job description, which would clarify matters such as expenses incurred and declaration of interests.
16 Pre-Advised AOB
Friends of Freshford; Future Events; RJB had reminded Councillors of the Barn Dance and supper at the Memorial Hall on December 7th and the Christmas Fair with stalls and entertainments at the School, 5.30pm on December 10th. Contributions of bottles for the tombola stall would be gratefully received.