held on Monday February 4th 2008
Present; Stuart Campbell, Chairman Mary Stanhope, Hugh Delap, Rowena Wood, Ray Benfield, Ann Ross, Richard Blamey, Mandy Knowles and Stephanie Jenkins, Clerk. Also present was Neil Butters, District Councillor, and for item 3, Gordon Edwards, Steve Osbourne-Smith leading a team from InterRoute and for item 4, Penny Murray.1 Apologies for absence ; Betty Harris
2.Minutes
The Minutes of the meeting of January 7th were agreed to be an accurate record and were signed by the Chairman.
3. Closure of the A36Steve Osbourne-Smith of InterRoute, who will be implementing and co-ordinating the two urgent road repair schemes, explained the logistics to Councillors. He and his team were then able to answer Councillors’ questions and address their additional concerns. Elaborate plans have been put in place to deal with the traffic normally accessing Bath along the A36 corridor. Residents will be issued with permit stickers and there will be manned “gatehouses” to turn away all traffic except those vehicles with clear need to visit Freshford or Limpley Stoke. The first three weeks will be the most inconvenient period, when there will be no access at all to Brassknocker Hill and residents will have to travel to Bath via Hinton Charterhouse. After that, if work goes according to schedule, it will be possible to travel through Limpley Stoke and on, via The Viaduct crossroads. The bus service will operate a shuttle system, dropping passengers at one side of the works and picking them up at the other. Bus shelters at each end and a covered walkway between them will be set up.Councillors had a number of questions about these arrangements which the team from InterRoute was able to address, but it was felt that those making contingency plans had not given nearly enough thought to the traffic travelling across from the Westbury/Trowbridge area to Bath and Bristol. This already generates a considerable stream of traffic during the morning and evening rush-hour periods ( with traffic using the A366 to reach the A36 and on via Branch Road or through Freshford/Limpley Stoke to access the A36 at the Viaduct) and, when the scheme begins and The Viaduct crossroad is out of action, drivers normally using that route are likely to try to get across to bath or Bristol via Freshford. Councillors queried the decision to locate the last gatehouse at the A366/A36 crossing and routing traffic from that point through to Norton St Philip using the B3110 with its difficult access at the Norton crossroads and the road calming scheme already in operation. During the last closure of the A36 traffic was routed via Branch Road to the B3110. If this route was adopted during the forthcoming works it would alleviate the huge increase in the commuter traffic flooding through Freshford. They also felt that inadequate consideration had been to levels of traffic already using the Westwood/Freshford route. Steve Osbourne Smith agreed to give thought to all the suggestions and RW asked if Councillors could be given an update on the plans in a month’s time. This was agreed.Publicity will be dealt with via an internet website, the local press and a detailed mailout to all residents. Two permits for access will be delivered to all Freshford properties.The Chairman thanked the InterRoute scheme for attending the meeting and Councillors agreed.4. Planning Matters
New Applications;
The Yard, High Street/ erection of extension and front porch after removal of existing utility room/store 07/03587/FUL; RW reported that officers were still awaiting the provision of the existing ground floor plan. They would then advise on the extent of the increase in floor area.
Responses made to recent applications
2 The High Street/ single-storey rear extension/ resubmission 07/03819FUL; supported by the Parish Council provided materials used are reclaimed ashlar stone and second hand double roman clay tiles to match the existing (as stated in the application) and the windows are painted wooden windows. The Parish Council will, however, be guided by the opinions of officers from the Built Heritage team, as the building lies within the Conservation Area of the village.
The Gatehouse, Iford Manor/ change of use of ground floor from residential to office use/ retrospective/ 07/03680; the Parish Council has considered this application and raises no objection.
Cornerstone, Freshford Lane/ erection of a two-storey extension, detached garage, replacement of existing garage doors with glazed doors and construction of stone garden wall/ resubmission/ 07/03798/FUL; an application for a similar scheme (June 2007) had been refused by B&NES on the grounds that the proposed development was disproportionately large and conflicted with a number of planning policies. The Parish Council assumes that these reasons are still relevant and so cannot support the current application. Although materials are sympathetic to the rural location, there is concern that the proposed garage, adjacent to the Conservation Area, would be too prominent in the centre of the village and would set a precedent for developments at other properties on Freshford Lane. The proposed rear extension, whilst replacing volume previously approved in an application in 1988, also increases the size of the dwelling.
Penny Murray (owner of the property) spoke in defence of the application. She outlined the history of this application dating back to 1988 and stated that family circumstances had necessitated this application. Neighbours on Freshford Lane fully supported the scheme, which had been carefully designed to fit into a rural landscape. She was unhappy that the Parish Council had responded negatively to the application without approaching her in advance, or bringing the application to a parish council meeting where members of the public could hear the arguments and request an opportunity to speak.
RW responded, stating that some applications could not be discussed at the monthly Parish Council meetings, as responses were required within twentyone days of receipt of an application. The Planning Sub-committee always considered the applications in detail and put their recommendations, based on Planning Guidelines to all PC members for approval, but she agreed that, in future, it might be possible to approach property owners when the decision was to oppose a scheme. She stated that the Parish Council’s concern was not with the rear extension. The PC were of the view that as the Officer had refused the last application on green belt grounds, this would also apply to a new application. The PC also felt that the garage would breach the building line along the lane
On-going Items
Community Shop; erection of new timber building/ 07/03529 alongside the village hall in Galleries field; RW stated that Consultee reports had not been encouraging.
Tennis Club Lighting; reply still awaited from planning officer regarding planting proposals
Parking at The Inn and internal alterations; further update awaited from John Trenoweth, B&NES Planning
General Items
Park Corner Pump Area; ongoing.
Fingerpost Renovation; ongoing.
Planning Delegation Scheme; RW reported that the motion ensuring that, when a Parish Council disagrees with a Planning Officer’s decision, an application must be passed to the Chair of the Development Control Committee who will then consider whether the matter is referred to the Committee, had been passed unanimously in a vote by the DCC acting for the Authority. The whole system of delegation will be reviewed after one year.
Gas Pipe/Dark Lane; Jessica Hunnisett still to report back on the outcome of negotiations with British gas.
5.Freshford Mill
RW reported that the new Team Leader in Development Management had indicated that, given the constraints within the department, no officer will be assigned to the Mill Project once Tim Guymer has left. Matters will be dealt with on an ad hoc basis.
The Parish Council still awaits a copy of the drawings of the approved application.
YRD’s Phil Desmond had acted promptly over the complaints about lorries attempting to exit the site via Rosemary Lane. He had also explained that the recent timber extension on the warehouse building had been planned as a mock-up area.
6. Parish Plan
HD reported that March 19th had been set for the presentation of the Parish Plan to the Parish. It would be presented to the Parish Council approximately a fortnight in advance. SC asked HD to ensure that the Parish Council were given at least a fortnight for consideration.
7. Village ShopHD reported that, despite the fact that the Outline Planning Application had received considerable local support (over 100 letters and emails), the case officer, Mark Reynolds, seemed likely to recommend refusal. Gitte Dawson, as Chairman of the Shop Project Committee, had been promised sight of his report, so that it would be possible to suggest corrections to any apparent errors in his arguments and plan the best ways of preparing for presentations to the Planning Committee on February 20th. SC stated that the wording of the refusal would be of critical importance and that the Parish Council would liaise closely with the Shop Project Committee over the three-minute presentations allowed at the Planning Committee meeting at the Guildhall on February 20th. It would also be important to ensure a strong supporter presence at that meeting. NB stated that, as District Councillor, he would have a five-minute slot to speak in support.
Over £6K had been raised for the Shop Project at the recent dinner and auction of promises.
8. Affordable Housing
HD reported no action over the past month, but stated that he is to meet with Mrs Millard, owner of Site 9 on Ashe’s Lane. After attending an ALCA meeting where the subject of Affordable Housing had been discussed, he said that it appeared highly likely that the rules for siting housing might change in the relatively near future.
9. Footpaths, Walls and Trees
Wall Collapse alongside the field belonging to the Brewery ; wall now repaired.
Weeping Pear at cemetery; awaiting cost details from Sheila Wyatt of HortSoc.
Broken Tree/ Abbey Lane; thanks to RB for speedy action.
Footpath Sign/ Rhaniket Field; this now pointing the right way.Limpley Stoke Footpath Information; Freshford have been given a copy of an A3 map by limply Stoke PC
Cemetery Inspection; Clerk/ ongoing. Headstone re-setting, SC to contact Alan Dodge over possible Historical Society funding.War Memorial Grants and Quotes for repairs; ongoing (RJB).
Pound Clearance; to be discussed at the March meeting.
10. Highways, Street Cleaning and RailwaysHighways Strategy Document; Councillors expressed their concern about the sign which had been placed at the bottom of Ashe’s Lane without any Parish Council consultation. RW felt that this was particularly annoying, as recent Parish Council efforts had concentrated on removing superfluous signage rather than adding yet more. SC stated that the matter was symptomatic of a worrying trend of the Highways Department acting in a high-handed way, without concern for the known wishes of the Parish Council. HD made the point that, for a department with acknowledged funding problems, this was unnecessary spending. RJB was asked to request the sign’s removal. The Chairman asked HD to compose a strategy document which could be presented to David Trigwell, outlining the Parish Council’s difficulties in dealing with Highways and the manner in which Highways officers appear to respond to individual residents’ requests without reference to a Parish Council view.Bus to Bradford on Avon; RW reported that budgetary constraints have made the requested service from Bradford impossible. B&NES had suggested, as an alternative, a service from Community Transport. Church Hill Flooding Problem; RJB reported that the cause of the flooding had been identified as a blocked culvert under the road; a total of nine footballs had become wedged and, over the years, a number of utility pipes had been laid on top of the culvert. B&NES have opened up the culvert and asked all utilities to relay their pipes below the level of the culvert. The road had been closed for three weeks and, to date, only the gas pipes have been moved.Recent heavy rain had caused damage to many other road surfaces in Freshford and RJB had provided B&NES with a list of major potholes.Parking outside The Forge; RJB reported that the disputed matter of the doctor’s parking space appeared to have been resolved. The new owners had discussed it with him and were happy for the space to be reinstated in its original place. They would also be requesting a disabled space for their own use.Jobs for Ian Croker; clearing water-born debris from Rosemary Lane and Dark Lane and clearing and cutting back in Pipehouse Lane.Station Matters; Poster Funding; RW stated that she had asked Peter Jobson why the poster was not currently displayed on the Bradford platform and was still awaiting his reply.Station Garden Maintenance; the Clerk stated that Melanie Everard had approached her with concerns that, unless a regular maintenance plan was put in place, the garden would deteriorate. RJB offered to organise a rota of volunteers and to ask Melanie to do an initial two hours work (budget approx. £50) co-ordinating efforts. 11. Shared SpaceBecause of pressures of time, it was agreed that discussion of the scheme and its progress would be left until the March meeting.
12. Correspondence
B&NES, Invitation to Council’s Annual Civic Reception (Chairman+ Guest).
Allotments Regeneration Initiative, Newsletter
Dept for Communities and Local Government; consultation paper on Orders and Regulations Relating to the Conduct of Local Authority Members in England.
B&NES NHS Primary Care Trust; “Health and Social Care Partnership-Have Your Say” leaflet.
West Wilts District Council; Leisure and Recreation development Plan Document; site allocation representations.
B&NES Legal Dept.; weblink details to Standards Board paper on Predisposition, Bias and the Code. Also notification of Bulletin of Changes to Local Authority electoral arrangements.
13. FinancePayments needing to be made
Ian Croker, Street Cleaning, £196.68.
Mandy Knowles, purchase of equipment for street cleaning scheme, £89.79
CPRE, Annual Subscription, £28
Income
B&NES; Street Cleaning, £282.71
Bank Reconciliation
Period Oct-Dec 2007; completed by the Clerk and Peter Davies was available to view at the meeting.
Precept Request 2008-09
A detailed budget for discussion and agreement formulated by the Chairman and the Clerk had been circulated to Councillors prior to the meeting. The Clerk answered a number of questions and it was decided, after discussion, to omit item 3, Special Projects and Parish Plan Actions, budgeted at £1K. It was agreed that this should form a matter for discussion at the Annual Parish Meeting in April for action the following financial year. It was agreed to request a Precept of £12320, an increase of £1085, to make allowance for inevitable rises in utility costs and to allow for maintenance contingencies.
Appointment of External Auditor
Notification received from the Audit Commission that Mazars have been reappointed for a further five years.. Under the accompanying scale of fees we will be charged a basic £135.
14 Pre-Advised AOB
None.
15. Date of Next MeetingMonday March 3rd.