held on Monday November 3rd 2008
Present, Hugh Delap, Chairman, Stuart Campbell, Mandy Knowles, Mary Stanhope, Nick Stevens, Ray Benfield, Claudia Towner and Stephanie Jenkins, Clerk. District Councillor Neil Butters was present for the later part of the evening.Also present; Louise Davidson, Regional Development Manager, English Rural Housing AssociationGary Ward, B&NES Social Housing DepartmentSimon Coombe, Chairman of Limpley Stoke PCClaire Elsey, representing Hinton Charterhouse PC 1 Apologies for absence ; Rowena Wood.2 Declarations of Interest; None
3 AffordableHousing
Louise Davidson opened with a short presentation about the work of English Rural Housing Association, an organisation geared solely to the provision of Affordable Housing within villages. Of the three parishes represented at the meeting, Hinton’s completed scheme was functioning successfully, Freshford’s efforts had been impeded by difficulty in finding a site for development and Limpley Stoke, whilst interested in the concept, had yet to begin the process with a survey to identify the need for a scheme within their parish. A possible solution to Freshford’s problems might involve a joint operation with Limpley Stoke, or even a three-parish scheme. ERHA would start with a “back to basics” approach, looking afresh at sites, discussing with the community and the planners in an attempt to gain fresh momentum.
Councillors were then able to put a variety of questions to her.
- How would the land be valued in the context of Affordable Housing?
Land chosen would, of necessity, be an“exception” site, usually farmland on the edge of a village. It would have no intrinsic residential value and so a negotiated sum (agricultural value plus a premium) would be arrived at, between £5K-£10K per plot
- What size development would ERHA envisage?
6-8 units would be the usual size, but a combined parishes scheme might be able to go to 12. Density was usually 12 units to an acre. It might also be possible to develop two or more smaller sites, but this would increase costs.
- How would the county boundary affect the choice of tenants and how would tenants be chosen?
In a joint scheme, across a county boundary as would be the case with Freshford and Limpley Stoke, the rules for this would have to be negotiated in advance. The general criteria for choosing tenants when a vacancy occurred were primarily parish connections (these vouched for by the relevant PC), then adjacent parishes and only very rarely the Council Housing pool. Whilst it was not essential for a candidate to be on the Housing List, Gary Ward felt that this would be a benefit. Claire Elsey stated that Hinton Charterhouse PC is always notified of a vacancy and can inform residents who might be interested
- What are the options for prospective tenants in terms of renting/owning?
A mix of rental and shared ownership of between 40% -60%.
Louise Davidson felt that the next steps would involve reviewing Freshford’s needs, surveying Limpley Stoke and, possibly, Hinton for involvement in a joint scheme and approaching the planners, both Development Control and Planning Policy, at an early stage. Limpley Stoke and Hinton Parish Councils would need to discuss the matter at their forthcoming meetings before a cross-PC meeting might be set up.
The Chairman and Councillors thanked Louise and Gary for their input and Simon and Claire for attending.
4 Minutes
The Minutes of the meeting of October 6th were agreed to be an accurate record and were signed by the Chairman.
5 Co-option of New Councillor
The Chairman welcomed Guy Ritchie who joins the Parish Council to fill the vacancy left by Betty Harris’s resignation
He has agreed to take on responsibility for environmental issues within the parish and for fund-seeking. He is already a member of the Communications Group.
6. Finance
Payments needing to be made in NOVEMBER
Ian Croker, Street Cleaning, £203.78
JBEN.NET,hosting village website; £50
JBEN.NET; domain registration for village website, £75
SEC Lighting, non-routine maintenance; £9.54
G Williams, repairs to war memorial; £2143.91
British Legion, Poppy Wreath; £15
Retrospective Payments
Ray Benfield, materials for memorial railing renovation; £16.48.
Ann Foulkes, Pre-School equipment; £300
Receipts
B&NES, Street Cleaning funding, £292.91
Maintenance work on Cemetery WallOngoing.
Grass Cutting/Maint. Contract
The Clerk reported that she was currently waiting for communication from three firms who had shown interest in tendering for the contract.
She had written inviting Mr and Mrs Dewings to the December meeting; suggesting that they arrive at 7.15pm for a glass of sherry and a small presentation before the start of the meeting.
Bank Reconciliation
Councillors viewed the bank reconciliation for the July-September period.
7 Correspondence
Great Western Ambulance Service; Newsletter.
Wicksteed Playscapes; catalogue
Littlethorpe Bus Shelters; catalogue.
West of England Waste Management; strategy summary.
B&NES; invitation to Drinks Reception.
B&NES NHS Primary Care Trust; invitation to apply for Play pathfinder Scheme funds.
Halcrow Group; consultation regarding taxi provision in Bath.
Bath Preservation Trust; Annual Review.
CPRE Avonside; Annual Review.
Zurich Insurance Group; information about changes to the Group’s structure.
B&NES Planning Services; availability of Draft Planning Obligations Supplementary Planning Document.
Department for Communities and Local Gov.; Consultation doc.
ALCA; Newsletter, AGM documents, legal briefings.
Open Spaces Society; appeal for funds to support legal action.
8 Planning Matters
B&NES DecisionsLimpley Crest, Midford Lane, Erection of garage and meeting room extension to existing house/ 08/02257/FUL; PERMISSION.HD reported that B&NES Planners’ had provided valid reasons why the conditions suggested by the Parish Council could not be set.
Hobbs Cottage, Sharpstone, 08/03150/FUL, replacement of porch canopy with enclosed porch; REFUSED
Timbrels, Pipehouse Lane, 08/03045/FUL, installation of two dormer windows, extension of roof over garage and construction of timber balcony; PERMIT subject to satisfactory proposals for the preservation of the adjacent yew tree.
On-going Items
Galleries Shop, 08/02993/RES, reserved matters relating to external appearance and landscaping; RW had drawn the planners’ attention to the fact that, contrary to the information in the Conservation officer’s report, the proposed building would be outside the Conservation area. Their response had been that it would still be regarded in a conservation context.
Because the footprint of the reserved matters application had been larger than the building for which outline planning had been granted, the applicants (FLiSCA)were warned that they would have to make changes to the current application to bring it into line, or submit a completely new application. FLiSCA had chosen the former option and Parish Council comments on the changes had been submitted to the Planners by the October 27th deadline. The target date for a decision is December 8th and the Parish Council will support FLiSCA in any representations they make to speed this decision, given the need to spend the large percentage of the money available for the project by the end of March 2009.
9 Freshford Mill
SC reported that work at the Mill site had been at a standstill, which the developers had reported as being due to the fact that they had done all they were able to prior to receiving permission to change the site of the bar house. B&NES Planners’ ex-planation was that the delay had been due to the need for a legal agreement on the future Ecological Management of the site to be drafted and signed and that this work would shortly be completed.
The question of the bat house becomes more urgent as the new building will need to be ready for occupation before the arrival of the horseshoe bats from hibernation in the spring.
The buried rubber discovered under the area to be landscaped has been fully uncovered and is awaiting transportation to a landfill site in Bristol.
10. War Memorial
HD reported that the restoration is complete and ready for the Armistice Day service. The total cost, excluding VAT, is £1840 and will be met from several sources including a grant from English Heritage£720, a generous contribution of £500 from The Friends of Freshford and a number of private donations. The Parish Council will meet the outstanding balance of around £400.
The replacement stone appears more yellow than the surrounding stone, but the PC was assured by the contractor that it will weather to the same colour.
11. Parish Plan Implementation
- Shared Space; RB reported that a negative response to the Parish Council’s letter, outlining the Parish’s interest in a “Shared Space” scheme, had been received from B&NES. The Action Group decided to invite the officers to a site meeting at a strategic time in the hopes that this might prove a more effective approach. Meanwhile they continue to collect views, concerns and complaints from those using the roads at the centre of the village. RB had also attended a meeting of the Bradford on Avon group behind the “Taming the Traffic” consultation initiative, which had provided some useful contacts.
- Wrought Iron Railings; HD reported that John MacDonald has sent the Parish Council’s letter (about possible ways of dealing with the ownership of the railings) on to his brother for comment. He had not dismissed the ideas out of hand.
- Communications;
Communications Group; NS reported that this has been joined by Vanessa Coates and progress is being made on the plans for a quarterly village publication for circulation to all residents.
Website; Dan Towner’s open access calendar, which will allow individuals to post notices of events, is currently being test-run by members of the Communications Group.
- “Getting About” ; another month has passed with only a low use of the bus service to Bradford. Notices have been posted, warning that the service is unlikely to continue into the New Year unless more people use it.
- cycle stands; ongoing, RW and CT
- Children and Youth
Pre-school Project; arrangements are proceeding well. CT reported that the committee now has grants and donations totalling £2600, plus possible funding from Limpley Stoke PC and the promise of a further £1000 from the Friends of Freshford once the Pre-School is Ofsted registered. The Pre-School Leadership post is currently being advertised with an interview date set for November 28th. Work parties to repaint the committee room at the Hall and to construct storage are planned over the weekends of December 20/21 and January 3-4th
Grant for Children’s Play Area; CT reported on the lengthy meetings and consultations which have taken place over the last month and the priorities which have finally been agreed on. B&NES have already gone out to tender for the work and once quotes are received the PC will be re-consulted to confirm exactly what work will be carried out within the allocated budget.
Teenagers; HD asked Councillors for ideas on improving facilities for older teenagers, not covered under the Play Pathfinder initiative. The Parish Plan had identified a wish for a skateboarding area, but Councillors agreed that there would not be the space to provide this at the Hall and still keep an area clear for school sports and the joint villages fete. HD had explored the possibility of a skateboard facility being sited at Brown’s Field, in the parish of Hinton Charterhouse, but had drawn a blank. Councillors also wondered whether the area above the Limpley Stoke playground might be suitable for a joint parish skateboarding area.
Another suggestion was to provide transport to the large skateboard park at Trowbridge. Other ideas included the possible refurbishment of the Scout Hut, the organisation of youth football teams and the creation of a Directory of Opportunities, listing facilities available within Freshford and Limpley Stoke and also the wider area. HD to liaise with Simon Coombe. 12. Village ShopSee also Item 8, Planning Matters
SC reported that the Galleries Shop public meeting had been a success, with good attendance from both villages. Further fundraising, to meet the shortfall in building and set-up costs, is underway.
YRD had kindly provided the services of a large digger and driver for the soil survey, the results of which are awaited.
13. Footpaths, Walls and Trees
Axford’s Wall; MS reported that, after heavy rain, the section not repaired by the Cotswold Wardens had collapsed. They have agreed to deal with this.
Footpath at Staples Hill; following complaints about the state of a fence to the right of the path, MS had informed the owner, Chloe French, who has agreed to look into the matter.
Trees at Sharpstone House; MS reported that pruning work had been approved by B&NES, seemingly without parish consultation. She was asked to pursue this oversight with B&NES Arboriculturalist.
14. Street Cleaning
Dog Fouling Problems; MK reported on the progress of the “polo” paint scheme which appears to be achieving results, despite a small amount of negative feedback. She has been doing two walks each week covering different areas, particularly those advised as causing problems.
The Pound; ongoing. 15. HighwaysMill Bridge Railings; SC reported that he had emailed Highways requesting a date for the repair work.Highways Works Register; At the recent Parish Liaison meeting, Nick Jeanes (B&NES Highways) had spoken of the Task Register which is the key to operations supervised by the Area Traffic Engineer (Tassos Papaloucas). SC is to investigate this register and the ways in which schemes are included and prioritised on it. 16. RailwaysNetwork Rail; with NB’s assistance, a further approach had been made to ask Network Rail to consider allowing parking on part of their working area, but their response had been firmly negative. However HD felt that the matter was worth pursuing. An area, formerly railway sidings, might prove suitable for Network Rail to use. He also felt that, as the recently-installed cycle racks are being well used, it might be advisable to try and install more of these. It was agreed that a survey of parking patterns would provide useful ammunition for furthering both these causes.
17. BulletinHD had suggested a number of relevant topics and asked Councillors to let him have their material for the next edition of the Bulletin, with photographs if possible, by November 17th.
18. Pre-Advised AOB
None
19. Date of Next Meeting; Monday December 1st