March 2010 Agenda

Winford Parish Council

serving Felton, Regil and Winford

Contact Us

Winford Parish Clerk Paul Roberts phone 472896 email clerk@winfordpc.co.uk

News

Parish Plan

Our Parish Plan will be published March 2010, a pre-publication version is here

New Recycling information

The new website dedicated to North Somerset's 'recycling revolution', has now launched at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/revolution.

The new website has a huge range of information about the changes to recycling and waste services being introduced over the next six months, including frequently asked questions and answers. Please do take a look and let me have your comments - particularly if you think there's any information missing that you expected to find.

Over the next month we plan to add a link to an improved 'postcode look-up' facility, which will given each household details about their current and future collection services. I will send out another update when this new service is up and running.

South Bristol Link Road

Bristol and North Somerset preferred route is now open to consultation and have been working together as members of the West of England Partnership on a new link road between the Long Ashton bypass and the Hartcliffe roundabout. www.westofengland.org/southbristollink

Report of meeting held on Monday 1st Fbruary 2010

Winford Primary School development

Andy Jones of Wilmot Dixon Construction gave a brief introduction to the work that had just begun to on the major redevelopment of Winford School. He said that project will last for about 14 months and the contractors will do their utmost to minimise disruption to the local community. They will post information on the UK Villages website : http://www.ukvillages.co.uk/UserNews/36850/School+works+continue and will also use posters on local notice boards to keep people informed.

Highways and Footpaths

The council is still in discussion with North Somerset about plans to improve pedestrian access to Winford from High Winford via Market Place steps. Attempts to agree a “buggy friendly” design are proving difficult but this remains the council’s strong preference and it will continue pursue this.

Various issues arising from the bad weather in January were discussed including grit bins, potholes and blocked drains. Various problems have been reported to North Somerset – many of which were apparent before the bad weather - and the council will continue to press to have them resolved.

Crime and Disorder

The Police had reported 3 shed/barn burglaries, 1 house burglary and 1 criminal damage to a vehicle left on the roadside whilst the owner went on holiday.

They are concerned about a number of isolated rural rented properties in the surrounding areas being used for the growing of cannabis and appeal for any information in connection with this.

Bristol Airport

The council decided that it should add its voice to requests by other local councils that the Secretary of State should call in BIA’s planning application and decide it himself. The proposals raise a number of serious issues such as the plans to use green belt land for car parking and the impact on the road network of millions more passengers. A number of local authorities such as Bristol and Bath are opposed to the plans as they stand. It was also decided to offer a financial contribution to work that Barrow Gurney’s council has commissioned on the traffic figures produced by the airport.

Finance

The council decided that its precept (the amount that will be included in council tax for 2010/11) will not be increased and will remain at £20,000 for the year, thus ensuring that it will again be one of the lowest per property in North Somerset.

Open Forum

Local residents Margaret Webster and Melanie Patch raised the 2010 United Nations Year of Biodiversity and recognised that the council is already active in a number of areas such as community composting, the Felton Common nature reserve and the Millennium Wood. The council agreed to support them in publicising various initiatives that are being planned.

The next council meeting is on Monday 1 March 2010 at 7.00pm at Felton Village Hall.

New Service

A parishioner has asked me if it was possible to be advised when there has been an update to this site, for example when the minutes are published.

For a trial period, possibly leading to a permanent service I will create a mail list of those people wanting notification. If you want to join please contact me here

Chew Magna Surgery

Winford Parish Council sponsors a transport service to the Doctors' surgery in Chew Magna every Wednesday.

A Streets Ahead Taxis minibus picks up at:

10.35 - Potters Hill (Hillview Park Homes)

10.40 - George and Dragon

10.42 - Long Cross

10.45 Winford ( Chew Valley Estates )

The return from Chew Magna leaves at about 11.45

Passengers pay just a nominal 50p towards the operating costs.

Ashton Park

Ashton Park is a plan for a new city district of Bristol. It will take shape over the next 20 years and include homes, jobs, schools, libraries, parks, shops and cafes.

For more information follow this link

Wenfre Parish Plan

Winford Parish Council has considered the draft plan and have signified their intention to adopt the published plan.

A leaflet with a summary of the agreed action points based on the issues raised during the community consultation process will be distributed shortly to all residents of the parish.

An Open Day has been arranged for Saturday 27^th March at Winford Village Hall so that all those who are interested can come along to find out more about what is being proposed and have a look at the final publication. Further details will be publicised nearer the date.

We hope that more local residents will be inspired to get involved in supporting a range of projects to help shape future activity within our area for all ages.

If you want to know more come along to the Open Day or call Mike Davis 472119 or Judy Kiernan 472572.

News Just In! As a result of suggestions made by the local community, a village social event with food and entertainment is currently being organised by Winford Village Hall committee and it is hoped it will take place sometime in March. Look out for further details.

472572 (Judy Kiernan) or judykiernan@btinternet.com

Link to more information

From the Council Chamber October 2009

An update from your District Councillor: HUGH GREGOR (Independent)

Councillors at Weston Super Mare will be faced with some crucial decisions to take this Autumn e.g. introducing a much tougher Recycling service across the District, and a tight Budget which will be intended to both balance our books, keep any Council Tax increase to a minimum, and yet at the same time maintain a good level of Council Service as possible.

I am delighted that an important stretch of road through the middle of Dundry has at last been resurfaced by North Somerset Council; that should lift everyone’s spirits!

I have to report to you that recently I found myself nominated for a place on the “SOUTH-WEST COUNCILS” – a body that meets four times a year in Exeter. My initial reaction was to steer clear of such an apparent “quango”; however, I took advice and consulted, and asked the questions.

1. I discovered that its membership is made up of the 41Local Authorities in the South West Region.

2. That the Government Minister for the South West (Jim Knight MP) attends the meetings.

3. That the MEP for the South west (Graham Watson) also attends.

4. That its discussions and decisions range over the strategic issues facing the South West e.g. TRANSPORT – HOUSING – PLANNING – ECONOMIC GROWTH – CLIMATE CHANGE etc

I then concluded that these are the very issues that concern our two Parish Councils from time to time, and that I can probably best help the help our community by taking part in the discussions at Exeter. I shall then be more aware of the regional policies, strategies and pressures influencing decisions at Weston Super Mare - and therefore the lives we lead in our four villages.

Meanwhile my normal ration of work in the Council Chamber continues: South Area Planning Committee; Children and Young Persons Scruting Panel; and the Council’s Audit Committee.

Hugh Gregor

From the Council Chamber February 2009

Welcome to 2009! I have had time to reflect a bit on how I have been managing as your District Councillor since being elected by you in May, 2007.

Firstly I do find that it's a huge advantage that I live in the very Ward that I represent. You get a feel for the relevant local issues; you know whom to approach and whom to listen to for advice; you can more readily conjure up compromises or alternative strategies because you are likely to be familiar with the setting, the context and the local circumstances.

Secondly it continues to be helpful, sitting as I do as an Independent, leaving me free to speak or vote as I like, or as our community at Dundry, Felton, Winford and Regil would want me to vote

At present I am working on the District Council on two significant Committees:

1. The Children and Young Persons Scruting Panel. We agree a relevant working programme for ourselves, dealing with Primary and Secondary schools, and looked-after young people together with their foster-parents. At present Panel members and N.S.Officers are very busy organising the best solution for the unfortunate problems at St Katherine's C of E school, Felton.

2. The Council's Audit Committee. The Committee carries responsibility for Risk Management, and the identification and prevention of possible fraud across the Directorates. Alongside two elected councillors sit a couple of independent external members - both of them highly qualified and very experienced. All four of us swing into action as we cross-examine a selection of senior Officers; we have to ensure that the right checks and balances are inplace.

I have managed to attend most monthly of Dundry and Winford Parish Councils. I act as a link, and when asked to help - I do, with advice or action.

In addition I have been able to step forward from time to time to help various individuals in all four of our villages, who have personal issues with North Somerset Council to disentangle.

Yes, I am enjoying things; yes, I am proud of our community. I do feel that by constantly ranting on about our particular concerns, I may have helped to attract additional funding to our area

Best wishes to you all for what may prove to be a difficult year ahead of us.

HUGH GREGOR

District Councillor (Winford and Dundry Ward)

North Somerset - Empty Properties

The Parish Council has received the following communication from N. Somerset :

North Somerset Council - Helping to turn empty properties into homes

Empty homes are a wasted resource both to the local community and the property owner. Properties which have stood empty for a long time can become an eyesore, and may lead to problems of anti-social behaviour, rubbish dumping, vermin and vandalism.

Properties can remain empty for a number of reasons and we realise that in some cases, vacant homes are unavoidable. However, to help meet the demand for housing, we are keen to identify homes that have been left empty for a long time and are deteriorating as a result.

The council works with property owners to bring empty homes back into use, providing advice and assistance on a number of options as well as ensuring that any health and safety issues are resolved.

So, if you are aware of a property that has stood empty for six months or more, we are keen to hear from you.

To report an empty property or for more information on how we can help to bring empty homes back into use, contact Charlotte Brace on 01934 426 972, email charlotte.brace@n-somerset.gov.uk or visit our website www.n-somerset.gov.uk/emptyproperties