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WINFORD
PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES-February 2010
Date: Monday 1 February 2010 Venue: Felton Village Hall,
Felton
Time: 7.00pm
Councillors Present:
Mrs B Smith (Chair)
Mr A Parker Mr P Hatherell
Mrs G Patch Mr L Curry
Mr S Banks Mr A Sage
Mr P Longden Mrs M Murphy
Mr
P Roberts (Clerk)
Also present Cllr Hugh Gregor (NSC)
Graham Quick (NSC)
Andy Jones, Willmott Dixon Construction
John Patterson (Winford School)
5 members of the public
1. Apologies
Cllr Karen Bye and Cllr Peter Etheridge. WPC Jackie McDonald.
2. Minutes of the
previous meeting
2.1 The draft minutes were approved and signed as a true record.
2.2 Matters Arising (references to January 2010 minutes):-
2.2 LC reported his
understanding that a planning application has been submitted to convert
Felton Shop into two cottages. The owner has claimed that no prospective
tenants for the shop have expressed an interest in it, although PL said he
thought that the proprietors of Backwell Post Office were interested. BS
expressed her regret that no progress had been made towards developing it
as a community shop.
4.2 BS had asked Colin
Patch to assess the availability of stones to inhibit parking either side
of the West Lane entrance to the Felton Common.
7.2 Although those
responsible for geocaching on the common had agreed to remove the caches
if the council wants them to do so, it was agreed that a further period
should be allowed to assess whether the disturbance of stones is such that
a request for removal should be made.
10.2 Louise Eddins of
North Somerset Council had agreed to attend the Annual Parish Meeting.
11.1 GP has responded
to NSC’s draft housing strategy.
3. Crime and Disorder
3.1 A written report had been received from Jackie McDonald as follows:-
3 x Shed/barn
burglaries, one of which was left insecure and tools were stolen. In
another a large quantity of hay was stolen;
1 house burglary;
1 criminal damage to a
vehicle left on the roadside whilst the owner went on holiday.
The report also drew attention to a vehicle which has been seen acting
strangely in the Regil/Gravel hill area but as yet the index number is not
known, and that the police are concerned about a number of isolated rural
rented properties in the surrounding areas being used for the growing of
cannabis. They appeal for any information in connection with this.
4. Winford School
development
4.1 Andy Jones attended on behalf of Willmott Dixon Construction to give
a brief introduction to the work that had just begun to develop Winford
School. He said that work will last for about 14 months and they will do
their utmost to minimise disruption to the local community. They will
post information on the UK Villages website and it was suggested that they
should also use posters on notice boards to keep people informed.
4.2 It was confirmed that plans to utilise the former coach station for
temporary parking, storage etc are well advanced. Mr Jones also confirmed
that NSC’s tree officer is happy with arrangements to protect the chestnut
tree during construction.
5. Bristol
International Airport
5.1 PL had circulated papers before the meeting about the process for
NSC’s consideration of BIA’s planning application and a proposed course of
action for the council to take. He confirmed that the application will be
heard at a meeting of the South Area Committee on 3 March but it is not
yet clear whether that committee will make a decision on the application.
GQ thought it unlikely that the SAC would decide it and would probably
refer it to the Planning and Regulatory Committee.
5.2 PL said that the PCAA and a number of other parish council’s have
written to GOSW asking for the Secretary of State to call the application
in and decide it himself. It was felt that the application raises some
very serious issues and that there is a strong case for call-in. If the
Secretary of State agrees to call it in, a public inquiry will be held and
an Inspector will make a recommendation to the Secretary of State. It was
agreed unanimously that the council should write asking for the
application to be called in.
5.3 The council then went on to discuss the issues that it wishes NSC to
take into account in reaching a decision on the application and PL
highlighted the following reasons why it is considered the application is
flawed and should not be approved in its present state:-
-
approval should be
conditional on changes to the A38 between the airport roundabout and
West Lane. These are not covered in the Section 106 agreement;
-
a cap of passenger
numbers should be imposed at 8mppa until extensive improvements to
surface transport infrastructure are provided;
-
extending the car
park into the green belt should not be allowed (private operators have
been prevented on these grounds) and alternatives at the northern end
should be explored;
-
concern that the
positive elements of the application (for example environmental
improvements, noise mitigation measures) will not be delivered soon
enough and that the S106 agreement is too vague in a number of areas.
5.4 The council agreed unanimously to request that Cllr Gregor and the
SAC should reject the application on these grounds.
5.5 PL said that
Barrow Gurney Parish Council had commissioned consultants to carry out
work (costing about £2000) to check the transport assumptions adopted by
BIA in its application and early indications are that there are serious
flaws in the methodology. This work will cover a wider area than just
Barrow Gurney and include West Lane/Felton Lane, Barrow Lane, Chew Road
etc. The PCAA and Chew Magna PC have offered financial support and PL
requested that the council should do likewise. It was agreed that support
up to £300 should be offered.
5.6 The Chair thanked the Working Party for their continued efforts in
pulling the council’s response together.
6. Open Forum
6.1 Mrs Margaret Webster and Mrs Melanie Patch raised the 2010 United
Nations Year of Biodiversity and asked for the council’s support in
publicising various initiatives they are planning and asking for
volunteers to participate. They 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. BS thanked them for their
suggestions and agreed to provide the support requested. GQ suggested
NSC’s “What’s On” publication as a means of providing publicity.
6.2 Mr and Mrs Hayward re-iterated their request to have a tree stump at
the West Lane entrance to Felton Common removed. BS explained that there
has been no response from the emergency services about the safety
implications of the tree stump. Councillors had already taken the view
that the original purpose of the trees had been to inhibit large vehicles
from entering the common and that the stump in question is still
fulfilling this task and should remain.
7. Highways and
Footpaths
7.1 Market Place steps. AP reported that a letter had been received from
Ian Edser of NSC following a meeting with David Neale and others about the
project. This confirmed that only a design involving steps will be
acceptable and that they await the council’s views on which of two designs
(one with hard steps and landings, the other using wood and aggregate
fill) the council prefers. Councillors re-iterated earlier views that
NSC’s refusal to countenance a buggy-friendly slope design is
disappointing and that neither proposed scheme is satisfactory.
7.2 Cllr Gregor offered to speak to Mr Edser and report back to the next
meeting. This was agreed.
7.3 West Lane Foot/Cycle Path. BS reported that a bid to Yansec for
funding to enable negotiations with landowners has been submitted.
7.4 BS read out a letter from John Carson of NSC which confirms that work
to remedy problems on Whitling Steet is scheduled for the next financial
year.
7.5 Various other issues regarding local roads were discussed and it was
agreed that the council should write to the Area Officer about
-
location of grit
bins: local residents have offered to agree with NSC suitable locations
for those ordered for Broad Mead Lane and Littleton Lane;
-
additional grit bins
to be requested (at the council’s expense) for Pound Mead and the bottom
of Frog Lane, Felton;
-
blocked drains near
Laurel Farm, Regil and Whitling Street/Lower Strode, stressing the need
to remove from site the cleared material rather than leaving it to
re-block the drain in future;
-
ongoing problems
with the Churngold quarry in West Lane which is currently operational
again.
7.6 BS said that work to improve visibility on the bend at the junction
of Chew Road and Regil Lane has been carried out by the landowner and
volunteers.
7.7 AP asked that NSC be reminded that the “Slow Down” signs on West Lane
have not yet been installed.
8. Planning
8.1 Previous applications.
Refused: 09/P/1975/F
– Orchard Bungalow, Vee Lane, Felton: new roof with dormers;
Granted: 09/P/2015/F
– land at Parsonage Close, Winford: Erection of stables (retrospective.)
Withdrawn: 09/P/1737/O
– former Coach Station, Winford: erection of 10 dwellings.
8.2 New applications.
10/P/0027/F – South
View, Pool Lane, Regil. Minor amendments to approved application. The
council decided to make no objection to the proposal.
10/P/0017/LUE –
Certificate of Lawful Use for use of land as domestic garden and erection
of leisure building. The council decided to object to the grant of the
certificate on the grounds that it believes the land in question is
agricultural land.
9. Parish Council
Property
9.1 BS reported that she had been in touch with NSC’s legal department
about the status of the tree stump: their advice is awaited. The position
regarding the biodiversity implications of the removal of the stump is
also being looked at. It transpires that Church Trees are not covered by
a Tree Preservation Order and a request for one to be placed on them has
been made.
9.2 The council had received e-mails about continuing problems with
parking and other inappropriate activity on the common by occupiers of
properties adjacent to it. This has been a problem for a considerable
time and appears to be getting worse. The council discussed the various
issues and potential ways of dealing with them. The Working Group will
consider again, including the idea of an event to celebrate the common and
involve local residents in a way that will highlight the need to refrain
from inappropriate activities.
9.3 The writers of the e-mails will be invited to attend a council
meeting so that any further ideas on the subject can be aired. A letter
will be sent to NSC (which is responsible for bylaw enforcement) asking
for advice on dealing with these problems.
9.4 PH said that he is stepping down as chair of the Vee Lane Working
Group. It was agreed that AS and MM will join the group and the Clerk
will become involved with grant applications. Judy Kiernan will be asked
if she would like to take over as chair.
9.5 AP noted that some of the Felton bus shelters need cleaning and a
proposal that NSC be asked to include them (at the council’s expense) when
they clean the Winford shelters was agreed.
9.6 A resident in Pound Mead had requested assistance in getting trees
overhanging the road side trimmed. AP will assess whether they are
hazardous.
9.7 A resident in Watery Lane had reported various highway problems
about which he was dealing directly with NSC.
10. Finance
10.1 Invoices received:-
Felton Village Hall
(use of for council meetings) £150-00
Devon Association of
Parish Councils (training) £94-00
Gasline (work to
Winford Village Hall) £750-00
P Roberts (stamps and
stationery) £65-57
It was agreed that these invoices should be paid.
10.2 AP reported that the Finance Working Group had considered the budget
for 2010/11 and it recommends that the precept remains the same as the
current year - £20,000. This was formally proposed by AP, seconded by PH
and agreed unanimously.
10.3 It was agreed that the council should pay up to £50-00 for the
provision of suitable safety footwear for a local resident who has carried
out a good deal of work on a number of projects.
10.4 It was agreed that Oak Accounting will be invited to carry out the
internal audit again.
10.5 The annual rent for the snooker club was discussed. The club
currently has comparatively low membership numbers (14) and is not in a
position to pay the rent at the previous rate of £300 per year. The
council agreed to lower this to £200 which will cover the cost of
insurance and non-domestic rates for the building, and also to suggest
that the club attempts to boost its membership.
11. Meetings
10.1 Peter Webb’s note of the Airport Consultative Committee meeting was
circulated. His comment that the airport maintains its “consult and
ignore” approach was noted.
11.2 ALCA had notified the council of a Special General Meeting on 18
March to consider subscriptions in the light of the resignation of a
number of larger councils. BS will attend and stress that unless ALCA is
perceived as useful the councils will continue to consider very carefully
whether membership is justified.
11.3 AS and MM will attend a further briefing on NSC’s new waste and
recycling arrangements on 9 March.
11. Other
Correspondence
None.
12. Information and
items for next agenda
12.1 LC gave his apologies for the February meeting.
12.2 Market Place steps and the scheme for community use of Winford
School will be placed on the agenda.
The meeting concluded at 21.55 PM.
The next council
meeting is on Monday 1 March 2010 at 7.00pm at Felton Village Hall. |