WINFORD PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES-January 2010 

Date:     Monday 4 January 2010              Venue: Felton Village Hall, Felton

Time:    7.00pm                                            

Councillors Present:  

                  Mrs B Smith (Chair)             Mr A Parker            

                  Mrs G Patch                        Mr L Curry

                   Mr S Banks                        Mr A Sage                    

                  Mr P Longden                       Mrs M Murphy                      

                   Mr P Etheridge

Mr P Roberts (Clerk)            

Also present   Cllr Hugh Gregor (NSC)

                   WPC Jackie McDonald

                   Graham Quick (NSC)

                   2 members of the public

1. Apologies

Cllr Karen Bye and Cllr Paul Hatherell.

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 December 2009 minutes):-

2.2 (10.1)  PE said the Felton Village Shop committee has not met but has registered its interest in operating a community shop.  The proprietors of Backwell Post Office have also registered an interest.  LC said he understood that the new owner had received no indications of interest in the shop:  PE will investigate and re-convene the committee.

2.2 (9.5) BS reported that the tree planting has been completed. 

4.2  NSC’s planning enforcement department has confirmed that it is investigating the council’s reports of failures to comply with conditions at the Churngold site in West Lane, Felton.  HG will make enquiries at NSC and seek urgent action to solve the underlying problems causing the flooding in West Lane GQ agreed to make enquiries into whether a meeting between Churngold and NSC’s Streets and Open Spaces and Planning Enforcement teams has taken place and if so what is the outcome.  He also undertook to pursue the urgent need to clean up the West Lane foot/cycle path which remains unusable.

3.  Crime and Disorder

3.1  Jackie McDonald reported the following crimes:-

damage to a fence;

a pellet or stone fired at a window in Felton;

possession of cannabis.

3.2  Jackie reported that she is retiring at the end of 2010 and will be introducing her replacement to the council later in the year.

4.  Open Forum

4.1  Mr John Hayward re-iterated his request to have a tree stump at the West Lane entrance to Felton Common removed and asked that potential difficulties for emergency vehicles using the entrance should be taken into account by the council in reaching a decision. 

4.2  LC expressed the view that bylaws affecting the common are such that the council does not have the right to remove the stump.  PL said that he is concerned about the development of the informal layby near the entrance and that in his view removal of the stump would make matters worse.  SB, PE and AP agreed with this view.  GP felt that the erection of a barrier across the area in front of the Village Hall car park will increase pressure on the parking available opposite.  AS was less concerned about the removal of the stump but agreed that the layby issue needs to be addressed.  MM considered that the layby area was being pushed back towards the large stone by continual use and AS thought the stone could be moved forwards to inhibit parking there.

4.3  It was agreed that the council would consult the fire service about the adequacy of access arrangements before reaching a final decision.

4.4  Richard Osborne spoke to the council about the “Target 80” group that has been established in the Chew Valley to address issues relating to climate change and CO2 emissions.  Target  80  is  a  Community  Interest  Company  that  was  set  up  in  May  2008 to  provide  a  framework  for  community  action  across  The  Chew  Valley  and surrounding  villages  to  reduce  carbon  emissions.  Its  Steering  Group  has representatives  from  11  villages and is creating  a  Community  Climate  Change  Strategy  to  bring  carbon  emission down  by  80%  by  2050.  The group is preparing a local carbon strategy and is proposing an initial survey to form a baseline of data about carbon emissions and  an  action  plan to make the necessary reductions. 

4.5  The council expressed its general support for the initiative and offers to assist with the baseline survey when made.

5.  Highways and Footpaths

5.1  Market Place steps.  AP reported that since the previous meeting there had been communications with Ian Edser of NSC about the project.  Mr Edser had proposed the use of wood for replacement steps on cost grounds but the council and its advisor are not keen on this option.  A meeting involving Mr Edser and Glyn Evans of NSC and  David Neale to explore the various options is being arranged.

5.2  West Lane cycle/footpath.  There had been one response to invitations for terms of business for the work on negotiations with landowners.  The firm concerned (David James and Partners) had provided an approximate estimate of £8000 to carry out this work which will be used as a basis for a funding bid to Yansec.  The council agreed to provide a commitment to match fund any contribution that Yansec provide.

5.3  Local reports.  SB reported that NSC’s ditching work on Whitling Street has been effective.  GP had discussed various problems to NSC’s area officer but no work has yet been carried out.

5.4  Issues relating to the location and filling of grit bins were discussed.  PL noted that 3 bins in Felton had not been included on the list provided to NSC.  AP was concerned that some bins had not been filled properly and HG reported that he had surveyed all the parish bins and provided details to the Streets and Open Spaces team.  Requests for additional bins to be provided at Littleton Lane, Lower Stode/Whitling Street, Church Rise and Hounsley Batch were approved.

6.  Planning

6.1  Previous applications.

Refused:  09/P/1878/F – Hillview Mobile Home Park, Potters Hill.  Retention of building for ancillary use.

Withdrawn: 09/P/1955/F – Ash Lodge and Hazel Lodge, Redding Pit Lane.  Variation of condition.

6.2   SB had received comments from local residents about alterations that have been made to an outbuilding at Fourways, Hounsley Batch, Regil which is apparently now being used as domestic accommodation.  This will be reported to NSC’s planning enforcement department.

6.3  AS reported on a meeting with the architect acting for the owner of the former coach station in Winford at which the council were able to reiterate their views on the development of the site.  It is understood that the developers will consult again on revised plans before a further planning application is submitted.  The council was pleased to note the developer’s apparent willingness to take the council’s views into account.

6.4  GQ briefed the council on the North Somerset draft Core Strategy that has been published for consultation.  It proposes that growth will be focussed on Weston-super-Mare and that those parts of North Somerset within the green belt will see policies restricting development tightened.  As far as the airport is concerned, although the Regional Spatial Strategy says that the larger part of the site should be removed from the green belt NSC is not convinced that the case for doing so has been made at this stage.

7.  Parish Council Property

7.1  SB outlined plans to tackle scrub clearance on Felton Common in January and February.  Volunteers from the previous year were being contacted and further volunteers would be welcome.  The council agreed to meet the cost of providing lunch for the volunteers.

7.2  Further problems with stones on the common being moved were reported.  Whilst there is no firm evidence that this is due to geocaching activity the council will write to the organisers once again noting that the problem is still happening and that it is considering withdrawal of agreement to the use of the common for geocaching

7.3  The risk assessment for the High Winford play area has been completed and the assessment for Vee Lane is in hand.

7.4  AP reported a quote totalling £340 for work on the play equipment at High Winford.  It was agreed to accept this.

8.  Bristol International Airport

8.1  PL reported on modifications to BIA’s planning application that were submitted to NSC shortly before Christmas and although the deadline for comments is 6 January it is understood that late comments will be accepted.  The working group will be considering a response.

9.  Finance

9.1  Money received:-

          Compost sales - £5-00

9.2  Invoices received:-

Streets Ahead (surgery transport) £117.30

Bluefin Insurance £1047-43

Chew Valley Trees  £198-04

Mazars (External Audit) £460-00 

It was agreed that these invoices should be paid.

9.3  The external auditors had finally signed off the council accounts for 2008/09.  They had expressed concern about the skateboard park project but noted that improved financial procedures are now in place.

10.  Meetings

10.1  It was agreed that the Chair and Clerk should attend a “Rising to the Challenge” training course at Tiverton.

10.2  It was agreed that the Annual Parish Meeting should take place on 29 April in Regil Village Hall.  A representative from the team at NSC dealing with the new waste collection and re-cycling arrangements will be invited.  HG to provide the Clerk with a contact.

11.  Other Correspondence 

11.1  GP will consider NSC’s draft Housing Strategy.  AS has already commented.

11.2  Chew Valley Leisure Centre had asked for comments in preparation for a business plan.  PL will provide a response on behalf of the council.

12.  Information and items for next agenda

12.1  PE gave his apologies for the February meeting.

The meeting concluded at 21.25 PM.

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