MINUTES OF WINFORD PARISH COUNCIL Date:       Monday 9 June 2008.                      Venue: Felton Village Hall, Felton Time:       7.00pm                                             Present:   Mrs B Smith (chair)                       Mr A Parker                 Mr P Hatherell                              Mrs G Patch                 Miss K Bye                                  Mr L Curry                                     Mr A Sage                                    Mr P Longden                  Mrs M Murphy                              Mrs J Batten                  Mr P Roberts Minutes The Chair opened the meeting with a prayer. 1. Election of Chair of the Council The Clerk invited nominations for the post of Chair of the Council.  Bridget Smith was elected unanimously and took the Chair. 2. Appointment of Clerk BS announced that Paul Roberts has been appointed Clerk of the Council and took up the post on 1 May.  Jane Batten left on 31 May. 3. Apologies Alan Sage, Graham Quick, Jackie McDonald and Hugh Gregor. 4. Minutes of the previous meeting Six minor corrections were made and the minutes were approved and signed as a true record.  There were no matters arising from the minutes. 5. Crime and Disorder. A written report by Jackie McDonald was presented in her absence.  The following crimes had been reported:- criminal damage to a parked car criminal damage to a moving car criminal damage to a garage door theft of a bag theft of a copper boiler theft of a vehicle assault counterfeit £20 note passed burglary – theft of 2 motorcycles burglary (x2) at former livestock market burglary to outbuilding. The council found this level of crime a concern and noted it with regret.  The opportunity to discuss this with JM at a future meeting will be welcomed. 6. Election of Officers and formation of Working Parties The Chair invited nominations for the 2 posts of Deputy Chair.  AP and PH were elected unanimously. Two expressions of interest on co-option to fill the Felton vacancies had been received but one has been withdrawn.  The Council considered an application from Peter Etheridge and voted unanimously to appoint him. Working parties will be made up as follows Working parties will be made up as follows Finance                                KB  PH  AP  Clerk Composting and allotments    SB  AP  BS  co-opted  Hugh Gregor  Alan Morris Common                                KB  SB  LC  BS  co-opted Rose Grogono Tony Parsons Lulsgate Quarry                      KB SB LC PH  MM       co-opted Jim Webster Vee Lane Recreation Field      PH  co-opted Jane Batten Winford Centre                       AP GP MM  Clerk   AS to be asked Airport                                    PL GP         co-opted  Hugh Gregor Peter Webb Cyclepath                               LC BS    co-opted  Julie Hares Jan Longden Parish Plan representatives      MM  AS   Minor Highways         SB(Regil)  LC (Felton) GP(Winford)   Planning applications will be referred to village representatives as follows:- Felton PH and LC Winford AP and AS Regil SB and MM Schools St Katherine’s, Felton.  PH is a Governor and will provide the link to the Council 7. Highways Centre of Winford.  North Somerset wrote on 22 April to say that they propose to contact Criterion Asset Management again asking them to reconsider the proposals regarding the wall.  The Council will reply pointing out that this is likely to simply delay matters and repeating that we wish the “bypass” option to be pursued immediately. Minor highway works.  SB reported that some potholes and two other problems that had been reported to North Somerset remain unaddressed.  The Clerk will pursue. Other highway matters BS reported that North Somerset will remove estate agents’ signs erected on highway land without authorisation and have done so following reports passed to them. West Lane has been added to the list of sites that North Somerset are considering for vehicle activated signs. North Somerset have agreed to investigate the Council’s request regarding the bus shelter in Winford. A response has been received from North Somerset setting out where they believe the Birds Farm Section 106 contribution has been spent.  It appears that this is made up entirely of maintenance work on Old Hill and in Regil.  The Council will reply asking to see the terms of the S106 agreement to see whether these works were in accordance with it. Rights of Way Diversion of a footpath at the former Livestock Centre has been confirmed. BS, accompanied by Jim Webster, will be attending Parish Voice on 15 May to express very forcibly the local concerns about the state of footpaths and North Somerset’s failure to respond to requests to take action. MM reported a blockage of a footpath near Rocks Lane. BS reported that some interesting ideas for improving the link to High Winford had emerged from a meeting with David Neal (a local volunteer with Sustrans) which she hopes to be able to pursue with North Somerset. BS reported that Phil Humphries has kindly offered daffodil bulbs for planting by the Felton-Winford cycle route.  Although acceptance of this offer is dependent on the early completion of repairs to drains along the route, the Council will write to thank him for the offer.  A letter will also be sent to North Somerset asking for the work to be completed as soon as possible and pointing out the current situation is potentially dangerous. 8. Planning Previous applications at Oakmead, Regil (carport) and 6 Frog Lane Felton (dwelling with B1 work unit) have been approved. One new application: extension to garage/workshop at 39 Felton Lane, Winford  Council to respond raising no objection. Uporchard, Regil.  Council to ask North Somerset whether new dormer windows are permitted development. Dial Lane, Felton (close to junction with Currells Lane and Stanshalls Lane). Council to ask whether formation of the new access is authorised. Council to ask North Somerset if they have yet formed a view on whether the Prince of Waterloo’s smoking shelter requires planning permission. Redding Pit Lane cabins.  North Somerset have asked whether evidence of occupation which breaches conditions can be produced.  The Council will seek to acquire photographs. MM reported on the public inquiry into the appeal against refusal of consent on the former bus garage in Winford.  A decision is expected in about 4 weeks. 9. Property Vee Lane Youth Field.  PH reported progress towards completion of the skateboard park.  The contractor is still waiting for missing parts but hopes it will be completed by the end of May. Youth Bus.  Funding remains a problem but PH will continue dialogue with (??) about improving its effectiveness, including the possibility of visiting Regil. BS reported a very successful annual litter pick on Felton Common and thanked those who participated. Lulsgate Quarry.   LC is still waiting for a reply from Churngold following the initial consultation before exploring potential avenues for funding.  Concerns about their commitment to the project were expressed: LC will seek to find out what the problem, if any, is. Various issues about grass cutting were raised.  AP to contact contractor. Oak tree to the left of the green in Felton at the top of Frog Lane needs trimming.  Council will initially contact Western Power to see if they will do it. Problems on the corner of Felton green being caused by large vehicles.  LC to arrange a large stone to prevent it continuing. 10. Airport PL reported the North Somerset have concluded that the proposed walkway constitutes permitted development.  He believes that there will therefore not be a planning application but will attend the SAC meeting on 15 May and seek to put forward the view that, as the development is not required urgently, it cannot be treated as permitted development. 11.  Felton School PH outlined the arrangements the school is putting in place following the departure of the Head Teacher, but remains concerned about morale and the potential for a decline in the school role in the current climate of uncertainty.  North Somerset are consulting with the Governing Bodies of Dundry, Winford and Felton schools about the possibility of amalgamation on a single site. 12. Finance Paid in:- £10 re allotment and £19 compost donation. Paid out Ray Williams ( clearing hedge at Vee Lane) £20 Grant to Winford community transport £100 Bridget Smith (expenses) £15.12 Bracken Down (compost site) £264.38 Peter Longden (cycle stands at Vee Lane) £18.97 RE Hill (skip for compost site) £176.25 Streets Ahead (taxi service) 139.83 Setter and Lee (dusk to dawn light for Felton) £167.43 Clerk (postage) £12.00 Gill Patch ( Annual Parish Meeting refreshment expenses) £3.50 Pattersons (cooker for Felton hall)  £1355.77 ALCA (training courses for Clerk and councillors) £85.00 Parish Plan £68.98 Concerns about the effect of the defibrillator lights had been raised by neighbours.  BS will liaise with Setter and Lee about the fitting of cowling to overcome this.  Chris Tovey has provided a quotation for tree work at the compost site.  Some of the work included has already been carried out by SB.  The Council agreed to commission a day’s work from CT at £450 + VAT  to complete the work. 13. Meetings. BS reported that a meeting with BIA about financial support for design work on the cycleway extension resulted in a potential offer of the design to be done in-house by BIA.  This is being pursued with North Somerset by the Working Party. Various items raised at the Annual Meeting were discussed. The idea of a slot on the agenda of Council meeting for an Open Forum had received strong support at the Parish Meeting.  Although it is not known how much use will be made of this, it was agreed to include an item for an Open Forum on each agenda after the Crime Report.  A maximum of 15 minutes will be allowed. The desire for a speed limit on West Lane remains strong.  The Council will continue to press North Somerset as strongly as possible.  AP will chase our request for West Lane to be included in the review of speed limits on A and B roads. The question of a door on the High Winford notice board was discussed.  Notices appear to be lasting reasonably well without a door and it was agreed to leave it as it is. Presentation of accounts.  The Finance Working Group will consider whether improvements can be made. Publicity.  It was agreed to put up the summary of Council meetings alongside the agenda for the next one.  The names and phone numbers of Councillors will be put up on the appropriate boards.  This will include information about Felton vacancy. 14.  Information and items for next agenda. PL said he has the impression that defibrillator awareness in Felton is low.  The possibility of repeating the well-received session held earlier will be investigated. BS recommended a visit to Freemans Quarry as well worthwhile.  A number of Councillors expressed an interest and the Clerk will seek to arrange a visit for a Saturday morning. The availability of welcome packs for people new to the villages was pointed out by BS.  They can be obtained from Alan Morris or Mike Davis. The Council expressed its gratitude to Jane Batten for her service and offered its best wishes for the future. The date of the next meeting is Monday 2 June 2008 at 7.00pm at Felton Village Hall.