WINFORD PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES-August

Date:   Monday 3 August 2009.         Venue: Felton Village Hall, Felton

Time:   7.00pm                                            

Councillors Present:  

                  Mrs B Smith (Chair)           Mr A Parker          

                  Mr S Banks                       Mr L Curry

                  Miss K Bye                       Mr A Sage

                  Mr P Longden                    Mrs M Murphy      

                  Mr P Etheridge                   Mr P Hatherell

Mr P Roberts (Clerk)          

Also present :

John Kirkby (Stride Treglown)

Cora Kwiatowski (Stride Treglown)

Tony Pearle (NSC)

Stuart Bates (NSC)

Sarah Williams (Willmott Dixon)

Andrew Dobbs (Willmott Dixon)

Mark Hadley (Jubb Consulting Engineers)

7 members of the public

1.  Apologies

Cllr Mrs G Patch

WPC Jackie McDonald

District Cllr Hugh Gregor

Graham Quick (NSC)

2. Minutes of the previous meeting

The minutes were approved and signed as a true record.

2.2  Matters arising (references to July minutes):-

5.10  It was felt that NSC had made an excellent job of the footpath extension from Brookside to the Prince of Waterloo and that a letter should be sent to Rob Thomson recording the council’s thanks; 

7.3  AP reported some progress on the agreement of a commuted sum with Taylor Wimpey for the maintenance of public open space at High Winford.  BS proposed that a meeting be held with local residents to discuss ongoing maintenance nearer the time when responsibility transfers to the council;

9.4  The Clerk reported that the Snooker Club have asked for a meeting to discuss the rent; 

12.2  BS had spoken to the proprietor of Chill Hairdressing about the sign in the centre of Winford but they are unwilling to remove it.  It was agreed that a letter seeking its removal should be sent.   

3.  Crime and disorder

3.1  A written report from WPC Jackie McDonald was circulated.  It contained a substantial number of crimes but reported significant progress in relation to a number of them.

4.  Winford Primary School: presentation on proposed expansion

4.1  Tony Pearle of NSC explained that his council had been successful in obtaining funds from the Primary Capital Programme to update its stock of schools and Winford has been included as one of the first in the programme.  They are working with design partners (Stride Treglown) and construction partners (Willmott Dixon) on the plans and this was the first of several public meetings to consult on them.

4.2  John Kirkby of Stride Treglown described where the plans had reached.  The existing main building will be retained and adapted and a substantial new building created adjacent to it but avoiding what is currently play area and the field.  Provision for the pre-school will be made in the main building.  A community room and a hall including community use will be incorporated.  Particular issues they are dealing with were highlighted including:-

·         acoustics (in particular the effects of aircraft);

·         traffic and access and the need to provide for and encourage travel to school by means other than private car where possible;

·         the constrained area of the site and the desire to avoid encroachment onto the play area and field;

·         the need to ensure the security of the site.

4.3  Issues raised by councillors were the extent of parking provision within the site, and the importance of security.  Reassurances that access at the front of the building would be secure were given.

4.4  The council will consider this at its next meeting and provide a response.  Public consultation on the plans will take place at the school on 7 September.

5.  Open Forum

5.1  A number of matters were raised by parishioners:-

a pothole at the entrance to Long Cross from Felton Lane.  The council have already reported this and will do so again; 

the loss of the Post Office and the unwillingness of NatWest bank to discuss renting the property to the Post office.  The council agreed to write to the bank about this;

the state of the area of Felton Common below the Felton Hall car park.  Constraining access to this area is difficult because of its status as part of the common.  However the council’s Common Working Group (plus PH) will reconsider options; 

travellers have parked on the common.  The council is in touch with NSC and the police about this.

The tree stump at the entrance to the common from West Lane to the south.  The council explained that it remains unwilling to remove it.

6.  Highways and Footpaths

6.1  NSC had written about proposed 20 mph advisory speed signs it proposes installing for Winford School.  The council will write asking for confirmation that these are additions to existing signs and not new ones.

6.2  A formal response from North Somerset to complaints about road conditions had been received.  Copies will be placed on the notice boards and website.

6.3  The A368 weight restriction is to be made permanent and a communication had been received from Chew Magna Parish Council seeking support for its opposition to the limit and seeking the imposition of a limit on the B3130.  Whilst it does not believe the figures for HGV increases quoted in their correspondence to be accurate the council will write to Chew Magna PC confirming its support regarding their particular difficulties, and look carefully at fresh monitoring data that NSC will be producing. 

6.4  Local reports.  SB confirmed that he is continuing to lobby NSC for work on some of Regil’s roads.  He and LC will seek to attend a Parish Voice session to record their serious concerns and will obtain advice from the District Councillor about the process. 

6.5  BS reported that NSC had carried out some vegetation clearance on the corner of Chew Road at the junction of Regil Lane but it has not been completed.  NSC (John Painter) has offered to meet regarding the safety of the corner: BS, SB and AP will attend.

7.  Planning

7.1  previous applications 

09/P/0911/0  New dwelling at The Orchard, The Street, Regil.  Refused.

09/P/0834/F Loft conversion at 20Hillview Gardens, Felton.  Refused.

09/P/0807/F  Beechwood, Potters Hill.  Replacement of dwelling.  Withdrawn.

          09/P/0936/F 11A Church Road, Winford.  Erection of dwelling (revised application.)  Approved

7.2  New applications

09/P/1205/F Advertisement consent for signs to Winford Manor at A38/Currells Lane and West Lane, Felton.  It was decided on a vote of 7 in favour and 2 against to support the application.

09/P/1205/F  3 Hillview Gardens, Felton.  Application for first floor conversion.  The council decided to raise no objection.

09/P/1113/F  43 Currells Lane, Felton.  Change of use from residential to commercial accommodation use and provision of two additional units.  It was felt that the proposal would improve the site and the council decided to support the application.

09/P/1104/F  20 Moorlay Crescent, High Winford.  Conversion of carport to living room and erection of a porch.  The council decided to support the application.

8.  Parish Council property

8.1  Felton Common - geocaching.  It was reported that there has been some disturbance of stones but it is unclear whether this is related to the use of the common as a site for geocaching.  PL had visited the two places described and it is not obvious that anything is there.  BS reported that the co-ordinates supplied do not match the description of the locations.  It was decided to communicate with the people responsible pointing this out and pointing out the importance of leaving archaeological remains undisturbed. 

8.2  Illegal driving on Felton Common.  BS reported that the owners of ?? were still using the common for access to the rear of their property from the end of the Church trees.  They have no easement for this use and BS proposed writing to them pointing out the common bylaws and that NSC has powers to enforce them.  

8.3  BS confirmed that on 4 August the police and NSC would serve eviction notices on the gypsies occupying part of the common.  She will arrange removal of litter after their departure.  BS

8.4  BS reported that once again it would only be possible to obtain a single quote for mowing the common and approval to do so was given.

8.5  Felton Green seat.  There had been a complaint from a local resident about the position of the new seat.  PH explained the reason for the new location.  PL felt that it would not in itself give rise to problems which are due more to community behaviour issues.  It was decided not to move the seat at this time.  BS will speak to the resident.  

9.  Bristol International Airport – planning application

9.1  PL explained the current position on work towards a council response to the application which will focus on the following areas:-

1) seeking linkage between expansion and improvements to surface access rather than granting unconditional approval;

2)  Noise insulation issues;

3) Local roads.  Seeking commitments to road improvements to the east of the airport, possibly through the S106 agreement;

4) Aircraft noise.  Seeking a reduction in the night noise quota rather than see it left at 2005 levels.

9.2  PL will circulate a draft response produced by the Working Group and would like comments and confirmation of support from councillors.  BS stressed the

importance of councillors providing an input as well as making their own comments direct to NSC.

10.  Finance

10.1   money received – none

10.2  invoices to be paid

AED Locator (EU) Ltd – re-cabling the Winford defibrillator cabinet  £92.58

Winford Village Hall hire for WENFRE Parish Plan £12.00

HTL Ltd grounds maintenance – 7 cuts March to June  £765.00

HTL Ltd – 3 cuts in July  £225-00

L Budd – installation of Felton green seat   £290-00

Streets Ahead – surgery transport  £125-93

P Roberts – printer inks  £66-36

10.3  Defibrillator maintenance.  BS reported that responses to the council’s questions about ongoing commitments to fund the periodic replacement of pads and batteries in the defibrillators had been received.  This confirmed that the council will need to budget for a total of £200 per year for the three cabinets and agreement to do this was given.  The life expectancy of the cabinets is 5-6 years and the council will ask what the funding arrangements for replacements are likely to be. At present each cabinet costs in the region of £900. 

11. Meetings

11.1  Past meetings

AS and MM had attended a meeting of the Parish Plan group that is working on an action plan.  There had been some discussion about the future of the former coach garage in Winford which is regarded as crucial.

AP and MM had attended the opening of the affordable housing scheme in Churchill and were impressed by its quality and attention to detail.

PL reported a consultation meeting at the airport which 6 members had attended.

11.2  Future meetings.

BS will attend the ALCA AGM at Timsbury in September.

12. Other correspondence

12.1  LC had received a letter from Churngold confirming that the planned feasibility study of Felton Quarry is being put back due to the delay in completing the site.

12.2  NSC have written with regard to the Community Governance Review and it was agreed that the council should re-submit its suggestions with regard to the boundary with Backwell and Wrington being re-aligned along the A38.

14. Information and items for next Agenda.

Youth Opportunity Fund

Re-cycling

The meeting concluded at 10.03  PM.

The next council meeting is on Monday 7 September 2009 at 7.00pm at Felton Village Hall.