PRESENT: Mrs M.R. Short (in the Chair). Dr S. Duerden, Mrs J. Edwards and
Mrs M. Leimdorfer.
Messrs G. Bailey, R. Giles, D. Gosling, K. Hill, M. Huggett, C. Knott, G. Morgan,
N. Richards and J. Ward.
IN ATTENDANCE: Cllr Mrs R. Knifton and Mr K. Richardson (Clerk).
WELCOME TO THE PUBLIC: The following members of the public were present: -
Mrs J. Thayer & Messrs M. Greaves, A. Hacking and M. Sweeting representing the Millennium Green Trustees.
Messrs R. Brook and M. Rendu representing Congresbury Community Transport ‘BLUEY’.
Messrs R. Palmer and P. Wright representing the Recreation Club.
Mrs M. Johnson representing the Clevedon Mercury
Mrs C. Lewis representing Weston Mercury.
In welcoming the members of the public, the Chairman proposed to adjourn the meeting prior to the Councils consideration of the budget recommendations. During the adjournment, those members of the public representing village organisations who had previously submitted grant applications would have the opportunity of addressing the Council. In seeking the agreement of the meeting, the Chairman invited any other contributors to address the Council at this point.
There were no contributions.
APOLOGIES: Cllr M. Dury, Cllr B. Hogarth and PC Kim Tacchi (Avon & Somerset Constabulary)
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: There were no declarations of interest.
01/03
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 9th DECEMBER 2002:
Members unanimously approved the minutes as a true record of the meeting,
which were signed by the Chairman.
02/03
POLICE REPORT:
PC Tacchi had submitted a written report, which was distributed to members
of the Council for their information.
Cllr Giles referred to the criminal damage to the post box in Kent Road,
advising members that his enquiries regarding a replacement were that the
Pillar-box may not be replaced. In discussion, it was agreed that a replacement
box was essential for this part of the village.
The Clerk was requested to write to the Post Office requesting an urgent
replacement. KR
03/03
NORTH SOMERSET COUNCIL:
Cllr Mrs Knifton informed the Council that the budget for the year 2003/2004
was being prepared in accordance with Government instructions which was
likely to result in a rise in the Council Tax for Band D properties to £951.
North Somerset Council were organising local Budget Forums to enable
the Officers to inform Town & Parish Councils of the procedures resulting in
the proposed figures.
The Clerk was requested to obtain details of the Budget Forum venues and
times. KR
04/03
REPORTS RECEIVED:
Leisure Services Committee:
The minutes of the last committee meeting had been circulated previously.
The Chairman, Cllr Mrs Short highlighted a number of items within the
budget recommendations from the committee such as: -
· the play area allocation to address some of the requirements to
comply with the European Standards, noting that it may be
necessary to remove and not replace some equipment.
· the provision of a play area for Southlands.
Cllr Gosling raised the question of ownership of the land where the recently
installed equipment had been sited.
The Clerk will address this issue. KR
Highways & Public Services Committee:
The minutes of the last committee meeting had been circulated previously.
Cllr Mrs Short presented the budget recommendations, noting that apart from
slight increases in some headings, the principal item was the provision of
lighting for Church Drive, the Church Car Park, Pathway to the Refectory and
the pathway through the churchyard.
Cllr Morgan asked if the cost of the mains connection for the lighting to
Church Drive was per standard or for the project.
The Clerk advised that the figures were provided by the Lighting Section of
North Somerset Highways Services who had indicated a cost range for the
provision of a mains supply for the project. The sum of £4,500 had been
determined as a one third share of the project estimated cost, having assumed
that the other financial contributors were likely to be St Andrew’s PCC and
the schools. The Clerk indicated that the scheme was in its early development
stages and assumed that funding was likely to be obtained from other
resources, such as the South Area Committee joint funding for Town & Parish
Council projects.
Cllr Dr Duerden sought clarification on the Freight Study Report for North
Somerset Council, prepared by WSP Consultants.
The Clerk advised that TMTV had just issued their draft response for
consideration by the Highways & Public Services Committee.
The Chairman requested Cllr Dr Duerden to submit her queries in writing to
the Clerk for the attention of the Highways & Public Services Committee. SD
Cllr Giles reminded the Council that careful consideration should be given to
the structural properties of the A370 bridge over the Congresbury Yeo, as this
was part of the preferred HGV route recommended by WSP Consultants.
Southlands & Kent Road Tenants Association:
The Council noted the minutes of the last meeting that had been previously
circulated.
The Chairman invited members to submit any comments to the Clerk. ALL
Flood Wardens:
The Chairman noted that the Flood Warning Circulars, printed by the
Environment Agency had been previously circulated to all members.
Cllr Huggett referred to the two recent flood warnings received by the Flood
Wardens stating that the Environment Agency were working from data
provided from the Iwood Gauging Station which was not sufficiently accurate
to be effective for Congresbury village.
Readings have been taken at the bridge on each occasion and sent to the
Environment Agency to assist in updating their data. It
was to be hoped that eventually
the data will provide more accurate warning of flooding when the
scheme proposals could be implemented.
The leaflets, provided by the Environment Agency, were to be distributed by
the Flood Wardens.
Cllr Mrs Short noted that additional help may be required to distribute the
leaflets.
Cllr Morgan suggested that the Environment Agency split the Congresbury
Yeo into two sections, namely Wrington to Congresbury Weir and
downstream from Congresbury Weir. We are receiving flood warnings for the
stretch of river upstream from Congresbury Weir, whereas we need warnings
for downstream of Congresbury Weir.
Cllr Huggett advised that this point had been made to the Environment
Agency.
Cllr Morgan noted that some property floor levels were above road level and
as such would not be flooded.
Cllr Giles noted this observation and added that even if some houses were
liable to flood the occupants may well find themselves isolated, and therefore
it would be wise to be aware.
Cllr Morgan proposed that the Flood Warden Scheme be suspended until the Environment Agency had updated their data.
There was no seconder for the proposition, which was declared as
having failed.
Finance Committee:
The minutes of the Finance Committee were distributed to members at the commencement of the meeting.
Cllr Mrs Short advised the Council that the Finance Committee considered
the budget proposals at length, noting that this Council determined that
earmarked funds should be deleted from future budgets. In addition, reference
was made to Section 137 of the Local Government Act, which limits the
total amount Councils may allocate in support grants to organisations for the
benefit of the community to £3.50 per elector.
Cllr Giles wished to record that although he was shown as attending the
Finance Committee meeting on 6th January 2003, he was not in attendance
and was not a member of the committee.
As agreed earlier the meeting stood adjourned at this point
to allow the representatives of the grant applicants to address
the Council.
Presentations were made by representatives of : -
· Congresbury Millennium Green Trustees
· Congresbury Community Transport BLUEY
· The Recreation Club
Copies are available at the Parish Council office.
There being no further questions the meeting was
reconvened.
05/03
FINANCE COMMITTEE BUDGET RECOMMENDATIONS AND
PRECEPT FOR 2003/2004:
After a lively debate, details available from the Parish Office, the Chairman
asked for a seconder for the Finance Committee proposal to reject the grant application of the Millennium Green Trustees.
Cllr Knott seconded the proposal.
Voting: For 4 Against 6
The motion was declared LOST.
Cllr Bailey proposed that a grant of £1,050 for maintenance be made to the Millennium Green Trustees, which was seconded by Cllr Giles.
Voting: For 6 Against 5
The motion was CARRIED.
The Chairman asked for a seconder for the Finance Committee proposal to
reject the grant application of the Recreation Club for £3,000.
Cllr Knott asked for details of the complaints received and was advised as
follows: -
· The footpath behind the new pavilion at Broadstones has been impassable during the building work
· The Drove Road had been blocked by trench excavation.
· The rhyne to the bottom of the cricket field had not been
cleared thereby causing a restriction to the flow of surface
water from The Causeway resulting in ponding to a
considerable depth around surface water gullies.
· The footpath behind the Recreation Club – very wet,
possibly due to defective rainwater pipes and waste pipes
Cllr Bailey suggested the full grant application of £3,000 be paid.
The Chairman, Cllr Mrs Short, reminded the Council that when grants in
excess of £2,000 are made the Local Government Act required the recipients
to provide a written statement within twelve months indicating how the
money was spent.
Cllr Huggett seconded the proposal by the Finance Committee to reject the
grant application from the Recreation Club.
Voting: For 2 Against 6
The motion was LOST.
Cllr Giles proposed that a grant of £3,000 be made to the Recreation Club for
the bridge in support of their on-going development, which was seconded by
Cllr Gosling.
Voting: For 7 Against 4
The motion was CARRIED.
The Chairman asked for a seconder for the Finance Committee proposal to
reject the grant application for £750 towards annual maintenance costs of
providing Congresbury Community Transport BLUEY.
Cllr Giles, a Trustee of BLUEY, proposed the approval of the £2,000 capital
grant and £750 maintenance grant.
Cllr Knott enquired if the £2,000 grant was to be paid over 3 years and was
advised by the Chairman that the grant application related to this year.
Cllr Richards seconded the proposal by Cllr Giles the approval of the £2,000
capital grant only.
The Chairman reminded members that there was a proposal from the Finance Committee that had to be dealt with first, requiring a seconder.
Cllr Huggett seconded the Finance Committee proposal to reject the
application for £750 from Congresbury Community Transport BLUEY.
Voting: For 3 Against 9
The motion was LOST.
Cllr Ward proposed that the grant application for £750 from Congresbury
Community Transport BLUEY be approved, which was seconded by
Cllr Bailey.
Voting: For 9 Against 3
The motion was CARRIED.
The Chairman noted that the meeting had approved additional grants
amounting to £4,800.
Cllr Bailey proposed that the precept be £52,800, having added £4,800
increase to grants to the precept recommendation by the Finance Committee,
which was seconded by Cllr Knott.
Voting: For 11 Against 1 - The motion was CARRIED.
06/03
REPORT ON CHRISTMAS ACTIVITIES:
The Chairman stated that the Senior Citizens Tea Party was attended by over
50 residents with 15 plates being taken to homes. Residents from The Elms
attended the party and thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
BLUEY had transported many people to and from the party. Enormous thanks
were due to Jim Ward and Alastair Cowen for operating BLUEY.
Thanks were also due to the following: -
Pat Greaves and the W.I’s for the catering and all the Councillors
who set up the room and cleared away following the party.
Julia Theyer and Nicky Lawson put up decorations.
Norman Richards provided greenery.
Christmas Tree by Roundtrees Garden Centre.
Baubles and lights by Cadbury Garden & Leisure.
Erection of lighting at Chestnut Close by Colin Knott, Malcolm
Huggett and Mike Dury.
Lights by Cadbury Garden & Leisure.
Removal of decorations and lights to the Jubilee Room by Jim Ward,
Colin Knott, Richard and Niky Lawson and Robin.
Removal of lights at Chestnut Close by Colin Knott, Malcolm Huggett,
Mike Dury and Norman Richards.
A very successful Christmas and thank you to everybody.
07/03
RELEVANT CORRESPONDENCE:
Members noted the availability of the following items of correspondence: -
Volunteer Agency Annual Report
North Somerset Waste Local Plan
Housing Strategy 2002 – 2005
Blue Skies – Year One Update
08/03
CLERK’S REPORT:
Members noted the contents of the Clerk’s Report.
The Clerk advised the Council that an item would be included on the agenda
for the next meeting in connection with the maintenance of the Toilet Block.
09/03
ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT:
The Council approved the following payments: -
Since previous Parish Council meeting: -
Cheque
No
3316 West Mendip Internal Drainage
Board VAT on previous invoice 15.55
3317 Mrs M. Leimdorfer Xmas Party –Thresher invoice 21.37
3318 Mrs M. Short Xmas Lights –Decorations 40.20
3319 Mrs Pat Greaves Xmas Party – Food 98.63
Current payments due: -
3320 The Post Office Ltd North Somerset Council
Non-domestic rates
Old School Rooms 155.10
3321 Mendip Office & Art Ltd Envelopes, Desk Diary, Accident Book 10.56
Desk Diary, Accident Book & Pens 12.07 22.63
3322 Congresbury Hardware screws, washers and Large Brush head 7.05
3323 Clevedon Office Equipment Photocopier maintenance 30.90
3324 GB Sport & Leisure Repairs to safety surface under swing 88.13
3325 Bristol Charities Allotment Gardens rent 50.00
3326Richardson Expenses 95.49
3327/9
Salaries 3 members of staff 1261.56
3330 The Post Office Ltd PAYE & NIC 324.48
3331Cong. Mill. Grn. Trustees Refund of emptying dog bin charges 378.65
3332Cong. Comm.Transpt. Hire fee –senior cit.Christmas tea party 19.50
Payment of the foregoing accounts was unanimously approved.
10/03
ITEMS TO REPORT:
Cllr Giles advised the Council that 17 Jubilee Mugs were in stock and he
would appreciate some ideas for their disposal.
Cllr Mrs Edwards expressed concern regarding the lighting at The Precinct.
Cllr Dr Duerden informed members that she would attend the Youth
Partnership meeting on 20th January 2003 as the representative of the Parish
Council.
There being no further business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed
at 9.55 pm.