MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL HELD IN THEST. ANDREWS ROOM AT 7.30 PM ON MONDAY 14th JULY 2003.
PRESENT: Mrs M. Short (Chairman), Mesdames J. Edwards and Mrs D. Van Der Watt. Messrs M. Dury, R. Giles, B. Hogarth, C. Knott, R. Retter, M. Smith and E. Sparey.
IN ATTENDANCE: Mr T. Leimdorfer (District Councillor) and Mr K. Richardson (Clerk).
In opening the meeting the Chairman requested all members of the Council to stand for a minute of silence to acknowledge the death of the former Clerk of the Council, Mrs Sue Grant, on 3rd July 2003. The Council were reminded that Sue had provided nine and a half years of outstanding service not only to the Parish Council and residents of Congresbury, but also to the many environmental interests of the area.
WELCOME TO THE PUBLIC: The Chairman welcomed the following members of the public: - Mrs Y.V. Gibbs, Mr S.R. Sparey, Mrs Bonetta, Mrs Mavis Dyer, Mrs Joyce Aish, Mrs Millson, Mr Webber, Mrs Webber, Mr C. Foulkes and Mrs Christine Lewis (Weston Mercury). The Chairman invited any member of the public who wished to address the Council prior to the commencement of formal business, which was accepted by the following members of the public: - Mrs Dyer referred to the outline planning development recently considered by the Council stating that: 1. none of the immediate residents had been advised 2. was a survey of low cost housing requirements in existence 3. the roads in the estate were narrow and not suitable for an increase in traffic volume 4. residents came to Well Park for peace and quiet 5. the entrance to the proposed development site was very narrow 6. a petition against the proposal has been signed by many residents 7. the proposed development will result in the loss of privacy. Mrs Millson stated that 1. elderly people prefer bungalows 2. she had lived at Well Park for eighteen years. Mrs Bonetta stated that she worked at night and considered the result of the proposed development would result in her not getting sufficient sleep. Mr Sparey suggested there should be more bungalows than houses. Mrs Webber was concerned that: 1. the views she enjoyed would be lost 2. residents have to queue to get onto the main road at present, further development would result in an increase in this problem Mr Webber stated that: 1. flats and houses would bring young people into the area 2. there are 25 wells in the area of the proposed development site Mr C. Foulkes said that he came to Well Park from Bristol for peace and solitude and was against high rise blocks
The Chairman thanked the members of the public for their contributions and in responding to the various points made, asked: - 1. if the plans had been viewed? The members of the public indicated that they had not seen the plans. 2. has a representative of Knightstone Housing Association visited any of the residents, the response was, no. Following these responses the Chairman advised that the proposal was at present an outline application, fine detail would be available when the scheme was further developed for construction, subject of course, to the outline application receiving approval from the Planning Authority. The proposed unit categories were described, indicating there were no high rise blocks. Mrs Short continued by advising the public that the Parish Council made recommendations to the Planning Authority who make the final decision, based upon ‘planning factors’. A copy of the Parish Council recommendation letter to the Planning Authority had been made available to the public.
Cllr Tom Leimdorfer, with the Chairman’s approval, advised the members of the public present that individual letters to the planning authority carried more weight than a petition. In addition, site visits by the South Area Committee are arranged when the majority of the committee members vote for such a visit.
All members of the public left the meeting at this point.
APOLOGIES: Mr G. Bailey (Visiting sick relatives), K. Hill (Holiday), Mrs M. Leimdorfer (Sick), G. Morgan (Holiday), Ms A. Underwood (Holiday) and PC Kim Tacchi.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: There were no declarations made by Members.
70/03 MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 9th JUNE 2003:
The word ANNUAL being deleted from the title enabled Members to unanimously approve the minutes as a true record of the meeting, enabling the Chairman to sign the minutes.
71/03 POLICE REPORT:
PC Kim Tacchi not being on duty had submitted a written report, which was distributed to the Members at the commencement of the meeting. Members noted the contents of the report with the Chairman drawing the attention of Members to the final paragraph relating to the Kebab Van operating at Riverside Car Park in the evening. Further enquiries are being made by the Clerk concerning authority to operate at this location.
72/03 REPORT – NORTH SOMERSET COUNCIL:
Cllr Leimdorfer reported that seven new committees have been formed, giving details of their structure.
Mrs Christine Lewis (Weston Mercury) returned to the meeting at this point.
Enquiries regarding the Cheddar Railway Walk Lottery Bid revealed that the Executive will accept the grant and appoint a Project Officer. Planning determinations include the refusal of the proposed change of use from agricultural to residential at Brinsea Road, both the recent telecommunications applications are not proceeding, whilst the rejected application by Orange for a mast at Smallway is to be the subject of an appeal by the applicant.
73/03 COMMITTEE REPORTS:
PLANNING COMMITTEE: The minutes of the last meeting had been circulated to all members prior to the meeting. Cllr Giles asked if a response had been received to the query raised at the last meeting regarding STOP NOTICES and was advised, that enforcement action is held in abeyance when a planning application has been submitted. North Somerset Council is reluctant to issue a STOP NOTICE as a successful appeal by an applicant could result in heavy damages being awarded, if a STOP NOTICE had been issued and implemented.
LEISURE SERVICES COMMITTEE: The minutes of the last committee meeting were circulated to all present at the commencement of this meeting. Cllr Hogarth informed Members that the morning shift (Cllrs Hill, Hogarth, Retter, Short, Sparey and Mr Matthew Short), had spread the bark strips at the Tyre Swing and Aerial Runway. Cllr Hogarth thanked the Councillors mentioned for their support. The dates have been set for the inspection of the memorials at the Burial Ground as follows: -
Monday 11th August @ 10.00 am Wednesday 13th August @ 3.00 pm Thursday 14th August. @ 3.00 pm
A quotation from GB Sport & Leisure for maintenance and upgrading work to the Play Area had been considered by the Committee, resulting in a selection of items being authorised for implementation. The remaining items were being reviewed for alternative methods of achieving the desired result. The problem of vandalism to the Picnic Shelter was being addressed by considering structural improvements.
WAR MEMORIAL HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE: The minutes of the last committee meeting had been circulated prior to the meeting. Cllr Giles pointed out that the year 2004 is to be used for preparation for the Village of the Year Competition in 2005 as agreed at an earlier Parish Council meeting. Cllr Tom Leimdorfer referred to a bid by the War Memorial Hall Management Committee for match funding from the South Area Committee, which was held in abeyance until further information had been received.
CONGRESBURY YOUTH PARTNERSHIP: Cllr Mrs Short advised that approximately 60 applications had been received for children between the ages of 5 and 12 years to attend the Summer Play Scheme. Some Parish Councillors had offered their services to assist, further volunteers are required, all of whom will be subjected to a police check.
CONGRESBURY RECREATION CLUB: Notes of a meeting between representatives of Congresbury Recreation Club and the Parish Council to discuss items of mutual interest had been previously circulated to Members.
CADBURY HILL – YATTON PARISH COUNCIL: Notes of a meeting between representatives of Yatton Parish Council and Congresbury Parish Council to discuss the on-going management arrangements for Cadbury Hill had been previously circulated to Members.
REVIEW OF THE VILLAGE FETE: The Chairman thanked Cllr Mrs Edwards for planning the duty rota and for manning the stand all day. In addition, thanks were given to Unsal Hassan for the loan of his tent including erection and dismantling and Norman Richards for the provision of a game, which he had now donated to the Parish Council. Cllr Giles reported that all the Golden Jubilee Mugs have now been sold, with the exception of one unit that is held at the Parish Office for posterity. The Chairman noted that 8 Members had staffed the stand, whilst 7 had not attended. It was noted that whilst some Members were not in attendance, the Members photographs displayed were well perused.
74/03 COUNCIL OBJECTIVES:
The Chairman in noting that the Council Objectives for the next four years have been established, it was now appropriate to confirm the priority of each item. The following provisional arrangements were proposed and agreed by the Council: -
Risk Assessment: The Clerk will undertake this task for completion by the end of year one. KR
Parish Plan: The Committee Chairmen to discuss this item and determine the GB Programme. RG BH Old School Rooms: An access audit has to be carried out to address the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act. Cllr Hill is to be asked to take responsibility for this item.
Village of the Year Competition 2005: In view of his previous experience, Cllr Giles was asked, and agreed, to take responsibility for this item. RG Cllrs Van Der Watt, Retter, Short and Smith indicated an interest in supporting Cllr Giles on this task.
Quality Councils: Cllr Mrs Short suggested that initially the Council should take up the proposal to prepare and issue a Newsletter recording the work of the Parish Council on a six monthly cycle. Cllr Dury offered to take the MD responsibility for this task. Cllrs Van Der Watt and Smith offered to assist Cllr Dury on this task. The Chairman requested the Clerk to issue the DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Sheet for Members use and display on the notice boards KR
Footpaths and Bridleways: Cllr Giles suggested that the responsibility for this item should be placed with the Highways & Public Services Committee, which H&PS was agreed unanimously.
75/03 SUE GRANT MEMORIAL:
The Chairman highlighted various projects initiated by Sue Grant during her period of service as Clerk to Congresbury Parish Council and in particular drew attention to items within the Congresbury Village Appraisal and Congresbury Vision 21. It was resolved that the following items would be appropriate: - 1. Establish a training grant to be known as the Sue Grant Scholarship – the grant to be awarded for environmental study to be reported on a cascade basis. 2. Provide an Information Board with Sue’s name suitably inscribed – the board to be sited within the Cheddar Railway Walk, possibly at the former site of Congresbury Station. 3. Arrange a ‘DO DAY’ on the anniversary of Sue’s death, namely 3rd July 2004, when the residents of Congresbury and all the environmental organisations with whom Sue was associated, would be encouraged to visit Cadbury Hill, the Millennium Green and the Cheddar Railway Walk.
76/03 CHRISTMAS 2003:
It was confirmed that the Senior Citizens Tea Party would be held on Saturday, 13th December 2003. The new BLUEY should be booked for use on this occasion. Tony Bullock has been booked to play his accordion and it is hoped to secure the services of a Gospel Choir.
Cllr M. Dury left the meeting at this point.
77/03 CORRESPONDENCE:
The following items of correspondence were available for Members inspection: -
Standards Board for England a video on Declarations of Interest would be shown at the Highway & Public Services Committee on 21st July at 7.15 pm when all ALL Members of the Council are invited to attend for Approximately 15 minutes. Alternative arrangements to borrow the video from the Parish Office can be made with the Clerk.
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister a brochure titled ‘Providing Indemnities to Relevant Officers and Members is available by application to the Clerk ALL
DEFRA A brochure titled The Quality Parish & Town Council Scheme – The Quality Scheme Explained is available by application to the Clerk. ALL
Community Action A Disability Discrimination Act workshop is Available for those interested Members at Cadbury Heath Hall on 24th July 2003.
78/03 CLERK’S REPORT:
The contents of the Clerk’s report were noted.
79/03 ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT:
Chq.No. 3419 D.H. Charles Allotment Comp. 1st Prize 10.00 3420 Mr Crabb Allotment Comp. 3rd Prize 5.00 3421 B. Sims Allotment Comp. 2nd Prize 7.50
Cllr Sparey asked for clarification on the payment to Fountain Bark Products Ltd., and was advised that the material was bark strips prepared to the relevant British Standard for play area safety surfaces and comprised 20 cubic metres at £20.00 per cubic metre. The Clerk had negotiated a discount from the catalogue price of £23.00 per cubic metre.
Old School Rooms 157.60 256.40 3434/6 Salaries 3 staff 1,197.17 3437 SITA UK Limited Emptying dog bins 186.04The Council unanimously approved payment of the foregoing accounts.
Cllr Giles requested that consideration be given to approaching Greene King Brewing & Retailing Ltd., for permission to erect a sign indicating the public car park within their facility.
There being no further business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 9.37 pm
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