PRESENT: Mrs M. Short (Chairman), Mesdames J. Edwards, M. Leimdorfer, A. Underwood and D. Van Der Watt.
Messrs G. Bailey, M. Dury, K. Hill, B. Hogarth, C. Knott, G. Morgan, M. Smith and E. Sparey.
IN ATTENDANCE: Mr T. Leimdorfer (District Councillor) and Mr K. Richardson (Clerk).
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: Mrs Marion Johnson (Clevedon Mercury).
APOLOGIES: Cllrs. R. Giles (Holiday), R. Retter (sickness) Mr David Lawrence (North Somerset Liaison Officer)
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: There were no declarations made by Members.
80/03
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 14th JULY 2003:
Members unanimously approved the minutes enabling the Chairman to sign the
minutes as a true record of the meeting.
81/03
POLICE REPORT:
A report had not been received from the Police. It was reported that PC Tacchi’s
voicemail had advised the Clerk earlier in the day that PC Tacchi was not available
between 31st August and 13th September. The Chairman expressed her concern that
PC Tacchi had not been seen in the village for some time and his absence this evening
without explanation was not acceptable. Members agreed that an appropriate letter be
written to Insp. Patrick McGowan noting PC Tacchi’s absence and what were the
arrangements for temporary cover in his absence. KR
82/03
REPORT – NORTH SOMERSET COUNCIL:
Cllr Leimdorfer reported that: -
· The Council were considering their options for the future
management of the housing stock
· A planning application from Bristol City Council for a large housing development as Long Ashton was being considered
· The Local Transport Plan has just been issued
· A grant for the further development of the Strawberry Line is to be
announced tomorrow
· Waste Management have to improve the recycling activities.
83/03
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
PLANNING COMMITTEE: The minutes of the last meeting had been circulated
to all members prior to the meeting. Cllr Bailey referred to the recent application
for a further Gypsy site adjacent to Morland Park and expressed his concern with
regard to the excessive size of the field relative to the small number of caravans
specified in the application, which could result in a greater number of
caravans ending up on the field.
The Clerk reported on his attendance at the South Area Committee when a
question was considered concerning the slow process of implementing
enforcement action. Explanations were provided which included not only staff
shortage and the intricate nature of processing enforcement issues. The Clerk
advised that this issue should be monitored, the results of which may require
further attendance at South Area Committee.
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 memorial inspection at the Burial
Ground had been undertaken by Cllrs Hill, Leimdorfer and himself.
Cllr Hill advised that he had obtained indications of the likely charges in respect
of an access audit which were: -
1. Dorset Community - £300.00
2. Bristol Consultant – short report £250.00., long report £1,080.00.
It was agreed that this matter be included on the agenda for the next meeting. KR
HIGHWAYS & PUBLIC SERVICES: There had not been a meeting of this
Committee and therefore, a report had not been submitted.
MEETING WITH PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY TEAM: Cllr Giles had
submitted a report which had been circulated prior to the meeting.
Cllr Bailey was concerned about ad hoc Bridleway applications.
General discussion ensued on this complex issue, which should be
Reviewed.
The Clerk queried the apparent reduction in the staffing of this
Department reported by Cllr Giles. Cllr Leimdorfer agreed to raise an
informal query. TL
The request for lighting at Hillcrest and the Weetwood Road connection
to be included on the agenda for the next meeting. KR
WAR MEMORIAL HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE: The minutes of
the last two committee meetings had been circulated prior to the meeting were
noted by Members.
Cllr 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. The Clerk informed the
meeting that he had advised the Chairman of the War Memorial Management
Committee that it was pointless refurbishing the toilets whilst the roof was
leaking.
CONGRESBURY YOUTH PARTNERSHIP: Cllr Mrs Short advised that
there was nothing further to add to the report contained within the minutes of the
Leisure Services Committee. However, any assistance Members could provide to support the Cyber Café would be welcome.
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.
Cllr Bailey requested that a walk and talk on Cadbury Hill would be appreciated.
Cllr Morgan agreed to arrange a suitable date for an event of this nature. GM
LIVING CHURCHYARD PROJECT: Cllr Mrs Short reported that the
Revd Mathew Thomson had responded to comments received from a number of
people by organising a referendum. The referendum papers were to be returned
by 30th November when assessment would take place. The referendum papers
were being distributed by the PCC giving residents the opportunity to select one
of three options. Cllr Mrs Short gave a potted history of the maintenance work
in the churchyard over recent years and advised there was an exhibition open for
viewing at the back of the Church.
FLOOD WARDENS VISIT TO BRIDGWATER: Cllr Hogarth reported on a
visit to the office of the Environment Agency by Cllr Hill and the Clerk when
Flood Wardens from other schemes were present. An exchange of information
took place when the variety in the schemes became apparent – some simply
passed on the warning received from the Environment Agency whilst other
smaller schemes provided practical assistance with the provision of sandbags
and pumps. A visit to the Control Room where all the information regarding
weather forecasts, rainfall and tidal conditions are available to enable the flood
warning officers to assess the developing situations. Flood warnings are issued
from this office to all registered Flood Wardens by computer linked to thirty
telephone lines.
It was noted that the Environment Agency are utilising the readings submitted
by this Council to review the trigger points for flood warnings to Congresbury.
Cllr Dury requested that a further meeting be arranged for an evening, as no
doubt many Flood Wardens work during the day.
84/03
ALCA TRAINING AT KEYNSHAM ON 13th SEPTEMBER:
Members were advised that programmes were now available from the Clerk.
The following Members will be attending: -
Cllr Mrs Short, Cllr Mrs Van Der Watt, Cllr Ms Underwood, Cllr Bailey, Cllr Smith,
Cllr Retter and the Clerk.
85/03
CORRESPONDENCE:
The following items of correspondence were available for Members inspection: -
North Somerset – Strawberry Line, Heritage Trail project celebration of 40th Anniversary of last
passenger train from Yatton to Cheddar on 9th September.
North Somerset – Draft of School Organisation Plan 2003/2004
North Somerset – Air Quality in North Somerset 2003
North Somerset – Local Transport Plan 2001 – 2006
North Somerset – Councillors Allowances Regulations 2003
Record Playground Equipment – Seminar at Bideford 23/09/03
Weston-super-Mare Town Council – Request for support for the transfer of Grove House.*
The Mendip Society – Membership free, donations welcome.*
Items marked thus * to be included on the agenda for the next meeting.
86/03
FEEDBACK DATES FOR 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 a GB
Programme to end November 2004 RG
BH
Old School Rooms: An access audit has to be carried out to address the
requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act.
Plan to be in place by October 2004. KH
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. Work on this project to commence early 2004.
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. First Newsletter to be published early in 2004.
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.
87/03
APPROVAL OF ANNUAL ACCOUNTS 2002/2003:
The Clerk issued a copy of the annual accounts to Members prior to the commencement
of the meeting – draft accounts having previously been available at the Annual Parish
Meeting on 28th April 2003. The Clerk explained the requirements for the Council to
approve the accounts as set out on page three of the Annual Return.
The Council were given the opportunity to take the accounts away for detailed
consideration or to approve the accounts at this meeting.
Cllr Smith proposed that the accounts be approved, which was seconded by Cllr Bailey.
Members voted on the properly constituted motion as follows: -
FOR 8
AGAINST 1 (Cllr Sparey)
ABSTENTION 1 (Cllr Mrs Van Der Watt)
The Chairman declared the motion approved by a majority vote.
88/03
CLERK’S REPORT:
The contents of the Clerk’s report were noted.
89/03
ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT – AUGUST 2003:
The Council approved the payments made during the month of August.
90/03
ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT:
Chq.No:
3451 The Post Office Ltd Non-domestic rates
Orchard House 93.20
Burial Ground 5.60
Old School Rooms 157.60 256.40
3452 The Post Office Ltd PAYE & NIC 323.00
3453 Clevedon Office Equipment Photocopier maintenance TBA
3454 R. Hembrow Grass cutting – Churchyard 480.00
3455 British Telecommunications Office telephone charges 73.15
3456 A.L.C.A. Members Training Seminar 250.00
3457 Cong. Comm. Transport Jean Day Memorial Walk 15.00
Local Playground survey 15.00 30.00
3458 BWBSL Water & Sewerage (08/02 to 02/03) 459.27
3459 MC Services Stopcock repair – allotments 50.00
3460 Glasdon U.K. Ltd Refuse Bin for Picnic House 289.88
3461 J. Ayers Caretaker’s expenses 13.78
3462 K. Hill Mileage claim – D.D.A. Seminar at
Cadbury Heath 14.00
The Council unanimously approved payment of the foregoing accounts.
.
There being no further business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 9.55 pm