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MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN ST ANDREWS ROOM AT 7.30 PM ON MONDAY12th JANUARY 2004.
PRESENT: Cllr Mrs M. Short (Chairman). Cllrs G. Bailey, M. Dury, J. Edwards, K. Hill, B. Hogarth, C. Knott, M. Leimdorfer, G. Morgan, R. Retter, M. Smith, E. Sparey, and A. Underwood.
IN ATTENDANCE: Cllr T. Leimdorfer (North Somerset Council), PC Kim Tacchi (Avon & Somerset Constabulary) and Mr K. Richardson (Clerk).
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: The Chairman welcomed the following Members of the public and invited them to address the Committee before the commencement of formal Business: - Marion Johnson (Clevedon Mercury), Wenna Coombs (Western Mercury), Mr P. Palmer, Marilyn Talbot, Natalie Parry, Sue Collins, Nikki Forrest, Ken Heeney and Richard Brook. With the exception of Nikki Forrest, the remaining members of the public advised that they were in attendance as observers.
Cllr G. Bailey joined the meeting at this point.
Nikki Forrest advised the Council that she wished to clarify various points arising at the Finance Committee meeting and read from a prepared statement (Appendix ‘A’).
POLICE REPORT: PC Tacchi’s report was circulated at the commencement of the meeting having been received after the meeting papers had been prepared. The Chairman advised that future reports should be received by the Friday week before a PC meeting to enable the various documents to be assembled and issued to comply with the requirements of the Local Government Act. PC Tacchi requested guidance on a suitable site for a Mobile Community Contact Vehicle when visiting the village and was advised to consider the Riverside Car Park or the Old School Rooms Car Park. Cllr Hill reported problems experienced in obtaining police attendance in connection with an incident at the Methodist Church and adjacent property Fernlea, which had resulted in considerable damage. Whilst the events had been reported to the police on three occasions there had been no attendance by an officer. The Chairman also mentioned further incidents of vandalism to decorative lighting at Chestnut Close and Silverstone Way during the same period. PC Tacchi was not aware of any reports having been received but would make enquiries. Cllr Dury reported that vehicles were being parked on the grass verges on the Southlands Estate again and requested PC Tacchi to give this matter his attention.
NORTH SOMERSET COUNCIL: Cllr Leimdorfer advised that a Childrens Services Group had now been set up and that the Budget Process continues to dominate Council business.
Mr Richard Brook joined the meeting at this point.
Cllr Leimdorfer referred to the Parish Bidding opportunity stating that funds were still available in this current year and recommended village organisations considering making a bid to take early action.
A District Councillor Newsletter had been prepared and was currently being circulated within the Parish.
Cllr Knott enquired of the current position regarding the enforcement issues on the A370 at the Village boundary with Hewish and requested a report from Cllr Leimdorfer on this matter.
APOLOGIES: Cllr R. Giles (Holiday overseas), Mr David Lawrence (Parish Council Liaison Officer.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: There were no declarations of interest made by Members. The Chairman noted that the Clerk had issued to Members a Guidance Booklet on this subject, published by the Standards Board for England with the meeting documents.
01/04 MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 8th DECEMBER 2003:
Members unanimously confirmed the minutes of the meeting held on 8th December were a true record of the meeting subject to an amendment requested by PC Tacchi to the penultimate sentence of paragraph 2 to clarify the legal/technical statement included. The Clerk requested PC Tacchi to provide the appropriate wording to ensure the revision was correct. KT The Chairman reminded Members that this was the ONLY opportunity to amend meeting minutes. There were no further amendments suggested.
02/04 COMMITTEE REPORTS:
PLANNING COMMITTEE: The Minutes of the last meeting had been circulated with the meeting documents and were noted by Members. At the request of the Chairman, the Clerk reported decisions taken by North Somerset Planning Department on the applications considered at the Planning Committee. FINANCE COMMITTEE: Members noted the Minutes of the Finance Committee circulated with the meeting documents. Cllr Bailey stated that he had declared interests as follows: - Member of the Building Group of St Andrews PCC Member of St Andrews PCC and requested that the minutes be amended. The Chairman made general comments on the grants and budget issues reported within the Minutes, which would be dealt with in greater detail in the next major agenda item. Cllr Knott expressed concern regarding the War Memorial Hall grant application in view of the further information received this evening. The Chairman considered that the present Management Committee were working to deal with the past issues.
LIVING CHURCHYARD PROJECT: The Chairman reported that every household in the village had had the opportunity to participate in the recent referendum. However, 123 replies had been received from over 1200 homes. The results were as follows: - 50% - To cut all the grass regularly 42% - To cut grass as last year’s specification 6% - To cut grass as last year’s specification but with certain revisions. The Chairman thanked Sue Lovesy, Matthew Thomson and Rosemary West for their work in connection with the referendum. A further meeting with the Project Group and YACWAG resulted in a proposal to increase the width of the grass cut to the west side of the path from Pauls Causeway to 20’ and three banks to be planted with wild flowers. The plan to be reviewed after three years. A press release will be issued covering the proposal. Members agreed in principle to the proposal.
03/04 ANNUAL BUDGET AND PRECEPT:
The Chairman explained that £65,543 shown on the accounts at 31st March 2003 was cash in hand. The Internal Auditor considered the cash in hand was too great. The Finance Committee had recommended that the Council Reserve should be reduced to £40,000, leaving a balance of £25,000 available. The Income for the Council was approximately £12,000 The Budget figure shown on pages 21 and 22 of the meeting documents amounted to £119,470. Therefore: - Proposed expenditure as per the budget £119,470 Less: Approximate income 12,000 Proposed Precept £107,470
The proposed precept of £107,470 would result in a Band ‘D’ Property Parish Council Precept of £79.00.
In view of the complexity of the issues, the Chairman recommended that all Parish Council Members have the opportunity to study the figures and the various implications before finalising the Parish Council Precept. · A number of options had been prepared for consideration · It would be possible to further reduce the reserves · Reductions to the OSR Maintenance proposals · Reduction of grants to Parish Organisations.
Members agreed to the Chairman’s recommendation and further agreed to re-convene for a one agenda item meeting at 6.45pm on Monday, 26th January 2004.
Sue Collins, Natalie Parry, Marilyn Talbot and Richard Brook left the meeting at this point.
05/04 FEEDBACK ON COUNCIL CHRISTMAS ACTIVITIES:
The Chairman thanked all Parish Councillors who had participated in any way in the various activities over the Christmas period. In addition, the Chairman thanked the following members of the Parish for their help and participation: -
Mrs Nikki Lawson, Mrs Julia Thyer, Mr Jim Ward, Mr Tony Sullivan, Congresbury Brass and Congresbury Singers.
The collection at the Carols under the Tree amounted to approximately £130 and was distributed on a three way split between Weston Hospice, Congresbury Brass and Congresbury Singers.
The Chairman proposed that a Social Committee should be formed to manage the Christmas activities in future years.
At the end of the meeting Cllr Mrs Leimdorfer advised the Clerk that she would be prepared to participate in the Social Committee.
06/04 DRAFT PARISH COUNCIL POLICY STATEMENTS:
Draft documents were issued at the meeting for Leisure Services and Planning (revised), whilst the previously issued documents for Burial Ground and Health & Safety were noted. Members were invited to submit observations and/or comments on these documents.
07/04 DRAFT PARISH COUNCIL NEWSLETTER:
Cllr Dury produced two samples of the draft newsletter, which contained spaces for the submissions still awaited. The further contributions from respondents were urgently required and should be submitted by E-mail as quickly as possible.
08/04 REPORT FROM INTERVIEW PANEL:
Eight applications had been considered from which a shortlist of four candidates was produced. The Chairman and Clerk carried out interviews of the shortlisted candidates on 5th January. The candidate selected decided she could not accept the position when advised by the Chairman. The second selection verbally agreed to commence employment today, but upon attendance at the office advised the Clerk that she was unable to attend evening meetings due to family commitments, even though this requirement was included in the job description and clarified at interview. The Chairman and Clerk will confer on further action to fill the vacancy.
09/04 PROGRAMME FOR MEMORIAL TESTING:
In the absence of a proposal from the Leisure Services Committee, the Clerk suggested the remaining Thursday afternoons during January commencing on 15th January. Cllrs Hill and Hogarth indicated they were not available on Thursdays and therefore, Friday 16th January and 30th January at 2.00pm were agreed as acceptable dates to the Testing Group comprising Cllrs Hill, Hogarth and the Clerk. Cllr Mrs Leimdorfer indicated that she wished to participate in this work.
10/04 GLEBELANDS PROJECT COMMITTEE:
Cllr Giles and Retter were appointed to represent the Parish Council on the Glebelands Project Committee.
11/04 CORRESPONDENCE: .
North Somerset Council – New arrangements for the constitution of governing bodies of maintained schools
This letter passed to Cllr Hogarth for information and action.
North Somerset Council - Proposed replacement of bus shelter on the north side of Station Road, opposite the shop.
Approved in principle subject to width of remaining footway being suitable to allow the passage of wheelchairs and electric wheelchairs and also consultation with Congresbury Conservation Group
North Somerset Council – Notification of Local Access Forum meeting at Claverham on 19th January 2004
Cllr Bailey to attend the Local Access Forum on 19th January 2004.
North Somerset Council – North Somerset Replacement Local Plan(2nd deposit draft) to be considered and approved by the elected Members to a timetable for public consultation for 6 weeks during the period 22nd April to 4th June 2004.
Noted
12/05 CLERK’S REPORT:
The contents of the Clerk’s Report were noted. The Clerk reported on heating defects at the Old School Rooms since the preparation of his report, which comprised attention to the pressurisation of the heating system to obtain efficiency and the replacement of a number of valves. In addition, the convector heaters required attention with an electric motor requiring rewinding. The cost of this work was not known, but was likely to be in the region of £500. There had been no maintenance work carried out to the heating system for over two years.
13/05 ACCOUNTS PAID SINCE LAST MEETING:
The Council noted the following payments made since the last meeting of the Council: -
14/05 ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT:
The Council unanimously approved payment of the following payments: -
.
15/05 RESIDENT’S COMPLAINT AGAINST THE PARISH CLERK:
The Chairman advised the Council that the Resident had withdrawn the complaint.
16/05 EXEMPT ITEMS:
The Chairman informed the Council that there were no exempt items of business.
There being no further business the Chairman thanked members for attending and declared the meeting closed at 9.35 pm.…………………… |