MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN ST ANDREWS ROOM
AT 7.30 PM ON MONDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2005.

PRESENT: Cllrs M Short (Chairman), M R Smith, K Hill, B Hogarth, G Morgan,

M Leimdorfer, M Dury, J Edwards, R Retter, E A Sparey, R Bates and N Forrest (see Minute 149/05) .

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: The Chairman welcomed the following Members of the public who indicated they did not wish to address the Committee before the commencement of formal Business:-

Mrs M Johnson (Clevedon Mercury Reporter), Mr Palmer, Alan Bates and Nicky Forrest.

IN ATTENDANCE: Cllr T Leimdorfer (North Somerset Council), Mr K Richardson (Clerk) and Mrs K Paul (Clerical Officer).

APOLOGIES: Cllrs G Bailey (Holiday) and C Knott (Business)

The apologies given were accepted by the Councillors present.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:  There were no declarations of interest to record.

POLICE REPORT: The Crime Schedule and Police Report which were distributed at the meeting were noted.  The Chairman reminded members to direct any questions to PC Tacchi.

The meeting stood adjourned for:-

NORTH SOMERSET COUNCIL:  Cllr Leimdorfer who gave a verbal report on the budget.  The proposal is to increase spending by £90,000 and for council tax to increase by 4.5%.  Cllr Leimdorfer thought it would be very unlikely that Congresbury Library would close but could not be certain until 1^st March when the budget is set.  Congresbury Recreation Club bid for £3,000 has been recommended to the Leader for acceptance in respect of the proposed levelling and seeding work to the extension to Broadstone Playing Field.  There were no questions.

The Chairman reported that the current work at the library is in compliance with the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act.   

The meeting reconvened.

148/05                               

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON MONDAY 10th JANUARY 2005:

The members approved the minutes of the meeting held on 10^th January 2005 as a

true record of the meeting.  

149/05
CONSIDERATION AND DETERMINATION OF CO-OPTION APPLICATIONS FOR TWO PARISH COUNCIL SEATS

There were two casual vacancies and two applications, originally three applications had been received but one had been withdrawn.  The Chairman explained the process for filling casual vacancies.  All members agreed that re-advertising for the second seat would not be necessary if the two candidates were acceptable.  Therefore both applicants could be co-opted.  

Nicky Forrest and Bob Bates both informed the Council of their involvement and interests in various community activities. 

At 7.50 both candidates left room.

All members agreed that the candidates are suitable and very community minded. 

At 7.55 both candidates returned to the room.

The Chairman welcomed Nicky Forrest and Bob Bates and invited them to join the Council as Co-opted Councillors. 

150/05

REVIEW OF PARISH COUNCIL COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP

The Chairman asked for volunteers to join the Planning Committee as it was in need of new members to ensure a quorum could be achieved.  Cllr Forrest and Cllr Bates agreed to attend all Committees to help them decide which they should join.

151/05

APPOINTMENT OF PARISH COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE TO YACWAG

All members agreed to appoint Cllr Retter.

152/05

CONSIDERATION OF TENDERS FOR HEDGE CUTTING

Tenders were opened in the presence of the Council as follows:-

Members unanimously agreed that the tender submitted by R. Hembrow in the sum of £300.00 to carry on the specified work by flail be accepted.

153/05

CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS BROUGHT FORWARD FROM LAST MEETING: -

154/05

REPORTS RECEIVED:

PLANNING COMMITTEE: The Minutes of the last two meetings, circulated with the meeting documents were noted by Members.

LEISURE SERVICE COMMITTEE: The Minutes of the last meeting, circulated with the meeting documents were noted by Members.

HIGHWAYS & PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE: The Minutes of the last meeting, circulated with the meeting documents were noted by Members.

The Clerk confirmed that a letter thanking Mr Cox for his contribution at the Special Highways meeting has been sent.  Cllr M Leimdorfer reported that everyone’s views were aired at the meeting.

WAR MEMORIAL HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE: The Minutes of the last meeting, circulated with the meeting documents were noted by Members.

ACTION: The Chairman asked Cllr Edwards to request that the trustees in attendance at the War Memorial Hall Management Committee be clearly identified as such in the minutes.

WORKSHOP – PLANNING SYSTEM/COMMUNITY STRATEGY FOR PARISH PLANS: The report circulated with the meeting documents were noted by Members. 

Cllr Short reported that the workshop concentrated mainly on the new planning system, which Cllr Bailey is reviewing.

THE OLD SCHOOL ROOMS UPDATE ON WORKS PROPOSED: Cllr Morgan reported that he is awaiting a revised quote for the replacement kitchen sink.  All external work has been ordered and will be untaken in the Spring.  The broken gate will be re-hung next week.  The Jubilee and St Andrew’s floors will be sanded and sealed in March. 

ALLOTMENT & GARDENERS ASSOCIATION: The report circulated with the meeting documents was noted by Members. 

155/05

CONSIDERATION OF SMALL GRANTS TO: -

a.       Shakespeare Evening – rental of Old School Rooms (proceeds to Weston Hospice)

ACTION: All agreed to a small grant of £50.

b.      Congresbury Youth Club for cleaning services

ACTION: All agreed to a small grant of £240 towards the cost of a cleaner for the Youth Club.

156/05

CONSIDERATION OF PROGRAMME FOR VILLAGE OF THE YEAR ENTRY

The Chairman reported that the relevant papers have not been received to date.  The Chairman asked members to look at this and revisit it at the next meeting.  Volunteers are needed from within the Parish Council and from outside which could make up a steering group.

157/05

DISCUSSION OF PARISH NEWSLETTER PROPOSALS

Christine Lewis has volunteered to lead an editorial team which will include Cllrs Dury, Cllr Smith and Cllr Retter.

158/05

CONFIRMATION OF  PROPOSED TRANSFER OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE BURIAL GROUND FROM THE LEISURE SERVICES COMMITTEE TO THE HIGHWAYS & PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE

All members agreed that the transfer should take place.
 

159/05

TO NOTE PARISH MEETING TO BE HELD MONDAY, 23rd MAY 2005

The Chairman noted that this meeting should be more community group orientated this year and would like the Parish Plan to be explored at this meeting.

160/05

ARRANGEMENTS FOR ALCA MEETING AT THE OLD SCHOOL ROOMS ON TUESDAY, 15th FEBRUARY 2005

The Chair invited members to the meeting and asked for volunteers to help with serving refreshments.

ACTION: The Clerk agreed that the office will purchase supplies for refreshments.

161/05

CORRESPONDENCE

The items above were noted and documents are available from the Parish Council office.             

162/05

CLERK’S REPORT

This was circulated with the meeting papers and was noted by Members.

163/05
AUTHORISATION OF PAYMENT OF SOLICITOR’S ACCOUNT (£3,113.75 INC. VAT) IN RESPECT OF CADBURY HILL NEGOTIATIONS DURING THE LAST SIX YEARS FROM CADBURY HILL BANK ACCOUNT

All members agreed to this payment being made by the Cadbury Hill Joint Account.

The Chair requested that Standing Orders be suspended for 10 minutes to enable the remainder of the agenda items to be completed after 9.30 pm.

164/05
CONSIDERATION OF  UPGRADING IT EQUIPMENT IN THE PARISH OFFICE AS REPORTED IN THECLERK’S REPORT AT A COST OF £877.00

All members agreed to the updating of IT equipment.

165/05
ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT
 

The Chairman informed the Council that there were no exempt items of business. 

Items for the next agenda:

There being no further business the Chairman thanked members for attending and declared the meeting closed at 9.40 pm.