Minutes of the Committee meetings on Monday 14 February 2005

Playing Fields Management Committee

Present:

Cllrs Hunt, Ridley, Stowers, & Mr P. Strother Smith (Clerk).

Apologies:

  Cllr Langton.

1.

Tree Works:  The work being undertaken by Arbtek was in progress and should be completed soon.

2.

Changing Rooms:  Cllr Stowers reported that the changing rooms had recently been left in a mess with mud over the walls and the basins.  He produced photographic evidence of this.  It was considered that the senior football club was probably responsible and Cllr Jones was asked to investigate and speak to the culprits.   Action GJ

Open Spaces & Amenities Committee

Present:

Cllrs Hunt, Burchell, Clegg, Jones, Ridley, Robinson, Stowers & Waters

& Mr P. Strother Smith (Clerk).

Apologies:

Cllrs Langton & Pritchard.

1.

Watch House Hill:  The next Working Party meeting had now been postponed to 23 February at 10.30am.  Cllr Robinson said that the boundary dispute must be resolved as a matter of priority.  Other items for discussion would include bricks on the new football pitch, stiles and the skateboard park.

2.

New Road site:  This had now been repaved.  North Somerset Council (NSC) would be asked to replace the tree which they had felled.  Pill in Bloom and the Resource Centre would be consulted about ideas for making good use of the site.  Cllr Jones would then meet with NSC.

3.

Victoria Park – Bench & Litter Bin:  Cllr Stowers considered that NSC should be asked to replace the bench and bin (on the Mount Pleasant side) which, about 3 years ago, had been demolished by a passing car.   Action PSS

4.

Play Area:  Cllr Jones proposed that an additional bench should be installed near to the gate into the area.  As this was within budget, it was agreed.   Action PSS

5.

Land by the King’s Head:  Cllr Brooks said that this had now been turfed.  Pill in Bloom would be asked if they were prepared to maintain the area.   Action GH

6.

Litter Bin:  Cllr Hunt said there had been a request for a new bin at the top of Portview.  The Clerk would ask NSC Waste Management if they would be able to install a “free” one.   Action PSS

Finance & General Purposes Committee

Present:

Cllrs Hunt, Brooks, Burchell, Jones, Robinson, Waters & Whiting,

Mr P. Strother Smith (Clerk).

Apologies:

Cllrs Langton & Pritchard.

1.

Community Centre:  Cllr Brooks reported on progress with the structural survey.  PSL have said that the condition of the building has not significantly changed in the past 6 years, but they are concerned about the safety of the window glass.  The written report is still awaited and should be received by the end of the week.

2.

Bus Shelters:  Yansec had declined the application for funds towards the new shelters.  Plans would be discussed at the next committees as previously arranged.   Agenda 14/3

3.

Design at Village Spout:  Cllr Whiting was keen that the lapsed proposals, originally a “millennium” project, should be resurrected.  NSC Housing would be asked if they were prepared to complete the drawings which had been left in abeyance after alterations had been proposed.  The recently approved extension of Nisa store may be an issue.

Action GH

4.

Street Light Survey:  This was fixed for Monday 21 February at 7pm.  Cllrs Whiting, Jones, Burchell, Hunt and the Clerk would participate.

5.

Freedom of Information Act:  The Clerk had attended a presentation at NSC.  The Act provides a right of access, subject to certain exemptions, to information held by public bodies.  It was thought unlikely that it will have any significant impact on the Parish Council.

Councillors asked that, under the auspices of the new act, NSC are requested to give details of their policy on housing relocation to Pill and to supply a list of those relocated and from where over the past 5 years.   Action PSS

6.

Hardwick Road Lease:  Cllr Whiting reported that this matter was now completed and that the 125 year lease commenced on 11 February 2005.  It was agreed that registering the lease at the Land Registry would be arranged through Meade King Solicitors.   Action PSS

7.

Publications:  It was agreed to renew subscriptions for Local Council Review and Clerks & Councils Direct for two copies of each issue.   Action PSS

8.

Drains:  NSC had written to say they would investigate the highway gully outside Priory Croft and hoped to add this to the high pressure jetting programme during February.

Planning Committee

Present:

Cllrs Hunt, Brooks, Burchell, Clegg, Robinson & Whiting,

Mr P. Strother Smith (Clerk).

Apologies:

Cllr Langton

1.          

The following application has been approved:

04/P/3208/F

8 Pacquet House

Underbanks, Pill

New door & new wall to infill recessed area to form a porch.

2.          

The following application has been refused:

04/P/3176/F

73 Westward Drive, Pill

Erection of a two storey rear extension, new front porch & pitched roof over existing garage.

3.          

New Applications – there was no objection to the following:

05/P/0186/F

40 Lodway, EIG

Erection of a single storey front extension.

05/P/0205/F

Rose Cottage,

Cabot Way, Pill

Erection of 1 no. dormer dwelling & detached garage.

Although there was no objection to this on planning grounds, it was observed that there appeared to be some intrusion on to the verge.

05/P/0228/F

5 Bank Place, Pill

Change of use from shop to offices & drop in.

Again there was no planning related objection, but some concerns were raised as to a possible conflict of interests between this and the Resource Centre.