EASTON IN GORDANO PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Council meeting on Monday 25 April 2005

Present:

Cllrs G. Hunt (Chairman), K. Brooks, K. Burchell, D. Clegg (arr 7pm),

G. Duck, G. Jones, S. Ridley, V. Robinson, B. Stowers, R. Whiting

& Mr P. Strother Smith (Clerk).

Apologies:

Cllrs B. Langton, V. Pritchard & D. Waters.

1.         Declarations of Interest

None.

2.         Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting on 14 March 2005

The minutes were confirmed and signed.

3.         Crime & Disorder

Cllr Ridley reported that cycles and scooters were being ridden on Star Lane in spite of signs prohibiting this.  Could bollards or a chicane be installed?

4.         Clerk’s Report

An enquiry had been received about using the playing field on a short term basis for playing cricket.  It had been pointed out that the field no longer had a prepared square.  It was agreed that the cost of ground preparation would be for them to pay and charges for use would be discussed at the next committees.   Agenda 9/5

5.         Maintenance & Highway Issues

            The following issues were reported again:

The blocked drain by Priory Croft, the old central white line by Costcutters, potholes in Westward Drive and the cars outside 9 Priory Road.  North Somerset Council (NSC) had been reminded again about the first three and the fourth item had been referred to a more senior member of the police.  Cllr Duck reported that he had asked the DVLA to carry out vehicle licence checks in the area.

6.         News from North Somerset Council

6.1

Village Clean up:  Communication from NSC should be due and this would be discussed at the May meeting.   Agenda 23/5

6.2

Local Transport Plan:  Cllr Robinson reported that it was planned to introduce a high occupancy lane along the Portbury Hundred and to make alterations to the Junction 19 roundabout.

7.         Recommendations and Decisions from Committees

7.1       Playing Fields

7.1.1

None.

7.2       Open Spaces & Amenities

7.2.1

New Road site:  Cllr Hunt confirmed that NSC would be responsible for planting a flowering pear with a tree guard in the autumn.  Pill in Bloom had agreed to install planters or something similar.

7.2.2

Play Area:  Cllr Jones had been unable to ascertain the suppliers of the seats.  The Clerk would enquire of his predecessor.   Action PSS

7.3       Finance & General Purposes Committee

7.3.1

Bus Shelters:  Cllr Jones had spoken to Mr R. James, the resident at 32 Newsome Avenue, who had no objection to the building of the stone shelter adjacent to his property.  The wooden fence at the end of his land would be removed and the fence to the side would be replaced by the Council.

Proposed by Cllr Hunt and seconded by Cllr Duck, it was agreed to proceed with this and with the other two shelters, so long as the cost of the latter had not significantly increased.

7.3.2

Subscriptions:  Proposed by Cllr Whiting and seconded by Cllr Duck, it was agreed to renew subscriptions to ALCA at £930.76 and Community Action at £20 for the coming year.

7.4       Planning Committee

7.4.1

1 Rudgleigh Road, Pill:  The applicants are appealing against NSC’s decision to refuse the erection of a dwelling house.

7.4.2

05/P/0312/F  The Grove, Cross Lanes, EIG:  NSC has refused the resubmitted application to erect a two storey side extension and first floor side extension over existing ground floor extension.

8.         Reports of Meetings with Other Bodies

Bristol Port Company Liaison:  It was noted that the next meeting was on 28 June.

Cllr Stowers was trying to ascertain the up to date telephone number for lodging complaints about the noise and speed of trains.  Previous numbers were no longer valid.

9.         Correspondence requiring action not covered elsewhere

9.1

Association of Severn Estuary Relevant Authorities:  Cllr Duck and Brian Heaton hope to attend the Recreation & Nature conservation workshop on 28 April

9.2

DEFRA re Quality Parishes Parish Planning:  Letter giving an update of information passed to Cllr Whiting.

9.3

Avon Wildlife Trust – Folly Farm appeal:  Pass to F&GP.   Agenda 9/5

10.       Parish Council Vacancy

There had been no further applications.

11.       Appointment of Clerk

The selection working party of Cllrs Hunt, Whiting, Duck and Robinson had selected four applicants for interview and, of these, Julie Smart had been chosen as the preferred candidate for appointment.  Proposed by Cllr Duck and seconded by Cllr Stowers, it was agreed that Julie Smart be appointed as the new Clerk with effect from 16 May.

12.       Watch House Hill

Today’s working party meeting had been cancelled because Tony Moore of NSC was unavailable.  Cllr Hunt had spoken direct to Redrow and it was hoped that they would deal with the erection of stock fencing around the orchard.  Cllr Duck was discussing improvements to the fencing down by the tump.

13.       Community Centre

The full PSL survey report had been received and the Clerk would copy and circulate it to the working party members.  Cllr Hunt said that the working party now needed to meet within the week to agree the next step.   Action PSS

14.       Freedom of Information Act – Housing Policy

Under the auspices of the new act, details had been obtained from NSC of their housing policy and statistics of those housed in the parish over the past 5 years.  It was agreed that this was helpful information and that further details should be sought in the future.

15.       Crockerne Primary School request

Cllr Hunt reported that the school needed to both prune and remove trees on its land which were causing a disturbance to neighbouring properties.  NSC had agreed to pay £1000 towards this and the school was seeking a £500 donation from the PC.

F&GP Agenda 9/5

15.       Accounts for Payment

            The following accounts were presented for payment and cheques drawn:

Payee

Details

               £

SITA UK Ltd

Dog bin emptying

            99.35

Trident Office Products

Stationery

            28.08

SEC Ltd

Street light maintenance

          819.47

Western Newspapers

 (South) Ltd

Clerk advertisement – Mercury

          137.48

Western Newspapers Ltd

Clerk advertisement – Evening Post

          629.33

BWBSL

Water/sewerage – pavilion

            52.73

17.       Items for Future Agendas

Use of Playing Field for Cricket (9/5)

Village Clean Up (23/5)

Folly Farm appeal (9/5)

Crockerne Primary School request (9/5)

18.       Expenditure by Committees to date

Expenditure to date

Budgeted

                £

       £

Finance & General Purposes (General Admin)

             4,722

  31,350

Finance & General Purposes (St Lighting)

             1,943

  30,100

Planning

                NIL

  10,000

Playing Fields

                726

    5,050

Open Spaces & Amenities

                  99

  17,500

Public Footpaths & Rights of Way

                NIL

       750

Pill in Bloom

                NIL

       600

Parish Plan

                279

     4389

Community Centre Redevelopment

                NIL

  16,000

Contingency Fund

                NIL

    1,000

                                                                                       …..………………………….Signed

                                                                                       …..…………………………..Dated