EASTON IN GORDANO PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Council meeting on Monday 28 February 2005

Present:

Cllrs G. Hunt (Chairman), S. Baker, K. Burchell, D. Clegg, G. Duck, G. Jones, S. Ridley, B. Stowers, R. Whiting & Mr P. Strother Smith (Clerk).

Apologies:

Cllrs K. Brooks, B. Langton, V. Pritchard, V. Robinson & D. Waters.Cllr C. Francis-Pester (North Somerset Councillor).

In Attendance:

Mr S. Tanner (NSC Parish Liaison Officer).

1.         Public Participation

None.

2.         Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting on 31 January 2005

The minutes were confirmed and signed.

Annual Parish Meeting:  To encourage attendance, it was agreed to mention in the Pill Paper that the following items would be on the agenda:  Watch House Hill, Community Centre, New Road site, Development on the Green Belt and the railway.

Action Pill Paper & agenda 25/4

3.         Crime & Disorder

Cllr Whiting raised the issue of the property on the corner of Priory Road and Priory Gardens with cars permanently parked on the roadside.  It was thought that the owners were carrying on a vehicle related business at the premises and that a check should be made with NSC Planning.  It was also agreed that the police should be contacted about the “obstruction”caused and that the owner should be written to.   Action PSS

4.         Clerk’s Report

4.1

Cllr Hunt and the Clerk had had a site meeting with NSC to discuss improvements for wheelchair users travelling from the bottom of the cycle path to the precinct.

4.2

Owing to increased pressures of work, the Clerk had reluctantly tendered his resignation.  A working party comprising Cllrs Hunt, Whiting, Duck, Robinson and, probably, Langton would manage the recruitment of a replacement.  Mention would be made in the April Pill Paper.  Both the Parish Council (PC) and the Clerk recorded their regrets over the decision.   Action Pill Paper

5.         Maintenance & Highway Issues

            The following issues were reported:

5.1

Marsh Lane:  Cllr Duck said that, to resolve the problem of on-street overnight lorry parking, a series of meetings had been set up to discuss the installation of yellow lines and alternative freight parking in the port area.

5.2

Surveying:  Further to the report at 5.5 in the minutes of 31 January, Cllr Hunt said that this was in fact not related to Ashlands, but was in preparation for bids for the next transport plan and possible improvements to the A369.

5.3

Potholes and Drains:  NSC would be chased on recently reported issues.   Action PSS

6.         News from North Somerset Council

Nothing to report.

7.         Recommendations and Decisions from Committees

7.1       Playing Fields

7.1.1

Tree Works:  Cllr Stowers said that the works had not been finished.  The Clerk would ask Arbtek to expedite matters.   Action PSS

7.1.2

Changing Rooms:  With regard to the mess reported on 14 February, Cllr Jones said that the pavilion had been extensively used that weekend.  The Clerk would check the written agreement with the Junior Football Club as regards cleaning the rooms and Mr Norval would be asked to attend on 14 March at 7.30.   Action PSS

7.1.3

Pitches:  Cllr Duck reported that the pitches were in a poor condition following a combination of bad weather and excessive use.  The Clerk would check the agreement with Serviceteam as regards winter maintenance (cutting and rolling).   Action PSS

7.2       Open Spaces & Amenities

7.2.1

New Road site:  Cllr Hunt would be meeting John Flannigan, NSC’s tree officer, later in the week and would take the opportunity of enquiring about having a tree in a tub installed at the site.   Action GH

7.2.2

Land by the King’s Head:  Cllr Brooks had agreed to maintain the site and Pill in Bloom would be prepared to provide a tub.  It was suggested that, as this was their land, NSC might be persuaded to install a tub here as well.

7.3       Finance & General Purposes Committee

7.3.1

Village Spout:  Any progress on this would now have to be in conjunction with the proposed plans to extend the Nisa stores.  Other outstanding issues were the redrawing of the plans and investigation of underground plans.

7.4       Planning Committee

7.4.1

5 Bank Place, Pill:  The Resource Centre had investigated this application for an office and “drop in” and was satisfied that it not represent a threat to its activities.

7.4.2

Rudgleigh Inn:  The Clerk had received a message from the NSC Enforcement Officer who confirmed that he was aware of activities at the Inn and was dealing with matters as required.

8.         Reports of Meetings with Other Bodies

Bristol Port Company Liaison:  Cllr Whiting reported on the meeting of 22 February.  Councillors were reminded that there were contact numbers for specific rail related complaints.  (These numbers, noted in the minutes of 23 February 2004, are 0845 711 4141 or, during office hours, 01793 499712)

9.         Correspondence requiring action not covered elsewhere

9.1

Office of Deputy Prime Minister:  Two discussion documents – Citizen Engagement & Public Services: Why Neighbourhoods Matter and Vibrant Local Leadership - passed to Cllr Whiting.

9.2

DEFRA:  Clean Neighbourhoods & Environment Bill – outline of measures passed to Cllr Jones.

9.         Correspondence (cont’d)

9.3

NSC Development & Environment News sheet:  Passed to Cllr Robinson.

9.4

Replacement Local Plan:  Colin Jones’ notes re pre-enquiry meeting on 17 February passed to Cllr Robinson.

9.5

Standards Board – A Code for the Future:  Consultation for review of Code of Conduct to be circulated around all Councillors.   Action PSS

9.6

Bristol Airport Master Plan consultation:  Distributed to some Councillors.

9.7

NSC Joint Local Transport Plan:  Consultation documents distributed to some Councillors.

9.8

NSC Joint Local Transport Plan 2006-11:  Cllrs Robinson and Ridley may attend Town & Parish Council consultation on 8 March at the Wintergardens, Weston –super-Mare.

10.       Parish Council Vacancy

The vacancy had been advertised for two weeks in the Mercury and there had been no more applications.  It was agreed to invite Mr Ray Hunt,the sole applicant from the Pill Paper report to attend the Council meeting on 14 March at 7pm.   Action PSS

11.       Watch House Hill

There had been a productive meeting on 23 February.  There was still a slight discrepancy about a boundary and Tony Moore was asked to check with Redrow what their understanding was.  There was also still a problem getting a contractor who was prepared to cut and remove the rubbish from the lower field.

It had been suggested that there should be a one-off thorough clearance by local volunteers of all protruding bricks from the new playing field, followed by an annual top dressing.  Cllr Duck said that this was an NSC responsibility and they should do the work.

Tony Moore would be clarifying footpaths and rights of way issues, signage had been agreed regarding no horses, no motorised vehicles and the clearing of dog mess, and three explanation boards about the area would be erected.

12.       Community Centre

Cllr Hunt had just received an interim report from PSL which he would distribute to all Councillors.  The survey had been completed internally but they had not been able to gain external access to the top of the building.  All problems with the building were said to be related to the top floor on the left when looking from the front.  The that part were to be removed and a roof put across, PSL believe that the problems would be solved.  It was considered that this work might cost in the region of £20,000.

13.       Parish element of Council Tax

The Clerk had calculated figures based on the formula provided by NSC.  It was agreed to publish these in the Pill Paper.   Action PSS

14.       Accounts for Payment

            The following accounts were presented for payment and cheques drawn:

Payee

Details

               £

SITA UK Ltd

Dog bin emptying

          109.39

BT

Telephone account

            57.69

SWEB Energy

Christmas lights

          212.41

J Hunt

Salary

          468.57

PC Strother Smith

Salary

          719.48

Post Office Ltd

Tax & NI

          399.68

LCR

Local Council Review subscription

            26.00

Colin Jones

Professional fees

       1,766.65

            In accordance with the agreement, one third of the Colin Jones charge will be reimbursed by Portbury Parish Council.

17.       Items for Future Agendas

Annual Parish Meeting (14/3)

Colin Jones, retention of (14/3)

Declarations of Interest

18.       Expenditure by Committees to date

Expenditure to date

Budgeted

                £

       £

Finance & General Purposes (General Admin)

           24,265

  38,355

Finance & General Purposes (St Lighting)

           16,174

  26,645

Planning

             1,767

    8,000

Playing Fields

             2,008

    6,350

Open Spaces & Amenities

             4,732

  19,000

Public Footpaths & Rights of Way

                NIL

       650

Community Centre Redevelopment

                NIL

  10,000

Contingency Fund

                NIL

    1,000

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

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