Council Pill Paper Reports - 2003

DEC 2003

PARISH PLAN - If anyone who was unable to attend the successful meeting on 22^nd October would like to join the steering group for formulating a plan for the future of the Parish, please could they contact Cllr. Gerry Hunt  (372940)

OVERGROWN VEGETATION - The Council would like to remind residents that they are responsible for cutting back any vegetation that overhangs or intrudes onto the pavement, the road or any footpath alongside their property.

DISPOSAL OF RUBBISH - Please note that items of rubbish unsuitable or too large for roadside collection can be taken to the North Somerset tip in Valley Road, North Weston (nr. Portishead), which is open seven days a week.

SPEEDWATCH - To date the Council has received insufficient volunteers for this scheme, designed to cut down on speeding in the village (particularly along Priory Road and Lodway). If anyone else would be interested please contact the Parish Clerk. A video giving more information is also available.

CRIME FIGURES - The April to September crime figures were reported to the October Council meeting. Overall these showed a 36% reduction in Pill and a 37% reduction in Easton compared to the same period in 2002. These compared to a reduction of 19.4% for the whole of North Somerset. However there was an increase in three areas – 5 house burglaries in Easton (up from 2), 9 car thefts in Pill (up from 2) and 6 car thefts in Easton (up from 3). Of the 14 house burglaries recorded in Pill and Easton 11 occurred in September 2003 and an outsider from the parish has been arrested for the majority of these.

TWINNING - Readers may remember that about eighteen months ago the question of possibly twinning with a similar community in Europe was discussed, but then abandoned in the absence of any definite ideas. Suddenly out of the blue we have been contacted by the authorities from St Adresse, a small town just north of Le Havre, saying they would be very interested in a link with Pill and Easton. The literature they have sent suggests it has a similar number of organisations, clubs etc. to ourselves (although better facilities!) and is also home to several pilots who work from Le Havre. One Parish Councillor hopes ((at his own expense!)  to visit St Adresse as part of an overnight trip to France in the near future and make contact with the correspondent. It may be that a few other people might like to consider doing the same, either as individuals or as a representative of a group, club etc. This could then lead to an informal link if not a full twinning arrangement in the future. If anyone would like to borrow the information that has been sent from St Adresse, please contact the Clerk, Peter Strother Smith on 859516 or Cllr. Gerry Hunt on 372940.

PEDESTRIAN CROSSING AT HARDWICK ROAD/LODWAY

By the time this appears, the public consultation period for the provision of a crossing at this site will be almost at an end.

OCT 2003

Skateboard Park - at Ham Green. At its last meeting the Parish Council voted to support the planning application that has been made for the development of the skateboard park, and has recommended its approval by North Somerset planners.

Footpaths   -   If   anyone   has   any comments/complaints etc concerning any of the footpaths in the parish, please get in touch with Parish Councillor Derek Waters (Tel 374848).

Recycling - Kerbside recycling is now to be made available for anyone within Pill and Easton for paper, glass, cans, textiles and shoes. If you would like more information or a recycling box, please ring 01934 634886.

SEPT 2003

VACANCIES There are two vacancies for the Parish Council. Anyone interested in being co-opted should contact the Clerk, Peter Strother Smith, in writing - either via the Resource Centre or at "Spindles", Tickenham Hill, Tickenham BS21 6SP

SPEEDWATCH This is a scheme, successfully on trial in some villages, which involves a team of volunteers monitoring and reporting speeding motorists. The Parish Council is considering whether to take part. Anyone interested in finding out more, or possibly offering themselves as a volunteer, should contact the Parish Clerk, Peter Strother Smith, either via the Resource Centre or by phoning 01275 859516. Depending on the response, the Council will arrange a meeting when the scheme can be explained in full

ROAD SAFETY (1) The Parish Council and North Somerset have accepted that the hatching" at the junction of St George's Hill and the A369 has not been as successful as had been hoped. A third of the hatching is therefore being removed.

ROAD SAFETY (2) A 20 mph limit is being introduced in Rectory Road, together with three "speed humps". Residents have been consulted over this.

KERBSIDE RECYCLING This has now been reintroduced in Pill and Easton for people who have not previously had the opportunity. For details contact North Somerset Waste Management (01275 888888).

CHANGE OF LAND USE The Parish Council is aware that some residents have extended their gardens into land at the rear of their property (some officially and some unofficially!). It should be pointed out that a planning application for change of use must be made if the land was previously agricultural use, and that the presumption will be against that permission being given.

THE PRECINCT Councillors are continuing to receive complaints from traders, residents and shoppers about the playing of football and skateboarding in the precinct. The co-operation of parents would be appreciated in stopping this.

DOG MESS (again!) This time the footpath between Hardwick Road and Oak Grove is under complaint. Please take it home or dispose of it in the bins provided!