Apr2004 Committee Minutes

EASTON IN GORDANO PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Committee meetings on Monday 5 April 2004

Open Spaces & Amenities Committee

Present:

Cllrs Duck, Hunt, Baker, Clegg, Jones & Stowers,

Mr P. Strother Smith (Clerk).

In attendance:

Tony Moore & Pauline Pearce, of North Somerset Council (NSC),

& Mr Brian Heaton.

Apologies:

Cllrs Ridley & Waters.

1.	Watch House Fields: The NSC representatives were present to discuss this long running and unresolved issue. Mr Moore said he had had a meeting with Redrow last week and that NSC were now able to adopt some of the land, probably within 2 months and mainly in the area of the new housing. Once land had been adopted, NSC were far better equipped than Redrow to attend to its upkeep. Mr Moore said that the sports ground was not yet in a fit condition to be adopted due to inadequate surface and drainage. Furthermore, he said it was unlikely that it would be ready for the next football season. Mr Sayer said that feelings were running high in the Junior Football Club and amongst parents that new pitches were still not available. Mr Heaton was interested in the orchard. This too was likely to be adopted in the next 2 months. NSC would be keen to see this properly managed with the help of volunteers. Ms Pearce said that she had recently joined NSC and that Mr Moore was now specifically tasked to expedite 106 agreements; thus resources were in place to move this issue forward with a great sense of urgency then hitherto. Once land was adopted, there was a fund of £350,000 available to NSC to cover maintenance over a 15 year period. It was agreed there should be a long term vision and management plan for the area once it had all been adopted. Councillors asked NSC for proposed timescales for completion of outstanding issues. They also wished to have an update on progress in time for the Annual Parish Meeting on 26 April. Mr Moore agreed to keep in e-mail contact with the Clerk.

2.	National Spring Clean Campaign: There had been no response from St Katherine’s School or the Youth Club regarding help on this matter. It was suggested that the Village Orderly could be asked to extend her duties to include the messier parts of the village. Initially, the Clerk would submit a schedule of her present village cleaning duties. Action PSS The Clerk would write to NSC asking if road sweeping schedules could be changed to times when there was less on street parking. Action PSS

3.	Litter Bins: Cllrs Duck and Robinson had met Mr Simon Banbury of NSC to agree siting of new litter bins. These would be in the precinct (x 3), Bank Place, Pump Square, Marine Parade, by the Co-op and by the Post Office. Standard plastic bins will be free to the Parish and Mr Banbury will submit costings for cast iron bins.

4.	Back Lane: NSC would be asked to clean the Back Lane road sign and repaint the steps as part of the next General Purpose Gang. Action PSS

Playing Fields Management Committee

Present:

Cllrs Duck, Hunt, Baker & Stowers, Mr S. Sayer (Junior Football Club),

Mr P. Strother Smith (Clerk).

Apologies:

Cllrs Ridley & Waters.

1.	Moles: It was agreed that Mr Symes would be asked to continue keeping an eye on the mole situation.

2.	Football fixtures: Mr Sayer submitted a list of Football Club fixtures played up to 31 March 2004. The Clerk would invoice the Club for these. Action PSS

Finance & General Purposes Committee

Present:	Cllrs Duck, Hunt, Burchell, Jones & Whiting, Mr P. Strother Smith (Clerk).
Apologies:	Cllrs Langton, Pritchard & Waters.

Pill in Bloom: It appeared that most avenues for funding from NSC, with the possible exception of the North Area Committee, were now closed to Pill in Bloom. Consequently, Cllr Hunt asked if the Parish Council would consider agreeing in principle to allocating up to £300 for the purchase of hanging baskets. This was agreed.

Planning Committee

Present:

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

Mr P. Strother Smith (Clerk).

Apologies:

Cllrs Langton & Pritchard.

The following application has been approved:

04/P/0248/F

The Bakehouse, Back Lane,

Pill

Conversion of garage & store into 2 bedroom flat.

2.	The following application has been refused:
	04/P/0264/F	8 Rectory Road, EIG	Dormer window in existing loft bedroom.

3.	New Application – there was no objection to the following:
	04/P/0708/F	Celsius First Ltd, Garonor Way, Portbury	Erection of engineering storage & workshop building.
	04/P/0716/F	1 & 2 Baltic Place, Pill	Single storey extensions to front & rear.
	04/P/0764/PDA	Upper Happerton Farm, EIG	Erection of machinery/hay store.
	04/P/0770/F	1 & 2 Bank Place, Pill	Change of use from retail to community information, advice & support.
	Cllrs Hunt & Robinson declared their interest in this last application.

4.	New Application:
	04/P/0616/O	1 Church Road, EIG	Erection of dwelling (outline)
	Councillors wished to express their reservations with regard to access, the site and its levels and to reserve their right to object on receiving a full application.

5.	Joint meeting with Portbury PC and Colin Jones: Following this meeting on 24 March, Mr Jones had written to propose that his rates and conditions would continue unchanged for the coming year. It was recommended that these should be accepted. 26/4 agenda

6.	Tree Preservation Orders: Cllr Robinson would be meeting Mr Brian Heaton to discuss TPOs and would submit their findings in due course. Action VR