Jan 2004 Council Minutes

EASTON IN GORDANO PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Council meeting on Monday 26 January 2004

Present:

Cllrs G. Duck (Chairman), S. Baker, V. Pritchard, V. Robinson, B. Stowers,

D. Waters, R. Whiting & B Langton (acting as clerk)

Apologies:

Cllrs G. Jones, G Hunt, K Burchell, D. Clegg, S. Ridley & Mr P Strother Smith (Clerk).

1. Public Participation
1.1	It was questioned as to why North Somerset Council (NSC) has not taken effective action against Redrow Homes in view of their non-compliance with the 106 agreement linked to the Ham Green housing development, and suggested that much stronger action should be pursued.
1.2	Mr Hunt asked why nothing has been heard from the Port Company concerning the meeting that had been promised with residents. He also again asked for a sound barrier to be erected to shield residents from noise. In reply it was pointed out that the request for a meeting had been repeated at the most recent Rail Liaison Meeting. A further letter from the PC was proposed. Other problems linked to the railway include the accumulation of thistles on the land leased by the Parish Council (PC), litter accumulation and the non-functioning light under the bridge on the cycleway.
1.3	Information about the progress of the proposed skateboard park was requested. A change of site has been suggested: the new position being less likely to affect residents and, importantly, offering much better drainage. It was recognised that Pill is short of facilities for young people and acknowledged that the skateboard group has acted very impressively. The police are investigating the possibility of a mobile facility.

2. Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting on 8 December 2003
	The minutes were confirmed and signed, with one amendment: the date of the previous PC meeting was altered to 24 November 2003. (See Item 2.)
2.1	Ref 4.3.1 A meeting to discuss a long term lease of the Community Centre has been arranged for Monday 2 Feb at 6.00pm in the Community Centre.
2.2	Ref 5.1 It was asked if more could not be done to support the residents suffering from noise from the railway. It was pointed out that the Port and Train Companies had made many ameliorating changes as a result of PC representations. Agreed: a letter to be written to the Port Company to urge that it honours the promise of a meeting with residents.

3. Crime & Disorder
3.1	Community Support Officers Linda Richards and Debbie Charman said that there had been 31 reported crimes within the Parish in the 3 months 12.10.03 - 12.01.04 – down 4 on the same period last year. (6 violent crimes, including domestic violence, 1 sex offence, 2 dwelling burglaries, 6 non-dwelling burglaries, 7 thefts from motor vehicles, 4 cases of criminal damage and 5 of anti-social behaviour. There is no information about clear-up rates.
3.2	The officers were congratulated on their effectiveness in dealing with anti-social behaviour in the village. By talking to offenders, visiting their homes etc the problem has been greatly diminished.

3. Crime & Disorder (cont’d)
3.3	PC J Bartlett is to start as the new Community Officer at the end of January.
3.4	The police are seeking a meeting with NSC to discuss ways of deterring young people from getting on the flat roofs of the precinct buildings.

4. Committee Reports
4.1 Playing Fields
4.1.1	Ref item 2: A mole expert has been contacted and will give an estimate.
4.1.2	Ref item 3: The pitches at Ham Green have been due since 1999. The possibility of a case against NSC for maladministration was discussed. Agreed: that a letter should be written to invite the Chief Executive of NSC to a meeting with the PC to discuss NSC's prolonged inaction and the advice of ACLA be sought about the process of making a formal complaint against the local authority. Action PSS

4.2 Open Spaces & Amenities

4.2.1

Contribution re Water Lane to Westward Drive footpath

The Footpath Maintenance Officer is to move ahead with planning this improvement. The value of the agreed contribution to costs from the PC has been acknowledged.

4.3 Finance & General Purposes Committee
4.3.1	Ref item 2: it was confirmed that this item is in hand.
4.3.2	Ref item 3: Cllr Whiting explained that 5 years have elapsed since the agreement with the Allotment Association and we are now out of time to insist on an increased rent for the next 5 years. Agreed: the Association should be invited to the February Committee Meeting to discuss the matter. Action PSS
4.3.3	Ref item 5: see 2.1. above.

4.4 Planning Committee
4.4.1	Ref item 5: a response has been agreed and sent on behalf of the PC and Portbury PC.
4.4.2	Cllr Robinson reported that we have now received a copy of the trees in the Parish which have Tree Preservation Orders. Agreed: that a letter should be written to Brian Heaton (a recognised Conservation Officer) to invite him to the next Committee Meeting to discuss the use of the information. Action PSS

5. Reports of Meetings with Other Bodies
5.1	Cllr Duck reported meeting with Frank Cox (Highways Officer) on the question of pavements in the village, including the High Pavement. A study will be made and the results reported to the PC.

6. Correspondence
A summary of correspondence had been circulated prior to the meeting
6.1	Ref the list of streetlights: agreed that most councillors do not require a copy but Cllrs Pritchard and Whiting requested copies.
6.2	Ref Morgan's Charity: agreed that Roger Collins would undertake the role. Agreed: the clerk to write to invite him formally to become a trustee of the charity. Action PSS.
6.3	Ref the Hardwick Road Playing Field lease: Cllr Whiting agreed to follow the matter up.
6.4	Ref the Avon River Trail request for stories about the river: agreed to place an item in the Pill Paper report.

7. Budget & Precept for year to 31 march 2005
7.1	Cllr Whiting reported that the Playing Fields budget had been amended, whilst keeping the total figure for the committee the same.
7.2	The anticipated income for the next financial year excluding the precept is £42,795. Last year's precept was £70 000. After discussion it was agreed that a further figure of £5 000 should be included in the budget for expenditure on roadways and pavements. It was therefore proposed that the precept be increased by 5.7% to £74 000, making a total income of 116 795. Proposed: Cllr Whiting; Seconded: Cllr Pritchard. Carried; nem con.

8. Parish Plan

8.1

Cllr Whiting reported that the meetings to date have been very encouraging and it is the view of the councillors who have been involved that we should agree to the matter proceeding. In due course, the PC will need to submit a grant application, and a small fund will be needed to provide for preliminary activity. This was agreed and Cllrs Whiting and Robinson were nominated as the PC representatives on the Steering Committee. The next meeting of the Steering Committee is on Wed 28.01.04 at 6.30 pm at St Katherine's School.

9. Date of Annual Parish Meeting
9.1	The meeting was fixed at 8.00 pm on Monday 26 April. The monthly meeting of the PC will be held at 6.30 on the same evening, with no item of public participation.

10. Date of Annual Meeting
10.1	Monday 24 May at 7.00 pm

11. Accounts for Payment

The following accounts were presented for payment and cheques drawn:

	Payee	Details	£
	SITA	Dog bin emptying – November	73.60
	Serviceteam Ltd	Mowing – October	76.84
	Unique Pub Properties	Rent re bus shelter site	11.75
	DW Searle & Son	Erection of bin at play area	64.00
The above were signed at the Committee meetings on 12 January 2004.
	SWEB Energy	Street lighting a/c 7–9/03	1002.18
	SWEB Energy	Street lighting a/c 10-12/03	1002.18
	SWEB	Pavilion a/c	35.68
	Pill Community Centre	Hire of facilities - Oct - Dec 03	136.00
	J Hunt	Salary	414.10
	PC Strother Smith	Salary	700.07
	North Somerset Council	Supply of 2 grit bins	200.00
	North Somerset Council	Election Charges May 03	175.02
	Post Office Ltd	Tax & NI	370.53
	SITA	Dog bin emptying – December	85.87

12. Any Other Urgent Business
12.1	Two items were agreed for the next agenda: a) the venue for PC meetings. It is suggested that the upstairs room offers a better venue than the one downstairs. (It has been checked that this idea would present no problems to the Community Centre) b) Standing Orders and the declaration of interests.
12.2	It was agreed that the April committee meetings will be held on Monday 5 April, as Monday 12 April is Easter Monday.
12.3	The Civic Service is now fixed for Sunday 14 March at 11.00 am in Pill Church.

13. Pill Paper

The following items will be submitted:

· The request for stories concerning the river

· The precept

· The new community beat officer

· The upgrading of the Water Lane footpath

· The Civic Service.

14. Expenditure by Committees to date

	Expenditure to date	Budgeted
	£	£
Playing Fields	3,346	5,975
Open Spaces & Amenities	29,289	17,850
Finance & General Purposes (St Lighting)	18,305	18,900
Finance & General Purposes (General Admin)	32,435	42,212
Planning	8,110	10,000
Footpaths	NIL	200
Community Centre Redevelopment	4,135	10,000
Contingency Fund	NIL	1,038

…..………………………….Signed

…..…………………………..Dated

EASTON IN GORDANO PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Planning Committee meeting on Monday 26 January 2004

Present:

Cllrs Duck, Robinson, Whiting and Langton (acting as clerk)

Apologies:

Cllr Hunt, Mr P. Strother Smith (Clerk).

1.	The following applications have been approved:
	03/P/2956/F	Railway Inn, Pill	Extension – rear single-storey.
	02/P/2939/F	The Tynings, Martcombe Rd, EIG	Erection of polytunnel.
	03/P/3011/F	Chapel Pill Lane, Pill	Construction of new pumping station.
	03/P/2971/F	10 Lodway, Pill	Side extension.
	03/P/2772/F	34 Stoneyfields, EIG	Single-storey front extension.

2.	The following application has been withdrawn:
	03/P/2959/F	Sunnyside, Martcombe Rd, EIG	Conversion of agricultural building to dwelling.

3.	New Applications – there was no objection to the following:
	04/P/0005/F	5 Lime Tree Grove, Pill	Single-storey side & rear extension.
	04/P/0014/F	18 Church Road EIG	Rear Conservatory.
	03/P/2907/F	6 The Lovells EIG	Post-approval amendment

4.	New Application:
	04/P/0052/F	Lafarge Plasterboard, EIG	Removal of planning condition which prevents storage or deposition of materials in the open
	Although there was no necessary objection to this, Councillors were concerned that no reason for this relaxation was given, and hence that the nature of the materials to be stored was unclear.

Minutes of the Council meeting on Monday 26 January 2004

1. Public Participation

2. Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting on 8 December 2003

4. Committee Reports

4.1 Playing Fields

4.2 Open Spaces & Amenities

5. Reports of Meetings with Other Bodies

Pill Community Centre

Hire of facilities - Oct - Dec 03

136.00

North Somerset Council

Supply of 2 grit bins

200.00

12. Any Other Urgent Business

14. Expenditure by Committees to date

Playing Fields

3,346

5,975

Finance & General Purposes (General Admin)

32,435

42,212

Minutes of the Planning Committee meeting on Monday 26 January 2004