Nov 2003 Council Minutes

EASTON IN GORDANO PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Council meeting on Monday 24 November 2003

Present:

Cllrs G. Duck (Chairman), G. Hunt, K. Burchell, D. Clegg, G. Jones, B. Langton, V. Pritchard, S. Ridley, V. Robinson, B. Stowers, D. Waters & R. Whiting,

Mr P Strother Smith (Clerk).

Apologies:

Cllrs K. Belcher & K. Brooks.

1. Public Participation
1.1	Mr Alan Smith, Chairman of the Community Centre Management Committee, gave a presentation on the future of the Community Centre. He said they were taking a broader view of the community as a whole and a new website for the village had been developed. A study of the 1999 appraisal document and costings had been made. By fundraising over 5 years and setting a target for each year, he believed that necessary funds could be achieved. Work would be grouped into specific projects. Plans would depend on the Parish Council being prepared to hand over the Centre on a long lease, say 40 years, as this would give access to funding agencies which would otherwise be closed. The matter would be discussed at Committee on 8 December. Action PSS (Agenda)
1.2	Mr Brian Hunt enquired about the issues he raised at the previous meeting. The weed seeds from the uncut field and noise from the trains were to be discussed at the Rail Liaison Committee on 25 November. He also mentioned that none of the lights in the tunnel were working. North Somerset Council (NSC) had been reminded that they should be collecting the green boxes for bottles from Avon Road.

2. Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting on 27 October 2003
	The minutes were confirmed and signed.
	It was noted that the pavement outside the GP Surgery had been completed.

3. Crime & Disorder
3.1	Motor cyclists had been causing trouble riding on Watch House field and ploughing up the ground. It was suggested that NSC should be asked to install barriers to prevent their gaining access. Action PSS
3.2	Cllr Ridley said that she and others were aware of particular youths who were causing trouble in the precinct and at Watch House field and the police had been informed.
3.3	Cllr Duck said that NSC had been asked to replace the vandalised trees and seat at Ham Green.

4. Committee Reports
4.1 Playing Fields
4.1.2	Cllr Stowers reported that the boiler at the pavilion was now working.
4.1.3	It was reported that the moles are causing a problem again.

4.2 Open Spaces & Amenities
4.2.1	Cllr Langton suggested that the lost tree on Victoria Park should be replaced.
4.2.2	Cllr Duck reported that NSC did not have money in the budget to undertake the requested pruning of trees in Victoria Park and at Hardwick Road. It was agreed that we should obtain three quotes for the work to be paid for by us and liaise with John Flanagan of NSC before proceeding. Action PSS

4.3 Finance & General Purposes Committee
4.3.1	Avon Wildlife Trust: It was agreed that we would renew our membership at £35 for the year.
4.3.2	Royal British Legion: It was agreed that our cheque for the two wreaths should be rounded up to £40.
4.3.3	Parish Plans: Notes of the recent working party meeting would be distributed with these minutes. It had been considered that a number of issues such as highways and rights of way were ideal matters for the plan. The next meeting of the working party and steering group would on 14 January. Action PSS to distribute notes

4.4 Planning Committee
4.4.1	36 Lodway: The proposed new development had been approved on appeal. There were lessons to be learnt from this for future applications in terms of needing sound planning reasons for objection.
4.4.2	Footpath/Cycle Path: The application along the old railway line had been approved, subject to its removal should the line be reopened.
4.4.3	4 St Georges Hill: Cllr Robinson reported that this application for an extension at the rear and to the conservatory might be objected to by neighbours. We had raised no objection.
4.4.4	New pedestrian crossing by Hardwick Road: Cllr Jones considered that this would cause a problem with people wishing to park outside the shop. Cllr Duck would obtain a plan of the crossing and have it displayed in the shop. Action GD

5. Reports of Meetings with Other Bodies
	None

6. Correspondence
A summary of correspondence had been circulated prior to the meeting
6.1	Transfer Notice: Received in respect of Miss Katherine Louise Cullimore taking over The Kings Arms at St Georges Hill.
6.2	Pill in Bloom: A letter had been received asking us to write and support their application for funds from NSC. It was agreed that we would. Action PSS
6.3	Skateboard Park: Cllr Ridley had received advice from NSC to withdraw the application for the skateboard park until the property ownership of the land and technical aspects of drainage had been resolved. NSC had shown much helpful support for the application. Cllr Duck pointed out that the 106 agreement had expired in September.
6.4	Local Access Forum – Links with Parish Councils: It was agreed that we would invite our allocated LAF member, Mr David Mazur, to the February Council meeting. Action PSS
6.5	North Somerset Agricultural Society: A letter seeking a donation towards their new local education centre at Tyntesfield was passed to Cllr Whiting for consideration at the next committee meeting.

7. Pavements

Cllr Waters asked that the Council give consideration to railings being installed along the high pavement between Debeccas Lane and The Poplars and a new pavement being created outside the brewery. A letter from a parishioner had been handed to the Clerk in support of the former. Cllr Waters would design an insert for the Pill Paper to allow public consultation on the issues for review at a later meeting. Action DW/GH (Pill Paper) & PSS (Agenda)

8. Street Lighting

The Clerk had contacted Connect South West to ascertain whether requested work for 2003 had been completed (Reply received on 26 November stated that only outstanding item was lantern conversions in Hardwick Road and this work was due to be done on 28 November).

The Clerk was asked to distribute copies of the lighting survey to all Councillors for discussion at a later meeting. Action PSS

9. Clerk’s Contract, Probationary Period & Pay Review

Proposed by Cllr Whiting and seconded by Cllr Waters, it was agreed that Mr Strother Smith’s position as Clerk should confirmed following a successful probationary period.

Proposed by Cllr Whiting and seconded by Cllr Stowers, it was agreed that his pay should be increased by one increment on the Clerks’ LC2 pay scale.

Proposed by Cllr Whiting and seconded by Cllr Jones, it was agreed that the contract drawn up should be confirmed and signed.

10. Accounts for Payment

The following accounts were presented for payment and cheques ordered to be drawn:

Payee	Details	£
BT	Number change message	29.37
BT	Telephone a/c	61.91
SITA	Dog bin emptying – September	79.74
Avon Wildlife Trust	Subscription	35.00
Streetmaster Products	2 new litter bins	653.30
G. Duck	Chairman’s allowance	125.00
Mazars	External audit fee	411.25
J. Hunt	Salary	396.31
P. Strother Smith	Salary	681.31
Cash	Petty cash	20.00
Post Office Ltd	Tax & NI	350.75
DW Searle	Installing new litter bins	128.00
Royal British Legion	2 wreaths + donation	40.00

13. Any Other Urgent Business
	The Youth Club had asked, through Cllr Jones, whether they could hold a Christmas event on 17 December on Watch House field. As this is not our property, Cllr Jones would advise them to contact NSC or Redrow. Action GJ

14. Pill Paper

The following items will be submitted:

Pavement issues

Street lighting – Black spots

Confirmation of Clerk’s position

15. Expenditure by Committees to date

	Expenditure to date	Budgeted
	£	£
Playing Fields	3,140	5,975
Open Spaces & Amenities	28,481	17,850
Finance & General Purposes (St Lighting)	16,300	18,900
Finance & General Purposes (General Admin)	28,728	42,212
Planning	8,110	10,000
Footpaths	NIL	200
Community Centre Redevelopment	4,135	10,000
Contingency Fund	NIL	1,038

Above expenditure figures contain some adjustments/corrections between ‘cost centres’.

…..………………………….Signed

…..…………………………..Dated

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PLANNING COMMITTEE

Present:

Cllrs V. Robinson (Chairman), G. Duck, G. Hunt, K. Burchell, D. Clegg,

B. Langton, V. Pritchard, R. Whiting, Mr P Strother Smith (Clerk).

Apologies:

Cllrs Belcher & Brooks.

1. The following applications have been approved by NSC:
03/P/2509/F	9 South Grove, Pill	Conservatory
03/P/2503/F	10 Wyndham Crescent, EIG	Porch & re-roofing of dormer
03/P/2472/O	Applehayes, Rectory Road, EIG	3 dwellings (Outline)
03/P/2483/F	15 Anchor Way, Pill	Side extension

2. New Planning application

There was no objection to the following application:

03/P/2850/F

Brandon Cott, Martcombe Rd, EIG

Side extension

3. Post Decision Amendment

There was no objection to the following:

02/P/2101/F

1 Back Lane, Pill

Change from flat to pitch roof dormers

Minutes of the Council meeting on Monday 24 November 2003

1. Public Participation

2. Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting on 27 October 2003

4. Committee Reports

4.1 Playing Fields

4.2 Open Spaces & Amenities

5. Reports of Meetings with Other Bodies

BT

Telephone a/c

61.91

Streetmaster Products

2 new litter bins

653.30

J. Hunt

Salary

396.31

Post Office Ltd

Tax & NI

350.75

DW Searle

Installing new litter bins

128.00

Royal British Legion

2 wreaths + donation

40.00

13. Any Other Urgent Business

15. Expenditure by Committees to date

Playing Fields

3,140

5,975

Finance & General Purposes (General Admin)

28,728

42,212