EASTON IN GORDANO PARISH COUNCIL

EASTON IN GORDANO PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Council meeting on Monday 27 October 2003

Present:

Cllrs G. Hunt (Chairman), K. Belcher, K. Burchell, D. Clegg, G. Jones, S. Ridley, V. Robinson, B. Stowers, D. Waters, Mr P Strother Smith (Clerk).

Apologies:

Cllrs G. Duck,, B. Langton, V. Pritchard, R. Whiting.

The Chairman welcomed Cllrs Burchell and Clegg, who, having been co-opted at the previous meeting, were attending their first Council meeting. Cllr Burchell will join the Finance & General Purposes, Planning and Footpaths committees and Cllr Clegg the Open Spaces & Amenities, Planning and Footpaths committees.

1. Public Participation
1.1.	Mr Brian Hunt, of Avon Road, raised three issues: The field near his house had not been cut for a very long time and weed seeds were causing a considerable problem. It was reported that Cllr Duck had inspected the area and arranged for a farmer to cut the field. The farmer had, however, been unable to access some areas. There was some debate as to whether or not the land in question was that leased from the Port Company and the matter would be raised at the next meeting with them. Coal trains were still causing him a great deal of disturbance. He discussed the matter of greasing and sound proof fencing. It was agreed that this would be raised at the forthcoming Rail Liaison meeting. Bottles were not being collected by North Somerset Council (NSC) from Avon Road. The Clerk would follow this up. Action PSS
1.2	Mr Alan Smith, the new Chairman of the Community Centre Management Committee, wished to make a presentation to the Council on redevelopment plans. This would be put on the agenda for the next meeting. Action PSS

2. Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting on 22 September 2003
	The minutes were confirmed and signed.

3. Crime & Disorder
3.1	Inspector Patrick McGowan was present and gave a summary of crime figures for the April-September period. He also said that there had been two recent significant arrests involving people who had been responsible for a large proportion of burglaries in the North Somerset area.
3.2	Asked about the drug problem, he said that there were undercover police operations in the area and that most acquisition crime was in order to feed this habit.
3.3	As regards motorcycles causing a nuisance on Watch House Hill, he said incidents could be videoed, culprits identified and a visit from the police arranged. This usually would solve the problem. If this failed, motorcycles could be confiscated.

4. Committee Reports
4.1 Playing Fields
	Nothing to report.

4.2 Open Spaces & Amenities
4.2.1	It was confirmed that the Clerk was dealing with Wicksteed Leisure on the ROSPA report for the play area and with NSC regarding tree pruning.
4.2.2	Cllr Duck reported via the Clerk on the footpath between Water Lane and Westward Drive. Overhanging vegetation had been dealt with. The next phase will deal with preventing further bank slippage and improvement to the surface.

4.3 Finance & General Purposes Committee
4.3.1	Cllr Pritchard had e-mailed a report on the website (www.easton-in-gordano.org.uk ). The new Councillors, Minutes, Pill Paper reports and a hyperlink to the Pill Community website are now included. Councillors were encouraged to supply photographs. There appeared to be little progress on a logo.

4.4 Planning Committee
	Nothing to report.

5. Reports of Meetings with Other Bodies
5.1	Port Liaison Meeting: Coal trains are to increase again and car trains are to increase by to 3 per week.
5.2	Rail Liaison Committee Meeting (25 November): A survey of transport will be sought.

6. Correspondence
A summary of correspondence had been circulated prior to the meeting. Councillors were reminded to contact the Clerk if they wished to have copies of any items.
6.1	Avon Wildlife Trust: Letter to be passed to Finance & General Purposes for recommendation on renewal of membership.
6.2	Watch House Hill/Redrow: A detailed response to the Clerk’s letter was still awaited from NSC’s Chief Executive (since received on 30 October).
6.3	Zebra Crossing – Lodway: NSC notice to be displayed on noticeboards.
6.4	Pavement outside GP Surgery: Response awaited from practice (since received on 30 October saying that work should commence in next 3 weeks).

7. Parish Plans
	Cllr Hunt reported on a successful open meeting on 22 October with an attendance of 30. There had been two visiting speakers, Tony Horry of Kewstoke Parish Council and Lesley Newman of Community Action. The working party will arrange a further meeting to progress plans. An article will be submitted to the Pill Paper. Action GH

8. Twinning

Cllr Hunt had received an e-mail from Sainte Adresse, near Le Havre, who are interested in the possibility of ‘twinning’ with us. The town has a similarity with Pill, in that it provides pilots for Le Havre. Cllr Hunt will visit the town on his next trip to France.

It was agreed to mention this in the Pill Paper and seek people’s views. Action GH

9. Community Speedwatch
	There had been only two possible volunteers from our recent press announcements. More are needed – say, at least six – to make the project feasible. Another announcement will be put in the Pill Paper, mentioning specific sites (e.g. Lodway) and the two volunteers will be asked if they can gather more support. Action GH/PSS

10. Remembrance Sunday
	The Clerk reported that the main service this year will be at St George’s on 9 November at 10am with laying of wreaths at 11am. There will be a gathering at Christ Church on 11 November at about 10.45am for a short service and laying of wreaths at 11am. Cllr Duck has the wreaths and will lay them. Action GD

11. Date of December meeting
	It was agreed that Committees and the Council meeting will all be held on Monday 8 December, Committees starting at 6.30pm and the Council meeting starting at 7.15pm or as soon thereafter as possible. Action PSS

12. Accounts for Payment

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

Payee		Details	£
SITA		Dog bin emptying - August	73.60
B. Sexton		Parish Plan notice	40.00
GCP		Consultancy fees	317.25
North Somerset Council		Neighbourhood Watch	52.50
SEC		Street light maintenance	696.31
Serviceteam		Grass cutting	190.58
Community Centre		Room rent	115.00
Meade King		Parish Plan notice	56.17
Pill Community Foundation		Parish Plan notice	20.00
J. Hunt		Salary	396.21
PC Strother Smith		Salary	681.31
Post Office		Tax & NI	350.85
North Somerset Council		Dog bin for Watch House Hill	131.77
G.T.C. Sports Ltd		New goal posts	1,185.72

	The account from Royal British Legion for the wreaths was referred to Finance & General Purposes to recommend whether or not an additional donation should be made.

13. Any Other Urgent Business
	None.

14. Pill Paper

The following items will be submitted:

Council tip

Twinning

Details of the December meetings

Parish Plans

Community Speedwatch

15. Expenditure by Committees to date

	Expenditure to date	Budgeted
	£	£
Playing Fields	3,140	5,975
Open Spaces & Amenities	24,808	17,850
Finance & General Purposes (St Lighting)	16,300	18,900
Finance & General Purposes (General Admin)	33,064	42,212
Planning	4,511	10,000
Footpaths	NIL	200
Community Centre Redevelopment	4,135	10,000
Contingency Fund	NIL	1,038

…..………………………….Signed

…..…………………………..Dated

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PLANNING COMMITTEE

Present:

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

Mr P Strother Smith (Clerk).

Apologies:

Cllrs G. Duck,, B. Langton, V. Pritchard, R. Whiting.

1. The following application has been approved by NSC:
03/P/2277/F	3 Hart Close, Ham Green	Rear extension

2. New Planning applications There was no objection to the following applications:
03/P/2592/F	50a Westward Drive, Pill	Conservatory
03/P/2539/TPO	1 Station Road, Pill	Oak pollard
03/P/2584/LB	St George’s Hall, EIG	External repairs
03/P/2640/F	St Katherines School	Extension for new entrance & accommodation

Minutes of the Council meeting on Monday 27 October 2003

1. Public Participation

2. Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting on 22 September 2003

4. Committee Reports

4.1 Playing Fields

4.2 Open Spaces & Amenities

5. Reports of Meetings with Other Bodies

B. Sexton

Parish Plan notice

40.00

SEC

Street light maintenance

696.31

Meade King

Parish Plan notice

56.17

PC Strother Smith

Salary

681.31

Post Office

Tax & NI

350.85

North Somerset Council

Dog bin for Watch House Hill

131.77

13. Any Other Urgent Business

15. Expenditure by Committees to date

Playing Fields

3,140

5,975

Finance & General Purposes (General Admin)

33,064

42,212