EASTON IN GORDANO PARISH COUNCIL

 

Minutes of the Committee meetings on Monday 8 September 2003

 

Planning Committee

 

Present:     Cllrs Duck, Hunt, Pritchard, Robinson, Whiting, Mr P. Strother Smith (Clerk).

 

1.         1 Back Lane, Pill

Cllr Baker reported numerous problems with this development.  Lorries were blocking access, damaging the road and dripping oil and residents were being badly affected.  Cllr Duck said that he had made several approaches to North Somerset Council about the problems and had taken photographs as evidence; building inspectors had visited the site on 3 occasions.  Perception of residents is that we are at fault, whereas the issue lies squarely with NSC.

 

2.         The following planning applications have been approved:

        03/P/1756/F3                Walon Ltd, West Dock Road, Portbury Dock

        02/P/2406/F                Bristol Cancer Help Centre

        02/P/2407/LB                Bristol Cancer Help Centre

        03/P/1935/F                25 Westward Drive, Pill

 

3.     New Planning applications

i)        03/P/2146/F    Disused railway beneath M5  Cycle & pedestrian path.

Suggested by Cllr Whiting we recommend approval on condition they agree to terminate route and revert to longer way round at 6 months’ notice if railway project reinstated.  Proposed by Cllr Hunt, seconded by Cllr Pritchard and passed by 4 to 2.  Action PSS

 

ii)        03/P/2148/F    Land in Public Open Space        Cycle & pedestrian path.

                at St Katherine’s Park                

 

No objection, but suggested, as condition, that barriers be inserted to stop motorcycles getting on to the path.  Action PSS

 

iii)        03/P/2198/F    Land adjacent to 6 The Green,        Skateboard Park.

                Ham Green

 

Cllr Waters supported the idea of this park but, on behalf of a number of local residents, objected to site chosen; he considered there to be 2 more appropriate sites.  Proposed by Cllr Hunt, seconded by Cllr Pritchard and agreed by 4 to 0 that we should support the plans as they stand.  Cllr Duck abstained.  Cllr Duck said he would ask for a site meeting where conditions of upkeep could be discussed and local residents could be invited to air their views.  It was agreed that the plans would be displayed at the Resource Centre.  Action GD

 

iv)        03/P/2201/F    18-20 Station Road, Pill   Change of use from 2 flats &

                                        offices to 4 flats + extension &

                                        parking spaces.

 

This application was questioned on a number of aspects.  There were poor design issues and lack of provision for parking.  In addition, the Postmaster (in attendance) raised three points, namely he believed there to be a government directive laying restrictions on change of use from employment to private dwelling, 4 flats seemed too many and, if the sorting office returns, this could be detrimental to future residents.  Action PSS

 

v)        03/P/2080/O    Eden Park (former Ham Green        Buildings for office use

                Hospital site)         (Outline).

 

No objection at present, but we await a detailed application with interest.

 

There was no objection to the following applications:

 

vi)        03/P/2044/F    Brandon Cottage, Common Lane        2-storey extension to each side

                E-in-G              of building.

vii)        03/P/2052/RG3        17&18 Crusty Lane, Pill   2 off-street parking areas.

viii)        03/P/2053/F    16 Fitzharding Rd, Ham Green        Conservatory.

ix)        03/P/2131/F    8 Rectory Road, E-in-G        Dormer window.

 

4.     Bus Shelter outside Elizabeth House

The type of new bus shelter proposed by NSC was approved.  Action PSS

 

5.         North Somerset Replacement Local Plan

Cllr Robinson had received a letter from NSC in reply to an objection we had made about the forest boundary being within Portbury Dock land.  The letter states that review of the boundary is not within the powers of this Plan, but falls under the Review of the Forest Plan, which is not due for some 5 years.

 

6.         West of England Strategic Partnership Rural Strategy Plan

Cllr Robinson undertook to draft a response to the consultation draft document.  This response would be circulated for comment.  Action VR/PSS

 

7.         Lighting Proposal for Marsh Lane Industrial Estate

Cllr Robinson undertook to draft a letter proposing that 6 metre lighting columns be installed instead of the planned 12 metre ones.  Action VR/PSS

 

8.         Tree Preservation Orders

Cllr Duck passed to Cllr Robinson details of all Tree Preservation Orders in the Parish which he had received from NSC.

 

 

Playing Fields Management Committee

 

Present:     Cllrs Duck, Hunt, Baker, Ridley, Waters, Mr J. Norval (Junior Football Club), Mr P. Strother Smith (Clerk).

Apologies:            Cllr Stowers.

 

1.      Goal Posts:  These had now been purchased.  The total cost was £1204.08 as opposed to an earlier estimate of £1000.  At present, this cost has been paid by the Junior Football Club, but they will try to reverse this and have the invoice directed to us so that we can reclaim the VAT.  Action JN

 

2.      Pavilion:  Mr Norval reported that volunteers would be sought to repaint the changing rooms.  Also, an electrician would be called to repair the heaters as well as someone to organise the locking of the goalposts.


 

Open Spaces & Amenities Committee

 

Present:     Cllrs Duck, Hunt, Waters, Mr P. Strother Smith (Clerk).

Apologies:            Cllr Stowers.

 

1.      Footpaths Committee:  Cllr Waters reported that there would be a sub-committee meeting on 11 September, that two footpaths by St Katherine’s School were getting overgrown and that he was prepared to organise working parties to deal with this and similar problems.  To do this he would need to go on a course on the public use of brush cutters.

 

2.      Rubbish Bins:  Cllr Whiting reported that two bins in Easton-in-Gordano were overflowing.  Both are locked and the refuse collectors cannot get to them.  Cllr Duck would ask the Village Orderly to see to this.  Action GD

 

In the absence of a number of members of the Committee, discussion on a skip and an additional rubbish bin in the precinct was postponed until the next meeting.

 

 

Finance & General Purposes Committee

 

Present:     Cllrs Duck, Hunt, Pritchard, Waters, Whiting, Mr P. Strother Smith (Clerk).

 

1.      Grants:  It was agreed to recommend the following grants, which match those given last year:

To Easton-in-Gordano PCC for maintenance of the Church burial ground  £1500

To Victim Support Avondale   £50

 

2.      Council Vacancy:  Keith Burchell had applied to fill one of the two vacancies.  It was agreed to invite him to attend the Council meeting on 22 September.

 

3.      Financial contribution to the Youth Club:  The NSC contribution was reported to be £3300 and, since we had agreed at the previous Council meeting to pay 40% of their amount, a cheque for £1320 will be sent.

 

4.      St John’s Ambulance Hall:  Cllr Robinson reported on a recent management committee meeting of the local St John’ Ambulance, who are endeavouring to keep the hall functioning as a community facility.  They have been given 12 months by their parent organisation, during which development plans will not be pursued.

 

5.      Parish Plans:  Cllr Hunt, reporting on the working party meeting of 3 September, said that an article as well as an insert would appear with the next Pill Paper.  Also, each organisation in the Parish would be contacted.  The next meeting would be on 22 October, to which Lindsey Newman of Community Action and Tony Horry of Kewstoke Parish Council had been invited.