EASTON IN GORDANO PARISH COUNCIL
Present: Cllrs G. Duck (Chairman), K. Brooks, G. Jones, V. Pritchard, B. Stowers,
D. Waters, Mr P. Strother Smith (Clerk).
In Attendance: Mr D. Clegg & Mr K. Burchell (Applicants for the 2 Council vacancies).
Apologies: Cllrs K. Belcher, G. Hunt, B. Langton, S. Ridley, V. Robinson, R. Whiting.
1.1 It was reported that the footpath between Water Lane and Westward Drive is overgrown.
1.2 Asked when a decision on the Shipway Farm enquiry was expected, Cllr Duck reported that this was due in December.
1.3 Members of the public expressed their objection to the siting of the proposed Skateboard Park, considering it unsuitable and unsympathetic to the area chosen. They supported the principle but believed that it would be better sited further down the hill towards the village. Cllr Duck hoped that there would be a site visit by North Somerset Council when the public could make their concerns known.
The minutes were confirmed and signed.
3. Crime & Disorder
3.1 There were apologies from the Police that they would not be represented at the meeting.
3.2 There had been a recent spate of burglaries in the village.
4.1.1 Cllr Jones asked who was responsible for providing cleaning materials at the sports pavilion. Cllr Stowers would ask the Village Orderly. Action BS
4.2.1 The footpaths at St Katherine’s School are still in a bad state. North Somerset Council’s Footpaths Officer has promised that these will be dealt with but, so far, nothing has been done.
4.2.2 Cllr Waters reconfirmed a desire for him and others on the footpaths sub-committee to have training in the use of brush cutters.
4.2.3 As regards access to emptying the blue bins in Easton-in-Gordano, Ian Crichton of the PCC has a key to the one by the football pitch and Jane Hunt has a key for the one at Gordano Gardens.
4.2.4 Cllr Jones suggested that the additional blue bin for the precinct should be placed by the fourth bollard along from the charity shop. It was also considered that a bin and a replacement seat should be installed on the green at the back of the pricinct.
4.2.5 Wickstead would be contacted about the gravel which is encroaching on the play area at Hardwick Road. Action PSS
4.3 Finance & General Purposes Committee
4.3.1 Grants of £1500 for the Easton-in-Gordano PCC and £50 for Victim Support Avondale were approved.
4.3.2 It was confirmed that a grant of £1320 had been paid to the Youth Club, being the agreed 40% of North Somerset Council’s grant.
4.4 Planning Committee
4.4.1 It was agreed that Cllr Robinson’s draft response to the consultation on the West of England Strategic Partnership Rural Strategy Framework should be submitted unchanged. Action PSS
4.4.2 Minutes of the Pill Precinct Redevelopment Committee meeting of 15 September were circulated to Councillors.
5.1 Cllr Waters reported that he and Cllr Robinson had attended an excellent seminar arranged by ALCA and recommended others to attend.
5.2 John Wallace has stood down after 11 years as Community Centre Chairman and been replaced by Alan Smith. The Clerk would send a letter thanking John Wallace for his work. Action PSS
6. Correspondence
A summary of correspondence had been circulated prior to the meeting.
6.1 Paul Ridley had sent an e-mail to the Police (copied to the Clerk) asking for advice on drug related activity at Ham Green Hill. Cllr Waters was shown a copy.
6.2 A letter had been received from North Somerset Council regarding land adjacent to 56 Hardwick Road being made available to the GP Surgery for access to a new car park. There was no objection to this. Action PSS
6.3 North Somerset Council had sent details of proposed traffic calming measures and a 20mph zone for Rectory Road. These proposals equated with our previously stated wishes. Action PSS
7. Parish Council Vacancies
Mr Keith Burchell, of The Cottage, Church Place, Pill and Mr David Clegg, of 10 Hardwick Road were in attendance, having responded to our advertisement about the two vacancies. Both gave an account of their backgrounds and were accepted for co-option to the Council. They were invited to stay for the rest of the meeting. As the two vacancies were in the Easton-in-Gordano Ward, they would sit as representatives of that area. The Clerk would write to them to complete formalities. Action PSS
8. Accounts for Payment
The following accounts were presented for payment and cheques ordered to be drawn:
Payee Details £
SITA Dog bin emptying - July 93.02
Konica Photocopier 8.71
Serviceteam Grass cutting 170.61
Portbury PC Half share Colin Jones’ fees 1,917.98
Playground Management Ltd Annual check of play area 89.89
Pill Youth Club Donation 1,320.00
The above cheques were signed at the Committee meetings on 8 September 2003.
Jane Hunt Salary 396.31
PC Strother Smith Salary 681.31
Post Office Ltd Tax & NI 350.75
Cash Petty Cash 20.00
Barringtons of Bristol Stationery 31.27
Easton-in-Gordano PCC Grant 1,500.00
Victim Support Avondale Grant 50.00
9.1 Watch House Hill: This area remains most unsatisfactory. Cllr Duck said that Sarah Lomas had written to complain. The Clerk was asked to write to North Somerset asking again why they had still not sought full compliance from Redrow with the 106 agreement. Action PSS
9.2 Councillors discussed the issue of restrictions on the lighting of bonfires and it was agreed that we should check what they are. Action PSS (NSC say that there are no restrictions. Just avoid upsetting the neighbours).
10. Pill Paper
The following item is to be submitted:
Details of the two new Councillors Action PSS
Expenditure to date Budgeted
£ £
Open Spaces & Amenities 24,603 17,850
Finance & General Purposes (St Lighting) 15,604 18,900
Planning 513 10,000
Footpaths NIL 200
Community Centre Redevelopment 3,818 10,000
Contingency Fund NIL 1,038
…..………………………….Signed
…..…………………………..Dated
Present: Ann Brain, Nigel Price, Derek Waters & Alan Quirk.
Apologies: Chris Sweeting.
The Bottoms: Fallen trees blocking the path
Haberfield Hall: Footpath unsatisfactory
Westwood Drive – Water Lane: Path unsatisfactory (8/37)
New bridle path diversion (at rear of Appetito) has a bad surface and is generally unsatisfactory.
Anne Brain suggested that, at the next meeting, we should discuss organising a Boxing Day walk.
13 November 2003 at The Beeches