Dundry Parish Council

Transcription

1 Dundry Parish Council Minutes of the Meeting held on Wednesday, 2 nd July 2014 at 7.30 pm (These minutes are subject to approval at the next meeting) Chair: Cllr Holger Laux In Attendance: Councillors David Hurford, Gordon Murphy, Maggie Keast, Richard Thomas : Judith Hoskin Also in attendance: District Councillor Hugh Gregor, 1 owner of land in parish for Public Forum (3 parishioners attended before the meeting to talk to councillors about the proposed reservoir). 02/07/ Apologies Apologies had been received from Cllrs Steve McCarthy, Jane Pellowe, Ralph Gay, Simon Fiddian and Nancy Jennings, PC Peter Rooke and PCSO Pen Gatenby and Claire Dyke (NSC Parish Liaison officer) 02/07/ Chair s Introduction Cllr Laux welcomed all to the Meeting. 02/07/ Declarations of Interest by Councillors in items on the Agenda There were no declarations of interest 02/07/ Minutes The minutes of the meeting held on 4 th June 2014 were agreed as a true record except that in item should read she did not take part in the brief discussion of item (rather than ) (Proposed Cllr Murphy, seconded Cllr Hurford) Item of the minutes of 7 th May 2014 were amended to include Councillor Hurford in the Planning Working Group. 02/07/ Crime Report and Neighbourhood Watch PC Rooke had sent the following report of crimes in the previous month:: 1 x making off without payment (fuel) 1 x theft of lead from a dwelling 1 x theft of a trailer from a driveway. 2 x fly tipping (reported to council for investigation) 1 x theft of a potted plant Actions With the improved weather there is the tendency to leave windows and doors open to allow a breeze into your property. Unfortunately this gives an opportunity for someone to walk in to your property. Please be vigilant. Always be in the room where the exterior door is open and do not leave unattended. Ensure all windows are closed and locked when the property is empty. Members of the public can also visit if they wish to review any crime figures for a certain postcode or area. This site is also helpful for crime prevention advice and local issues. On Wednesday 16th July Nailsea beat team and British Transport Police are holding a bike marking day at Nailsea & Yatton police station between am. The product being used is bike register. The product will be offered for free on this day only. Feel free to come along and get your bike marked. Further information can be found at & Neighbourhood Watch A new volunteer coordinator is still needed. 02/07/ Public Forum Several parishioners had raised the problem of what appeared to be an increasing amount of fly tipping round the village. The said that she was in discussion with NSC about possible measures to deter fly tipping. She was asked also to contact PC Rooke to discuss the likelihood of the police taking action where the fly-tippers could be identified. Cllr Gregor said that he had reported fly tipping in Littleton Lane to NSC The owner of the field on Oxleaze Lane (now re-named Oxleaze Farm ) had attended the meeting to update councillors on the work he was doing. He said that he had successfully challenged enforcement action taken by NSC. He had now been told by NSC that he could build a barn in the location shown in planning application 12/P/0552/PDA but had been asked to submit Page 1 of 5

2 a planning application for the associated earthworks since these were not covered in the original application. Councillors said that it was helpful to be kept informed but that they could not comment further unless a planning application was submitted Cllr Laux said that two parishioners had offered to paint and tidy up the fingerposts round the village but found that some of them were missing fingers. They had approached NSC who had indicated that they might be prepared to do repairs if the parishioners were willing to do the painting. The parishioners wondered if the parish council would pay for the paint. Councillors were in agreement to this but suggested that a survey of all the finger posts might be a good place to start so that the amount of work needed could be assessed. Cllr Laux would discuss further with the parishioners The Village Hall booking clerk had asked whether it would be possible to move the Parish Council meetings from Wednesday to Monday or Thursday as there was a potential regular booking for Wednesdays in the village hall. The preference of councillors present was for Mondays. The would consult other councillors and find out when Winford PC held their meetings (a clash would mean that Cllr Gregor would not be able to attend) 02/07/ Report from District Councillor Hugh Gregor Cllr Gregor reported that he had attended the following meetings: June 11 th Briefing on major repairs to Yanley viaduct on A370 lasting from August 11 th until April Three lanes of traffic will be reduced to one with traffic allowed to go into Bristol in the morning and out of Bristol in the afternoon. Proposed diversion routes: 1) along Belmont Hill to Portishead, 2) through Long Ashton with clearways operating and 3) along A38. Cllr Gregor had emphasised to the Officer in charge of operating the traffic system that exiting onto the A38 from Dundry Lane and other junctions was already difficult and would be made worse by the extra traffic generated. He had suggested that temporary traffic lights be installed to improve matters. He had also asked if there was any contingency plan for coping with a major incident on the M5 motorway which would bring traffic onto local roads. June 17 th Meeting of the Executive. Topics on the agenda included Backwell s Neighbourhood Plan. June 24 th Presentation on results achieved by work with High Impact Families June 26 th /27 th Interviews for Assistant Director Learning and Achievement, People and Communities 02/07/ Finance The Financial Report was approved (proposed Cllr Hurford, seconded Cllr Thomas) The Chair signed the s time sheet The reported that the Audit for had been successfully completed and the Annual Return displayed on the noticeboards It was agreed that the polycarbonate front to the noticeboard at the Plev garage should be replaced as it had become very clouded and difficult to see through. The said that Cllr Fiddian had agreed to obtain a quotation for the work Payment of the following Cheques was approved: SLCC Subscription General Fixed bills Grant Thornton Audit Fee General Fixed bills J Hoskin June/July salary General 's salary Printer cartridge General Office supplies Playsafety Ltd ROSPA inspection General Fixed bills Heartstart Emergency life support training General Community 02/07/ Meetings attended Parish Councils Airport Association 24 th June (AGM and ordinary meeting) The had circulated the PCAA Chair s report for the previous year which was noted. The Chair had reported that the airport was hoping that passenger levels would return this year to where they had been in Cllr Thomas said that there was no particular activity of concern at the airport at the moment. However, if NSC were obliged to review the Green Belt as a result of the increased requirements for housing, the airport were likely to take the opportunity to try to expand beyond its present boundaries. Page 2 of 5 Cllr Laux

3 It had been agreed to keep the subscription at 50 in order to build up a fund for unforeseen expenditure. 02/07/ Proposal to wind up Dundry Consolidated Charities Cllr Keast said that there was 328 in the Consolidated Charities fund at the moment. She had discussed with the Rev Charles Roberts (who was one of the trustees) the possibility of winding up the Charities and returning the money to the church. Councillors agreed that this seemed sensible given the small amount of money in the fund but thought there might be conditions on winding up the charities and distribution of the money in their governing documents. Cllr Keast would find out and report back. Cllr Keast. 02/07/ Pre-school garden agreement Cllr Laux said that it was intended to sign this document at the village hall committee meeting on 17 th July. Councillors had no further comments but the suggested that the preschool should be asked what level of public liability insurance they carried and that the agreement should require them to forward proof of their annual renewal of this insurance. 02/07/ Forward Activities request for views/ideas The explained that after two years of consultation by the North Rural Network (Forward Activities) about positive activities for young people in the network area it was still not clear whether there was actually a need for any additional provision. Forward Activities were therefore in the process of contacting the organisations and individuals who had been involved at the beginning of the process, and those they had met along the way, to find out their current views and ideas. Councillors said that they were not aware of any particular demand for positive activities for young people in the village. (Anyone with thoughts or suggestions about activities for young people can contact Forward Activities by ing info@fwrdactivities.org.uk ) Cllr Laux 02/07/ Sports and Social Club Cllr Laux said that discussions about the S & SC accounts and the new canopy were continuing. The rail round the pitch was being installed The Sports and Social Club s legal advisor had asked to see proof of title for the playing field. The would contact the solicitor who holds the deeds The Sports and Social Club had indicated that they wished to build an extension to their clubhouse to house equipment so that the containers could be removed from the playing field. Councillors were in agreement in principle but wished to see detailed plans. They thought there might also be legal implications to the lease agreement that needed to be resolved Heartstart Training (run by British Heart Foundation volunteers) - This had taken place on the previous Monday. There had been twenty-one participants including seven from Dundry AFC. Participants had been taught simple techniques for helping casualties with potentially life threatening symptoms. Emphasis had been on keeping casualties alive until the emergency services arrived, Three councillors and the had been among the participants and all agreed that it had been a very worthwhile evening. There had been no charge for the evening but councillors agreed to make a contribution towards costs of /07/ Planning Applications Received 14/P/1049/F Land adjacent to Downs Road and Crabtree Lane Dundry - The erection of a covered reservoir, new vehicular access, ancillary buildings and associated landscaping and infrastructure works Dundry Parish Council wishes to object to this Planning Application for the following reasons: Choice of Site There is major concern within the Village about the loss of the traditional flower meadow, one of very few left in the country. A wide range of plant and wild life has been documented in detail by other objectors and Dundry Parish Council fully endorses these objections. It is essential that a full ecological study is carried out prior to any decision being made. Page 3 of 5

4 The problem of loss of habitat is made worse by the extent of the contractor s working area. It is difficult to see why such a large area of land has been taken for the construction compound, much larger than on the previous site. While it is understood that it is intended to replant this area when construction is complete it will take many years for the land to return to its present state. It is regrettable that this site has been chosen as it adversely affects several properties resulting in a loss of outlook as well as noise and dust during the construction period. It has been brought to our attention that this site may previously have been quarried and backfilled in the region of Rockley Trace and Windwhistle and that Rockley Trace has shown signs of settlement that might be made worse by extensive excavation next to it. The previous site resulted in no objections and being next to the existing reservoir would seem to be the natural choice. As far as we are aware it has no history of quarrying and landfill. The reasons for the change of site are unclear but this Council feels strongly that whatever the problems were it should be possible to overcome them even if this meant a greater cost. This has to be preferable to accepting all the difficulties raised by the present site and the loss of the meadowland. Construction proposals Councillors have concerns about construction traffic using Crabtree Lane for access. This is a narrow lane with no passing places and is used by school children walking to and from the school bus. The proposed access during construction is opposite the entrance to the Village Hall used every day for Preschool, frequent Village events and for access to the children's Play Area. This is also the access for the Playing Field and Sports and Social Club. Conclusion Dundry Parish Council urges North Somerset Council to reject this application and ask the Applicant to revert to the original site. In view of the large number and seriousness of objections to this application we would ask for a meeting with Officers to ensure that objections from parishioners and the Parish Council are fully represented. In the unfortunate situation that North Somerset Council decides to approve the Application on the present site then it is essential that this Parish Council should be consulted on conditions relating to reinstatement of the meadow, traffic management and construction operating procedures. 14/P/1247/ TPO 14/P/1273/ LB JAYANNE, 3 Beechcroft, Dundry, Bristol, BS41 8LE- 1 Beech Crown reduction and reduce lateral growth by max 3m. Crown lift by max 3m No comment Eastgrove, Dundry Lane, Dundry, BS41 8JF - Installation of gas supply to property to allow installation of new gas boiler with new flue to utility room and new gas fire to rear lounge, removal of existing oil tank and oil fired boiler No comment Applications Approved by NSC (noted) 14/P/0785/F Royal British Legion, 106 Dundry Lane, Dundry, BS41 8JE Erection of a single storey extension to west elevation 14/P/0859/F 14/P/0939/F 10 Dundry Lane, Dundry, BS41 8JQ - Erection of a single storey rear extension Upton Cottages, Upton Lane, Dundry, BS41 8NS - Conversion of existing out building from garage to annexe and erection of timber stabling with open carport (n.b. stabling and carport removed from application so approval is for conversion of garage only) Applications Refused by NSC none (noted) Page 4 of 5

5 Other Planning Matters Complaint about state of Dundry Downs. Cllr Laux reported that after a complaint had been received from someone from outside the village about the state of the Downs near the footpaths he had contacted the owner of Downs Farm. The response had been a promise to check on the footpaths and to consider tidying up some of the containers and lorries nearby. He had also been reminded that the footpaths across the Downs do not lead to the trig point and that walkers should keep to the footpaths Planning Enforcement The Planning Enforcement record had been circulated before the meeting and was noted Cllr Gregor left the meeting at this point 02/07/ s Reports The s Report and Streets and Open Spaces Report for the previous month had been circulated before the meeting and were noted The, Cllr Laux and a parishioner had meet with an Officer of NSC to discuss the installation of temporary vehicle operated speed signs on Wells Road and Dundry Lane. Unfortunately the sign NSC were going to use here needed repair and it would now not be possible to install it before the end of the school term. It was therefore likely that it would be put on Dundry Lane first and then on Wells Road in September, Councillors agreed that the village orderly could trim the hedge on Dundry Lane to give line of sight to the sensor on the sign. 02/07/ Correspondence The following items of correspondence were noted Bristol Water Water Main works - Request for information circulated and replied Independent Cinema office Neighbourhood Cinema event in Cardiff - Saturday 5 July - noted Several objections to Bristol Water Reservoir planning application Communications from ALCA and SLCC on various legal matters Air Ambulance request for funds and possible location for a textile recycling bin Cllr Laux to raise subject of bin at VHC meeting Correspondence list -. Councillors had no further comments on the list of correspondence. 02/07/ Items to be noted for discussion at next meeting No items were noted for discussion at next meeting There being no further business, the meeting ended at pm. Copies of the full minutes of the meeting of Dundry Parish Council held on Wednesday 2 nd July 2014 can be found on the village notice boards, on the parish website ( or obtained from the, Mrs Judith Hoskin Tel: , parishclerk@dundry.org.uk Abridged versions are available in the Parish News and in the Chew Valley Gazette. The next meeting of Dundry Parish Council will be held on Wednesday 3 rd September, 2014 If parishioners would like something to be included on the agenda please notify a councillor or the by Wednesday 27 th August. You can also raise matters in the Public Forum but, depending on what they are, full discussion may have to be left to the following meeting. Page 5 of 5