Minutes 4th December 2008
BACKWELL PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD ON THURSDAY 4TH DECEMBER 2008
AT BACKWELL PARISH HALL
PRESENT: Cllrs C Pope (Chairman), G Boylan, B Bucknell, T Collinson, R Day,
R Drew, M Gibbons Price, B Huggins, J Llewellyn, R Mason, S Miller, S Ould, S Pope, D Sparks and R Taylor
IN ATTENDANCE: J Stone - Clerk of the Council
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: There were approximately 12 members of public present
The Chairman opened the meeting by welcoming everyone present and pointed out the location of the emergency exits and toilets
1. Apologies
559 None
2. Minutes
560 The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Thursday 6th November 2008 were unanimously confirmed as a correct record by those present at that meeting.
3. Public Participation
Standing Orders were suspended
Mr & Mrs Venn read out a statement opposing Planning Application no. P/2401/F
2 -4 Dark Lane. Mr M Gray endorsed Mr & Mrs Venn's comments. Mr M
Higgins commented that the proposed site was very close to the traffic lights.
The Chairman advised that residents should send individual letters to NSC.
Standing Orders were reinstated
4. Declarations Of Interest
The Chairman referred to the Declaration of Interests Register and asked members of Council if there were any further items to be entered in the Register. The following entries were made by Members in the Declarations of Interest Register:-
561 Personal interest
Cllr T Collinson - District Cllr for North Somerset Council - abstains from
voting on planning matters
Cllr S Pope - Agenda Item 14b - Bristol International Airport - Council representative on Consultative Committee
Cllr M Gibbons-Price - Agenda Item 10 - Grass Cutting Contract - lives in
Westfield Close
Cllr R Mason - Agenda Item 10 - Grass Cutting Contract - lives in Westfield
Close
562 Prejudicial interest
None
Planning Application No. 08/P/2401/F 2 - 4 Dark Lane (Agenda Item 18f) was debated at this point and is minuted in the Planning Application section
5. To receive such communications as the person presiding may wish to lay
before the Council
563 The Chairman thanked Councillors for their attendance at the Remembrance
Day Service and the Service held on the 30th November at St Andrew's Church
6. To answer questions from Councillors (Standing Order 26)
564 None
7. To receive and consider Reports and Minutes of Committees
To receive the draft minutes of the Planning Committee Meeting held on Thursday 20th November 2008
565 Noted
8. Freedom of Information Appeal
The Chairman informed members that Mr Wilson had made the following two
Appeals:-
1. Mr Wilson had requested a copy of the written instructions given to
Gregg Latcham from the Council regarding legal advice. The Appeals Panel
took into consideration the written legal advice given to the Council regarding
refusal of this documentation under Section 42 of the FOI Act, and
recommended to Council rejection of Mr Wilson's Appeal.
566 Resolved: Unanimously to reject Mr Wilson's Appeal
2. Mr Wilson had requested a copy of the notes taken by the Clerk at
the Full Council meeting held on 4th September 2008. The Appeals Panel
agreed with the action taken by the clerk in sending Mr Wilson a copy of
the approved minutes of the 4th September 2008 meeting, as there were
no Clerk's notes available and all details are shown in the approved
Minutes. The Appeals Panel recommended to Council rejection of Mr
Wilson's Appeal.
567 Resolved: Unanimously to reject Mr Wilson's Appeal
9. Rights of Way proposed Declaration - Uncombe Close, Backwell
a. To receive and consider letter from Gregg Latchams WRH dated 4.11.08
regarding Transfer
568 Noted
b. To execute Transfer document
Cllr R Taylor reminded members that this matter has been discussed before, and
Backwell Parish Council were due to receive upon completion of the Transfer
£5,000 towards maintenance and £500 to assist with legal costs.
569 Resolved: Unanimously Backwell Parish Council agree to execute the
Transfer document
10. To receive, consider and approve specification for Grass Cutting Contract
Members debated this issue and it was suggested a possible addition be
made to the specification in relation to being notified regarding when grass/hedge
cutting had taken place.
570 Resolved: Defer to January 2009 meeting
11. To receive, consider and approve response to Communities and Local
Government re Code of Conduct consultation (response required by
24.12.08)
571 Resolved: Unanimously Backwell Parish Council recommends acceptance
of the Office Working Party's recommendations in response to this
Consultation
12. To receive, consider and approve Employers Discretion Policy - Avon
Pension Fund
572 Resolved: Unanimously Backwell Parish Council recommends acceptance
of the Office Working Party's proposed Employers Discretion Policy
13. Community Governance Review - Publication of draft recommendations -
Transfer of properties in Downside Road, Backwell and The Batch,
Backwell, into the Parish of Wrington
Cllr R Taylor reminded members that this matter was discussed at the Full
Council meeting held on the 4th September 2008.
573 Resolved: Unanimously Backwell Parish Council recommends acceptance of
Draft Recommendation K, subject to residents' views
14. To receive and consider reports from Working Parties of the Council and
Councillors:
574 a. Village Enhancement Working Party - Cllr R Taylor reminded members
of the Carol Service being held around the Xmas Tree on Rodney Road Green on
the 18th December 2008 at 7.45 pm.
575 b. Cllr S Pope's report on Bristol International Airport was noted by
members. 8 Councillors were planning to attend the Informal Open Evening at
the airport being held on Monday 8th December 2008
576 c. Cllr D Sparks reported that it was anticipated that the new website would
be operational prior to the 1st January 2009
15. To receive and consider a report from the Clerk of the Council
577 (a) Report noted
578 (b) None
16. To receive and consider:- Relevant correspondence (all available at office
for viewing)
579 Correspondence noted.
17. Accounts
a. To receive and consider the income and expenditure schedule for
November 2008 (Checked by Cllr B Bucknell prior to meeting)
580 Members noted the schedule previously circulated and the
addition of cheque no. 100976 for £402.50 to Auxillio Solutions Ltd
b. To authorise expenditure for the month of November 2008
581 Resolved: Unanimously to authorise expenditure
c. To authorise a contribution towards the cost of planting bulbs
at the roundabout at Church Lane/Dark Lane
Members were informed that a quote had been received in connection
with the planting of the bulbs
582 Noted: Defer to January 2009 meeting
d. To authorise the sum of £500 plus vat payable to Bond Pearce
in connection with legal advice required in respect of renewal of Lease
for Parish Council office
583 Resolved: Unanimously to authorise the sum of £500 plus vat and
any disbursements payable to Bond Pearce
e. To authorise the sum of £166 for renewal of Clerk's subscription to
SLCC
584 Resolved: Unanimously to authorise £166 for Clerk's renewal
of subscription to SLCC
18. Planning Matters
To consider the following planning applications:-
a. PLANNING APPLICATION NO. 08/P/2368/F - 72C CHURCH
LANE, BACKWELL - MR TN KILBURN - Erection of a two storey
extension
585 Resolved: Unanimously no objection
b. PLANNING APPLICATION NO. 08/P/2375/F - OLD FARM,
BACKWELL COMMON, BACKWELL - MR & MRS M R NOCK -
Erection of a garage and store following demolition of existing garage and store
586 Resolved: Unanimously no objection
c. PLANNING APPLICATION NO. 08/P/2383/LB - OLD FARM,
BACKWELL COMMON, BACKWELL - MR & MRS M R NOCK -
Erection of a garage and store following demolition of existing garage and store
587 Resolved: Unanimously no objection
d. PLANNING APPLICATION NO. 08/2393/ADV - 45 RODNEY
ROAD, BACKWELL - MR S WERKSHAGEN - Display of 1 no.
externally intermittent illuminated fascia sign
588 Resolved: Unanimously no objection but would request that the
light should be on a timer
e. PLANNING APPLICATION NO. 08/P/2398/F - 21 WEST TOWN
ROAD, BACKWELL - MR J MORTIMORE - Change of use from retail
and two flats to retail, restaurant and bar and 3 separate flats. Including a
two storey side and rear extension and external side staircase (amendments to
05/P/1172/F)
589 Resolved: Unanimously no comment. Backwell Parish Council did not
approve the original planning application no. 05/P/1172/F
f. PLANNING APPLICATION NO. 08/P/2401/F - 2 - 4 DARK LANE,
BACKWELL - MR G MEYA - Change of use of ground floor from estate
agents (A2) to restaurant (A3) together with hot food takeaway (A5). Change
of use of first floor from estate agents (A2) to residential (A1)
590 Resolved: Unanimously Backwell Parish Council objects. The Council feels
strongly this is an inappropriate planning application for this prime corner
site by the crossroads, which is controlled by traffic lights at the centre of
the village where there is very limited parking. Backwell Parish Council
are of the opinion that the proposed takeaway, restaurant and extra
living accommodation would contravene Policies T/6, T/10, S/9 and ENV/1
of the North Somerset Local Plan and Policy GDP/2 of the North Somerset
Replacement Plan. A letter will be sent to NSC in support of our objection
and to request a site meeting.
g. Cllr T Collinson - Update on 1 Backwell Common
591 Cllr Collinson informed members that the Appeal on 1 Backwell Common
had been dismissed by the Planning Inspectorate on grounds of highway
safety. It was noted that it was Backwell Parish Council who had submitted the
technical evidence on this point.
There being no further items of business, the Chairman closed the meeting at
1955 hours
DATES OF NEXT MEETINGS:
Full Council - Thursday 8th January 2009 - 1930 hours at Backwell Parish Hall and
Thursday 15th January 2009 - 1930 hours at Backwell Parish Hall to determine budget plus consider outstanding planning applications only