Minutes 8th January 2009

BACKWELL PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

HELD ON THURSDAY 8TH JANUARY 2009

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 Pope and R Taylor

 

IN ATTENDANCE: J Stone - Clerk of the Council

 

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: Mrs P Lloyd, Mrs T Trendell, Mrs D Baker and

Ms V Angear, Nailsea Times

 

The Chairman opened the meeting by welcoming everyone present and pointed out the location of the emergency exits and toilets

 

1.         Apologies

001      Cllrs S Miller, S Ould and D Sparks

 

2.         Minutes

002      The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Thursday 4th December 2008 were unanimously confirmed as a correct record by those present at that meeting

 

3.         Public Participation

            Standing Orders were suspended

            None

            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:-

 

003      Personal interest

            Cllr T Collinson - District Cllr for North Somerset Council - abstains from

            voting on planning matters

            Cllr M Gibbons-Price - Agenda Item 9 - Grass Cutting Contract - lives in

            Westfield Close

            Cllr R Mason - Agenda Item 9 - Grass Cutting Contract - lives in Westfield

            Close

            Cllr R Drew - Agenda Item 20d and 20e - Draft Grant List and Draft Budget -

            Backwell Parish Council Youth Club observer

            Cllr R Mason - Agenda Item 20d and 20e - Draft Grant List and Draft Budget -Backwell Youth Club/Bowls Club/Backwell Parish Council representative on Community Drug Misuse Forum

            Cllr R Taylor - Agenda Item 20d and 20e - Draft Grant List and Draft Budget -

            Member of British Legion

 

004      Prejudicial interest

            Cllr C Pope - Agenda Item 20d and 20e - Draft Grant List and Draft Budget- Treasurer/Booking Secretary for Parish Hall/Member of BET

            Cllr S Pope - Agenda Item 20d  and 20e - Draft Grant List and Draft Budget - Wife of Treasurer of Parish Hall/Member of BET

            Cllr B Huggins - Agenda Item 20d and 20e - Draft Grant List and Draft Budget -

            Chairman of Parish Hall/Wellspring Counselling

            Cllr C Pope - Agenda Item 12 - 20 mph zone - Resident of Church Lane

            Cllr S Pope - Agenda Item 12 - 20 mph zone - Resident of Church Lane

            Cllr G Boylan - Agenda Item 12 - 20 mph zone - Resident of Church Lane

            Cllr B Huggins - Agenda Item 12 - 20 mph zone - Resident of Church Town

 

5.         To receive such communications as the person presiding may wish to lay

            before the Council

005      None

 

6.         To answer questions from Councillors (Standing Order 26)

006      None

 

7.         To receive and consider Reports and Minutes of Committees

007      None

 

8.         To Execute:

            a.         Head Lease on 43 Rodney Road, Backwell

            b.         Under Lease on 43 Rodney Road, Backwell (Johnson Controls)

008      Resolved: Unanimously the Chairman and Clerk to execute the Head Lease, and Under Lease to Johnson Controls, on 43 Rodney Road, Backwell, on

            behalf of Backwell Parish Council

 

9.         To receive, consider and approve Specification for Grass Cutting Contract

009      Resolved: Unanimously that the Specification for Grass Cutting as circulated is approved by Backwell Parish Council

 

10.       To receive and consider letter from Mr & Mrs Sutton dated 23.11.08

            regarding road safety issues on West Town Road

            Members debated this issue and shared their concerns regarding the speed

            of traffic entering the village along West Town Road.

            Resolved: Unanimously that:

010      1) Backwell Parish Council are extremely concerned about

            speeding vehicles in Backwell, particularly in West Town Road.  The

            Clerk to write to North Somerset Council and request a site meeting

            with the Safety Officer and

011      2) The Council to write to LAT and ask for them to use the speed gun

           

012      7.55 pm Cllr T Collinson joined the meeting

 

11.       To consider response to access to South Bristol & A370 - A38 Rapid Transport Link Consultation

            Cllr T Collinson advised members of the two options and members debated this issue

            Resolved: Unanimously that:

013      1) Backwell Parish Council support "Rapid Transit" Ashton Vale to Temple Meads and

014      2) Backwell Parish Council supports "Yanley" link as the most economic link, serves as Barrow Gurney By-Pass, which will relieve airport traffic through Backwell, Church Town and Brockley

 

015      Cllrs C Pope, S Pope, B Huggins and G Boylan left the meeting whilst the

            following was discussed.  Cllr R Taylor took the Chair.

12.       To receive and consider email from NSC dated 11.12.08 regarding possible implementation of a 20 mph zone throughout Church Town, Church lane and Dark Lane

            Cllr T Collinson informed members of North Somerset Council's proposed

            scheme

016      Resolved: Unanimously that Backwell Parish Council propose a 20 mph restriction the full length of Church Lane from Uncombe Close to Church Town and support all calming details and pedestrian crossing at narrowing facility at top of Dark Lane

017      Cllrs C Pope, S Pope, B Huggins and G Boylan rejoined the meeting and were

            advised of the above resolution

 

13.       Cllr T Collinson update - Nailsea and Backwell Station car park

            Cllr T Collinson updated members on the current situation regarding car parking

            spaces at the car park.  He reported that NSC were in negotiations with the land

            owner in respect of purchasing land to extend the car park

018      Noted

 

14.       Cllr T Collinson - Backwell Swimming Pool and Leisure Centre

            Cllr T Collinson updated members on the latest position regarding Backwell

            Swimming Pool, and reported that both District Cllr K Barclay and he had

            made representations to NSC.  Members debated this issue and referred to the

            Community Services Policy and Scrutiny Panel document of 2nd December 2008

019      Resolved: Unanimously that Backwell Parish Council strongly support the

            retention of a swimming pool in Backwell.  Furthermore Backwell Parish

            Council are concerned about the inaccuracies contained in the Community

Services Policy and Scrutiny Panel Report.  The Clerk to write to NSC informing them of these inaccuracies. These should be corrected before any decision is made.     

           

15.       To receive and consider consultation paper regarding Green Infrastructure Study in North Somerset

020      Resolved: Unanimously that Cllr R Taylor, in conjunction with the Clerk,

            complete the Consultation Paper on behalf of the Council

 

16.       To receive and consider correspondence from Avon Pension Fund dated 28.11.08 regarding statutory consultation on sustaining the Local Government Pension Scheme

021      Correspondence noted

 

17.       To receive and consider reports from Working Parties of the Council and

            Councillors:

 

022      a.         Cllr R Taylor updated the Council on the Carol Service around the

            Christmas tree.  Over 60 people attended and once again received a lot of good

            reports

 

023      b.         Councillors noted the Minutes of Backwell Playing Fields Charity meeting held on 25.11. 08

 

            c.         Members discussed the planting of bulbs near the roundabout at Church Lane/Dark Lane, and concerns were raised over the cost of the proposed project and who would carry out the maintenance of the area

024      Resolved: Unanimously the Clerk to write to CEMEX requesting them to make good this area at their own expense as it is their land

 

025      d.         Cllr S Pope informed members that the Website was now up and running,

            and if any Councillors wished to add/delete anything on the Website to advise the Website Working Party accordingly

 

            e.         Cllr R Drew - Local bus service

026      Noted: Defer to February meeting

 

            f.          Cllr R Drew - Youth Council

            Cllr R Taylor expressed concerns regarding this project

027      Resolved: Unanimously that Backwell Parish Council ceases any more enquiries at this stage.  Clerk to write to Mr J Baldwin, Backwell Comprehensive School advising him of this decision

 

028      g.         Cllr R Drew's report on the School Travel Awards Showcase was noted by members

 

029      h.         Cllr R Drew's report on the Children's Centre Partnership was noted by members

 

030      i.          Cllr R Drew informed members of an article in North Somerset Council's ‘Life' magazine regarding Celebrating Christmas across North Somerset.  Clerk

            to bring this magazine forward at a later date to enable the Council to place an

            entry in this magazine for Christmas 2009.

 

18.       To receive and consider a report from the Clerk of the Council

031      (a)        Report noted

032      (b)        None

 

19.       To receive and consider:- Relevant correspondence (all available at office

            for viewing)

033      Correspondence noted

 

20.       Accounts

            a.         To receive and consider the receipts and payments schedule for

December 2008

034                  Members noted the schedule previously circulated and the

addition of cheque nos. 10992 to Auxillio Solutions for £556.60

and 10993 to Auditing Solutions for £310.50 (both inclusive of VAT)

 

            b.         To authorise expenditure for the month of December 2008

035                  Resolved: Unanimously to authorise expenditure

 

c.         To authorise the sum of £250 plus VAT payable to Bond Pearce in connection with further legal advice required in respect of renewal of Lease for Parish Council office and Johnson Controls

036                  Resolved: Unanimously to authorise expenditure

 

d.         To receive draft Grant List for financial year 2009/2010

037                  Noted

 

e.         To receive draft Budget for financial year 2009/2010

038                  Noted

 

f.          To receive interim Internal Audit Report dated 29.12. 08

                        Resolved: Unanimously

039                  a)  Backwell Parish Council wished to thank the Clerk for her

                        excellent work in connection with the Audit

040                  b)  The Clerk to fully implement the Action Plan

 

g.         To receive, consider and approve Proposal from Abbey Business

            Equipment to lease Nashuatec Aficio photocopier model MP2000SP

            for a period of 5 years at a cost of £26 per month

041                  Resolved: Unanimously the proposal for a new photocopier at £26 per month for 5 years be accepted

 

21    .   Planning Matters

            To consider the following planning applications:-

 

            a.         PLANNING APPLICATION NO. 08/P/2472/F - 108b CHURCH

            LANE, BACKWELL - MR P ARCHELL - Erection of a first floor front

            extension with Juliet balcony

042      Resolved: Unanimously no objection

 

            b.         PLANNING APPLICATION NO. 08/P/2474/F - 13 STATION

            ROAD, BACKWELL - MR C HOOPER - Erection of single and two

            storey side and rear extensions following demolition of existing single

            storey side extensions and rear conservatory

043      Resolved: Unanimously no objection

 

            c.         PLANNING APPLICATION NO. 08/P/2530/LUE - ST

            KATHERINES FARM, DOWNSIDE ROAD, BACKWELL -

MR T PEARCE - Change of use from agricultural land/buildings to the

            maintenance and repair of agricultural tractors and machinery and the

            storage of associated replacement machinery parts and new machinery

044      Resolved: By a majority vote Backwell Parish Council objects as

            it is on Green Belt land

 

22.       Invitations

            Invitation to Voluntary Section Forum meeting on Thursday 15th January

            2009 at Princes Hall, Princes Road, Clevedon, between 12.30 pm and 2 pm.

045      Noted: Members to contact the Clerk if they wish to attend

 

            There being no further items of business, the Chairman closed the meeting at

            2115 hours

 

DATES OF NEXT MEETINGS:

 

Thursday 15th January 2009 - 1930 hours at Backwell Parish Hall to determine budget plus consider outstanding planning applications only

Full Council -Thursday 5th February 2009 - 1930 hours at Backwell Parish Hall

Planning - Thursday 19th February 2009 - 1900 hours at Backwell Parish Hall