Full Council Minutes 2nd July 2009
BACKWELL PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD ON THURSDAY 2ND JULY 2009
IN BACKWELL PARISH HALL, BACKWELL
PRESENT: Cllrs C Pope (Chairman), G Boylan, B Bucknell, T Collinson, R Drew,
B Huggins, J Llewellyn, R Mason, S Miller, S Ould, S Pope, D Sparks and R Taylor.
IN ATTENDANCE: District Cllr K Barclay and Mrs J Stone - Clerk of the Council.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: 13 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
297 Cllrs R Day and M Gibbons-Price.
2. Minutes
298 The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Thursday 4th June 2009
were unanimously confirmed as a correct record by those present at that meeting.
3. Public Participation
Standing Orders were suspended
Mrs J Churchill spoke regarding the shortfall in funding for skateboard equipment at the Oatfield Play Area. She reported that Bristol International Airport had guaranteed £3,000 towards this proposed project. She was still awaiting a response from Tarmac.
Mr C Hatcher spoke of the need for a crossing on the A370. He thanked the Chairman, Members and District Cllr K Barclay for all their help with the crossing.
Ms C Lane agreed that a crossing needed to be installed in a suitable location.
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:-
299 Personal interest
Cllr T Collinson - District Councillor for North Somerset Council - abstains
from voting on planning matters
Cllr S Pope - Agenda Item 11 Bristol International Airport - Consultative
Committee member
Cllr R Mason - Agenda Item 17a Community Plan
Cllr S Miller - Agenda Item 17a Community Plan
Cllr R Taylor - Agenda Item 10 Antisocial behaviour in Backwell
300 Prejudicial interest
None
5. To receive such communications as the person presiding may wish to lay
before the Council
The Chairman informed members that a letter had been received from Bristol
International Airport advising of a meeting to be held at 6pm on Wednesday
15th July 2009, in the Bristol Room of the Administration Building. The
meeting will provide an update on their planning application.
301 Noted
6. To answer questions from Councillors (Standing Order 26).
302 None
7. To receive and consider Reports and Minutes of Committees
To receive the draft minutes of the Planning Committee Meeting held on Thursday 18th June 2009 (circulated).
303 Noted
Agenda Item 14 - A370 Crossing discussed at this point
14. Update on A370 Crossing
District Cllr K Barclay addressed the meeting and spoke of the problems which
had occurred in the siting of the proposed crossing and the various options
explored. A safety audit is currently being carried out on the proposal to site
the crossing by Rushmoor Lane. The Chairman requested that the Council's
grateful thanks be recorded to District Cllr K Barclay for all the hard work
she has carried out in connection with the crossing.
304 Noted
8. To consider and approve bollard design for 2 -4 Dark Lane, Backwell
305 Resolved: By a unanimous decision the Jubilee design be recommended
as the preferred choice to North Somerset Council
9. To receive and consider nomination paper for election of Honorary Officers
to ALCA
306 Noted
10. Antisocial behaviour in Backwell
The Chairman informed members of the recent rise in antisocial behaviour in the village. 2 hanging baskets had been stolen from the Parish Hall and 1 from outside the Parish Office. Plants had been removed from one of the planters at the crossroads. The playing fields had also experienced a lot of vandalism in the past few weeks. A meeting was held yesterday, the 1st July 2009, between the Parish Council, Backwell Playing Fields Charity and the Police to discuss this issue. The Chairman urged that all incidents be reported to the Police.
307 Noted
11. To receive letter and information sheet from Bristol International Airport dated 16th June 2009 re submission of their planning application
Cllr T Collinson spoke of Bristol International Airport's planning application and
the associated infrastructure problems.
308 Noted
12. To receive and consider email from David Neale dated 17.6.09 re Bristol International Airport expansion scheme
Members debated this issue, and concern was expressed as to the safety of some
of the proposals.
309 Resolved: By a unanimous decision that whilst Backwell Parish Council do
support the provision of cycle paths, we do question the safety of the proposals, in particular those relating to the A370.
13. To receive and consider email from Alastair Higton, NSC dated 4.6.09, re New Town and Parish Charter Working Group
Members discussed the email received from NSC, and agreed to invite Mr
Higton to address members after the Planning Meeting on Thursday 20th August
2009.
310 Noted
14. Discussed previously (after Agenda Item 7)
15. Update on Backwell Swimming Pool
District Cllr K Barclay updated members on the results of North Somerset
Council's report on the provision of swimming pools in North Somerset. It was
noted that a decision had been made that there was no prospect of a pool for Nailsea within the next decade.
311 Noted
16. To receive and consider email from NSC dated 24.6.09 regarding the placing of a Bridleway sign at junction with Backwell Hill Road (for Uncombe Close)
The Chairman informed members that Mr T Wood and Mr I Chambers had
requested that the proposed sign be discreet and in keeping with the surrounding area.
312 Resolved: By a unanimous decision that a site meeting be arranged. Cllrs
C Pope, R Taylor, Mr I Chambers and Mr T Wood to meet with Mr
A Leonard, NSC, to discuss the positioning of the sign.
17. To receive and consider reports from Working Parties of the Council and
Councillors:
a. 313 Cllr S Miller updated members on the Community Plan. 1,800 questionnaires had been sent out, and approximately 1,000 had been returned. It was hoped that the information would be analysed prior to November.
b .314 Cllr R Mason's report on the ALCA meeting which she had attended on the 11.6.09 was noted by members.
c. 315 Cllr R Drew - The minutes of the Nailsea and Backwell Children's Centre Partnership Group Meeting held on the 23rd April 2009 were noted by members.
d. Members discussed Oatfield Play Area and the provision of equipment for
this site. Backwell Parish Council has already pledged £6,000 towards the provision of a quarter pipe, and Bristol International Airport has guaranteed £3,000. Tarmac are still to make a decision on funding. At present there is a £3,000 shortfall. The proposed project is subject to a site visit.
316 Resolved: By a unanimous decision Backwell Parish Council underwrites the full cost of the project in the sum of £12,000 for the cost of the supply and installation of skate equipment at Oatfield Play Area, until such time as any donations may be received from outside agencies.
18. To receive and consider a report from the Clerk of the Council
317 (a) Report noted
318 (b) None
19. To receive and consider:- Relevant correspondence (all available at office
for viewing)
319 Correspondence noted
20. Accounts
a. To receive and consider the income and expenditure schedule for
June 2009 (Checked by Cllr M Gibbons-Price prior to meeting).
320 Members noted the schedule previously circulated
b. To authorise expenditure for the month of June 2009.
321 Resolved: Unanimously to authorise expenditure
c. To consider purchase of ‘The Parish Councillor's Guide 19th Edition at a
cost of £14.50 per copy for members.
322 Resolved: Unanimously to purchase 15 copies of the Parish Councillor's
Guide at a total cost of £217.50
d. To authorise expenditure of £100 to North Somerset Council for 100 ‘Backwell Round' markers (to enable completion of the waymarking of the Backwell Round).
323 Resolved: Unanimously to authorise expenditure of £100 to NSC for 100
‘Backwell Round' markers
21. Planning Matters
To consider the following planning applications:-
a. PLANNING APPLICATION NO. 09/P/0938/TPO - 57 DARK LANE,
BACKWELL - FOUNTAIN TREEWORKS - 1 x Poplar - Fell, 3 x Poplar -
Pollard to a height of 20-25 feet (6.1 - 7.62 metres)
324 Resolved: By a majority decision no objection, but Backwell Parish Council
would like a replacement tree planted and properly managed. 1 abstention
22. Invitations
a. Invitation to attend North Somerset Council's ‘Making North Somerset Healthier' Annual Stakeholder event at the Winter Gardens, Weston-super-Mare on Thursday 16th July 2009 (sessions throughout day).
325 Noted: If any member wishes to attend to notify the Clerk
b. Invitation to attend Connect2 meeting to discuss cycleway project proposals at 6.30 pm on 7th July 2009 at St Francis RC Church meeting room, Nailsea.
326 Noted: If any member wishes to attend to notify the Clerk
23. Staff
Update on staff matters.
327 Nothing to report
There being no further items of business, the Chairman closed the meeting at
2050 hours
DATES OF NEXT MEETINGS:
Full Council Meeting Thursday 6th August 2009 at 1930 hours in Backwell Parish Hall
Planning Committee Meeting Thursday 20th August 2009 at 1900 hours in Backwell Parish Hall