Full Council Minutes 6th August 2009
BACKWELL PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD ON THURSDAY 6TH AUGUST 2009
IN BACKWELL PARISH HALL, BACKWELL
PRESENT: Cllrs C Pope (Chairman), G Boylan, B Bucknell, T Collinson, M Gibbons-Price, B Huggins, R Mason, S Ould, S Pope and R Taylor.
IN ATTENDANCE: District Cllr K Barclay and Mrs J Stone - Clerk of the Council.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: 15 members of public present and Ms S Pope from the North Somerset Times.
The Chairman opened the meeting by welcoming everyone present and pointed out the location of the emergency exits and toilets.
1. Apologies
328 Cllrs R Day, R Drew, J Llewellyn, S Miller and D Sparks.
The Chairman updated Councillors on the illness of Cllr Drew
2. Minutes
329 The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Thursday 2nd July 2009
were unanimously confirmed as a correct record by those present at that meeting.
3. Public Participation
Standing Orders were suspended
Mr J Griffiths spoke regarding Agenda Item 18f - Planning Application No.
09/P/1117/F Summervale, Moor Lane, Backwell.
Mrs J Churchill informed members that she had received notification from Tarmac that they would be contributing £1,000 towards the new skateboard equipment shortly to be installed at Oatfield.
Ms C Turner, Mr L Gathercole, Ms J Whittaker and Ms C Turton all spoke in opposition of the planning application for Bristol Airport.
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:-
330 Personal interest
Cllr S Pope - Agenda Item 18k Bristol International Airport - Consultative
Committee member
Cllr R Mason - Agenda Item 14a Community Plan
Cllr R Taylor - Agenda Item 11 Rodney Road parking
Cllr T Collinson advised members that following legal advice he may vote
on planning issues, but may change his mind when voting as a District Councillor
331 Prejudicial interest
None
5. To receive such communications as the person presiding may wish to lay
before the Council
332 None
6. To answer questions from Councillors (Standing Order 26).
333 None
7. To receive and consider Reports and Minutes of Committees
To receive the draft minutes of the Planning Committee Meeting held on Thursday 16th July 2009 (circulated).
334 Noted
335 Planning Application No. 09/P/1020/OT2 Item 18k Bristol International Airport was discussed at this point and is minuted in the Planning Application section
8. Traffic Calming - Hyatts Wood Road
Members were informed that this topic was covered in the Bristol International
Airport planning application
336 Report noted
9. To receive and consider letter from NSC dated 22.7.09 re proposed junction
signage works - junction of Downside Road and Hyatts Wood Road
Members discussed the problems caused by traffic to Backwell being directed down Hyatts Wood Road and all agreed that this traffic sign should be removed. Members were happy with the other signs proposed by NSC.
337 Resolved: Unanimously that Backwell Parish Council opposes the erection of
‘Backwell - light traffic only' sign and the existing sign should also be removed. The Council is in agreement with the remaining signs proposed by NSC.
10. To receive and consider email and attachments from NSC dated 22.7.09 re Community Governance Review - Part Two - response required by 24.9.09 (review of parish boundaries between the parishes of Backwell, Winford and Wrington - see Appendix B pages 12 - 16) - Please see Clerk's Report
338 Resolved: Unanimously that Cllrs R Taylor and M Gibbons-Price attend a
meeting on behalf of Backwell Parish Council with Winford and Wrington Parish Councils, and report back at the September 3rd Full Council meeting
11. To receive and consider letters from Avon and Somerset Police dated 8.7.09 and NSC dated 7.7.09 re car parking problems in Rodney Road, Backwell
339 Noted
12. To receive and consider emails from Inspector Jon Owen, Avon and Somerset Police, dated 20.7.09 and 22.7.09 re e-briefing
340 Resolved: Unanimously the Clerk to write to Inspector Owen expressing
Backwell Parish Council's support for this project but pointing out that at present Backwell does not have a PCSO and are currently lacking information from the Police, and it would welcome a replacement PCSO as soon as possible
13. To receive email and plan from District Cllr K Barclay dated 27.7.09 re update on proposed crossing on A370 - West Town, Backwell
341 District Cllr K Barclay updated members on the progress being made on the proposed crossing in Backwell. Cllr T Collinson requested that a vote of thanks be recorded to District K Barclay in connection with this matter.
14. To receive and consider reports from Working Parties of the Council and
Councillors:-
342 a. Cllr R Mason gave a short verbal update on the progress of the Community Plan.
b. Cllr R Taylor updated members on the Village Enhancement Working Party and reminded members to keep Thursday October 8th free if possible, as help would be required for the Over 60s tea party. He also reminded members that donations would be gratefully received for raffle prizes. It was suggested that Cllr C Pope be co-opted onto the Working Party, until such time as Cllr Drew was well enough to return.
343 Resolved: Unanimously that Cllr C Pope be co-opted onto the Village Enhancement Working Party
c. Cllr R Taylor's report on the erection of the Christmas tree on Rodney Road Green was noted.
344 Resolved: Unanimously that the Xmas Tree be erected the same as last year
and passed to the VEWP to deal with
d. Cllr R Taylor - Minutes of RSS Forum meeting held 16.7.09
345 Noted
15. To receive and consider a report from the Clerk of the Council
346 (a) Report noted
347 (b) None
16. To receive and consider: - Relevant correspondence (all available at office
for viewing)
348 Correspondence noted
17. Accounts
a. To consider annual subscription for renewal of membership to the South West
Regional Assembly in the sum of £287.50 inclusive of VAT
349 Resolve: Unanimously that Backwell Parish Council does not renew
membership to the South West Regional Assembly
b. To receive and consider the income and expenditure schedule for July 2009 (Checked by Cllr B Bucknell prior to meeting).
350 Members noted the schedule previously circulated
c. To authorise expenditure for the month of July 2009.
351 Resolved: Unanimously to authorise expenditure with the addition of cheque no. 101168 Mr R W James for £360 - painting of fence at Oatfield and the deletion of cheque no. 101149 to South West Regional Assembly for £287.50
d. To receive and consider report from Finance Working Party meeting 21.7.09
regarding levels of Earmarked Reserves and General Reserve Fund.
Cllr R Taylor informed members that the level of earmarked reserves needed to be
reduced by £10,000 from £85,000 to £75,000 to enable the General Reserve Fund
to be increased to £30,000.
352 Resolved: Unanimously that £10,000 be vired from the Planning Contingency
Fund to the General Reserve Fund, thereby ensuring the Council complies
with CiPFA guidance and has in excess of three months' revenue spending
(General Reserve Fund £30,000).
18. Planning Matters
a. To receive and consider letter from NSC dated 15th July 2009 re Appeal Ref. APP/DO121/A/09/2108002/NWF - Cherrywood Stables, Backwell Hill Road, Backwell -Mr R Walker - Temporary living accommodation for worker's dwelling -response required by 19.8.09
353 Resolved: Unanimously that Backwell Parish Council reiterates their previous comments and supports North Somerset Council's refusal
b. To receive and consider letter from NSC dated 22nd July 2009 re Appeal Ref. APP/DO121/A/09/2108724/NWF - Ash Dale, Downside Road, Backwell - Mr & Mrs R Millard - Erection of 4 no. holiday chalets adjoining existing Bed and Breakfast business - response required by 31.8.09
354 Resolved: Unanimously that Backwell Parish Council has no additional comments to make to its previous objection, but enforces its support for North Somerset Council's refusal
To consider the following planning applications:
c. PLANNING APPLICATION NO. 09/P/1061/F2 - PLANNING PERMISSION FOR ERECTION OF A 30,000 SEAT STADIUM ETC. AT ASHTON VALE. Full details available on North Somerset Council's Website www.n-somerset.gov.uk or plans can be viewed at Nailsea Library, Bristol City
Council's planning office at Brunel House, St George's Road, BS1 5UY or Ashton Gate Stadium.
355 Resolved: By a majority vote no objection but this Council does feel that there needs to be a larger car parking facility
d. PLANNING APPLICATION NO. 09/P/1100/WT - MANOR FARM, 84 WEST TOWN ROAD, BACKWELL - MR K EDIS - Fell 3 trees, surgery to 9 trees.
356 Resolved: Unanimously no objection
e. PLANNING APPLICATION NO. 09/P/1101/TRP - MANOR FARM,
84 WEST TOWN ROAD, BACKWELL - MR K EDIS - 1 x Ash - reduce
2 lowest limbs over neighbouring garden by 30%, remove smallest overhanging
limb. Reduce 3 stems/limbs overhanging shed by 30%. Crown clean.
357 Resolved: Unanimously no objection
f. PLANNING APPLICATION NO. 09/P/1117/F - SUMMERVALE, MOOR LANE, BACKWELL - MR D ABRUZZO - Change of use from
agricultural land to residential curtilage and erection of linked extension to storage
buildings following part demolition.
358 Resolved: Unanimously Backwell Parish Council objects because the applicant already has sufficient residential land without going into agricultural land curtilage. This Council feels that would set a serious precedent
g. PLANNING APPLICATION NO. 09/P/1119/WT - ROBINSON HOUSE, 11 ROBINSON WAY, BACKWELL - MR N JONES - 1 x Holm Oak - heavy reduction.
359 Resolved: Unanimously no objection
h. PLANNING APPLICATION NO. 09/1135/LB - 94 CHURCH LANE,
BACKWELL - MR J MOORE - Erection of a single storey extension to garage.
360 Resolved: Unanimously no objection
i. PLANNING APPLICATION NO. 09/P/1139/F - 40 FARLEIGH ROAD, BACKWELL - MR C LAPORTA - Erection of a detached garage.
361 Resolved: Unanimously Backwell Parish Council has no objection to the principle of a detached garage, but we strongly object to the 3 metre high wall and gate in front, as it is not in keeping with the rest of the neighbouring properties. High walls and high gates are antisocial in villages and does not promote rural life
j. PLANNING APPLICATION NO. 09/P/1193/AD- 2-4 DARK LANE,
BACKWELL - BRITANNIA SPICE - Display of 2 no non illuminated fascia
signs (West Town Road and Dark Lane elevations)
362 Resolved: Unanimously no objection to 2 non-illuminated signs but this Council would object to illuminated lettering
k. BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT PLANNING APPLICATION NO. 09/P/1020/OT2 - ENTEC UK LTD -FUTURE PROPOSED EXPANSION of Bristol International Airport (full details available on North Somerset Council's Website www.n-somerset.gov.uk or plans can be viewed at Nailsea Library).
Cllr S Pope gave a short presentation outlining the planning application. Members discussed this planning application at length. The Chairman reminded members of Backwell Parish Council's policy on planning applications for Bristol
Airport.
363 Resolved: Unanimously Backwell Parish Council discussed at length the outline Planning Application for Bristol Airport. We have to be realistic for those who use the Airport and can see that there is a need to upgrade certain facilities within the Airport.
However, it is the decision of this Council that North Somerset Council must refuse this application because current traffic and highway problems will be exacerbated by the excessive proposals and neither adequate highway improvements nor their funding have as yet been established. Extra fuel tankers and 10 years of £150m major development will exacerbate the current traffic overload on the A370, Brockley Combe and Downside.
The extended invasion of the south side Green Belt for extra car parking is also unacceptable.
Our further grave concerns and where we feel special attention needs to be focused within the Parish of Backwell are:-
1. Traffic calming measures in Hyatts Wood Road.
2. Traffic lights at the junction of Downside Road and the A38.
3. We consider that a screen of trees and noise reduction acoustic barrier fences on the North side where the Terminal Building is and where the proposed multi-storey car parks is intended should be put in place NOW as the residents of Downside are already severely disrupted by car door banging, car alarms plus other noise levels associated with the Airport such as ground running noise by aircraft.
4. BIA to review the lease given to Airport Taxis, banning them using rat runs which are currently being used at Church Lane, Church Town, Backwell Hill Road, Hyatts Wood Road.
5. For the safety of residents, the Downside Road entrance used by tankers and service vehicles should be made wider.
Finally, we fully support Barrow Gurney Parish Council and their impossible situation regarding Airport traffic and agree that installation of a by-pass is of paramount importance not only to Barrow Gurney, but all other Villages on the A370. Funding for this should be approved by the Government before any planning approval is considered by NSC. It is obvious that of the 70% extra use of the Airport that 90% of this will be cars and taxis as the only other mode of transport is the Flyer using the A38.
19. Invitations
a. Invitation for a representative of the Parish Council to give a talk to
members of Backwell Senior Club at Lawnside on Friday October 16th 2009
at 2.30 pm
364 Noted: Cllr T Collinson volunteered to attend
Confidential items
Resolved: That pursuant to the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960, the Public and Press be excluded from the meeting for the following items due to the confidential nature of the business to be transacted.
20. Staff
Update on staff matters
21. Freedom of Information Appeals Panel
366 Resolved: Unanimously the Clerk to send a copy of the minutes of the BPFC meeting held on 17th February 2009 to Mrs Sage
There being no further items of business, the Chairman closed the meeting at
2110 hours
DATES OF NEXT MEETINGS:
Full Council Meeting Thursday 3rd September 2009 at 1930 hours in Backwell Parish Hall
Planning Committee Meeting Thursday 17th September 2009 at 1900 hours in Backwell Parish Hall