Full Council Minutes 3rd December 2009
BACKWELL PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD ON THURSDAY 3RD DECEMBER 2009
IN BACKWELL PARISH HALL, BACKWELL
PRESENT: Cllrs C Pope (Chairman), G Boylan, T Collinson, D Brooks, B Bucknell,
R Drew, B Huggins, J Llewellyn, R Mason, S Ould, S Pope, D Sparks and R Taylor
IN ATTENDANCE: Mrs J Stone - Clerk of the Council and District Cllr K Barclay
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: Mrs T Trendell, Mrs D Smith and Mrs M Sage
The Chairman opened the meeting by welcoming everyone present and pointed out the location of the emergency exits and toilets.
1. Apologies
514 Cllr M Gibbons-Price
2. Minutes
515 The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Thursday 5th November 2009
were unanimously confirmed as a correct record by those present at that meeting.
516 Agenda Item nos. 9, 10 and 11 were discussed at this point
9. Update on proposed Backwell Library closure
517 District Cllr K Barclay updated members on the proposed closure of Backwell
Library. She informed members that it was unlikely that a library service
would open at Backwell School, because of concerns re security and likely
cost implications. However there was a possibility that a reduced library
service could be located in the reception area of Backwell Leisure Centre,
in conjunction with a mobile library.
10. Update on A370 crossing
518 District Cllr K Barclay advised members that a suitable location had been found
for the siting of the crossing on the A370 West Town Road, at its junction with
Rushmoor Lane. Legal notices were being displayed this week. Residents
had until the 5th January 2010 to make any comments and contractors are
booked to commence work during the February half term. She further advised
members that works needed to be carried out at the bottom of Church Lane,
the bus stop required moving and the footway required widening.
11. Update on Backwell Recycling Centre
519 District Cllr K Barclay reported on the noise problems being experienced at Backwell Recycling Centre, since its opening 3 years ago. She advised members on the meetings which she had attended, and also spoke regarding the acoustic barrier which has been installed around the bottle bank, which had not solved the problem. The Environment Agency had been asked to monitor the situation, and extensive acoustic tests had been carried out, which had proved that there was a noise nuisance. North Somerset Council will now have to deal with the problem. A meeting is to be held at the Parish Hall on Thursday 10th December at 1630 to discuss this situation. Representatives from NSC, the Environment Agency and Viridor would be in attendance. The Parish Council has also been invited to attend (see Agenda Item 19).
3. Public Participation
520 Standing Orders were suspended
None
521 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:-
522 Personal interest
Cllr S Pope - Agenda Item 14 Bristol Airport - Member of Consultative
Committee.
Cllr R Mason - Agenda Item 20a Community Plan - Member of Community
Plan Working Group.
523 Prejudicial interest
Cllr D Sparks - Agenda Item 12 National Grid Hinkley Point C Connection
Project - House backs onto possible location of pylons and member of Save
Our Valley group and wife part of organisation team.
5. To co-opt new member onto Backwell Parish Council
524 Resolved: Unanimously Mr G Wills was co-opted onto Backwell Parish
Council
6. To receive such communications as the person presiding may wish
to lay before the Council
525 The Chairman reminded members of the date for the Carol Service around
the Xmas tree on Thursday 17th December at 7.45 pm, followed by mince
pies and hot drinks to be served at the Parish Hall.
526 The Chairman informed members that the Clerk had just received an invite from Bristol International Airport for Parish Councillors to attend a 'get together' over
a mince pie and glass of mulled wine at Bristol Airport on Tuesday 15th December at 1800 for 1830. Councillors to notify the Clerk if they wish to attend.
527 The Chairman thanked Cllrs R Taylor, R Mason, S Pope, D Brooks and former Councillor R Day for their help in setting up the Parish Hall for the Xmas refreshments.
7. To answer questions from Councillors (see standing order 26)
528 None
8. To receive and consider reports and minutes of committees
To receive the draft minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on
19.11.09
529 Noted
530 Agenda Nos. 9/10 and 11 were discussed and are minuted after Agenda Item No. 2
531 7.25 pm Cllr D Sparks left the meeting as he had declared a prejudicial
interest in the following agenda item
12. National Grid
a. The Chairman updated members on the current situation regarding the National Grid proposals, and members viewed a suggested draft response.
532 Resolved: Unanimously that the following response be sent to National
Grid. "Backwell Parish Council feels that in order to make the correct decision there should be four options on the table:-
-
Under the Sea - All that is quoted by National Grid is that this is too expensive yet, they give no details of costs. At meetings attended by Backwell Parish Councillors it was obvious that this option is being avoided by National Grid, although it appears to be the one to satisfy all parties (other than National Grid it would seem). Regarding expense, what would this cost the electricity users? If the route under the sea was used this would mean there would be no health hazards for people living near huge pylons, area of beauty would not be affected, value of properties would be maintained and the visual impact of these huge pylons would be avoided.
-
Under the Ground - All the above would again apply, but this once again has been totally ignored by National Grid.
-
Option 1 - Similar to the present siting of the pylons.
-
Option 2 - In between Backwell and Nailsea cutting through the valley where the lake is situated.
Options 1 and 2 are the only options being put forward by National Grid for consideration. It appears to this Council they have not been considered as options, but more as alternatives using "bully boy" tactics. National Grid appear to be determined to get their own way no matter what local people may say.
If we are forced to decide on either of these options we would have to recommend Option 1, although much more research would need to be done to protect households living in the path of these pylons. This also includes the Children's Hospice at Charlton Farm and The Downs School.
Our reasons for not choosing Option 2 are that:-
(a) It would totally destroy the delightful environment of Backwell Lake, an area also used for recreational facilities.
(b) The houses in Trendlewood, Nailsea and Station Approach, Backwell would not be very far from these enormous pylons.
(c) By using this route it would completely surround Nailsea with Pylons.
(d) The route goes very closely to Wraxall School and would virtually go over the Charlton Farm Children's Hospice and Downs School.
(e) It cuts through woodland at Wraxall destroying an area of considerable beauty.
(f) There are obvious health concerns (and this would also apply to Option 1), which do not appear to have been addressed by National Grid.
National Grid do not appear to have given thought to what route should be taken, including the costs involved, and we believe that much more research needs to be done before a decision is made."
533 Agenda Item C was discussed
c. To consider request from Save our Valley group to insert link to their website. Members discussed the request received.
534 Resolved: Backwell Parish Council does not wish on this occasion to insert link to the Save Our Valley website
535 7.35 pm Cllr D Sparks returned to the meeting and was advised of the
above resolutions
b. To receive and consider letter from Wraxall & Failand Parish
Council re request to set up fund
536 Noted: Defer to January 2010 meeting when budget and precept are set
13. To receive and consider email from Mr M Vincent dated 8.11.09 requesting link from Parish Council website to website www.atbackwell.co.uk
537 Resolved: Unanimously Backwell Parish Council supports putting a link on its website to www.atbackwell.co.uk
14. To receive, consider and approve response to Bristol International Airport's
proposed Noise Action Plan
Members discussed the draft response to the Noise Action Plan and it was
agreed that an amended response be given in answer to question no. 1
538 Resolved: Unanimously that the response to question 1 be amended to
read "The most important problem with aircraft noise will be the 66%
increase in flight numbers which far outweighs any marginal reduction
in noise from each flight".
15. Local Action Team - Accounts
Members discussed the accounts received from LAT.
539 Resolved: Unanimously the Clerk to write a letter to LAT, informing
them that Backwell Parish Council considers this matter closed.
16. To receive and consider email from CMS Bath Ltd dated 17.11.09
regarding request for meeting to discuss possible affordable housing
scheme
540 Resolved: Unanimously the Clerk to invite a representative from CMS
Bath Ltd to address members prior to the Full Council meeting on 7.1.10.
17. Backwell Youth Club and Judo Club use
To consider a proposed planning application by Backwell Parish Council
for a retrospective variation of planning conditions on all previous permissions
to restrict the buildings to community use except as permitted by the Local
Planning Authority
541 Resolved: Unanimously Backwell Parish Council to apply for a
retrospective variation of planning conditions on all previous permissions
to restrict the buildings to community use, except as permitted by the
Local Planning Authority
18. To receive and consider consultation paper from North Somerset Council
re Notice of Community Governance Review draft recommendations A &
B - Part 2 (response required by 14th January 2010)
542 Resolved: By a majority vote Backwell Parish Council reiterates their
previous comments. 1 abstention - Cllr T Collinson.
19. To receive and consider letter from Viridor dated 18.11.09 to attend
meeting on Thursday 10th December 2009 at 1630 in Parish Hall,
Backwell, to discuss Backwell Waste Recycling Centre
543 Members were informed that they were all invited to attend the above
event.
20. To receive and consider reports from working parties of the Council/Cllrs
a. Cllr R Mason - Community Plan update
544 Noted: Cllr R Mason informed members that the Community Plan
should be available in February.
545 b. Cllr R Taylor's report on the History of Backwell project was noted
by members.
21 To receive and consider a report from the Clerk of the Council
546 (a) Report noted.
547 (b) None
22. To receive and consider: - Relevant correspondence (all available at office
for viewing)
548 Correspondence noted.
23. Accounts
a. To receive and consider the receipts and payments schedule for November 2009 (Checked by Cllr C Pope prior to meeting)
549 Members noted the schedule previously circulated.
b. To authorise expenditure for the month of November 2009
550 Resolved: Unanimously to authorise expenditure with the additional entry of cheque nos. 101268 to Cllr C Pope for expenses of £39.60
c. To consider £175 prize money received in connection with Calor Village of the Year competition
551 The Chairman advised members that the Council had received
£175 in prize money in connection with the Calor Village of the Year competition, and asked members to consider how they would like the money to be spent. To be discussed at the Full Council meeting on 7.1.10
d. To consider reinvestment of £70,000 Moor Lane monies into a
High Interest Bond for a period of 1 year - interest to be paid annually
552 Resolved: Unanimously to invest £70,000 Moor Lane money into
a High Interest Bond for 1 year- interest to be paid annually.
e. To receive draft budget for 2010/2011 (for discussion in January 2010)
553 Noted
f. To receive draft grant application list for 2010/2011 (for discussion in
January 2010)
554 Noted
g. To authorise the sum of £168 for renewal of Clerk's subscription to
SLCC
555 Resolved:Unanimously to authorise £168 for Clerk's SLCC
subscription
30. Planning Matters
To consider the following planning applications:-
a. Planning Application No. 09/P/1943/F - 5 Mulberry Close,
Backwell - Mr M Groves - Erection of a single storey side extension.
Convert garage to living accommodation. Erection of rear conservatory.
556 Resolved: Unanimously no objection
b. Planning Application No. 09/P/1978/F - 94 Church Lane,
Backwell - Mr J Moore - Erection of an extension to existing garage to
include an additional garage door.
557 Resolved: Unanimously Backwell Parish Council does not wish
to comment further, and reiterates its previous comments
c. Planning Application No. 09/P/1979/LB - 94 Church Lane,
Backwell - Mr J Moore - Erection of an extension to existing garage to
include an additional garage door.
558 Resolved: Unanimously Backwell Parish Council does not wish
to comment further, and reiterates its previous comments
559 The Chairman informed members of the resignation of Cllr R Drew due to
health reasons. On behalf of Backwell Parish Council he wished him all the best and thanked him for all his efforts.
The Chairman concluded by wishing all members a merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous NewYear
560 There being no further items of business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 2007 hours
DATE OF NEXT MEETINGS:
Full Council Meeting Thursday 7th January 2010 at 1930 hours in Backwell Parish Hall.
Full Council Meeting Thursday 14th January 2010 at 1930 hours in Backwell Parish Hall to determine budget and consider outstanding planning applications only