Full Council Minutes 1st April 2010
BACKWELL PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD ON THURSDAY 1st APRIL 2010
IN BACKWELL PARISH HALL, BACKWELL
Present: Cllrs C Pope (Chairman), M Bowerman, B Bucknell, M Gibbons-Price,
B Huggins, J Llewellyn, R Mason, K Merryweather, S Ould, C Perry, S Pope, D Sparks,
R Taylor and G Wills.
In attendance: Mrs J Stone, Clerk of the Council and District Cllr K Barclay
Members of the public: Mrs T Trendell
The Chairman opened the meeting by welcoming everyone present and pointed out the location of the emergency exits and toilets.
1. Apologies
127 Cllr D Brooks
2. New Councillors co-opted 4.3.10
To receive signed Declarations of Acceptance of Office and Agreements to
observe the Code of Conduct from:
a. Mrs K Merryweather
b. Mr C Perry
128 Resolved: Unanimously to receive signed Declarations of Acceptance of Office and Agreements to observe the Code of Conduct from Mrs K Merryweather and Mr C Perry. The Chairman welcomed Mrs Merryweather and Mr Perry to the Council.
3. Minutes
129 The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Thursday 4th March 2010
were unanimously confirmed as a correct record by those present at that meeting.
4. Public Participation
Standing Orders were suspended
Cllr M Bowerman declared a prejudicial interest in Agenda item 20a and spoke
of her concerns regarding a proposed development of 20 affordable housing units, together with a sports pavilion and associated sport pitches on Backwell Common.
Standing Orders were reinstated
5. 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:-
130 Personal interest
Cllr S Pope - Agenda Item 20b - Bristol Airport - Member of Consultative Committee
Cllr D Sparks - Agenda Item 12 - National Grid
Prejudicial interest
131 Cllr M Bowerman - Agenda Item 20a - Proposed development on Backwell
Common - resides close to proposed development
6. To receive such communications as the person presiding may wish to lay before the Council
132 The Chairman spoke regarding the Annual Parishioners Meeting taking place on Thursday 22nd April 2010, and asked for volunteers to help with setting up the hall in the afternoon and for help with refreshments in the evening.
133 The Chairman informed members of a meeting being held by the Infrastructure Planning Commission, which is taking place in Bridgwater on Tuesday 18th May 2010 between 6pm and 8pm. The meeting is to discuss the pre application consultation conducted by National Grid in respect of the Hinkley Point C Connection Project. The Chairman requested a Councillor attend. Cllr R Taylor
volunteered.
7. To answer questions from Councillors (see standing order 26)
134 None.
8. To receive and consider reports and minutes of Committees
To receive the draft minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 18.3.10
135 Noted.
9. District Cllr K Barclay updated members on the progress of the installation
of the pedestrian crossing on the A370. The crossing has been approved,
and work is scheduled to commence late June/early July. It is anticipated
that crossing will take approximately 2 weeks to install.
136 Noted.
10. District Cllr K Barclay updated members on North Somerset Council's proposals to relocate the library in the Leisure Centre, and to operate in conjunction with the mobile library. The mobile library is anticipated to be at the Leisure Centre once a week for 3 hours. The relocation is forecast to take place at the end of June/beginning of July, and the current facilities would remain open until the new library is in place.
137 Noted.
11. To consider request from residents of Downside for bus shelter for use by
school children in Hyatts Wood Road
Members were informed that there was £5,000 developer contribution monies
left over from the Hyatts Wood Road/Downside Road alterations. Members
discussed how the money would be best spent, and a proposal was put forward
that a shelter be provided in the lay-by at Hyatts Wood Road for use by school children waiting for the school bus.
138 Resolved: Unanimously the Clerk to contact Mr F Cox at North Somerset Council to see if a shelter could be installed in the lay-by in Hyatts Wood Road.
12. To receive and consider letter from Portbury Parish Council to National Grid dated 12th March 2010 re Hinkley Point C Connection Project
The Chairman informed members that Portbury Parish Council had requested
that neighbouring Councils work together regarding National Grid's proposals,
and were proposing a meeting be held with National Grid. When a meeting
has been arranged, 2 Councillors would be required to attend.
139 Resolved: Unanimously once confirmation of the date of the meeting has
been received from Portbury Parish Council, Cllrs C Pope and R Taylor
to attend.
13. To consider adoption of Backwell Community Plan (Circulated)
The Chairman spoke regarding the Community Plan, and it was agreed that
it be discussed further at the 6th May Full Council meeting.
140 Resolved: Unanimously that Backwell Parish Council adopts the Community
Plan.
14. To receive and consider letter and application form from CPRE dated March 2010 re CPRE Avonside Village of the Year Competition 2010
Members debated whether Backwell Parish Council should enter the competition.
141 Resolved: Unanimously Backwell Parish Council does not participate in
the competition this year.
15. To receive and consider draft 2010 Town and Parish Charter Consultation
document (deadline for response is 31.5.10)
Cllrs D Sparks and C Perry to complete the draft consultation document and to present to the May 6th 2010 Full Council meeting for approval.
142 Noted.
16. To receive and consider reports from working parties of the Council/Cllrs
a. Cllr R Taylor - Allotment tracks
143 Noted: Defer to May 6th 2010 Full Council meeting
b. Enhancement Working Party Report
Cllr S Pope updated members on the Enhancement Working Party.
144 Resolved: Unanimously £600 be authorised for the purchase
of hanging baskets.
145 Resolved: Unanimously £1,000 be authorised to cover the cost
of the Over 60's Afternoon Tea being held on 30.9.10
c. Recycling Report (additional literature available in the Parish Office)
146 Noted
17. To receive and consider a report from the Clerk of the Council
147 a. Clerk's report noted.
b. The Chairman asked for 2 volunteers to prepare and serve refreshments at ALCA's North Somerset Group AGM on 10.6.10.
148 Noted: Cllrs R Mason and M Bowerman volunteered.
18. To receive and consider: - Relevant correspondence (all available at office
for viewing)
149 Correspondence noted.
19. Accounts
a. To receive and consider:-
(i) receipts and payments schedule for March 2010 and
(ii) grants schedule 2010/2011
(Checked by Cllr D Brooks prior to meeting)
150 Members noted the schedules previously circulated.
b. To authorise expenditure for the month of March 2010
151 Resolved: Unanimously to authorise expenditure.
c. To consider reinvestment of expired Moor Lane Bond in the sum of £18,893
Cllr R Taylor informed members that the Moor Lane Bond for £18,893
was due to expire on 9th April 2010.
152 Resolved: Unanimously to invest £15,000 into a High Interest Income
Bond with HSBC for a period of 1 year (interest to be paid annually), and to invest the remaining £3,893 into the Moor Lane current account.
d. To receive and consider estimate from Mrs Jo Swift for floral displays
in Backwell for Spring and Autumn 2010, and maintenance of containers
and millennium stones from May until September 2010 in the sum of
£2,402 + VAT (price includes both plants and labour).
153 Resolved: Unanimously to accept estimate from Mrs Jo Swift in the sum of £2,402 plus VAT for plants and labour for Spring and Autumn flowers.
20. Planning Matters
154 8.20 pm - Cllr M Bowerman left the meeting as she had declared a
prejudicial interest in the following Agenda item.
a. To receive and consider email and plans dated 5.3.10 from CMS Bath regarding proposals to provide 20 affordable housing units, together with a sports pavilion and associated outdoor pitches.
Cllr R Taylor informed members of the proposed development of 20
affordable housing units, plus sports pavilion and pitches for Backwell
Common. Councillors debated this issue.
155 Resolved: Unanimously Backwell Parish Council are aware that there is a demand for low cost housing, but feel that this particular site is inappropriate for several reasons:
1. The site is in Green Belt.
2. 15 Bungalows in The Avenue, which overlook the site, would have their living conditions adversely impacted upon, as well as a loss of light. Some properties in Waverley Road would also be affected.
3. The whole proposition of 20 houses, 1 sports pavilion and associated outdoor
pitches would be intrusive to local views of the landscape and out of character in a
rural area.
4. There is no indication as to who would be responsible for the running of the
sports pavilion and associated outdoor pitches.
5. The site falls within the Greater Horseshoe bat protection area.
6. Access would be a problem as Backwell Common, in parts, is a single track road
with many twists and turns and is totally unsuitable. The top of Waverley Road is
very narrow and would also cause problems.
7. The area is too far away from the village amenities and has no public transport access.
8. This proposal is in the flood plain.
Should North Somerset Council feel low cost housing is a priority in Backwell,
Backwell Parish Council feel there could be alternative sites in and around Backwell
that might be more suitable.
156 8.35 pm - Cllr M Bowerman returned to the meeting and was advised of
the resolution.
b. Update on Bristol Airport Planning Application No. 09/P/1020/OT/2.
157 Noted.
21. Invitations
a. To receive invitation from BET re celebratory event at Badgers Wood,
Cheston Combe South, on Sunday May 16th 2010 2pm - 5pm.
158 Noted.
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.
22. Staff
Update on staff matters
159 8.40 pm - The Clerk left the meeting whilst the following was discussed.
160 Minute taker: Unanimous that Cllr S Pope to take Minutes in the absence
of the Clerk.
The Chairman updated Councillors on current situation. Debate ensued
161 Resolved: Unanimously the Clerk's salary to be raised to Grade 32.
162 8.50 pm - The Clerk returned to the meeting and was advised of the resolution.
There being no further items of business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 2050 hours
Dates of Next Meetings
1. Full Council Meeting - Thursday 6th May 2010 1930 hours at The Red Cross
Hall, Backwell
3. Annual Meeting of the Council - Thursday 20th May 2010 1930 hours at Backwell Parish Hall