BACKWELL PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD ON THURSDAY 5TH OCTOBER 2017
IN BACKWELL PARISH HALL, BACKWELL
Present: Cllrs R Taylor (Chairman), M Bowerman, J Cousins, E Langston, J Llewellyn, R MacLeavy, S Mitchell, S Ould, H Power, G Simmonite, P Soothill and J Stone
In attendance: Mrs J Stone, Clerk of the Council.
Members of the public: 33 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
412 Cllrs S Edwards and D Seddon. District Cllr K Barclay
2. To consider co-option of one new member onto Backwell Parish Council and, if co-opted, to receive their Declaration of Acceptance of Office
413 Members noted no applications had been received, and the vacancy has been
re-advertised and will appear on the 2nd November 2017 Full Council agenda
3. Declarations of Interest
To receive Councillors’ declarations of interests and to consider any written
application for dispensations
414 Personal interest
Cllr J Cousins – agenda no. 6e – Play tennis at Backwell Tennis Courts
Cllr H Power – agenda no. 21c – Live in Karen Drive, does not know applicant
to the best of my knowledge
Cllr P Soothill – agenda no. 6e – Tennis Club member
Cllr P Soothill – agenda item 13 – Land on west side of Backwell around house
415 Prejudicial interest
None
416 Disclosable Pecuniary Interests
Cllr S Ould – agenda no. 14 – has an allotment
4. Minutes (Circulated)
417 The Minutes of the Full Council meeting held on 7th September 2017 were unanimously confirmed as a correct record by those present at that meeting
418 The Chairman changed the running order of the agenda as follows
6. To consider requests for grants (£2,000 and above) from the following
applicants:
419 Standing Orders were suspended
a. West Town & Backwell WI Hall £5,000
420 Mrs Taylor outlined the reasons for the grant application. Her comments were
noted by members
421 b. Backwell Youth Club £12,000
The presentation from Backwell Youth Club will take place at the 2nd November Full Council meeting
422 c. Community Alcohol and Drug Misuse
Forum £2,000
Mrs Taylor outlined the reasons for the grant application. Her comments
were noted by members
423d. Backwell Playing Fields £14,000
Mr Murray outlined the reasons for the grant application. His comments
were noted by members
424e. Backwell Tennis Club £3,000
Mr Gaunt outlined the reasons for the grant application. His comments
were noted by members
425f. Backwell Parish Hall £6,000
Mr Charnock outlined the reasons for the grant application. His comments
were noted by members
426 g. The Rotary Club of Nailsea & Backwell £2,100
Mr Hunt outlined the reasons for the grant application. His comments were
noted by members
427 Standing Orders were reinstated
5. Public Participation
428 Members noted the comments of 3 members of public who spoke regarding problems with road safety on Station Road, and their wish for a pedestrian crossing to be installed
429 A member of public spoke regarding the replacement litter bin, which had been installed on the corner of Rodney Road by NSC. The litter bin at the Leisure
Centre is also due to be replaced
7. To receive such communications as the person presiding may wish to lay
before the Council
430 The Chairman informed members Cllr H Power would be carrying out a survey of footpaths in the village
431 Members noted the Chairman’s comments regarding ongoing problems with Biffa
432 The Chairman had attended a meeting at Tarmac, and would submit a report with
the 2nd November 2017 Full Council meeting papers
433 The Chairman, together with Cllr M Bowerman, would be attending the ALCA AGM on the 7th November 2017
434 The Chairman’s comments were noted by members regarding the draft budget and grant list. The Finance Working Party to meet and discuss these documents, and
copies to be circulated with the 7th December 2017 Full Council meeting papers
8. To answer questions from Councillors
435 None
9. To receive and consider reports and minutes of Committees
436 None
10. To receive and consider a report from the Clerk of the Council
a. To receive this report
437 Noted
b. Update on non agenda items
438 None
11. Update on Farleigh Fields
The Chairman updated members regarding the latest position on Farleigh
Fields. Members noted the outcome of the Appeal has been put back to the 7th November 2017
439 Noted
12. Update on Moor Lane
The Chairman gave an update on Moor Lane, and spoke of the proposed mix
of houses and bungalows, which the Council expressed concern about. Concern
was also expressed at the inclusion of a play area, but no plans for a footpath.
The Parish Council to request a meeting with Taylor Wimpey and NSC
440 Noted
13. To consider impact of Joint Spatial Plan re Grove Farm
Members noted the Chairman’s comments regarding proposals to build 700
houses at Grove Farm. The Chairman suggested a fact-finding meeting with the developer be arranged
441 Noted
442 Cllr S Ould, having declared a disclosable pecuniary interest, left the meeting whilst the following matter was discussed
14. To review annual allotment rent for 2018 (currently £30 for a full plot,
£16 for a half plot and £8 for a quarter plot)
443 Resolved: Unanimously the rent for a full plot to be increased to £32. The
rent for half and quarter plots to remain unchanged
444 Cllr S Ould rejoined the meeting and was advised of the resolution passed
15. To consider appointment of Vice Chairman
445 Resolved: Unanimously to defer appointment of a Vice Chairman to the Annual Meeting of the Council in May 2018
16. To authorise expenditure of £150 for hall hire for Backwell Village Show
(15th/16th September 2017)
446 Resolved: Unanimously to authorise
17. To receive and consider report and plans from Cllr S Mitchell re proposed works to Station Road in the sum of £7,223.05
447 Resolved: By a majority decision Backwell Parish Council write to North
Somerset Council requesting the proposed works to be implemented as a matter of priority as soon as possible on the NSC Highways work schedule.
1 abstention
18. To consider the setting up of a public relations working party
448 Resolved: Unanimously a Public Relations Working Party be set up consisting of Cllrs H Power, E Langston and D Seddon. Terms of
Reference – to prepare press releases as and when required
19. To receive and consider reports from Working Parties of the Council/Cllrs
a. To receive update from Enhancement Working Party
449 Cllr M Bowerman reminded members of the dates for the Senior
Citizens Tea Party (23.11.17), the Chairman’s drinks (7.12.17) and
Carols Around the Crib (14.12.17)
b. To receive update from Highways Working Party
450 Cllr S Mitchell’s comments were noted regarding West Leigh Infant
School and Backwell Junior School
c. To receive update from 2026/2036 Working Party
451 Update already discussed (minute no. 441)
20. Accounts
a. To receive and consider Receipts and Payments schedule for September
2017 (checked by Cllr P Soothill prior to the meeting)
452 Noted
b. To authorise expenditure for the month of September 2017
453 Resolved: Unanimously to authorise
c. To receive and consider Part 3 of Backwell Parish Council’s Annual
Return – External Auditor’s Report and Certificate
The Council thanked the Clerk for her recent work on the External
454 Audit
d. To receive 2018/19 Schedule of Grant Applications
455 Noted
e. To authorise expenditure of £60 per Councillor to attend being A
Good Councillor course in Long Ashton on the 21st October 2017
456 Resolved: Unanimously to authorise
21. Planning
a. To consider response to NSC Consultation on Draft Accessible Housing Needs Assessment Supplementary Planning Document (available to view in the Parish Office). Deadline 12.10.17
457 Noted – a response to be submitted to NSC prior to the deadline
b. To receive and consider email from NSC dated 18.9.17 re North Somerset
Council Site Allocations Plan Proposed Modifications Consultation. Deadline 30.10.17
458 Resolved: Unanimously Backwell Parish Council supports the NSC
Allocation Plan Proposed Modifications
To consider the following planning applications:
c. Planning application no. 17/P/2129/F 34 Karen Drive, Backwell –
Erection of a two storey side extension in place of existing garage –
Mr Taffinder
459 Resolved: Unanimously Backwell Parish Council has no objection
to this application
d. Planning application no. 17/P/2160/WT The Grange, 2 Church Town,
Backwell – 1 x conifer – fell and replace – Mr Anthony Young
460 Resolved: Unanimously Backwell Parish Council supports the
recommendations/decision of NSC Tree Officer, who the Council notes
has already granted permission for the work
e. Planning application no. 17/P/2164/WT 87 West Town Road, Backwell –
T1 Turkey oak – fell – Mr R Smart
461 Resolved: Unanimously Backwell Paris Council supports the recommendations/decision of NSC Tree Officer
f. Planning application no. 17/P/2196/F Backwell Hill Quarry, Cheston Coombe, Church Town, Backwell – Erection of single storey warehouse.
Extension to exiting store to create new toilet block. Erection of canopy
between existing joinery workroom and new toilet block. Demolition of
existing toilet block – Mr Geoff Uren
462 Resolved: Unanimously Backwell Parish Council has no objection to
this application
22. Confidential Items
463 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
23. Staff
Staff matters
464 Resolved: Unanimously Backwell Parish Council agrees to Flexible Retirement for the Village Orderly, Mr H Jones, and to a reduction in working hours from 16 hours per week to 12 hours per week, to be worked on a Monday, Tuesday and Friday
465 There being no further items of business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 2120 hours