MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD 7.30PM 13 JULY

AT FAILAND VILLAGE HALL

 

PRESENT -   Cllrs. Sykes(Chairman), King(Vice Chairman), Mrs Shaw, Down, Nathan, Parsons, Mrs Moon.,     

                      Sage, Sheppard, Delmas.

IN ATTENDANCE -  D/Cllrs. Cook & Roberts, Liaison Officer Sally Varley & Clerk.

APOLOGIES -  Cllr. Sapsed & PC Hughes.

PUBLIC -  Ruth Gofton (National Trust), Mr Sweetman re. 43k

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST -  43n  Cllr. King owns fields around the property.

                                                          43p  Cllr. Delmas lives on the Elms estate.

 

42                 MINUTES – The minutes of the meeting held 8 June 2004 were agreed and signed after the amendment to WARREN FARM, Page 2 “Richard Sweetman of Warren Farm had written to Cllr. Sage who gave the letter to the clerk. Cllr. Sage happy to look at the official application.”

 

43                 PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT

 

k)        APPLICATION 04/P/1631/F – Change of use of existing agricultural building to horse livery.  Erection of 

       hay barn & outdoor menage for Miss V M Porter at Old Warren Farm Ltd, Old Warren Farm, Portbury

       Lane, Wraxall.

       This application was discussed out of order to allow Mr Sweetman to leave afterwards if he so wished.

       Site visited on 12 July – barn is nearly built.  Soak away not adequate to cope with 10 horses.

       RECOMMENDATIONS – Large Barn Change of Use – No objections with the proviso that drainage for

                                                10 horses should be considered.

                                             Hay Barn - No objection if as the photograph supplied.

                                             Menage – No objection with the proviso that there is no floodlighting.

 

ki)   POST DECISION AMENDMENT TO APPLICATION 04/P/0058/F – Erection of a two storey replacement   

       dwelling at Warren Cottage (now called Old Warren Farm), Portbury Lane, Wraxall. 

       AMENDMENT – Revision of siting & Change of use from approved stone finish to render.

       RECOMMENDATION – Revision of siting – No problem BUT the change of external finish is not    

       supported. Councillors would not support this part of the amendment as they don’t know what it will look   

       like because of the change from previous plans.                                

 

a)       APPLICATION – 04/P/1392/F Change of Use of agricultural building to DIY livery stables (retrospective) for G P Jones & Sons at Manor Farm, Green Lane, Failand.

RECOMMENDATION – Approve.

 

b)       APPLICATION – 04/P/1434/LB Erection of single storey side extension for Mr R Lewis & Ms N Evans at Belmont House, Wraxall.

RECOMMENDATION – REFUSE.  It was felt that this extension was totally out of character with the main building.  Voting 9-1.

 

c)       APPLICATION – 04/P/1435/LB Erection of a single storey garage extension for Mr R  Lewis & Ms N Evans at Belmont House, Wraxall.

RECOMMENDATION  - No objections

                              

d)       APPLICATION 04/P/1436/LB – Install lift & spiral staircase within racquet court area of existing building for Mr R Lewis & Ms N Evans at Belmont House, Wraxall

RECOMMENDATION – No objections.

 

e)       APPLICATION 04/P/1458/F – Erection of a single storey side extension for Mr R Harris at Little Combe. Tower House Lane, Wraxall.

RECOMMENDATION – Approve.

 

f)         APPLICATION 04/P/1513/F – Single storey extensions to the side and front of property to include veranda and porch for Mr & Mrs Hassenruck at Tree Tops, Tower House Lane, Wraxall.

RECOMMENDATION – Approve.

 

 

 

g)       APPLICATION 04/P/1541/F – Retrospective permission for the retention of studio/offices & light industrial/storage in redundant agricultural building for G P Jones & Sons at Manor Farm, Green Lane, Failand.

RECOMMENDATION – This application is NOT SUPPORTED.  Although we understand that there was previously a farm building on this site the building described as REDUNDANT seems to have been purpose built recently.

 

h)       APPLICATION 04/P/1545/F – Erection of a side conservatory for Mr & Mrs Garratt at Bethel Cottage, Failand Lane, Failand.

RECOMMENDATION – Approve.

 

i)         APPLICATION 04/P/1570/T2 – Robinia – fell – 5 day notice for Mr G G Wedlake at Wraxall Manor House Hotel, Bristol Road, Wraxall. (Received after the target date)

 

j)         APPLICATION 04/P/1587/F – Erection of a rear conservatory for Mrs C M Taylor at Amber, Jubilee Drive, Failand.

      RECOMMENDATION – Approve.

 

k)       Dealt with at the beginning of this section.

 

l)         APPLICATION 04/P/1632/F – Demolition of existing dwelling and erection of two storey dwelling for Mr & Mrs Black at Tinkers Firs, Tower House Lane, Wraxall.

RECOMMENDATION – It was noted that this appears to be 3 storey and that the footprint is 15 – 20% larger than the original and the height is increased from 5400 to 8900.  However there were no objections.

(Since the meeting we have had strong objections from the resident immediately below the proposed dwelling who our Councillors had not been able to contact when they viewed the site.  He feels that with the increased height and the ‘twisting’ from the original footprint it will invade his privacy.  The residents of Tinkers Firs will have direct sight into the bedrooms of his house.  He is writing to you under separate cover.)

 

m)     APPLICATION 04/P/1698/TPO – Oak :remove 3 lower limbs, Oak : Crown reduction  30% Oak : remove lowest limb & crown lift to 3m Oak : Crown lift to 3m Sweet Chestnut : Crown Lift to 2m Walnut : Fell. for PB & SJ Developments at Plot 3, 21 Weston Road, Failand.

RECOMMENDATION – It was felt that the tree officer should visit the garden of 24 Belmont Drive (Mrs Reynolds) as work on the Plot 3, 21 Weston Road to Oak trees marked 1 & 2, could unbalance the trees which are on the boundary of the two properties.  It is probably acceptable to crown lift the Sweet Chestnut and to fell the Walnut.  However, as it is just one Planning Application the unanimous decision was NOT to support.

 

n)       APPLICATION 04/P/1714/F – Single storey rear extension to garage and utility for Miss 

K England & Miss K Blannin at Church Farm Cottage, Church Lane, Lower Failand.

 

RECOMMENDATION – Approval.

 

o)       APPLICATION 04/P/1717/F – Convert garage to sitting room, construct first floor

extension to provide bathroom, study and additional bathroom for Mr & Mrs R Lee at

Windrush, West Hill, Wraxall.

 

RECOMMENDATION – Not acceptable in the present form.  Concern re. size and height.

 

We understand that neighbours have written separately to voice their concerns.

 

Cllr. King had to leave the meeting.

p)       PRE DECISION AMENDMENT TO 04/P/1024/O – Erection of 60 bed nursing home, day care centre, care flats, staff accommodation, neighbourhood store (Outline for Brindle Developments Ltd at  The Elms Local Centre, Lodge Lane, Wraxall.

AMENDMENT – Additional information, including illustrative elevation plans of the proposed retail units and an amended site layout plan with the line of the proposed footpath amendment.  Please note however that ‘siting’ is no longer to be considered as part of the outline application submission –(John Mills enclosed letter dated 18/05/04, third paragraph refers)

      RECOMMENDATION – The following was sent on 22 June as there are only 14 days to respond to                      

     amendments.

                                    1. Agreement of the revised footpath should be confirmed prior to approval for the

                                          development.

                                    2. Only 2 storey building should be considered.

                                    3. Ground level should be reduced & so maintain the privacy of the neighbours.

                                    4. Re-assessment of the parking should be made in line with realistic usage rate.

                                          (Scotch Horn Centre car park is half full of cars relative to the adjacent Nursing

                                        Home.)

 

q)       GRASS CUTTING – Serviceteam

Following the failure of Axe Vale Landscape Ltd. to fulfil the contract, the clerk approached Serviceteam, the second lowest quote and the providers of the service for the past few years.  After much deliberation, due to them having laid off staff because of less contract work, they agreed to meet our requirements.  The first cut of the verges will be more expensive than their original quote as the grass is very long having not been cut since 15 April.  They have started the work, Mowing and strimming the Millennium Green on 11 June and again on 25 June and the Verges on 19 June.

 

r)        WASTE STRATEGY CONSULTATION PUBLIC MEETINGS – nearest meetings – Weston-super-Mare, Winter Gardens Monday 19 July, Nailsea, Scotch Horn, Tuesday 27 July,  Portishead, Folk Hall Tuesday 3 August, Congresbury The Old School Rooms Wednesday 11 August.

Draft Municipal Waste Strategy Summary Document enclosed for Cllrs.

      Cllrs. Sykes, Sage & Delmas will attend on 27 July, Cllr. Nathan will try to attend 3 August and Cllr.    

      Sheppard will attend 11 August.

 

s)       TPO 847 – Update.  Jane Brewer intends to let the TPO lapse except in the case of High Beeches & Tinkers Firs as both of these properties are the subject of planning applications.

 

CRIME FIGURES – PC Hughes had telephoned the figures – 4 burglaries (one a distractions burglary)  Cllrs. mentioned two others.  There had been a leaflet drop of 300 around The Elms, Wraxall and this had resulted in two new NHW schemes.

 

t)        Clerk reported on decisions made by North Somerset Council on Planning Applications previously considered by this Parish Council.

 

Cllr. Sykes is concerned re. Appeals time and will check if he is available to attend and speak at Parish Voice on 19 August.

 

44                 HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION

 

a)       JUNCTION OF CUCKOO LANE & CADBURY CAMP LANE

Cllrs. Sykes & King will attend the meeting – on site 10am 20 July.

 

b)       SLIP ROAD AT JUNCTION OF B3130 & WRAXALL HILL

Cllrs. discussed the proposed amendments to the junction and the following comments were forwarded to Mark Sellick at Highway Services.

 

v      SLOW should not be included.  This is misleading followed so closely by STOP.

Slow is the first sign drivers see and that ‘sticks’ in the mind and the more important Stop is    

ignored.

v      STOP sign and road marking should be moved to the actual junction to aid visibility

to the right.

v      Drivers need to be made aware of looking LEFT when they come to the STOP signs.

Most do the merely instinctive reaction of only looking right.

v      A ‘Children’s Crossing’ sign should be incorporated in the hazard marker post to the left of  

the stop sign

 

c)       NS GRASS CONTRACT

Mr Tony Tavener had sent in a letter on behalf of the residents; Road users of Tower House Lane and the B3130 Junction opposite Wraxall House.   He asks that a letter be sent to Highways asking that the grass at this junction be included in the first cut made by NS contractors each year .  That is not waiting for the Moon Daisies to seed.  These flowers have ‘taken over’ the verge at this point and waiting for the 2nd or 3rd cut makes the junction very dangerous from the visibility point.  Agreed to send a letter to Highways in support of the earlier cut/amendment to the contract from 2005.

 

d)       TRANSPORT PLAN  - Nothing to report.

 

e)       ROAD CLOSURES  - The Suspension Bridge and some of the roads around Ashton Park will be closed when there is a ‘large’ event taking place.  The known dates so far are 7am July 17th to 7am July 19th, 9.30am on August 12th to 7am August 13th and 12 noon August 14th 9am August 15th.

 

f)         REQUEST FOR ATTENTION FORM – Reply noted.

 

45                 PROW  - Nothing to report

 

46                 MEETINGS

 

a)       TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT RE NORTH SOMERSET SHOW 9.6.04

Cllrs. Sykes & Delmas attended the meeting which was a ‘PM’ of traffic arrangements for the show. 

 

b)       TYNTESFIELD STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE 9.6.04.

Cllr. Sage attended this meeting but felt that the NT were having endless meetings.  He would have

understood the reason for having this one if it would influence the request for more money. He felt that

NT should be able to write this statement for themselves.

Meeting was closed so that Ruth Gofton, Property Manager of the National Trust at Tyntesfield, could

explain the reason for the meeting.  The NT wish to have the public’s perception of what they find

significant to them at Tyntesfield – maybe bridleways, dog walking, real resource for the public, bats, use

in the future etc.

The academics within the Trust could easily write a statement but it is the thoughts of the public which

they wish to have.  Management comes from the statement not the other way around.  The Trust have to

comply with the Burra Charter.  

 

c)       ALCA NORTH SOMERSET GROUP 24.6.2004

Cllr. Sage said that this meeting was poorly attended (clash with a European Championship game).

He gave a resume of the meeting which included Freight Routes A370 – A38.  All delivery vehicles

visiting Stancombe have been told the routes they are to take.

 

d)       COMMUNITY CONTACT VEHICLE  2.7. 2004

Cllr. Sykes reported that he had attended the Community Contact Vehicle as had several other

residents.  Clerk reported that the vehicle would be at FVH every 4th Monday from 26 July between

12.50 and 13.40 and then at the Battle Axes Public House from 15.00 to 16.00. (They will also try to

attend as and when we request it.)

PC Mark Cornish, who was attending our meetings with PC Hughes, has been posted to Bristol Airport

from Friday last and no replacement has yet been named.

 

LAUNCH OF RURAL BUS CHALLENGE PROJECT – Letter from Colin Medus, Transport Policy

co-ordinator inviting this Council to the launch of the new service at 10.30am Tuesday 27th July.   

 

47                 CORRESPONDENCE

 

a)       CODE OF CONDUCT – REGISTER OF INTERESTS

Letter from Malcolm Nicholson, Solicitor to NS Council, was read to the meeting.  It is a reminder to Cllrs. of their obligation to keep the Register of their Interests up to date.

 

b)       NATIONAL SPRING CLEAN CAMPAIGN

The 3rd set of Pickers, gloves and bags were taken by Cllr. Mrs Moon.

 

c)       MAZARS

Letter from the Accountants asking if any Cllr. uses Mazars to provide personal accountancy or Tax advice or if they are members of Mazar’s staff.

Cllr. Nathan is a director of a Company who use Mazars and he has used them personally in the past.  Clerk to advise Mazars in case this compromises them being our external auditors.

 

 

 

 

 

48                 FINANCE

 

a)       NATIONAL TRUST – Letter asking us to consider a donation of £500 annually to enable the restoration work to continue. Decision deferred.

 

b)       AVON WILDLIFE TRUST – Letter asking if we could grant them £500 towards the purchase of Priors Wood (One of the two woods for which we granted them £500 last year.- This was returned to us as they were not successful) Cllrs. voted in favour of granting this request.

 

c)       END OF YEAR ACCOUNTS 2003/4

All Cllrs. were given a set of the end of year accounts with supporting figures.  The figures were approved and the original document was signed by the Chairman.

 

d)       ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT – Approved.

 

Chq. No.          Payee                                                                            Details                            Amount

1299

Cllr. R I Sykes

Chairman’s Allowance

375.00

1301

Playground Management Ltd (ROSPA)

Annual Inspection of Millennium Green

 

69.33

1302

Mrs F Shattock

Re-imburse.

One Tel debited13.7.04   £16.44

Underpaid postage (NT)    £1.07

Community Room key       £4.99

Printer Paper (5)              £15.00

 

 

 

 

37.50

1303

Inland Revenue

National Insurance Contributions – Quarterly

 

26.49

S/O

Mrs F Shattock

Salary - June

464.91

 

NEXT MEETING – The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held at 7.30pm on Tuesday 10 August 2004 at The Community Room, The Grove, Wraxall.