MINUTES OF THE WRAXALL & FAILAND PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT THE COMMUNITY ROOM THE GROVE WRAXALL AT 7.30PM 14.8.2007

Prior to the meeting former Cllr. Mrs Moon was interviewed, co-opted as a Councillors and stayed for the meeting.

PRESENT – Cllrs. Ambrose (Chairman), King (Vice Chairman), Mrs Shaw, Delmas, Sheppard, Law, Smith & Mrs Moon.

IN ATTENDANCE – District Cllr. Roberts & Clerk.

APOLOGIES – Mrs Sally Varley – Liaison Officer, D/Cllr. Cook & Cllrs. Sage & Thompson.

PUBLIC – Ruth Gofton, National Trust; Alec Ewens; and Mrs Hawkins, Mr Clarke & Mr Pitt from The Grove.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST – NIL

MEETING OPENED AT 7.30PM & CLOSED IMMEDIATELY.

The Chairman asked Mr Ewens & Messrs. Hawkins, Clarke & Pitt if they had a particular interest in any item on the Agenda. Mr Ewens re. Tower House Lane Traffic which was a late addition to the Agenda at Correspondence but was not to be discussed in detail this evening. Mrs Hawkins & Mr Clarke re. The Grove. It was explained that this item was not on the Agenda and, therefore could not be discussed this evening. However Mrs Hawkins proceeded to explain the situation she wished to bring before the council and was told that it would be put on the agenda for the September meeting.

MEETING OPENED AT 7.55 PM.

73 MINUTES – The minutes of the July meeting were agreed and signed.

74 CRIME FIGURES – PC Clarke 2707 was not in attendance and had not sent details

of the crime figures.

75 ISSUES

a) MAZARS - Cllrs. were asked if any of them used Mazars for personal accountancy or tax advice as, if so, there could be a conflict of interest. NONE.

b) COMMUNITY ROOM, THE GROVE – Following the letter from North Somerset Housing giving notice that the room was to close and the subsequent efforts to keep it open for the community a second letter has been received stating that there would be no extension of time before closure. Room will close 31.8.2007.

c) THERE IS STILL A NEED TO CO-OPT 1 PERSON TO SERVE AS A COUNCILLOR

d) AFFORDABLE HOUSING. Cllr. Ambrose gave a report on the meeting with Andrew

Smith of English Rural Housing Assn., D/Cllr. Cook, Cllrs. King & Sheppard on 6

August. Several sites were considered. Andrew Smith has gone away to consider

them. Some may not be suitable and some may not be for sale. Cllr. Smith asked if

Tyntesfield estate had been considered – Ruth explained that they could not sell any

part without going back to the Government re. an Act of Parliament.

e) PARISH PLAN – Update sent by Doug. Macmillan (PP Chairman) was read out..

f) TALKS – Tarmac (October) probably at a Parish Plan meeting. No other talks

arranged at present.

g) CROSS TREE SITE - Cllr Ambrose reported that the work has been completed apart from the

commemorative plaques.

h) PRESENTATION EVENING. Presentation took place last evening but only Roger

Sykes of the 3 retiring Cllrs. could attend. Clevedon Mercury & North Somerset Times asked to include a photograph of the presentation. Peter Sapsed and Stephen Down to be invited to FVH, to the next parish council meeting, to receive their presentation.

i) EMERGENCY CONTACTS – Cllrs. King & Ambrose to liaise regarding these.

j) STANDARDS COMMITTEE – Cllr. Ambrose has been elected as one of the two

representatives of Town & Parish Councils to 2012. He then reported on the two

meetings he had already attended.

76 PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT

a) APPLICATION 07/P/1656/F – Erection of a bungalow with integral garage and home office accommodation with access from Belmont Drive, Failand for Mr & Mrs D Jones re. land to the rear of 19 Weston Road, Failand.

RECOMMENDATION – NOT to support. Does not comply with H/7 & no dimensions on the plans. There have also been objections from neighbours.

b) APPLICATION 07/P/1788/F – Erection of 3no. wooden stables and a hay store for Dr & Mrs JRT Colley re. Hillside, field off Church Lane, Lower Failand.

RECOMMENDATION – Proposed stable building is fairly well screened, however, visible from the dwellings to the South, and equine activity may concern those residents.

As the land owner lives in Devon, not locally, it is most probable that this facility will be let to horse owners from outside the parish which means more vehicular and horse movement on the single track lanes in addition to the current volume.

Objections have been made by local residents with regard to the above point; also re. access and noise.

The land is largely on a slope which may mean that some levelling and/or excavation

work may be required, if only to provide water and power.

Support, as it is in line with other similar applications in the area, but having regard to the above comments.

c) APPLICATION 07/P/1814/F – Erection of a single storey extension to West elevation and erection of single storey lean-to extension to East elevation after demolition of existing lean-to structure for PCC at All Saint’s Church, Bristol Road, Wraxall. [Building at the back of the Churchyard – NOT the Church]

RECOMMENDATION – SUPPORT the application.

A small point – Application says no car parking – Text requests two spaces.

The comment received from NSC indicates that there is a need to show Very Special Circumstances to be set against inappropriate development in the Green Belt. Clerk to send details of the Community Room closing and there being no other premises within Wraxall for clubs/societies to meet -

'Wraxall is a thriving village community which has steadily lost all the
facilities within the village where the community can come together.
Originally, most of the village societies met in the 'Long Room', a place
set apart from but close to the local Rectory. Some three years ago the
diocese of Bath & Wells bought a modern house on the Elms Estate for the
priest and sold the Rectory and with it the 'Long Room'. There was a less
than adequate facility at The Grove, Wraxall, which had been provided for
people in that area who were local authority residents. Whilst not ideal,
in the short term it was used for functions and for meetings of the PC, PCC,
WVA, WI and others, although it was realised that it was not appropriate and
was increasingly in default of 'Health & Safety' legislation.
That room in The Grove will now close on 31 August 2007, a notice having
been served by North Somerset Housing on the grounds of Health & Safety.

Several village associations are now desperately trying to find alternative
facilities, but any that are available are outside of the village.
Social/community spirit is a cornerstone of good governance and the
building - the subject of this planning application - which is to be
restored and extended will not only provide an essential facility for the
local people, but will also restore an important historic building.'

This is submitted to explain the 'very special circumstances'.

d) APPLICATION 07/P/1847/F – Demolition of existing sub-standard dwelling and construction of a new 5 bedroom house with associated garage for Ekistics Ltd (Julian Mead) re Hazel Grove, Tower House Lane, Wraxall.

RECOMMENDATION – Support in principle BUT need to see dimensioned drawings before application approved.

e) APPLICATION 07/P/1933/F – Proposed change of use from agricultural land to menage for GP Jones & Sons, Manor Farm, Green Lane, Failand.

RECOMMENDATION – Approve, but there are concerns that it should be located further away from the Bridleway so as not to ‘spook’ horses using that path.

f) APPLICATION 07/P/1934/F – Erection of a detached double garage and alterations to fenestration and 2 rooflights to main house for Mr S Calder, Alto Mira, West Hill, Wraxall.

RECOMMENDATION – Support, however we have received two letters from neighbours concerned about the height of the proposed garage.

g) APPEAL – GP JONES & SONS, MANOR FARM, GREEN LANE, FAILAND

Retention of front porch (re 07/P/0218/F)

h) APPEAL – GP JONES & SONS, MANOR FARM, GREEN LANE, FAILAND

Retention of dwelling and farm workers facilities in accordance with appeal decision

APP/D0121/A/07/2049817/NWF but with Variation of Condition 3 of the appeal

decision to allow for a revised internal layout for the farm workers facilities at ground

floor level to give farm worker/owner access to his home. (re. 07/P/0219/F)

Letters to be sent to Inspectorate stating – ‘There is no change to our previous

comments. However we do question whether decisions made by an Inspector can be

overturned. If there is to be a site visit the Parish Council wish to be invited and we

also request a copy of the final decision.’

EXTRA ITEM – Cllr. King brought to Cllrs. attention the extensions on Church Farm,

Lower Failand. The proposal was approved on007/0148 but appears to be being

built larger than expected. Cllr. Ambrose felt that we should not involve Enforcement

until the building is finished.

i) Clerk reported on decisions made by North Somerset Council on applications

previously considered by this Parish Council.

77 HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION

a) TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF USE BY VEHICLES – Lodge Lane, Wraxall –

10 September for 3 days - Noted.

78 PROW No items

79 TYNTESFIELD – Ruth explained that the season is going well – 8/9000 more visitors

than this time last year. Leaflets were left for events in the rest of the year – including

Family Fun Days, Walks & Christmas Events. Work on mains water was started

yesterday. It is hoped to have a meeting with the PC at Tyntesfield at the beginning

of October. Architect – options by October. Much time is being taken up with newt

traps and fencing and if all goes well this should only be until the end of November.

(Greater Crested Newts are a protected species). There is to be a free open day

from 10.30 8 September. Due to repairs needed to restore the stair carpet the upper

floor will not be open until the end of next year.

80 CORRESPONDENCE

a) Condolences had been sent to Peter Hutchings’ widow.

MEETING CLOSED 9.58. OPENED 9.59

b) ACRE – Applications for grants invited. See www.acre.org.uk

It was suggested that the paperwork for this grant be given to Wraxall Charities.

c) PLANNING FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE – comments by 17 August 2007

EXTRA – CPRE – Use your voice or lose your choice.

These two items referred to the same thing and the card sent with CPRE’s

correspondence is to be returned in support.

EXTRA - LOCAL BUS SERVICE REVIEW IN NORTH SOMERSET – Cllr. Smith

will advise after consultation.

EXTRA - RECYCLING OF PAPER BASED DRINKS & LIQUID CARTONS IN NS

AT SIX LOCATIONS – Noted and to Notice Boards.

EXTRA - WOODLAND TRUST APPEAL – Not in our area.

EXTRA - TOWER HOUSE LANE TRAFFIC – Six people met to discuss the problems and possible action which could be taken to alleviate the traffic problem on THL.

We have the minutes which show the suggestions made. These are to be sent to NSC Highways asking for their views on those suggestions.

81 MEETINGS

a) NORTH SOMERSET FUTURES – 2026 – 16.7.07 Cllr. Ambrose gave a report on the meeting

b) CHURCH FETE. Cllr. Ambrose had manned a table at the Fete to promote the PC. Some interest - Most concern was shown about the possible road through the valley.

c) NS BIODIVERSITY ACTION PLAN – Action for Nature. Winter Gardens 28 September 2007 – MAKING SPACE FOR WILDLIFE

Also drawing attention to Defra guidance which was issued in May. The two sets of guidance relate to the Natural Environmental & Rural Communities Act which came into effect in October 2006. See www.nalc.gov.uk/Latest_News/New_Defra_Guidance.aspx .

d) ALCA AGM – Heron Room, Yate, Saturday 13.10.2007. at 10am. No one available to attend – RSVP to ALCA.

82 FINANCE

a) ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT

Chq. No Payee Details

1604	R A Broomhead	Archaeological Watching Brief – Cross Tree Site	1040.00
1605	Destroyed
1606	Maggs Architects	Architects re Cross Tree Site	235.04
1607	CE Ambrose	Chairman’s Allowance	300.00
1608	R King	Vice Chairman’s Allowance	100.00
1609	Nicholas JT Quayle	Contractor re Cross Tree Site	3118.30
1610	Bristol Blue Glass	Presentation pieces	180.50
1611	HM Customs & Revenue	NIC April – June 2007	235.26
DD	BT	Line Rental (£4.50 will be reimbursed next bill for agreeing to pay by DD)	44.99
1612	Cllr. Ambrose	Travelling Expenses	32.09
1613	JF Hinks	Photographs re Cross Tree Site	150.00
1614	Connaught Environmental	Emptying Dog Bins – June	21.15
1615	ERC Cobb	Safety Reports – Mill. Green Play Area	40.00
1616	Western Newspapers (South) Ltd	Ad. Re adoption of new Code of Conduct	18.68
1617	ALCA	New Cllr. Information Pack.	8.09
1618	National Trust	Replacement for No. 1570.	(220.00)
SO	Mrs F Shattock	Salary – July	1043.91
1619	Playsafety Ltd	Annual Inspection Mill. Green Play Area	70.50
1620	ALCA	New Cllr. training Course – Cllr. Thompson	10.00
1621	PCC All Saints Wraxall	Hire of Pitch at Church Fete	10.00
1622	Mrs F Shattock	Reimburse - Wine for Int. Auditor 13.00 Broadband July 18.99, Computer 40.00 Tel. Calls 25.24, Costco – printer paper 9.38 Broadband August 18.99	125.60
1623	Friendship Office (late invoice)	Fax films, Printer paper & 2 e-pens	50.74

83 CHAIRMAN’S URGENT BUSINESS

a) E-MAIL & PRINT RUNS

North Somerset Council is sending many items via the Internet. These items can be forwarded to those Cllrs. who have an e-mail address, however, some of the items are many pages (one today was 52) and it is costly on paper & printer toner to print them out. In future they will only be sent to councillors by e-mail. Clerk has written to NSC asking that they make some financial provision for parishes having to stand the cost when it is not in the budget and NSC are making the savings

.