MINUTES OF THE WRAXALL & FAILAND PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD

7.30pm 8 JANUARY 2008 IN FVH

 

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

IN ATTENDANCE – PC Adam Clarke & Clerk – D/Cllr. Roberts from 8.50pm.

APOLOGIES -  Cllrs. Mrs Shaw, Sage, D/Cllrs. Cook & Roberts (NSC Council Meeting)

Sally Varley - Liaison Officer &  Ruth Gofton - National Trust.

PUBLIC  - Richard Sweetman – Warren Farm, Portbury Lane, Wraxall.

 

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST – Cllr. Phil. Smith 4d,e & h.

 

1.    MINUTES – The minutes of the meeting held 11 December 2007 agreed and signed.

 

2.       CRIME FIGURES – Figures for Dec. 2006 showed 5 crimes, December 2007 - 7 crimes.

Crimes for 2007 were :- Taxi fare not paid

                                    Theft of Oil from St Bartholomew’s Church, Failand

                                    Common Assault – assault on taxi driver – one domestic

                                    Damage to Vehicle

                                    Burglary – through Patio Doors.

Comment was made by Cllrs. that the ‘No right turn’ sign out of Wraxall Service Station was not being observed.  Clerk to ask if Highway’s Dept. will extend the island in the middle of the B3130 so that a right turn at this point is not possible.

 

3         ISSUES

 

MEETING CLOSED 7.45pm.

 

a)       RICHARD SWEETMAN – PROPOSAL FOR PROW –  WARREN FARM, PORTBURY LANE WRAXALL

Richard Sweetman addressed the Council outlining his proposals for diverting LA20/79 so that it does not cross one of his fields. On a quid pro quo basis he would construct a ROW from LA20/75, where it meets Portbury Lane, to B3130 meeting up with LA 20/78.  Voting was 7-1(abstention) to support the proposals.  Cllr. Ambrose wished it minuted that he supports Mr Sweetman.

Mr Sweetman also mentioned that he is stacking timber, which he is currently felling, in Race Course Quarry.  He has a licence to ‘thin out’ and will be replanting with more diverse native species

MEETING OPENED 8.12pm.

 

b)      DISUSED QUARRY ON B3130

After a discussion regarding the spoil which has been put into the Quarry it was decided that we write to Environmental Dept. stating that they have a ‘Duty of Care’ to remove the spoil.  It is still uncertain as to the ownership of the Quarry.

 

c)       INTERACTIVE WEB SITE – Details of a possible Web Site re. Parish Plan was discussed.

 

4         PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT

 

a)       APPLICATION 07/P/2759/F – Retention of existing conservatory for Mr M Fry at 53 Vowles Close, Wraxall.

This was not received by us until 6.12.07, although registered with NSC 19.10.07.  By the time we received it the Planning Officer had made the decision to ‘Approve’.

 

 

 

 

 

The following 3 applications were never received at the office – NSC asked that they be considered as a matter of urgency and recommendations given by 31.12.07.

 

b)       APPLICATION 07/P/2882/F – Erection of a single storey rear extension and a single storey side extension for Mr & Mrs B Greene, 20 Flax Bourton Road, Failand.

 

RECOMMENDATION – Having viewed the application from Flax Bourton Road and surrounding roads the observation is that the extension will require the removal of trees yet the application states ‘no trees will be removed’.  It is unlikely to impact on the neighbours, other than in respect of the tree removal, which could be significant as the area is now mature.  The recommendation is NOT to support until this issue is resolved.

 

c)       APPLICATION 07/P/2886/F – Erection of a 2 bed dwelling with a separately accessed work room for Mrs C Changizi on land to rear of 69 Clevedon Road, Failand.

 

RECOMMENDATION – It is felt that this application should be REJECTED under H7.

 

However, should NSC be mindful to approve then other factors come into play –

1.       The site is too small.  Note that 69 Clevedon Road is set much further into the site than its neighbours 

which, together with the extensions, reduces the available garden on which to build to an unacceptably small area.

2.       The surrounding bungalows on Jubilee Drive are face on to the road and have an open plan arrangement.  This proposal is, therefore, in conflict with its neighbours.

3.       An area, presently used to park cars, will be lost and the result will be cars parked on the pavement around the cul de sac.  This will be damaging to the appearance and environment of the area.

4.       The proposal will mean the removal of small trees and evergreen bushes on the Jubilee Drive boundary which presently act as a colourful and pleasing screen.

 

It is noted in the application support information document that Failand is described as a village with ‘a few shops’.  As there is only one small shop it suggests that the architect has no knowledge of the area and what is ‘in keeping’ with it.

      The recommendation remains REFUSAL.

 

d)       APPLICATION 07/P/2895/LB – Removal of floor tiles to kitchen, lobby and bathroom, re-roofing North West roof slope and repairs to lean to roof, re-pointing to southern chimney stack, works to rainwater goods, making good of plasterwork to bedrooms 2 and 3, replacement glass panel to internal door, renewal of kitchen and bathroom units, installation of new electrical, central heating (to include siting of oil tank) and water systems, external lighting and external repair and maintenance to include re-pointing for National Trust re. 63 Stable Yard, Tyntesfield, Wraxall.

 

RECOMMENDATION – Approval

 

e)       APPLICATION 07/P/2990/F – Erection of 5 no. dwellings following the demolition of the existing motor car showroom (Revision to approved planning application 06/P/1082/F) for Mr D Prout re. 33 Clevedon Road, Failand.

 

RECOMMENDATION -  The footprint of the proposed houses remains the same but the details are slightly amended.  The developer is happy to meet with Councillors together with his Architect.  Voting was to support subject to reservations of visual appearance (8 of 8).

Meeting to be arranged with developer

 

D/Cllr. ROBERTS ARRIVED 8.50pm.

 

 

 

 

f)        APPLICATION 07/P/3041/F - Demolition of existing sub-standard dwelling and
construction of a new 5 bedroom house with associated garage (amendment to
previously approved application 07/P/1847/F) for Mr J Meads re Hazel Grove,
Tower House Lane, Wraxall.

RECOMMENDATION - APPROVE.

 

g)       APPLICATION 07/P/3071/F - Change of use from domestic accommodation to
offices and staff facilities in relation to use of estate as a tourist
attraction to include heating system, boiler, flue, vent, plastic oil tank,
replacement rooflights, fire doors and electrics for National Trust re.
Gardener's House. Tyntesfield Estate, Wraxall

RECOMMENDATION - APPROVE.

 

h)       APPLICATION 07/P/3080/TPO – Works to TPO – 7x Cypress – Fell, 1x Oak – Fell, 1x Liquidamber – Fell, 1x Laburnum – Fell, 1x Cherry – Fell, 1x Eucalyptus – Fell, various holly woodland groundcover – Fell for Mr A D Chapman re 25 Clevedon Road, Failand

 

RECOMMENDATION – Support the felling of all EXCEPT THE OAK with the proviso that there must be replanting of 5 suitable trees.

 

i)         APPLICATION 07/P/3112/F – Creation of new side entrance door and change existing entrance door to window for Mr & Mrs Jones, Higher Farm Barn, Portbury Lane, Wraxall.

 

RECOMMENDATION – Support – It makes sense to move the door.

 

j)         APPEAL LODGED RE REFUSAL BY NSC OF 07/P/0865/F – Change of use of storage building into self-contained holiday accommodation to include restoration and extensions to east, south and west elevations for Mr C Wait, 3 Ferney Row, Green Lane, Failand. 

 

E-mail sent to Inspectorate stating that whilst we recognise the reasons for the

refusal of the above mentioned planning application by North Somerset Council, we are still minded to support the application as holiday accommodation will be good for the parish.

 

k)       APPEAL DECISION RE MARSHFIELD HOUSE, HORSE RACE LANE, FAILAND – Withdrawn.

 

l)         Clerk reported on decisions made by NSC on planning applications previously considered by this Parish Council.

 

5         HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION – Nil      

 

6         PROW

 

a)       IMPROVEMENT PLAN ISSUED  - Cllr. were advised that this is available from the Office.

 

Mention was made of the 5 year plan which was to be sent to NSC by Mr Bush of Noah’s Ark Farm.  Andy Carroll has not yet seen it. Clerk advised that it was still with Louise Grover.  Cllr. Sheppard said that he would visit Mr Bush.

 

7         TYNTESFIELD – The Woodspring Bridleway Assn. have spoken to Cllr. Sheppard re.   

      proposed pathways through Tyntesfield.  He will liaise with Rebecca via Ruth.

 

 

 

8         CORRESPONDENCE

EXTRAS

a)       STRATEGIC HOUSING LAND AVAILABILITY ASSESSMENT – Comment e-mailed stating ‘There is no mention of how to cope with infrastructure.  Serious consideration should be given to this before housing expansion is implemented’.

 

b)      AFFORDABLE HOUSING SUPPLEMENTARY PLANNING DOCUMENT –  Comments Requested. – Nil

 

c)       BOUNDARY CHANGES – Nailsea TC have an item on their agenda to discuss boundary changes which would mean part of our parish being taken within Nailsea boundary.  Voting was unanimous to Reject their idea.  We wish to protect our Green Belt.

 

d)      BUDGET STRATEGY CONSULTATION 2008/9 & 2009/10. The following was forwarded to Phil Hall, Director of Finance & Resources at NSC as we were asked for comments

“As a PC we are concentrating on the value for money and efficiency
improvements as this is an area we can observe.

We note the pressure to save £17M.  This is commendable but flawed if all it
results in is a further reduction in crumbling services.
We are keen to see our council tax spent wisely and that is not the case in
many areas.
We would like to see a full and detailed examination of every aspect of
expenditure by knowledgeable and experienced people to demonstrate value for
money before what appears to be arbitrary cost cutting.

For example road maintenance . From observation, this element has a very
poor cost to results ratio as many pot holes are filled, paid for and
refilled and paid for over and over again.
We need some urgent attention to the method of payment for this work such
that poor performance is not rewarded and proper supervision of the work is
undertaken to a detailed and appropriate specification.
Other disciplines thought to be similarly affected are The mains drains and
gullys.

There may be a role that PC's can play in this matter but that is perhaps
for another day.

We would also like to see some "blue sky thinking" to open our minds to
other ways of doing things and then a state of calm is needed to make change
happen.

We are ready to engage in any forum or debate”

 

e)       REVIEW OF NSC’s STREET TRADING SCHEME

Cllrs. felt that there should be proper controls regarding litter, parking etc. which should be enforced.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9         MEETINGS

 

a)       North Somerset Council Roads Working Group 14.12.07 – Cllr. Ambrose gave a report.

 

10     FINANCE

 

a)       2008/9 LOCAL COUNCIL PRECEPT -  figures re Local Council Tax Element had been sent to Cllrs., with the Agenda, for information.

 

b)      ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT – Approved.

 

Chq. No.       Payee                                                                               Details                                                                             

1662

North Somerset Council

Hiring of Wraxall School re. Parish Plan Meeting 8.11.2007

18.00

1663

Connaught Environmental Ltd.

Emptying Dog Bins – October 2007

21.15

1664

Chris Hunter

Reimbursement of FVH hiring re. Parish Plan public meeting – Booked in CH’s name - £25 will be taken off our Invoice for 2008 as PC pay less than privately.

 

55.00

1665

National Trust Tyntesfield

Use of Tyntesfield when school not unlocked – no fee requested so same price as school given.

 

18.00

IN       

Refund from Zurich Insce.

Community Room not now part of our responsibilities

R 27.88

1666

North Somerset Council

Hiring of Wraxall School re Parish Plan Meeting 13.12.2007

 

18.00

1667

ERC Cobb

Mill. Green Safety Checks – December 2007

50.00

S/O

Mrs F Shattock

Salary – December 2007

1043.91

1668

CANCELLED

 

 

1669

Mrs F Shattock

Back Pay re. National Increase April – Nov 2007

232.74

1670

Mrs F Shattock

Reimburse – Large stamps 7.36; Broadband 18.99; Talk Talk calls 16.70

 

43.05

1571

HM Revenue & Customs

NIC October-December 2007

263.16

 

c)       All Saints’ Church, Wraxall request approval to use the grant re. Resurfacing Car Park towards Renovating the Churchyard Wall as they may not have sufficient funds to do the work in the Car Park.  Agreed.

 

d)      GRASS MAINTENANCE & STREET FURNITURE MAINTENANCE

 

As only one tender had been received for each it was decided to advertise the jobs in the Clevedon Mercury.  They will appear in the issue out 17 January asking those interested to let Clerk know before 28 January.

 

 

11         CHAIRMAN’S URGENT BUSINESS – Nil.