MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD 7.30PM 8 JUNE 2004

AT THE COMMUNITY ROOM, THE GROVE, WRAXALL

PRESENT – Cllrs. Sykes (Chairman), Sapsed, Sage, Nathan, Mrs Parsons, Mrs Shaw, Mrs Moon, Delmas.

IN ATTENDANCE - Jane Brewer TPO Section NS Council, Sally Varley, Liaison Officer, District Cllrs. Roberts & Cook from 8.30pm after the full Council meeting at NS & Clerk.

APOLOGIES – Cllrs. King, Sheppard & Down.

PUBLIC – Ruth Gofton NT & Anthony Makepeace.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST – Nil.

The Chairman proposed Cllr. King as his Vice Chairman. This proposal was duly seconded and all voted in favour.

37 MINUTES – The minutes of the AGM dated 11 May 2004 were agreed and signed.

JANE BREWER OF TPO SECTION THEN ADDRESSED THE COUNCIL. She has decided to allow the TPO847 to lapse at the end of the 6 months due to an inordinate amount of opposition. She also spoke about the TPO783 and distributed leaflets on Trees and Bats.

38 PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT –

a) APPLICATION 04/P/1260/F – Insertion of skylight window (1m x 1m) to east elevation for Mr & Mrs M Kennedy at Meadow Barn, Horse Race Lane, Failand

RECOMMENDATION – No objections.

b) APPLICATION 04/P/1271/LB – Construct swimming pool within racquet court area of existing building for Mr R Lewis & Ms N Evans at Belmont House, Wraxall.

RECOMMENDATION – No objections.

c) APPLICATION 04/P/1272/LB – Demolition of single storey outbuildings to the east of the main building for Mr R Lewis & Ms N Evans at Belmont House, Wraxall.

RECOMMENDATION – No objections.

d) APPLICATION 04/P/1290/F – Soil disposal and re-grading of contours in field and proposed woodland/native planting to the south of field adjacent to pond for Trustees of Children’s Hospice South West at Charlton Farm, Wraxall.

RECOMMENDATION – Support with the condition that any materials imported onto the site have the relevant permissions,

e) APPLICATION 04/P/1304/LB – Install new windows and form openings at ground floor level (south elevation) for Mr R Lewis & Ms N Evans at Belmont House, Wraxall.

RECOMMENDATION – No objections.

f) URGENT PLANNING MATTERS –

APPLICATION 04/P/1314/F – Erection of a first floor extension over garage with external access for Mr & Mrs G Sparkes at 15 Woodland Way, Failand.

RECOMMENDATION – Cannot support. Concerns voiced were:- over development, not in character, Mature Silver Birch and conifers are screening at present but there is concern should these be felled, there are 4 cars at present (plus visitors) and this application could possibly result in more cars which cannot be contained on the site, neighbours to the side and opposite both objected to the original application (04/P/0506/F) and will be objecting to this one.

WRAXALL MANOR HOUSE HOTEL – APPLICATION FOR THE GRANT OF A PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT LICENCE ( Monday – Sunday from 11am until 2am the following morning).

The unanimous recommendation was for rejection of the application. Concern was expressed regarding the inordinate length of time which the licence application covered, the safety aspect onto the main road at a particularly bad bend and the fact that such a licence would necessarily result in noise. The Web site for the Hotel describes it as ‘set in the quiet surroundings of Wraxall’ ‘tranquil setting’ ‘a quiet beautiful venue’ ‘peace and quiet will help your event run smoothly’. All this will be shattered if the public entertainment licence is granted.

Numerous neighbours of the Hotel and residents who would be able to hear noise emanating from the Hotel have voiced their concerns and no doubt you will be receiving their letters of objection in due course.

39 WESTON ROAD, FAILAND – APPEAL RE. REFUSAL OF THE PLANNING APPLICATION FOR 2 PROPERTIES AT THE BACK OF THE SITE. – Date yet to be set.

Planning has been passed for the building of 1 property – with conditions to protect the large Oak tree.

D/Cllr Roberts felt that the PC should be able to make verbal representations.

WARREN FARM – Richard Sweetman of Warren Farm wrote to Cllr Sage who passed the letter to the Clerk. Cllr. Sage happy to look at the official application.

g) CROSS TREE SITE Cllr. Sapsed outlined the points made in a letter from Malcolm Pridmore, a solicitor at NS. Mr Pridmore stated that it would seem reasonable to regard the Cross Tree site (coloured red on the plan) to be in the ownership of the Parish Council and not part of the public highway. The Cross Tree site includes the Grade II listed structure (including the walls). The surface of that part of the island (coloured blue on the plan) should be regarded as vested in NS Council as highway authority.

After a discussion on whether to accept this the voting was 5 for, 1 against and 2 abstentions. A copy of Mr Pridmore’s letter was then countersigned to show acceptance.

There were questions as to the amount Highways would contribute and whether the £3000 grant made by NS would still be valid as we are now into a new financial year. Cllr. Cook will ascertain.

Exact detailed specifications are to be drawn up, LB consent obtained and tenders sought. English Heritage will say whether it is worthy of restoration and has historical integrity. Cllr. Sapsed proposed, seconded by Cllr. Mrs Parsons, that we should push ahead and spend £900 on the above. Architect will make recommendations but we decide. All in favour.

h) GRASS MAINTENANCE – Cllrs. were told that of the two persons in the company whose tender was accepted, one has left and the other has written to say that he is unable to fulfil the contract as he has broken his leg. We have therefore contacted Serviceteam, the nearest tender, to ask if they are able to take on the rest of the contract. They have advised that they have ‘laid off’ staff as they didn’t get some contracts but they will consider our request.

i) REPLACEMENT LOCAL PLAN . Cllr. Sykes has sent in the reply as authorised at the last PC meeting.

He did not agree with the Green Belt W of Failand and E of Nailsea and the change of name of Severn Ridge and replace it with ‘limestone’ escarpment. He would prefer it changed to Tickenham/Failand ridge.

j) Clerk reported on decisions made by North Somerset Council on Planning Applications previously

considered by this Parish Council.

APPEAL – An appeal has been lodged in respect of the refusal by NS of Application 04/P/0106/O.

No date set as yet.

39 HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION

a) NORTH SOMERSET LOCAL TRANSPORT PLAN ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT

Cllr. Sykes stated that NS is described as a ‘weak’ authority. It has failed to meet so many targets that they have ‘removed’ the targets.

b) LODGE LANE – Not discussed as the persons asking for it as an agenda item did not attend.

c) REQUEST FOR ATTENTION FORMS – Replies

Explanation given of what GP Gangs can do – Clear gullys, sweep areas requiring it, re-bed kerbs, cut back vegetation, clean signs etc. In fact anything which 2 men with a lorry and hand tools can do. They do not have pressure tools or tarmac so Pot Holes cannot be included.

Extra items to add to the list:- Sign obscured in the middle of Wraxall Hill – cut back vegetation.

Restore the Black/White marker post at top of Wraxall Hill

Cut overgrown triangle at the end of 60 Acres Close, Opp. Car Showroom

These were added to Gullys needing clearing in Belmont Hill and graffiti on the Tampits sign.

40 CORRESPONDENCE

a) POLICING PLAN SUMMARY 2004/5 available.

b) CPRE TEA IN CHAIRMAN’S GARDEN SUNDAY 13 June 3-5pm Queen Charlton. Noted.

c) DEVELOPMENT CONTROL STRUCTURE Noted. Held by Clerk.

d) RURAL HOUSING ENABLER PROJECT – STATEMENT 2003-2005 Cllr. King had sent a progress report which was read by Cllr. Sykes.

e) LETTER FROM INSP. McGOWAN, A & S POLICE informing us that he has been transferred to Weston super Mare. No replacement Insp. at present. Sgt. Bridget Maddaloni in temporary charge. Letter of thanks sent.

f) WILDLIFE – brochures to Cllr. Sapsed.

Cllr. Sykes is drawing up a list of ‘Areas of responsibility’ for each Cllr.

North Somerset News was enclosed within The Mercury however there is not 100% coverage as The

Mercury is not delivered to all. Liaison Officer to find out if there is any way of reaching all.

41 FINANCE

a) ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT - Authorised

Chq No. Payee Details Amount

1293	ALCA	Councillor’s info. Pack.	6.00
S/O	Mrs F Shattock	Salary	464.91
1294	Western Newspapers (South )	Advertisement re. APM	56.99
1295	Serviceteam	Grass Maintenance	116.14
1296	Mrs F Shattock	Reimburse – Stamps 10.08, Box File 3.45, Refreshments at APM paid in cash 30.00, One Tel debited May 26.92, One Tel debited June 18.69	89.14

Meeting closed at 10.00pm

NEXT MEETING – The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held at 7.30pm on Tuesday 13 July 2004 at Failand Village Hall.