WRAXALL AND FAILAND PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING HELD AT

THE SAWMILL, TYNTESFIELD ON 21ST APRIL 2009

 

WELCOME – Chris Ambrose (Chairman) welcomed 32 people (see attached attendee list) and thanked them for attending at this new venue. After apologising for the slightly late start, he thanked Violet Delmas for standing in for Freda Shattock once again. He also pointed out that the Neighbourhood Watch report by Tony Tavener would be moved up the agenda to follow the report by PC Adam Clarke in the interest of continuity.

 

APOLOGIES – Apologies were received from Freda Shattock, Gillian Moon, Tom Sage, Ruth Gofton, Rosey and Tim Horten-Smith, Bob Shepherd, Bob Cook, Mr and Mrs Roger Sykes, Cllr Charles Cave (Chairman Long Ashton PS) and Nick Pitt.

 

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT – See attached report.

 

MEET YOUR COUNCILLORS – The Chairman asked the 5 Councillors present to stand and they were then introduced.

 

REPORTS BY:-

 

AVON AND SOMERSET POLICE – PC Adam Clarke 2707 said that a total of 74 crimes had been reported in 2008/2009, a fall from last years 93.  Criminal assaults were down from 18 to 6, theft up 2 to 23, burglaries down from 9 to 6, thefts from sheds down from 11 to 3.  There were no robberies during the year.  There had been 1 vehicle theft and thefts from cars had fallen from 10 to 5.  There had been 5 arrests for drugs (cannabis).  In Wraxall and Failand there had been a total of 517 calls from the public during the year. In the 5-6 weeks preceding the meeting there had been 11 reported crimes including 2 burglaries, 1 assault, 1 criminal damage, 1 theft from a car, 1 serious dog bite and a theft of £250 of goods from Budgens. Mike Amos then raised the reporting of a crime which involved lurchers chasing deer in Lower Failand which had received no follow-up from Nailsea despite the reporting of the car’s number plate.  He pointed out that a case of dogs chasing sheep had been dealt with within 24 hours by Portishead and that a prosecution is following.  Richard King then queried whether Lower Failand was covered by Portishead.  Adam agreed to clarify the position and report to the next Council meeting.  A resident of the Elms then raised the question of the dangerous Wraxall Hill/Clevedon Road junction and the number of accidents occurring there. Chris Ambrose stated that the Council had discussed the issue many times and currently, although a speed limit had been requested, it had so far been refused.  The questioner was invited to join a working party which may be set up as a result of the Parish Plan findings which will be presented later in the meeting. 

 

 

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH – Anthony J Tavener thanked Chris Ambrose for the invitation to speak and informed the meeting that he is now the Area Coordinator.  He stated that he would also find out which police area was responsible for Lower Failand.  He said that his aim was to deliver a Neighbourhood Watch newsletter to each household in the Parish.

 

FAILAND VOLUNTEER DRIVERS – Allen Greenhalgh reported that there were still 16 drivers who had made 86 trips during the last year to 9 locations, mostly BRI, Long Ashton Surgery and Nailsea.  18 residents have used the service of which 7 were new to the scheme. He thanked the Parish Council for their contribution for covering the basic cost of the telephone expenses.

 

TYNTESFIELD – Helen Bonser-Wilton (Programme Director) together with Tim Cambourne, Manager of Building Works for the National Trust Tyntesfield gave a report on renovations and refurbishments currently taking place on the estate including 5 study bedrooms in the Stables Block and the cottages which will be used for holiday lets.  She spoke about the re-roofing, re-wiring and plumbing taking place in the Chapel and House, and the installation of a bio-mass boiler.  This is a huge project which will take 2 years, all in view of the public who have been very enthusiastic so far.  Tim Cambourne then gave a presentation of the proposed plans for the development of the Home Farm complex to provide permanent visitor facilities whilst retaining many original features.  Questions followed and Adam Sutch asked if any local craftsman will be able to work in any of the refurbished buildings.  Helen reassured him that to begin with a blacksmith is being sought for the Forge and others may follow.  Several traffic concerns were discussed and Tim confirmed that consultation with the local highways agency was part of the planning application.

 

WRAXALL CHARITIES – Anthony J Tavener (Chairman) gave a short report of 2008/09 which is attached.  He then gave a brief history of the charity which goes back some 300 years.

 

 

SPEAKERS:

 

Doug Macmillan (Chairman Parish Plan Steering Group) gave a presentation on the progress and preparation of the draft Parish Plan following the analysis of the questionnaires, over 50% of which had been returned.  (A copy of his slide presentation and the draft plan are attached).  He urged everyone to attend one of the two Public Consultation Meetings which have been arranged for 5th May at Failand Village Hall and 7th May at The Battleaxes both at 7.30 p.m.  At these meetings it is hoped that an over-all Chairman and volunteers will come forward for the working parties which the Plan recommends to take specific issues forward.  A number of questions were taken from the floor most of which it was suggested will be answered through the implementation stage of the Parish Plan.

 

Chris Ambrose thanked Doug and the Steering Group for all their hard work over the past 2 years and for drafting such a comprehensive document.  He confirmed that the Parish Plan is a recognised planning document and a copy would be given to North Somerset Council and other bodies including the PCT and the Police Authority. It will not be adopted by NSC but will form material evidence in support of the stated actions and aspirations.

 

 

The meeting closed at 9.35 p.m. with an invitation to enjoy the refreshments kindly provided by Sarah Tavener.