I

MINUTES OF THE WRAXALL & FAILAND PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN FAILAND VILLAGE HALL 7.30PM 9 MARCH 2010

Councillors attended at 7.15pm to vote on the co-option of the two candidates for the two vacant positions of Councillor.

Both Hugh Pratt and David Robinson received a majority of votes and both were duly co-opted. Only David Robinson was present and he signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office and joined other Cllrs. for the meeting.

MEETING

PRESENT: Cllrs. Ambrose (Chairman), Thompson (Vice Chairman), Mrs Shaw, Mrs Moon, Sheppard, King, Delmas, Law, Sage & Robinson.

APOLOGIES: Sally Varley, Liaison Officer; D/Cllr. Roberts; Hugh Pratt (Chairman of PROW Implementation Committee.

IN ATTENDANCE: Clerk

PUBLIC: One plus 2 x PCSO’s

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: 305 A, Cllr. Sage : 299d Cllr. King.

297 MINUTES - The minutes of the meeting held 9 February 2010 were agreed and signed.

298 CRIME FIGURES - One of the 2 PC SO's reported 5 crimes since the last meeting. 2 drive offs from Budgen's (one on false plates); I theft of Diesel from Castacrete; 1 theft of Mountain Bike from Woodland Way; 1 Domestic ABH, Sixty Acres.

Cllr. King spoke about a census of traffic on B3128. PCSO's will pursue.

299 ISSUES

a) NATIONAL GRID

There had been a letter from NG to which Cllr. Ambrose had replied saying that he felt this letter to be one sent to many people and that he had expected a personal reply giving details rather than just an acknowledgement.

NO MORE PYLONS held a meeting last evening which Cllr. Ambrose had not attended so as not to be seen to be biased one way or the other.

Cllr. Ambrose had received a call from NG stating that they were not going to answer questions.

Cllr. Ambrose had asked Dr. Liam Fox M P to form a Think Tank regarding the pylon issue.

b) EMERGENCY PLANS

The plans for Wraxall are now complete and can be sent to NSC once they have been typed up. Cllrs. Thompson & Mrs Shaw who are compiling the Failand plan are to meet next week.

c) FAILAND BUS SHELTER

Everything we asked for has been agreed by NSC. The Bus Stop is to stay.

Cllr. King pointed out that the PC owned the bus shelter and that must remain in our possession so that we have a 'property' in the area which will allow the PC to make representations should a problem arise in the future. (We were able to comment on the proposed Transfer Station behind the Failand Inn because we owned a property within 'sight, sound or smell' of the site in question.

d) STABLES IN FAILAND.

As D/Cllr Cook was not in attendance, Clerk to write, asking formally, if he wanted a list of stables.

e) ENQUIRY UPDATE

This being the first day of the enquiry into the appeal, against the non determination of the proposed development on land to the East of Weston Road, Failand, Cllr. Ambrose gave an update of how things were going. One detail being pointed out by Michael Reep was that if each household needed 1.5 jobs (as stated by FLP) then 750 jobs would be needed against the 12 that were incorporated on the site.

f) ROAD SAFETY MEETING

David Robinson gave a report reo Speed Watch gun. Data collected (at sites approved by the Police) could be used by the Police who would visit repeat offenders.

Voting was unanimous for accepting the findings of the Group.

Cllr. Ambrose felt that the signs at the top of Wraxall Hill should be moved as they are 'blocked' by other signs. He asked how long volunteers should be trained. LA 2 years.

He asked David Robinson to find the 'rules and regulations' and call another meeting.

The letter sent by Charlotte Fry (of Wraxall School), re the school crossing not being approved, to be sent to D/Cllr. Cook and all Parish Councillors.

g) WRAXALL VILLAGE

Peterjohn Smyth has drafted a plan, including houses, to try to make the village more cohesive. Some Cllrs. queried how this could be when we were fighting, at appeal, a proposal to build houses. His letter to be sent to Cllrs.

h) PROW

Hugh Pratt (Chairman of PROW committee) has made a request to attend a Footpath Forum meeting run by Bill Tate.

THE ONE MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC LEFT AT 8.59pm

300 PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT

a) CONSIDERATION BY THE PC OF PLANNING APPLICATIONS - The process.

Cllr. Mrs Moon read out her ideas. After a discussion Cllr. agreed to let Cllr. Mrs Moon & Cllr. Ambrose re-jig the details

b) APPLICATION 10/P/0155/F - Erection of a two storey rear extension with a juliette balcony to the north elevation. Erection of a single storey side extension to include 3 no. rooflights for Mr E Davidson, 80 Green Pastures Road, Wraxall.

The proposed extensions are to be in the rear garden which, whilst small is currently surrounded by high thick hedges .. The extensions are estimated to be under 30% by volume of the existing building. If the hedge between one neighbour was removed, it is considered that some privacy could be lost from the juliette balcony and associated window on the northern elevation. This could be overcome by moving the balcony to the western elevation.

RECOMMENDATION - The application is ACCEPTABLE whilst the hedges remain.

c) APPLICATION 1 0/P/0190/NMA - Non material amendment to Planning Approval 09/P/0116/F for the erection of single storey rear and side extensions and raise hip ended roof to gable finish, to change the approved velux roof windows on front elevation to roof windows with curved top for Mrs L Powell, 14 Sixty Acres Close, Failand.

I set out below the report I received from the Councillors who attended the site –

Councillors : PS, RS, GM.

There have been numerous applications for this property:

2007,2008 - applications to extend into the roof space, with dormer windows to front

elevation - REFUSED

Jan 2009 - similar application, (+ side and rear single storey extensions) with Velux

windows to front aspect, upper storey - APPROVED

May 2009 - application as 2007 & 2008 - REFUSED. Appeal -DISMISSED CURRENT - To amend approved 2009 application, by substituting roof windows for

the approved Velux windows.

The application is for a substantially larger roof window (approx 20% larger than the Velux window) plus, in addition, a fixed upper pane of approx. half the area of the lower pane, with an arched upper edge. The plan appears to show a hinge at the lower edge of the lower opening pane (rather than the central pivot of a Velux window). It does not show the relationship of the window to the floor of the room .On the plan, the window is labelled "Velux Cabrio" (which is a balcony window) and "Fakro", also manufacturing balcony windows.

There is concern regarding the amendment in view of the history of the site. However, the applicants say that the window is not a balcony window and it will not be fitted to floor level. With these conditions, there is no objection to the amendment.

THERE WOULD BE AN OBJECTION TO BALCONY WINDOWS. APPROVE ~ IF NOT BALCONY WINDOWS

There is concern from certainly one neighbour regarding privacy issues, and they intend to object; however, we are informed that another neighbour, directly opposite (mostly overlooked) has no objection.

NB

There is a letter in from District Cllr Howard Roberts, dated 22/9/08 to Karen Dann, requesting that any re-submitted applications (after 2008) should be referred to Committee for determination

The following day we received notification that Velux CABRIO windows are indeed balcony windows. This particular product is not available in any other form.

d) APPLICATION 1 0/P/0238/F - Erection of an elephant house and associated fencing around elephant compound including change of use of part of land from agricultural to zoo farm land for Noah's Ark Zoo Farm, Moat House Farm, Clevedon Road, Wraxall.

There was concern reo size but, as it is to be countersunk it should be no higher than the tiger enclosure

RECOMMENDATION - Support.

e) APPLICATION 1 O/P/0250/F & 1 0/P/0251/LB - Erection of wall and gates and a covered boiler store to south elevation, fenced and gated enclosure to north elevation. Alteration of 2 no. windows to doors to south elevation and also to north elevation with addition of steps, insert double doors to east elevation and internal alterations to rearrange bathrooms, hall and create utility area for Mrs G Jarman re West Lodge, Oxhouse Lane, Lower Failand.

RECOMMENDATION - There is insufficient detail at present. REJECT until the details are received.

f) APPLICATION 1 O/P/0255/F - Erection of a porch to the front elevation for Mr Lynch, 42 Flax Bourton Road, Failand.

RECOMMENDATION - Support.

EXTRA - APPLICATION 10/P/0198/TPO - T1 - Ash - Crown Reduce by 20%, T2 - Amelanchier - Fell, for Mr Hellen, 7 Owen Drive, Failand.

The crown reduce is as a previous reduction and the tree to be felled is affecting the entrance to the garage.

RECOMMENDATION - Support.

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

301 HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION

a) Pot Holes reported - Junction Sixty Acres with B3128; very dangerous.

Although the monthly list mentions Sixty Acres Close, this one will be passed to Pepe.

b) Cllr. King asked if we had any response to the report of 'un-permitted building' in the field

next to Failand Inn. Acknowledgement only received so far.

c) Cllr. Law mentioned that the junction of THL and Ham Lane was very dangerous in the ice and snow. There is a grit bin on the level road by Park Cottage, Ham Lane and he asked if it was possible to move that bin to the aforesaid junction. Letter to Pepe.

302 PROW

a) OLD WARREN FARM – Cllr,. Sheppard gave an update on the present position

b) The Footpath Forum is on 23 March at St. Francis Church.

303 MEETINGS – Nil

304 CORRESPONDENCE

a) TWINNING – Cllrs. decided against this proposal.

b) WOODLAND TRUST - SIXTH & LAST EVER TREE PLANTING EVENT AT CEFN ILA nr. LLANBADOC, USK. SATURDAY 13 MARCH 2010 10am - 2pm.

Noted.

c) STRONGER COMMUNITIES STRATEGY. Not applicable to this Parish.

305 FINANCE

a) GRASS MAINTENANCE TENDERS - Two tenders plus a letter from last year's contractor, stating that the tender figure would remain the same as last year, had been received. The letter had been received a while before the maintenance was advertised but the other two were opened in front of the Councillors.

Figures were £1300, £1320 & the third was £3519 + vat.

As the lowest figure was from last year's contractor, who was considered good and reliable, Cllrs. voted to accept that tender.

b) VICTIM SUPPORT - Grant request - VS to be told that the PC only consider grants once per year and then only to organisation working within our parishes. If they can give details of such work, and they wish to reapply to the Budget/Grant meeting in October or November, they would be considered but with no guarantees.

c) ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT - APPROVED

	lq.
1923		Hugh Pratt	Expenses (Ordinance Survey &
			Printing	178:94
1924		Cross Tree Centre	Hirinq for PC meetinq 9.2.2010	24:00
1925		Woodland Trust	Subscription	72:00
1926		Mrs J Cobb	Safety Reports - Mill. Green	40:00
1927		Mrs F Shattock	Large stamps - Costco discount
			£22.89; Telephone-
			Shareholders Discount £19.98
			Broadband £ 18:99
			2 Printer Toners new machine -
			discount price from IJT £78.67
			Postage, returning 2 toners for
			previous printer £8.22
			24 x 1 st class stamps £9:36
			Opal - phone calls £21 :86
			Computer repair £20.00	199:97
SIO		Mrs F Shattock	Salary - February 2010	1080:47
1928		Peterjohn Smyth	Expenses re Wraxall Village
			Grp.- OS Map £69 & Scans of
			his drawings for presentation
			£47.	116.00

306 CHAIRMAN’S URGENT BUSINESS

307 BUSINESS FOR NEXT MEETING

Photograph on Business Cards