MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL

 

HELD ON 25th April 2005 AT 7.15 p.m. IN THE JUBILEE HALL, ALVESTON

 

PRESENT: -       Councillor J Head, (Chairman), Councillor J Cutland (Vice Chairman), Councillor Brian Davis, Councillor J Painter, Councillor M Perry, Councillor S Phillips, Councillor P Taylor, Councillor M Webb, Councillor A Wilkins. Councillor J Veasey

                              Councillor Gary Fox South Gloucestershire Council

                              Mr R Fergyson (Clerk)

 

        .

 

1     ACCEPTANCE OF APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

        Councillor J Rodell.

       

 

2       PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.

         

Four youths had presented the Clerk with a hand written letter and petition requesting that the skateboard area is improved and expanded. The representatives had not yet been able to complete their ideas on the improvements required. The advice of the Chairman to the youths was to comply with the clerk’s letter to them and design the layout, gather the likely costs from the brochure supplied to them and suggest some fund raising ideas. The letter, which has been presented to the council, had not yet been sent to Steve Webb, but when it was a copy would need to be forwarded to the council together with any reply. At a later point in the meeting the question of monies from a trust was discussed. Councillor Mike Perry would try to find the address of the trustees who could then be contacted.

 

 

 

3       MINUTES AND MATTERS ARISING OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS

 

The minutes of the Parish Council meeting of Monday 21st March 2005 were read and accepted with an alteration on page 69, Brian Davis changed to John Cutland

         

St Helen’s Pre School.

          The clerk reported the treasurer has now telephoned. The pre school group have been awarded funds from South Gloucestershire Council to cover the current increase in costs. They would therefore withdraw their application for money to help with running costs. They will in the future apply for other grants to assist with the replacement building.

.

 

    Traffic lights at the Junction of the Thornbury Road and the A38.

         

          A copy of the South Gloucestershire Council’s report is in the distribution folder. Work has been carried out already at the traffic lights.

     

 

 

The Memorial Woodland Cemetery.

 

          The Clerk has presented the Planning Committee with a copy of a letter from South Gloucestershire stating that legal advice is being sought in order to enforce the use of the land and buildings according to the planning permission granted.

         

Crossing Thornbury Road.

          Disabled buggies and pram users cross further down towards Thornbury hill, at an uncontrolled point. A complaint has been made to South Gloucestershire by a member of the public to then be informed that South Gloucestershire Council are considering widening thev road and putting in a central island. Garry Fox was requested to investigate and get the appropriate department to communicate any plans with the Parish Council.

 

Internal audit

 The clerk reported that no further details were available at the moment.

 

Park and Ride

      Councillor John Cutland had asked if councillor Fox could comment on the recent article in the Evening Post that Bristol City Council is to build a Park and Ride at the end of the M32. Councillor Fox had investigated to the extent that the land did not belong to South Gloucestershire Council, and only a planning application had been made.

 

Access to the Limekiln Field from the gardens in Davids Lane

          Investigations had been carried out. The residents whose gardens back onto the field do not have right of access. In the past several letters have been sent to the residents stating this. Having a 2mtr high weldmesh fence perminantly erected, and the top being removed and erected each year could solve the problem of erecting and taking down nets. The deciding factor will be cost. York Fencing has been asked to quote.

 

Annual Parish Meeting

          Chairman Councillor John Head spoke about the Annual Parish Meeting, which took place on 18th April. The change of format was a success.

          The seating arrangements were seen as more friendly.

          The lack of a speaker was not commented on.

The method of committee chairman having their report extracted by question was not easy to achieve, but was achieved. Another year the committee chairman should give a very brief report.

          Notification of the meeting while legally done needs to be re-thought. More overt publicity needs to be considered. Large colourful posters, placed in many shops and notice boards could help to attract attention and thus with the attendance.

          The main topic of discussion was the litter and graffiti this year, the subject could be improved on is subsequent years.

          The council wished to congratulate Councillor Ann Wilkins for having been awarded a most deserved John Dyer award.

          Mrs Streatfield has completed her term of office as chairman of the selection committee. The council instructed the clerk to send a letter of thanks to her. The committee to select the next recipient, needed a new chairman, and Councillor John Head proposed Mrs Pam Forest for the task. The Council agreed that Mrs Forrest should be formally offered the position.

 

                               

4        RECOMMENDATIONS FROM COMMITTEES: -

         

Parks and Open spaces Committee meeting.

Councillor Ann Wilkins reviewed the minutes of the Parks and Open spaces committee of 4th of April. While the tarmac on the Cross Hands play area has been laid there are areas of concern where water lies. One of the objectives was to prevent puddles. This is a problem area which has not be solved. The low spots are cut out and more tarmac laid, the play area has the appearance of a patched surface, which has spoiled the look of the whole job. However the first objective must be to solve the low area problem, and then see if we can address the appearance. A second problem now is the number of weeds on the Cross Hands side of the tarmac near the fence. The slide, which was damaged, has been repaired. As soon as it rains again the surface can be examined for puddles. Once we are satisfied with the surface, then the safety surfaces will be laid and the fence removed from around the slide.

 

Finance and general purposes committee

Councillor John Cutland reviewed the Finance and general purposes committee. The main matter was St Helen’s Pre School, which as stated in matters arising, the application has been withdrawn for the present.

 

Planning

The Parish Council considered the following application at the planning committee meeting before this meeting. No comment was made on the applications below,

 

PT05/0953/F     Old Church Farm Rudgeway                    Barn Conversion to facilitate relocation of

                                                                                                existing skittle alley to ground floor and

                                                                                                store rooms to form meeting room.

 

PT05/0870/F     6 Davids Close Alveston.                         Demolition of existing single garage to

                                                                                                facilitate erection of new double garage.

                                                                                                Erection of side conservatory.

 

PT05/0169/O    Land adjacent to Pear Tree Cottage      Erection of dwelling on 0.015 hectares of

                            Earthcott                                                     land (Outline).

 

PT05/1015/F     34 Quarry Road Alveston.                        Erection of two-storey side extension to

                                                                                                form additional living accommodation with

                                                                                                bedroom and ensuite facilities over.

                                                                                                Erection of single storey rear extension to

                                                                                                form garden room.

 

PT05/1089/F     Minerva House 15 Gloucester Road       Alterations to previously approved scheme

                                                                                                under planning permission PT02/3194/F

 

PT05/1122/TRE  4 West View Alveston.                           Works to fell 1no. Ash tree by Gloucester

                                                                                                County Council (Wolfridge Drive Alveston

                                                                                                Tree preservation order 1970).

 

Planning Permissions Granted: -

      PT05/0250/F   Meadow Cottage Shellards Lane         Erection of single storey extension to form

                                                                                                  porch.

 

      PT05/0445/F   St.Helen’s School                                   Retention and partial replacement of

                                                                                                  1.8mtr boundary fence to include

                                                                                                  matching gates.

 

      PT05/0644/F   Barton Cottage 18A Gloucester Road Erection of single storey side

                                                                                                  extension to form living room and hall.

                                                                                                  Erection of rear conservatory and front

                                                                                                  porch and erection of front extension to

                                                                                                  facilitate formation of garage

 

Information

      The Small Holding Shellards Lane, has been visited by the enforcement section of South Gloucestershire Council, who has advised the occupants to apply for planning permission.

 

      The complaint about the mis use of the planning consent at the Memorial Woodlands Earthcott Green has been investigated by the enforcement section of South Gloucestershire Council. The section is seeking legal advice on the planning conditions to see what enforcement action if any can take place.

          

           Proposed T-Mobile (UK) Ltd installation of 3G Upgrade at site no 94842. Bird Ground Quarry Road Alveston. Birds Ground is the area next to the cemetery where the existing mast is situated. The action is to replace the existing aerials.

 

5       REPRESENTATIVES REPORTS.

         

          Councillor Janet Painter attended the AGM, on April 20th, of the Youth Centre Management Committee, and the presentation to Tony Wilcock upon his retirement from office.

          The out going chairman reported on his initial involvement with the centre. Improvements have been made over the years but there is still much to do. The building still needs attention, to the vandalised roof, the shrubs in front, the sink waste pipe and the need to keep emphasising the damage done to the internal walls by hard balls. Tony was thanked for his time as Chairman and was presented with flowers for his wife and a gift for both of them to share.

          The treasurer reported the balances were less than last year due to the refurbishment of the electrical systems. However the funds totalled £2,607.32. Next years income and expenditure are expected to be about £5000, assuming the Parish Council are able to give a donation to the insurance costs.

          The booking secretary reported good regular bookings and a steady flow of ad-hoc bookings, mainly children’s parties. The “Tony Wilcock” room needs to be advertised more widely.

          The election of officers:-

                   Joint Chair person       Ann Wilkins and Janet Painter,

                   Treasurer                      Graham Cribb

                   Joint Secretary            Karen and Sue Steele

                   Booking Secretary      Miranda Painter.

 

A party for Tony followed the AGM and then a committee meeting chaired by Mrs Janet Painter.

          The meeting reviewed the current situation: -

          The youth club has closed

          The Keep fit group has a new teacher.

          The charges need to be brought into line with those of the Jubilee hall.

          Tony will complete the current repairs, and will be available to offer advice and contacts.

          Any future repairs will need to be paid for.

          The meeting then closed but the wine and cheese party continued.

           

 

6       SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNCILLOR'S REPORT.

 

Report to Alveston Parish Council   April 2005

 

 

Residents will benefit from improved services as a result of changes to the structure of South Gloucestershire Council.

 

Two new departments have been created to join up services that were previously spread across the council.

 

The Department for Children and Young People brings together the education service (excluding adult and community learning), children's social care service and the youth service.

 

The former Social Services Department has become the Community Care Department. It will cover areas including social work, occupational therapy, day services, residential and home care, community meals and mental health act assessments.

 

Responsibility for adult and community learning has transferred to the council's Community Services Department.

 

The changes are designed to allow better co-ordination between the various sections within each department and the outside organisations they work with.

 

                                               

Gary Fox

                                                            Councillor (South Gloucestershire)

                                                            Alveston Ward

 

 

         

8       CORRESPONDENCE -

 

   Section 137 expenditure limit for 2005/2006 this is 5.30 per head of population. According to the last electoral role the voting population was a little over 2,500. The total population exceeds this. However based on the above figure the section 137 spending may not exceed £13,250.

 

Application to modify the definitive map under section 53(5) of the wildlife and countryside act 1981.

   This is the section of disputed footpath from the A38 from the traffic lights at Rudgeway to AON/28 (The section down the lane to the style).

 

Letter from R King re permit to remove seat on the Down. This has now been removed

 

Calor Village of the year the village will not be entering.

 

Donation to SARA ( Severn Area Rescue Association). This item is to be refered to the Finance and General Purposes committee.

 

Cemetery Rates 324.00 for the year (Last year £410.40) a reduction due to revaluation and will be paid over 7 instalments not 8 as previously.

 

Other Correspondence

 

          The following is included in the correspondence wallet.

 

          South Gloucestershire Council

                   Standards Committee Report.

                   Down Road Proposed Keep Clear Markings.

                   Petition – Traffic signal Junction A38.

                   Telecommunications Network Infastructure.

                   Warm and Well Efficiency Grants.

                   Various decision making papers.

 

          Other Bodies

                   RSS Update. (Regional Spacial Strategy).

                   Parent / Children Shelters.

          Circulars and Magazines.

                   ALCA newsletter.

                   South Gloucestershire Senior Citizens’ Forum.

                  

 

         

 

 

 

9 Authorisation of Payments

 

The following payments were examined and authorised by Councillor Peter Taylor and Councillor Ann Wilkins.

The following payments are for the financial year 2004 - 2005

Payee

Purpose

Chq. No.

£ Amount

Alveston Jubilee Hall Man Ctt

Hire of rooms for Feb and March

1073

57.15

CSF Copier Services

Photocopying services

1074

29.19

Garden Manicures

Contract March 2005 plus cutting trees on the Cross Hands play area

1075

845.36

 

Total

 

931.70

 

The following payments are for the financial year 2005 – 2006.

Payee

Purpose

Chq. No.

£ Amount

**York Fencing

Second Interim Payment

1076

2384.00

R Fergyson

Clerks salary and expenses April

1077

753.81

B Painter

Wages for play area inspection April

1078