Present: Cllr. R W G Butt (Chairman)

Mr. Provest asked if any one on the committee was able to give him a true pronunciation of the new name to be used for the Public Open Space on the bypass. Most members seemed to think that the word should sound exactly like we all pronounce the present spelling of Eckweek.

1. Minutes of a meeting of the Environment Committee held on 10^th June 2002

These minutes, which had been previously circulated were taken as read, agreed a true record and signed by the Chairman. There were no matters arising.

2. Correspondence

a). Wessex Water

Letter and plan informing this Council that, now we own the land between Morgan Way and the by-pass, we should allow an easement and right of entry to Wessex so that they can service their foul and flood mains. Clerk was asked to point out to Wessex Water that the plan shows only a small piece of our land and that the sewers also flow through a much larger pocket of land in our ownership.

b). Norton Radstock Town Council

Letter asking for this Council's thoughts on the possibility of the Town Council employing Wardens and purchasing a portable CCTV system. The letter seemed to imply that the Wardens and CCTV could be used in their surrounding parishes and villages. Members asked that the Clerk clarify with the Town Clerk the type of dual funding and control the Town Council was suggesting and the amounts envisaged. Members were very divided on the benefits of Wardens: some considered them useful others felt that due to their lack of real teeth and that they usually only work in the day, they were quite often not in the right place at the right time. Members were also divided over the use of CCTV as some were not happy with the present quality of picture, others felt that the CCTV was only as good as the people who scanned the pictures and those who were asked to act when misdemeanours were being committed. Other members felt that continuous recording was very useful when investigating crimes at a later date.

c). B&NES re the Primary School

E-mail mainly for information. It has been agreed that, due to an expected extra level of admissions, the school will need another classroom. They suggested that the room used at present as a staff room should be re-instated as a classroom and a purpose built staff room planned elsewhere. Noted.

d). Department of Transport

A summary of the national consultation document on the future of air travel was received together with a questionnaire. Members studied the two documents for some time, but decided that the arguments were so complicated that no one volunteered to give the questionnaire a further study. Left on the table.

e). B&NES: Highway Maintenance Services

A letter describing the new set up in this department whereby a dedicated gang of workmen with a lorry and plant either take it upon themselves to do highway work without an inspector's order or, at other times, act as an emergency gang when contacted on their mobile telephone. The Clerk said that the new idea was working quite well as he had a "hot line" into the inspector's mobile and work was being done more quickly. Noted with satisfaction.

f). B&NES

The Clerk has received the latest copy of the Transportation, Access and Waste Management Newsletter. To be kept on file.

g). Persimmon Homes (Wessex) Ltd.

Clerk has received a letter congratulating the Council on its Jubilee Bloom Competition, together with a cheque for £15 to buy a permanent trophy for the three times winner of Class 1. The Clerk also informed members that all trophies were now at the engravers and he had ordered, in addition to the Persimmon Cup, two other trophies for two other three times winners. One to be paid for by Mr. Millard and the other by this Council.

h). DEFRA. Mapping of Open Country

Letter informing all parish and town councils that, when ready, these new plans will be posted to all councils. Noted.

3. Public Open Space - progress

Cllr. McInnes and the Clerk gave a brief resume of the position so far with the planning permission. Officers had recommended that the plan should be refused but after two submissions at the planning meeting in July followed by another submission at the August planning meeting, B&NES have now agreed to "delegate to officers to permit". A meeting will now take place on the site between B&NES planning officers and this Council to iron out certain areas where "the plan does not properly illustrate this Council's intentions". Meanwhile no more work has been done other than grass cutting and, as the Clerk has gathered, the gates are being made.

4. Specific questions put by Cllr. Mrs K M Thomas

Mrs. Thomas raised queries over the planting of the flowerbeds and flower tubs, their watering and selection of plants. It was agreed that prices should be sought for the plants to be watered next summer during dry periods.

Mrs. Thomas was not happy with the standard of footpath clearance and the Clerk agreed to rectify the problem.

Mrs. Thomas has now given exact positions for the three seats; Clerk will now give the contractor the information. On this point the Clerk also said that he has asked the contractor to stain all seats.

Mrs. Thomas asked the committee if, now that the Clerk had obtained catalogues for footpath signage, could she now further work on her ideas for the signage of the north/south footpath network. Members agreed that, although there was no specific head in estimates for the job, the idea should be progressed.

Mrs. Thomas was sorry but this committee's aim to go for an "Awards for All" grant had not progressed through lack of time on her part. She thought that money should still be obtained to carry out further work on the new POS when the contractor completed the present scheme. She was confident that this particular grant scheme would carry on for some time yet.

5. Action Plan Review

The Clerk tabled updated Plans for all members and sections were reviewed one by one.

The Parish Council funded Action Plan was considered first.

The Clerk said that Item 1 may have to be looked at again, not using the local firm suggested, but to go to our specialist contractor who had built the shelters at Red Post. He would make further inquiries.

Members queried the grass cutting in Item 4 and asked the Clerk to get advise on whether the grass should be picked up or cut more often so as to give the areas a better finish.

The Clerk asked for guidance on future flowerbeds in Item9. He asked if members would like to cut out another for winter planting. Members felt that the idea was sound and had given a most inviting entrance to the village and agreed that the Clerk should get prices for planting another ready for summer planting. He said he would contact B&NES Parks to get the bed cut out during the winter when the soil could be improved and the weeds killed. It was also agreed to carry on the theme of making the beds a little bigger as they get closer to the village and investigate the possibility of allowing the next circles to mutate into crescents.

The Clerk was given several items to be chased on the Plan involving other agencies.

Meeting closed at 9.40 p.m.