Present: Cllr. R W G Butt (Chairman)

Emma and Richard Uttley, who have just moved into the village and live in Belle Vue Close, were sorry that they were unable to attend the open morning in the Beacon Hall. They had come along this evening at the invitation of the Clerk knowing that Mr. Chard would attend to report on the open morning.

They had reason to ring the Clerk and then B&NES last week because they had seen youths digging up Beacon Field supposedly to build a skateboard jump! They also reported their negative attitude to such things as quad bikes exercising dogs, poor accesses, shortage of dog bins, untidy hedges and various holes in the grass.

Andy Chard, who had been invited by the Council to speak later in the meeting on this very subject, thanked Emma and Richard for their observations and would add them to his list gleaned from the open morning.

1. Minutes of an Environment Committee meeting held on 2^nd September 2002

These minutes, which had been previously circulated were taken as read agreed a true record and signed by the Chairman.

2. To welcome Mr. Andy Chard to discuss floral arrangements for 2003/2004

Chairman welcomed Mr. Chard and opened the item by saying that the public had shown great support for the floral decorations though the village and he felt that the Parish Council should expend a little more money year on year to improve the displays.

He described the additions and improvements he would like to see. He would like to see more tubs, beds and hanging floral baskets. He would like to see the roundabouts planted although he did recognise there would be highway safety implications. He would like to see progress on two fronts: (1) that B&NES should do more on highway land and (2) that the PC should do more on its land and through the village centre. He thought that the NR College as a project might be able to help with the designs.

Mr. Chard thanked the Council for the opportunity to address the meeting and he would be pleased to report on his Open Morning concerning Beacon Field later in the meeting. On the question of planting on the roundabouts he was having problems, mainly with getting sponsors and satisfying the planning laws.

Cllr. McInnes was sure that the roundabouts could be decorated, as on the Continent, with historic figures and he reminded the Council that he still had two winding gear pit wheels. He did however give a warning that the planting on the Wellow Lane roundabout was already causing visibility problems to walkers crossing the roads.

Chairman asked Mr. Chard if B&NES ever produce plants surplus to their requirements, which this Council could purchase. From where did they get their hanging baskets and brackets? How could we water the baskets?

Mr. Chard said that surplus plants could be grown if due notice was given and the brackets are made in house. He could provide a filled hanging basket and water it for this Council at £90 each per season.

Chairman proposed that he and the Clerk get together to formulate a shopping list for Mr. Chard to cost out.

Mr. Chard was then asked to report on his Open Morning at Beacon Hall where field improvements were on the table for discussion. He reported the attendance of 72 people from the under 18s to the over 60s.

The public had listed the good points as: (1) a good open space for children, (2) generally well maintained and (3) it was a valuable asset that must not be lost.

The negative points raised included: poor security on the accesses, wet conditions under foot, careless dog owners, poor features for older youths, not enough small children's play equipment and the poor state of the hedges.

The changes asked for by the public included: better security to keep out motorbikes, more trees benches and a youth shelter, a picnic area, a separate section for dogs, football posts, improved drainage and flowers. Mr. Chard said that he would now put the ideas forward into a plan after speaking with Mr. Howey, the officer responsible for sport recreation re. the football pitch. He would have to talk also with the Planning Department to look at the possible future developments in the village. He was also looking now for dual funding and any input from the PC.

Cllr. McInnes said that the village was very served by the several open spaces but felt, due to his great faith in letting the bottom tier of local government take on local projects, this Council ought to be running them all. He felt that B&NES should cede the Beacon Field to this Council, but not until all the work highlighted by the Open Morning had been completed. He agreed with all the changes put forward by the public and asked Mr. Chard to note the work done at the Recreation Field on fencing and kissing gates.

Chairman of Council asked if Mr. Chard now had all the Section 106 money. Mr. Chard said that B&NES now had some but another payment was still to come.

Cllr. Mrs. Thomas asked if B&NES felt that the play area should be moved. Mr. Chard said that he thought not, as long as a dry path could be laid to serve it in its present position.

Cllr. Mrs. Thomas also mentioned that she thought the good attendance at his meeting was due to some very good publicity in this Council's Newsletter. Mr. Chard said that no doubt that publicity done by the PC had been very useful and when he has made his plans for another Open Meeting in the New Year he would certainly use the Newsletter again. Mr. Chard was given the deadline for the next two Newsletters.

Mr. Chard then asked what was the attitude of the Parish Council with regard to skateparks and cycle tracks. Members said that it was not too keen on them but were still open to argument as both ideas still featured in this Committee's Action Plan.

Cllr. Mrs. Latchem said that she thought that, when the Beacon Field and Hall were first muted that this Council wanted nothing to do with the project and wondered if this Council had changed its mind and would really want to take it over. Chairman thanked Mr. Chard and he left the meeting.

3. Matter arising from the minutes of 2^nd September 2002

Letter from Norton Radstock Town Council re. Community Wardens and Mobile CCTV

The Clerk was asked at the last meeting to speak with the Town Clerk and find out the reason for the rather brief letter. The Clerk had spent several days with the Town Clerk during their Conference and was unable to find out more, as the Town Council seemed to be just fishing for ideas; they really did not know which way to turn on these subjects. Members agreed that this Council should do its own investigation and the Clerk was asked to contact the body supervising the Wardens in the Chew Valley area to see if a Warden could attend one of our meetings to explain their set up and report on their success

4. Correspondence

a). B&NES Provision of Salt Grit Bins

Members put forward suggestions for nine sites, which the Clerk will convey to B&NES.

b). Sarah Bevan, Faulkland View

Letter asking this Council to consider asking B&NES to erect a pedestrian refuge on Orchard Way opposite the entrance to French Close. Members could see the reasoning behind the request, as it is a well used crossing used by young persons going to Beacon Hall and it crossed one of the major footpath links to the village centre. Clerk was asked to write to B&NES and Sarah.

c). Mr. A Hastings, Morgan Way (supported by Squadron Leader Farr)

Two letters asking this Council to consider planting a small flowering tree copse just south of 24-26 Morgan Way on a triangle of lane already part planted when the land still belonged to Beazer Homes. Members though the idea to be suitable and the Clerk was asked to contact the main contractor to see what help he could give in establishing a small copse of flowering cherry trees. Clerk was also asked to write to the two residents with our thanks and explain the action taken by this Council.

d). CPRE Avonside Branch. Notice of AGM and Branch Day 9^th November 2002

There was no volunteer to attend this meeting.

5. To receive an update on the progress of the new POS

Cllr. McInnes reported very little progress of late due to the rather poor weather.

6. To consider the erection of Footpath Signs

Cllr. Mrs. Thomas had researched the scheme and was willing to give her recommendations for design and siting but the Chairman of Council asked the Chairman if he could report on a meeting held earlier in the evening with officers and members of B&NES. B&NES have another sum of free money, which they are willing to spend on projects in this village. The idea of signing all the footpaths has been put forward as being a good use of the money as the scheme will benefit a lot of people. Chairman asked Cllr. Mrs. Thomas to delay her presentation until it is known one way or the other if the B&NES money would be spent on the signs. Chairman of Council said that this Council will be consulted very soon - an E-mail from B&NES will be sent to the Clerk explaining the ideas. Cllr. Mrs Thomas agreed to the delay.

7. To consider this Council's "3-bids" for 2003/2004

Once again this year B&NES have invited all Parish Councils to bid for minor road safety and road improvement schemes. It was decided to place the road narrowing of Braysdown Lane back on for the second year together with the 20 m.p.h. limit around the school. The third bid was to improve the camber and surface of the footpath in Church Road, which abuts the Hillcrest housing.

The improvements asked for last year on the pavement and railings around the "old" Keels Hill entrance should be looked at again for possible funding by this Council.

8. To carry out a re-view of the Action Plans for this year - and next year

Members left this item for the Chairman and Clerk to investigate when they decide on next year's planting scheme and report back next meeting.

Meeting closed at 9 07 p.m.