Present: Cllr. E J Derrick (Chairman)

Mr. Peter Provest commented on the fact that he had noticed on the agenda that Lawson's Circus has asked to set up in the village. He hoped that all care would be taken to check on their conduct as he had heard that they were prolific fly-posters. Chairman said that the Clerk had checked with other parishes who had accommodated them, including Paulton, and had received no bad reports.

1. Minutes of a Council meeting held on 23^rd September 2002

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

2. Matters arising from the minutes of 23^rd September 2002

a). B&NES Second Polling District in the village

E-mail explaining that this Council's suggestion for the dividing line between the two Polling Districts, which the Chairman and Vice-chairman proposed had been accepted with thanks.

b). Youth Parish Council

Clerk gave a verbal report on his findings following a letter to all organisations in the village that cater for the 12 to 17 year olds. He has received support from the Youth Club and Writhlington School who in turn reported support from a handful of youths. He had telephoned Scott Lang from Community Action who had told him that he thought we should progress, as the support seemed to be pretty good. Members agreed that the Clerk should now set up a meeting between the Youth Club, School and members of this Council. Chairman, Vice-chairman and Cllrs. Butt, Jovcic-Sas and Mrs. Thomas volunteered to attend any meeting when arranged.

c). Arnold Baker: Local Council Administration

Clerk reported a safe delivery of the 6^th Edition for the Parish Office.

3. Correspondence

a). Working in Support of the Handicapped

Letter of thanks for the grant from a section of this group calling themselves "Holiday Makers". Noted with satisfaction.

b). Jones Holdings Ltd. Transfer of Licence

A transfer is noted at 13, Bath Road.

c). 1^st Peasedown St John Scout Group

Letter informing this Council that the Group is seriously looking for a site where they could build a Scout Hut. Members were pleased to support the move in any way and to give the Group a fillip for raising money agreed that the western end of the Recreation Field would make an ideal site for the Hut. Planning permission, of course, would have to be obtained by them, and the Council would have to sort out the legal side. Cllr. Gregory asked if this decision affected the offer already made by this Council to help the Football Club establish a permanent base. The Chairman said that he was happy if the two ideas were to float along together although neither scheme could be helped without extensive funding from both Club and Group. He could see if the funding was forthcoming that the Group and Club may be able to work together on a dual user building.

d). Golden Jubilee Summer Party

Letter and booklet thanking this Council for their participation in the Golden Jubilee celebrations. It seems that the next celebration being organised by Bruno Peek will be the 200^th anniversary of Lord Nelson's victory at Trafalgar! It was also noted that a more apt celebration that year would be the 50^th anniversary of the founding of this Council.

e). B&NES. Registration under the Lotteries and Amusement Act 1976

It was agreed that this Council would not need a licence next year. Clerk to cancel.

f). Holcombe Majorettes

Letter of thanks, which described their visit to Prague and detailed their various awards. Members agreed that the Clerk should ask them to send a delegation to the next Council meeting when they could be thanked personally for their work.

g). Carlingcott Methodist Church

Letter inviting members to join them when they celebrate the opening of their new facilities on 7^th and 8^th December. Chairman agreed to officially attend the dedication Service and Gift Night on the 7^th. Noted.

h). B&NES Rural Bus Surgeries

They will be running these drop-in surgeries all around the district. It is hoped that representatives from the bus companies and B&NES will attend to take queries from the public. The nearest will be held in the Youth Club on 5th February 2003. Noted.

i). Clarke, Wilmott and Clarke. Licence Transfer at Prince of Wales

The application will leave just one licensee at this Inn.

j). John Lawson's Circus

Application to stage a circus on the Rec. in July 2003. The circus uses no animals. Refer to Recreation Field Committee.

k). BDOR Cotswolds AONB Meetings

Letter explaining that two meetings are to be held locally, the nearest will be held in Twerton, Bath in December. Cllr. Mrs. K Thomas took the application form and volunteered to attend on behalf of this Council.

l). B&NES. Regulation of the People (Amendment Regulations 2002)

Letter explaining that, under these new regulations, Parish Councillors as well as Councils are entitled to a copy of the Electors List and its amendments. Several members took the application form and most were returned on the evening to the Clerk for onward transmission to B&NES.

m). B&NES. 20 mph limit in Bath Road

Letter explaining that B&NES has decided to progress this scheme this year, it is now out for formal consultation. The proposed limit will run from the northern platform opposite Church Road to Braysdown Lane. Members were pleased to note the decision, which has been pushed for by this Council for several years. Cllr. Butt said that the idea was good but as the Police could find the limit difficult to enforce, he suggested that a camera should be set up between Church Road and the School to monitor speeds. Cllr. Jovcic-Sas reminded members that, when the Home Zones scheme for Albert and Frederick Avenues was up and running those areas would probably be given a 20-mph limit. He felt that any 20-mph limit in Bath Road should encompass Wellow Mead, Wellow Lane and Braysdown Lane. That would then provide a large area with safe routes to school for many children. Clerk informed the meeting that the news has made the front page of the December Newsletter and he hoped that public response would be generated by the story. Clerk was asked to convey the two points mentioned above in his reply to B&NES together with any comments from the public following the Newsletter item.

n). Parish Warden Scheme

The Clerk was able to report on the extensive investigations had had done and was pleased to announce that the manager of the Scheme in Avon and Somerset has agreed to attend the proposed meeting of the Environment Committee on 16^th December 2002. The Clerk has already received a small dossier on the scheme.

o). B&NES. Review of Rural Needs (Access to Information)

Letter explaining that the External Bodies Overview and Scrutiny Panel is holding two meetings, which will be open to the public. B&NES are hoping that the public can suggest ideas for the better access to information in villages by the setting up of information points in village halls, pubs and even Churches. One meeting will be held the day after this meeting at Bishop Sutton and the second on 10^th December in the Guildhall. There were no volunteers to attend.

p). B&NES. "Your Views on the Council's Budget"

Lengthy consultation paper which required comments by 27^th November. Chairman said that, at the last Parishes Liaison Meeting, the document had been presented to the delegates and he could see no reason for this Council to comment. The document was noted.

4. Accounts

A tabled list of accounts for payment were agreed as follows:

Fosseway Press Ltd. £335.50, 69.58, 49.82 & 36.66; Penny Waste 126.90; M J Whittock (Salary and Expenses) 1275.37 & 1330.58; Inland Revenue 736.55 & 465.51; The Landscape Company (SW) Ltd. 19,330.56 from Halifax plc Bonus Gold Account & 3,382.85 VAT from NatWest Bank; BT 133.63 & 35.25; The Lord Hylton 80; Mazars 763.75; J Chiswell 420; RG Services 41.13; Mercian 1,403.38; SWEB 791.84 & 8.55; SEC Connect 818.05; B&NES 482.89; Norton Garden Machinery 119.14 & 235.89; J Barker 144; Fr D Ferguson 4; J Beck 28; C Champion 660.84 & 23.71; R F Pearce 299.42; R Mannings 295.90 and ALCA 42.50.

The Clerk reported that the Annual Audit was now complete and that the External Auditor had nothing to report. His bill was enclosed for £650+VAT. The fact that the Audit was complete had been posted in the three notice boards for 14 days.

5. To receive the minutes of Planning Committee meetings held on 14^th and 28^th October and 18^th November 2002

Cllr. Derrick presented these minutes. The Clerk reported the receipt this very morning of a letter from B&NES which stated that they wish to place a temporary Tree Preservation Order on the planting at the rear of the Ashgrove Motors site. Mr. Gould has been informed and he had told the Clerk that the Order could well scupper his plans for the shops on the site. Cllr. Jovcic-Sas said that he had also received a copy of the notice but was not so alarmed as Mr. Gould. He had been told that the temporary Order would only apply to protect the trees until planning permission, or not, was given for the site. The Order could well be amended at that time if the planning committee so wished to allow the development. Agreed to place the Order on the agenda of the next Planning Committee meeting for this Council's official comments.

All other decisions were endorsed.

6. To receive the minutes of the Finance Committee meeting held on 14^th October 2002

Cllr. Mrs. Butt presented these minutes, there were no questions and all recommendations and decisions endorsed.

7. To receive the minutes of the Environment Committee meeting held on 4^th November 2002

Cllr. Butt presented these minutes. He enlarged on the meeting held with Andy Chard of B&NES and said that prices would soon be obtained for extra floral displays for next year. All decisions were endorsed.

8. To receive the minutes of a Magazine Committee meeting held on 18^th November 2002

Cllr. Mrs. K M Thomas presented these minutes, there were no questions and all decisions were endorsed.

9. To receive the minutes of a Personnel Committee meeting held on 18^th November 2002

Cllr. Mrs. Latchem presented these minutes. She announced that Mr. Evetts had been chosen to take on the job of Cemetery Caretaker. She said that the standard of candidates was very high and a decision was hard to make but eventually she felt that Mr. Evetts was best suited to the job. The Clerk reported that Mr. Evetts has agreed to start on 1^st January and had signed a contract and furnished his PAYE details. Chairman of Council said that he had sat in on the interviewing panel and agreed wholeheartedly with the selection. All decisions on the Clerk's salary for this year and next were endorsed. Estimates to cover Caretakers' wages and the Clerk's salary for next year's precept were noted for onward transmission to the Finance Committee.

10. To consider a report on the Beacon Hall presented by Cllr. McInnes

The report by Cllr. McInnes had been circulated with the agenda. Before Cllr. McInnes introduced the report he informed the meeting that as a member of the Community Association and the fact that he was a Trustee of the Beacon Hall he felt obliged to declare an interest in the subject. Other members who are also members of the Community Association declared an interest in the subject.

Cllr. McInnes then gave a broad description of the users of the Hall - he was able to illustrate the fact that the Hall was used by a broad spectrum of over 200 people per week. The Hall had been kept in pristine condition over the years and was a credit to the Trustees. He paid tribute to the work done by Derek Kennedy, who ever since the Hall opened, had taken care of all the paperwork as well as acting as key-holder involving late night locking up after functions. Cllr. McInnes felt that, as some of the Trustees are now getting older a more permanent arrangement should be made using a younger person. He felt that a person working, say, three mornings a week, which would require an estimated funding of £5,500 per annum, could manage the job.

Cllr. McInnes proposed that "this Council funds the appointment of a Administrator for Beacon Hall with effect from 1^st April 2003. That £5,500 should be set aside in the precept to fund the appointment, to be paid in four equal instalments in arrears to the Beacon Hall Trustees for that purpose and that purpose only and that the grant be agreed under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976,

s19 (e)".

The proposal was duly seconded.

Cllr. Butt wondered which Committee would be responsible for monitoring the money and its payments. Chairman and Cllr. McInnes said that they assumed that the Finance Committee would supervise the funding through the General Fund.

Cllr. Jocvcic-Sas asked that the proposal be amended to raise the amount to £6000 but his idea did not gain support.

The motion was put to the vote with 10 voting for with 1 against.

11. Freedom of Information Act 2000

Clerk had circulated a report on the subject with the agenda. It was agreed to take the recommendation on the report and submit the NALC Model Scheme with some "add-ons". The Chairman and Clerk were given delegated powers to finalise the submission which would include the statements required by the Act regarding the accessibility of the information, its cost to the public for copies and the fact that information is readily available from the Council's Web Site.

12. Clerks' Training

A brief report was given under the agenda item and the Clerk expanded on that report. He said that mature long served Clerks were not expected to attend extensive training sessions but they should be encouraged to study the new publication entitled Working with your Council. It would supply all the knowledge required to put in a successful "portfolio" of work to be assessed by AQA. The publication obtainable from SLCC costs £130 and would be updated so that it could be used by future Clerks to the Council. It was agreed that this Council should buy the publication for the Parish Office.

13. Reports

a). ALCA

Cllr. McInnes reported that a well-attended AGM had agreed to increase the ALCA subs although a capping of £968 was allowed. Interviews have been held for the post of County Secretary and an offer has been made. It is hoped that the new officer will be in post early January 2003. The work on the development Strategy 2002 for NALC was completed in early November and was presented to the NALC AGM in London on 14^th November where it was approved with a large majority. At the same meeting the recommendation to increase the affiliation fee from 3.8p to 4.2p per elector was approved. This increase will ensure the continuation of the improving service provided by NALC to members and it is to be expected that early next year we should have a Draft Service Level Agreement as a consultative document for consideration.

b). Police Liaison Meetings

Cllr. Bolwell reported on the last meeting when it was noted that the crime figures in this village was the lowest in the district but subsequently he has received later figures which show that crime has drastically increased again. Cllr. Bolwell continued by saying he was disappointed that more was not being done to eradicate the drug dealer who is openly dealing in the village. Cllr. Bolwell suspects that too many tasks are being heaped upon the Community Policemen and would like to think that this Council could ask for Inspector Edwards' views on the subject.

c). RDA Market and Coastal Towns Initiative

Cllr. Jovcic-Sas reported no known activity for some months. He thinks that there has been a change of lead officer.

d). Peasedown St John Community Safety Group

Cllr. Mrs. Button reported on a lively and very well supported meeting held on 12^th November when 20 people attended together with several young people. It was decided to meet with all Youth Club members soon.

14. Dates of next meetings

Committee meetings to discus estimates on 2^nd and 16^th December 2002 then 6^th and 20^th January2003.

The Finance Committee will consider final estimates on 20^th January with the precept making COUNCIL meeting being held on 27^th January 2003

Meeting closed at 9.15 p.m.