Peasedown St John Parish Council
Minutes of a meeting of the Full Council held on the 18th September 2006 held at the School Hall
Present: Cllrs RW G Butt, J Rich, J Bolwell, Mrs F Butt, Mrs M Button, F Day, M Roy, J Goring, M Gregory, Mrs M Kennedy, G Matthews, C Rich, Mrs R Rich, A Spiller and Mrs K Thomas
Also Present Mr Peter Provest (Internal Auditor and Lay member)
And several members of the public
No Apologies
Public Session
Peasedown St John resident Mrs Holvey stood to address the council and handed the Chair a petition of over 990 signatures campaigning for measures to be taken to make the Radstock entrance to the village a safer route.
Chair thanked Mrs Holvey and accepted the petition adding that the Parish Council would add our own comments before passing it on to the relevant executive in Bath and North East Somerset Council.
Mr Jones landlord of 3 and 4 Bath Road asked the council to take into account the difficulties his disabled tenant and his carers would have if the parking bay in front of his properties were to change to double yellow lines if the proposed new road layout were to happen.
The resident of Ashgrove Court commented on the speed of the traffic past his house and the increasing noise levels.
Cllr Butt explained to the public how the Parish Council completed a traffic road survey 2 years ago and handed it to B&NES but to this day it has never been acknowledged.
Mr Turner of 57 Wellow Lane spoke about his fears for the parked cars if chicanes were moved causing the flow of traffic to pass close to them.
The last member of the public commented on the problems associated with the Radstock end of the village entrance and how many cars that don’t know the area well get in the wrong lane to enter the village and called for the system to be changed or at least clearly marked.
We then welcomed our visitor Mrs Dorothy Miley B&NES Parking Team Leader
Mrs Miley gave a short insight into the proposed changes for the parking and road layout planned for the village high street and was happy then to answer any questions.
Cllr Mrs F Butt asked Mrs Miley when had there been public consultation and acknowledgement that the Chicanes are to be removed from the Ashgrove end of the Village?
Mrs Miley couldn’t answer this question, as this was a decision she had not made herself.
Cllr Butt commented that removing the Chicanes would only serve to increase the speed of the traffic
Several other Councillors questioned the proposals with questions like; will there be any disabled parking bays? Will the new proposed position for the bus stop be affected by the pizzerias section 106 agreement placed on the lay by? Why are the parking bays being taken away by the shops? These are always in use.
Cllr Spiller also made a valid comment that the parking bay proposed for right opposite his garage would have a detrimental affect on the coaches pulling in and out
Mrs Miley could not answer all these question. The Council thanked Mrs Miley, but all agreed that these proposals were not the answer to the problems in the high street and have requested an engineer to come to the village to meet with the Parish Council.
A 21day period for questions and comment would be available once the proposals were posted for consideration.
Finally Mrs Miley was presented with a copy of the Traffic Report compiled by the council 2 years ago.
Members’ Interests. Members were reminded of their obligation to declare any interest they may have in any issue arising at this meeting, which might conflict with the business of the Council
Minutes of the Full Council held on the 24th July 2006
These minutes, which had been previously circulated were taken as read, agreed as a true record and signed by the Chairman.
Clerk reported on 6 items
b) Clerk has now sent the letter of objection to the planning department reference the Ashrove car lot however during the august recess another letter was received outlining the plan for delivery vehicles to exit the site through the village. Clerk sent a reply on behalf of the Council stating we do not want HGV’S going through the village.
Cllr Matthews asked if the Clerk could find out when the plans are to be
seen by B&NES planning committee.
Chairman reported of a good response to the questionnaire and has written a letter of thanks to all who replied
The results were as follows
Those in favour of a new retail outlet on the Ashgove Car Lot 26%
Those against 74%
Those against the removal of in house wardens 100%
Those in favour of a roundabout/ traffic lights at the Radstock end of the Village
97%
Those in favour of it remaining as it is 3%
Cllr Butt announced that he would be a giving further break down of these figures at a later date.
Cllr Mrs Thomas suggested that these figures should be sent to B&NES with a supporting document endorsed by the Parish Council
The Council agreed but felt that we needed to be clear in what we want.
Members were then asked to vote on two things, a unanimous vote was carried that all councillors felt something should be done at this junction and secondly 14 councillors voted for the traffic light option with one councillor voting on the roundabout option.
It was also felt that an engineering report should be carried out be B&NES. Clerk was asked to write to B&NES to request one.
4. Correspondence
An Email has been received from The Christadelphian Church regarding a spate of vandalism that has been occurring at the back of the Church.
Chair announced that the Youth Parish Council had now been inaugurated and had a very successful first meeting with the Chair in attendance and there was hope that the members could help fight this problem.
The Youth Parish Council have asked for the Councillor to consider installing a graffiti wall in the village and have also requested input in the Parish Plan
Cllr Spiller also reported acts of vandalism caused by youths to his coaches and hedges over the weekend
With the rising numbers of anti-social behaviour in the village the Parish Council decided to send a letter to the Community Safety Action Group with a copy to the Police demanding action to be taken in the next month and asking them to explain what ASBO’s and dispersal orders have been applied and implemented in the last few months in this region. It was also suggested that with the current problem of leniency the courts seem to be showing towards these offenders once the police do take action then another letter should be sent to them too seeking some drastic action.
It was also felt that a Police Liaison Officer should be present at, at least one Parish Council meeting a year.
5. To agree Payment of Accounts
All in Favour
These were received with the Chair of the committee adding that the Governors of the School have also lodged opposition to the development at Sunset Close due to the possible increase in numbers of children when they already have a high intake anyway and also the dangerous route these children would have to take to get to school.
7. To receive the minutes of the Finance Committee meeting held on the 4th September
These were received with the Chair of the committee adding that it recommend that Amenities Committee look at the Football Club lease with some urgency.
Chair of the Council felt that due to the possible financial implication to this subject it would be advisable for the Finance Committee to take this problem on.
Clerk suggested that until she obtained further information on this matter a decision should be put on hold. All agreed.
These were received with no comments
9. To receive the minutes of the Amenities Committee meeting held on the 11th September 2006
These were received with no comment
Chair of Finance reminded all committees to start thinking of their expenditure for next year.
Clerk was asked to put reports back on the next Full Council agenda
Council was asked to note the change in meeting dates in October the new dates being 9th and 16th October.
Mr Peter Provest announced that the Village plan information /action week is to be held week commencing 23rd October with a mobile exhibition for the village
Meeting closed at 9.05pm