Agenda for this meeting

Present: Cllr. E J Derrick (Chairman), Cllr. Mrs. E V Latchem (Vice-chairman)

Before the formal part of the agenda, the Clerk presented a card, signed by all members, to the Chairman to commemorate his 50 years on this Council. The Chairman posed for pictures to be used in the 50^th Birthday Newsletter.

Mr. Clark of Hillcrest asked if the Council would ask Somer Housing to provide some form of fencing on the piece of land on the corner of Church Road and Bath Road. The gaps have now grown so big that cars are able to park on it and children can easily run off the grass onto this busy junction.

Mr R Bridges of Dunkerton Hill asked if the Council could do anything about the poor behaviour shown by youths throughout the village centre especially after 7 p.m. He found their behaviour very intimidating. Clerk to write to the Police and Cllr. Gregory promised to put on the agenda of the next Safety Action Group meeting.

1. Minutes of a Council meeting held on 24th January 2005

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). ODPM. Two discussion documents on Why Neighbourhoods Matter and Vibrant Local Leadership

Left on the table for any volunteer to read and comment upon.

b). Local Council Review

Reminder that subscriptions are now due - 6 issues this year will cost £72. Agreed to pay.

c). Colin S Gale, Underleaf Way

Three diverse complaints. 1.. Parking in the village centre will be reported to the Traffic Wardens' department of B&NES. 2.. Litter bin misuse has already been reported to Simon Memory of B&NES. 3.. Dog fouling will be reported to the B&NES Dog Warden. Noted.

d). Blake Lapthorn Linnell

A change of licensees at the Co-op Store has been lodged. No objections.

e). The Standards Board for England

Copies of their 3^rd anniversary review was received - some were taken by members for their perusal

f). ALCA New Clerk's Training

End of Year Accounts, Risk Management/Audit will be covered on Saturday 2^nd April at Nailsea. The Clerk has ascertained that Mrs. Hartley would be pleased to go and members agreed that the £15 course fee should be paid and any travelling expenses incurred by the Assistant Clerk.

g). Home Zones Update

Report on the progress of the scheme was received - members wondered why this is the first report ever received from the two bodies responsible.

3. Questions

Cllr. Mrs. Thomas asked three questions:

a). What progress has been made towards submitting a portfolio of evidence for Quality status?

b). Which optional choices will be ticked in Section II?

c). What work has been done towards establishing a Village Plan?

The Chairman reply to the first question was that very little had been done as the Clerk did not get his qualifications until November 2004 and he felt that no committee under the present regime was suitable to tackle the rather complicated subject. He recommended that the new Policy and General Purposes Committee, to be installed on 23^rd May 2005, should be the proper vehicle for progressing onto Quality status.

Cllr. Mrs. Thomas thanked the Chairman for his comprehensive reply and thought that the other two questions were now irrelevant and did not require a reply.

4. Accounts

The following accounts were tabled for the Councils approval.

Payee	Amount	Payee	Amount
Fosseway Press Ltd.	£72.19 & 378.12	Peter Davies	£1382.50
*M J Whittock, Salary & Expenses	£1437.48 & 1442.81	Jacksons Fine Timber	£789.15
Inland Revenue	£568.02 & 567.81	BT	£34.96
Revd. M Street	£2	PSJ Comm. Assoc.	£7
J Beck	£28	Fr. T Gunning	£2
D Cradock	£182.13	N/R Journal	£49
C Chivers	£100	ALCA	£15
Richard Garrett	£106.93	Local Council Review	£72
SWEB	£55.57 & 11.96
1st Peasedown St John Scout Group	£121.50
Chris Lilley	£352.50

The Chairman asked for a recorded vote and Cllrs. E J Derrick (Chairman), Mrs. E V Latchem (Vice-chairman), J S Bolwell, Mrs. F M Butt, R W G Butt, Mrs. M A Button, F J Day, J W Goring, M J Gregory, Mrs. M Kennedy, C Rich, J P Rich, Mrs. R M Rich and Mrs. K M Thomas all voted in favour. There were none against.

5. Re-structuring of the Council

The papers on the re-structuring the Council and its Committees, changes to Standing Orders and Financial Regulations, Committee Terms of Reference and Delegations which had been discussed now for several meetings and left on the table on 24^th January 2005 were now placed on the agenda for approval.

Chairman proposed that they should be implemented on 23^rd May 2005. Cllr. Butt seconded the proposal.

On being put to the vote all voted in favour.

6. To receive the minutes of Planning Committee meetings held on 7^th February and 14^th March 2005

Cllr. Derrick presented these minutes and asked for questions - there were none. Cllr. Derrick commented upon the new plan to demolish half of a semi-detached house in Tyning Road and replace it with a detached house. He said that the last time this plan came in it was refused by B&NES but agreed on appeal and he wondered why the proposal could come in again after the Inspector altered the layout. He felt that the PC had been misinformed. The Clerk said that he would retrieve the old plan and the Inspector's report and present to the next Planning Committee meeting for investigation.

All other decisions were endorsed.

7. To receive the minutes of Environment Committee meetings held on 21^st February and 14^th March 2005

Cllr. Butt presented these minutes and asked for comments or questions. All decisions were endorsed.

8. To receive the minutes of Recreation Field Committee meetings held on 21^st February and 14^th March 2005

Cllr. Derrick presented these minutes. He asked that Council look at the recommendation with reference to the request for a BMX Track in the Recreation Field.

The recommendation read:

"It is recommended by the Chair of the BMX Track Working Party to advise the Full Council not to pursue further any request to place a BMX Track on the Recreation Field and further that this matter shall not be re-visited by the Council for a period of at least six months from the date of the Full Council Meeting on Monday, 21^st March 2005."

The Chairman asked if members would like now to consider the recommendation and a majority agreed with its contents but Cllrs. Gregory, Day and Mrs. Thomas asked to be recorded as voting against.

9. To receive the minutes of Personnel Committee meetings held on 21^st February and 7^th March 2005

Cllr. Mrs. Latchem presented these minutes and asked for questions. All decisions were endorsed.

10. To receive the minutes of a Magazine Committee meeting held on 14^th March 2005

Cllr. Mrs. Thomas presented these minutes. All decisions were endorsed.

11. Reports

Reports had been given previously at the Annual Parish Meeting except that Cllr. Mrs. Button asked to report further.

She reported that the last meeting was held in the Red Post function room on 1^st March, a change of venue due to arson vandalism at the Youth Centre. The Group wishes to state that they are certain that the vandalism was not caused by the youths who support POP and would like to scotch any rumours to that effect.

The Police attended together with a representative from B&NES - but only one member of the public. Most of the meeting was taken over by debate on the BMX track requested by POP. The group felt that the chance to get a BMX track would be a feather in the cap for the village as it comes with no cost to the Parish Council. It was hoped that the scheme could be salvaged.

The group was pleased to hear from the Police that crime had fallen in the village but it was pointed out that, with people due out of prison, it would be interesting to see if the figures remain low.

It seems that there is now no Youth Leader as he is on sick leave.

12. Any other business, being a preview of correspondence received since the closing of this agenda for noting or for inclusion on a future agenda.

a). Police Community Vehicle

Invitation to see the launch of this vehicle at Keynsham Police Station. Chairman and Cllr. Bolwell to attend.

b). Community Action

Subscription reminder received although this Council has not been a member for many years. It was decided not to join.

c). Footpath Signing

E-mail received saying that money has now been found and that progress will be made after the Easter break. Noted for now.

d). Street Cleansing - Overview & Scrutiny Review

Invitation to join the public session of a meeting to be held on Monday 18^th April 2005 in the Guildhall, Bath. Cllr. Butt hoped to attend but left the papers with the Clerk.

13. Dates of the next meetings

4^th April - Planning and other meetings as required

18^th April - committees as required

9^th May - Planning and other committees as required

16^th May - Magazine and other committees as required

23^rd May - ANNUAL MEETING OF THE COUNCIL.

Meeting closed at 9 p.m.