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PEASEDOWN ST JOHN PARISH COUNCIL

Present: Cllr. E J Derrick (Chairman), Cllr. R W G Butt (Vice-chairman)

The Chairman reported receipt of a letter from Cllr. Mrs. Lewis-Mason, which stated that she wished to resign from the Council through ill health as she felt that she was not able to put the time to the job, which she wished. Members were sad to hear the news and asked the Clerk to convey their best wishes for her pending surgery and wish her a speedy recovery.

The Clerk was asked to start the legal requirements to find a replacement.

There were no questions or comments.

1. Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Council held on 23rd May 2005

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

2. Any matters arising from the minutes of 23^rd May 2005

Members asked for an update on the repairs at the toilets. The Clerk said that he had had another email, which stated that the repairs would start at the end of September and take four to five weeks. B&NES hoped that the toilets would not be completely closed for the duration of the work.

The Clerk also reported that he has asked for comments on the removal of the bottle banks in the Newsletter and B&NES will wait until the second week in August, allowing time for our collected comments before committing themselves to the publicity required for removal.

3. Audit and Accounts

1). Annual Audit

Cllr. Mrs. Butt, Chairman of the Finance Committee put the motion: -

That Council agrees

"a). To note that the date of Audit is 15^th August 2005 and that the public notice of that fact was posted in all three Notice Boards on 4^th July thus giving the statutory period required for the public inspection of documents at the parish office

b). that Section 1 of the Annual Return prepared and signed by the RFO be signed by the Chairman

c). that Section 4 of the Annual Return prepared by the Internal Auditor is endorsed.

d). that all questions in Section 2 of the Annual Return can be answered in the affirmative, therefore signed by the Chairman of Council and the Clerk.

Cllr. J P Rich seconded the motion. On being put to the meeting for a recorded vote, all present voted in favour.

 

2). Payment of accounts

The following accounts were agreed for payment. The Chairman took a recorded vote and all present voted in favour.

Payee	Amount	Payee	Amount
Fosseway Press Ltd.	£89.50 & 355.92	Peter Davies	£124, 66, 254, 1400 & 422
*M J Whittock, Salary & Expenses		Playground Management	£79.90
Inland Revenue	£634.63 & 935.33	BT	£35.25 & 112.64
*Mrs. A Hartley		NR Journal	£39.20
*C Champion		SEC Lighting	£732.48
D Cradock	£452.38	Overall Maintenance	£750
*C Chivers		RG Services	£21.15
*R Mannings		J Chiswell	£1938
Seaboard Energy	£824.54	1st PSJ Guides	£164
1st Peasedown St John Scout Group	£121.50	Explorer Scout Unit	£150
Cllr. J P Rich	£23.72	POP	£100
Rev Brian Sutton	£2	WISH	£150
Charlton Pest Control	£60	Holcombe Majorettes	£200
Masonry Associates	£2291.25	Bath Rd Methodist Church	£300
J Beck	£14
Arleen Services	£10.80 & 9.19

4. Minutes of Planning Committee meetings held on 6th June and 4th July 2005

Cllr. C Rich presented these minutes. There were no questions and all decisions were endorsed.

5. Minutes of a 50th Birthday Committee meeting held on 18th June 2005

The Clerk and Chairman gave an update on the arrangements so far. The Clerk will act as MC and propose the Loyal Toast then the Chairman of B&NES, Cllr. Mrs. Phyllis Gay will make the opening speech. Cllr. Mrs. Kennedy asked that the Secretary of Beacon Hall should be furnished with a letter formally booking the hall and timings required. He also asked if the caterers would liaise with him direct over their setting up requirements. Clerk to arrange both tasks.

6. Minutes of an Environment Committee meeting held on 27th June 2005

Cllr. J P Rich presented these minutes. He reported further developments regarding the tenancy of Plot No 1 at the allotments. The Clerk has now promised the plot to the next person on the waiting list but has not carried out the final change waiting for the outcome of an appeal by the present tenant. Cllr. J P Rich, after consulting other members, has agreed that half the plot should be given to the new lady. The other half left with the present tenant, with a proviso that he shows an improvement within 3 months and if not the whole plot should be given to the lady. The proposal was put to the Council and agreed unanimously.

All other decisions and recommendations were endorsed.

7. Minutes of an Amenity Committee meeting held on 27th June 2005

In the absence of Cllr. Spiller, Cllr. Bolwell presented these minutes. The Chairman of Council questioned the fact that, although the Terms of Reference state clearly that this Committee should be overseeing the work done on all village amenities, why did Cllr. Butt ask that the flower beds and baskets be supervised by the Environment Committee.

Cllr. Butt explained he felt that, because the beds and baskets were placed on land not in this Council's absolute control, supervision should come from the Environment Committee.

Chairman was not happy with the decision, as the Amenities Committee has finished up with very little responsibility for very few amenities. He thought that the new committee had so little work that it was a waste of members' time.

Cllr. Butt said that he was happy to look at the subject again and promised that the Terms of Reference of both committees would be assessed again by the two committees followed by a recommendation to Council from the P&GP Committee. The Clerk said that he would place the subject on the agenda of all three committees during the next cycle of meetings and commented that the Terms of Reference could easily be changed if that was what Council wanted.

To give members good warning the Clerk reported three problems for this committee when it next meets.

a). He reported that a pole on which this Council has a street light in the lane between New Buildings and Carlingcott has broken off and therefore all the lights below this pole are not working. WPD, who is the proper contractor for this work has reported that, on a quick inspection, all the poles in this area are suspect due to rotting. All the poles are the property of this Council.

b). The cemetery wall and shrubs alongside are being vandalised where we have a common boundary with the new play area in Eckweek Lane. Between 12 and 15 copingstones have been dislodged. The Clerk said that he would get this job done as this Council has proved that vandalism needs to be repaired quickly.

c). The money allowed for in estimates for DDA improvements in the Rec. will not be enough as the quote for the path alone has come in at £2,400.

The minutes were endorsed.

8. Minutes of a Finance Committee meeting held on 4th July 2005

Cllr. Mrs. Butt presented these minutes and announced the fact that the committee would like to thank Mr Peter Provest again for a job well done on the Audit. All members joined in the applause.

Cllr. Bolwell asked a question on the allocation of grants, as he did not agree with the committee's decision that the Scout request was not a suitable scheme for this Council to fund. He felt that the Scouts, if well supervised, would gain valuable experience from the strict discipline needed when using any form of firearm. Other members disagreed and felt that a PC could not be seen to fund such a scheme.

Cllr. Day thanked the committee for their help towards chairs for the re-decorated Bath Road Methodist Church worship area, but questioned who would pay for the plaques. The Clerk said that he assumed that the Council would pay the extra. Cllr. Day said that the Chapel would like to think that all the plaques were of the same design as other members of the church and villagers had promised dedicated chairs. He agreed that the Clerk should make enquiries from the Council's usual engraver to see if all plaques could be made there.

All other decisions were endorsed.

9. Minutes of a Policy and General Purposes Committee meeting held on 6th June 2005

Cllr. Butt presented these minutes. He asked the Clerk if he had had many calls from the public concerning the telephone box beside the school. The Clerk said that he had had two replies - both for its removal.

Cllr. Bolwell was not happy with the idea of pandering to the vandals and said that if it were removed the troubles would move to the other box in Ashgrove. He said that the Police should do their job and stop the vandals. He would mention the problem at the next police liaison meeting.

Cllr. Butt said that the box was not used for what it was designed and was used only as a meeting place for bored youths. He said that he would like to see it gone.

It was agreed to leave again waiting for further comment from the public.

10. Reports

a). Police Liaison Meeting

Cllr. Bolwell reported on a meeting held in Paulton Village Hall where he raised the problems in the village concerning vandalism and un-social behaviour. There is a new Inspector appointed and Cllr. Bolwell was waiting anxiously to see if things would change. A new drug squad has been formed but staff shortages may hamper its work.

b). Parishes Liaison, Keynsham 8^th June 2005

Attended by the Chairman and Assistant Clerk. Both reported that most of the meeting was taken up with the parish sweeper scheme and double taxation. The CE of B&NES still insists that it does not exist! Clerk was asked to write to the CE to ask him on what does he stake his claim when we see blatant examples in this village.

c). POP function - 20^th August 2005

Cllr. Mrs. Butt reported on a meeting with POP who wishes to celebrate the 50^th birthday with the Council by organising an outside function throughout the village. They wished to use the Rec. and Cllr. Mrs. Butt brought the request to Council. Several members were a little worried about the insurance for any activity on the Rec. and asked the Clerk for clarification. The Clerk advised Council that if the Council were the organiser of the function its insurance would cover any eventuality.

Cllr. Mrs. Butt said that if the use of the Rec. was agreed, and the Council endorsed its use as part of the 50^th celebrations, the Council would be the overall organiser.

Cllr. Mrs. Butt proposed: -

"that if the Rec. is available and the football club is not using the field, POP should be allowed to use the field with this Council's blessing".

Cllr. J P Rich seconded the proposal and being put to the vote was agreed with one voting against.

11. Any other business, being a preview of correspondence received since 18^th July for noting or placing on a future agenda

a). The Clerk has received a letter from the CE of B&NES informing this Council that he is about to propose to his Council that other services, other than vegetation clearance on footpaths and the parish sweeper scheme, could be handed down to this Council (with funding). The Clerk's letter concerning the cutting of roundabouts and verges to a higher standard has prompted this letter. Refer to the P&GP Committee.

b). The Clerk has received a late grant application from the football club. It seems that if the dressing rooms are not brought up to an expected standard by 20^th August the club may have to withdraw from the league. Members were very sympathetic but felt that a special case would have to be substantiated if this council desired to assist and therefore the application should be referred to the Finance Committee. Clerk to advise the club of this decision.

Meeting closed at 8.45 p.m.