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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, Mrs E Latchem and Mrs K Thomas

Also Present Mr Peter Provest (Internal Auditor and Lay member)

And several members of the public

Mr A Chegwyn addressed the council regarding the modification to the B&NES local plan. A number of residents have been upset by the modification as it will mean that more houses will be built on the swathe of land at Wellow Lane. The chairman explained that the council had received the proposed modifications but had no knowledge of any actual plans for the site.

The residents felt that it was the Parish council responsibility to inform them personally of any changes due to take place and it was pointed out that it would not be practicable to do so.

It was also mentioned to the residents that the piece of land in question had always been earmarked for development.

The Parish Council agreed to support the residents in their appeal to B&NES not to have housing on the site but also said that B&NES are not under any obligation to take into account the views of the Parish Council.

The chairman informed the residents that he had arranged for a public meeting to be held at the Beacon Hall on Thursday 7^th December at 19.30 to more fully discuss their views and determine the best way forward. It was felt that an invitation to attend this meeting should be extended to Cllrs Gail Coleshill and Sarah Bevan.

1. Apologies were received from Mr A Spiller
2. 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 18th September 2006

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

3. Clerks Report

Clerk reported on 3 items

• The proposals for altering the parking in Bath Road are still ongoing. The chairman and members of the environment committee met with Ms Miley but the proposal has not yet been submitted to the appropriate committee in B&NES for approval. Ms Miley will inform the council when the deadline is to be for objections to be lodged.
• Traffic Accidents – Nick Jeanes attended the environment committee meeting on 16 October and explained that a pattern needs to be identified re accidents, but that in the meantime a flashing speed sign could be considered.
• Cllr Gail Coleshill replied to the letter sent to the CSAG re anti social behaviour.

Following the last item there was a discussion re the content of the letter and the fact that the clerk had written to Ms Coleshill in her capacity as secretary to the CSAG, but had received a reply on Lib Dem headed notepaper. It was felt that the letter reflected the fact that Ms Coleshill had a dual role in the community and in this instance the boundaries were somewhat blurred. The penultimate paragraph of the letter asked that the Parish Council support CSAG and POP if they submit a planning application to have a BMX track at the lower end of the recreation field. It was generally felt that it is not proper for any other body to ask for planning permission for any item in the recreation field as the Parish Council are the Trustees of the field and as such is the only body who may submit plans. The clerk has been asked to reply to the CSAG in strong terms regarding the notepaper.

1. Correspondence

• Letter from the Standards Board of England – The standards board reported that a complaint had been received about alleged conduct of Cllr RWG Butt. Their findings were that they did not believe that a potential breach of the code of conduct was disclosed and therefore the matter is not being referred to the ethical standards officer for investigation.
• Email from Nick Randle of SLCC regarding the relevant points in the white paper denoting changes in Parish Council powers. Cllr R Butt has taken this to read.
• Ringmaster – the report from the police authority informing the council of all crimes that have taken place in the village during the month. A summary was read out and several councillors asked for this report to be emailed to them each month.
• A letter of condolence has been received from Mr & Mrs Edward about the recent death of John Derrick. A copy will be forwarded to John’s family.
• ALCA are running a training session re Planning Aid at Yatton in January 2007. It was agreed that the clerk, assistant clerk, Cllrs Mrs M Kennedy and C Rich should attend.
• Email from Cleo Newcombe-Jones was received regarding the Modification to the Local Plan. Cllrs C Rich and Mrs M Kennedy to examine this further.
• Countryside Alliance – Letter re the importance of Post Offices
• Joint Transport Forum – A Meeting is to be held in Bristol to discuss Transport – Mr P Provest has agreed to attend on behalf of the Parish Council

1. Modification of the Local Plan

Cllr Mrs F Butt and the clerk are to liase to have a list of points made for the Village Meeting on Thursday 7^th December 2006.

There were several issues raised and these included the number of proposed houses on the site, the fact that the land had historically be destined for housing, the current ownership of the land, the movement of the housing boundary, the fact that there will be more houses in Radstock and this will affect the amount of traffic on the bypass.

It was decided to ask PC Rob Saunders for his view as Architect Liason Officer with B&NES.

2. Training

Cllr Mrs K Thomas spoke about the training programme and asked that all councillors fill in the form previously issued in order that she could maintain an up to date record of the training which each councillor has undertaken. When a councillor has undertaken training it will be beneficial to all councillors if they hear the report of the training so that they may take on board the issues raised.

3. To agree payment of accounts

The bills for payment were presented, a recorded vote was taken to accept and all were in favour.

To receive the minutes of the Planning Committee Meeting held on the 9th & 16th October & 6th November 2006

These were received with no comments

4. To receive the minutes of the Finance Committee meeting held on the 20th November 2006

These were received with no comments

5. To receive the minutes of the Environment Committee meeting held on the 16th October 2006

These were received with no comments

To receive the minutes of the Amenities Committee meeting held on the 6th November 2006

These were received with no comment

To receive the minutes of the Personnel Committee meeting held on 14 November 2006

It is proposed to change the appraisal dates to bring them in line with the new financial year thereby incorporating salary changes at the appropriate time. All agreed

To receive the minutes of the Cemetery sub Committee held on 14th October 2006 at the Cemetery

These were received with no comment

To receive the minutes of the Policy Meeting held on 9th & 20th October 2006

These were received with no comment

6. Reports

• Police Parish Liason Meeting – Cllr Bolwell reported that crimes have increased due the fact that the area is now larger. The detection rate has risen. There are plans to enable the PCSO’s in the Community Vehicle to record crime. Cllr Bolwell suggested to the Police Authority that the PCSO’s and the beat manager should go into the schools to speak to the children as drug abuse appears to be increasing in Peasedown St John and Inspector Kendall agreed that this may be possible in the future. The amount of separate Neighbourhood Watches was discussed and PC Rob Saunders felt that it would be better if they were coordinated with one as a champion. The amount of accidents occurring on the bypass was mentioned and it was agreed that a traffic sergeant should attend a meeting. There is a quango for Parish Plans and this may provide up to £3500.00 for this purpose. PC Saunders is the Architect Liason Officer with B&NES and as such should have access to the planning lists. For any large development PC Saunders will send his views to B&NES regarding safety etc.,
• CSAG – Cllr Mrs M Button reported that the police know of the rave that was held near the village before it happened and there is a ‘Rave’ number to call when someone hears that a rave may be happening and that is 01225 477477
• Parish Liason Meeting – Cllr RWG Butt reported that there were only three B&NES councillors present, four to five officers and about 40 – 50 parish representatives, and therefore there was a limit to what could be achieved.
• ALCA – Cllr RWG Butt has joined the double taxation working party. ALCA is to respond to B&NES report that double taxation does not occur. With regard to mini motos Cllr Butt has discovered that bikes may be taken and crushed on the second time that an incident has been recorded. Cllr Butt feels that the council should make good use of ALCA and especially Peter Duppa Miller the secretary as he is extremely knowledgeable.
• Report of trip to Windsor re recreational equipment – Cllr G Matthews reported that this had been a very interesting day and that there were many stands showing the different surfacing and play equipment available, some of which were not expensive. It was felt that there were so many stands and demonstrations that it was not possible to get around everything in one day.

1. Items for inclusion in a future agenda

Cllr G Matthews suggested that the council may like to meet for a Christmas meal and he is to find out times and dates etc.,

Cllr Mrs M Kennedy thanked the Clerk and Assistant Clerk for their hard work during the year and commented that they had had a steep learning curve.

Cllr RWG Butt took the opportunity to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. He also thanked Cllr Mrs M Kennedy for all her hard work both in editing and organising the Parish Magazine and also for her efforts to stop the supermarket being built on the Ashgrove Car Lot Site.

The meeting closed at 21.20.