PEASEDOWN ST JOHN PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of a Council meeting held on Monday 28th November 2005 at 7 p.m. in the Cricket Clubhouse
Present: Cllr. E J Derrick (Chairman), Cllr. R W G Butt (Vice-chairman)
Mrs M A Button. F J Day, J W Goring, Mrs M Kennedy, Mrs E V Latchem
C Rich, J P Rich and Mrs. K M Thomas, A A Spiller, M J Gregory, Mrs. R M Rich.
Apologies were received from Cllrs Mrs F M Butt and J S Bolwell.
Also Present Local Cllr Sarah Bevan and two members of the public
Before the meeting began we had great pleasure in welcoming our local Sector Inspector Paul Kendal from the Avon and Somerset Police.
Many problems were highlighted to Mr Kendal, that Councillors felt were appropriate to Peasedown itself, these included the problem of youngsters hanging around in specific areas and the big problem of under age drinking. Mr Kendal replied that they are carrying out an operation called Operation Relentless that is tackling anti social behaviour and a high success rate has been seen in recent weeks. The next designated week for this operation will be the second week in December.
Mr Kendal was also asked whether or not he felt 24hour drinking is a good idea or not. He replied with a personal view that, it was not a good idea, it would create many problems for the Police and the public including rowdy revellers going between pubs at all hours of the day causing problems. He highlighted that there is a great need for more Police officers now and more will be needed to police these problems. He added that very few pubs in the area have applied for a 24hour license but many have applied to extend their opening hours until the early hours of the morning.
The Inspector was then asked to clarify where the law stood on mini motor bikes. It was clarified that Mini Motos are completely illegal on public highways and can only be used on private land. However the Councillors agreed that in Peasedown we have a greater problem with Mini Mopeds. Mr Kendal said that again they are illegal if they have no Tax, MOT and insurance and are being driven on public highways and if we have any problems in the future we should get the names and addresses of the offenders and the Police can then take action.
The Council then received some good news, that the Police are hoping that at the beginning of 2007 Peasedown should be getting two PSO for the village who will patrol the village and report back the local officers. This will be all dependent on funding.
Mr McInnes posed two questions to the inspector
Mr Kendal answered that no, he didn't think we got value for money and a lot more funding should be put into our Police force, and yes, armed response did provide all the support he and his officers needed. He felt that arming officers was a bad idea as it would bring a whole new gun culture to this country. He also added that they are hoping to bring an armed response unit to Radstock station in the future.
Mr Kendal was thanked and will be sent a copy of our meeting dates so a constant link can now be secured between the Police and the Parish Council.
Public Session
There were no questions or comments
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.
Cllr Chairman E J Derrick stood to announce his retirement from the council and his Chairmanship. A formal letter was read out stating his reasons for leaving.
Vice Chairman Cllr R W G Butt then took charge of the meeting and expressed his sincere thanks to Mr Derrick for all his years on the Council and suggested that an event be organised for the New Year to mark Mr Derrick's achievements.
The meeting was then suspended for ten minutes for all the Chairs of the committees to decide where to go from here.
Meeting resumed and it was decided that at this present time, with all the upheaval the Council has had it would be best to delay the decision on appointing a new Chairman until the 23rd January at the next Full Council meeting. Cllr R W G Butt would take over for the time being as acting Chair.
3. Clerk's Leaving Gift
Cllr J W Goring proposed
That: in pursuance of the powers conferred by s.137 of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) and being of the opinion that the expenditure satisfies the requirement of that section, the Council approves expenditure in the sum of £1075 in respect of a PC for the former Clerk in recognition of his long service to this Council".
Seconded by Cllr R W G Butt
Unanimous agreement by the Council
It was decided that this matter be passed to the P& GP Committee for them to organise
Cllr Butt gave a short address that the office move has been completed successfully and gave thanks to Cllr Mrs F M Butt and the Beacon hall for all their help in this.
He announced that the spending ban be lifted now all the major costs have now been paid out.
It was then decided to suspend the meeting for the night as the snow was now falling and the weather was turning bad. All other matters were deferred to the next Full Council meeting on the 23rd January 2006.
Meeting Closed 8.30pm