Peasedown St John Parish Council
Minutes of a meeting of the Environment Committee held on the 16 July 2007 held at Peasedown School
Present:- Cllr Mrs M Button*, F Day#, D Edler, G Matthews, Mrs K Thomas, R W G Butt (SO43) J Rich,
Mr Peter Provest (Lay Member)
One member of the public in attendance.
Public Time
Mr P Clarke asked for information on the broken bus shelter near The Red Post. The Clerk replied that this was in hand. We are waiting for new bus shelters to be erected around the village by B&NES and are checking that this bus shelter will be included.
Mr Clarke reported that the Gate at Church Road entrance to the Recreation Ground needs repairing.
Also the tree near 37/38 Hillcrest is dangerous. The Clerk to contact Somer.
These were agreed and signed that this was a true record.
The undergrowth at Keels Hill will be undertaken by B&NES an order has been placed.
Regarding the vandalism in the Play Area there has been another small fire near the rocker but no appreciable damage has been done. The play area is not locked at night as the caretaker feels that this would add to the vandalism as there would be attempts to get in over the fence, thus further damaging that. (we had to have the post and fence repaired last year at a cost of app £164.00)
Concern was shown by the Committee that the play area should be locked at night.
Clerk to report on Health & Safety issue, and check the insurance policy regarding locking up at night. Cllr Mrs M Button and G Matthews will monitor the play area and report back on any unusual activity.
The padlock on the Whitebrook Lane entrance to the Recreation field has the same keys as all the other padlocks in use by the Parish Council. I understand that B&NES has the key to the Church Road entrance as they cut the grass. If there were to be an emergency the services are able to enter by the Whitebrook entrance. I will speak to Kevin Williams to determine whether he has a key for that entrance and if not, will send him the key with your permission.
Clerk will contact Mr Williams to ensure that he has the key for the Whitebrook entrance. Cllr K Thomas suggested that we put a permanent notice on the gates as to who can be contacted regarding a padlock key if required in an emergency.
The parking in the village: I sent an email to the ward councillors on 9 July and having asked the questions
Is there to be signage throughout the village saying how long parking is to be
Are there to be wardens to monitor the situation, checking on illegal parking
I had a brief reply stating Yes to both from Nathan Hartley and no reply from Sarah Bevan. Clerk to speak to B&NES Officers to determine exactly what they intend to do.
I have had reports of Japanese Knotweed within the village and have contacted two contractors (Bryan Laws and Dave Craddock) for prices as action must be taken as soon as possible to eradicate this plant. Cllr J Rich proposed, seconded by Cllr G Matthews that the Clerk has permission to go ahead as soon as possible, obtain quotes for the clearance of the knotweed and liaise with Cllr Mrs M Button to proceed.
4. Correspondence
5. Road Sweeper Scheme
The Clerk submitted a comprehensive report, having contacted other Parish Councils and ALCA - this was discussed and it was decided that further research was needed and the Clerks will take this forward in September. Items queried, Health & Safety, annual costs and fly tipping.
6. Flower Tubs
Safety measure for flower tubs to be entered on precept. The School was approached to mention names of culprits who have vandalised these tubs and they advised that this would not be constructive. The Clerk suggested that the Committee might like to look at other companies who make vandal proof flower planters and stands for next year.
The flower tubs this year are of poor quality, the weeds seem to have overtaken the flowers. Can a contractor be arranged to carry out weeding. This could also be a matter for next year's precept.
Cllr D Edler is looking at this at present and this item is to put on the agenda at the
next meeting of the Environment committee.
The council felt that the site owners could be forced to take action to make the site good the hole has been there for some time.
The section under which this can be taken forward is 215 of the planning act.
The clerk is to write to B&NES.
Cllr Matthews attended the Action for Rural Committees Annual Conference in June 2007 and felt that it was well worth other councillors attendance in the future.
Cllr Mrs Thomas commented that it may worth becoming members the clerk will find out the cost.
The council had received a notice of tree works for the above address. The clerk was asked to gain at copy of the original survey for the next meeting in September.
It was felt that this had be dealt with when the road sweeper scheme had been discussed in item 5 of the agenda.
Cllr Mrs K Thomas informed that council about the Joint Rights of Way Improvement Plan. Every authority has to prepare this document.
There is a draft document put together by B&NES, Bristol and South Gloucester.
The area is the first item, and Users, the second cyclists, equestrians, walkers etc.,
The vision is to increase the usual rights of way which supplies safe routes.
There is an Action Plan, similar to the Village Plan, and questions to be answered are:
Does it meet the present needs? Do we agree with the Joint rights of way improvement plan?
Cllr J Rich proposed and Cllr G Matthews seconded that agreement to the plan was to be supported and the other members concurred.
The meeting closed at 20.06