Agenda for this meeting

PEASEDOWN ST JOHN PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of a meeting of the Environment Committee held on Monday 21st February 2005 at 7.50 p.m. in the Cricket Clubhouse

Present: Cllr. R W G Butt (Chairman)

Cllrs. Mrs. F M Butt, Mrs. M Kennedy, Mrs. E V Latchem and Mrs. K M Thomas.

Also in attendance: Cllrs. Mrs. R M Rich, C Rich and J P Rich. One member of the public.

Apologies were received from Cllrs. F J Day and A A Spiller

Public Session

Mr. Provest asked when this committee would be doing something about the entrance to Ecewiche Green from Morgan Way. He has noticed that an illegal path has been formed and is now an eyesore. Chairman said that a quotation has been accepted for the area where zigzag steps will be formed and a handrail fixed. The rest of the bank will be retained with a log fence and the work will be done very soon after 1st April when the money is available.

  1. Minutes of a meeting of the Environment Committee held on 6th December 2004

    2. 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

    3. a). Avon and Somerset Police

    An invitation was received asking if this Council would like to send a representative to the official opening of their CCV at Police Headquarters on 10th March. There were no volunteers.

    b). Environment Agency

    Copy of their Bristol Avon Catchment Abstraction Management Strategy. To office library.

    c). Joint Strategic Planning and Transport Unit

    Copy of their Waste Planning in the West to 2020. Cllr. Mrs. Butt took the publication.

    d). DEFRA

    Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Bill - potted summary of its contents and the web address where the full document can be found. The Clerk had gone into the site and found it difficult to separate the proposed powers given to PCs from those given to DCs and that to print would involve 80 sheets on html and 100 on pdf. Agreed not to print up but members with computers took the address so that they could read on screen.

    e). Lorry parking at the West Country Vending premises

    A reply was received thanking the Clerk for his letter and stating that they would in future be more careful not to block the pavement. Cllr. Butt said that the Clerk now had the contact number of the traffic wardens, which could be used if this Council were to list the worst times of the week when careless parking takes place. Cllr. Butt to investigate, observe and inform. Noted.

    f). Bristol International

    Copy of their Master Plan - Statement of Intent. Taken by Cllr. Mrs. Butt for perusal.

    g). BE: Better for Everyone

    Copy of their Draft Local Strategy Partnership Annual Report. Taken by Cllr. Mrs. Thomas.

  3. Peasedown St John in Bloom Competition

    4. The Clerk reminded members that the competition last year had to be cancelled because of lack of entries and that the Chairman had suggested that changes may have to be made to the classes etc. to regain support.

    To page two……………………..

    Minutes of a meeting of the Environment Committee held on 21st February 2005. Page two.

    Several suggestions came from members concerning the adding of a class for the allotment holders, criticising the rather formal wording in the entry form and the fact that perhaps the competition winners (and losers) may wish to open up their gardens to the general public. Cllr. Mrs. Thomas said that the Bath Road Methodist Church runs an "open gardens day" in the summer and perhaps the two functions could be merged.

    Cllr. Mrs. Thomas would ask the Church for their comments and Cllr. Mrs. Butt would look again at the entry form - both to report back before the printing of the April Newsletter as the Editor would need to start the publicity in that edition if the competition is to be resurrected.

  4. To monitor the Environmental Action Plan

    5. The Plan for 2005 was revisited and the programme endorsed for the Clerk to proceed with the booking of contractors for the year. It was noted however that "Action" seemed to be the wrong label given to this document as it contained only annual programmed maintenance. There were no new ideas on the Plan.

  5. To monitor the Ecewiche Green Action Plan

    6. The Plan for 2005 was reviewed and endorsed so that the Clerk could programme the works. The Clerk said that he would get the steps constructed as soon as possible after 1st April, certainly before the heavy summer usage.

  6. Any other business - being an exchange of information

The Clerk reported that he had now received the relevant policy documents from B&NES concerning advertising signs on roundabouts. Mr Majer from the Planning Office had agreed to informally help the Clerk with what could be a first application in the district to test the policies. Noted with satisfaction.

Meeting closed at 8.45 p.m.

 

Signed …………………………………….Chairman Date ………………………….