PEASEDOWN ST JOHN PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of a meeting of the Policy and General Purposes Committee held on Monday 20th February 2006 at 8 p.m. in the Cricket Clubhouse
Present: Cllr. R W G Butt (Chairman)
Cllrs Mrs. F M Butt, J W Goring, Mrs. M Kennedy, C Rich J P Rich and F Day
A Spiller
Also present: Two Members of the public
An apology was received from Cllr. J Bolwell,
Public Session
No Items
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
A request has been received from a parishioner for a new light in Cemetery Lane - he is to be contacted regarding a meeting with the chairman.
It was felt that there should be a proper plan drawn up for any more lighting in the village as the council needs to look at the village as a whole. It needs to be a better place to live whilst retaining a rural feel to the village.
There is a tremendous amount of light pollution in the village and it was thought that there may a more environmentally friendly method of lighting that could be used.
Guidelines need to be sent to the Amenities Committee to review the existing lights. The village has lights but they may not necessarily be in the right place.
Albert and Frederick Avenues and Church Road are very well lit at present.
It was decided to have a task force to take this forward and to ask the lighting manager from B&NES if he would like to take part. The councillors who offered to be on the task force are:
Cllr Mrs K Thomas
Cllr F Day
Cllr C Rich
The plans for the Party were finalised and a photographer will be asked to attend
A present for John was discussed and it decided to present him with an illuminated scroll.
The chairman feels that there should be a specific policy regarding rewards to long serving members of the council - perhaps a medal with the Peasedown St John coat of arms.
Whilst discussing the amount of spend for the party it was also mentioned that a petty cash system should be instituted in order to cover items such as postage, small items of expenditure by councillors when required (when organising a self catering reception etc.,)
The clerk asked that a meeting of the subcommittee for the Cemetery be called as there as several matters that need to be resolved - this is to take place on Monday 27 February 2006 at the Parish Office in Beacon Hall.
The matter of the churchyard at St John's church was discussed as the Parish Council pays for the caretaker to look after the grounds at present. When the churchyard is full there will be an formal order sent from Westminster to close the churchyard. At that time, if the Parochial Church Council are unable to fund the upkeep of the churchyard they may ask the Parish Council to take full responsibility for it.
In the eventuality that the Parish Council does not wish to take this on, then it was thought that B&NES may do so.
Full council are to be asked how a grant system for other churches within the village may be operated and this will also be an agenda item on the next P & GP Committee Meeting. It was pointed out, however, that this council cannot give grants to churches and indeed give money.
The current arrangement is a grace and favour one and maybe the church would consider giving a donation to the parish council.
There were no matters referred.
It was brought to the attention of the council that there are old broken cars in a yard behind the Waggon & Horses Public House which is unsightly - the clerk is to contact B& NES.
There is a tree down on the footpath from Carlingcott to Peasedown.
It was suggested that the clerk logs on to the land registry site to determine finally who owns the land on which the contentious seat is presently placed.
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The meeting closed at 8.50pm