Wellow Parish Council
Clerk
Geoff White
Myrtle Cottage,
Tel: 01225
830159
Minutes of a meeting of the Parish Council on Monday 11th
April 2011 at 8.00pm in the Village Hall.
Present: Cllrs Andrews, Betts, Halewood, Lewis, Martin
(Chairman), Watson and Witty and District Cllr Butters.
Seven members of the
public in attendance.
Agenda:
11.053 To accept apologies for absence.
Cllr Colston.
11.054 Declarations
of interest in any matters on the agenda or in February 2011 minutes
None
11.055 To
confirm minutes of meeting held on February 14th 2011.
Cllr Halewood referred to the Parish Council’s response to the
proposed development of St Gregory’s
Cllr Halewood agreed about the design and Cllr Lewis expressed his concerns over the design too.
After some discussion it was proposed to amend the minutes by adding the clause “although the Council would reconsider if these issues were addressed”.
The amendment was carried with one abstention after which the Chairman amended the minutes which were then unanimously agreed to be a true and correct record and were accordingly signed by the Chairman.
11.056 To report matters arising from
the minutes and not on the agenda.
None
11.057 Planning
Decisions received:
The Chairman drew attention to the following decisions received from B&NES:
11/00274/FUL: Church Farm. External alterations to
dwelling house (part retrospective). PERMIT
11/00228/FUL: Bubblers Dytch. Erection of three bedroom dwelling. PERMIT
Cllr Lewis expressed concern that B&NES had made amendments to the original plans without any consultation and Cllr Betts reported that work had already started on trees growing on the site.
Cllr Lewis explained that the existing building would remain since its demolition would be the subject of a separate planning application.
The Chairman reported that Highways have made changes to the arrangements for entering and leaving the property.
Should the building go ahead there would be a need for a new sewer but Wessex Water have said that the existing sewer could be re-routed.
Cllr Halewood said that the Planning Department had ignored the views of Wellow Parish Council but the Chairman said that the Case Officer had taken our comments on board but had decided to approve the proposal after consideration
District Councillor Butters suggested that we should raise the matter again and ask that it should be referred to the Development Control Committee and later reinforced this view agreeing that any request could be arranged via him. However, the Chairman took the view that it was now too late but that the new Parish Council should be made aware of the Development Control Committee should a similar situation arise in the future.
09/03171/FUL: Rear of
11/00315/FUL: The Crest. Conversion of
existing outbuilding to additional dwelling space.
PERMIT
11/00106/OUT: Wellow Brook. Provision of three water wheels.
REFUSE
11/00219/LBA: Upper Baggridge Farm: Erection to barns to provide two
dwellings. PERMIT
New
applications:
11/01294/FUL: Corner
House,
Both Cllrs Halewood and Watson said that they approved of the plans and Cllr Witty added her support. Cllr Watson elaborated and said that the proposal fits in with the existing building and doesn’t increase its area unduly.
Cllr Halewood proposed that we support the proposal and this was agreed unanimously.
Updates:
11/00585/LBA: Blacksmiths Cottage 3A High Street Wellow Bath
Description of Proposal: External
alterations to existing extension and excavation works.
The Chairman and Cllr Watson
explained that they had looked at the proposal as the application arrived too
late to be included on the March agenda and that delaying discussion until the
April meeting would cause us to miss the deadline for any response.
Cllr Watson said that the proposal involved digging out the back lawn to produce a sunken terrace. It would be necessary to have a means of supporting neighbouring land but, as the proposed works would not be visible from outside, he would have no objection. The decision was supported unanimously.
11.058 Finance
The Council unanimously approved all payments as well as the financial report for March. The Chairman mentioned that new regulations appeared to be in force from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs involving National Insurance and PAYE which might affect the Parish Council’s administration. The Clerk said that he had made arrangements for his own tax liability with HMRC.
Further investigations would take place outside the meeting.
11.059 Parish Plan
(a) Traffic calming – Cllr
Watson
Cllr Watson reported that a formal speed check had been carried out three weeks previously. He said that he would be happy to continue liaising with B&NES over traffic calming should the new Parish Council wish him to do so.
Cllr Watson showed a number of designs for Wellow signs which Cathy Beale had produced. Minor changes were suggested but everyone agreed that the word WELLOW was displayed very well indeed as it reflected the old railway line through the village.
Cllr Andrews asked whether, in addition to the use of these signs at the village boundaries, it would be possible to erect a more imposing sign in the Square.
Cllr Watson said that the village’s residents should be consulted before any signs are made and said that he would continue to liaise with Cathy Beale over the final design.
Cllr Betts agreed to pursue funding via the Millennium Fund. The Chairman said that he thought there was some £2,600 in the fund but that signatories would have to be identified. SB
(b) Play Area – Cllrs Lewis /
Betts
Cllr Lewis reported that he had requested than works be commenced in the play area and that Kevin Goddard had sought clarification from B&NES as to whether the work can go ahead.
11.060 Highways
Progress made with regard to flooding in Stoney Littleton Lane, the Wellow to Midford path and the stonework along Ebenezer terrace were noted.
11.061 Election
The Chairman provided an update.
Three existing councillors, Cllrs Andrews, Betts and Witty, had decided to stand again for election.
Six other people had put themselves forward and, since the number of nominations matched the number of vacancies, all would be elected unopposed.
11.062 Correspondence
Richard Holland, a member of the public, asked for clarification regarding our PSMA licence. It had been thought that this was part of our Parish Online agreement but Mr Holland understood that our permission to make use of ordnance Survey maps was, in fact, a separate one. The Clerk said he would look into it.
The Chairman read out a letter from General Sir David Richards regarding Armed Forces day at the end of June. Cllr Betts felt that we should fly a flag and the Clerk was asked to order one. The Clerk reported that he had advised Colin Tremellen, a retired army officer, about it in case he wished to add anything. GW
11.063 Chairman’s Report
The Chairman said that he had attended a Parish Liaison Meeting but that he had nothing of any significance to report from it.
11.064 Any Other Business
Cllr Andrews expressed her appreciation of the work with the Chairman had done over the years. Everyone agreed.
Manor Close
District Cllr Butters referred to concerns about speeding in Manor Close. Residents have been in touch with Somer Housing about the possibility of an elderly people sign being erected.
The Chairman suggested that a survey be undertaken to identify the scale of the problem and District Cllr Butters said he would ask the person who had originally raised the problem to write to the Clerk.
It was suggested that this should be an agenda item in May.
District Cllr Butters thanked everyone for all their hard work and for being “such a good Parish Council”.
Cllr Pike
The Chairman referred to Cllr Pike and the fact that he had served on the Parish Council for 28 years. Cllr Andrews and he had presented Cllr Pike with a leaving present and the Chairman read out a letter he had received from Cllr Pike expressing his thanks.
The Chairman expressed his thanks to the Parish Council and indicated that he would be happy to help and advise in future if necessary.
11.065 Date of next meeting
Confirmed as Monday May 9th 2011 at 8pm in the Village Hall.
The meeting closed at 9.35pm.
GW 19.04.11