Wellow Parish Council

Clerk: Clerk: Mrs A Rhys Roberts, Honeybatch, Wellow. Bath BA2 8QG Tel: 01225 833102 E-mail: angharad@waitrose.com

Minutes of the meeting of Wellow Parish Council held on

Monday 10th December 2007 at 8pm.

Present: Cllrs Betts, Colston (from 8.06), Halewood, Martin (Chairman), Witty. District Councillor Butters (from 8.25) Clerk and 6 Parishioners.

7.126 Apologies for absence

Cllrs Lewis, Andrews and Pike.

7.127 Minutes of the last meeting

The minutes of the meeting held Monday 12th November 2007, were accepted as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

7.128 Matters arising

None

7.129 Declarations of interest

Cllr Betts declared an interest in agenda item 8.

7.130 Public participation:

The Chairman adjourned the meeting for public participation.

• Mr Cole reported the drains were blocked at Bath Hill and Popes Lane ARR
• Mr Cole suggested the trees near the church needed attention.
• It was reported the bollards next to the Waggon House, Bath Hill required attention"
• Mrs Horler raised the question about footballs being kicked into the adjacent field and being retrieved by youngsters climbing the fence thus causing damage to same. Cllr witty reported mesh had been placed at the bottom of the fence, which should resolve such problems.
• Mrs Bartholomew reported she and Cllr Witty have been progressing the suggestion of a seat at the Pack Horse Bridge and suggested an old curved tree trunk set in concrete would meet the bill. Permission will have to be sought from B&NES.

7.131 Planning

Decisions received:

a) 07/00434/FUL part of Former Somerset and Dorset Railway Line between Tucking Mill, Midford and Bellots Rd, Bath. Use of former railway line as shared pedestrian and cycle way, new access ways with associated engineering works and regrading of land. Approved

New Applications:

a) 07/02757/FUL The Wellow Trekking Centre, Little Horse Croft Farm, Ford Rd, Wellow. Retention of stable block and extension to reception /tearoom building. The Chairman advised he was at a loss to understand why this was not a retrospective application as the works had been completed over twelve moths ago and of a site visit by himself and Cllr Watson. While deprecating the works had been carried out before seeking permission, the Chairman proposed the Council Support the application. This was carried unanimously.

b) 07/03397/FUL Lower Barn, Lower Twinhoe, Conversion of barn to dwelling. Revised Scheme. Members voted to Support this scheme

c) 07/03580/FUL Weavers Farm, The Square, Wellow. Erection of stable and completion of general-purpose storage building at Manor Farm. Members voted to Support this scheme

7.132 Finance

a) Payments due received unanimous approval

b) The November reconciliation was approved.

c) The Chairman, Cllr Lewis and The RFO will meet to formulate a precept for 2008/09. Members were advised to submit any proposals requiring expenditure asap.

7.133 Horticultural Society

The Chairman introduced a letter from the Hort Soc regarding our request for payment for field hire for the last two years where they raised a perceived inequity in the Parish Council's dealing with village based organisations. It was agreed the request for payment should still stand but reconsideration will be given to future arrangements

7.134 Parish Plan

• Cllr Colston reported there was a Traffic Calming meeting with B&NES, which he and the Chairman would attend.
• Cllr witty reported she had passed the results of the school traffic survey to Cllr Colston.
• The Chairman advised members of B&NES Core strategy, which will replace the Local Plan, and of a requirement to reply to the draft of this document. It was agreed to empower the Chairman to respond on behalf of this council.
• The Chairman introduced in Cllr Watson's absence a diagramatic proposal for redevelopment of the playing field which he felt lacked imagination and vision. He suggested a sub-committee be established d to drive the issue. Cllrs Witty Watson and martin were proposed and accepted.
• Cllr Witty suggested more fund-raising and grant seeking should be investigated.

7.135 Christmas Tree

The Chairman advised permission had been received to fell a tree in the garden of Mr&Mrs Halle, which was to be used for the Christmas tree to be installed on The Batch. Carols would be sung around the tree Fri 21st December.

7.136 Any Other Business

• Cllr Colston advised he is investigating funding for a bus service. The village shop has a petition of 100 signatures for better transport. It was suggested there was need for a bus to ferry children back and for the to school.
• The Chairman advised of the publication of The Joint Rights of way Improvement Plan which is to be circulated amongst members.
• Cllr witty advised there were no photographs of the Roman Villa available from when it was last uncovered and it would be a good idea to uncover it, photograph it and maybe use it for a mosaic in proposals for the village hall.
• Cllr Betts reported racehorses were being driven three abreast around the village. Some riders were using mobile phones and the horses not being kept under control. She stated theses horses should be exercised on gallops not on roads. It was agreed that ownership of the horses in question needed to be ascertained before any further action could be taken.
• Cllr Halewood reported there is a little error in the Parish Calendar. There were two 2nd December and no 3rd.

7.137 Date of next Meeting

Confirmed as Mon 14th Jan 2008. 8pm in the Village Hall