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 11th February 2008 at 8pm.

Present: Cllrs Andrews, Betts, Colston, Lewis, Martin (Chairman), Pike, Watson (from 8.05) and Witty. District Councillor Neil Butters (from 08.50), Clerk and 5 Parishioners.

8.12 Apologies for absence

Cllr Halewood

8.13 Minutes of the last meeting

The minutes of the meetings held Monday 10th December 2007, and 10th January 2008 were accepted as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

8.14 Matters arising

None

8.15 Declarations of interest

None

8.16 Public participation:

The Chairman adjourned the meeting for public participation.

• Mr Cole noted that the bollards outside Mrs Todd's house were still missing and the holes cemented over.

8.17 Planning Applications

a. 07/03397/FUL Lower Barn lower Twinhoe Wellow. Conversion of barn to dwelling (revised scheme) PERMITTED.

b. MM/546/CA8330 Water Mill, Mill Hill, Wellow. Works to trees which are in the conservation area. PERMITTED.

8.18 Finance

a. Payments due received unanimous approval.

b. The February reconciliation was approved.

c. Following presentation of the Finance Committee's proposal for an increase in the precept of 15.18% to £10138.00 largely due to expenditure on play equipment for the children's play area the Chairman proposed adoption of the recommendation. This was unanimously approved.

8.19 Community Composting

The Chairman read out a letter from the Community Composting Committee. It was suggested it would be ideal if an allotment and composting site together could be sited in the village. Alternative sites were being investigated rather than the Car Park, although it would be necessary to re-apply for planning if the site was changed. Cllr Witty agreed to act as liaison Parish Councillor with the Community Composting Committee, this to be reviewed annually.

8.20 Parish Plan

• Cllr Colston reported as yet he had no response so far about a bus service.
• Cllr Witty said that a questionnaire about the village shop had been circulated around the village, with the view to improve the service of the shop. Cllr Watson had been approached to look into improving the shop floor space.
• Cllr Witty with Mr Chris Wordsworth is organising a youth club for 8-13 year old children in the village, including Twinhoe and Combe Hay. There is a meeting planned for the 27 February to discuss ideas. Any donations for play equipment for older children would be gratefully received.
• Cllr Watson would appreciate ideas from anybody for the recreation area. The Chairman, Cllrs Witty and Watson will liaise.
• Cllrs Betts and Andrews have organised a social afternoon for the occupants of Manor Close on a Tuesday afternoon once a month in the Village Hall, tea and coffee will be served, and board games available.
• Cllr Lewis is working with Cllr Betts in organising new playground equipment and everything is going well.
• Cllr Pike advised Community Service personnel had completed work in the cemetery with the concrete edging to paths now in place.

8.21 Traffic Calming

a. Cllr Watson showed latest plans for the Wellow traffic calming scheme. Cllr Lewis stated that the boundaries needed to be moved on Bath Hill, which was accepted. It was agreed that a public meeting should be arranged for either the 11th or 12th March. The designs should be shown in the village shop and the Fox and Badger beforehand. The Chairman stated that each area of the shared space should be costed so that each area can be prioritised.

b. The control of the racehorses going through the village was discussed, as one villager had had her car damaged by the horses, and there had been other incidents reported. Cllr Betts said she would speak to the Community Police Officers about the problem.

8.22 Update on 1 West End Cottages

Cllrs Lewis and Colston met Mr Owen to discuss the gates to be used for access to his property from the Village Hall lane. It was agreed : a 3.5 metre wide, timber, 5 bar pair of gates be fitted with a timber fence, no pedestrian gate access from the lane, and the culvert is to be reinstated.

8.23 Any Other Business

• Cllr Pike said he would report the blocked drains at White Ox Mead to BANES.
• Cllr Lewis stated that a working party may be needed to work with the contractors on the playground.
• District Councillor Butters asked if the Councillors had noted any unwanted signs put up by BANES in the area to advise him of same.

8.24 Date of Next Meeting

It was confirmed that the next Wellow Parish Council Meeting will be held on Monday, 10th March 2008 in the Village Hall at 8pm.

The meeting closed at 10.pm.