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 March 2008 at 8pm.

Present: Cllrs Betts, Colston, Halewood, Lewis, Martin (Chairman), Pike, Watson and Witty, Clerk and 7 Parishioners.

8.25 Apologies for absence

Cllr Andrews & District Councillor Butters

8.26 Minutes of the last meeting

The minutes of the meeting held Monday 11th February 2008 were accepted as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

8.27 Matters arising

None

8.28 Declarations of interest

None

8.29 Public participation:

The Chairman adjourned the meeting for public participation.

• Mr Cole reported: The pavement edge outside of the far end of the church had been damaged yet again. ARR
• An incident of a dog not being under proper control and attacking a pet duck. He had noted an increase in dog fouling in all areas of the village including the churchyard. At this point the chairman read a letter from the health and safety representative of the Magic Box expressing concern regarding the same issue with particular regard to the children's play area and playing field. This letter alleged that two main culprits were widely known. Members expressed disappointment at this situation and it was agreed to speak with the author of the letter to identify the alleged culprits and to put an entry into the parish newsletter saying that if these incidents did not cease, the Parish Council would have no other alternative than to consider banning dogs from the playing field altogether. AM
• Mr Cawdle enquired if the permission for the community composting scheme included screening. It was confirmed this was not the case. Cllr Watson having attended the public meeting subsequent to the permission being granted suggested that the site would be better reoriented such that it ran west/east 2
• Mrs Cawdle enquired if there was to be the same proliferation of notice on this site as was apparent from the photographs of the Lower Slaughter site. It was agreed this and the previous point would be taken up with the composting committee by the parish council liaison person. Cllr Witty. MW

8.30 Planning Applications:

New applications:

a) 08/00334/FUL Parcel 6030 Dunkerton Hill, Dunkerton BA28BW. Erection of three stables, hay barn and tack room and change of use of land for grazing. Cllr Lewis proposed the application be objected to in principle, largely for the reasons given in the previous application for a caravan site. This was carried unanimously.

b) 08/00433/FUL. Fullers Cottage Railway Lane Wellow BA2 8QG.Erection of a new double car port with store, alterations to external steps and alterations to dormer windows. Cllr Lewis proposed the application be supported subject to a condition that the tiles on the proposed garage be second hand and the timber boarding be waney edged. This was carried by a majority vote.

c) 08/00608/FUL. Manor Farm, Farm Lane Wellow BA2 8QU. Erection of a stable and tack room. Resubmission. The Chairman referred to the reasons for resubmission and pointed out the supporting case document from the applicant's agent contained the same errors as in the previous application despite an assurance being on record that they would be corrected. Any motion to support should therefore address this issue by conditioning it on being solely for private use. Cllr Colston proposed that given this application was for the same as the previous one supported by this council but reduced in scope we should maintain consistency by supporting it. This was carried unanimously.

8.31 Finance report

The RFO in the absence of bank statements was unable to provide reconciliation. Payments due were carried unanimously.

8.32 Parish Plan

• Cllr Watson advised on progress with traffic calming measures which will be presented to a public meeting 18 March 2008 in the Village Hall.
• Cllr Watson advised on progress examining what could be done to the playing fields as an entity and agreed to liaise with CCE regarding future funding.
• Cllr Witty advised on progress with the formation of a youth club requesting funding from the parish council for initial start up costs. The Chairman advised that the budget setting process for the next year had been completed and already included a 15% rise in the precept. It was agreed that the youth club committee should confirm funds from elsewhere which will allow them to proceed before returning to the parish council with a request. 3
• Cllr Witty advised on initiatives on possible future equipment for the playing fields.
• Cllr Betts enquired whether it was possible to remove the goal posts on the playing field as she though they were dangerous. Neither RoSPA nor BANES have indicated they are a problem. It was therefore agreed to leave them at present.
• Cllr Betts advised of the first Tuesday afternoon get together to be held in the village hall 11th March 2008. She stressed that although aimed primarily at the elderly, all would be welcome.
• Cllr Colston advised he had drawn a blank on offers of support in pursuing funding for a bus service but he was proceeding on his own.
• Cllr Lewis advised replacement equipment for the children's play area was scheduled for installation this week and asked for volunteers to dig out old bark chippings.

8.33 Correspondence

• Invitation to attend a celebration of parish plans event. There were no takers
• Letter from CPRE re proposed planning legislation. It was agreed to write to our MP with copies to the prospective candidates of the Conservative and Liberal Democratic parties. AM
• Letter from MS J Plater requesting funding for the purchase of a projector for village hall. This was rejected on the same grounds as given above.

8.34 AOB

• Cllr Pike advised he had been approached by concerned parents regarding the continued existence of a large hole in the north field of the church. The Chairman advised he would action the matter. AM
• The Chairman apologised for omitting to bring the council's attention to a proposal on charging the Hort Soc for field hire for the flower show which impacted on the budget setting process. Members considered his proposal and endorsed it accordingly.

8.35 Date of next meeting

Confirmed as Mon 14th April, 8pm in the village hall.