Wellow Parish Council

Minutes of the Council meeting held Monday 12th May 2008

In the Village Hall at 8p.m.

Present:

Cllrs Andrews, Betts, Colston, Lewis, Martin (Chairman), Pike, and Witty, District Cllr Butters and 6 parishioners.

8.48 Apologies for absence.

Cllrs Halewood and Watson

8.49 To confirm minutes of meeting held 14th April 2008

The Chairman reported that he had not been in receipt of any minutes for the previous meeting and would attempt to prepare some for circulation amongst members for their amendment.

8.50 Matters arising

Consequent on the above there were none at this time.

8.52 Declarations of interest

The Chairman declared a prejudicial interest in item 8.54 Knights Barn.

8.53 Public participation

Mr Cole advised of numerous areas around the village requiring grass cutting It was reported that stile to the meadow at the bottom of Mill Hill needed repair and access to and from the playing field at the west end was not easily accessible due to encroachment of stinging nettles. AM

8.54 Planning

New applications:

1. 08/01227/FUL Knights Barn, Wellow. Change of use of the garage from residential to mixed use of retail and light industrial. Erection of a rear extension to Knights Barn Cottage and garage and provision of glazed pergola to rear of main house. Change of description to include holiday let after light industrial.

The Chairman left the room for this discussion. Members had been in receipt of clarification of light industrial use following reservations expressed at the last meeting. While there was general approval for the proposal as a whole the light industrial classification still gave cause for concern. It was therefore proposed to OBJECT in PRINCIPLE to the application as it stands but be minded to SUPPORT if a single use restriction could be imposed. This was carried unanimously. The Chairman rejoined the meeting.

2. 08/01364/LBA

3 High St. Wellow. External alterations to include removal of part of stone boundary wall. Members were unsure of exactly what was legitimately to be taken into consideration as the proposal was for a "much needed parking site" when there have been around 12 parking spaces available here for many years. The application site was contained within a red line, which is only part of the whole site. It was agreed to seek guidance from the case officer.

Decisions received

1.Index No CA 8509 Court Farm House, Wellow. Permission for works to trees.

8.55 Finance.

The Chairman reported that it had not been possible to reconcile the accounts, as bank statements were not to hand. A list of payments due for the month were approved unanimously.

8.56 Parish Plan Updates:

• Cllr Colston advised of lack of progress with the information gathering exercise on the matching of demand for a bus service with its provision. Cllr Betts offered to assist.
• Cllr Witty advised on progress with the formation of the youth club including a launch event 20th June and a first aid course open to others on 25th June.

8.57 Closed churchyard

Following an undertaken given by the Chairman at the last meeting he tabled a situation report (attached to these minutes). The approach suggested was endorsed unanimously.

8.58 Consultation documents received from B&NES;

The following draft consultation documents have been received from B&NES: Locally Important Buildings Supplementary Planning Document and Existing Dwellings in the Green Belt Supplementary Planning Document. The Chairman gave a summary of both documents proposing unreserved acceptance of both. This was carried unanimously.

8.59 Correspondence

• Annual accounts from the Joint Burial Board have been received showing a satisfactory state of affairs. This will be circulated.
• B&NES Children's equipped Play Areas Grant Aid scheme- passed to Cllrs Lewis and Betts.
• CPRE Calor Village of the Year. An invitation to participate has been received. Cllr Betts offered to organise.
• ALCA Councillor's workshop. No takers
• Hort.Soc. A letter confirming arrangements for future field hire and the disbursement of excess profits was read.

8.60 A.O.B

• Cllr Pike raised the subject of the unsatisfactory state of Combe Hay Bridge. Cllr Butters offered to take on board.
• Cllr Colston advised of progress with the sale of an access to 1, West End Cottages and a stile on the path to the Long Barrow from the car park at Stoney Littleton requiring repair.
• Cllr Witty advised the composting bins in the car park were due for commissioning in June.
• Cllr Andrews proposed a case for the sharing in the artist's fee for the painting of a King Bladuds pig for the shop to be spent in Wellow. Cllr Witty undertook to pursue.
• Cllr Butters advised of an anomaly relating to VAT where it was likely that £300,000.00 from a B&NES grant for the Two Tunnels project would have to be paid to HMR&C. Discussion on how this might be avoided were ongoing.

8.61 Date of next meeting

Confirmed as Mon 9th June, 8pm in the Village Hall

The meeting concluded at 9.42pm.