December 2010
Minutes of the Meeting of the High Littleton Parish Council held on Monday 6th December 2010
Public Meeting
There were no members of the public present.
Councillors present
Mr Paul Wyatt (Chairman), Mr Bob Hitchens, Mr K Marshall, Mr John Shears, Mr N Pearson (from 19.12 hours) Mr Ken Staplin, Mr N Pollett and Mrs Vicki Smith
Apologies
Mr Sean Skelhorn and Mr Les Kew (District Councillor)
Minutes of the Parish Meeting held on the 8th November 2010
These were signed by the Chairman as a true record of the meeting after two amendments, under Agenda Item 4 it should read…“the Clerk sent out tenders for the repairs to the bus shelter” and in the next paragraph it should read … “The Clerk was requested to write to Mr J King”
Declarations of Interest
None
Development Control, Forestry Works and Footpath Diversions
10/01095/FUL Erection of 5No. houses with associated parking and garages on land adjacent to 158 Greyfield Road, 158 Greyfield Road, High Littleton
Awaiting a Decision. The Clerk checked status on B&NES Website which stated – still pending consideration
10/03562/REM Removal of condition 2 of application WC 5965/D (Erection of an agricultural dwelling and new farm buildings at plot No. 9113, land in Cuckoo Lane, High Littleton) in relation to agricultural occupancy, Somersby Orchard, The Gug, High Littleton
Awaiting a decision
10/03916/FUL Erection of two storey side extension and single storey rear extension following demolition of existing conservatory, 3 Kingwell View, High Littleton
Awaiting a decision
10/04038/FUL Replacement tiled and pitched roof over existing garage and passage way, Montvale Lodge, Paulton Road, Hallatrow
Permitted. To be removed from the agenda.
10/04197/FUL Erection of extension of rear elevation to ground floor annexe to match extent of adjacent property. Erection of new first floor extension above annexe to provide new bathroom and bedroom accommodation. Alteration of existing window openings and main roof pitches to suit (Revised proposal), 30 Rotcombe Lane, High Littleton
Permitted. To be removed from the agenda.
10/04432/FUL Alterations and erection of two storey side extensions to existing dwelling house, Eastleigh, Wells Road, Hallatrow
Awaiting a decision
10/04480/FUL Erection of a single storey front extension, 1 Kingwell View, High Littleton
The Council agreed to support this application
10/02861/TPO Fell Larch Tree, The Grange, Paulton Road, Hallatrow
Awaiting a decision
New dwelling in Red House Lane/Brick Lane – Council not been notified
The Clerk emailed B&NES Development and Control to ask about a new dwelling in Red House Lane and to state that the Council have not been consulted regarding this dwelling. Development and Control sent a map showing the dwelling the Council refer and added that Cameley Parish Council were sent the Reserved Matters planning application and Farrington Parish Council were sent the Outline planning application. The Council discussed the matter and noted that the dwelling has been built in our Parish. The Council requested that the Clerk write to Cameley Parish Council stating that this Parish is disappointed that Cameley did not recognise that the dwelling was in High Littleton Parish Council and to write to B&NES Development and Control stating that the High Littleton Parish Council should have been consulted. The dwelling is in open countryside.
Agenda Items
1. Parish Plan – Highways & Environment
- Speed Restrictions National Review
No news
- Safer Walking Review
Mr K Marshall has amended the Parish Plan – Highways & Environment document to include priority arrows by the traffic calming at Bloomfield Cottages. On receipt of a CD the Clerk to distribute copies to the Councillors
- The Batch improvements
The Council discussed the placement of the Timsbury Road sign. Mr N Pearson and Mr J Shears will meet on site in order to decide on the best position for the sign.
Mr N Pearson informed the Council that he has located a holly tree for the Batch
The Clerk emailed Mr S Chiffers (B&NES Traffic Engineer) for a cost to replace the railings by the Batch and to add a sign to the finger post. No news
- 2nd School Crossing Operative for High Littleton School – replacement
No news. The Clerk was requested to ask Mr Les Kew (District Councillor) when he will be interviewing for the new School Crossing operative in High Littleton
- Traffic mounting pavement by the bus stop near the Star Inn
Mr S Chiffers emailed the Clerk to say that he is liaising with the B&NES Parking team
- Bloomfield Road – traffic calming
The Council agreed that this can now be removed from the agenda as the Council’s wish for priority arrows by the traffic calming at Bloomfield Cottages has been added to the Parish Plan – Highways & Environment document.
- Unsuitable for access for HGV signs for Harts Lane
No news. Mr N Pollett will check to see if the new/replaced signs have been installed
2. Parking matters
- Land/Lay-by north of Eastwood Close, High Street
The Clerk received an email from Mrs Dorothy Miley (B&NES Head of Parking) saying that Mr Leyton Jones has not replied to the Council’s emails as he has left the B&NES. Kris Gardom (B&NES Traffic Regulations Orders Officer) emailed the Clerk to say that the proposal will be advertised in the next outer area traffic regulation order. To be processed early in the new year
3. Highway related matters
The Highways Maintenance Sheet was updated
- Hedge maintenance by Aumery Gardens
The Council agreed that this can now be removed from the agenda as it has been cut back.
4. Bus Stops / Bus Shelters
- Oak House Section 106 money available
In response to Mr Jon King (B&NES Public Transport Officer) asking if any Parish Council would like a second hand bus shelter; the Clerk replied that High Littleton Parish Council would like one outside Rosewell Community Home. No news
- White Cross Bus Shelter – refurbishment
The Clerk has sent for five tenders to be received by 31st December 2010.
- Bus timetables in High Littleton and Hallatrow to show reinstated 179 bus service
The Clerk emailed Mr J King to ask if the reinstated 179 bus service will be included on new bus timetables in the Parish. No news
5. B&NES Local Plan Adopted October 2007
Mr N Pearson supplied the Councillors with the Parish Council’s summarised version of the Local Plan to assist the Councillors with planning applications. To be removed from the agenda
6. Footpaths
- Footpath CL 11/16 – water logged footpath and overgrown hedge
The Clerk emailed Mr Colin Hudson (B&NES Public Rights of Way Officer) to inform him that the hedges are overgrown, and to request the status with the footpath being assessed by Redcliffe Homes regarding the flooding problem. No news
7. Website renewal of editor
Mr James Burfield (Burfield Creative) emailed the Clerk to say that the design for the new website has been completed and the site is currently being built. The website should be completed by the 10th December 2010.
8. Co-operative site, High Street, High Littleton review of status
No news. The Clerk was requested to ask Mr L Kew (District Councillor) for a progress report and the name of the Development and Control case officer dealing with site and planning applications.
9. Christmas trees – suppliers and dressers
The Christmas trees were supplied on 30th November 2010 and dressed by Somer 2000 on 1st December 2010. The Clerk received an email from Mr Dave Kingman (Somer 2000) to say that his electricians had to remove branches from the bottom of the trees so they would fit in the socket. They cleared up the shavings as best they could.
10. Review of Standing Orders
Mr R Hitchens agreed to review the Parish Council’s new Standing Orders that the Clerk has amended to include new Mandatory Standing Orders
11. Keyhole Stile on Wells Road – complaints by nearby residents that access is restricted to their properties
Mr L Kew requested that this matter be revisited and placed on this month’s agenda, due to complaints received from nearby residents. The Councillors individually visited the site since last month. The Council discussed the matter and agreed that the access to the properties of the complainants is adequate and no alteration seems necessary. However it was noted by the Council that fixed posts have been installed to support a fence that encroaches on the footpath side of the wall.
Reports from Representatives
Allotments
Nothing to report
Recreation Ground
The Clerk informed the Council that she received a request from the Recreation Ground Committee’s Treasurer to claim 1/3 towards new play equipment costs. This is not in the Terms of Conditions of Financial Assistance to the Recreation Ground Committee; therefore the request must be turned down.
Police and Neighbourhood Watch
Mr P Wyatt provided the Council with a verbal report
School Governors
Mr P Wyatt provided the Council with a verbal report
Grass and Cemetery
Mr P Wyatt provided the Council with a verbal report. The Clerk was requested to send out for tenders to cut the grass at the cemetery and White Cross for the next three years.
Newsletter
Mr R Hitchens provided the Council with a verbal report
Greyfield Wood
Nothing to repor
Parish Sweeper Scheme
The Council discussed at length the work performances of the Parish Sweepers
The Clerk emailed Mr Andy Plummer (B&NES Enforcement Officer) to ask if B&NES would clean by the Chicane near 1 New Road. No news. The Council discussed the matter and requested that the Clerk write to the High Littleton Parish Sweeper to ask him to clean this area.
Parish Cluster Meeting
No news
Parish Liaison Meeting
No news
Items of interest from District Councillor:
No news
Correspondence for Action:
None
For information (on table): ALCA – Newsletter October 2010; The Clerk November 2010; Clerk and Councils Direct November 2010; Somer Times – Autumn 2010
Financial
Clerk’s request for increase in office allowance
The Clerk requested an office allowance increase of £2.50 a week increase. Mr P Wyatt proposed that the Clerk receive an extra £2.50 a week taking the weekly amount to £12.50. This was seconded by Mr N Pollett and carried unanimously.
Precept discussion and draft budget
The Council agreed that further amendments to the budget sheet are not required at present. Mr P Wyatt proposed the Council set the Precept for 2011-2012 Financial Year to £23,000. This was seconded by Mr N Pearson and carried unanimously
For Payment:
Clerk’s pay and expenses; Sweepers’ pay; Post Office Ltd –Tax and National Insurance; SCLL – Annual Subscription; P Young – Norton Internet Security annual renewal; K Marshall – Plants for cemetery; P Young – Petty Cash; Recreation Ground Committee – Council contribution to 1/3 maintenance costs; Gordon Jackson – Grant for sweets for Children at Carol Singing
Matters Chairman considers Urgent
Mr N Pearson informed the Council that there is a Localism Bill being presented in Parliament by MP Greg Clark that states that any major planning developments will need to be passed through Neighbourhood Groups. High Littleton and Hallatrow do not have a Neighbourhood Group then this could fall upon the Parish Council. The Council should monitor the progress of this proposed Bill.
Mr N Pollett informed the Council of a new building built at Brickhouse Farm. Mr N Pollett to provide more details for the Clerk to send to B&NES Enforcement
Items for Next Meeting
Final Precept discussion and draft budget
Quarterly Accounts and Payments
Tenders for Grass Cutting
Date of Next Meeting
Monday 10th January 2010
The Chairman concluded the meeting at 20.47 hours
Chairman Clerk