MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF PORTSKEWETT COMMUNITY COUNCIL HELD IN THE RECREATION HALL TUESDAY 18 th JULY 2006

The Chairman stated that, in recent months, meetings were becoming a little confused, with several people talking at the same time. This made it difficult to hear and for the Clerk to minute. He suggested that members return to ‘one voice at a time'. All Councillors agreed that this would help to facilitate a more orderly meeting with issues dealt with in a timely manner. The Chairman advised that he would repeat this at the next meeting for the benefit of Councillors who were not in attendance.

1. SIGN THE ATTENDANCE BOOK

The Attendance Book was duly signed.

•  APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies had been received and accepted from Councillors Evans, Griffiths, Watkins, Fox and Turner.

3. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING

It was proposed by Councillor Nurcombe and seconded by Councillor Richards and agreed that the minutes of the last meeting were accepted as a true record. The Chairman asked if the minutes that were posted on the website could be marked as ‘draft'. The Clerk said she would ensure that this happened.

4 MATTERS ARISING

•  Traffic Calming and Warning Signs for School
The consultants for the church are still progressing a 20 mph zone and MCC have recently provided a base Ordnance survey plan for them to work from.

•  The Lease on The Quest
Awaiting new lease.

•  Recreation Hall Lease
The Clerk had informed the Chairman of the Management Committee that the play area would stay under their control. She had received a reply stating that the play area would be dismantled. A special meeting was held on July 4 th . The minutes have been circulated to all Councillors. A meeting between the Community Council and the Management Committee will be held on July 25 th to discuss the roles and responsibilities of both parties and the way forward with the play area. An independent Chair would attend, also the Recreation Officer from MCC. Councillor Evans would take a neutral stance at the meeting.

•  Archaeologists Survey of Harold's Park
Dr. Kate Smith presented the results at the Fun Day event. No further comments.

•  Car Parking at Church Hall/outside School
A meeting has been arranged at ARW school for Wednesday 13 th September at 5.30. Councillors Standing, Griffiths and Evans would attend.

•  Fun Day 2006
The event was held on 1 st July and was a great success. The cost to the Community Council (after all payments and receipts) was £390. No further comments.

•  Dog Fouling Signs in Harold's Park
Councillor Parker would install these at his earliest convenience.

•  Designation of Bridleway
The Clerk had received a reply from the Environment Agency advising that the land between the paper mill and the foreshore was not in their ownership. They did, however, have fishing rights along the stretch of coast at the location. They have assumed that this should not have any relevance to the designation of the bridleway. The Clerk had informed the Rights of Way Officer at MCC of this and had received a reply stating that a new member of staff would be recruited in the near future and it was hoped that this would enable the project to progress.

•  Claim Against Council Insurance
No progress to report.

•  Closure of The Paper Mill
The Clerk had received an update from Mark Smith. There was a breach of security at the main entrance and the entrance gate would now be locked all night and at weekends. Security can be contacted during these period on 426200. The boundary fence for the whole site had been repaired. Internally access to all potentially dangerous areas had been removed. Potential hazards could still be on site and would be until the site is cleared. Loose cladding sheets had been removed. 14 poplar trees had been felled. Several enquiries had been received regarding the purchase of plant equipment but nothing had been confirmed. St. Regis are still working towards surrendering their licence with the Environment Agency. The Clerk had received a further update, with information that a break in had occurred on 11 th July items from the stores area had been stolen and other areas vandalised. Sudbrook residents were asked to report any suspicious activity near the mill to the gatehouse on 420571/426200 and also the police on 430999.

•  Broken Fence on Harold's Park Side of Sudbrook Bridge
Clerk to write to Network Rail again requesting it be repaired.

•  Faulty Streetlights in Treetops
Awaiting Councillor Turner to identify the numbers.

•  Laburnam Terrace Streetname
New one on order.

•  Broken Fence and Overgrowth on Sudbrook Line
This has been reported again to Network Rail, requesting that the work be carried out as soon as possible.

•  Replacement Bins on Manor Way and Outside Sudbrook Post Office
No progess.

•  Main Road Streetname
Awaiting for new one to be installed.

•  Weeds in Orchard Gardens
Awaiting weeds to be sprayed.

•  New Bench and Bin on the Village Green
The bench and bin had been installed on the village green near to the entrance of Harold's Park. No further comments.

•  State of Sudbrook Road
Clerk had reported to MCC Highways who had added the site to the patching contract for this year.

•  Removal of Hedge on Crick Road
Clerk had been informed that a white line would be painted on the road to define the edge of the carriageway.

•  Brow of Hill on Crick Road
Clerk had reported to Highways who had added the site to this year's schedule of road markings.

•  Best Kept Garden Competition
The Clerk had placed posters in the noticeboards and had asked last year's winners to judge the competition.

•  Briars Growing into Churchyard from Harold's Park
These had now been attended to. No further comments.

•  St. Pierre Caravan Park
The Clerk had asked Phil Thomas of MCC Planning to clarify if the site could be used for more than 28 consecutive days. Mr Thomas had provided the Clerk with a copy of the appeal decision from 2003. The appeal was allowed, therefore permitting the site to be used throughout the year. As stated previously, the wooden chalets are classed the same as caravans and mobile homes as they are not permanent buildings. No further comments.

•  Car Dealers at Parkwall
The Enforcement Officer had visited both sites. A planning application had been submitted by AB Holdings (the former nursery site). She had written to the owner of the land with regard to the car sales on the restaurant car park and is awaiting a response.

•  Fancy Dress Hire and Cropthorne Farm
Clerk had asked the Planning Department at MCC if a Change of Use application would need to be submitted. An Enforcement Officer would investigate both addresses.

•  Additional Bus Stop by Wedgwood Drive
Clerk had asked Dave Clark of MCC if this would be considered. She had received a reply stating that a formal request in writing would need to be submitted via Dave Harris. An informal site meeting should be arranged to identify the proposed site to see if it is safe and practical. He stressed that there were no funds available this financial year.

•  REPORT FROM LOCAL POLICE REPRESENTATIVES

PCSO Mike Withers attended the meeting and informed members that during the previous month, 48 calls had been logged including the following:

Several calls had been received concerning antisocial behaviour by youths, drinking, smashing bottles, starting fires (fire brigade called). Police who attended had taken names and addresses.
A break in at the paper mill had been reported, police had attended and found youths camping on the fort had been responsible. Some stolen goods had been recovered.
A vehicle had been stolen from Portskewett Garage, a man had been arrested and the car recovered.
A fence at a house at Black Rock had been damaged.
A bicycle had been stolen from Broome's. The gentleman reported the theft a week later. The bicycle had been at the police station for several days. PCSO Withers stated it is advisable to report any thefts immediately.
A break-in at Heston Close had been reported. 4 youths had been seen with a truck moving plastic boxes with equipment in. 90% of the stolen goods had been recovered.
A red Sherpa van had been seen acting suspiciously but had gone when the police arrived.
Councillor Watts reported that she had seen a red car on the village green, it's occupant was handing things out to children.
The Clerk informed PCSO Withers that Councillor Watkins had reported a resident of Sudbrook had seen two men with a laptop on the Camp, taking photographs of the bridge. When they saw the lady approach, they left immediately, which appeared suspicious. PCSO Withers stated that this type of activity should be reported to the Police immediately and that
potential terrorism in the area should not be underestimated.

Councillor Watts asked if the youths causing the trouble were always the same ones. PCSO Withers replied that it is often the same few with different additional ones each time.

Councillor Standing asked if the Police knew where the youths were obtaining the alcohol. A report in the press recently had stated that licensed premises on the whole were not selling to underage children. Older youths could be purchasing it for younger ones and some parents were providing the alcohol. An £80 fixed penalty fine would be issued if it were proved that this was the case.

•  REPORT ON PLANNING SEMINAR

The Chairman reported that he had attended the recent seminar at County Hall. He informed members that it appeared the long term intent would be to devolve some of the major issues to local level (Community Councils) and to enable all to be involved and to have a say. Further seminars would be held for all Councillors and Clerks to attend. A very useful book was available. It was agreed to purchase one and for all Councillors to look at it.

•  REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON SCHOOL GOVERNING BODIES

a) Governing Body for Ysgol Y Ffin
Councillor Nurcombe had attended a recent governor's meeting. One teacher was leaving and the post would be advertised, with interviews being held during August. The issue of the school relocating was ongoing.

b) Governing Body for ARW Primary School
The Church Hall Committee had been extended to include a representative from the Community Council. Councillor Griffiths had been nominated and had accepted. Clerk to inform the Secretary.

8. REPORT FROM RECREATION HALL REPRESENTATIVE

Councillor Evans had sent his apologies.

9. DISCUSSION WITH COUNTY COUNCILLOR

Councillor Fox had not been able to attend the meeting.

10. NEW CORRESPONDENCE

•  MCC Planning applications received. Circulation

•  MCC Planning Committee Agenda. Circulation

•  Fireworks International . Brochure 2006. This would be placed in the file for next month.

•  MCC UDP – notice of adoption. Circulation.

•  MCC Tree Preservation Order. Mount Ballan. A TPO had been placed on a group of trees at Mount Ballan. Circulation.

•  MCC Budget 2006/07. Circulation.

•  St. Regis Paper Mill Update notes for Residents Liaison Group. Circulation.

•  Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC) Agenda and Minutes. Circulation.

•  Clerks and Councils Direct. Newsletter. Circulation.

•  GAVO Various circulars. Circulation.

•  MCC Improving Your Services document. Circulation.

•  WAG Providing Indemnities document. Circulation.

•  MCC Severnside Area Committee. Agenda and minutes. Circulation.

•  ROSPA Inspection Report 2006. Discussed.

•  Rural Housing Enabler Discussed.

•  WAG First Minister's Report. Circulation.

Planning Applications Received
00243 Extension of car park to provide additional 158 spaces. Castlegate Business Park. No objections.
00326 Banner advertisements & 1 illuminated sign. Packsafe. Object. The signs are garish and not in keeping with the surrounding area. The containers themselves are an eyesore and the signs would only increase this.
00401 Offices and workshop. Unit 8 Severnbridge Estate. No objections.

00652 Provision of polythene tunnel greenhouse. Crownhill Nursery. No objections.

00063 Erection of open fronted shelter. Farthing Hill Wood. No objections but concerns were raised –the building had been erected more than a year ago. Councillors were also concerned about what this permission could lead to – possible residential building?

Planning Applications Approved
None this month.

Planning Applications Refused
None this month.

11. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

•  Councillor Watkins had telephoned the Clerk to report that Welsh Water vans were parking on the side of the road, on the bend approaching Sudbrook village. Clerk to write requesting that they park within their fenced area.

•  Councillor Parker had received the fireworks catalogue. Members discussed whether to hold a bonfire event. It was agreed that the event would be held on Saturday 4 th November. Clerk to book the Recreation Hall for the evening and order the fireworks.

•  Councillor Parker stated that the Community Council ought to be thinking of how to spend any Section 106 money that would be available from the development behind The Spar. The item would be on the agenda for September.

•  Councillor Nurcombe stated that he welcomed the return to proper conduct at meetings. Matters at this evening's meeting had been dealt with in a good, orderly manner.

•  Councillor Watts informed members that she was involved in trying to facilitate a youth club in the village. It would initially be a pilot scheme. She handed out a timetable of summer events in the Severnside area. Every house in the village would receive one to advertise this. A meeting would be held on 31 st July.

•  Councillor Standing stated that he had seen children climbing over the rocks at Black Rock. He was mindful of the accident last year when two boys were drowned a little further along the coast. Clerk to ask Jerry Lewis of MCC if a warning sign could be placed in the area.

•  The 30mph road sign near to Pike House had its lights on constantly. Clerk to report to MCC.

12. FINANCE

The Clerk had received a Worksheet from the Caretaker, Mr Spooner for 4 weeks, plus 2 hours overtime, £212.00

The Clerk had received the following:

An invoice from Mr R Williams for installing an industrial style switched socket at the Recreation Hall, for the Fun Day, £85.00, an invoice from the Recreation Hall for the hire of the hall, £86.50, an invoice from Neville Bartlett for 1 st two cuts of Harold's Park, £204.45.

It was proposed by Councillor Parker and seconded by Councillor Nurcombe that the above-mentioned payments as well as the following payments be authorised:

The following cheques were then presented for signature:

13. DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING

The Chairman thanked everyone for attending and gave the date and time of the next meeting as Tuesday 19 th September 2006 at 7.00 p.m. in the Recreation Hall. The meeting was then declared closed at 9.00pm.