MINUTES OF A MEETING OF PUBLOW WITH PENSFORD PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 8th MARCH 2021 ONLINE USING ZOOM

Present: Mrs J Stephenson (Chairman), Mrs J Gully, Mr P Baxter, Mrs D Custance, Mr M Daniels, Mr S Filer, Mrs S Grimes, Ms J Flower, Mr T Heaford, Mr T Jones, Mrs T Jones & Cllr P. May (B&NES) and Mrs H Richardson (Clerk) and 5 Member of Public

15.1 Public Submissions: A resident spoke in opposition to the planning application 21/00419/EFUL: Resourceful Earth, specifically in relation to the increased vehicle movements. Two residents spoke in opposition to the Planning Application 21/00606/FUL Land Adjacent to River Chew, Huntstrete Lane.

15.2 Apologies: None

15.3 Declarations of Interest: Mr M Daniels (15.10b)

15.4 The Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday 8th February 2021 were agreed as a true and fair record. The Chairman will sign them at the next available opportunity.

15.5 An update on District Matters. – Cllr. May reported that B&NES have approved a 5% increase in council tax. 14% has been put aside to tackle climate emergency and £2.6 million has been cut from adult services. Tourism Bath has been removed and put under Bristol. Concern has been raised that WECA are not planning to consult further on the Spatial Development Strategy (SDS) during the process.

15.6 Updates on current matters:

a) Vintage Phone Box – The Miners Welfare have been advised to put an access agreement in place and so they will send a draft for the Parish Council to approve.
b) Allotments – There are still some outstanding payments to chase and the bills will be sent out for 2021-22 this month.
c) Environmental & Climate Emergency working group – Report previously circulated. The Working Group sought clarification from the Parish Council regarding the proposed Volunteer Tree Champion Role. It was agreed that the proposed role should be an informal role guiding activities with trees and not concerned with insurance / safety of trees. The Climate Group has been formed for a year now and the Parish Council expressed their thanks to all members of the working group for their time and efforts.
d) Dog/Litter bins – Have been installed a local business has paid for an additional 4 bins making a total of 10.
e) Memorial Hall – the committee have not met as the hall is closed.
f) Clerks Appraisal – The Staffing Committee reported that they had held and appraisal for the Clerk
g) Liveable Neighbourhoods – The Ward Councillor had consulted with the Liveable neighbourhoods working group and submitted an application to B&NES. The Application had previously been circulated.
h) PCAA – A case management conference is taking place which will determine how the Inspectors examination will go.

15.7 Matters for Discussion / Decision

a) The Parish Council have received 6 suggestions for the use of the CIL Funds. It was agreed that all proposals should be put forward to a parish consultation in the Village Hall once lockdown is lifted. The options so far, are: Extending the village green; a new public car park area on the village hall playing fields; Renewables Energy Audit; Outdoor Gym Equipment; Creation of a footpath between the Village Hall and the School; Improvements to the Village Hall Kitchen. It would be publicised that any alternative suggestions should be submitted to the Parish Council by April 30th.
b) The Parish Council resolved to instruct the Clerk to sign the Parish Paths Agency agreement.
c) The Parish Council reviewed correspondence between B&NES Highways Officers and Mr Andrew Hillman of Birchwood House regarding a proposal to install bollards on Birchwood Lane to prevent anti-social parking obstructing the Lane. Mr Hillman has agreed to install the bollards and maintain them at his cost, for as long as he lives in Birchwood House. As requested by B&NES, the Parish Council agreed in principle to take responsibility for the future maintenance of the bollards (subject to the Parish Councils approval for the final design and layout) in the case of Mr Hillman moving out of the Parish.

15.8 Reports
a) The Clerks Report was accepted
b) The Chairman reported that she had attended a meeting which gave an update on vaccines.

15.9 Planning

a. Applications to consult:
i) 21/00419/EFUL: Resourceful Earth Ltd, Charlton Field Lane, Queen Charlton: Development of an Anaerobic Digester Facility (including retention of the existing Feedstock Reception Building, Digester Tank (x5), Storage Tank, CHP Engine (x4), Transformer, GRP Substation, GRP Technical Room (x5) and Gas Equipment) to produce both gas and electricity for injection into the local grid networks, alongside the restoration of the former Queen Charlton Quarry Site with ecological and landscape enhancements.
The Parish council resolved to OBJECT to this application on the basis that the vehicle movements will have a detrimental impact on residents and the proposals in Greenbelt will cause environmental harm.
ii) 21/00606/FUL. Land Adjacent To River Chew, Hunstrete Lane, Woollard: Change of use to dual use (agricultural/commercial) and site Shepherd’s hut used ancillary to Bell Farm Alpacas and as cafe (Retrospective). The Parish council Resolved to OBJECT to the planning application due to the negative impact reported by residents as a result of this retrospective application, and the sensitive location of the site.

b. Decision Notification:
i) 20/04269/FUL. 51 Hillcrest, Pensford: Erection of two storey side extension following demolition of existing single storey side extension and conservatory. APPLICATION PERMITTED

c. Other Planning Matters:
i) A Stable on Woollard Lane, being used as a dwelling was raised as it was subject to enforcement a few years ago, but the situation had not been resolved – The Ward Councillor would get an update.

15.10 Financial Matters
a) The Financial Report were accepted

March Payments were approved.

Payee Mark McMullen
Description Footpath Officer
Amount £80.00
VAT to reclaim –

Payee Mrs Helen Richardson
Description Clerk’s Salary + Jan reimbursement for Zoom
Amount £748.71
VAT to reclaim –

Payee HMRC
Description 4^th quarter PAYE
Amount £637.10
VAT to reclaim –

Payee Parish News
Description Grant approved 14.7a
Amount £200.00
VAT to reclaim –

Payee Avon Local Councils Association
Description Subscription
Amount £278.51
VAT to reclaim –

Payee Sally Daniels
Description Reimburse Waste Bins and Allotment Gate
Amount £435.00
VAT to reclaim –

Total value of cheques: £2379.32

15.11 Items to carry forward to the next meeting: Footpath through the Rising Sun.

15.12 To note Future Meetings:
Parish Liaison – Wednesday 24 March, Wednesday 14 July or Wednesday 21 July, Wednesday 13 October 2021
West of England Mass Transit Project: Transforming the region’s transport network. Thurs 11 March at 1:30 – 2:30pm.
B&NES Rural Landscape Character Assessment Review and Landscape Strategy. Stakeholder Consultation Workshop : Tuesday 16th March.

DATE OF NEXT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING: Monday 12th April 2021

THE MEETING CLOSED AT 21.04pm

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF PUBLOW WITH PENSFORD PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 8th FEBRUARY 2021 ONLINE USING ZOOM

 
Present: Mrs J Stephenson (Chairman), Mrs J Gully, Mr P Baxter, Mrs D Custance, Mr M Daniels, Mr S Filer, Mrs S Grimes, Ms J Flower, Mr T Heaford, Mr T Jones, Mrs T Jones & Cllr P. May (B&NES) and Mrs H Richardson (Clerk) and 1 Member of Public

14.1 Public Submissions: – A resident asked the Parish Council for support as he is experiencing problems with inconsiderate parking on Birchwood Lane blocking access to and from his home. He is frequently blocked from getting to his home and has to help rescue stranded vehicles that have got into difficulties in the muddy verges. (Discussed in 14.7b)

14.2 Apologies: None

14.3 Declarations of Interest: None

14.4 The Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday 11th January 2021 were agreed as a true and fair record. The Chairman will sign them at the next available opportunity.

14.5 An update on District Matters. – Cllr.May reported that having read more of the Local Plan Update the Parish Council may wish to make representation regarding the greenbelt and the village boundary when the first draft comes out in May. He has been speaking to a resident on the A37 who believes that pollution levels are increasing, but B&NES are saying that levels have dropped. B&NES are proposing a 2% rise in council tax plus 3% for adult services and the Ward Councillor is pressing for more investment in Rural areas. Recent Covid reports of 800 cases per 100,000 has improved and the latest report shows 250 cases per 100,000. The Ward councillor will be working with the working group to produce the liveable neighbourhoods document.

14.6 Updates on current matters:
a) Vintage Phone Box – The Parish Council agreed to purchase the phone kiosk for £1 and therefore take responsibility for the insurance.
b) Allotments – Invoices are ready to send out. .
c) Environmental & Climate Emergency working group – Report previously circulated.
d) Dog bins – Ready to install. Agreed to pay for emptying bin at Village Hall @ £18 +VAT each time while the Village Hall is not using the bins. A lock is being added to the bin store.
e) Memorial Hall – the committee have not met as the hall is closed.
f) Litter picks – Bags and litter picks have been delivered, and arrangement has been made with B&NES to collect gold bags. The whole of the Parish is covered by volunteers, however it was noted that the verges of the A37 on Hursley Hill was still a mess- The Ward Councillor will raise this with B&NES
g) PCAA – minutes of the meeting on 28th January have been circulated. A consultation on night flying is running currently as the airport have submitted an application to increase flying at night.

14.7 Matters for Discussion / Decision
a) The Parish Council approved a grant of £200 towards the printing costs for the Parish News
b) The Parish Council discussed the issues experienced in Birchwood Lane due to inconsiderate parking. The Ward Councillor agreed to speak to the relevant Cabinet Member with the support of the Parish Council. The Ward Councillor also suggested that Birchwood lane and the Junction with the A37 should be raised in discussions about Liveable Neighbourhoods (14.7c)
c) The Parish Council agreed to form a Liveable Neighbourhoods working group to consider the main issues to raise and report back to the Ward Councillor. The members of the working group are Sue Grimes, Mike Daniels, Paul Baxter and two residents.
d) It was reported that ongoing investigations were being carried by out by B&NES as a resident is repeatedly putting dog poo bags down the drains along Hillcrest.

14.8 Reports
a) The Clerks Report was accepted
b) The Chairman reported that she had received a quote for the proposed parking at the Memorial Hall and it would be discussed next month
c) It was reported that the Chairman attended the ALCA meeting on 3rd February. There is a vacancy for an assistant to the Chief Officer of ALCA. A presentation on what ALCA does for Parish Councils will be given at the next ALCA meeting.

14.9 Planning
a. Applications to consult: None
b. Decision Notification: None
c. Other Planning Matters: None

14.10 Financial Matters

a) The Financial Report were accepted

February Payments were approved.

14.11 Items to carry forward to the next meeting: Options for the CIL Funds

14.12 To note Future Meetings:
Parish Liaison – Wednesday 24 March, Wednesday 14 July or Wednesday 21 July, Wednesday 13 October 2021 ALCA – 3rd February 2021.
DATE OF NEXT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING: Monday 8th March 2021
THE MEETING CLOSED AT 20.25pm

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF PUBLOW WITH PENSFORD PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 11th JANUARY 2021 ONLINE USING ZOOM

Present: Mrs J Stephenson (Chairman), Mrs J Gully, Mr P Baxter, Mr M Daniels, Mrs S Grimes, Ms J Flower, Mr T Heaford, Mr T Jones, Mrs T Jones & Cllr P. May (B&NES) and Mrs H Richardson (Clerk) and 1 Member of Public

13.1 Public Submissions: – None

13.2 Apologies:, Mr S Filer & Mrs D Custance,

13.3 Declarations of Interest: None

13.4 The Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday 14th December 2020 were agreed as a true and fair record. The Chairman will sign them at the next available opportunity.

13.5 An update on District Matters. – Cllr.May reported that he had met with the Cabinet Member for Transportation to look at road traffic concerns in Whitchurch and in Pensford. The meeting was held on Zoom due to lockdown, and the Cabinet Member invited members of the Parish Council to review the liveable neighbourhoods documentation and submit a report on traffic issues that need addressing. B&NES Council budgets will be released shortly. The Local plan partial update is in consultation and the Parish Council should take the opportunity to comment. The SPS review (Replacement of the JSP) by WECA is likely to be after May this year. The Ward Councillor met with the Highways Officer to look at issues at the entrance to the site for the planning application the Orchard.

13.6 Updates on current matters:

a) Vintage Phone Box – Meeting planned with Miners Welfare regarding positioning of phone box.
b) Allotments – Paperwork still needs to be sorted.
c) Environmental & Climate Emergency working group – Report previously circulated, tree planting has been delayed due to Covid and plans for smaller groups tree planting were in place. The group is looking for a voluntary tree warden. A whatsapp group for local residents wanting to be involved in action to help the environment has been formed and has about 20 members so far.
d) Dog bins – Ready to install, once plan for emptying them is finalised.
e) Memorial Hall – the committee have not met.
f) Litter picks – volunteers have been out in force across the parish and the purchase of further litter pickers would be discussed in item 13.7a). A report had been submitted to B&NES for excessive litter in the Layby on Hursley Hill.
g) PCAA – Responses to the Appeal for the airport expansion has been submitted and the Parish Councils response has been submitted. There is a meeting of the PCAA on the 28th January.

13.7 Matters for Discussion / Decision

a) The Parish Council approved expenditure for a further 10 Litter pickers.
b) The proposal for safe route to school was being progressed and a route under the A37 was being investigated. Cllr Paul May offered his support to help the project to progress.

13.8 Reports

a) The Clerks Report was accepted
b) The Chairman had nothing additional to report.

13.9 Planning

a) Applications to consult:
i. 20/04872/FUL: 155 High Street Pensford. Erection of a detached dwelling and associated works. The parish Council resolved to Object to this application due to in appropriate materials used in proximity to the conservation area, inadequate parking provision when taking into account 155 High Street and the new property and concerns about Highways safety when accessing and exiting the A37.

b) Decision Notification:
i. 20/04295/TCA.: The Former Thomas A Becket’s Church, Church Street, Pensford. Yew(T1) – Crown Reduction. The height of the tree will remain the same. Width of the canopy after the works would be 40ft approx. NO OBJECTION

ii. 20/03861/FUL: Land to the North of the Orchard, High Street, Pensford. Erection of a single dwelling on the land to the north of the Orchard. REFUSE

c) Other Planning Matters:

i. Local Plan Partial Update: Consultation 7th Jan – 18th February 2021. It was agreed that the Clerk would submit a response to emphasis that the Parish is in the Green belt and requires a small amount of low cost housing but would be unsustainable and unsuitable for large scale development.

13.10 Financial Matters

a) The Financial Report were accepted

b) January Payment were approved.

c) The 2021-22 budget was approved, and the precept request was set at £17300. This represents at 10.8 % increase for a Band D property, which equates to an additional 29p per month per household.

13.11 Items to carry forward to the next meeting: Grant for Parish newsletter

13.12 To note Future Meetings:
Parish Liaison – Wednesday 24 March, Wednesday 14 July or Wednesday 21 July, Wednesday 13 October 2021 ALCA – 3rd February 2021.
DATE OF NEXT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING: Monday 8th February 2021
THE MEETING CLOSED AT 20.25 pm

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF PUBLOW WITH PENSFORD PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 14th DECEMBER 2020 ONLINE USING ZOOM

Present: Mrs J Stephenson (Chairman), Mrs J Gully, Mr P Baxter, Mrs D Custance, Mrs S Grimes, Ms J Flower, Mr T Heaford, Mr T Jones, & Cllr P. May (B&NES)(Part) and Mrs H Richardson (Clerk) and 4 Members of Public

12.1 Public Submissions: – The chair of the School Governors asked the Parish Council to support the proposed safe walking route to school to be discussed in item 12.7a

12.2 Apologies: Mr M Daniels & Mrs T Jones,

12.3 Declarations of Interest: Mr P Baxter (9ai)

12.4 The Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday 9th November 2020 were agreed as a true and fair record. The Chairman will sign them at the next available opportunity.

12.5 An update on District Matters. – Cllr May reported that he has been involved in a number of enforcement issues in the village. Paul has arranged a meeting with residents & the Highways officer after questioning the highways response to the planning consultation for the development at the Orchard. The Ward Councillor is pushing B&NES to spend more resources in Rural Areas with regards to Liveable Neighbourhoods. B&NES are reviewing their Commercial Estate as income has reduced significantly since the start of the Covid-19 Pandemic. The WECA Consultation for the Local Plan is closing imminently. B&NES have discussed the reorganisation of governance in Somerset but decided not to merge to create one large Unitary Authority. Taxis may now be included in the Clean Air Zone in Bath. B&NES are now considering budgets and the effects of the Pandemic. The Business support grants have been extended and available to small business.

12.6 Updates on current matters:
a) Vintage Phone Box – Position still needs to be finalised. The ownership of the kiosk was discussed, and it was agreed that if required, the Parish Council would be willing in principle to take ownership of the kiosk to ensure its future maintenance and insurance requirements.
b) Allotments – No report
c) Environmental & Climate Emergency working group – Report previously circulated, they are looking for a volunteer tree warden and would advertise on the website.
d) Dog bins – No update
e) Memorial Hall -, the committee voted to support the safe footpath link to the school, and also supported the proposal for the extra parking provision for general parking.
f) Litter picks – more litter picks & bags were requested. Current availability of litter picks will be established, and a proposal will be put forward for the next meeting.
g) PCAA – The Airport have submitted a large amount of new information ahead of their appeal and we have been asked to resubmit our comments. Bristol City Council have now withdrawn their support for the expansion as it does not meet climate change targets. To be discussed in Planning: 12.9iv

12.7 Matters for Discussion / Decision
a) The Parish Council agreed to support the proposal to create a safe walking route between the Memorial Hall Field & the school; and would like to work in partnership with the school to progress the project.
b) Two alternative proposals are being developed to put to a village consultation on how to spend the CIL money.
c) The Climate & Emergency Working Group presented a proposal from Bath & West Community Energy to carry out an audit to establish the different options to develop a renewable energy scheme in the Parish. No expenditure from the Parish Council was required as the Working group are applying for grants for the costs (£3206.25 + VAT). The Parish Council agreed that the Working Group should continue to apply for grants on behalf of the Parish Council provided there was no commitment to match funding.
d) The Parish Council approved a donation of £100 to the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) for this year’s subscription

12.8 Reports
a) The Clerks Report was accepted
b) The Chairman reported new batteries & Pads had to be purchased for the Defibrillators and so they were taken off-line for 24 hours but all is operational again. Umang Patel had been awarded Runner up in the Chelwood Rotary Club awards.
c) The Chairman attended the ALCA meeting on 3rd December where they discussed the changes to planning due to shortage of green space, the current Covid Restrictions and looking at how slavery is addressed in reference to Black Lives Matter. Next meeting 3rd February.
d) The Report from the Tennis Club was received and it was reported that they are fundraising for a replacement hut.

12.9 Planning

a) Applications to consult:
i. 20/04295/TCA.: The Former Thomas A Becket’s Church, Church Street, Pensford. Yew(T1) – Crown Reduction. The height of the tree will remain the same. Width of the canopy after the works would be 40ft approx. The Parish Council agreed that they had NO OBJECTION
ii. 20/04269/FUL: 51 Hillcrest, Pensford. Erection of Two Storey side & Rear extension following demolition of existing single storey side extension and conservatory. The Parish Council agreed that they had NO OBJECTION to this application.
iii. 20/04412/LBA: 189 Publow Lane, Woollard. Internal alterations for remodelling and refurbishment. The Parish Council agreed that they had NO OBJECTION.
iv. 20/P/2896/APPCON: Bristol Airport, North Side Road, Felton, Wrington. Submission of addendum to Environmental Statement and associated documents by Bristol Airport Limited in relation to its appeal against the decision of North Somerset Council on 13/3/20 to refuse planning application 18/P/5118/OUT.
The Parish Council agreed to submit their previous response and update it to state that a Climate & Ecological Emergency had been declared and to highlight our main concerns which were traffic noise and night flights.

b) Decision Notification:
i. 20/4012/TCA 2 Hillside, Publow Lane, Woollard: T1 (Willow) – Cut back lateral branches emanating from main trunk angled at approx. 40 degrees by approx. 3m. NO OBJECTION
ii. 20/03785/TCA: 144 High Street, Pensford. T1 (Eucalytpus gunnii) – Removal of dead wood, crown reduction of over extended branches by 2m NO OBJECTION
iii. 20/3846/FUL: 39 Hillcrest Pensford.Erection of 1 no 4 bed dwelling. PERMIT

c) Other planning Matters
i. I) UPDATE FROM Resourceful Energy Anaerobic Ltd: The letter was from a PR Company and was vague and so it was agreed that the Clerk should resend the Parish Councils response to the previous application and ask that our concerns are addressed.

12.10 Financial Matters
a) The Financial Report were accepted

b) December Payment were approved.

d) The 2021-22 budget was previously circulated. The Clerk would arrange an informal Zoom discussion to go discuss the budget in detail.

12.11 Items to carry forward to the next meeting: None

12.12 To note Future Meetings:
Parish Liaison – Wednesday 24 March, Wednesday 14 July or Wednesday 21 July, Wednesday 13 October 2021 ALCA – 3rd February 2021.
DATE OF NEXT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING: Monday 11th January 2021
THE MEETING CLOSED AT 20.59 pm

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF PUBLOW WITH PENSFORD PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 9th NOVEMBER 2020 ONLINE USING ZOOM

Present: Mrs J Stephenson (Chairman), Mrs J Gully, Mr P Baxter, Mrs D Custance, Mr M Daniels, Mrs S Grimes, Ms J Flower, Mr T Heaford, Mr T Jones, & Cllr P. May (B&NES)(Part) and Mrs H Richardson (Clerk) and 5 Members of Public Continue reading Parish Council Minutes – 9th November 2020 →

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF PUBLOW WITH PENSFORD PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 12th OCTOBER 2020 ONLINE USING ZOOM

Present: Mrs J Stephenson (Chairman), Mrs J Gully, Mr P Baxter, Mrs D Custance, Mr M Daniels, Mrs S Grimes, Ms J Flower, Mr T Heaford (part), Mr T Jones, Mrs T Jones & Cllr P. May (B&NES) and Mrs H Richardson (Clerk) and 7 Member of Public

Continue reading Parish Council Minutes – 12th October 2020 →

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF PUBLOW WITH PENSFORD PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 7th SEPTEMBER 2020

ONLINE using ZOOM

Present: Chairman: Mrs J Stephenson
Mrs J Gully, Mr P Baxter, Mrs D Custance, Mr M Daniels, Mrs S Grimes, Ms J Flower, Mr T Heaford (part), Mr T Jones, Mrs T Jones & Cllr P. May (B&NES) and Mrs H Richardson (Clerk)
There were 3 Member of the public present. Continue reading Parish Council Minutes – 7th September 2020 →

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF PUBLOW WITH PENSFORD PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 27th JULY 2020

ONLINE using ZOOM

Present: Chairman: Mrs J Stephenson
Mrs J Gully, Mr M Daniels, Mrs S Grimes, Ms J Flower, Mr T Heaford, Mr T Jones, Mrs T Jones & Cllr P. May (B&NES) and Mrs H Richardson (Clerk)
There were 3 Member of the public present. Continue reading Parish Council Minutes – 27th July 2020 →

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF PUBLOW WITH PENSFORD PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 8th JUNE 2020

ONLINE using ZOOM

Present: Chairman: Mrs J Stephenson
Mrs J Gully, Mrs D Custance, Mr M Daniels, Mrs S Grimes, Mr S Filer, Mr T Heaford, Mr P Baxter, Mr T Jones, Mrs T Jones & Cllr P. May (B&NES) and Mrs H Richardson (Clerk)
There was 1 Member of the public present.

7.1. Members of the Public: – A representative of the Climate Working group asked the Parish Council if the working group could have a page on the Parish Council website to update residents on the progress they are making. The Parish Council agreed that Roderick Black (on behalf of the working group) could liaise with the Webmaster directly and provide the councillors with updates of the information they are publishing.

7.2. Apologies for Absence Ms J Flower

7.3. Notification of any Members’ personal or prejudicial interest in any item on the Agenda: Cllr M Daniels (item 7.7b)

7.4. The Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday 11th May 2020 were agreed as a true and fair record. The Chairman will sign them at the next available opportunity.

7.5. An update on District Matters. Cllr Paul May reported that he had spoken to officers regarding the proposed extension of conservation area as discussed last meeting. The officers confirmed that although a major review would not be possible in the timescales available, they would take into account that half the site (application 20/01547/FUL ) was covered by the conservation area, and for the purposes of the application, the impact on the whole site would be considered.
B&NES have had their first Zoom meeting for their Annual General Meeting which went well, but later in the week councillors were excluded from a cabinet meeting discussing finance. They have now agreed to hold a special meeting on the 16th June to discuss finances and implications on services which all councillors can attend virtually.

7.6. Updates on current matters:
a) Memorial Hall-Cllr Paul Baxter – No updates, The Parish Council urged the Memorial Hall Committee representative to encourage the Memorial Hall Committee to apply for the Business Continuity Grant available to all Village Halls to help them through the Covid 19 pandemic.
b) Community Speedwatch – Cllr Mike Daniels – On hold due to Covid-19, but contact was made with the Local Beat Officer who offered their support once lockdown is further relaxed. More volunteers have stepped forward to assist.
c) Fingerposts – Cllr Janette Stephenson – No progress on Fingerposts at the moment
d) Vintage Phone Box – Cllr Paul Baxter & Cllr Jenny Gully – Nothing to report due to Covid 19
e) Defibrillators – Cllr Janette Stephenson – Nothing to report
f) Allotments – Cllr Mike Daniels – see item 7.7c)
g) Review of speed limit through Woollard & Publow – Cllr Janette Stephenson & Cllr Paul May – No progress until we are back to normal. It was confirmed that Kelvin Packer is leaving B&NES and so this would be revisited, once his successor is in place
h) Environmental & Climate Emergency working group – Cllr Dawn Custance –
Notes from their meeting had been previously circulated. The Parish Council agreed that a representative could liaise directly with the webmaster to update a new environmental section of the Parish Council Website. The Parish Council approved the change of the name of the group to the Environmental & Climate Emergency working group. The Ward Councillor commented that he is in discussions with Avon Wildlife Trust and is pushing B&NES to declare an ecological emergency and asked the group to widen its brief to support this.
i) Coronavirus: Now that lockdown has been eased, problems are being caused by the numbers of people visiting Publow and Woollard. B&NES have been contacted for advice regarding the numbers of cars parking on the road. The police are unwilling to prevent the cars parking, although they have visited the area and put leaflets in the windows of some of the offending cars. If a vehicle is causing an obstruction the non-emergency number 101 should be called to arrange for cars to be removed.

7.7. Matters for Discussion/ Decision:
a) The Parish Council resolved to purchase 5 new waste bins to be positioned across the village in consultation with B&NES highways.
b) The Clerk reported that she had requested an update from B&NES regarding the damage to the bus shelters previously reported on FixmyStreet. First Bus confirmed that this damage needed to be reported to B&NES. The previous Clerk confirmed that the two bus shelters on the asset register for the Insurance were the old stone shelters that have been removed.
c) The Parish Council resolved to increase the allotment rents to £40 for a large plot and £20 for a small plot effective immediately for vacant plots as they come available. For existing plot holders the increase will be staged over the next 2 years with a 50% increase in 2021 and the remaining increase in 2022.
d) The issue of parked cars has been raised in several areas of the Parish:
i) allotments: The gate will be fixed and allotment holders will be told to park within the allotment site, not on the road outside. A sign will be erected to say that they are parking at their own risk.
ii) Parking in Publow & Woollard – discussed in item 7.6i

7.8. Reports:
a) The Clerks Progress Report, previously circulated, was accepted.
b) The Chairman had nothing additional to report.

7.9. Planning:
a) Applications to consult:
i) 20/01839/TCA: Kingfisher House, Culvery Lane, Pensford: Tree works in Conservation Area: Fir-Fell
The Parish Council resolved that they had no objection to this application.

b) Decision Notification:
i) 20/01339/FUL: Sunningdale, Woollard Lane. Erection of two storey rear extension . REFUSE

7.10. Financial Matters:
Financial Report
i) the financial Report was accepted.
ii) Payments to be authorised at June meeting were approved:
ii) To approve Payments to be authorised at June meeting:
Dom Lowe Footpaths (May) £80
DPM Lucas Cut the Green £40
Mrs Helen Richardson Clerk Salary (June) £722.36
HMRC PAYE & NI £636.90
H Richardson – Reimburse: Zoom Subscription £4.80

7.11. Items of Report to carry forward to the next Meeting: None

7.12. To Note Future Meetings: B&NES Connecting Communities – Monday 8th June -online
B&NES ALCA meeting – Thursday 11th June 2020 Avon Room, Saltford Parish Hall (JS)
Parish Liaison – Thursday 16th July 2020 (SG)
B&NES ALCA meeting – Thursday 3rd September 2020
Parish Liaison – Thursday 22nd October 2020

DATE OF NEXT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING: Monday 27th July 2020

The meeting closed at 20.20 pm

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF PUBLOW WITH PENSFORD PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 11th MAY 2020 ONLINE USING ZOOM

Present: Chairman: Mrs J Stephenson
Mrs J Gully, Mrs D Custance, Mr M Daniels, Ms J Flower, Mrs S Grimes, Mrs Jenny Gully, Mr T Heaford, Mr P Baxter,
Mr T Jones, Mrs T Jones & Cllr P. May (B&NES) and Mrs H Richardson (Clerk)
There were 6 Members of the public present. Continue reading Parish Council Minutes – 11th May 2020 →