MINUTES OF COMPTON MARTIN PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

HELD ON 10 JULY 2017 AT 7.00 P.M.

IN COMPTON MARTIN VILLAGE HALL

Present

Councillor R Chapman (RCh)

Councillor C Craig (CC) (Vice Chairman)

Councillor J Halling-Brown (JHB)

Councillor A Jurkiw (AJ) (Chairman)

Councillor K Moore (KM)

Councillor E Taylor (ET)

Clerk Jane Griffiths

8 Members of the Public

1.         To receive and accept apologies for absence

·         All councillors present

·         Apologies received from District Councillor Victor Pritchard

2.         Receive comments from the public

Comments received regarding

·         Concern expressed regarding the overgrown vegetation at the top of Yew Tree Lane.

·         Overgrown hedges – Highfield Lane

The Chairman took the opportunity of expressing belated 80^th birthday wishes to Councillor Chapman.

3.         Receive declarations of interest in the agenda

·         Declarations of interest were received as follows:

Item 10 2a) – AJ

Item 10 1b) – CC, RCh, ET – should discussion take place

Item 10 2 c – JHB, RCh

Item 10 2 d – JHB, RCh

4.         To approve and sign the minutes of the previous meetings

·         It was proposed and seconded that the minutes of the 12 June 2017 be approved and signed.  All in favour.

5.         Finance

1.1       The Quarterly Receipts and Payments Account – April – June 2017 were circulated

            1.2       It was proposed and seconded that the following payments be made:

6.         Compton Martin Parish Council Vacancy

·         One candidate has applied to join the Parish Council.  The Chairman and Vice Chairman have arranged to meet and will report at the September meeting.

7.         Draft Parish Charter

·         To discuss the draft Parish Charter and complete the consultation document.

The Clerk was instructed to complete this document on behalf of the Parish Council and to include the lack of Broadband which hinders the downloading of electronic documents from B&NES.  Councillors were asked to consider the letter received from Councillor Paul Myers regarding the Community Empowerment Fund and a possible opportunity to meet up.  This item to be discussed in September.

8.         Mendip Hills AONB

The clerk confirmed Mr Jim Hardcastle, newly appointed Manager of Mendip Hills AONB will attend the October Parish Council Meeting and give a presentation.

9.         BT Telephone and Telephone Kiosk

The Clerk confirmed the BT telephone was removed from the BT telephone Kiosk in error and has now been reinstated.

10.       Planning Applications

1.         To consider and comment on the following B&NES Planning Decisions received:

a)      17/01412/CLEU - Treetops, Rectory Lane, Compton Martin.  

Use of land as residential, domestic garden curtilage (Certificate of Lawfulness for an existing use). - Decision Pending

b)      17/00421/FUL – Feltham Lodge, The Coombe, Compton Martin – Mr M Bennett

Erection of new detached garage (Resubmission) – Permit

·         The Chairman pointed out that there was a very full document explaining the rationale of the decision to permit this planning application and recommended those interested parties should read this document, particularly with regard to the garage and parking. 

·         With regard to parishioners having an easement over the land, this was not a bar to granting planning permission as this was a private matter.

c)      17/02520/FUL – Lake View, The Wrangle – Mr Grant Allen

Erection of front and rear extensions (Resubmission) – Permit

10.       Planning Applications (Continued)

2.   To receive a report from the Planning Working Party and consider their recommendations regarding the following Planning Applications

COUNCILOR JURKIW LEFT THE MEETING

COUNCILLOR CRAIG TOOK THE CHAIR

a)   Mrs N Jurkiw – Withy Cottage, The Street, Compton Martin

      17/02846/TCA – Tree Works

It was confirmed that Councillor Chapman had visited the property to view the trees and reported back to the parish council his recommendations.  It was proposed and seconded

that the Parish Council support this application for tree works.  All in favour.

COUNCILLOR JURKIW REJOINED THE MEETING AND TOOK THE CHAIR

b)   Fairash Poultry Farm, Compton Martin Road, West Harptree, BS40 6EQ4

17/02511/FUL – Conversion and part demolition of redundant poultry sheds to form 5 no. dwellings and associated access and landscape works.

            Councillor Jurkiw confirmed that the Planning Working Party had met to consider this planning application.  The recommendation from the Working Party was to object to this planning application and to provide comments.  A response was discussed and approved and is attached to these minutes.  All in favour.

The Parish Council were grateful for the comprehensive nature of the documentation.

COUNCILLOR HALLING-BROWN AND COUNCILLOR CHAPMAN LEFT THE MEETING

c)  St Michael the Archangel Church, Compton Martin

            17/02970/LBA – External Alterations to facilitate creation of new ramped access at the North West churchyard entrance including new level access into the Old Schoolroom through the east elevation.

d) St Michael the Archangel Church, Compton Martin

            17/02969/FUL – Creation of new ramped access at the North West churchyard entrance including new level access into the Old Schoolroom through the east elevation.

The Planning Working Party had met to discuss the two planning applications for St Michael the Archangel Church.  It was proposed and seconded that the Parish Council support the planning application 17/02970/LBA and comment only on 17/02969/FUL.   All in favour.   Both documents are attached to these minutes. 

The Parish Council were grateful for the opportunity to look at the plans in hard copy.

COUNCILLOR HALLING-BROWN AND COUNCILLOR CHAPMAN REJOINED THE MEETING

11.       To receive Updates from Working Parties

            1. Coombe View and The Batch

                        Some Ragwort reported on The Batch and will be removed.

            2. The Pond

The weed clearance has taken place and the weed growth will be monitored through the summer.            Report back in September.     

3. Highways  

The Clerk to report the pothole mentioned and the 30mph repeater sign which has fallen from the post. 

The Clerk was asked to write to parishioners with overhanging vegetation, but also reminding parishioners that it is an offence to disturb nesting birds.

4. Broadband Working Party

Still waiting on Connecting Devon and Somerset but Truespeed have reported private funding

5. Footpath Working Party

It was agreed not to pursue a Footpath Maintenance Officer due to funding issues.  The Clerk was asked to contact the PROW Officer to request a follow up on the report submitted after the Annual Footpath Walk in March.      

12        To receive reports from Councillors who have attended outside meetings and dates of future outside meetings.

·         CC reported on the Chew Valley Area Form Meeting

13.       To receive an update from District Councillor Victor Pritchard

14.       Future Dates of Meetings

·         11^th September 2017

·         9^th October 2017 – Presentation – Mendip Hills AONB

·         13^th November 2017

11^th December 2017