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Minutes of Parish Council Meeting, 20th February 2023, 7:30pm

Parish Council Clerk: Philip Edwards | clerk@westharptreeparishcouncil.co.uk

www.westharptreeparishcouncil.co.uk

Councillors Present: C Gay, P Hutton (Chairman of the meeting), D Hooper and J Mitchell
Also present: District Councillor D Wood and P Edwards (Clerk)

4141. Public Participation Session

There were no members of the public present at the meeting

4142. Apologies for Absence

Apologies were received from Cllr R Ireland

4143. Declaration of Interest

There were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary or personal interests.

4144. Confirmation of Minutes

RESOLVED: The Parish Council meeting minutes of Monday 9th January 2023 were confirmed as an accurate record and signed by Chairman.

4145. Reports

(a) Chairman’s Report

  • There was no report from the Parish Council Chairman

(b) Clerk’s Report

  • The Clerk highlighted correspondence regarding coronation mugs. The council recommended enquiring of the Hall committee regarding plans for the jubilee, which Cllr P Hutton offered to action. The council reviewed alternative suppliers, designs and prices and recommended considering a purchase of 100 mugs from the same supplier used last year for the jubilee mugs, subject to checking plans with the Hall committee.

(c) Meetings attended

  • Cllr J Mitchell reported that he attended the BANES planning consultation event regarding the Local Plan, which was also attended by the Clerk, and referred to his report sent to members. (see appendix)
  • Noted, Chew Valley Area Forum, 23/2/23, 18:00 via zoom
  • Noted, the next parish liaison meeting: 15th March, 18:30 in Keynsham
  • Noted, Councillors had been invited to a forum regarding the PCC’s police and crime plan priorities on 22nd Feb, 17:00 in Keynsham

Councillors noted that they had not been informed or made aware of any crime incidents from Avon and Somerset police. The Clerk was asked to see if it was possible to get regular updates from the police.

(d) Memorial Hall

(e) Highways

  • Road closures for the coronation were discussed. Cllr D Hooper offered to check time frames and make arrangements for this, subject to finding out any plans with the Memorial Hall committee.
  • It was noted that the Harptree Hill drain reported on fixmystreet had been cleared.
  • It was noted that the Bristol Rd drains had not been attended and the sign not fixed.
  • It was noted that the new speed zones from West Harptree to East Harptree appear to be wrong. Dst Cllr D Wood offered to enquire about this, Cllr D Hooper offered to supply photos.
  • BANES highways reported that the speed sensitive sign on the Bishop Sutton road had been covered as the speed limit had been changed, and suggested that the sign could be relocated on the Bristol Road on a pre existing foundation.

(f) Recreation Ground

  • Correspondence was noted regarding raising funds for play equipment. Cllr J Mitchell confirmed he would draw up a plan of proposed new equipment.
  • Repairs to the round about were discussed. Cllr J Mitchell offered to enquire with Wicksteed about spare parts for repairs.

(g) Ward Councillor’s Report

  • A report was received from BANES District Cllr David Wood. (See appendix for full report)

4146. Finance

(a) Payments and income – see appendix 2023-02 Finance Reports

  1. RESOLVED: approval of payments to approve listed in finance report
  2. Noted: payments and Income listed in finance report
  3. Noted: bank reconciliation

4147. Planning applications

A report was received from Cllr J Mitchell as shown in the appendix. Cllr J Mitchell reported that he had written to BANES to highlight the importance of the rural economy and supporting local businesses, highlighting that the economic strategy should look at rural factors such as shops, farms, infrastructure and local businesses. Cllr J Mitchell also reported that he had been advised by a BANES officer that there appeared to be no data on transport movements in the valley.

Application Reference: 23/00386/FUL
Application Address: Nethway , Bristol Road, West Harptree, Bristol, Bath And North East Somerset, BS40 6HG
Proposal: Erection of single storey rear and single storey side extension.
RESOLVED: The parish council supports this application (23/00386/FUL)

The Parish Council noted that planning application 23/00606/CLEU had been received for consultation after publication of the agenda, but advised the Clerk that the Council would not be able to add any relevant comment for this application, and advised the Clerk that no response was required.

(Ref: https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/webforms/planning/#advancedSearch)

4148. May 2023 Elections

Voting ID – It was noted that on Thursday 4 May 2023 local elections would be taking place in Bath and North East Somerset. Changes to legislation mean that voters would need to show photo ID when voting in person at a polling station. Details had been posted on the website. (See appendix)

Details and a timetable for standing for election at the Parish Council elections in May had been posted on the website. (see appendix)

Recruitment of New Councillors to stand at election::

It was noted that the Parish Council need members of the public to stand for office to fill vacancies. Any members of the public interested may view details online or contact the Clerk. The Clerk reported he had posted details on the website and on facebook along with posters in the notice boards.

The Clerk was asked to make regular recruitment posts to facebook and the mailing list to promote standing as a councillor in the election. Cllr J Mitchell offered to provide some suggestions for promotional material. The preference of attracting a range of age groups and demographics was discussed for recruitment.

4149. Items for attention of the Clerk

There were no other items for attention of the clerk or requests for other business to be considered at the next meeting.

4150. Date of Next Meeting

RESOLVED : Date of next meeting: Monday 13th March 2023, 7.30pm at West Harptree Memorial hall.

Diary: https://westharptreeparishcouncil.co.uk/diary-of-parish-council-meetings/

There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 21:06

Agreed as a correct record,
signed by the Chairman of the meeting: _______________________ Date:_______________
(Chairman initial all other pages)

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