MINUTES OF ANNUAL VILLAGE MEETING
HELD ON MONDAY 13th MAY 2024
Held in the Memorial Hall, Publow Lane, Pensford at 7pm
Present: Mrs S Grimes, (Chairman), Mrs T Jones, Mr P Baxter, C Dinsdale, Mr S Filer, Mr S Grimes, Mrs J Gully, Dr L Malt. Mrs J Stephenson, Mr W Tantam. Also Present Mrs H Richardson (Clerk) and 1 member(s) of the public.
a) Chairmans Report:
Thank you everyone for coming this evening. The purpose of the meeting is to update you on what the PC has been doing in the last 12 months.
The PC agreed to fund several items in the Parish including:
A tree to mark her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee and planted by PC members on the village green.
A table tennis table for residents in the playing fields. Sadly, this needs repainting but this will be undertaken once there is a period of dry forecasted weather
A marquee for community events.
A new post for the allotment gate.
The PC organised a very well attended Remembrance Sunday event.
The PC is a member of the Parish Councils Airport Association which enables us to keep an eye on & respond to developments which may affect the Parish
The Parish council has been consulted on a large number of planning applications and has commented on all the applications received.
It has discussed and responded to consultations from B&NES about the Local Plan and from WECA about regional transport
The community voted to use CiL money (Community Infrastructure Levy) for ANPR cameras in various places in the parish as a crime deterrent. The project was commencing well until we placed an order with a local contractor. Unfortunately, the contractor let us down & we are in the process of taking legal action. Residents are being consulted. The consultation runs until 31 May and will be considered at the June meeting.
Paul May, our Ward Councillor has been closely working with us to try to resolve issues around the parish. NACRO works on behalf of the Ministry of Justice to source & manage accommodation & intended to use a property in Hillcrest Pensford as CAS-2 accommodation. An additional PC meeting was arranged at very short notice & a very high level of concern were expressed by residents. Consequently, these concerns were fed back to B&NES & the following day Paul May informed us that the application had been withdrawn.
A few months ago Avon Needs Trees gave a presentation to the PC about their plans for Great Avon Wood. This included the planting of a community orchard on land abutting Parsonage & Blackrock Lanes. Residents whose properties were near the community orchard attended this meeting and expressed concern. Parish councillors were invited to visit the site whilst tree planning was taken place. Paul May and I were invited to a meeting last week with a concerned resident and representatives from Avon Needs Trees. Consequently, Avon Needs Trees has agreed to move the orchard to Wansdyke Wood (Block1) away from neighbouring properties.
I would like to thank the guardians of the defibrillators who check the equipment to make sure they are operational. The PC is looking to replace the defibrillators at the PO and in Hillcrest which although are fully functional are out of warranty
I would like to thank the volunteers especially Simon King, Steve Fluke and Mike Daniels who help to empty the litter bins and keep the Parish clear of litter.
I would like to thank Mark Mullen for keeping the footpaths around the parish clear.
I would like to thank the webmaster for keeping the PC website active and up to date.
I would like to thank all the parish councillors for their time and commitment.
Finally I would like to thank Helen our PC clerk for her continued and invaluable support as well as her expertise and experience she brings to our parish.
b) Financial Report: The Clerk gave a summary of the current finances of the Parish Council as at 31st March 2024.
c) Report from the Parish Council Working Group – They have considered a number of issues which are repeatedly raised at Parish Council meetings to see if any solutions could be found.
The Road: Alternative Routes; crossing the road; Belluton & Station Approach
Reducing the Road’s Impact.
Parking; Public Car Parks; Private off-street Parking; Pedestrian Priority Areas
All Councillors were encouraged to attend the informal working group meetings and a section of the agenda for the June Parish Council meeting would be set aside for the next working group meeting to maximise attendance.
d) Report from the Ward Councillor:
The Ward Councillor sent his apologies as he was unable to attend.
e) Items of Interest from Residents: None
Meeting Closed at 7.37pm