Parish Council Meeting – 10 September draft minutes

RT – School Transport (point 18)

Please see attached checklist for outstanding matters:-

Minutes of Annual Parish Meeting, Annual Parish Council meeting and Ordinary meeting held on 28/05/24 were proposed as correct by AH and seconded by TP

Chair

No members of the public were present

Clerk

Not present.  MH has been in contact with PCSO Rachael McKevitt regarding the parking issues and she will be doing a letter drop to the relevant houses, regarding the matter.

See appendix with details.

MH has advertised the grants that are available on the website and noticeboard 

·         Gulley cleaning in progress around the ward.  Please can all members use the online reporting system – this will push CWAC to clear them.

·         Looked at local fields that have been flooding – drainage needs to be looked at.  MJ will speak to CWAC to see if they can look at the drainage.

·         Huge issues with Special Educational Needs plans within CWAC.  Massive reduction in resources available.  MJ is pushing hard for help for local residents.

·         School transport issues.  Progress has been made and some residents have been put back on the transport route.  Deanank still not on the plan – MJ still sees this as a dangerous route. He is putting a document together from parents in the area to complain to CWAC, so that those who are still waiting for a decision, can be helped to overturn the current decision.

·         The Clerk raised the subject of the Constitution of the PC  – MJ explained that Standing Orders cover this.

·         MH asked MJ to raise the subject of the Neighbourhood Plan with Tiverton PC.  BPC are happy to join together to complete this.

The cancellation of fund from Government will not affect the reopening as money already received from this.  The committee are responsible for securing sponsors and station funds for opening.  Still ongoing. 

No further update. Subcommittee met to discuss the application for minor modifications to the property appearances.

·         Application for additional houses and shop were refused.  Assuming that there will be a modified resubmission.  There is an open day planned for 28th September to launch the next phase of the project.

·         Drainage issue of the water running of the fields behind – nothing reported back, so assumed that this issue has now been sorted with the landowner.  DS stated that the water run-off has blocked the grids on the A49 – this needs reporting to Highways.

·         DS reported that the footways around the area are blocked by the overgrown hedges by the railway bridge.  This needs to be reported to Network Rail.  DS to photograph this and report it.

Current applications

24/02149/LBC-Beeston Castle Replace two 19thC doors accessing gateway arch with compliant fire doors – no comment

Past applications

24/01487/S19-Conversion of the Grade II listed former Wild Boar Hotel to provide two dwellings and the erection of 12 new dwellings incorporating access, parking and landscaping – variation of condition 2 (approved drawings) of 22/02623/LBC – Approved

24/00981/REM – Reserved matters application for permanent rural dwelling associated with the mixed agricultural and equine Approved

24/00907/DIS- Discharge of conditions 12 (lighting) and 18 (Noise) of planning permission 22/02622/FUL Approved

24/00667/FUL- Single storey front extension to include solar panels, replacement porch roof canopy, replacement rear balcony, ground source pump, landscaping Approved

24/00140/DIS -Renards Whitchurch Road Beeston  Discharge of Conditions 3 (Materials) 9 (Lighting) 12 (CEMP) 13 (Contaminated Land) 14 (Drainage) 15 (Landscaping) and 16 (Ecology) of 22/04676/FUL

23/04018/FUL-Lower Rock Farm Tattenhall Lane – Proposed formation of a disabled entrance and porch to existing holiday let cottage A/D

23/03763/FUL -Former Beeston Cattle Auction Site Whitchurch Rd -Erection of a new community shop (Use Class E) and 3 apartments (all affordable), 5 bungalows and 8 dwellings with associated landscaping, parking and biodiversity area Refused

22/02622/FUL – Wild Boar Hotel – discharge of various conditions Approved

23/02610/FUL – Lower Rock Farm – change of use of small barn Approved

22/04583/DIS – Beeston Castle Auction – discharge of conds on planning 13/04149/OUT-A/D

22/02508/FUL – widening of access for above works Approved

22/00453/LBC – Yew Tree Farm, Moss Lane, conversion of redundant building into residential – A/D

21/02945/FUL – Mill Farm, Whitchurch Rd, CW6 9NJ – conversion of outbuilding to domestic annexe A/D

AE raised that the land that has been sold down Crimes Lane and there are tents and caravans now on this site.  This needs to be reviewed by Planning Enforcement.  MH to investigate

Awaiting a response from co-sponsors of the Plan, Tiverton PC 

Ongoing  

Ongoing. 

MH is investigating what UU will pay and then what type of gate the landowners would like.  The costs of gates vary considerably.  35 sites in the parish that have stiles at the moment, so whether all of these can be replaced within the cost from UU.  All footpaths have now been walked by Lorna Harrison and all stiles photgraphed.

MH have asked whether an invoice had been received for the installation of the gates from Tattenhall PC. – not yet.

Beeston Speeding on A49:–

SID that the developer will be paying for has not progressed yet due to being held up by Highways.  MH is trying to contact Stuart Bateman from Highways to discuss.

Speed limit signs Moss Lane – damage/removal:- MJ & MH have reported the damage to the signs.  It is suggested that they have been installed incorrectly and this is why they have collapsed.  Suggested that BYF could help with the cleaning of the signs.

Litter:- Collection down Back Lane – Peter to be notified.

Footpaths:- parking at the Outdoor Centre & Smithy Cottage corner:- This has been reported. See point 5.

Footways Clearance:– A49 is poor with overgrowing vegetation across the footway all the way upto Bunbury.  Please report to CWAC and encourage everyone who uses them,  to report.  MH to approach BYF to see if they can help with the clearance of the footways in the parish.

Roadside Hedges – Castleside Farm hedge is overgrown.  MH has spoken to Holly and asked that it be cut.

MH understands that the sale of the Centre has been agreed.  The glass panels need to removed MH & TP will go and remove these.  Bus shelter and noticeboard are within the grounds of the outdoor centre and BPC need to safeguard these assets.

AE said that there are rats in the vicinity.  AH suggested that AE report this to ANSA via the website rather than phone as this will then be logged.

RT explained that she has been granted an “exceptional circumstance” in reinstating the school bus route for her children for this academic year only.  CWAC are still stating the Dean Bank is still acceptable to walk down.

See point 7.

RT stated that MJ has been very helpful with trying to sort the transport issue with all the local families.

The Councillors thanked DW & TP for all their help to make the event a success.

Does BPC want to support this event for next year?

AH stated that BPC should support this event.  MH stated that there are several potential events to come up in the next few years and will this dilute the potential celebration.

It was agreed that this would be discussed at the next meeting.  Suggested that BYF be approached to see if they can help with the Beacon lighting.

DW has requested PC information – to be clarified why this in needed.

Peckforton fireworks emailed forwarded to all councillors for sharing.  Recent fireworks have caused issues with residents and pets/animals.  MH has asked the Castle to always give notification in advanced warning.

Annual accounts – 2023-24 – now approved from Auditor

Current balance 01/09/24 – £8,687.95 (Incl VAT return of £492.52)

·         Clerk fees                                                                                deferred

·         Litter Pickers fees                                                                    £549.12

·         PBVR hall hire cost                                                                   £25.00

·         A Stubbs (paid 01/09/24) beacon lighting                                 £60.00

Clerk’s payment – Clerk explained that this needs to be via PAYE and quotes are being collected from potential payroll providers.  MH stated that a contract of Employment needs to be issued. CHALC model contract has been forwarded to MH.  AH suggested that the Job description be incorporated into the contract.

The Clerk stated that as RFO that the PAYE system must be adopted.

AH proposed that the Clerk contact the payroll provider and set up the payments/pension scheme and that payment take place on a 1/4ly basis going forward. Cost of running the payroll will be in the region of £145/annum.

2nded by TP

Clerk/

chair

Dates to be confirmed at the next meeting for 2025 dates MH to confirm