Agendas, Minutes and Reports

MINUTES

OF THE MEETING OF THE

Council

Tuesday 4th March 2003

HELD AT THE TOWN HALL, WESTON-SUPER-MARE, SOMERSET.

Meeting Commenced: 6.00 p.m. Meeting Concluded: 9.42 p.m.

PRESENT: Councillors Howard Roberts (Chairman), Ian Peddlesden (Vice-Chairman), Elfan Ap Rees, Nigel Ashton, Felicity Baker, Jan Barber, Bob Bateman, Ian Bates, Michael Bell, Jeremy Blatchford, Nicholas Brown, Peter Bryant, Peter Burden, John Carter, Andrew Cole, Bob Cook, Alan Cotton, Peter Crew, Leslie Crutchley, Isabel Cummings, John Daws, Glyn Duck, Michael Fazackerley, Peter Fisher, Peter Goulbourn, Ann Harley, John Heenan, Alan Hockridge, Ian Hogg, Peter Kehoe, Rosey Knifton, Derek Kraft, Muriel Kraft, Kenneth Lacey, Anthony Lake, Greta Lewis, Michael Lyall, Ronald Moon, George Morris, John Morris, John Norton-Sealey, Ian Parker, Hugh Parsons, Ian Porter, Bill Prosser, Michael Roe, David Shopland, Richard Skinner, Bob Steadman, Chanel Stevens, Patrick Taylor, Arthur Terry, Richard Tucker, Barry Walters, John Wiltshire, Deborah Yamanaka, Jan Young.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Councillors John Clark, Elizabeth Frappell, Leighton Greenham, and Michael Nobes.

COU

133

Prayer

The Rev. Norman Wallwork offered prayer.

COU

134

Public Participation Time: Banwell Area Transport Study (Mr. Trevor Smallwood) (Agenda Item 1)

Mr. Smallwood addressed the Council. He spoke on the need to reduce the impact of traffic growth in villages. He was the Chairman of Traffic Management for The Villages which was an action group formed by the Parish Councils of Banwell, Churchill and Langford, Winscombe and Sandford, Congresbury and Wrington, together with five action groups representing the area. The Council for the Preservation of Rural England and the Mendip Society were also members. The organisation had published a report titled “No Short Cuts” and this looked in detail at how other parts of the United Kingdom had improved the quality of life in their villages by managing heavy traffic without impacting on the local economy. Traffic Management for The Villages would like the Council to consider a scheme involving weight restrictions on heavy vehicles and introduce it on an experimental basis so that it could be seen whether it would reduce congestion and improve the quality of life in the villages concerned and the air quality in Banwell.

The Chairman thanked Mr. Smallwood for his address.

COU

135

Petition: Council Tax Increase (Councillor Lacey) (Agenda Item 3)

Councillor Lacey presented a petition that was in the following terms:

“We, the undersigned, wish to protest most strongly to the appalling increase in Council Tax.

These enormous increases will add an unacceptable financial burden to all pensioners and local residents and we believe that Council Tax increases should be limited to the rate of inflation.

North Somerset Council and National Government must recognise the fact that 25% of their local residents are on small fixed incomes.”

Councillor Lacey made a statement in respect of the petition.

The Chairman referred to the fact that the subject of the petition would be dealt with later in the meeting.

COU

136

Minutes – 28th January 2003 (Agenda Item 5)

RESOLVED: that the minutes of the meeting be approved as a correct record.

COU

137

Chairman’s Announcements (Agenda Item 6)

(a) Beach at Sand Bay

The Chairman reported that he had taken part in a cleaning operation at the beach at Sand Bay organised by the Marine Conservation Society.

(b) Nailsea Play Area

The Chairman told Members that he had attended the opening of a play area at Nailsea as part of the Millennium Project.

COU

138

Leader’s Announcements (Agenda Item 6)

(a) Ian Donovan

The Leader of the Council paid tribute to Ian Donovan, the Financial Services Manager, who was retiring from local government following 31 years service starting with Manchester City Council. He praised Mr. Donovan for his hard work and service.

Councillor Hockridge, leader of the Liberal Democrat Group supported the tributes of the Leader of the Council.

The Chairman, on behalf of the Council, made a presentation to Mr. and Mrs. Donovan. Mr. Donovan responded accordingly.

COU

139

Forward Plan Presented by the Executive (Agenda Item 7)

Councillor Roe, Chairman of the Executive, presented the current Forward Plan (dated 17th January 2003 – Issue 2) and made a statement thereon.

RESOLVED: that the Forward Plan be received.

COU

140

Advance Written Questions (Agenda Item 8)

Advance written questions to the relevant Members were received and the questions and the replies are contained in Appendix 1.

COU

141

Question Time (Agenda Item 9)

Oral questions were directed to the relevant Members. The Members concerned and the summary notes of the topics involved are contained in Appendix 2.

COU

142

Reports and Matters Referred from the Executive

11th February 2003 (Agenda Item 10)

(Minute EXE 163) Designation of Local Nature Reserves

Motion: Moved by Councillor Roe, seconded by Councillor Crew and

RESOLVED: that the recommendations be approved and adopted.

(Minute EXE 164) Traffic Signal Installation and Maintenance Contract

Motion: Moved by Councillor Roe, seconded by Councillor Burden and

RESOLVED: that the recommendations be approved and adopted.

(Minute EXE 167) Forest of Avon Joint Committee Constitution

Motion: Moved by Councillor Roe, seconded by Councillor Fisher and

RESOLVED: that the recommendations be approved and adopted.

(Minute EXE 168) Grant of Renewal Leases – Shop Premises, Weston-super-Mare

Motion: Moved by Councillor Roe, seconded by Councillor Ashton and

RESOLVED: that the recommendation be approved and adopted.

(Minute EXE 170) Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme 2003/2004

Motion: Moved by Councillor Roe, seconded by Councillor Ashton and

RESOLVED: that the recommendation be approved and adopted.

(Minute EXE 172) Capital Programme 2003/04

Motion: Moved by Councillor Roe and seconded by Councillor Fisher –

“(1) That the proposed Capital Programme for new schemes in 2003/04, set out in paragraph 12 and Appendix 4 of the report, be approved subject to –

(a) the conversion scheme for Poppyfields in the sum of £265,000 be funded by the Local Public Service Agreement pump priming capital grant,

(b) the holding provision of £500,000 for Locking Castle Resource Centre be released and this element of the scheme be funded by the prospective additional SCA for Baytree School (to be announced at the end of March 2003),

(d) as a result of the above, £1m of funding be released and allocated to the improvement of highways and footpaths in North Somerset; and

(2) that the amendments to the currently approved programme, as set out in paragraph 10 and Appendix 3 of the report, be approved.”

Debate ensued.

It was thereupon

RESOLVED: that the Motion be approved and adopted.

(Minute EXE 174) Clevedon Town Bus Services

Motion: Moved by Councillor Roe, seconded by Councillor Burden and

RESOLVED: that the recommendation be approved and adopted.

COU

143

Report and Matter Referred from Another Committee (Agenda Item 12)

Planning and Regulatory Committee 5th February 2003

(Minute PAR 69) Alcohol Consumption in Designated Public Places Orders

Moved by Councillor Lake and seconded by Councillor Roe –

“That the recommendations be approved and adopted subject to ‘public drinking’ in recommendations (1) and (3) being replaced by ‘the consumption of intoxicating liquor’.”

Debate ensured.

It was thereupon

RESOLVED: that the Motion be approved and adopted.

COU

144

Report on an External Organisation (Agenda Item 13)

Avon and Somerset Police Authority

Councillor Walters presented a report.

RESOLVED: that the report be noted.

COU

145

Motion Submitted by a Member

“No Short Cuts” Highways Document (Councillor Mrs. Young) (Agenda Item 14)

Motion: Moved by Councillor Mrs. Young and seconded by Councillor Roe –

“That North Somerset Council asks the Executive Member responsible for highways to consider the principles of the ‘No Short Cuts’ document and work towards budgeting for and implementing the recommendations during the financial year 2003/04.”

(The Motion differed from that in the printed agenda).

Debate ensued.

It was thereupon

RESOLVED: that the Motion be approved and adopted.

COU

146

Motion Submitted by a Member

Sprinklers (Councillor Duck) (Agenda Item 14)

Motion Moved by Councillor Duck and seconded by Councillor Hockridge –

“Following the successful demonstration by the Wormald Fire Systems prior to the last Council meeting, which showed conclusively that Fire Sprinklers save lives and reduce damage to property. The demonstration supported the overwhelming fact that Fire is a serious financial drain on the economy of the country – £6.9 billion per annum.

· Each year 600 people die in fires.

· Over 18,000 are injured as a result of fires.

· Arson attacks on schools are an increasing problem with up to £100m reported

insurance claims each year.

· HMO’s give rise to a disproportionate amount of deaths and injuries -3 times

more likely to die in such buildings compared to a normal domestic dwelling.

· Whilst smoke alarms are an excellent first line of defence for the majority of

people but not for the most vulnerable, Sprinklers or other sophisticated solutions may provide the only guarantee and cost effective answer.

It is therefore proposed that this Council request the Executive and Officers as a matter of priority to: -

‘1. Incorporate a community Fire Safety programme in the Community Safety Strategy.

2. Identify people and buildings that are most vulnerable to attack by fire.

3. Encourage and, where appropriate, insist that buildings in the community have the necessary level of fire protection.

4. Ensure through fire audits, that Council buildings are adequately protected to guarantee the safety of their staff and premises and to provide an example to others.

5. Work with the Government to ensure that the life saving attributes of modern sprinkler systems are recognised, and their promotion supported by including a section on fire safety and their use in the Local Plans.

6. Ensure that in the event that the schools’ private financial funding bid is successful, all contracts include the installation of sprinkler systems.’”

(The Motion differed from that in the printed agenda).

Debate ensued.

It was thereupon

RESOLVED: that the Motion be approved and adopted.

COU

147

Motion Submitted by a Member

Road Safety A369/St. Georges Hill, Easton in Gordano (Councillor Duck) (Agenda Item 14)

Motion: Moved by Councillor Duck and seconded by Councillor Shopland –

“Following a number of meetings, both within the Parish of Easton-in-Gordano and with officers of this Council, on the safety of road users at the junction of Easton-in-Gordano and the A369.

The recent measures to remove the slip road on the A369 into the Parish are not having the effect that we had all hoped. The current speed limit of 60 mph, and the fact that vehicles leaving the motorway are often travelling at, or near, that speed by the time they reach the turning, makes exiting Easton-in-Gordano very hazardous. This in turn causes residents to use the narrow unpaved Rectory Road, where a young child died. The only safe method of leaving St. Georges Hill junction is to install traffic lights.

It is therefore proposed: -

‘(1) That the Executive Member responsible for Highway Safety, in conjunction with officers prepares a full report on road safety at the junction on the A369/ Easton in Gordano.

(2) That appropriate traffic signals be installed within the next financial year.’”

Amendment: Moved by Councillor Fisher and seconded by Councillor Roe –

“That the Executive Member responsible for highway safety, in conjunction with officers, prepare a report on road safety on the A369 with particular attention paid to the problems faced by the residents of Easton in Gordano and Ham Green in trying to gain access onto the A369.”

Debate ensued.

The Amendment was CARRIED.

It was thereupon

RESOLVED: that the Substantive Motion, recorded above as Amendment be approved and adopted.

THE COUNCIL ADJOURNED AT 8.15 P.M.

________________________

THE COUNCIL RECONVENED AT 8.28 P.M.

COU

148

Budget 2003/04 (Agenda Item 15)

The Council received minute EXE 171 of the meeting of the Executive held on 11th February 2003.

Motion: Moved by Councillor Roe and seconded by Councillor Fisher –

“(1) That the recommendations contained in minute EXE 171 of the Executive be approved and adopted; and

(2) that this Council call upon the residents of North Somerset to support it in its campaign to ask the Government to fund North Somerset in line with the Unitary Authority average for England.”

Councillor Roe, Leader of the Council, made a statement.

Councillor Kehoe made a statement on behalf of the Liberal Democrat Group.

Councillor Stevens made a statement on behalf of the Labour Group.

Councillors Lacey and Brown made statements on behalf of the Independent and Green Group.

Debate ensued.

The Chairman thanked all Parties for conducting the Budget debate in a professional and businesslike manner.

It was thereupon

RESOLVED: that the Motion be approved and adopted.

COU

149

Council Tax Setting 2003/04 (Agenda Item 15)

The Chairman ruled that a report on this item be considered as urgent because it was necessary for the Council to consider the matter in order to meet its statutory timetable to set the Budget.

Motion: Moved by Councillor Roe, seconded by Councillor Fisher and

RESOLVED:

(a)

71,958.26 being the amount calculated by the Council, in accordance with Regulation 3 of the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) Regulations 1992, as its Council Tax Base for the year,

(b) Part of the Council's area

Abbots Leigh 408.87

Backwell 1,895.01

Banwell 1,260.83

Barrow Gurney 162.03

Blagdon 523.33

Bleadon 482.75

Brockley 125.29

Burrington 237.58

Butcombe 111.84

Churchill 897.51

Clapton-in-Gordano 179.07

Cleeve 362.28

Clevedon 7,710.89

Congresbury 1,360.94

Dundry 385.63

Easton-in-Gordano 1,823.26

Flax Bourton 356.08

Hutton 1,066.84

Kenn 149.42

Kewstoke 616.12

Kingston Seymour 160.53

Locking 880.60

Long Ashton 2,180.90

Loxton & Christon 95.74

Nailsea 6,238.75

Portishead & North Weston 6,955.22

Portbury 332.96

Puxton 138.89

St Georges 1,240.46

Tickenham 464.23

Walton-in-Gordano 102.61

Weston-in-Gordano 144.01

Weston-super-Mare 24,559.72

Wick St. Lawrence 552.78

Winford 912.89

Winscombe & Sandford 1,880.57

Wraxall 1,111.67

Wrington 1,221.60

Yatton 2,668.56

being the amounts calculated by the Council, in accordance with Regulation 6 of the Regulations, as the amounts of its Council Tax base for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which one or more special items relate;