THE ANNUAL MEETING OF NORTH SOMERSET DISTRICT COUNCIL, HELD ON 9TH MAY 2000

THE ANNUAL MEETING OF NORTH SOMERSET DISTRICT COUNCIL, HELD ON 9th May 2000

AT THE TOWN HALL, WESTON-SUPER-MARE

 

Meeting Commenced:  3.30 p.m.          Meeting Concluded:    8.36  p.m.

 

PRESENT:  Councillors  Taylor (Chairman), Mrs. Barber (Vice-Chairman), Ap Rees, Ashton, Mrs. Baker, Bateman*, Bates, Blatchford, Brown*, Bryant, Burden, Carter, Clark, Cole*, Cook, Cotton, Crew, Crutchley, Daws, Duck, Fazackerley, Fisher, Mrs. Frappell, Goulbourn, Greenham, Mrs. Greenland, Mrs. Harley, Heenan, Hockridge, Hogg, Jopp, Mrs. Knifton*, D. Kraft, Mrs. M. Kraft, Lacey, Lake*, Mrs. Lewis, Lyall, Moon, J.H. Morris, G.S. Morris, Nobes*, Parker, Parsons, Peddlesden, Pepperall*, Prosser, Roberts, Roe, Shopland, Skinner, Stevens*, Terry, Tucker*, Walters, Wiltshire, Mrs. Yamanaka*, and Mrs. Young.

 

* Members who had  indicated to the Solicitor to the Council that they would not be in attendance at 3.30 p.m.

 

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:  Councillors  Mrs. Cummings, Norton-Sealey and Steadman.

 

1          Prayer

 

The Rev. Alastair Wheeler offered prayer.

 

2          Election of Chairman

 

Proposition:      Moved by Councillor Walters, seconded by Councillor Mrs. Young and

 

RESOLVED:   that Councillor Mrs. Barber be elected Chairman of the Council for the 2000/2001 Municipal Year.

 

Councillor Taylor, the immediate past Chairman, invested Councillor Mrs. Barber as the new Chairman of the Council and presented her with the Chairman's Chain of Office.

 

Mr. Barber was presented with the Chairman's Escort's Badge.

 

COUNCILLOR MRS. BARBER IN THE CHAIR

 

Councillor Mrs. Barber made her Declaration of Acceptance of Office and addressed the Council.

 

3          Vote of Thanks to the Retiring Chairman

 

Proposition:      Moved by Councillor Crew, seconded by Councillor Moon and

 

RESOLVED:   that the Council place on record its sincere appreciation of the valuable services rendered to the Council, and to North Somerset, by Councillor Taylor during his term of office as Chairman of the Council; and that similar sentiments be expressed to Mrs. Taylor.

 

Councillor Taylor addressed the Council.

 

On behalf of the Council, the Chairman presented Councillor Taylor with a Past Chairman's Badge, and Mrs. Taylor with a Past Chairman's Escort's Badge.

 

4          Appointment of Vice-Chairman

 

Proposition:  Moved by Councillor Burden and seconded by Councillor J.H. Morris -

 

"That Councillor Bryant be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Council for the 2000/2001 Municipal Year."

 

Amendment:     Moved by Councillor Lacey and seconded by Councillor Hockridge -

 

"That Councillor Shopland be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Council for the 2000/2001 Municipal Year."

 

The Council determined the matter be means of sequential voting.  The majority of the votes cast were in favour of Councillor Bryant.

 

It was accordingly

 

RESOLVED:   that Councillor Bryant be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Council for the 2000/2001 Municipal Year.

 

The Chairman of the Council invested Councillor Bryant as the Vice-Chairman of the Council and presented him with the Vice-Chairman's Badge of Office.

 

Councillor Bryant made his Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

 

On behalf of the Council, the Chairman presented Mrs. Bryant with the Vice-Chairman's Escort's Badge.

 

Councillor Bryant addressed the Council.

 

THE COUNCIL ADJOURNED AT 4.09 P.M. AND TOOK TEA IN THE STAFF RESTAURANT

 

_______________________________

 

THE COUNCIL RECONVENED AT 6.00 P.M.

 

5          Declarations of Interest

 

Councillor Mrs. Young: Code of Conduct interest in matters related to Churchill Primary School.

 

Councillor Parker: pecuniary interest in matters related to legal proceedings concerning Telecom Securicor Cellular Radio Limited -v- the Council.

 

Councillor Fazackerley:  pecuniary interest in matters related to the Crematorium and Cemeteries.

 

Councillor Greenham:  Code of Conduct interest in matters related to the petition to be presented in connection with 63 Woodhill Road, Portishead.

 

Councillor Carter:  Code of Conduct interest in matters related to Wyvern School.

 

Councillor J.H. Morris:  pecuniary interest in matters related to CSL and the Revenues and Benefits Contracts.

 

Councillor Bateman: pecuniary interest in matters related to CSL and the Revenues and Benefits Contracts.

 

Councillor Goulbourn: Code of Conduct interest in matters related to the Weston and District Society for Spastics and Mentally Handicapped.

 

6          Statement by Councillor Derek Kraft

 

With the consent of the Chairman, Councillor Kraft made a statement in connection with comments he had made at a previous meeting relating to Councillor Ap Rees and a matter concerning Locking Castle/Moor Lane.  Councillor Derek Kraft had previously referred to an interest of Councillor Ap Rees in this matter and he now wished to withdraw the comments and he acknowledged that Councillor Ap Rees had no such interest.  Councillor Derek Kraft apologised to Councillor Ap Rees and to the Council and requested that his withdrawal and apology be recorded.  These were accepted.

 

7          Minutes - 7th March 2000

 

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

 

8          Political Balance for the Municipal Year 2000/2001

 

The Solicitor to the Council reported that there was no change to the political balance for the Municipal Year 2000/2001.

 

9          Political Groups and Leaders and Deputy Leaders of Political Groups for the Municipal Year 2000/2001

 

Proposition:      Moved by Councillor Walters, seconded by Councillor Mrs. Young and

 

RESOLVED: that the notifications now submitted by the Solicitor to the Council relating to these matters be received as indicated below -

 

 

Group Name

Group Leader

Group Deputy Leader

 

 

 

 

 

Conservative

Councillor Walters

Councillor Mrs. Young

 

Labour

Councillor D. Kraft (Acting)

Councillor Stevens (Acting)

 

Liberal Democrat

Councillor Jopp

Councillor Hockridge

 

Independent, Green, and Local Liberal

Councillor Lacey

Councillor Brown

 

Councillor Duck

 

Members paid tribute to Councillor Duck (formerly the Leader of the Labour Group) and the contribution he had made to the Council during his period of Group Leadership.

 

10        Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council for the Municipal Year 2000/2001

 

RESOLVED: that the Conservative Group having more than one half of the Members of the Council within its membership, the Council receive notification from that Group that the Group Leader is  Councillor Walters and the Deputy Group Leader is Councillor Mrs. Young and that they are therefore the Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council for the Municipal Year 2000/2001 accordingly.

 

11        Electronic Timing Device

 

The Chairman indicated that this device had now been installed and would clearly indicate when individual speakers at Council Meetings were required to cease speaking.

           

12        Motion Under Standing Order No. 10 Referred to the Marketing and Leisure Committee at a Previous Meeting

Marine Lake, Clevedon

 

At the meeting held on 16th November 1999, Councillor Shopland had moved a motion in respect of the above.  It had been amended and referred to the Marketing and Leisure Committee.  The Council noted that the subsequent meeting of that Committee had received the motion and would consider a report at a future meeting.  The amended motion was as follows -

 

"That this Council order an immediate investigation to ensure the immediate safety and long term viable future of the Marine Lake at Clevedon and that the officers be requested to submit a report to the Marketing and Leisure Committee."

 

13        Motion Under Standing Order No. 10 Referred to the Education Committee at a Previous Meeting

Education Funding

 

At the meeting held on 7th March 2000, Councillor Mrs. Yamanaka had moved a motion in respect of the above.  It had been referred to the Education Committee.  That Committee had received the motion and would consider a report at a future meeting.  The motion was as follows -

 

“That the Council as Local Education Authority should join the Forum for Fair Education Funding, involving a one-off contribution of £2,000 to the campaign fund. The Forum was set up to represent the 40 worst funded

Education Authorities in the country and intends to employ an experienced manager in order to campaign for equality in pupil funding.

 

North Somerset’s financial difficulties stem from under-funding, since it has one of the lowest SSA’s in the country. Each North Somerset household receives £200 less in Government support than the average household in the country.”

 

14        Petition Presented by Councillor Walters Under Standing Order No. 12

            Re-Registration of 63 Woodhill Road, Portishead as an Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation Centre

 

The Council received a petition of 209 signatures from Councillor Walters.  The petition was in the following terms -

 

"We, the undersigned Portishead residents, object most strongly to the re-registration of Westfield Elderly Residential Home as an Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation Centre for the following reasons:-

 

          We consider that such a use is contrary to the established residential character of the area as defined in our existing covenants, the spirit of which is to promote and to preserve private dwelling houses in perpetuity here;

 

          We are concerned that C2 regulations cover both Residential Homes for the Elderly and Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Centres and permit re-registration within C2 use without recourse to informing, or consulting with, concerned residents who have domicillary rights in the area and covenants on their properties which intend to protect against social upset;

 

          When C2 Planning Permission was granted to Westfield House for use as a Residential Home for the Elderly, it was not then appreciated by residents that consent was also being given to the possibility of a change of use to a Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Centre, since their covenants would have seemed to preclude automatically such a possibility;

 

          We have concerns that the servicing of such a centre will increase the number of vehicles parking on-road at the narrow part of Woodhill Road adjacent to number 63;

 

          We consider that common-sense should dictate against the choice of such a prominently sighted property for a purpose that requires anonymity and discretion when it is both overlooked by, and itself overlooks, many surrounding properties, has a rear entrance into much used Battery Lane and is close by the public lake grounds and Woodland Walk."

 

The Chairman thanked Councillor Walters and indicated that the matter would be referred to the Social Services Registration and Inspection Sub-Committee.

 

15        Petition Presented by Councillor Taylor Under Standing Order No. 12

            Public Conveniences

 

The Council received a petition of 88 signatures from Councillor Taylor.  The petition was in the following terms -

 

"We, the undersigned strongly object to the closure of the public conveniences in Worle.  Residents and holiday makers find this facility essential."

 

The Chairman thanked Councillor Taylor and indicated that the petition would be submitted to the Environmental Services Committee.

 

16        Petition Presented by Councillor Parker Under Standing Order No. 12

            Closure of Lanes

 

The Council received a petition of 62 signatories from Councillor Parker.  The petition was in the following terms -

 

"Official Petition for the Closure of Three Exit Lanes, Axe Close to Selworthy Road; Yeo Close to Kenn Close; and Yeo Close to Brue Close." [various signatories to the three closure requests.]

 

The Chairman thanked Councillor Parker and indicated that the matter would be referred to the West Area Committee.

 

17        Deputation by a Member of the Public Under Standing Order No. 14

            Portishead Railway/A369 Corridor

 

The Council received a deputation concerning this matter.  Mr. G.A. Kennedy of the Portishead Railway Action Group, referred to the need to provide a passenger rail service from Portishead to Bristol and a rail network to serve the Bristol and Portishead areas.

 

Mr. Kennedy also presented the Chairman with a petition of 2,604 signatories in the following terms -

 

"I support the re-opening of the Portishead to Bristol passenger rail link."

 

The Chairman thanked Mr. Kennedy and referred the matter to the North Area Committee and the Central Area Committee.

 

18        Marketing and Leisure Committee - 9th March 2000

 

There were no matters referred to the Council.

 

RESOLVED: that the Committee's report be received.

 

19        Housing and Social Services Committee - 13th March 2000

 

There were no matters referred to the Council.

 

RESOLVED: that the Committee's report be received.

 

20        Education Committee - 14th March 2000

 

There were no matters referred to the Council.

 

RESOLVED: that the Committee's report be received.

 

21        Planning and Transport Committee - 15th March 2000

 

Proposition:      Moved by Councillor Ap Rees, seconded by Councillor Daws and

 

RESOLVED: that the recommendations contained in Part 1 of the Committee's report be approved and adopted and that the decisions be received.

 

22        Planning and Transport Committee - 5th April 2000

 

There were no matters referred to the Council.

 

RESOLVED: that the Committee's report be received.

 

23        Best Value and Standards Committee - 16th March 2000

 

Proposition:      Moved by Councillor J.H. Morris, seconded by Councillor Fisher and

 

RESOLVED:

 

(1)     that the recommendations contained in Part 1 of the Committee's report be approved and adopted subject to "preferably" being inserted after "Members" in the fifth line of recommendation (1) of minute 80; and

 

(2)     that the decisions be received.

 

24        Environmental Services Committee - 23rd March 2000

 

There were no matters referred to the Council.

 

RESOLVED: that the Committee's report be received.

 

25        Policy Committee - 18th April 2000

 

Proposition: Moved by Councillor Walters and seconded by Councillor Mrs. Young -

 

"That with the exception of minute 309 (to be dealt with later in the meeting) the recommendations contained in Part 1 of the Committee's report be approved and adopted and that the decisions be received."

 

Appointment to an Outside Body: Avon Fire Authority (Minute 307)

 

First Amendment:         Moved by Councillor Shopland and seconded by Councillor Brown -

 

"That the term of office be for a period of two years."

 

The First Amendment was LOST.

 

Second Amendment:     Moved by Councillor D. Kraft and duly seconded -

 

"That alterations to the terms of office relating to this and other bodies be made only after the current representative's term of office has finished."

 

The Second Amendment was LOST.

 

Asylum Seekers (Minute 310)

 

Amendment:     Moved by Councillor Jopp and duly seconded -

 

"That recommendation (2) be re-worded to read: 'that participation in the feasibility study (co-ordinated by the South West Consortium) to identify suitable accommodation for asylum seekers, be approved; such study to take into account all relevant Home Office advice."

 

Debate ensued.

 

The Amendment was LOST.

 

It was thereupon

 

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

 

26        Reports of the Area Committees

 

RESOLVED:   that the reports, as printed, of the following meetings of the Area Committees be received -

 

(a)      West Area Committee - 1st March 2000

(b)      West Area Committee - 22nd March 2000

(c)      South Area Committee - 1st March 2000

(d)      South Area Committee - 22nd March 2000

(e)      North Area Committee - 6th March 2000

(f)       North Area Committee - 30th March 2000

(g)      Central Area Committee - 6th March 2000        

(h)      Central Area Committee - 30th March 2000

 

27        Advance Written Question Under Standing Order No. 15

 

A question to the Chairman of a Committee was received and the question and its reply are contained in Appendix 1.

 

28        Question Time Under Standing Order No. 15

 

Members directed questions to the Chairmen of Committees of the Council.  The Members concerned and the summary notes of the topics involved are contained in Appendix 2.

 

29        Scheme of Delegation, Allocation of Seats on the Standing Committees and the Standing Sub-Committees to the Political Groups and to Councillors who are not Members of any Political Group, for the Municipal Year 2000/2001

 

Proposition:      Moved by Councillor Walters, seconded by Councillor Mrs. Young and

 

RESOLVED:

 

(1)     that the existing Scheme of Delegation be approved for use during the 2000/2001 Municipal Year; and

 

(2)     that the current arrangement whereby the appointment of the individual Members to the seats on the Standing Committees, Standing Sub-Committees, and various other bodies, are dealt with by the political Group Leaders, be continued for the 2000/2001 Municipal Year.

 

30        Election of the Chairmen and the Vice-Chairmen of the Standing and Area Committees for the Municipal Year 2000/2001

 

Proposition: Moved by Councillor Walters and seconded by Councillor Mrs. Young -  

"That the following Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen be elected -

 

 

Committee

Chairman

Vice-Chairman

 

 

 

 

 

Policy