PARISH COUNCIL MEETING Monday December 7th 2020 at 7pm

Zoom Ref: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86376689978?pwd=ZzR4OU1DQ1FUTERIVmVmZnIycFIwQT09 Meeting ID: 863 7668 9978 Passcode: 611320

Present: Cllr McCullough (Chair) Cllr Taylor Cllr Whitfield Cllr Di-Duca Cllr Clark Cllr Goddard Clerk: S Simmons

2876. Welcome by the Chairman to this online meeting of Westerleigh Parish Council The Chair welcomed everyone to the last full PC meeting of 2020 and thanked everyone for making our Zoom meetings very effective.

2877. Apologies for absence Apology accepted from Cllr Lean who needed to attend an SGC group meeting as he is a District Cllr.

2878. Declarations of Interest under the Localism Act 2011 None

2879. Reports from South Councillors on matters relating to the Parish

District Councillors’ Report Start Date of Phase 1 Consultation on Local Plan The Phase 1 Consultation is an elementary exercise exploring and discussing the issues, challenges and approaches that could inform our new Local Plan. The consultation will run for 12 weeks from Friday 27th November 2020 until Monday 1 st March 2021. Due to Covid-19 and the current national lockdown this consultation will be entirely digital for the early part of December although his situation will be kept under close review should circumstances significantly improve. This consultation we seek people’s views on: • the issues and priorities that should shape the Council’s plans for the next 15 years • how the Council determines its choices (e.g. where to locate large numbers of new homes and jobs, how to protect and enhance our built and natural environment, which areas to protect from adverse growth/change, etc.). • how to approach growth and change in our existing urban areas • how we can start considering growth and change in our rural communities • the range of planning policies to be included in the new Local Plan • early drafts of some policies (e.g. climate change, design, parking, etc.) This first consultation will not address the overall housing requirement or where major development will be directed. Nor will it suggest any revisions to the Green Belt or defined settlement boundaries. Instead it is about early ideas, discussions and suggested approaches which will inform subsequent drafting stages. To explain the role and content of this consultation South Gloucestershire Council intends to hold digital briefing and Q&A sessions for district councillors, town/parish councillors and their clerks in early to mid-December. Invites to these online sessions, along with further information about the Local Plan consultation, will be sent out soon. The consultation documents and supporting information will be available from Friday 27th November at www.southglos.gov.uk/newlocalplan

West of Spatial Development Strategy (SDS) Engagement The West of England Combined Authority (WECA) is asking residents in the West of England for their views about the future of the region, to ensure the region is a greener, more connected place to live and work. The feedback will help shape a Spatial Development Strategy that will make sure that homes, employment spaces and transport links are planned in the right places over the next 20 years.

The preliminary survey can be found at https://consultation.westofengland-ca.gov.uk/infrastructure/the-spatial- development-strategy/. It takes no longer than 20 minutes to complete and ends on Monday 14 th December 2020. Any residents Page 1 of 8 Signed………………………………………………………. Date…………………………..

WESTERLEIGH PARISH COUNCIL MEETING Monday December 7th 2020 at 7pm

requiring a paper copy or the information in an alternative format can call 0117 428 6210 or email [email protected]. Once the draft is completed and published in 2021, the SDS will be subject to a full statutoryconsultation, providing resident an opportunity to formally comment on the detail of the proposed plan. If it is successfully adopted it will determine development at the macro level across the region; it will sit above the four respective Local Plans which deal with development at the micro level.

The Current Spread of Covid-19 and New Mobile Testing Sites Before the announcement of the second national lockdown, South Gloucestershire Council had written to the Government, asking to be placed into the Tier 2 or ‘High’ alert level. The council acted as cases became more widespread across the region rather than confined to a few areas (e.g. the UWE campus). The number of cases in older people, who are at greater risk of complications, was also rising. The 7 day infection rate within South Gloucestershire between 21st and 27th November was 165 per 100k. This is marginally above the average in England. When the second national lockdown ended on 2 nd December South Gloucestershire was placed in the Tier 3 or ‘Very High’ alert level; this will be reviewed fortnightly. The latest data is at https://beta.southglos.gov.uk/covid-19-dashboard-for-south-gloucestershire/ and at https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/interactive-map. South Gloucestershire Council has identified a number of new sites that are suitable to host Mobile Testing Units (MTU’s). These have now been approved by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), which means that testing could be available in more parts of the district. MTU’s are allocated on a weekly basis by DHSC based on demand and availability. Beginning on Thursday 19th November, MTU’s will be set up in the car park at Cleve Rugby Football Club in and from Friday 20 th November at The Ridings Car Park, Road, . Residents must not turn up at the site if they have not booked an appointment beforehand. Anybody who turns up without an appointment will be turned away. Residents should book to take a test if they develop symptoms of coronavirus.

South Gloucestershire Council Consults on its Budget for 2021/22 In the past decade South Gloucestershire Council has needed to make tens of millions of pounds worth of cuts as funding from central government has been stringently cut. The Covid pandemic has added to the financial strain on the council’s budget, increasing the demand for council services whilst cutting income. Officers do not yet know how much additional funding the council could receive from the Government to alleviate this unforeseen financial burden. Next year’s budget consequently remains a provisional work in progress . You have until Sunday 3rd January 2021 to tell South Gloucestershire Council what you think about its budget, council tax proposals and savings plan for next year. You can find the consultation at https://consultations.southglos.gov.uk/consult.ti/Budget2021/.

Consultations South Gloucestershire Council is asking residents for their views on the first stage of plans to upgrade cycling provision on the Badminton Road (A432) between and the ring road. The proposed scheme has been broken into 4 stages: Stage 1 – Nibley Lane to Stage 2 – Coalpit Heath to A4174 Ring Road Stage 3 – Nibley Lane to Stover Road Stage 4 – Coalpit Heath Village The current cycle lanes on the A432 fall well below the standards now required by the Government. This scheme would improve the route for existing cyclists as well as aiming to encourage more to cycle as an alternative to taking the car. This consultation focuses on the first stage of improvements between Nibley and Coalpit Heath. Residents can find out more at https://consultations.southglos.gov.uk/consult.ti/A432_Badminton_Road_Cycling_ST1. This consultation closes on 4th December. South Gloucestershire Council has carried out work to pedestrianise Thornbury High Street and to install new cycling lanes to the west of Yate (on Badminton Road and Station

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WESTERLEIGH PARISH COUNCIL MEETING Monday December 7th 2020 at 7pm

Road). Both schemes involved the use of Experimental Traffic Orders (ETOs) which have a statutory requirement for public consultations to run simultaneously alongside of them. At the end of the ETOs eighteen month duration the changes that have been implemented may become permanent. The details of the Thornbury consultation can be found at https://consultations.southglos.gov.uk/consult.ti/PT.6609_Thornbury_High_St._E.T.O and runs until 31 st January 2021.

The Yate cycle lane consultation can be found at https://consultations.southglos.gov.uk/consult.ti/StationCycle. It ends on 24th February 2021.

Cllr Clark also added that no further contact had been received in relation to Manor Field, although he has chased.

There were no questions arising.

2880. Pre-arranged items from members of Public None

2881. Parish Councillor Reports – written submissions, taken as read with questions taken as necessary (a) Report from Cllr McCullough to thank SGC departments I have contacted Streetcare for a couple of minor issues recently and was very pleased to receive a quick and effective response in both cases. From missing speed signs needing replacing to Wessex Water road works not being finished properly, the communication line was good and helpful. Regarding the temporary closure of Henfield Road, originally a diversion was announced which took all traffic along the Hollows/Coalsack Lane/Ruffet Road – which was clearly not a suitable route. Following discussion it was agreed to move the diversion onto Ram Hill instead. I happened to be going along Henfield Road as the works team arrived to put the diversion in place, to find they were enacting the original one. So once again I spoke with the contact at SG Streetcare and he was able to make sure the second diversion was used instead. I then had a follow-up phone call the next day from the same contact to say that the Ram Hill diversion wasn’t very suitable either as RH residents had complained of speeding traffic using the diversion. He had been on site the previous afternoon to witness the problem, looked at the original route too, and he was moving the route once more to take in the Ring Road/Badminton Road. He confirmed that he’s updated notes so that should there be works in this area again they won’t seek to use any of the local rural roads and will instead channel traffic movement onto the Ring Road/Badminton Road. There was also a case of reporting a rough sleeper in order to get help and the team from SGC responded and acted very quickly.

(b) Cllr Taylor also reported that he had attended the Boyd Valley CEF (Community Engagement Forum). Minutes & presentations will follow in due course. In particular a presentation about Loan Sharks is interesting.

2882. Council to Approve Minutes of Parish Council meeting held on November 9th 2020 The Minutes were approved by all 6 Cllrs present tonight and signed by the Chair.

2883. Council to note receipt of Minutes & draft budget V2 from F & GP Committee meeting 23rd November 2020 NOTED.

2884. Council to consider Planning Applications (other than those dealt with under COVID-19 Standing orders) Applications & comments are listed on: http://www.westerleighparishcouncil.org.uk/parishioners-planning/

P20/23743/RVC Variation of condition 1 attached to planning permission PT08/1361/F to alter the restriction on whom occupies the dwelling, as per the attached application form - Change of use of agricultural land for the stationing of a mobile home for occupation by an agricultural worker (Retrospective) Wentwood Nurseries Ram Hill Coalpit Heath South Gloucestershire BS36 2TZ Page 3 of 8 Signed………………………………………………………. Date…………………………..

WESTERLEIGH PARISH COUNCIL MEETING Monday December 7th 2020 at 7pm

This application has now been commented on by WPC after the Clerk received Cllr responses. It is an OBJECTION – see Appendix or website for full details.

2885. Council to receive information and requirements for way forward with Emergency Plan Cllr McCullough asked for details of any further Neighbourhood Watch type schemes whether on the ground or on Facebook. All Cllrs were happy with the ideas presented and Cllr McCullough & Cllr Taylor will now produce poster style notices to display around the Parish at as many locations as possible as well as online.

2886. Council to discuss further ideas for use of Community Benefit money Replacement play equipment at Newman Field There are two timber beams at Newman Field which are in poor state of repair and need replacing due to split timber causing finger traps as identified in the 2020 RoSPA inspection. The Clerk has obtained the most competitive quote for two new pieces of equipment from Playquest.

For one beam and one log climber the price including delivery has been quoted as £1440 + VAT. For our contractor to install them both a quote of £500 has been received. This would probably be in late January weather permitting.

Cllr Whitfield proposed acceptance of this and Cllr Taylor seconded with all in agreement that the Clerk should place the order.

2887. Committee to receive Clerk report regarding ongoing matters and approve where relevant Clerk Report for 7/12/2020 Chalet

The new tenants moved in on 1.12.2020 when almost all ground works were complete with just a couple of items to be finished by 11/12/20. (Rails to Decking and steps) Payment of the deposit of £836 and first rental payment were received prior to moving in. There is a full inventory and an Inspection/Maintenance Checklist for 2021 onwards.

Annual renewals

 SLCC (Society of Local Council Clerks) Renewal Jan 2021 £185 last year £180. Cllr McCullough proposed this is renewed, Cllr Taylor seconded this and all agreed.

 NALC/ALCA estimate (Last year £573.93) Estimate received: “As a guide … your Council’s subscription for NALC and ALCA memberships, based on your 2020 electorate of 2,901, will be £ 689.84; this is made up of the NALC portion of £ 215.25 and the ALCA portion of £ 474.59. However … it is an estimate and could possibly change dependent upon your 2021 electorate. An invoice … will be sent to you by the 1st March 2021.

 SCRIBE Time saved doing VAT reclaim and end of year stuff alone makes it worthwhile from Clerks perspective; free training webinars excellent; £347 from Jan 2021 (last year intro discount 20% meant subscription was £277.60) This renewal was unanimously approved by the Council

 COUNCIL FULL INSURANCE COVER – end of Zurich 5 year contract in May 2021 (Currently around £1800 pa)

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WESTERLEIGH PARISH COUNCIL MEETING Monday December 7th 2020 at 7pm

I have started the process of gathering comparison quotes from Parish Council specialists including BHIB and Came & Company to look at alongside Zurich renewal information when received. To be presented to Cllrs in the New Year for comparison and consideration.

War Memorials

Further to the decision to use some of the CIL funds to restore our two War Memorials I have been in touch with The War Memorial Conservation Company based in Cardiff. They explained that if I sent photos they would do an initial desk report and fee proposal saving the cost of an initial visit, although one may be necessary later.

(“A site visit costs £475 plus Value Added Tax, £350 plus VAT of which acts as a credit towards your acceptance of our quotation in full”)

TREE WORKS UPDATE

Work at was complete on Nov 27th. The Woodstock Trees invoice has been paid. That concludes the work required across all sites for 2020.

The 2021 survey has been commissioned for the Spring and I have updated the 2020 report to show the completed works and sent this to Wotton Tree Consultancy.

The cost of the Spring 2021 survey will be £425.00. There is £5660 left from the £10k allocation for 2020/2021 which will be carried forward for 21/22.

The two Contractors, who both did good work this year (Woodstock, & Midland Forestry/West Country Forestry) have been contacted to say we may call upon them for quotes again next year.

Cllr Goddard asked about replanting. We will need to address this and identify suitable sites in 2021.

Avon Wildlife Trust update The new contact at AWT has let me know that they have only spent £850 of the £3000 granted to them in DEC 2019, mostly on one replacement information board (as suggested by WPC). They are therefore happy to proceed with the remaining £2150 to start 2021 when events are possible and do not need to apply for further funds now.

GRANTS In early December, under COVID Standing Orders, WPC agreed to pay Yate Heritage Centre their request of £300. This will come from the S137 budget. (At the F & GP meeting next week a summary of all grant ‘pots’ will be covered.)

Communications Workshop January 18th 2021 Communications Workshop 7pm on Zoom (This is not a public meeting)

A sheet will be sent to Cllrs requiring a small amount of preparation – to be sent out in next few days. Please return responses to Clerk before 4th Jan.

Finance & Budget training Training attended by the Clerk today proved very helpful in clarifying Council Tax Base understanding and Precept calculations. The Clerk sent details out to Cllrs today to clarify understanding of the SGC Council Tax Base calculation figures in preparation for next weeks’ F & GP meeting.

Fruit Trees at Pansy Vale These were delivered to Pansy Vale today so the WNH/Westerleigh Bloomers will now arrange planting and offered to send photos.

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WESTERLEIGH PARISH COUNCIL MEETING Monday December 7th 2020 at 7pm

XMAS break

Please note that the Clerk is not available from Thursday 17th December until 4th Jan 2020.

End of Clerk report.

2888. Council to consider RESOLUTION to continue with COVID-19 Delegated Powers to the Clerk and to continue dealing with Planning Applications by email Cllr Goddard proposed this RESOLUTION be accepted and it was seconded by Cllr McCullough with all Cllrs in agreement. The Clerk added it is likely that virtual meetings will continue until at least April 2021.

2889. Correspondence/Communication with Westerleigh Parish Council From SGC - Tax Base figure information and confirmation. WPC increase in Tax Base is 6.72% - Minutes of JCG Meeting (AGM) held online 18th November & details of JCG/Cycling UK organisers liability insurance. (No Cllrs required names adding to policy) - Briefing note on Youth Endowment Fund – SGC activities for 10-14 yr olds till June 2021 - Notification of upcoming consultation document will be called ‘Local Plan Phase 1 – Issues and Approaches’. The consultation (now issued) will run for 12 weeks from 27th Nov 2020 until 1st March 2021. - PT.6649 - Badminton Road and Park Lane, - One Way Working and Prohibition of Right Turn - PT.6657 - Park Lane, Kendleshire - 30 mph speed limit - Section 41 Notification of 2021/22 Precept on Billing Authority - Ensure that you notify your 2021/22 precept requirement by Monday 25th January 2021,

Other - Henfield resident – cycle route enquiry. Dealt with by JCG representative of WPC. - Update from Avon Wildlife Trust

2890. Joint Cycleway Group – Council to nominate an alternate attendee of JCG A discussion took place about a fresh attendee for these meetings. After hearing about the group it was proposed that WPC no longer participate, particularly as there is a cost involved. It was felt that all SGC cycle information is received by the Council without the need for the group and since SGC has ‘main road’ cycling priorities the more local cycle track plans are not being taken forward. The Council voted unanimously to leave the group. The Clerk was asked to notify the JCG.

2891. Council to consider responses to Consultations (a) Station Road Cycle Scheme Phase 2 Consultation The Council have concerns about the lack of ‘fade out’ at several junction points on the route leading to sudden changes in road position for cars and cyclists.

(b) A432 Badminton Road – Yate to A4174 Ring Road - Reallocation of road space for cycling – Stage 1 The Council support the scheme – particularly the speed reduction measures.

2892. Items considered urgent or exempt by the Chairman None

2893. Dates of future Parish Council meetings/Committee meetings December 14th 2020 Finance & General Purposes Committee meeting 7pm Zoom January 11th 2021 Full Parish Council meeting 7pm Zoom – including - To ratify budget and precept

All 2021 Parish Council meeting dates are at http://www.westerleighparishcouncil.org.uk/meeting-dates/ The meeting closed at 7.50pm Page 6 of 8 Signed………………………………………………………. Date…………………………..

Appendix: PLANNING APPLICATION COMMENTS SINCE LAST PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

P20/23743/RVC Variation of condition 1 attached to planning permission PT08/1361/F to alter the restriction on whom occupies the dwelling, as per the attached application form – Change of use of agricultural land for the stationing of a mobile home for occupation by an agricultural worker (Retrospective). Wentwood Nurseries Ram Hill Coalpit Heath South Gloucestershire BS36 2TZ

Westerleigh Parish Council OBJECT to this application for the following reasons: Condition 1 of PT08/1361/F was attached solely due to the personal circumstances of the elderly occupant at the time who had operated his plant nursery business for a number of years. It was questionable whether the business was still viable but, as he had previously had temporary planning permission to live on site, officers thought it would be detrimental to his welfare to force him to move. Therefore WPC OBJECT to this application on the grounds that the applicant has not established that they meet the prerequisites of PSP41 (Rural Workers Dwellings) “Outside of the defined settlement boundaries, the erection of dwellings for permanent workers in agriculture, forestry or other rural businesses will be acceptable, where the applicant can demonstrate that: 1) the dwelling is required to satisfy a clearly established existing functional need to live at the place of work or within the immediate area, which can’t be met within the defined settlement boundaries; and 2) the rural business has been established for at least three years, has been profitable for at least one of them, is financially sound, and has a clear prospect of remaining so; and 3) the need could not be fulfilled by another existing dwelling or building capable of conversion on the unit, or any other accommodation or building capable of conversion in the area, which is suitable and available for occupation by the worker concerned; and 4) the proposal(s) is satisfactorily sited in relation to the rural business and wherever possible, is sited within a hamlet or existing group of buildings. In the case of new businesses, where the need and location have been established, but permanence cannot be demonstrated, consideration will be given to temporary accommodation, whilst the business establishes. There is no new business here. The removal of an occupancy condition on a rural worker’s dwelling will be acceptable where it can be demonstrated there is no existing or foreseeable need on the unit or in the locality, and there has been an independent market assessment following an unsuccessful attempt to market the property at a realistic price” The applicants claim that Condition 1 was “imposed unlawfully” is not a material consideration as far as I am concerned. The site is in the Green Belt and outside of the defined settlement boundary of Coalpit Heath where development should be strictly limited. If the applicant is making a business case for the retention of a dwelling, which should have been removed when the former applicant died, they need to establish that they meet the requirements of PSP41. There is no evidence of a business being in place. These are the reasons for OBJECTION.

P20/21781/F Erection of detached car port. (Resubmission of P20/00803/F). Field House Huckford Lane Winterbourne South Gloucestershire BS36 1AP

Westerleigh Parish Council has no objection to this application

P20/22490/F Subdivision of existing dwelling to create 2no dwellings and associated works. Land Adjacent To Greystones 213 Down Road Winterbourne Down BS36 1AU This follows on from the approval of P19/15701/F for converting outbuildings for 6 dwellings

Westerleigh Parish Council has no further comment to make on this application

Continued… Page 7 of 8 Signed………………………………………………………. Date…………………………..

Appendix: PLANNING APPLICATION COMMENTS SINCE LAST PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

P20/21175/F Erection of outbuilding. Ruffett Cottage Ruffet Road Winterbourne BS36 1AN

Westerleigh Parish Council feel there is insufficient information about the intended use of this building to enable a response.

P20/20525/F Erection of detached garage. 264A Badminton Road Coalpit Heath BS36 2QW

Westerleigh Parish Council have no objection to this application

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