MINUTES OF CHEW STOKE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD ON 3rd July 2015 AT ST ANDREWS CHURCH HALL, CHURCH LANE, CHEW STOKE, BRISTOL AT 7.30PM
ITEM / MINUTE / ACTIONPRESENT: / Cllr G McKay (GM) (Chairman)
Cllr D Raffety (DR) (V Chairman)
Cllr N Baker (NB)
Cllr S Hawkins(SH)
Cllr N Cowell(NC)
Cllr N James(NJ)
Cllr D McGowan(DM)
Cllr P Wring (PW)
Ward Cllr L Richardson
Clerk Mrs C Parkman(CP)
1. / Apologies for absence / Cllr D Stephenson
2. / Minutes Of Last Meeting / The draft minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 4 June 2015 have been circulated to members present at that meeting. They were agreed as accurate and signed.
Proposed - CllrWring
Seconded – Cllr Raffety
Unanimously approved
3. / Declarations Of Interest / Cllr James read out a pre prepared statement.
He stated ‘I do not have a pecuniary interest in the Yew Tree inn’
“ I declare an interest due to my living close to the Yew Tree, but agree to participate with an open mind while all aspects are discussed, and will at all times act in accordance with my overriding duty, which is to make decisions in accordance with the wishes of the parishioners”
.
Cllr McKay explained that individual Councillors are responsible for deciding if they hold interests which need disclosing or registering. The Parish Council cannot decide on their behalf.
Cllr James stated that he does not feel the Parish Council has authority to remove him from the meeting and awaits instruction from the monitoring officer at B&NES
Cllr McKay referred to comments made by Cllr James by letter to the BANES planning authority in his letter of 19 Aug 2014 ref the current Yew Tree planning application
1." I confirm that I would be prepared to purchase the Yew Tree, at its valuation as a pub, in its current condition.
2." I made such an offer to Admiralty Taverns by email on 14 December 2012 which I am happy to forward to the planning officer if required"
3 ".I can also confirm that there are now others in the village who would be prepared to form a consortium to purchase the freehold of the pub"
4 "There is thus no intention on my part to see the Yew Tree become anything other than a pub"
Cllr James responded to, explaining comments online were made in response to the viability report by the agents, Teague, who had been instructed by the owner of the Yew Tree , and furthermore should be seen in the context that at that time I was not making an offer to purchase the pub, because the pub was not on the market, I was simply responding to the claim by Teague, in their futile attempt to demonstrate that the pub was not viable, that nobody would be prepared to purchase the Yew Tree as a pub".
“I approached Admiral Taverns before the freehold was on the market, in December 2012, and as I had no idea as to the value of the pub, I asked Admiral Taverns whether an offer of a certain amount would be acceptable, and if not, I went on, in my letter, to say that I would be prepared to pay the market price for the Yew Tree as a pub, as determined by independent valuation. I also emphasised in my email that I had no desire to engage in property development at the Yew Tree, quite the opposite, and that I would be happy to agree to any reasonable clause to demonstrate my commitment to retaining the Yew Tree as a pub. My approach to Admiral was ignored, but it was not an actual offer. I made the approach to Admiral Taverns alone at the time as I did not know of anyone else who would have the desire and means to 'save' the Yew Tree, but since that time many others have come forward as having such interest, maybe even a community purchase".
"If the Yew Tree comes onto the market, as a pub, it will be purchased by the person(s) prepared to pay the most for it".
Cllr Cowell suggested that this matter should be dealt with by B&NES monitoring officer as they are the professionals and have all of the information required.
Cllr James stated that he does not feel he could be committing an offence and intends to stay in meeting, participate in discussions and vote.
Cllr McKay put forward a procedural resolution –
"That the Parish Council passes a resolution that if Cllr James does not leave the room for the discussion and vote on the Yew Tree planning application then the council will instruct the Clerk to report his actions to the Monitoring Officer of BANES Council as he may have committed a criminal offence"
Proposed Cllr McKay
Seconded Cllr Raffety
Vote held
5 FOR
3 AGAINST
Clerk will report to Monitoring Officer at B&NES. Cllr James remained for the discussion and vote on the Yew Tree Planning application
4. / Public Submissions / Many Parishioners made representations – comments were made as follows –
“Another large house is not needed in the village. If B&NES Support change of use – then they should consider multiple residencies.”
“This pub will never be replaced – we have to look forward to the future for future generations. It is important to the village to retain this asset”
“Survey results showing 96 % of villagers in favour of pub – these results are not a true representation – were they independently analysed? “
“Our home was vandalised & had smashed windows. The noise and abuse – we don’t need that again – you fear for your safety “
“A survey involving the whole village should have been conducted – I didn’t get a survey”
“The business can be pulled back from the praecipes”
“Absurd to remain as pub due to location and substandard access – as agreed by Highways Department”
“Pubs are part of our English heritage, the future generation want this as a pub for us to socialise in”
“It’s only the older generation who don’t want it as a pub “
“Police attending due to dangerous driving “
We have many pub glasses we have collected from our front garden – we don’t need it again”
“You cannot control which type of clientele you will attract”
“Why have the present owners who are here tonight – never spoken publicly of their original and future plans for the building”
“I have to move out of the village as I cannot afford to buy a house here, and consider it an insult that somebody from outside of the village has purchased the property on the cheap if it is converted to a house, when many young people who have always lived in the village cannot afford to stay. I would like to move back one day, and if I do, would like the village to have a nice pub. I think the older generation need to think about what legacy they are leaving behind for the future”.
Cllr McKay reiterated that the Parish Council is just one voice amongst many. We comment not decide, that is B&NES responsibility. We are aware the decision is now in the hands of their legal team. Parishioners should be realistic about what role the Parish Council has in planning applications.
5. / Matters Arising / Walley Court Footpath, transference of funds – no update – for September agenda
Bus shelter – Skansa contractors have said they cannot provide date for commencing work. Agenda for September
Response received from Stefan Chivers , Highways Department at B&NES regarding Chew Lane speed limits. He advised the request will be considered in next year’s programme. Clerk to liaise with Chew Magna Clerk.
Clerk still obtaining quotes for new Noticeboard.
Electronic email distribution list – Update at September meeting / DR
DR
CP
CP
NB
6. / Correspondence / None
7. / Finance / Clerk June salary £357.60
Clerk June expenses - £46.33
Clerk July salary £238.40
Clerk July expenses £17.33
Hugo King June £350
Hugo King July £350
Diane Malley Payroll services £58
Filers coaches (Highgrove) £325
ALCA £176.86
Cricket Club travel expenses £140
Filers (lunch club) £300
Proposed Cllr Wring
Seconded Cllr Baker
Councillors were reminded to attend Nat West Bank for signatory authorisation.
8. / Yew Tree Inn / Cllr Baker advised that the Parish Council Planning Committee has been considering a response to the application.
There are many compelling arguments for and against the proposal –
Future viability has to be taken into consideration. The perspective of what it could become rather that what it has been. The future as a freehold rather than the past leasehold.
The size, location and poor condition of building – – will cost lots to put in into suitable condition.
The Viability survey undertaken by Carter Jonas, advised the likelihood of pub reopening was minimal.
Can the village support a second pub – is there a need?
ACV status was granted, however pub has never been an asset in the last 15/20 years – ACV is a separate issue.
Asset of Yew Tree Community value group claimed the survey was sent to all houses – options given were for type of pub – rather that “what do you want for this building?”
73% of villagers were not represented in survey results.
Contentious statements made –in ACV application , an example being-
“£100, 000 will be lost to local suppliers if we lose the pub??”
“There are 323 houses in the village / 271 replied to survey. “ (271 people, not houses. There are 800 parishioners in village)
Cllr Cowell –“we do not have a compelling view of the village as a whole.”
Cllr James –
“B&NES agreed the ACV and the Parish Council exists to reflect Parishioners views.”
“Every conceivable effort was made to deliver survey throughout village
“The application this time has received more opinions on the B&NES website @ 1800 hours today there are 68 objections and 30 supporting. This reflects a cross sectional view.
A narrative statement from the Parish Council was discussed. Cllr McKay emphasised that this is what the Council submitted last time and was severely criticised by the then Mr James and the Yew Tree group.
Councillor Cowell suggested a further survey, if the outcome of the previous one was not accepted, and that if the worse that could happen was that B&NES made a decision before the PC could comment, this was preferable to a wrong decision.
Councillor James suggested that a decision could be delayed just a few days to 7 July, until the outcome of the current planning application was known, in terms of comments from Chew Stoke residents, and that B&NES could be informed of this on the basis that they would probably be prepared to delay their decision for this short time.
At this point Parishioners called for the Councillors to make a vote on their behalf as it was clear the village would never reach an agreement and this is what the Councillors were voted into post for – to make decisions on Parishioners behalves.
Cllr McKay asked for a proposer Cllr Hawkins proposed to support the planning application
Cllr Wring seconded
The vote was tied at 4/4 with Cllr James voting against the proposal
The Chairman then used his casting vote in favour of supporting the change of use.
The Parish Council will submit comments to B&NES .
9. / Youth Bus / B&NES have declined further funding for the provision of Youth Bus services in Chew Stoke.
Cllr Baker will update situation at next meeting. / NB
10. / Neighbourhood Plan / Update
Sub groups have drafted policies and public consultations are planned for July throughout Valley locations.
Parish Council will arrange delivery of leaflets throughout village.
11. / Parish Sweeping Contract / Meeting has been held with Hugo King – differences in job specification are to be outlined. / NB/PW
12. / Parish Council Email Circulation List / Update at September meeting / NB
13. / Planning / New Applications
Brook Cottage, Pilgrims Way, Chew Stoke, Bristol, Bath And North East Somerset, BS40 8XB
Erection of new dwelling following demolition of single garage and improvements to highway safety.
Application reference: 15/02007/FUL received on 01/05/2015/ Decision date 28/07/2015
Parish Council to object
Outstanding Applications
Rectory Farm, Pilgrims Way, Chew Stoke, Bristol, Bath And North East Somerset, BS40 8TZ
Pending/ Decision Date 26/04/2015
The Factory - Radford Retail Systems, Chew Lane, Chew Stoke, Bristol, Bath And North East Somerset, BS40 8UE
Application reference: 11/04330/REM received on 03/10/2011
Pending/ Decision Date 02/01/2012
Application Refused
Cllr McKay proposed that the Planning Committee be given the authority to make decisions on behalf of the Parish Council for applications that were received after a meeting and required an answer before the next meeting ( Commonly referred to as the 21 day rule)
Proposed by Cllr Wring
Seconded by Cllr Raffety
Unanimously approved
14. / Rectory field Tree survey / Cllr McKay asked that a Health & Safety tree survey be undertaken by a qualified tree surgeon - Chris Tovey will be contacted.
A survey will also be undertaken - Clerk will arrange. / CP
15. / Annual Meeting / 16th July 2015
7.30 pm
Neighbourhood watch & True speed broadband will be introduced by David Jones
Hilary Padfield – United Charities
Clerk to invite Police
16. / Items For September Meeting / The Chairman explained that the Parish Council does not meet in August and the next meeting would therefore be in September.
Chew Valley Neighbourhood Plan
Youth Bus
The meeting ended at 1015
Next meeting Thursday 16th July APM
Next Parish Council meeting Thursday 3rd September
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