SWAINSWICK PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of a Virtual Meeting of Swainswick Parish Council

held on Monday 8^th February at 7.30pm

Present:  Cllrs Mr J Miles (Chairman): Mr I Roberts Mr T Stuckes: Mr R Shackell: M Hollings: Mr G Davies: Mr R Clist (Clerk):Mr C Williams (new Clerk) and Mr N Hyde (public)

1. Apologies
Councillor Sarah Warren (B&NES)

2. Minutes of previous meeting held on 9^th November 2020.
The meeting approved these minutes and they will be recorded as such and signed later by the Chairman.

3. Matters Arising from above Minutes
There were no matters arising

4. Planning

New

Ref: 21/00276/TCA St Mary’s Church Church Lane Swainswick Bath   

Removal of 3 Ash trees. SPC No Objections, B&NES Decision – Pending

Previous Aplications

Ref: 19/05534/FUL  Larkhall Athletic Ground. Erection of 20 metre-high telecommunications mast accommodating 6 antenna apertures, 4 transmission dishes and8 ground-based equipment cabinets. Swainswick PC – Objections submitted. B&NES – Refused.

Ref: 20/03009/FUL Ashcombe House Tadwick Lane Swainswick Bath. Conversion of long barn into two holiday cottages. B&NES – Decision pending.

Ref: 20/03077/FUL (resulting from Ref: 19/00568/UNAUTH )  Listed Building Consent (Alts/exts) Manor Farm Buildings Manor Lane Swainswick Bath. Repairs and alterations to curtilage listed former farm buildings (part retrospective). Change of use of one building from B8 storage to B1 business use (retrospective). Swainswick PC objection submitted 29/9/2020. B&NES – Decision pending.

Ref: 20/03908/FUL Pitlands Farm, Gloucester Road, Swainswick. Erection of a single storey extension and alterations to roof, including conversion of loft to habitable space. Swainswick PC – No objections B&NES Decision – Permit

Ref: 20/03559/FUL Treetops Gloucester Road Swainswick 

Erection of first floor extension of the same volume of existing extensions to be demolished, and improvements to existing vehicle access and parking.

Swainswick PC – No objections B&NES Decision – Permit

Ref: 20/03391/FUL Little Pear Tree Cottage, Tadwick Lane, Tadwick. Redevelopment of previously developed garage site for an office, gym and annexe to be used in connection with Pear Tree Cottage. Swainswick PC objection submitted 7/10/2020. B&NES Development Committee 10^th Feb 2020

Ref: 20/03255/FULLarkhall Sports Club, Charlcombe Lane, Charlcombe, Bath.Erection of a 20m high monopole supporting 3no. antennas and 2no. 0.3mm dishes above the top of the pole, the installation of 1no. equipment cabinet on new base and the installation of ancillary equipment.

Swainswick PC Objection submitted 29/09/2020. B&NES Development Committee 10^th Feb 2020

Ref: 20/03810/FUL Agricultural Building opposite Jazira, Gloucester Road. Initially reported to enforcement and retrospective planning application submitted. B&NES Decision – Permit

Other Planning Matters

Ref: 18/03829/FUL  Four Winds Farm  Gloucester Road Swainswick -‘retention’ of Agricultural Building. Further concerns regarding possible non-agricultural usage. B&NES Enforcement investigating. This council has been challenged on its handling of this matter and its status remains unchanged until B&NES provides an update.

5. Clerk Vacancy – Status

Mr Charlie Williams has been invited to be the new clerk and he was present at this meeting. He was welcomed by all members. Small details on renumeration timings need finalising but the annual amount has been agreed at £1200 which will be subject to PAYE as now.

6 University Building – Aircraft Warning Light

I Roberts reported that specialists had visited his home to observe the light and formed the opinion that it was ridiculously bright. The matter will continue to be pursued. An outline of the history of this issue was given for the benefit of the new clerk.

7. Highways – Local Lane Speeds

There was significant debate on this issue the lanes generally seemed busier with more delivery related traffic being apparent. Vehicle movements around the school 

is viewed as increasingly dangerous to pupils and parents alike. This area needed specific actions coordinated with the school who have arranged routines for ‘drop off’ and ‘pick times’. The pandemic has also vastly increased the number of walkers in the area as many public footpaths can be reached from the location, creating further risks to public safety. G. Davies said that consideration should also be given to the Gloucester Road where more walkers were crossing it near the flyover.

Controlling speeds in the lanes in general may involve a variety of options and T Stuckes offered to consider possible solutions and report back at the April meeting.

8. Swainswick PC – Future project ideas/proposals. On hold at present.

Information Board & Trough surround – improvement.

9. Finance

The Precept requirement was agreed at £3700.00 and the clerk would submit this before the 10^th February application deadline’

Payments previously authorised – The Local Look  – £66.00

Payments agreed

Clerks Salary £680.00

HMRC PAYE £170.00

Clerks annual exp. £80.00

ICO annual fee £40.00

(refund to clerk for payment made)

A spreadsheet showing a projection of the accounts for the year end 2020/2021 was circulated. Some minor adjustments are expected.

10. School Governors.

R Shackell said there was nothing to report.

12. Correspondence – all relevant previously circulated by email.

13. Any Other Business

At the beginning of this topic the Chairman notified the public that they would be excluded as a sensitive and confidential issue needed discussion. The virtual meeting facility was the terminated for them. 

A specific strategy for dealing with complaints was discussed and it was agreed that a committee made up from all members would deal with any such occurrence. 

Dates of next meetings: 

12^th April 2021

14^th June 2021

The meeting closed at 9.25pm