Minutes of Bishops Hull Local Action Team

Meeting Tuesday 8th September 2009, Robin Close Meeting Room 19.00

Present: Nick Mott (chairman), Dave Smith, Rod Porter,
Ken Burgess (Parish Council), Malcolm Summers (Parish Council), Chris Fry, Cllr Ian Morrell, Cllr Alan Paul, Cllr Nigel Stuart Thorne, Simon Parry (PCSO).

Apologies; Pete Yeandle, Tom Catherall, PC Claire Griffiths,

1. Welcome

Nick welcomed everyone to the meeting and noted the good turnout.

2. Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 16 July 2009

The minutes were agreed without amendment.

3. Speedwatch

Report

Dave reported that the team had been out once since the last meeting. They had monitored Bishop's Hull Road . It had been during the school holidays so the overall volume of traffic was relatively low (272 vehicles). 7 vehicles had been travelling at over 20 mph and 13 between 30 - 34 mph.

Dave noted that this showed that of those found to be speeding, a higher percentage than usual were travelling at the highest speeds.

The team would be at reduced strength in September owing largely to holidays but they would be monitoring Heron Drive on 22 September. Training sessions were being run on 21 September and it was hoped that further volunteers might come forward.

Comment

Malcolm commented that taken overall, the figures were encouraging, showing a relatively low amount of speeding and this suggested that the Speedwatch team were making a difference.

Suggestions

" Simon suggested that it might help raise the profile of the team and its purpose if a board explaining that the monitoring was being carried out by the Speedwatch team could be displayed near the monitoring site when the team was operating. It would also remind motorists of the speed limit. The meeting supported this suggestion and Simon would check with Chris to see what could be provided.

" Rod suggested we feed regular updates of the team's data to the BH newsletter. This was agreed and Nick will send something in for the next edition.

" Ian suggested liaison with SCAT over Heron Drive speeding problems and Dave added that liaison with Castle School over similar problems with parents who dropped their children off in the area. Simon agreed to raise this with the PCs who work with those 2 establishments.

Questions

Rod asked why the team was having letters sent to motorists who were found to be speeding on Silk Mills Road when a previous meeting had agreed that the team would simply monitor levels of speeding in order to provide statistical data. Dave explained that the team had been instructed by the police that the monitoring of Silk Mills Road would have to be carried out in the same way as for any other site and that, thanks to the capabilities of the speedgun, they were monitoring motorists some 400 m away near the bridge over the River Tone, rather than within the built up area of Bishop's Hull. Nick confirmed that this had been revisited at the last meeting and, in these circumstances, it had been agreed that this would be acceptable.

Ken said that the Parish Council had received the figures for Silk Mills but was not entirely clear what was now expected. Tom would be asked to clarify this with the Council.

4. Report of the Village Events Group (VEG).

Dave attended the last meeting. The group will be looking at adopting a constitution in order to clarify roles, responsibilities and procedures. The group is considering a 2 day event next year, including a cricket match.

On 16 October there is a quiz at the school and on 21 November there is a skittles evening at the pub. Both events are to raise money to cover the costs of damage at the event in July. Simon suggested that the LAT send along a team - there was some enthusiasm for this and he would send an entry form.

5. Youth Activities

Paintball.

The Parish Council had written to Jeremy Brown MP expressing disappointment at the demise of the Paintballing scheme. Scott Weetch of Taunton Deane had indicated to Tom by e-mail that there was some chance that the scheme would be reinvigorated next year. There were also indications that the police may be able to support it as a youth diversionary measure.

It was agreed that Nick would write to Scott to suggest that a meeting of all LATs and other key parties be called in order to build greater co-ordination, participation and success for all.

A new Paintball territory was being explored at or near Hestercombe.

Energise

The discos would continue at Shout! following the closure of Dellers.

There had been another Energise event in Vivary Park - although successful, it was suggested that it might benefit from more timely and visible advertising.

Suggestions

" Dave suggested that some 'satellite' Energise events might be organised around Taunton (rather than just centrally). On the back of this, Ian suggested that the TA centre in BH might be interested in hosting such an event - there were a number of activities that young people might be interested in which the TA could organise. Ian undertook to sound out his contact at the TA and, if there was support for the idea, he would let us have the contact details so that we could take it forward.

" Simon said that the SW Lakes Trust ran watersports sessions for groups of 8 young people at Wimbleball and this could be arranged on a Saturday. The meeting thought this sounded a good idea but weren't sure how this could be put into practice, particularly in view of possible transport problems but also because it was uncertain what level of interest there might be. This might be something that could be started up next year - it was probably a bit later to do something during the remainder of 2009. Simon will sound out Claire and, subject to that, it could be something to advertise in the newsletter in good time in order to test out likely levels of interest. Simon said that it was likely to cost around £15 per head for the whole day and insurance (but not lunch) was included. Rod thought that the LAT might be able to subsidise some of the cost if needed and Alan agreed to earmark some money on a 'first refusal' basis in case it was needed but without tying it up to the exclusion of other funding requests.

6. Police report

Report

Several successes to report - the police had caught the young miscreants who had graffitied some equipment in the play park and some signs. A restorative justice approach was being taken, although regret was expressed that it did not appear possible to get them to clean up the graffiti.

The police had also caught in the act burglars in a house off Mountway Road.

A source of concern remained burglaries from outbuildings at Barr.

The summer had been relatively quiet, although there had been some damage to property around the school following an unauthorised barbecue.

Suggestions / Requests

Simon suggested that speed humps be installed on Heron Drive. The LAT noted this - having no decision making powers on it - but also suggested that if the Speedwatch team concentrated on Heron Drive this should quickly reduce the instances of speeding.

Simon also suggested that yellow lines be agreed for the corner at the top of Shutewater Hill because of recent obstructions caused. There was general support for this to be taken forward with the traffic authorities, although as part of a wider package of parking measures which Alan Paul was putting together. A wider discussion of parking issues followed.

7. Parish Council

The Council had been heavily involved in consideration of the proposed building development in fields of Bishop's Hull Road. The planning application is due to be heard later this month. A Parish poll may be organised by some residents and consideration was being given to the impact this might have on the decision making process.

If the planning application is successful, it is likely that some funds will be set aside by the developer for leisure / recreation facilities.

8. Treasurer's report

The meeting was content with the draft accounts prepared by Rod - they show a cash balance for the end of the financial year of £355.58 and the meeting noted that £35 remained owing to TDBC for room hire, despite several reminders to the Council requesting an invoice. It was thought that the new efficiency arrangements may be the cause of the delay in issuing the invoice. Nick again expressed gratitude on behalf of the LAT to Dave for his generosity in helping to fund the speedgun as noted in the accounts. Rod will send the draft accounts for audit.

9. Any other business

The LAT wishes to support the Trident and the developments in train there if it is going to cater for young people from Bishops Hull. Alan will explore the position further with Jill Nutton.

10. AGM

It was agreed that Nick would seek to get the date of the AGM listed in the calendar of events on the front of the newsletter. The meeting considered Dave's suggestion of publicising the AGM in the Somerset County Gazette but thought that the newsletter should be sufficient.

Meeting closed at 9pm.

Nick Mott
Chair
12 September 2009