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New Chairman for the Town Council
Councillor and North Somerset Alderman Barry Walters was elected the new Chairman of Portishead & North Weston Town Council on Wednesday 7th May at the Town Council’s Annual Meeting.

Barry was elected unopposed for the municipal year 2008/2009. The Council Year always runs from the Annual Meeting each May.

He is a very long serving Member of the Town Council having served continuously from 1987. Until May 2007 he also served on the District Council where he has chaired a number of Committees and been Leader of the Council.

In his acceptance speech he said that in his view the next year would be a year of consolidation. House building was expecting to slow down. He hoped to build on earlier work to improve communications with local residents both old and new and hoped to improve contacts with local businesses and traders.

The Town Council was funding a new community hall to serve the new Village Quarter which it is hoped will open by October this year.

Furthermore several projects were at long last, coming to fruition: the new school, Trinity Primary at Marjoram Way, the new health centre on Harbour Road, the wild-life reserve and the foot and cycle paths between Portishead and Portbury should all be completed this year.

Building would soon commence on a new Italian restaurant and a pub on the Dock-side. Public access round three sides of the dock is now open, with access on the fourth side under completion.

Barry is particularly keen to see more native specimen trees planted in places where they can grow to their full size. Such trees need lots of space and time to reach their true glory. Trees planted as part of new developments although vital, rarely can be given enough space. He would welcome suggestions for suitable sites.

New Vice Chairman
District and Town Councillor David Pasley was elected Vice-Chairman at the same meeting. David has been on the Town Council for over 9 years.

Portishead Outdoor Pool reopens despite predictions of closure
At precisely 10am on Saturday 24th May the Portishead Open Air Pool opened as usual for business for the summer season of 2008. In the past year rumours have been rife that North Somerset’s only outdoor heated pool would close, but the Deputy Leader of North Somerset Council with responsibility for the Portishead Open Air Pool has stated that it is not the Council’s intention to close the unique amenity.

It has been confirmed that local Portishead District Councillors have requested the Pool be subjected to the scrutiny process that would thoroughly investigate the way the pool has operated over the past years and to examine potential to improve the way it is run in the future. The scrutiny panel is currently working on the project and is expected to reach a conclusion with a recommendation later this year.

The Town Council voted by a large majority to publicly support the continuation of the facility. In February of this year the Town Council passed the following motion:
"That the Portishead and North Weston Town Council considers the Outdoor Pool, located near the Lakegrounds to be a valuable asset to the Town. In light of the considerable recent growth of the Town's population, especially among young people, this unique sports amenity should be protected against any possible future closure. The Town Council welcomes North Somerset Council's plans to thoroughly scrutinise the past and current running of the Pool in order to identify ways to enhance the facility without being a financial drain on Council funds.
Members of the Town Council are concerned that the lack of adequate funding in the past, coupled with poor marketing and questionable administration for this venue has jeopardised the pool's future. The Town Council does not wish to see the Pool closed and supports the efforts of those who are endeavouring to keep the facility operating for years to come. Moreover, this Council wishes to play a role in any decisions that may affect the Pool's future"
Rodmoor Road Rose Garden reopens better than ever
Fears that the cherished rose gardens at the junction of Rodmoor Road and Beach Road West would be lost have been addressed after a local councillor and council officers acted swiftly to quash the rumours. Britain in Bloom judges last year told members of Portishead in Bloom that the 50 year old rose garden was looking past its best.

Realising that new roses cannot be replanted in old rose beds the decision not to replant with more roses was taken and the sad news broken to rose lovers across Portishead. Acting in good faith, Portishead in Bloom embarked on a scheme to remove the old roses with the view to replanting the gardens with colourful perennials.

Public reaction was swift and the decision was not popular with many residents, particularly the elderly who considered the area as a place of beauty and tranquillity where they could sit quietly and enjoy the scented flowers and the views across the channel. Local Councillors were united in their call to keep the Rodmoor Road site as a ‘rose garden’ and after due consideration, adequate funding was found from Section 106 agreements which had been earmarked for the improvement of the Lakegrounds.

The old and tired rose beds were removed and rich new soil replaced. In the past few weeks the replanting has been completed and your views on the scheme will be most welcome.



Public have their say at the 2008 Annual Town meeting
The Annual Town meeting is facilitated by the Town Council so that any local resident can come along and talk about ideas they may have to improve the Town or indeed to criticize where they may think there is room for improvement. The meeting always starts at 7.30pm and there is no limit to the number of people who can participate. The idea is that your local councilors can hear first hand what local residents have to say about the Town Council and the work they undertake.

Disappointingly, only 6 members of the public turned up at the Annual Town Meeting to speak about matters that concerned them. One person spoke about the railway, public transport and bus stops etc., A retired councillor spoke about the Cabstand Exhibition and hoped that people would take the opportunity to consider the options to modify or not the traffic light system. A local lady expressed concern that the High Street was a mess and that the Town Council should paint the bollards in Portishead Blue. Another lady and a familiar face to these meetings, raised the issue of the Outdoor Swimming Pool and urged the Town Council to continue to support the local amenity.
 

TOWN COUNCIL NEWS UPDATE

Farmer’s Market brings local produce to Portishead

The Town Council has agreed to a monthly Farmers’ Market being sited in Portishead from March of this year.

The Portishead Farmers’ Market will be held on the 1st or 2nd Saturday of each month between 9am and 12:30pm at the Piazza between Waitrose supermarket and Parish Wharf Leisure Centre. Typically there will be 12 stalls. Farmer’s Markets in North Somerset sell a selection of local produce including fruit, vegetables, cakes, chocolates, plants, cheese, honey, pork, lamb, beef, poultry and game.

What is a Farmer's Market?

A Farmers' Market is a venue for local farmers and people making food with local ingredients to sell their produce directly to you.

There are certain rules that should apply to a genuine Farmers' Market.

• Producers must be local; defined as within a specified radius of the Market site (usually 25/30 miles).

• Producers must sell only their own produce. All products sold must have been produced by the stallholder. The person behind the stall must be the producer, a close family member or an employee directly involved with production.

• Local Produce. The average Farmers' Market produce has traveled less than 30 miles, and may have been picked on the day you buy it. When you shop at a Farmers' Market you have the freedom to ask questions about what you are buying and the person behind the stall will have the answers because they have produced what they are selling.


Volunteers sought by Portishead Twinning Association to host a family

Between Saturday 26 and Wednesday 30 April 2008, 79 residents of Den Dungen in the Netherlands will be visiting Portishead on an exchange visit. The Portishead Twinning Association has arranged a number of daytime and evening activities for our visitors, but are seeking volunteers to accommodate them for the duration of the exchange. All those interested can contact the Twinning Association through the Town Council.

Den Dungen serves a mainly agricultural community, famous for its vegetables and flowers. It is dominated by the Neo-gothic church of 'St. Jacobus de Meerdere' in the town centre.

Part of the charm of Den Dungen is the numerous traditional thatched farmhouses, some of them dating from the 17th century and the unique dyke, which encircles the community and protected it against floods in the past.
The picturesque area, crisscrossed by many waterways, offers a variety of opportunities for leisure and recreation, including fishing, cycling and walking.
The little town offers a varied and vibrant community life to its residents, with many clubs and activities to suit the interest of all ages.

North Somerset Council backs Portishead’s campaign to reinstate our Railway Line

It has been reported in the local press that the three-mile section of disused railway line from Portbury to Portishead could be bought by North Somerset Council to safeguard the land for future use as a high speed rail link to Bristol.

The section of railway, which runs between the former station (now a private residence) at Portbury and Portishead, is owned by BRB (Residuary) Ltd, a government owned company set up during privatisation of the railways between 1995 and 1997. BRB is responsible for the management and disposal of remaining land and buildings, which are surplus to the needs of the operational railway.

The line between Portishead and Bristol was closed to passenger traffic in September 1964 and freight in 1981 and lay unused apart from the occasional steam specials. In 2002 the track between Portbury Docks and the Parson Street Junction, which is owned by Network Rail, was opened for freight use at a cost of £21 million. But the last three miles from Portbury to Portishead remained closed.

After a consultation and review in 2006, a recommendation was made that the land be sold and North Somerset Council was given first option. Now council officers are to launch negotiations with BRB's land agents to establish the market value of the land. The authority will then seek to establish what funding sources could be available to them should the sale be agreed.

North Somerset Council has already agreed a long-term objective to re-open the Portishead to Bristol railway line to passengers, due to concerns about the commuter bottleneck at J19 where the A369 intersects the M5. The Executive Member for Strategic Planning, Highways and Economic Development, Councillor Elfan ap Rees, is reported to have said "We are looking at buying this land to protect the future of the railway. From our point of view this would be a real step towards developing a high-speed link between Portishead and Bristol. The British Railways Board has agreed to sell the land and has given us first option on it."


Recycling, Green garden waste and Refuse Collection.

North Somerset Council have recently launched a new search facility on their website that enables residents to find out when their collection dates are for refuse, recycling and greenwaste just by putting in their postcode or street name. Visit www.n-somerset.gov.uk/waste where the relevant calendar can be downloaded. If you do not have internet access call the Streets & Open Spaces helpline on 01934 888802 to request a copy by post.

Finally, please be aware that fortnightly green garden waste collections will resume in March.
 

August 2007

NEW HEALTH CENTRE GIVEN GREEN LIGHT BY THE TOWN COUNCIL

At a recent planning committee meeting of the Town Council, councillors voted unanimously to support the application to build a new Health Centre in Portishead.  The land already reserved for the new building is on Harbour Road, near the roundabout at the entrance of the Village Quarter development.  The site is currently fenced with high green fencing.

Whilst welcoming the application to build the new centre, councillors once again raised the issue of lack of parking spaces.  When the new building is occupied, approximately 50 staff will be employed by the National Health Service.  However only 30 parking spaces have been allocated for staff and patients which is clearly insufficient for future needs.  The Health Authority intend to reserve all parking for patients and expect staff who use their own transport to park along Harbour Road and other nearby roads.  The Town Council have stated that whilst welcoming the new health facility, the Health Authority should give further consideration to the area for parking including disabled spaces, which are not covered by the current plans.

The new health centre will provide healthcare services for many people including residents from areas outside Portishead, many of whom will only be able to access the new facility by car due to lack of public transport in the area.  Another strong reason why your local councillors are insisting that greater emphasis should be given to parking facilities within the complex itself.

PLANNING ISSUES:

As the scheduled development of Portishead maintains its steady course, further planning applications are continually being submitted to the District Council, but as part of the planning process, the Town Council is first invited to express their views representing those of the local people.  These important views are recorded and passed to the North Area Committee of North Somerset Council before a final decision is made on each planning application.

The single most consistent issue over major planning applications in recent years is the number of parking spaces allocated to new dwellings on the Portishead Marina and Ashlands (Village Quarter) development.  Planning Law is set out by the Government and local authorities, such as: parish, town and county councils, are legally required to operate within those boundaries.  On the question of allowances for parking on new developments, the Government set out guidelines in a document known as ‘Policy T6’ where they currently recommend 1.5 parking spaces per household (regardless of size of property).  In assessing the provision for parking it is stated that authorities should give regard to the standards in the schedule, this however is NOT absolute or binding.  The Local Plan does not therefore prohibit developers going over the numbers given in the schedule, so the Town Council feels it has every right to challenge a planning application if it feels the parking allocation for a development is inadequate. 

If you wish to express your views about a planning application in your area, you are most welcome to come along to the monthly Town Council planning committee meetings.  Meetings are usually held on the first Wednesday of each month at the Folk Hall, starting at 7.30pm.  Dates and further details can be obtained from the Town Council Office at The Folk Hall, telephone 01275 847078.

RESPONDING TO YOUR CONCERNS:

The Town Council has conducted a survey over the past six months to ask residents of Portishead want they wanted most for the Town and what they would like their Town Council to consider doing something about.  The results of the survey are as follows:

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PORTISHEAD AND NORTH WESTON TOWN COUNCIL Feb 07 update

New Councillor
There were two candidates for the vacancy on the Council to be filled by co-option. After a signed ballot, Miss Georgina Way (Conservative) was elected, and she was welcomed to the Council at its January meeting. The balance of the parties remains therefore at 9 Conservative and 9 Liberal Democrat.

Budget 2007-2008
Traditionally, the setting of the budget is the occasion for lively debate. This year was no exception. The Budget Working Party meeting (open to all Councillors) recommended a budget which showed an increase well above the rate of inflation. The extra money was all for projects needed in the town, which is showing an infrastructure deficit when set against the increased population. However, when the recommendations were discussed in full council, many counter-arguments were made: the increase would be a burden on those residents who are hard pressed financially; many projects ought to be paid for by the main developers in the town and/or North Somerset Council; the remedial work on the drainage in the Lake Grounds play area should be completed before we commit any more money for equipment there.

The final decision was for the Town Council part of the Council Tax to remain the same as last year - £36.92 for a Band D property, or about 71p per week. This was achieved by reducing the reserves by £33,685, and reducing the number of projects to be supported to two: the redevelopment of the Youth Centre, to which the Council was already committed, and the community facility in the Village Quarter (£50,000 and £70,000 respectively). In addition, £10,000 is to be reserved as a Youth Recreational Incentive Budget to be used to encourage some projects, which are currently in the early stages, to progress.

Planning Committee
The December meeting had a long list of major applications to consider, three for the Village Quarter, one for the dockside and a landscaping plan for the Coastal Zone. A common concern was the failure of developers to propose houses with an Eco-rating of Very Good or better, in line with current agreements. There is also no attempt to include water conservation measures and other sustainable construction, or to include recycling bins in the bin store. Where public space is part of the plans, the Council has requested North Somerset Council to apply the principles of the Replacement Local Plan and to use the powers available to them to ensure the provision of facilities such as public toilets, seats, dog-bins etc.

One of the applications for the Village Quarter was for extra-care bungalows and flats, for vulnerable people – probably elderly. While welcoming the proposal, an eagle-eyed member of the committee noticed that some living rooms are adjacent to a bedroom in a neighbouring flat. We requested that this should be amended.

January’s meeting was no less challenging. We had a request from the Oil and Pipeline Agency to convert the Crown Immunity of its site at Redcliffe Bay into permission to operate under the appropriate regulations in relation to the storage and distribution of hazardous substances. It was the view of the Council and the members of the public present that the application was faulty, as it referred to receipt of the fuel by road and rail, and that the fuel included petrol – neither of which has been historically true. Our recommendation was that the application should be refused. The Council is to make the matter the subject of a complaint to our Member of Parliament, and also seek to arrange a meeting directly with the OPA. In addition, the Council has informed North Somerset Council that it wishes to be consulted about any future changes in the operation of the site and requested that North Somerset’s Environmental Services department examine the pollution (smell of fuel) reported by several people.

We also discussed the first application for a wind turbine in the town. Many Councillors expressed interest in the idea as a way for individuals to contribute to the reduction of carbon in the atmosphere and possibly save some money in the medium term. However, this application placed the turbine on a roof very close to the bedroom in the neighbouring house, and on those grounds of noise we objected to the application.

Community Facility in the Village Quarter
Negotiations continue on the plans to attach a community hall to the new school – now named Trinity Anglican Methodist Primary School. Position and cost are the most immediate problems. The project is currently going through the planning process and money has been allocated in the Town Council’s 2007-2008 budget for the first instalment of construction costs. At the same time, we are giving close attention to the method of operation and allocation of responsibilities between the Council and the School Governors, once the building is completed.

Skateboard Park
The Town Council has now relinquished its leadership of the project to establish another skateboard park in the town. Whilst the Council continues to pledge its support for the project, it was necessary for an independent group to be formed to enable grants which are not available to local authorities to be sought.

Following meetings between Councillors and Gordano School Council, this new group, Portishead Skateboard Project, carried out a consultation exercise with pupils at the school. This indicated a substantial demand for a skateboard park. A leaflet was also delivered to many parts of the town during January, asking householders for their views on possible sites. The results are expected shortly.

Zebra Crossing in North Weston
The Council is very concerned about the length of time being taken by North Somerset Council to install the zebra crossing in North Weston. Detailed costings have still to be received, but the Council has agreed to continue with the project based on the provisional figures originally provided. Funding was earmarked in the 2006-2007 budget and carried through to 2007-2008.

There is a separate dispute about the cost of the plans for the location originally proposed. The Town Council does not consider that they should fund these plans as they were following North Somerset Council’s professional advice in choosing the location. It has been extremely difficult to get responses from North Somerset Council on all aspects of the crossing, and this lack of communication has now been referred to the Chief Executive.

Lease of Playing Field to Portishead AFC
The terms of the lease have now been agreed and it is hoped that it will be signed shortly. It allows for a 90% rebate on the commercial terms if the club continues to support the provision of junior football and manages a minimum of 104 organised Junior Football matches each season.

St Mary’s Road
Following the completion of Gordano School’s Travel Plan, North Somerset Council has re-examined the traffic problems at the bottom of St Mary’s Road, and is proposing some changes. These include a wider footway on the northern side and a raised table west of the vehicle exit. In addition, ‘school keep clear’ and zig-zag markings will be painted to prevent parking in the vicinity of the access. These measures were supported by the Council.

Streets and Open Spaces Surgery
As reported in the last edition North Somerset Council’s Streets and Open Spaces Area Officer has commenced a fortnightly drop-in surgery in the Fedden Room at the Folk Hall, when residents can speak to him directly about any concerns they have about highways, waste management, and streets and open spaces issues. The next surgery dates are: March 8th and 22nd, April 5th and 19th all at 10-11 am.

North Weston Village Hall
If you need a small hall for a regular or a single booking, then why don’t you consider this new hall, which has excellent facilities? There are a few gaps during the week, mostly during the day, but if you contact the Administrator, Mrs Pat Walters on 849203, she can give you the full details.
 

Portishead and North Weston Town Council News August 1 2006

 Community Facilities in Village Quarter

 It is a source of regret to many Councillors and residents that the current plans for the development of the Ashlands (or Village Quarter) do not include any form of community meeting place.  The plans for a school on the development are now forging ahead, and the application for planning permission is expected in the Autumn.  As a voluntary aided school, sponsored by the Church of England and the Methodist Church, funding is being provided by the churches for a religious function of the school out of school hours as well as curriculum support.  A school hall can usually be hired for use after the school day, but that day is getting longer with the government expectations of the extended school day, thus limiting the number of hours available.  And in any case, evening hours are not suitable for toddler groups, senior citizens’ coffee mornings and the like.

 At the July meeting the Council were delighted to receive a report outlining the possibility of a community hall built into the roof space of part of the school building, with separate and accessible entrances.  The proposal received cross party support and an agreement to fund it up to a maximum of £160 000 over 2 years, if no other sources of funding become available in that time.  The ward Councillors, Mrs Daisy Bickley and Mrs Jean Lord, together with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman, will work with the temporary governing body on the project, and will negotiate the agreements about usage, once the school is running.   Councillor Arthur Terry is a member of that governing body.

 Council Finances

 Summer is the time of year when the Town’s finances are audited by an external auditor.  You will no doubt be reassured to know that we can demonstrate that your money is correctly accounted for according to Local Government rules.  This year was a difficult year.  The need to make regular payments for the building of North Weston Village Hall meant that a very close eye had to be kept on the cash flow, before we received the second tranche of the Council Tax money in September.  We owe particular thanks to the Clerk for achieving this in accordance with the financial plan. 

Portishead in Bloom

 July saw the judging for the Britain in Bloom competition.  Portishead’s entry is organised by Portishead in Bloom, who put enormous effort into both the competition, and ensuring our streets look bright with flowers throughout the year.  This year, they have the ambition of a gold award, but were thrown off track by some poor general maintenance of open spaces by the contractors.  This was remedied in the last few days before the judge arrived.   The Town Council did its part by joining the Lions Club in their litter picking evening, so all was set fair for a good display on the 21^st July.  We look forward to the announcement of the results.

 Planning Committee

 The Council has been discussing the way it handles the planning applications which are sent to it by North Somerset Council for comments before the decision is made in Weston-super-Mare. The review is necessary because of the great increase in the last few years, and the availability of plans on the web-site in the last year.  Most of the detail is internal, but the most notable effect for the public, is a recommendation that the meetings be held on weeknight, probably Wednesday.  The decision will be made the day after this report goes to print, so please contact the Council office to check if you wish to attend a meeting. 

 Junction 19

 Along with Councillors from Portbury, Easton-in-Gordano and Pill, we had a presentation from North Somerset Highways Department on the proposed new arrangements at Junction 19.  These include traffic lights on the A369 on both approaches to the roundabout.  The scheme proposes an extra lane on the Portbury Hundred as it joins the roundabout, the left lane marked for Royal Portbury Dock traffic.  The entrance to Portbury Hundred from the roundabout will have 2 lanes, merging into one, and there will be appropriate changes to the markings on the roundabout lanes.  On the Portbury side, there will also be 3 lanes as the road meets the roundabout, and minor changes to the entrance to Portbury High Street in an effort to reduce queuing.  There does not appear to be any hope that the Highways Agency will widen the northbound slip road to 2 lanes in order to clear the roundabout more quickly.  However, the consultant who has been brought in by North Somerset Council to review the scheme, estimates that the number of vehicles which can enter the roundabout from Portishead in the morning rush hour will increase by up to 80%.

Zebra Crossings

Following the acceptance of the School Travel Plans for the Highdown Schools, a zebra crossing has been approved for Down Road.  This is not strictly a Council proposal, but several Councillors have been involved in drawing up the plans.  The Council has however been working closely for over 2 years with North Somerset Council for a crossing in the vicinity of North Weston Village Hall.  Surveys in the village indicated great support for it, and the Council has put money into its reserves to fund it. We were therefore shocked and dismayed to find that at the last moment the location was not confirmed.  It is expected that representations will be made, but even if they are successful, the project will be delayed.

Copy of the new letter is available in PDF format - click on image above to download

The RED ARROWS Visit Portishead June 10th 2005

Click on image above to see more pictures.

Portishead Remembers - Sunday 14th November 2004

On a bright sunny Sunday, Portishead remembers the fallen of many conflicts passed.

Local dignitaries stood in solemn remembrance as they watched the Remembrance Day Parade through the High Street. This was followed by the Remembrance day service at St. Peter's Church.

Portishead Flower Show 2002

Wonderful Weather Helped a Wonderful Show