Fwd: TCPC Report

Dave Wood, 11/11/23

Apologies for this month’s meeting.  We are very deep in the budget process now, Tuesday is a long day of working out how to make a lot of savings but trying to protect frontline services (see below for details).

There has been no appeal lodged for this application after it was turned down by the Council.  You’ll remember that other similar big applications were refused by the Council but then given the go-ahead on appeal.  No appeal by the deadline is a good sign that we now have the right policy environment that doesn’t allow this.

I have £650 left in my Ward Empowerment Fund for this year and I’m keen to contribute towards new goal posts.  I’m also happy to support grant application work to help raise more.

I’m happy to do my usual co-ordinating role for the village Christmas tree this year if that would be helpful.  Based on normal timescales Sunday 10th or 17th December at 4pm would be the normal time.  Do let me know.

The Council’s C&G week in the Chew Valley saw various things done in Temple Cloud, including the graffiti in the tricky spot on the footpath between Gillet’s Hill Lane and the village hall.

One thing they didn’t tackle I’d asked for was the path between Temple Cloud and Whitecross, where the path has narrowed with grass.  I have chased this up.

A few residents had been in touch about infrequent grass cutting by Curo.  I’ve been following this up and Curo had been experiencing problems with switching contractors but this should now be sorted.

I have referred the maintenance of the hedge to the Council’s planning enforcement department to investigate.  I think Philip has been investigating this too.

The full plans for all 15 areas is due to be sent to WECA in the next two months.  Temple Cloud residents voted on a long-list of possible intervention to make walking around the village easier and safer.

For all 15 schemes the long-list is being cut down to 3-4 interventions per community.  Fewer than expected but rising prices due to inflation means WECA can fund fewer interventions overall.

I’ll keep you updated on how this progresses.

You’ll be aware a new Local Plan process is underway to identify where houses will be built across B&NES over the coming years, to meet government house-building targets.

The plan makes a big difference to where houses are built.  Because Temple Cloud was not identified for housing in the current Local Plan this led to the recent big planning application being turned down.

My general principles here are that houses should be built where jobs and services are so we are not designing in long car journeys, or otherwise where the houses built will be genuinely affordable enough that local families can buy or rent.