A message from Cath of the Footpaths sub-group of the Parish Council;

Dear walkers,
Lots of you will have noticed the “0520 notice of joint landowner and highways statement land adjacent Markham Farm Easton in Gordano“.(attached map on page 2 of the linked PDF). The parish council have been investigating this and there is currently no plan or permission to build on this land and it is still in the green belt.

However, the owners are establishing the public rights of way across this land so that if they do get permission (when the government suddenly decides that they can build on greenbelt as housing needs are very high) we will not be able to claim other footpaths exist on the land.

I am therefore trying to establish the footpath up the edge of the field from where you enter at the bridleway at Brookside playing field up to where it joins the footpath emerging from where the horse are (what was Shilton’s farm) as public right of way under the evidence of use from the section 31 of The highways act 1980.

We need as many evidence statements as we can get to prove it has been used as a footpath for at least 20 years. I don’t think this is a problem as I have memories of walking that way over 40 years ago.

What I would like you to do is print off and fill in the application form here and draw on a map the route (below), completed forms can be left at the resource centre for the Attention of the footpath committee and I will collect them from there. If we can get them done by the 28th in August we can put them in with the rights of way improvement plan.

Please feel free to share this with anyone who you think would be able to complete the form.

Thanks for all your support on this

 Cath

Details from the council on upcoming road cloasures that may impact residents:

Further closures of M5 Junction 19 and Martcombe Road (entrance and exit) are required by Highways England on the following dates:-

17-19 August 20.00-06.00hrs
28 Sept – 1st Oct 20.00-06.00hrs
6-14 October 20.00 – 06.00hrs

There will be a revocation of the left turn and a right hand turn created from High Street, Portbury.

Here are details from Highway England regarding diversions:-

Traffic from Portbury Hundred and M5 north

• Traffic wanting to travel M5 south will divert via M5 north to J18, Avonmouth and re-join M5 south via the Y loop
• Traffic wanting Martcombe Road will divert via M5 north to J18 Avonmouth, A4 Portway, A370, B3218 and B3219 Beggar Bush Lane to re-join A369 Martcombe Road (Vehicles not permitted on the Motorway) Non motorway traffic only wanting Martcombe road will divert via Royal Portbury Dock Road and Marsh Lane

Traffic from M5 south

• Traffic wanting Martcombe Road will divert via M5 south at J18 Avonmouth, A4 Portway, A370, B3218 and B3219 Beggar Bush Lane to re-join A369 Martcombe Road
• Traffic wanting Portbury Hundred will divert to M5 J20 and back to M5 J19

More can be found here & here.

At their recent meeting, the Parish Council was thrilled to talk about the way in which Bridge Road has been transformed by the work you have recently undertaken. The difference is remarkable and yet another example of the way in which you see that something needs to be done, you get out, take people with you and do it. It is heart warming to live in this village where there is so much care and concern for everyone and for the environment which we all share and enjoy. Your example is an inspiration for others and a great example to younger members of the community and The Parish Council congratulates you all and thanks you for your hard work.

Paul Kent (Chair) On behalf of all members of The Parish Council.

Following the Government’s announcement that schools will reopen to all children in September and attendance will again be mandatory, Crockerne C of E Primary School’s leadership team is in the process of detailed planning to manage this and mitigate the risks for all pupils, parents and staff.

To this end they have identified the need for a number of volunteers to assist in either marshalling queues at drop off and pick up times and/or supporting children with individual reading.

They have asked the Parish Council to assist in assessing the community’s ability to support the school at this time and compile a list of potential volunteers.

If you are able and willing to volunteer some of your time to support the school through the next chapter of this unprecedented and challenging period, please complete the following survey, which should take no more than 2 minutes.

Survey link is here > surveymonkey.co.uk/r/XQYRK2G

Note! All details provided may be shared between the Parish Council members and the school’s leadership team to allow planning to progress. If appropriate, you will be contacted in due course to confirm the school’s needs and your availability. In order to participate in reading sessions a safeguarding (DBS) check will be required, which the school will organise.

Most people in the village will know the Brookside playing field but only a few visit it regularly. Those who do, probably go so that children can use the play equipment, kick a ball around or perhaps have a picnic.

The land is owned by North Somerset Council, but leased to the Parish Council who manage it. The council is keen to improve the field in two main ways:

1. so it is more useful in our fight against climate change and for nature
2. so it offers more things to more people and so gets used more

So, we have a plan which involves creating a new and frequently mown five-a-side football pitch with goals, keeping the play equipment, planting more trees and creating areas that will encourage wild flowers and help pollinating insects.

You can see the whole plan here:

Please give us you opinion by completing the short questionnaire here:

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/SKFPV7M

Once the results of this consultation have been analysed we’ll review the plan, publish a final version and aim to begin implementing the plan in the autumn. We also hope that local people will want to help in different ways both in implementing the plan and in looking after the field in the longer term.

Here’s what the Fair Trade Foundation wrote:

Congratulations to Pill EIG Ham Green Fairtrade Group for being our Community of the Month! 🎉 They have been a Fairtrade Village since 2010 so this year marks a decade of campaigning for this vibrant local group. For the 25th anniversary of the Fairtrade Mark, they decided to hold an event and make their own version of the Mark. ‘The event was held in the shopping precinct, and everyone passing was invited to add a paint hand print onto the outline of the mark, making a sign which we can now use at events and which captured the imagination of the village.’

Well done all! 💚🖤💙

Source, here.

Here’s what Severn Ride & Stride are asking people if they can help out by filling in a quick survey:

“Please do share our Stations and Cycle Parking survey far and wide. This is the live link: https://tinyurl.com/AvonmouthBikeTrainSurvey

We are wanting public input on facilities needed to reduce number of bikes on trains and increase security of bikes on stations. Even those who don’t currently use the train or cycle should take part if there is potential they may consider it. Please do also add your own opinions of course!”

The Parish Council is a small group of local residents who meet each month to take decisions on local amenities, resources and input into wider local government areas such as planning and housing. The Parish Council is always looking for people to join the group and take an active role in the community and with the current COVID-19 crisis, local leadership has never been more important. Below are a few questions and answers that might help you decide if joining the Parish Council for you?

Q: Parish? That sounds religious, is it?

A: Not at all. The ‘parish’ bit just describes the area we’re responsible for which is the Parish of Pill and Easton-in-Gordano. People of all faiths and none are welcome to join! We’re basically the third (and most local!) tier of local government.

Q: Is it a paid role?

A: No, all the Parish Councillors are volunteers who give a bit of time each month to help the community.

Q: Is it a political thing?

A: No, the Parish Council is a non-political group and people don’t identify as a party or ideology (though you can if you want to, up to you). The focus is on community action and support. The Parish Council is also aiming to have a wider group of people from all ages and walks of life as possible.

Q: What do people get out of doing it then?

A: Each person has their own reasons but the most common seems to be a desire to put back into the community we live in and, right now, help out during a time of crisis. There are other benefits too: it’s great experience with decision making and group work, and looks good on a CV in terms of the communication skills you use for the role and the positive contribution you make.

Q: So what do I need to commit too?

A: There’s a meeting of around 2 hours per month and papers to read before it, so the minimum is a couple of hours per month. You don’t need to make every single meeting. Currently the meetings are all held virtually. From there, issues and areas you feel passionate about; be the allotments, play areas, climate, planning, footpaths – any local issue – you can step up and do what you feel you can. There are a range of existing committees that take on different issues so there is structure and guidance to help you make a difference.

Q: What about COVID-19?

A: The council has been able to provide important local support during this time, both in supporting other local groups, liaising with the North Somerset Council and helping to clarify the rules locally.

Q: Who is eligible?

A: Any adult living or working in the Pill or Easton-in-Gordano area. There’s a few more detailed criteria listed below.

Q: Is it complicated to join?

A: No, it is super easy and we’ll guide you through the process. If it sounds like you’re interested, simply email Julie – eigparish.council@btinternet.com – and we’ll arrange to have a chat. There is more detailed information below on the process, but the best thing is always to get in touch. The Parish Council is a democratic body so if there are more people willing to do it than places, then there is an election. However currently we’re understrength so you’d be ‘co-opted’ to join, which is a fancy way of saying, ‘you’re in!’ Each member’s mandate to the role is renewed every 4 years either by election or co-option (if we are not at capacity)

Extra Information! Eligibility to Become a Parish Councillor

To stand for election/co-option on the Parish Council, you must: –

• a UK or Commonwealth citizen
• or be a citizen of another Member state of the European Union
• and be at least 18 years old

To be eligible to stand for an election for a parish, you must meet one of the 4 criteria: –

1. You are, and will continue to be, registered as a local government elector for the parish/community in which you wish to stand from the day of your nomination onwards.

2. You have occupied as owner or tenant any land or other premises in the parish/community area during the whole of the 12 months before the day of your nomination and the day of election/co-option.

3. Your main or only place of work during the 12 months prior to the day of your nomination and the day of election has been in the parish/community area.

4. You have lived in the parish/community area or within three miles of it during the whole of the 12 months before the day of your nomination and the day of election.

If you do become a Parish Councillor, you will have to sign up to the Parish Council’s Code of Conduct.

You must also not be disqualified from standing, including, but not limited to, the following disqualification reasons: –

• You are employed by the Parish/Community Council or hold a paid office under the Parish/Community Council (including joint boards or committees).
• You are the subject of a bankruptcy restrictions order or interim order.
  You have been sentenced to a term of imprisonment of three months or more (including a suspended sentence), without the option of a fine, during the five years before polling day.