IN ATTENDANCE

Peter Bysouth, Malcolm White, Rob Lloyd, Barry Knibbs, Kevin Margetts, Alan Cornelius (District Councillor), Cathy Bakewell (County Councillor), Diane Howes (Clerk), and 31 members of the public.

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE were received from W Turner, Sue Philips, Karen Clotworthy, Kayne Jones, Alan and Pauline Grassam, Rod Heal.

2. MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL ASSEMBLY HELD ON TUESDAY 20th APRIL 2004

The minutes were approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

3. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

There were no matters arising.

4. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

The Parish Council met 12 times in the past year every month except December plus one site meeting. The Parish Council had continued to pursue the Affordable Housing project in the village and have recently met with the Planning Officer to look at possible sites. The Chairman stressed that anyone interested in being provided with one of these houses must complete the necessary forms and get on the Housing list.

The Parish Council has supported the Village Hall throughout the year, paying the hall insurance, providing new windows, fire exit doors and replacement garage door. An emergency grant of £3000 has also been made to enable urgent repairs to the roof of the storage rooms.

The village website has also been developed by Brian Dodd and Gill Carter who offered to set up the site. Thanks were expressed to Brian and Gill for their hard work. The Parish also joined the Lengthsman scheme which is operated in the Coker Ward. Some immediate changes such as painted signposts have been seen and long term work to drains, ditches and rainwater runoffs will be seen when these are cleared. Mud on the roads has been an ongoing problem, not helped by blocked drains. Lynch Lane and the High Street are to be resurfaced during the coming year.

Concern was expressed over speeding vehicles in the village and consequently a speed survey has recently been carried out which the Parish Council will be following up.

The Chairman expressed gratitude to the Parish Clerk, to Alan Cornelius, Jayne Jones and Cathy Bakewell and all the numerous people in the Parish who help run the various organisations.

Peter Love asked what the speed survey would show. Peter Bysouth explained that it measured the speed, number of vehicles and time. Graham Quinton felt that the speed lines at Lyatts were too close to the bend, this was agreed but apparently they need to be attached to a post.

5. INVITATION TO LOCAL REPRESENTATIES TO ADDRESS THE MEETING

Daphne Creed, Church Warden thanked the Parish Council for their financial support and also the dedicated parishioners who clean the Church, arrange the flowers, cut the grass and maintain the Church grounds, the bellringers, organists and choir and all others who do jobs in and around the Church. She also thanked Peter Bysouth for keeping the books, Eve Lloyd secretary and David Platten her fellow Churchwarden. The Friends of St Mary's Appeal was launched and the Messenger team and delivery people were thanked for their help in this. Roof repairs have been completed and repairs to the plasterwork inside will now be started. Repairs to the clock is the next project when the clock faces will be repainted and re-gilded.
Cathy Bakewell - County Councillor thanked the Parish Council for their welcome and help with various items over the year.
Alan Cornelius - District Councillor reported that both Ward Members had a near 100% attendance on the Council's Area South Committee. They were pleased to be associated with the award of £511 grant from the Community Chest towards the Hardington pre-school group's Tables and Chairs project. Jayne Jones has been actively involved in the extended roll-out of the Doorstep Re-cycling Service. Alan Cornelius expressed thanks to the Chairman, Councillors and Clerk of the Parish Council as well as Parishioners of Hardington for all their help and friendship during the past year.
Brian Tucker - Village Hall Committee reported that expenditure on the Village Hall over the previous year had been £7700 and that £16000 had been spent over the last 3 years. He thanked all those who had taken part in fund raising or given donations including the Parish Council. The Village Hall committee are hoping to carry out an informal survey of pending repairs.
Sarah Quinton - Hardington Pre-school Group thanked the Parish Council and the Hall Committee for their support. They have 30 children on the register and 5 staff who are very closely involved with the village.
Chris Turner - The Messenger thanked all who had contributed funds and articles each month. Also thanked those who delivered the Messenger each month. Also thanked Nicky from print room of SSDC for producing the Messenger each month and at such a viable cost. Looking forward to the 10th anniversary in October.
Graham Quinton expressed concern at the item in the Messenger last month concerning the 'lifting' of items for the Western Gazette. He stressed that anything he passed to the Western Gazette was to give advance publicity but in the future he would only pass on items where groups specifically asked. The WI, Church and Pre-School were happy for any publicity.
Anne Lunt said that they welcomed any publicity for the Horse Show and the Pantomime. She was quite happy as comments were attributed to the correct person.
Chris Turner apologised to Graham Quinton for any offence caused which had not been meant.
Dave Simpson - Hardington Craft Show thanked the Village Hall committee for use of the hall. Last year's show was very successful. Peter Bysouth thanked organisers.
Brian Bower - Neighbourhood Watch thanked the Messenger team for passing on information from Somerset and Dorset Police. There is a lookout team on the internet to get messages immediately. A vehicle was recently spotted in the village and thanks received from Police. Fortunately there is not a lot of crime in the village. He is willing to email information to anyone who would like information immediately.

6. PRESENTATION OF THE PARISH WEBSITE

Brian Dodd and Gill Carter introduced the Parish Website. The explained that they had followed requirements which had been outlined by the Parish Council and the website could be adapted or changed as required. The website gave a brief history of the village, a description of the village with map, list of future events, recycling dates, as well as what is on in the village (panto, craft show, etc). Also included were details of Parish Councillors and the Clerk, minutes and agendas of Parish Council meetings, together with planning applications over the last year and the Parish Council accounts. There were many other items included on the website including a bus timetable, local contacts, and details for hiring the Village Hall. There was discussion as to whether the Messenger should be included either in its entirety, without names or not at all. It was agreed to publish the website address (www.hardington.net) in the Messenger in order that parishioners can take a look and all comments should then be passed to the Clerk.
Robin Carpenter suggested there could be a link to the Design Statement and also the Definitive map linked to SSDC. The question of copywright needed to be checked.
The WI and Preschool have expressed an interest in having a page on the website. Peter Bysouth suggested that other organisations should be asked.
Anne Lunt asked who would be responsible for updating the website and Peter Bysouth confirmed that Brian Dodd had offered to do this.

7. CLOSURE

There being no further business the Chairman declared the Assembly closed at 9.00 pm.

Refreshments were then served (grateful thanks to Gillian Bysouth).