MINUTES OF ANNUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE PARISH OF HARDINGTON MANDEVILLE HELD ON TUESDAY 18th APRIL 2006 AT 7.30PM AT THE VILLAGE HALL |
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IN ATTENDANCE
Peter Bysouth, Rob Lloyd, Barry Knibbs, Kevin Margetts, Alan Cornelius, District Councillor, Cathy Bakewell (County Councillor) Diane Howes,(Clerk) and 11 members of the public.
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE were received from Sue Philips (WI), Jayne Jones, Rev Richard Terrell, Brian Dodd (Parish website) and Andrew Middleton (Village Hall Committee).
2. MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL ASSEMBLY HELD ON TUESDAY 19th APRIL 2005
Robin Carpenter asked that his name be added to the minutes. After amendment 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 Chairman reported that the Parish Council met 14 times in the year - 11 regular meetings plus 3 special meetings to discuss planning applications. These special meetings were because of revised arrangements by the District Council to meet Government targets. The Parish Council made 2 visits during the year to look at sites suitable for affordable housing. The Chairman thanked Rob Lloyd, Bill Turner, Malcolm White and Kevin Margetts for organising these visits. Unfortunately owners of potential sites are not interested in selling. The Council is concerned that priority may be given to needy people in the surrounding parishes over less needy people from the Parish. Further investigation will be given to a Community Land Trust. 2005/06 saw the resurfacing of Lynch Lane and part of High Street, drainage works in Wimborough Lane and Hardington Moor, and a speeding survey at 3 points in the village. Kevin Margetts did much work in liaising with Tom Greaves from SCC Highways Authority. There were some problems with the Lengthsman scheme early in the year and Stan Turner and Roy Hodder had attended our November meeting to resolve these. Elaine Peters has offered to be the Lengthsman's co-ordinator in the village.
Following changes in the licensing laws, the Parish Council decided to obtain and pay for a Parish Licence; this was a cheaper and more convenient way of obtaining cover for the various locations in Hardington Mandeville and Pendomer. Andrew Middleton offered to be the Designated Premises Supervisor and his training will take place next month.
Other activities in the year were a new noticeboard at Hardington Moor, footpaths and support for the church, the Pre-School and the Village Hall.
During 2006/07 the Council would like to progress the affordable housing, resolve the highway and drainage problems in the Parish - particularly in Wimborough Lane - and support the Village Hall Committee in its work and of course represent the views of the village to the best of its ability.
The Chairman, on behalf of the Parish Council, thanked Brian Dodd for his work on the Parish Website, Clerk Diane Howes, District Councillors Jayne Jones and Alan Cornelius, County Councillor Cathy Bakewell and all the numerous people in the parish who help run the various organisations.
Robin Carpenter clarified that as a result of the speeding survey the County Council felt there was no problem.
5. INVITATION TO LOCAL REPRESENTATIES TO ADDRESS THE MEETING
David Platten, Church Warden reported that during the past 12 months there have been 63 services attended by more than 1511 people. These included one baptism service and one wedding. There were many other notable events. Improvements needed to the church are restoration of the interior plasterwork, and repair and restoration of the Church clock - this work has already commenced. Still to be undertaken are repair of the interior floors and repairs to the South West dry stone wall.
Cathy Bakewell - County Councillor agreed that Wimborough Lane was an ongoing problem. Cathy asked that everyone be told that a system of free bus passes started from 1st April for anyone over 60 or who is disabled. These are valid between 9 am and 11 pm. Parishioners need to telephone 01935 462235 to apply. The Clerk will advertise this in the Messenger. Mike Bickerton asked for an explanation of the Nippy bus and Cathy Bakewell explained that on request the bus would divert around Hardington.
Alan Cornelius - District Councillor reported that during the past council year, both of the ward members have continued to serve on the Council's Area South Committee with a near 100% record of attendance. This involves the full range of area-based responsibilities in the fields of planning, economic development, leisure and culture, health and environment. In particular, at meetings which have considered the Inspector's report and further modifications of the Local Plan, they have both fully supported the views of the parish councils and the majority of their parishioners in resisting the allocation of major development within the boundaries of the Ward.
As a member of the Environment and Waste Policy Advisory Panel, Councillor Jayne Jones has been this year again actively involved in the extended roll-out of the Doorstep Re-cycling Service, as well as numerous other aspects of that panel's agenda. She also serves as the Council's representative on the Environmental Improvements Group and as a Trustee of the William Ruddock Almshouse Trust.
Alan Cornelius has continued to serve as Chairman of the Council's Regulation Committee, which determines those Planning Applications that have been 'referred' by the area committees. He has also been the Council's nominated Trustee of the Wyndham Trust (grants to local secondary schools for local archaeology and history projects) and the John Knowes Exhibition Foundation (grants for students from local secondary schools who have been awarded places on courses of further or higher education).
The Clerk was asked to publicise the John Knowes Exhibition Foundation in the Messenger.
Brian Dodd - Parish Website (report by email). The website has now been running for almost a year and has over 50 pages. He still intends to add photographs of local scenes around the village in earlier decades and would welcome sight of any old photographs.
Andrew Middleton - Village Hall Committee (report by email) The Village Hall Committee started the year by commissioning a thorough survey of the hall to understand the extent of maintenance and repair work needed. Unsurprisingly, this revealed a long list of items needing attention.
As in previous years, the committee's first priority has been to maintain the fabric of the hall to keep the building weatherproof. Further work has been done on the flat roofs and dormer window, which are now in serviceable condition throughout. The Hall Committee have also been able to redecorate the hall and foyer, for which they owe great thanks to Karen Clotworthy and her team of volunteers, who undertook all the work.
Thanks are also due to Sue Phillips and the WI who have raised sufficient money to replace all the chairs in the hall.
A generous legacy from Mrs Rosemary Cripps has allowed them to replace the tables in the hall and will provide the money to allow replacement of the front doors in double glazed UPVC.
Thanks to all those who have worked so hard to raise funds through the Carnival, Pantomime and Turkey Supper.
Finally, he expressed gratitude for the continuing financial support of the Parish Council.
Brian Bower - Neighbourhood Watch thanked the Messenger team for publicising information from Somerset and Dorset Police. There is a lookout team on the internet to get messages immediately but stressed the need for security, locking doors and cars etc.
Anne Lunt - Horse Show and Players thanked Bill Turner for loan of the land for the horse show and support from villagers. 'Players' is a community effort. They are talking to the village hall committee about possible changes to staging and storage. They have now formed a formal group in order to get funding from various sources. On a personal note, Anne thanked Kevin Margetts for his work in getting the flooding at Hardington Moor sorted out.
6. TALK BY INSPECTOR NEIL PITMAN of Avon and Somerset Constabulary.
Inspector Pitman explained that his area covers South Somerset except Yeovil. Last year performance figures were quite poor but in the last 18 months they have tried very hard to improve this. He accepted that there is a long way to go. Hardington Mandeville is fortunate in being a low crime area. His area is looking to introduce neighbourhood policing and make the service more community based. Police numbers will not increase but police community officer numbers will. He is hoping for one per ward. These officers will be supported by a beat manager and the scheme should start about March 2007. Inspector Pitman explained that police community officers could be recognised by their different uniform and they do not have the same powers as a police officer. They will deal with low level areas of crime within the community. They can issue an ASBO or a ticket for graffiti. Cathy Bakewell asked Inspector Pitman to confirm local PCOs would not be taken away from the area and Inspector Pitman agreed. Rob Lloyd asked if a PCO for this area would come to Parish Council meetings. Inspector Pitman explained that the idea is that the PCO would become well known to the Parish, a very familiar figure and would know the community. Mike Bickerton asked about contacting the PCO. He should be accessible and would have a mobile number.
Mike Bickerton raised the question of speeding and asked what could be done. After discussion Inspector Pitman said that he would be prepared to support a 30mph speed limit if this was required. Cathy Bakewell felt that police support would be useful. He asked that the Parish Council write to him with details of the speed survey if required.
7. CLOSURE
There being no further business the Chairman declared the Assembly closed.
Refreshments were then served (grateful thanks to Gillian Bysouth).