MINUTES OF ANNUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE PARISH OF HARDINGTON MANDEVILLE HELD ON TUESDAY 17th APRIL 2007 AT 7.30PM AT THE VILLAGE HALL |
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IN ATTENDANCE
Peter Bysouth, Rob Lloyd, Kevin Margetts, Bill Turner, Robin Carpenter, Alan Cornelius, (District Councillor), Diane Howes (Clerk) and 24 members of the public.
- APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE were received from Cathy Bakewell, Jayne Jones, Chris and Sue Turner (The Messenger), Peter Love.
- MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL ASSEMBLY HELD ON TUESDAY 18th APRIL 2006
The minutes were approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record. - MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
There were no matters arising. - THE GUEST SPEAKER Richard Oaten PCSOthen introduced himself and Anne Porter as PCSO support for himself and PC Mark Edgington. He is based in Crewkerne Police Station. Richard then went on to explain his powers and duties. He does not arrest people but can still carry out a citizen’s arrest. His role is to get into the communities. He covers a large area – North Perrott to Barwick and Stoford and therefore cannot carry out a foot patrol but will call in the village 2 or 3 times a week and will call into the Post Office and Playgroup. He covers the whole of the Coker Ward. He undertakes visits with the Community Contact vehicle and high visibility patrolling. Richard felt that crime in this area is not that high. Distraction burglaries are the main problem. He is always on the lookout for anything which might be unusual.
Richard then explained that Anne carries out admin and will forward any problems on to him. Both Anne and Richard have been in the force for some years and therefore bring experience with them. At the Parish Plan meeting he had been made aware of dog fouling in the village. Anne will be providing posters and he will be proactive in stopping dog fouling in the village and especially around the village hall.
Richard then talked about Sat Nav in vehicles. Many people programme in their home address. When a vehicle is stolen this leads the criminals straight to the owners house which is then burgled. Bogus callers are also a problem. Richard said he will pass on any information to the police.
Brian Dodd asked if the Police Community Contact vehicle could alternate its parking place between the Post Office and Mandeville Arms. This was agreed.
Rob Lloyd asked if Richard Oaten had a direct phone number but was told that he would need to use the 0845 45670000.
Anne Porter also mentioned that the Clerk has both her email address and phone number and messages can be passed to police this way.
Jonathan Chadwick expressed concern over speeding through the village. He felt that some of the larger vehicles were probably brought through the village because of inefficient Sat Nav. It was then explained that a survey had been carried out but the ‘powers that be’ had decided there was no need for a speed limit in the village. Fiona Chadwick asked how long it would be before a new survey could be carried out. Richard Oaten said he would raise the matter again. Bill Turner questioned who would police a speed limit if one was agreed to. Richard Oaten said that some other villages have speed watch committees and this is very effective, but only once a speed limit had been put in place.
The Chairman thanked Richard Oaten and Anne Porter. - 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. Although the provision of affordable housing has been an issue no progress was made last year. Following a change of Rural Housing Enabler at Somerset Community Council the new enabler, Felix Marsh attended the January meeting. Tour of potential sites will be arranged for him later in the year. The Parish Council are concerned that working with a housing association would lead to properties being allocated on a ‘needs’ basis to families from adjoining parishes and taking priority over Hardington people. The Council is now looking at how setting up a Community Land trust might avoid this problem.
The Council made the decision to proceed with the preparation of a Parish Plan for the village and a Steering Group was formed and successfully applied for a grant. Launch day was very successful and work has now commended on preparations for a questionnaire and hopefully completes the plan by the end of 2007.
Much time was spent by the Parish Council on planning applications, the Lengthsman scheme, footpaths, highways, dog fouling, the village hall, changes in local government and the parish website.
The chairman thanked Brian Dodd for his work on the website and also for being such a regular and, at times, the only non-councillor attendee at meetings.
Achievements during the year included resurfacing Wimborough Lane, new gates on the footpath between Moor Lane and North Lane to make it more accessible, the clearance of the track between North Lane and Coker Ridge and persuading the County Council to adopt the path between the shop and Moor Lane as a public right of way.
The Council would like to see the completion and adoption of the Parish Plan, progress toward the provision of affordable housing and continued improvement to our highways and rights of way system in the forthcoming year., and of course to represent the views of the village.
The Chairman thanked the many organisations and individuals who make a contribution to village life. The Chairman presented Alan Cornelius with a card and book token as a token of appreciation to Alan Cornelius, our district councillor, who is retiring after representing the Coker ward for the last 16 years. - INVITATION TO LOCAL REPRESENTATIES TO ADDRESS THE MEETING
- Andrew Middleton (Village Hall). The last year had the same level of bookings . Looking forward it has been decided that the main roof needs stripping off and re-doing. It is felt that this will be undertaken without a great deal of call for more funding. Work to the back of the hall will be left for the outcome of the parish plan. Andrew thanked all users of the hall and volunteers and the Parish council for their help. The AGM of the village hall is on Wednesday 26th April.
- Ann Lunt (Players). This is the first year the Players have formed a separate group. There are about 35 members plus a record number of under 18’swho have joined. Donations have been received from various sources, including lighting from Roger Cuff. Portable staging has been purchased which makes life easier. The Players now have a wide range of costumes which are available for hire. Although they are a separate group they are committed to supporting the village hall and hope to undertake more productions each year.
- Jonathan Chadwick (St Mary’s Church) He felt that annual festivities and baptisms are well attended and regular services seem to have an increased attendance. Most villagers will have noticed that the Church clock as been repaired and restored. Work to the Church wall and plaster damage in the Church will be attended to. Daphne Creed has recently been licensed to help at communion services. He mentioned also Derek Lawson who helps out playing the organ and also wanted to thank all those who help with cleaning, flower arrangements and the sidesmen.
- Fiona Chadwick (WI). Fiona thanked the village hall committee for maintaining the hall. The number of members has grown to 44 and they made use of the hall 12 times for their monthly meetings. They are recognised in the County as one of the most successful, providing a wide range of events. There have been many varied speakers during the year, yoga classes and a place in the website. The village breakfast served 110 breakfasts and this far exceeded expectations. The archives of the WI in the war years have been donated to the County Archives.
- Alan Cornelius (District Councillor). During the past year both Ward members served in the Council’s Area South Committee with a near 100% attendance. This involved planning, economic development, leisure and culture, health and environment. Both have supported the views o the Parish Councils and resisted the allocation of major development within the boundaries of the Ward. This local Plan was finally approved by the Council at its June meeting .
Jayne Jones , as a member of the Environment and Waste Policy Advisory Panel. Has been again actively involved in the extended roll-out of the Doorstep re-cycling service. She has also served as the council’s representative on the Environment 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 and also the Council’s nominated Trustee of the Wyndham Trust and John Knowes Exhibition Foundation.
Neither Jayne Jones or Alan Cornelius are standing for re-election but thanked the Chairman, Members and Clerk of the Parish Council as well as Parishioners of Hardington Mandeville for all their help and friendship during the past year. - Brian Dodd (Parish Website). Brian reported that there was now over 80 pages, the most viewed were the photos and What’s On. Brian then explained that up to now the website has been kept ‘in house’. He asked if it should be extended so that more people could look at it. He added that there is plenty of scope for activities to be represented. It is a facility for the village and he hoped people will use it and that it could be expanded to the world. Elaine Peters was of the opinion that it would never replace the Messenger but that it would be a good idea to put the website address at the bottom on the Messenger. It was agreed to make the website available world wide.
- The Chairman invited the public to raise any issues.
Anne Carruth made a plea for a 30mph speed limit. Recently there was a head on collision outside Strutmead Farm, fortunately no-one was hurt. A horse was killed a few years ago. It is also dangerous walking in the village because of speeding cars and children were in danger. Robin Carpenter felt that 20mph would be too fast and a 20mph limit would be needed. He also explained that the Parish Council had felt a speed limit was needed but following the survey the police did not agree. The Parish Council will approach the County Council to carry out another survey. Alan Cornelius felt this was a problem in other villages. He mentioned a sign recently erected on the A30 stating how many people had been killed on the past year on that road. He felt this was effective. Sally Norris was concerned about parking on the corner dangerous parking outside the village hall. This will be put on the agenda for the Parish Council’s May meeting. - Sue Phillips (The Messenger). The Messenger continues to thrive and she thanked everyone for contributions financial and written. She also thanked Chris and Sue Turner for all their hard work and also the team who distribute the Messenger.
- CLOSURE
There being no further business the Chairman declared the Assembly closed at 8.40 pm.
Refreshments were then served (grateful thanks to Gillian Bysouth).