The Minutes of the previous meeting (October 2006)
MINUTES OF MEETING OF HARDINGTON MANDEVILLE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 21st NOVEMBER 2006 AT 7.30PM AT THE VILLAGE HALL |
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| Members were reminded that the Council has a general duty to consider the following matters in the exercise of any of its functions - Equal Opportunities (race, gender, sexual orientation, marital status & any disability); Crime & Disorder, Health & Safety and Human Rights. Diane Howes, Parish Clerk |
PRESENT
Peter Bysouth, Robin Carpenter, Kevin Margetts, Rob Lloyd, Malcolm White and Bill Turner.
IN ATTENDANCE
Diane Howes (Clerk), Cathy Bakewell (County Councillor) and 6 members of public.
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE were received from Alan Cornelius and Jayne Jones (District Councillors).
Before the meeting started Paul Richards asked if he could speak about his application to extend the temporary application which had been discussed at a previous meeting. The Parish Council had raised objections to this application. Mr Richards explained that he wants to maintain the farm and run and education site. Mr Richards said there would be no coaches which was a concern of the Parish Council, only 4 people at any one time. He has a website www.happy-rabbit.co.uk. Mr Richards also stated that there was no confidential information which has been withheld as suggested by the Planning Office. Mr Richards said he was asking for the Parish Council to support his application. Peter Bysouth confirmed that the planning office had told him there was private and confidential information. Peter Bysouth also asked if there was a viability report on the farm and Mr Richards said this had been given to the Planning Office together with a 3 year projection. He also confirmed that the farm was bio-dynamic, not organic. Peter Bysouth felt that an application for an agricultural building would need justification which was not shown. Peter also reminded everyone of the details of the application. He also mentioned the temporary building that was erected but was not what was approved and this had been confirmed by the Planning Authority. Mr Richards objected to this. Robin carpenter felt that the plans for the temporary building were confusing. He felt that there could have been wrong plans sent to the Parish Council. The plans sent to the Parish Council were standard plans whereas Mr Richards said that his was a one-off design. Peter Bysouth confirmed that it could not be discussed at this meeting as it was not on the agenda but the Parish Council could go back the Planning Office if it was felt necessary.
Mr Newman then asked if he could say a few words about his application which was to be discussed at this meeting. Mr Newman said he has marked the size of the extension out on the site. The additional width was needed in order to get the necessary headroom. The application is described as a granny annexe as it needs to be tied into the existing house. It needed to be capable of housing a young couple if necessary. Robin Carpenter asked if there was an elderly disabled relative needing the accommodation. Mrs Newman said possibly her mother, but at a later date. They could possibly look at their daughter using it later. Mr Newman felt that something needed to be done with the building. Peter Bysouth said he had looked at the site and understood that the land needs to be dug out. Mrs Newman felt it would be hidden because of this. Rob Lloyd queried the number of bedrooms and Mr Newman said there are 3 bedrooms planned. Mrs Newman suggested that the proposed property could be used as affordable housing for the village but it was agreed by the Parish Council that this would impossible to enforce.
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST. There were no declarations of interest.
3. MINUTES OF MEETINGS HELD ON 17th OCTOBER 2006 (Already Circulated). The minutes were approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.
4. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
a) Parish Website. Brian Dodd asked the Clerk to check planning application references as there appeared to be a discrepancy between the Council minutes and SSDC list of planning applications. He reported that the website had been viewed by 35 people from all over the world.
b) The State of the District meeting is on 23rd November at 6.15pm - 9pm to look at Ambition for our Communities. Rob Lloyd will attend if possible.
c) The Council elections will be held on 3rd May 2007. The Clerk will advertise in the Messenger asking for possible candidates.
5. TREE PLANTING
Francis Jones explained to the Council that from next year someone would be employed part-time and would have £10,000 + for tree planting within the District. At the moment he is not sure of the exact amount of the grant. Francis was asking for suggestions or areas within the Parish where trees could be planted, he had been looking at verges. He understood that permission would be needed from the landowners who would own the verges. Francis then showed photos he had taken of proposed areas which included Penn Lane, Coldharbour Hill Lane, and Hill End - Landground Farm. Malcolm White felt that planting in the hedge rather than on the verge was preferable. They would need to be marked to be visible to a hedge cutter. Malcolm was also concerned that in the past tree planting was not followed up and the trees maintained. Francis Jones felt that tree planting should be spread over several areas and would also be looking at corners of fields. Malcolm White said he could offer 4 or 5 corners which would be suitable. Peter Bysouth felt that most farmers would be supportive.
6. DISTRICT & COUNTY COUNCILLOR'S REPORT (By invitation)
Cathy Bakewell reported that the County Council have supported a scheme of area working. County Councillors will work at District level and will have £15,000 devolved to them to be spent in agreement with local bodies. This is going to full Council to be implemented from April 2007. Below this will be neighbourhoods and this will be explained in detail at the SALC meeting. This is a local area agreement driven by Government. Rob Lloyd asked for an example of something that the Parish Council could ask for money to be spent on. Cathy Bakewell suggested that possibly a bus to Yeovil for an adult learning course.
7. PLANNING MATTERS
a) 06/04001/FUL Conversion and extension of garage/store to form disabled unit plus garage at Primrose Cottage, Hardington Moor (revised application). Robin Carpenter pointed out that the site was not within the structure plan. After much discussion and a vote 4:2, the Council objected to this application as it is outside the development area and not in accordance with the development plan.
b) No results of previous applications.
c) A letter had been received from the Planning Enforcement Service looking for views on the Enforcement Service. It was agreed that poor communication was the main problem with little response.
d) Woodentop Farm. It was agreed that no further action could be taken.
8. FOOTPATHS
a) Post Office to Moor Lane. The Clerk had spoken to landowners who had contacted her and would now wait for Lynda Neal SCC to follow up.
b) Work to the footpath from Moor Farm to North Lane has been completed and an invoice for £910.62 from the contractor sent to the SSDC for payment.
c) Robin Carpenter said that Anne Lunt had asked about bridleways. She may contact the Clerk.
9. HIGHWAYS
a) The gritting plan had been received showing gritting to take place through the village but only to Hill End.
b) A letter had been received from Mrs Quinton, which the Chairman read out, expressing concern about the parking by the village hall and suggesting the 'Slow Children' signs be put up. Robin Carpenter suggested the possible purchase of some of the land next door for a car park. Bill Turner said he would consider the matter and discuss at the next meeting. It was agreed that the Parish Council were not opposed to signs in principal but they felt that the parking on the dangerous bend makes it very dangerous. Clerk to write to Mrs Quinton.
c) The pot hole in Barry Lane has been repaired but it did take 7 men and 3 lorries.
d) The drain on Pig Hill is blocked as are the drains by the Royal Oak sign and Primrose Hill. Kevin Margetts confirmed that these had all been reported to the Highway Authority.
e) A gulley on the west side of the lane from the shop to Moor Lane is needed. It was suggested that this could be a job for the Parish Lengthsman.
10. PARISH LENGTHSMAN SCHEME
a) Rob Lloyd reported that these is about 50 yards still to clear on the lane from the Ridge to North Lane. It appears that only the reeds have been cut back. The branches need more firm trimming back. There is a deep gully halfway down which will need considerable work to make it totally satisfactory.
b) It was agreed to ask the Lengthsman to clear the rest of the reeds and cut back the hedges in this lane, and to look at digging a ditch along the west side of the lane from the shop.
11. RISK MANAGEMENT
A position for a new bunded oil tank had been agreed with the Village Hall Committee. This is on the north boundary wall in front of the garage door, but allowing for the door to be opened. Clerk to obtain 3 quotations for this work.
12. AFFORDABLE HOUSING
The Clerk had contacted Felix Marsh who will come along to the January meeting.
13. FINANCE
a) The Precept application was signed.
b) A cheque was raised for £70.00 payable to SSDC for renewal of the Premises Licence.
c) A cheque was raised for £1048.06 payable to AON for the Village Hall insurance. The Clerk had written to Andrew Middleton asking for his agreement to this.
d) The Clerk produced a timesheet showing that 17.25 hours had been worked the previous month.
14. PARISH PLAN
At a meeting on 31st October the application for a grant was agreed. The money is with the Community Council and available. The application will be submitted and the grant should be through early next year. Next meeting is on 17th January 2007.
15. CORRESPONDENCE
It was agreed that Peter Bysouth would complete the SSDC Local Council Survey and the Clerk would complete the South Somerset Local Development questionnaire.
16. MATTERS OF REPORT & ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING
a) The Chairman and Clerk will attend the SALC meeting on 11th December.
b) Rob Lloyd reported that the problem with Japanese Knotweed is under control in the village.
17. DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING & CLOSURE
There being no other business the meeting ended at 9.50pm. The next meeting with be on Tuesday 16th January 2007 at 7.30pm.