MINUTES OF MEETING OF HARDINGTON MANDEVILLE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 16th JANUARY 2007 AT 7.30PM AT THE VILLAGE HALL |
|---|
| 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, Rob Lloyd, Malcolm White and Bill Turner.
IN ATTENDANCE
Diane Howes (Clerk), Cathy Bakewell (County Councillor) Jayne Jones (District Councillor) and one member of public.
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE were received from Alan Cornelius (District Councillor) and Kevin Margetts.
2. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 21st NOVEMBER 2006 AND PLANNING MEETING HELD ON 3RD JANUARY 2007 (Already Circulated). The minutes were approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.
3. FELIX MARSH NEW RURAL HOUSING ENABLER AT SOMERSET COMMUNITY COUNCIL.
Peter Bysouth outlined the background to the proposed scheme. Felix Marsh was asked to clarify the allocation process. He said that the criteria as set out were:
- Existing residents needing separate accommodation.
- People whose work required them to work in the village.
- People who are not necessarily living locally but have strong links.
- People with the offer of a job in the locality.
- Existing residents who would qualify under the usual housing criteria.
Rob Lloyd asked if the Parish Council would have more control over allocation of a Community Land Trust was set up. Felix Marsh said he had not yet worked on one but he would find out more. He felt it may be possible, if the need was for more single accommodation, to look at addressing that. Peter Bysouth queried whether a Community Land Trust could access finance as easily as a Housing Association. Felix Marsh felt it was easier for a Housing Association. He will get more details and forward them to the Clerk. Peter Bysouth then asked if Felix Marsh had had any experience of planning gain - ie if a landowner was prepared to sell land for affordable housing the planners would give planning permission for say 2 for private use. He had not personally been involved in such a scheme. Malcolm White queried the value of sites for affordable housing and Felix Marsh confirmed it was around £5000 per dwelling. Robin Carpenter asked how many parallel situations have been successful. Felix Marsh said he had not had to address the need for single persons' accommodation. Finding a site is quite a common problem but he felt it is possible to overcome this. Often landowners would come forward with the offer of land and hope that they might get planning approval for private housing adjacent at a later date. The two sites identified by the Parish Council were shown to Felix Marsh. Felix Marsh agreed to contact the Clerk when he has further information.
4. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
a) Parish Website. Peter Bysouth mentioned putting the Village Hall booking diary on the website. Brian Dodd asked if it was time to open the website up to the world or to still restrict it locally. Peter Bysouth and Robin Carpenter felt they would like to see the website opened up. It was suggested that the Clerk advertise in the Messenger asking what people would like to see.
b) SALC MEETING. Peter Bysouth reported on a meeting that he attended with the Clerk about the proposed change in local government to a single tier (or unitary authorities). The government has the power to force authorities to change. The status quo is not an option. The time scale involved is very short - consultation to end January 2007, decision June 2007, shadow elections May 2008, new unitary authority May 2009. Somerset County Council is proposing a county wide unitary authority. South Somerset was putting forward a plan which will comprise 2 unitary authorities - East Somerset which will combine South Somerset and Mendip and West Somerset which will combine Taunton, Sedgemoor and West Somerset. The implications for Parish Councils will be a new 'power of well being', PC clusters which could give a stronger voice, there will be delegated powers and the possibility of full time Parish Clerks shared between several parishes. Comments can be made on the SSDC website.
c) Village Hall Parking. W Turner said that after much consideration he had decided to decline from selling part of his field as a car park for the village hall.
5. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST. Peter Bysouth declared an interest in item 12d.
6. DISTRICT & COUNTY COUNCILLORS' REPORTS (By invitation)
Cathy Bakewell reported on the proposed change to a single tier authority. In addition to the facts reported by the Chairman she also said that the council tax increase would be pegged at 2% for 5 years.
The Clerk had received a report from Alan Cornelius (District Councillor):
Clare Freeman, Head of Countryside, Heritage and Tourism Service had reported that during the year £147K had been secured from the Heritage Lottery Funding for the Ham Hill Access Officer and a pilot programme for Heritage Information Centre.
SSDC members will be considering the views of parish councils and the options open to them with regard to the Government White Paper - Re-organisation of Local Government Structures - at a special meeting of the Full Council on Thursday 18th January.
7. PLANNING MATTERS
a) 07/00038/FUL Erection of single storey extension at Thatcherswell, 350 High Street for Mr A Middleton. The Parish Council had no objections.
Results of previous applications:
b) 06/04001/FUL Conversion and extension of garage/store to form disabled unit plus garage at Primrose Cottage, Hardington Moor (Revised application). Refused.
c) 06/03687/FUL The erection of a conservatory at The Old Stables, Moor Lane for Mrs S K Raymont. Approved with conditions.
d) Robin Carpenter said that the application for mobile homes etc at Partway Lane for Mr and Mrs Small was not now showing on the website. The Clerk will investigate.
8. FOOTPATHS
a) Post Office to Moor Lane. The Clerk had emailed Lynda Neal at SCC to enquire latest position but had not received a reply.
b) Kevin Margetts had sent a message saying that he had been approached about horses being ridden along the footpath between Moor Lane and North Lane. Robin Carpenter said he had spoken to Mr Kong (the landowner) who was not concerned and as the path has a hard surface this should not be a problem. He felt it would be polite to speak to Mr Kong before riding along this path.
9. HIGHWAYS
a) Wimborough Lane has been totally re-surfaced. The last drain on the south side at the west end of Wimborough Lane is blocked.
b) The Clerk had received a report of a meeting between Kevin Margetts and Tom Greaves. This was circulated to Councillors.
c) A complaint was made from the Pre-School concerning dogs fouling the area around the Village Hall. It was understood that a visit had been made from the Environmental Health Dept. A complaint had also been received about dogs fouling the churchyard.
10. PARISH LENGTHSMAN SCHEME
a) The Clerk had received an email from Elaine Peters confirming that the Lengthsman had finished clearing the lane from North Lane to the Ridge. He was not prepared to dig a ditch along the west side of the lane from the Post Office to Moor Lane as he felt it was private property. In future he would be in the village on the last Friday of every month.
b) Rob Lloyd reported on a meeting at East Coker. The Lengthsman will be in the village on Friday 23rd March (holiday). The lane from North Lane to the ridge was discussed and Richard Thorne suggested diagonal drains but to do this would cost around £300 which is about half the annual allowance for the Parish. A gully scoop had been purchased for clearing drains and a larger one is on order. County rangers have carried out work on East Coker footpaths. The cost to Hardington will be £636.68 next year. 6 other parishes were represented and all claimed to be very satisfied with the scheme. Most areas use the lengthsman for litter picking (Rob Lloyd met Mike Bickerton the next morning picking up litter). It was agreed to pay the lengthsman a bonus in August of £500. The next lengthsman meeting will be on 12th June at 7.30pm.
c) The drain by The Spinney needs clearing out. Malcolm White suggested asking the Lengthsman to do this with his new gulley scoop.
d) Rob Lloyd reported that the lane from North Lane to the Ridge has been cleared. There is a very wet patch which could be rectified with hardcore rather than renewing the drain pipes. Malcolm White offered to look at this.
e) Robin Carpenter said that the stile at Partway Lane on the East side and North of Chinnock Brook needs a double foot plate rather than the single one at present. It also needs repairing.
f) The drain by Welkin Cottage needs clearing.
g) The drain at Partway Lane/Barry Lane needs clearing.
h) Renewal of membership of the Parish Lengthsman scheme was discussed and it was agreed to renew for a further year and reconsider next year.
11. RISK MANAGEMENT
a) A quotation for £1666.15 (inc VAT) had been received from Darch Oil for renewal of the oil tank at the Village Hall. Clerk was asked to obtain 2 further quotations - Brian Paulley and Vic White were suggested.
b) The Clerk had received a letter from Andrew Middleton confirming that the Village Hall Committee are satisfied with the insurance cover.
c) The Clerk has received the new Register of Electors.
12. AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Nothing more to report.
13. FINANCE
a) A cheque was raised for £390.55 for the Clerk's salary (£387.50) and expenses (£3.05).
b) The Bank Reconciliation was agreed and signed. The comparison of figures to be discussed at the next meeting.
c) A grant payment had been received from SSDC of £910.62 for work to the footpath at Moor Lane.
d) A cheque was raised for £910.62 payable to K Chant and C Robins for work on the footpath at Moor Lane.
e) The Clerk confirmed the hours worked as 26.5 hrs.
14. PARISH PLAN
The next meeting is on 17th January. The grant has been approved and it was only one of a few in the County to be approved. A copy of the application is on the website.
15. MEMBERSHIP OF THE PARISH COUNCIL
A letter was sent to Barry Knibbs on 3rd December 2006 explaining that as he had failed to attend a meeting in the previous 6 months he was disqualified from being a parish councillor. It was agreed to take no further action to replace Barry because of the imminent elections in May 2007.
16. CORRESPONDENCE
Avon and Somerset Constabulary had written warning of bogus tarmac companies (Clerk to mention in the Messenger). The Clerk had received a pack of information regarding the elections (mention in the Messenger). A letter had been received from Daphne Creed concerning cardboard recycling suggesting that the Parish Council look into providing a facility. After discussion the Clerk was asked to look into the possible siting of a recycling bin on land to the south of No 1 St James Terrace.
17. MATTERS OF REPORT & ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING
There were no matters of report.
18. 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 20th February 2007 at 7.30pm.