The Minutes of the previous meeting (June 2007)

MINUTES OF MEETING OF HARDINGTON MANDEVILLE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 17th JULY 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, Kevin Margetts, Malcolm White, Bill Turner, David Beckley and Rob Lloyd.

IN ATTENDANCE

Diane Howes (Clerk), Hannah Lefeuvre (District Councillor) and one member of public.

  1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
    Malcolm White, Cathy Bakewell (County Councillor) and Lesley Boucher (District Councillor).
  2. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 19th JUNE 2007 AND PLANNING MEETING HELD ON 4TH JUNE 2007 (Already Circulated). The minutes were approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record record after agreeing that Item 12 should be Finance and Item 11c had already been mentioned under item 10.
  3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST.
    1. Declaration of Interest Forms received from Malcolm White and David Beckley. All other Councillors will return their forms to the Clerk by the end of the week.
    2. There were no declarations of interest relating to this meeting.
  4. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
    1. Parish Website. Brian Dodd confirmed that the registration has been renewed for the next 10 years. Photos of the Carnival are now on the website and the Players have a section. Brian had received details of a competition by the Community Council of Somerset for websites and newsletters. It was agreed that the website should be entered. Brian Dodd, as webmaster, will complete the application form. Judging is during August.
    2. Parish Plan. Peter Bysouth reported that a meeting to discuss suggestions raised by various groups is to be held on 8th August. A questionnaire will be trialled on small groups. Brian Dodd offered to put a copy of this questionnaire on the website.
    3. Cardboard Recycling. The Clerk explained the problems which had arisen over the size of the 'skip'. She had spoken to SSDC who said that Dowlish Wake and South Petherton are carrying out a similar cardboard recycling scheme. Clerk to contact these parishes to discuss the size of skips supplied, etc.
    4. Tree Planting. Francis Jones had confirmed that he will be going around the village soon with the person responsible for tree planting to agree a scheme.
    5. Parish Projects. An application for improvement to the surface of Coker Hill Lane has been submitted.
    6. A letter had been received from Hardington Pre-School thanking the Parish Council for the donation which had been used to fund a 'Take Art' project.
  5. DISTRICT & COUNTY COUNCILLOR'S REPORT
    Hannah Lefeuvre (District Councillor) reported as follows:
    There were no planning applications considered at Committee this month. Wooden Top Farm will go to Regulation in July. Regeneration of Yeovil Town Centre Strategy
    Update on the Bus Station, a cashpoint at Yeovil Leisure Park, resurfacing on lower Middle Street, Princes Street, Newton Road and developments on South West Terrace.
    Yeovil Town Centre Partnership 6-monthly report
    Reporting Streetscene issues, community safety, street dwellers, shop mobility, crime reduction, CCTV, radiolink and disabled access in the town. Successful June Continental Market. Impressive plans for a Flower and Gardeners' Market in September. Yeovil College Arts students engaging in window dressing for Christmas.
    Public Conveniences in Yeovil - members agreed to support a bid from Yeovil Town Council to County to fund modular toilets in Yeovil, in the interim period before the proposed Quedam redevelopment, scheduled for opening in spring 2010.
    6-monthly performance report on the Waste, Recycling and Transport Service exceeded all recycling and composting targets for 2006/7. Several tender documents have been submitted for the Somerset Waste collection service. Negotiations are underway with the preferred bidder, E.C.T. The possible provision of kerbside cardboard and plastic recycling and green bins is being included in discussions.
    1st resolution passed for proposed painting of Yeovil Vision mural to Gable End of 80 South Street, Yeovil.
    1st Resolution passed Box Factory Car Park on South Street for the site to be continued to be used as a car park.
    SOMERSET RURAL COMMUNITIES CONFERENCE - 26th June
    There is a website - HiddenSomerset.com. Information on a scheme to fund broadband access and IT equipment for rural communities. Eg in Village Halls. This is available up to 28th March. David Beckley questioned the safety of such a scheme. Brian Dodd said there would still be overhead costs ie monthly charge for broadband once installed.
    SCRUTINY COMMITTEE - 10th July
    Commissions which may be of interest to this council:
    3.1 A review of SSDC's Carbon Emissions - initial report seen in June.
    3.2 A review of the Octagon Theatre.
    3.3 A request for a review of the current provision for bicycles and cycle paths.
    To be submitted in August
    FULL COUNCIL - AGENDA ITEMS FOR 19th July
    An item of interest to this Parish is the Frontline Councillor Community Grants Scheme, as reported in June. This has gone to each area committee for comments and will be approved at Council this week.
    The Chairman of SSDC, Ian Martin, would like to visit parish council meetings.
    Rob Lloyd raised the problem that there is nowhere safe in Yeovil to leave a bicycle. This is not encouraging people to cycle. He felt that more thought should be given to cyclists.
  6. PLANNING MATTERS
    1. 07/03116/TPO Application to carry out tree surgery works to 4 lime trees and 1 plane tree at Hardington House, Rectory Lane for G Boord. No objections.
    2. 07/02202/FUL Demolition of existing and erection of a dwelling at Merry Moles, Primrose Hill, East Coker for Mr and Mrs C Brown. This application had been withdrawn. The application was circulated to Councillors for information only.
    3. 07/02107/FUL Internal alterations, loft conversion and erection of rear extension at Briar Patch, Moor Lane for Mr and Mrs G Chappillon. It was agreed that providing the tile hanging to the dormer windows is on the both the south and north side there was no objection to this application.
    4. A letter had been received from Michael Trevalion with further queries regarding the planning application for Woodentop Farm which the Chairman read out. It was agreed that the Clerk should write to Mr Trevallion stating that all the objections that the Parish Council identified to the application were identified by the Parish Council and no advice was received or comments or contact from the District Council's planning officer. The Clerk was also asked to state that this finalises the matter and in the opinion of the Parish Council the matter is now closed.
      Hannah Lefeuvre reported that the application for Woodentop Farm was refused by the regulations committee as not a viable proposition. The advice was to reapply for a 3 year temporary application.
    5. Results of previous applications:
      07/02313/FUL Extend and alter dwelling to form an annexe and erect a garage/store at Withybrook House for Mr and Mrs P A Jennings. Approved with conditions.
      07/02257/FUL Demolition of conservatory and erection of a single storey extension to dwelling house at Welkin Cottage, North Lane for Mr and Mrs S Ogden. Approved with conditions.
    6. There were no further planning applications.
  7. FOOTPATHS
    1. A letter from SSDC concerning rights of way was passed to Robin Carpenter who will reply.
    2. Robin Carpenter reported that the stile on footpath from Merry Moles to Penn Cross seems serviceable.
    3. An email had been received from Richard Thorne expressing concern at the amount of dog mess on the footpath between Moor Lane and North Lane. SSDC has now sprayed the dog mess yellow with the idea of shaming people to clean up behind their dogs. Robin Carpenter will put an item about this in the Messenger.
    4. The stile on the footpath from Pen Cross to Lyatts was discussed. The Lengthsman is looking at this.
    5. Bill Turner mentioned that new metal gates had been put on some footpaths, probably by SSDC.
    6. Peter Bysouth confirmed that repairs to the land from the Ridge to North Lane would not be undertaken until September/October.
    7. The repairs to the railings on the footpath from the Post Office to Moor Lane have not yet been undertaken. Clerk to chase up.
  8. HIGHWAYS
    1. An email had been received from Cathy Bakewell confirming that a CCTV survey will be carried out to the blocked drain in Wimborough Lane.
    2. Rob Lloyd had met with Tom Greaves who seemed aware of most of the problems. The drain in Primrose Hill is to be renewed sometime. The drain at Moor Cross will be looked at. Repairs to the new potholes in Barry Lane are in abeyance until a new drainage scheme is undertaken. The mini potholes may be incorporated so that they are mended together. Tom Greaves said that erosion of the edge of the road must be 25cm before repairs are carried out. The tree at Dwelley Bridge has now cracked the bridge. Tom Greaves felt it may be the responsibility of the owner of the tree. They also looked at the road where it floods by the Stud Farm. Rob Lloyd will meet with Tom Greaves approximately 3 times a year.
    3. Brian Dodd had raised the suggestion of a dotted line outside the Village Hall to stop vehicles being parked on the bend. Rob Lloyd to raise this suggestion with Tom Greaves. It was suggested that the Clerk contact the Community Police Officer to visit the pre-school and discuss dangerous parking.
  9. PARISH LENGTHSMAN SCHEME
    1. The Lengthsman reported that on his last visit he had started to repair the stile on the footpath from Penn Cross to Lyatts and will finish this on his next visit. He had strimmed and cut back hedges on footpaths. He expressed concern at the amount of dogs mess on the footpath from Moor Lane to North Lane.
    2. Work for this month was agreed. The Lengthsman to be asked to clear up around the village hall and also around the side of the village hall. He is to be asked to leave any flowers growing on the wall of the Church and only to clear weed on the road edge. Strim around the tyre at the Hardington Mandeville sign and look at the Hardington Mandeville sign at Hill End to see if that can be cleaned at all.
  10. RISK MANAGEMENT
    1. An email had been received from SSDC notifying Parish Councils that bus shelters are a no smoking zone.
    2. The Clerk had sent notification to the Standards Board that the new Code of Conduct had been adopted.
    3. Peter Bysouth agreed to note any changes on the new Clerk's Contract and agree a date, for the Parish Council to discuss this in private, at the next meeting.
  11. AFFORDABLE HOUSING
    1. Peter Bysouth has not yet spoken to Peter Smith to ask if he would be willing to help in the project.
    2. The Clerk has emailed Felix Marsh of the Community Council for Somerset asking if he would look at possible sites but he has not yet replied.
    3. Kevin Margetts said he had been asked how long ago the survey of need carried out. There was also concern about raising money and running a Community Land Trust not only to build the properties but to run the scheme in the future.
  12. FINANCE
    1. A cheque was raised in the sum of £10 for Elaine Peters for reimbursement of Parish Plan expenditure.
    2. A cheque was raised for £93.88 for the renewal of the Parish Website registration for 10 years.
    3. The Clerk confirmed that she had worked 19 hours in the previous month.
    4. The Comparison of figures was circulated.
    5. It was agreed to pay a grant of £3,000 to the Village Hall for urgent repairs needed to the roof. A cheque was raised for this amount.
    6. The Clerk had received notification of approval of the annual audit.
  13. CORRESPONDENCE
    1. SCC is suggesting compilation of a list of contacts for use in an emergency. This has been circulated and will be discussed at the next meeting.
    2. All other correspondence was circulated.
  14. MATTERS OF REPORT & ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING
    1. David Beckley said that motorbikes are again being ridden on land below Shepherds Spring and also up and down Common Lane. Bill Turner will put a sign at the entrance to Common Lane stating that this is not allowed.
    2. Bill Turner gave apologies for the next meeting.
  15. DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING & CLOSURE
    There being no other business the meeting ended at 9.30pm. The next meeting will be on Tuesday 21st August 2007 at 7.30 pm.

©
Hardington Mandeville
Parish Council
2008