The Minutes of the previous meeting (May 2007)

MINUTES OF MEETING OF HARDINGTON MANDEVILLE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 19th JUNE 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 and David Beckley.

IN ATTENDANCE

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

  1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
    Lloyd and Lesley Boucher (District Councillor).
  2. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 15th MAY 2007 AND PLANNING MEETING HELD ON 4TH JUNE 2007 (Already Circulated). The minutes were approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.
  3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST.
    1. Peter Bysouth returned his Declaration of Interest Form. All other councillors will return their forms at the next meeting.
    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 website is now worldwide. He asked for photos of Hannah Lefeuvre and Lesley Boucher as children to be put on the website.
    2. Parish Plan. There was nothing to report until after the meeting on Thursday 21st June. The Parish Plan will need to be approved by the Parish Council when completed, and Peter Bysouth suggested holding a special Parish Council meeting for this when necessary.
    3. Cardboard Recycling. Arranged for the following weekend. Robin Carpenter offered to put a laminated sign on the skip and Malcolm White to put a sign on entry to the village. Clerk has advertised in the Messenger and will put a sign in the Post Office.
    4. David Beckley confirmed that the Gambling Act Seminar which he had offered to attend had been cancelled.
    5. Tree Planting. The Clerk had been unable to speak to Francis Jones. Discuss at next meeting.
    6. The Council Reorganisation meeting was attended by Robin Carpenter and Rob Lloyd. Robin said that the feeling of most people was that they were against a unitary authority. It was interesting that one proposal is for a county-wide IT system in the future yet at this meeting the laptop, etc, crashed. Cathy Bakewell said that the contract work of IBM includes a massive investment in IT. This contract with IBM will go ahead regardless of the result of the Unitary Authority. Cathy Bakewell also said she felt it is important to get clarity and transparency to see who does what. She said it would save money for the council tax payer. The Government has said that even if unitary councils do not go ahead district councillors will have to make some savings. Robin Carpenter asked how staff reduction would help to save money as presumably all staff were kept busy all the time now. Cathy said she was convinced it is a good way to go. Peter Bysouth reported that Rob Lloyd had felt that Government is putting pressure on councils to not increase council tax. Cathy felt this should be related to the ability to pay rather than the size of the property lived in. Peter Bysouth read a list of voting by District Council area: in every area there was a large majority against a county-wide unitary authority. Cathy confirmed that she covered 11 parishes and tried to attend all meetings. Currently there are 3 councillors but would be 2 with unitary authority. The Parish Council had been asked for its opinion and after a vote the Clerk was asked to write confirming that it is against a unitary authority.
    7. Parish Projects. Forms had been received for applications with a closing dated of 30th June 2007. The items from the Parish Council were mostly long term. Adoption of green lanes and traffic speeding would be possible short term projects. Peter Bysouth explained the form which needed to be completed. David Beckley felt that 6 weeks to get information together was not practical. Parishes with a Parish Plan in place would be better equipped - to be discussed next month.
    8. Robin Carpenter has been sent a card and is the official Parish Environment Warden. Clerk to put in the Messenger.
  5. DISTRICT & COUNTY COUNCILLORS' REPORTS (By invitation)
    Hannah Lefeuvre (District Councillor) reported that Councillors had seen a presentation of the proposed Quedam extensions. The main questions were on toilets and parking. The Market Street area development brief was approved by Members. Members had also seen a presentation on the Princes Street Regeneration Scheme and a report on the performance of the Streetscene Service. The Frontline Councillor Community Grants Scheme will mean that each Member will have a budget of £2,500 to support local community initiatives and projects in line with the Council's Corporate Priorities and against an agreed set of guidelines. Members approved the request for £4416.67 from the Town Centre Initiative budget towards the costs of PCSOs, on the condition that the additional allocation is extended to fund areas outside the town centre, not just within Yeovil Centre, as had been recommended.
    Lesley Boucher has been appointed representative for Foundry House and Mill Lane Site Evaluation Panel and William Ruddock Almshouse Trust. Hannah Lefeuvre was appointed onto Yeovil Community and Healthy Lifestyle Centre steering group. Somerset Strategic Partnership documents to be sent out to all parishes.
    Lesley Boucher and Hannah Lefeuvre will be working in 6 monthly blocks and therefore Hannah will attend meetings until December and then Lesley for the next six months.
    Hannah Lefeuvre had spoken to Ric Pallister regarding Affordable Housing and he had confirmed that this could not be restricted to Hardington people.
    The Chamber of Commerce are to map all rural businesses.
    Regarding the planning application at Woodentop Farm, officers recommended refusal but members had decided not to do so. Hannah Lefeuvre had voted to approve the application and had questioned 4 out of 5 reasons of refusal which were:
    1. The application is outside the defined development area, does not benefit economic activity or maintain or enhance the environment.
    2. Its remoteness to facilities fostering the need to travel.
    3. Erosion of the open character and visibility of the hilltop.
    4. The approach road being substandard and unable to accommodate increased traffic.
    Lesley Boucher voted for refusal. This application will now go to the regulation committee.
    Peter Bysouth questioned affordable housing not being refused by the Planners if not with the cascade scheme. Hannah Lefeuvre said there will be a change to the points system. All properties will be on the internet and people encouraged to bid (not financially) for properties. The website is www.homefindersomerset.co.uk. However allocation would still be on the points system. The final decision would be made by the District Council.
     
    Cathy Bakewell reported that she is on the Regulations Committee which deals with major planning applications ie schools, rights of way, quarries, etc. Also she is on the Scrutinising Committee and they are looking at respite care. The next meeting of the County Council for SSDC area is 26th June. Cathy Bakewell offered to take back any problems with highways, etc. Robin Carpenter said he had been in touch with Tom Greaves about the blocked drains in Wimborough Lane. Peter Bysouth asked about verge grass cutting. Cathy felt this would be taking place soon. Peter Bysouth asked if the verges with orchids growing could be avoided.
  6. PLANNING MATTERS
    1. 07/01376/FUL Erection of a first floor extension over kitchen and a two storey extension to rear of dwellinghouse at White Thorn, Hill End for Dr D and Mrs A Egerton - approved with conditions.
    2. 07/01009/FUL Extension to and conversion of garage/store to form self-contained disabled granny annexe and the erection of a detached double garage at Primrose Cottage, Hardington Moor for Mr and Mrs P Newman - approved with conditions.
    3. There were no results of previous applications.
    4. A letter had been received from Michael Trevalian, Architect for Woodentop Farm, Coker Hill asking if any matters of concern to the Parish Council were introduced by the Case Officer. The Clerk was asked to reply stating that all objections identified were identified by the Parish Council. The only items not available to the Parish Council were the report on the viability of the farm and some information which the case officer said was not public knowledge. All items raised were the opinion of the Parish Council.
    5. There were no further planning applications.
  7. FOOTPATHS
    1. Path from North Lane to the Ridge. The Clerk queried whether it was 3" scalpings or 3" clean stone which was required. 3 quotations had been received with M Connoly being the cheapest. Clerk to obtain quotation for 3" clean stone from M Connolly. David Beckley suggested this be a short term proposal for grant purposes. Chairman and Clerk to complete the forms.
  8. HIGHWAYS
    1. An email had been received from Tom Greaves stating that the problem of the fallen tree at Dwelley Bridge had been passed to the County Council. He also asked for an exact location of the manhole cover in Partway Lane. Robin Carpenter confirmed he had sent this.
    2. A letter had been received from Mike Fear stating that the rest of the lane to Hardington Marsh is planned for patching next year. The pothole in Barry Lane is not the original repair but a new pothole.
    3. Kevin Margetts asked what had been the result of putting a camera down the drain at Moor Cross. Malcolm White did not know this had been done.
    4. The abandoned car at Wimborough Lane has been removed.
  9. PARISH LENGTHSMAN SCHEME
    1. A meeting had been held on 12th June but in view of the short notice given no-one had been able to attend.
    2. An email had been received from Richard Thorne outlining work undertaken the previous month.
    3. As there appeared to be little work for this month the Clerk was asked to contact Roy Hodder and ask if the Lengthsman could do 2 days next month. It was suggested that he could possibly help with the work to the land from North Lane to the Ridge.
  10. RISK MANAGEMENT
    1. The oil tank at the Village Hall has been renewed. The Hall Committee will be putting protection around the piping and connections because of the children and also a lock to prevent theft of the oil. They are very pleased with the work.
    2. The Clerk's contract needs to be agreed. Clerk to go through the contract received from NALC and a special meeting will be held to discuss in confidence.
  11. CODE OF CONDUCT
    1. It was resolved:
      1. to formally adopt, with immediate effect, the mandatory Model Code of Conduct as is applicable to Parish Councils of 2007 with the specific inclusion of paragraph 12(2) - "Effect of prejudicial interests on participation".
      2. to amend Standing Orders by:
        1. deleting SO44, substituting: "If a member who has declared a personal interest then considers the interest to be prejudicial he shall declare that, and after making any representations, answering questions or giving evidence relating to that business, he must withdraw from the room or chamber for the remainder of the consideration of the item to which the interest relates."
        2. deleting SO55, substituting: "At all meetings of the Council the Chairman will at a convenient time in the transaction of business, allow any members of the public to make representations, answer questions or give evidence relating to the matter or business being transacted at that meeting. This opportunity will also apply to any member who is otherwise excluded due to a declared interest as per SO44".
      3. to notify the Standards Board for England that the Council has adopted the new code with the addition of paragraph 12 (2).
      4. to issue an amended copy of the Standing Orders to all councillors at the next (July) meeting of the Council.
    2. The Clerk would also send details to Brian Dodd for inclusion on the website.
  12. AFFORDABLE HOUSING
    Peter Bysouth has spoken to Gordon Rendell about his land next to the Church. Mr Rendell would be happy if there was some private housing and possible parking for the Church and a play area. He envisaged the access to be at the west end of the site. It was agreed that Peter would approach Peter Smith to ask if he would discuss the project on a voluntary basis. He should be made aware of the footpath crossing the site and the drain. It was felt this would then be a proposal to take to the Planning Authority. Peter Bysouth to investigate.
  13. FINANCE
    1. A cheque was raised in settlement of an Invoice from Bryan G Paulley for £1527.50 for replacement of the oil tank at the village hall.
    2. A cheque was raised for payment of Clerk's salary - £387.50 and expenses of £20.78.
    3. The Clerk had worked 19.5 hours in the previous month.
    4. A cheque was raised for £100 being a donation to the Pre-School.
    5. Renewal of the website registration was discussed and it was agreed to renew this for 10 years. Brian Dodd to present invoice for next meeting.
    6. Peter Bysouth explained that the Village Hall Committee needs to get work to the village hall roof carried out this summer. If the Parish Council take this on as a project they will need to obtain 3 estimates and this would take months. The Hall Committee had asked if this year the Parish Council would give a grant to the Village Hall for this work. The Parish Council have allocated £3700 for the village hall which has not been spent. David Beckley asked if this work would then be obsolete if work proposed in the Parish Plan was carried out. After discussion it was felt this would not be the case. A decision on paying a grant of £3700 to the Village Hall to be discussed at the next meeting.
    7. Comparison of figures for 2006/2007 had been circulated.
  14. CORRESPONDENCE
    1. The Parish Council had been asked to propose a hymn and reading for the Carnival Songs of Praise on 8th July and someone to read. It was agreed that the hymn would be He Who Would Valiant Be and the reading decided by Peter Bysouth. Peter will speak to Rob Lloyd and ask if he will do the reading.
    2. A letter had been received from Natural England confirming their proposal to dedicate the Nature Reserve for open access. Clerk to complete the form stating that the Parish Council agree with this.
    3. A letter from Mendip District Council inviting the Parish Council to a conference on Affordable Housing had been received. Agreed no action.
    4. A letter had been received regarding South Somerset Playing Pitch Strategy. No action.
    5. All other correspondence was circulated.
  15. MATTERS OF REPORT & ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING
    1. No items of report.
  16. 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 17th July 2007 at 7.30 pm.

Brian Dodd suggested a white line outside the Village Hall, opposite the Church which he felt may encourage people to park there rather than outside the Village Hall.

The PCSO attended the last part of the meeting and asked if it could be advertised that he would be using the car rather than the bus in July. Clerk to put in the Messenger.

©
Hardington Mandeville
Parish Council
2008