The Minutes of the previous meeting (October 2007)

MINUTES OF MEETING OF HARDINGTON MANDEVILLE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 20th NOVEMBER 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, Bill Turner, Malcolm White and Rob Lloyd.

IN ATTENDANCE

Diane Howes (Clerk), Hannah Lefeuvre (District Councillor), Mr G Rendell and 9 members of public.

Before the meeting commenced Peter Bysouth explained the history of the affordable housing project within the parish leading to consideration of the Court Close site. Kevin Margetts explained that Court Close was not the Parish Council's first choice. Bill Turner referred to the meeting with Felix Marsh (Community Council for Somerset) and Vaughan Lake (Hastoe Housing) who preferred the Hill End site whereas Felix Marsh preferred Court Close.
Funding was discussed.
Brian Dodd asked if the proposal for Court Close should be put on the website. It was agreed that this was not appropriate at the moment.

  1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: David Beckley and Lesley Boucher (District Councillor).
  2. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 16th October 2007 (Already Circulated). The minutes were approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record record.
  3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST.
    1. Kevin Margetts declared a non prejudicial interest in the Court Close site - Item 7
      Peter Bysouth declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the Court Close site - Item 7
      Malcolm White declared a prejudicial interest in the site at North Lane - Item 7b
      Rob Lloyd declared an interest in planning application for Hill View, Pen Lane - Item 6.
    2. There were no other declarations of interest.
  4. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
    1. Parish Website. Nothing to report.
    2. Parish Plan. Peter Bysouth said that the report is still being worked on. First information will be coming through later this month. A meeting is to be arranged with the Parish Council to discuss the outcome.
    3. Parish Projects. No news.
    4. Cables in Bishops Lane. No further news.
    5. Rights of Way Workshop. Robin Carpenter did not manage to attend.
  5. DISTRICT & COUNTY COUNCILLORS' REPORT
    1. Hannah Lefeuvre said there were no new planning applications for the Parish. Regarding the planning application at Gillards, the planning officer felt that it was overdevelopment and not in keeping. Grant applications are being considered monthly in order to be processed by April. Proposals in Hardington Mandeville are a hearing loop in the Church and an application from the pre-school. The Waterlinks project had been unsuccessful in its bid. The National Planning Advisory Service is encouraging area-based decision meeting.
      The Planning Department is organising training workshops especially for parish councils. It was suggested that Hardington Mandeville join up with West Coker, Odcombe and East Coker.
      Regarding the Sports Zone, overall people were in favour of the Mudford Road site. Funding will be from outside sources and the District Council.
      South Somerset Homes and Knightstone Housing have amalgamated.
      A lot of bring bank sites are being removed as kerbside collections are now happening.
      It was agreed that Hannah Lefeuvre would continue to attend the Parish Council meetings rather than changing to Lesley Boucher.
  6. PLANNING MATTERS
    1. Planning Application 07/04680/FUL Alterations and extensions to Hill View Pen Lane for MF and LJ Young. The Parish Council objected to this application because it was felt the materials are unsuitable and do not blend with the existing. They would prefer to see stone or rendering and windows in keeping with the existing. It is not in line with the design statement for the Parish.
    2. Results of previous applications:
      1. 07/03946/FUL Erection of an additional loose box adjacent to greenways, Partway Lane for Mr and Mrs H Rendell. Approved with conditions.
      2. 07/03883/FUL Erection of new milking parlour/dairy building and a covered collection yard at Marsh Farm for Messrs Voizey and Sons. Approved with conditions.
      3. 07/04247/FUL Erection of canopy over front entrance door at Carys, High Street for Mr and Mrs P A Vaughan. Approved with conditions.
    3. There were no further planning applications.
    4. Peter Bysouth circulated a list of buildings in the parish which are listed.
    5. Peter Bysouth reported that he had spoken to SSDC concerning the mobile home which has been put on the site at Lyatts. The Planning Dept will be getting in touch with the agent to decide whether this is permitted development or whether an application is needed.
  7. AFFORDABLE HOUSING
    1. Site Visit. Peter Bysouth explained that the Parish Council were not aware that Felix Marsh would be asking someone from Hastoe Housing to attend this meeting. Rob Lloyd asked why other Councillors had not been told about this meeting. Peter Bysouth said that he was not aware that others wanted to attend the meeting.
      Malcolm White felt that Hastoe Housing seemed to have more knowledge of what would be acceptable. The Clerk was asked to write to Vaughan Lake and explain that the Parish Council would not be using a housing association for this project and also to write to Felix Marsh informing him of this. The Clerk was asked to arrange a meeting with the District Council to look at possible sites.
      Peter Bysouth put his point of view before leaving the meeting. He supports the application at Court Close and agrees with a meeting to be arranged with the District and County Council if necessary. He feels that a sub-committee should look at setting up a community land trust. The result of the Parish Plan should be awaited first. He realises there will be problems on finance and planning if this proposal is taken.
      Robin Carpenter read a letter from Mr and Mrs Smith objecting to the proposal for Court Close. Robin Carpenter explained that the proposed plan was only a feasibility study. Rob Lloyd explained that the points raised by Mr and Mrs Smith would be considered.
      Malcolm White said that Hastoe Housing had said that the site at Hill End does not need a road. Four houses could be built and more added at a later date if it was felt necessary. Robin Carpenter suggested that the Clerk write to the owner of the land at Hill End before speaking to the Planning Officer. Bill Turner felt the information about trading off private dwellings in exchange for affordable housing would be useful. The Clerk to write to the Planning Office.
    2. Proposed Recreation Area at North Lane. Malcolm White left the room.
      Robin Carpenter reported that the results of the Parish Plan suggested that more than half of the people in the village would like a recreation field. Ernest Kong has land at North Lane and he is comfortable with releasing some land for a recreation field. This field is on the north of the brook and on the right hand side of the lane towards the Ridge. It is approx 3.5 acres, mostly level, drier and better drained than the site considered previously.
      It had also been suggested that possibly the village hall could be re-located to this site. Kevin Margetts said that they should wait until the results of the Parish Plan confirmed or otherwise whether a new village hall was needed.
      Robin Carpenter said that grant funding was available but the land would need to be valued.
      Kevin Margetts asked who would be responsible for the area being looked after. Peter Bysouth suggested that the SSDC be contacted as to whether this would be a suitable site and whether planning consent would be likely. Clerk was asked to contact the Planning Office.
  8. FOOTPATHS
    1. The Clerk was asked to find out when the railings on the footpath from PO to Moor Lane will be replaced.
    2. Robin Carpenter reported that SSDC wanted to prioritise maintenance of footpaths most used. The Ramblers' Association are concerned that some less used footpaths may lead to more interesting places. It feel that all should be treated equally and that problems should be prioritised not the paths. Robin Carpenter has completed the questionnaire. There are approximately 45 rights of way in the Parish.
    3. Problem of motorbikes being ridden in Common Lane. Bill Turner confirmed that the gate will be erected across the entrance to the lane.
    4. The gate at Windmill Hill is broken. Clerk asked to contact Becky of the SSDC to ask whether this gate could be replaced with a double gate. South-east of this entrance to Windmill Hill below the hedge, the boundary gate needs repair and this could be a job for the Parish Lengthsman.
  9. HIGHWAYS
    1. Pothole in Barry Lane - Rob Lloyd arranged a meeting with Tom Greaves which was then cancelled. Rob felt that this pothole will be repaired with the drain.
    2. A gap needs digging out in the verge along Barry Lane to let water into the ditch.
    3. A drain at the top of Font is also blocked but this is West Coker parish.
    4. Drain at Moor Cross. Rob Lloyd will report to Tom Greaves.
    5. Missing Signs. The Hardington Mandeville, Slow Horses and Footpath signs have all disappeared on Pen Lane. Robin Carpenter has emailed Paul Attwell about the footpath sign. Clerk to contact Highways Authority and Brian Bower about the replacement of the other signs.
  10. PARISH LENGTHSMAN SCHEME
    1. No report on work carried out last month.
    2. Work for this month:
      • Clear the grass cuttings at top of North Lane.
      • Clear leaves in the Village Hall car park.
      • Paint Village pump.
      • Repairs to stiles.
      Clerk to ask Richard Thorne to confirm what work has been carried out each month.
  11. RISK MANAGEMENT
    1. Emergency Plan Information. No action.
    2. The Clerk’s contract has been signed and exchanged.
    3. The Clerk attended SALC training on Law and Procedures on the 26th October and reported that it was worthwhile. Generally the Parish Council complete their undertakings satisfactorily. However, it was suggested that a back up of Parish Council records be taken each month and kept with the Chairman. It was also suggested that the Council should provide the Clerk with a PC although the Clerk did not feel this was really necessary. SALC felt that planning applications need only be kept until a decision was received. The Parish Council would like them kept indefinitely.
    4. EU Food Hygiene Regulations questionnaire for the Village Hall - passed to Chairman of Village Hall Committee.
    5. AON Insurance. Peter Bysouth explained that the Parish Council is responsible for cover of the Village Hall and he felt this insurance should be looked at. Clerk was asked to contact the Chairman of Village Hall Committee with the amounts covered to obtain agreement. Peter Bysouth had approached another insurance company who are cheaper but do require certain criteria. The Clerk had asked AON if the renewal date could be changed to 18th November in order to tie in with Parish Council meetings. This is not possible, but AON happy to hold insurance cover until cheque received.
    6. Meetings for 2008. A list of dates was circulated to Councillors.
    7. Health and Safety check of Clerk’s working area. Peter Bysouth had carried this out and found it satisfactory.
  12. FINANCE
    1. Requirements for 08/09. The precept request was agreed at £8000.00.
    2. The Clerk had worked 22.5 hours in the previous month.
    3. A cheque was raised for £1106.64 payable to AON Insurance for the Village Hall insurance.
    4. Payments for the Parish Plan expenses including the banner. Clerk to raise and obtain signatures when invoices received and to be ratified at the January meeting.
    5. The Clerk had repaid £135.62 to SSDC being an overpayment made to the Parish Council for VAT on a grant.
    6. Nat West Bank had charged £35 because a cheque was presented before funds were transferred from the Reserve account. Clerk asked to write to Nat West pointing out that the Council felt this unfair in view of the large amount held in the Reserve account.
  13. CORRESPONDENCE
    1. All correspondence was circulated.
  14. MATTERS OF REPORT & ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING
    1. Chairman. SALC had pointed out that Kevin Margetts could not be on the Disciplinary Committee and it was agreed that Rob Lloyd will take his place.
    2. Clerk. The Clerk suggested that Peter Bysouth be reimbursed for expenses such as printer cartridges in view of the large amount of printing he undertook for the Council. Agreed.
  15. DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING & CLOSURE
    There being no other business the meeting ended at 9.50pm. The next meeting will be on Tuesday 15th January 2008 at 7.30 pm.

©
Hardington Mandeville
Parish Council
2008