The Minutes of the previous meeting (September 2007)

MINUTES OF MEETING OF HARDINGTON MANDEVILLE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 16th OCTOBER 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

Before the meeting commenced Peter Smith distributed copies of his proposed layout plan for affordable housing on the land owned by Mr G Rendell. The proposal has kept access to the ditch on the South side and also avoided the public sewer. The line of the drain from Wimborough Lane to the High Street was also shown. The point of access from Wimborough Lane is the only logical point for such an access. Peter Smith explained that if Gordon Rendell was to dispose of the land attached to the property Court Close it would not just be the value of the land but would also have a reduction on the value of the bungalow. Also shown within the plans was a small public car park and play area. It would also be possible to get ramped access to the Church yard. The plan showed 2 pairs of semi-detached private dwellings on the Wimborough Lane frontage and six affordable housing.

Peter Smith suggested that if the Parish Council were in agreement the next stop should be to talk to the Planning Office. Dependant on their reaction would decide how to proceed. Peter Smith had looked at a lot of sites for this type of development and felt this would be one the Planners should be in favour of. Peter Bysouth asked about the cost of the road. It was explained that in order to get this service road in a small part of the garden to Court Close has had to be taken.

Cathy Bakewell felt the play area would be preferable in the centre of the development where it would be overlooked by parents. David Beckley felt that children should be supervised by parents in a play area. Peter Bysouth pointed out that this is only a suggested layout. David Beckley asked why this site was a favourite and it was explained that 4 years ago this was the only site in the village that the Planning Officer would consider, although it was not the first choice of the Parish Council. Peter Smith then explained that he had based the size of the blocks of 3 houses on the old Portman houses in the village. There is a density of 8/9 to the acre which is below normal.

Peter Bysouth thanked Peter Smith for all the work he had undertaken. The plan will be discussed at the next meeting. Peter Smith confirmed that he had shown this plan to Gordon Rendell who is happy with it being shown to the Parish Council to discuss.

David Beckley pointed out that by the next meeting the results of the Parish Plan questionnaire would be known. The Clerk confirmed that a new Survey of Need would still have to be undertaken.

PRESENT

Peter Bysouth, Kevin Margetts, Bill Turner, David Beckley, Malcolm White and Rob Lloyd.

IN ATTENDANCE

Diane Howes (Clerk), Hannah Lefeuvre (District Councillor),Cathy Bakewell (County Councillor) and 2 members of public.

  1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Robin Carpenter and Lesley Boucher (District Councillor).
  2. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 18th September 2007 (Already Circulated). The minutes were approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record record.
  3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST.
    1. Peter Bysouth declared an interest in item 12g Donation to St Mary’s Church.
    2. There were no other declarations of interest.
  4. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
    1. Parish Website. Nothing to report.
    2. Parish Plan. The Parish Plan questionnaire has been delivered with the Messenger. This can be returned to the Post Office or collected from individual houses. The next meeting is on 7th November.
    3. Parish Projects. No news.
    4. Cables in Bishops Lane. No further news.
    5. Rights of Way Workshop. The Clerk had received an email which will be forwarded to Robin Carpenter.
    6. SCC had requested details of HGV pinch points in the Parish. Cathy Bakewell explained this was to update satellite navigation systems. It was agreed that Wimborough Lane, Penn Lane, The Ridge, Lyatts, Coker Hill and Rag Lane should be included. Clerk to complete the form.
    7. The Clerk will advertise the information from Home Aid Partnership in the Messenger.
    8. Waste Disposal Partnership. Dates of public consultation meetings had been sent and Parish Council’s were asked if they would like to be kept informed and attend presentations and discussion forums. SSDC have a meeting on 16th November at Ash Village Hall. Rob Lloyd will try to attend. Hannah Lefeuvre will report back. The Parish Council would like to register for further information.
    9. Robin Carpenter had emailed that the tree at Dwelley Bridge had been removed.
    10. Bill Turner gave approval for the Lengthsman to drive down a field to complete work.
  5. DISTRICT & COUNTY COUNCILLORS' REPORT
    1. Cathy Bakewell discussed potholes in Barry Lane. The Parish Council told Cathy that many potholes had been marked for repair and then remarked but still not been repaired. Cathy Bakewell promised to look into this.
      Peter Bysouth said a letter had been received from SCC concerning the Foot and Mouth outbreak and footpaths. He felt it was a bit late to send this out now. Cathy Bakewell explained that SCC did not want to create a scare which would affect tourism.
    2. Hannah Lefeuvre (District Councillor) reported as follows: There were no planning applications for the parish but the application for Merry Moles was approved by the Area South Committee. Area Forums were discussed. The take up of Community grants Scheme had been low this year and groups are being encouraged to put in applications. The number of affordable homes being built in South Somerset is rising each year. Cllr Alan Cornelius has been appointed Honorary Alderman for his excellent service in South Somerset. He passed on his good wishes to all the parishes. Results of the Waterlinks Project bid will be known later this month. There is still consultation regarding the South Somerset Sports Zone - more details in November. The South Somerset Waste Partnership handover took place on 15th October. The Visioning Groups have 3 areas of work (Yeovil Vision, Market Towns Vision and Rural Communities - position statement and vision).
  6. PLANNING MATTERS
    1. Planning Application 07/04544/FUL Alterations and erection of an extension to dwelling at Gillard, Lyatts Hill, Hardington Mandeville for Mr and Mrs Burden.
      The Parish Council felt that the proposal constituted overdevelopment of the site and was totally out of character with the village of Hardington and Lyatts. The flat roof and large glazed area is not comparable with anything in the village. They also felt that it does not comply with the Village Design Statement where the existing cottage was included in this Design Statement as an example of something we value and should be preserved. This will effectively be destroyed.
      The Parish Council were not consulted by the applicants concerning the design. The Parish Council therefore strongly support refusal of this application.
    2. Results of previous applications. There were no results.
    3. There were no further planning applications.
  7. FOOTPATHS
    1. railings to the footpath from the Post Office to Moor Lane have not yet been replaced.
    2. As mentioned earlier the SCC had sent guidelines during the Foot and Mouth outbreak.
    3. The Ramblers Association has asked for prioritisation of footpaths and to how regularly they are used. The Clerk to ask Robin Carpenter to respond.
    4. Work to footpath from North Lane to the Ridge. Malcolm White reported that the lane is now overgrown again. It was agreed to ask the Lengthsman to cut back the sides. It was agreed to leave further repairs to the surface until the spring.
    5. The owner of the wood in Common Lane had put barbed wire across the entrance to stop motorcycles being ridden here, but it had been taken down. Rob Lloyd said he had seen motorbikes on the road. Bill Turner will fit a gate at the top of the lane and lock it.
  8. HIGHWAYS
    1. Pothole in Barry Lane - The Clerk had received a letter from Somerset Highways explaining that it was not financially viable to mend to potholes at the same time. They felt it was cheaper to wait until a pothole was of a suitable depth and then send another team of men to mend this.
  9. PARISH LENGTHSMAN SCHEME
    1. No report on work carried out last month.
    2. Work for this month:
      • Clear the lane to the Ridge.
      • Paint the Village pump.
      • Repairs to stiles as detailed last month.
      • Remove a tyre in the river at the bottom of North Lane.
    3. Roy Hodder had told the Clerk that SSDC were offering daffodil bulbs and woodchip. However after numerous phone calls the Clerk had been unable to speak to anyone about this.
  10. RISK MANAGEMENT
    1. There had been no response from the request in the Messenger for Emergency Plan Information.
    2. SALC had approved the draft contract for the Clerk. Peter Bysouth and Clerk to sign.
    3. The Clerk is to attend SALC training on Law and Procedures on the 26th November.
  11. AFFORDABLE HOUSING
    1. There had been no reply from Felix Marsh with regard to a tour of the visit with the Planning Officer. Clerk to contact Felix Marsh.
  12. FINANCE
    1. The bank reconciliation to 30th September 2007 was approved and signed.
    2. The requirements for 2008/09 were considered. It was agreed that the contingency sum should be increased to bring the precept to £7500.
    3. The Clerk had worked 19.75 hrs in September and 18.5 hrs in October.
    4. Details of small grants which are available from SSDC to be passed to all local organisation.
    5. A cheque was raised for the Parish Lengthsman Scheme in the sum of £318.34.
    6. A cheque was raised for David Beckley in the sum of £10 - reimbursement of course fee.
    7. A cheque was raised for renewal of the Parish Licence in the sum of £70.
    8. A cheque was raised for St Mary's Church being a donation of £100.
  13. CORRESPONDENCE
    1. DEFRA had written that they are looking at giving extra powers to parish councils with regard to climate change. All other correspondence was circulated.
  14. MATTERS OF REPORT & ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING
    1. Malcolm White asked what the Village Hall Committee felt about the position of their new notice board. Peter Bysouth reported that they were quite happy with it.
  15. DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING & CLOSURE
    There being no other business the meeting ended at 9.40pm. The next meeting will be on Tuesday 20th November 2007 at 7.30 pm.

©
Hardington Mandeville
Parish Council
2008