The Minutes of the previous meeting (November 2007)

MINUTES OF MEETING OF HARDINGTON MANDEVILLE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 15th JANUARY 2008 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, David Beckley and Rob Lloyd.

IN ATTENDANCE

Diane Howes (Clerk), Cathy Bakewell (County Councillor) and 10 members of public.

Before the meeting commenced Mr Mark Wilson introduced himself as the owner of Poacher's Lodge and offered to answer any questions relevant to his planning application.

  1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Hannah Lefeuvre and Lesley Boucher (District Councillors).
  2. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 20th November 2007 (Already Circulated). The minutes were approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record record.
  3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST.
    1. Robin Carpenter declared an interest in item 6A.
      Peter Bysouth declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the Court Close site - Item 7
    2. There were no other declarations of interest.
  4. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
    1. Parish Plan. David Cleaton spoke about the Parish Plan questionnaire. There had been 70% response to the questionnaire. Kevin Margetts asked if it was known how many households had returned the questionnaire. David Cleaton said this was not known. Suggested topics for inclusion in the Parish Plan were circulated. The Parish Council will form an Implementation of the Parish Plan group. Peter Bysouth then explained that the Parish Plan is the responsibility of the Parish Council. Rob Lloyd felt the questionnaire was a very useful database of information. Cathy Bakewell stressed that a parish plan is important if money is required from grants, lottery, etc.
      Peter Bysouth suggested that the Steering Group now puts the results into a final version to bring to the Parish Council. Peter Bysouth thanked the Steering Group for all the hard work involved.
    2. Parish Website. Comments on the Parish Plan questionnaire about the website included putting the Messenger on line. Brian Dodd would still like local businesses on the website. Robin Carpenter suggested a link to the SCC webpage. It was felt that lack of knowledge meant it was not known the footpath map can be enlarged. Still waiting for information for the Pre-school.
      Brian explained that he had tried to introduce a forum but this does not work.
      The Benefice had been approached but the Vicar is not happy about this.
    3. Parish Projects. A letter had been received.
    4. Cables in Bishops Lane. A letter had been finally received from BT stating that they had no plans to put their cables underground and suggesting the Parish Council contact Scottish Power. The Clerk was asked to write to Mr G Penn explaining this.
    5. Proposed Playing Field at North Lane. Clerk to contact the Planning Office for a reply.
    6. Planning Workshop. The Clerk had received no news on a new date but will contact David Beckley, Rob Lloyd and Peter Bysouth when a new date is known. Clerk to contact Pauline Gubbins (Clerk East Coker PC).
  5. DISTRICT & COUNTY COUNCILLOR'S REPORT
    1. Cathy Bakewell asked about the replacement of the village sign. A quotation had been received from Somerset Highways in the sum of approx £380 and Cathy Bakewell felt that the Parish Council should not be expected to pay and also indemnify the Highways Authority. The Clerk had tried to contact Somerset Highways about this but without success. Cathy Bakewell will investigate.
      The railings on the footpath from the Post Office to Moor Lane had still not been replaced. Cathy Bakewell offered to look into this also.
      Cathy Bakewell had received notification that Primrose Hill will be closed for repairs to the drain. The Clerk had also been notified of this.
  6. PLANNING MATTERS
    1. Planning Application 07/05595/FUL Alterations and the erection of a two storey extension at Poachers Lodge for Mr and Mrs Wilson. The Parish Council had no objection to this application.
    2. Results of previous applications:
      1. 07/04544/FUL Alterations and erection of an extension to Gillard, Lyatts Hill and Mr and Mrs Burden. This application had been refused.
      2. 07/04680/FUL Alterations and extensions to Hill View Pen Lane for MF and LJ Young. This application had been refused.
    3. The Clerk had received an email from Mr John Whatley who was concerned that a mobile home had been sited at Gillards, Lyatts without planning consent. Peter Bysouth confirmed that he had written to the Enforcement Officer stating that there was a caravan on site and asking if permission was needed.
    4. There were no further planning applications.
  7. AFFORDABLE HOUSING
    1. The Clerk was asked to contact Helen Ferdinand of the Planning Office to obtain a reply to the letter written before Christmas.
    2. The Clerk had written to Felix Marsh (Community Council for Somerset) who had replied admitting he had forgotten that the Parish Council had stipulated they did not want any involvement with a Housing Association. The Clerk had also written to Vaughan Lake of Hastoe Housing.
    3. Rob Lloyd showed details of a meeting to be held at Verwood concerning Affordable Housing and expressed an interest in attending.
  8. FOOTPATHS
    1. Railings on footpath from Moor Lane to Post Office - discussed earlier.
    2. The gate at Common Lane has been erected but needs a padlock. No motorbikes have been heard since.
    3. Clerk was asked to speak to Becky Russell again about the new gate into Windmill Hill.
  9. HIGHWAYS
    1. Pothole in Barry Lane has been repaired and a culvert made. Rob Lloyd had toured the village with Tom Greaves and had reported a complaint he had received about destruction of the verge opposite Royal Oak Bungalow. Tom Greaves felt it was the Highways responsibility to repair. There is a pothole opposite Pen View which is very bad and rob Lloyd has also suggested a pull in to the west of Prospect Farm. It was agreed that the whole road is in a very poor state. Robin Carpenter asked if the gullies to the west of Hill End could be cleared and Malcolm White mentioned that the grit bin by Primrose Cottage was overgrown. These are jobs for the lengthsman.
    2. The Results of the Highway Survey questionnaire were read out.
    3. The Highways Authority had sent details of the Winter Service gritting plan. This was the same as in previous years.
    4. The Clerk had received notification that Primrose Hill will be closed for 2 weeks from 4th February for replacement of the drain. Clerk to advertise in the Messenger.
    5. Replacement of the Village sign had been discussed previously.
    6. The Clerk had received notification that the water main at Hardington Marsh is to be replaced from Grove Farm to Railway Cottages. No date given but early 2008.
  10. PARISH LENGTHSMAN SCHEME
    1. The Clerk read an email confirming work carried out in November.
    2. Work for this month:
      • Clear around the grit bin at Primrose Cottage.
      • Cut out gullies.
      • Clear leaves around the Village Hall and at the side.
      • Clear drains of leaves and mud in Wimborough Lane.
      • See Bill Turner about replacing the gate on footpath below Wimborough Hill.
      • Finish painting the backboard and village pump.
  11. RISK MANAGEMENT
    1. AON Insurance had confirmed that money in meters was now covered at no extra cost.
    2. The question of Trustees Indemnity had been considered and it was felt that no further action need be taken.
    3. The Clerk had received an up to date Register of Electors.
    4. Avon and Somerset Police had emailed giving their priorities and asking if the Parish Council agreed. Clerk to reply stating that the Parish Plan is in the process of being completed and they will be in touch when finalised. There is a new PC for the area, PC 971 Jon Watson, and also a new PCSO, Dave Lewis. Both asked for dates of Parish council meetings in order that they could introduce themselves. Clerk to respond.
    5. Discipline and Grievance Panels. It was confirmed that Rob Lloyd will replace Kevin Margetts.
  12. FINANCE
    1. The bank reconciliation to 31st December 2007 was approved and signed. The comparison of figures was circulated and had been checked by Peter Bysouth.
    2. The Clerk had worked 31 hours in the previous 2 months.
    3. A cheque was drawn for the Clerk’s salary of £428.75 and expenses of £40.75.
    4. It was confirmed that the Clerk had drawn a cheque payable to Falcon Signs for the Parish Plan banner in the sum of £105.75.
    5. It was confirmed that the Clerk had drawn a cheque payable to SSDC for Parish Plan printing in the sum of £64.40.
    6. It was confirmed that the Clerk had drawn a cheque payable to Mrs D Creed for Parish Plan raffle prizes in the sum of £60.00.
    7. Nat West Bank had written offering to repay half the charges made recently in the sum of £17.50. They also stated that to set up automatic transfer of money from the reserve account to the current account would cost £75 plus £12 per amendment. It was agreed not to take this up.
    8. The Messenger had declined the offer of a donation this year, but thanked the Parish Council for the offer.
  13. CORRESPONDENCE
    1. Peter Bysouth agreed to attend the Area South Community Forum of 31st January.
    2. The questionnaire on Public Transport to be discussed at the next meeting.
    3. SSDC New Model Code of Conduct - Training for Parish Councils. No action.
    4. SCC is holding a Parish Flood Fair on 21st and 22nd February. No action.
    5. All other correspondence was circulated.
  14. MATTERS OF REPORT & ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING
    1. There were no items of report.
  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 19th February 2008 at 7.30 pm.

©
Hardington Mandeville
Parish Council
2008