Hardington Mandeville

The Minutes of the previous meeting (April 2008)

MINUTES OF MEETING OF HARDINGTON MANDEVILLE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 20th MAY 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

Before the meeting started David Cleaton announced the launch of the Parish Plan. He reviewed the background to the Parish Plan and the outcomes. Peter Bysouth thanked all who had helped in undertaking work for the Parish Plan and added that he would like to achieve the aims outlined in the plan by 2012. Comments were invited and it was suggested that a list of things which could be paid by at the Post Office were listed in the Messenger and on the website. Clerk to contact Daphne Creed.
Everyone was offered a glass of wine.

Before the Parish Council meeting commenced Karen Clotworthy raised the question of the diversion in Barry Lane during work by Wessex Water. There had been problems with the school bus but hopefully this was now resolved.

Comment was made that the Community PCSO had not been seen in the village for some time and the Clerk was asked to contact Avon and Somerset Police asking that he visited on a regular basis.

PRESENT

Peter Bysouth, Robin Carpenter, Kevin Margetts, David Beckley and Bill Turner.

IN ATTENDANCE

Diane Howes (Clerk), Hannah Lefeuvre and Lesley Boucher (District Councillors) and 12 members of public.

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Malcolm White, Rob Lloyd, Cathy Bakewell (County Councillor).
2. ELECTION OF OFFICERS
   1. Peter Bysouth was elected Chairman. Proposed by Kevin Margetts and seconded by Robin Carpenter
   2. Robin Carpenter was elected Vice Chairman. Proposed by Bill Turner and seconded by Peter Bysouth.
   3. Peter Bysouth agreed to continue as Village Hall representative.
   4. The Clerk agreed to continue as reporter to the Messenger.
   5. Rob Lloyd will continue as Highways Representative.
   6. Robin Carpenter will continue as Parish Environment Officer.
   7. There were no declarations of changes to the Register of Interests by those present.
      Absent Councillors will be asked at the next meeting.
3. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 15th April 2008 (Already Circulated). The minutes were approved and signed.
4. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST.
   There were no declarations of interest.
5. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
   1. Parish Website. There was no further information.
   2. Proposed Recreation Field at North Lane. Robin Carpenter had circulated the response from the Highways Authority. He suggested that this would be an area put aside for use of the village. Hard standing would be needed for some car parking but use would depend on finance available. Kevin Margetts asked what the cost of the land would be and Robin Carpenter confirmed that a valuation would be necessary depending on how much of the field would be available and to be used. David Beckley raised the question that the planning authority had stated that they would not support any buildings on the land. The Clerk was asked to contact the Planning Authority asking them to attend the next meeting of the Parish Council to discuss the project. Peter Bysouth felt that the Parish Plan had shown that a recreation field was wanted. Kevin Margetts pointed out that the question had been "Would you support a recreation field" and people had not been asked if they would be prepared to pay for it.
   3. Bulb Planting. The Gardening Club had confirmed that they would be happy to carry out the bulb planting . SSDC had confirmed that about 3000 crocus and short daffodils would be provided. Some areas for planting have already been suggested.
   4. The Clerk had received a reply from SSDC that literature was only available to those attending the Playground Management course.
   5. Parish Plan
      Village Hall. Parish Council and Village Hall Committee will be asked for recommendations. Parish Council will write to Village Hall committee after discussion of ideas. Peter Bysouth asked for volunteers to form an implementation committee to carry things forward and David Beckley said that a number of people had offered to help. It was suggested that those who volunteered and members of the steering group be asked to take on the following:
      • First Reponse Team
      • Computer Classes
      • Youth Forum
      • Bulk Oil Purchase
      • Welcome Pack.
      • Neighbourhood Watch
      Stuart Ogden felt that the recreation field should not be the responsibility of the Parish Council. He felt it needed a structured approach. David Beckley felt the recreation field should be retained by the Parish Council whereas leisure activities could be carried forward by sub groups. Robin Carpenter suggested a combined effort and offered to find out the cost of the land initially. This was agreed.
      David Beckley will put an article in the Messenger to start the leisure activities being organised. SSDC could possibly help with computer classes and Hannah Lefeuvre will look into this.
      
      • Parish Plan will be put on the Parish website.
      • Parish Council will review the Nippy Bus service.
      • Parish Council will look into recycling.
      • Parish Council will put an article in the Messenger about the appearance of the village.
      David Cleaton said that funds have been allocated from money received from the Community Council which will be used for the Welcome Packs for the foreseeable future.
   6. Local Development Framework. This replaces the local plan currently in force. Consultation for Parish councils closes at the end of this month and gives the opportunity for Parish Councils to tell the District Council of things they would like in the Parish eg affordable housing, recreation field. Many items covered are areas covered in the Parish Plan. The Clerk to register on the SSDC site and take action from the Parish Plan. The Chairman and Clerk to look at the questions asked.
   7. Robin Carpenter asked if there was any news regarding enforcement of the non permitted business use at the Stables. It was felt that the scaffolding had been removed and the matter was therefore resolved.
6. DISTRICT & COUNTY COUNCILLORS' REPORTS

   Hannah Lefeuvre reported that consultations are still taking place on the Sports Zone. They had also seen the draft Pioneer Somerset project.
   At full Council it was decided that Hannah would stay on the Scrutiny Committee and Lesley Boucher will stay as Board of Governors for Scrutiny in Taunton. Work starts on the Wildlife on Edge Project at Yeovil Country Park this month. £80,000 had been won from the Big Lottery.
   SSDC Horticulture Team is giving people the chance to take home free polyanthus and tulip bulbs from St John's Churchyard.
   SSDC is offering grants of up to £10,000 for owners of run down property to renovate the district’s empty homes. The play equipment at Ninesprings is due for replacement.
   The Sports and Active Lifestyles Team have a free bus that they can take to villages, with activities to participate in.
   The Council has been declared a good authority, improving on its previous fair rating in 2004 and missing excellent status by just two scores. It has been rated as one of the fastest moving councils in the country.

7. PLANNING MATTERS
   1. 08/01217/AGN Improvements to Forest Track, Cheddington Woods, North Perrott for Robert Appleby. Notification had been received that planning consent was not needed.
   2. Results of previous applications:
      1. 08/00957/FUL Erection of a replacement porch at Crossways, Hill End Cross for Mr and Mrs Wadsworth. Approved with conditions.
      2. 08/01010/FUL Erection of a single storey extension to St Marys House, West Coker Hill for Mr and Mrs T Watkins. Approved with conditions.
      3. 06/00918/OUT Result of appeal against the refusal for partially underground eco-dwelling for agricultural occupancy at Woodentop farm, West Coker Hill for Mr P C Richards. Appeal dismissed.
      4. 07/04544/FUL Result of appeal against the refusal for alterations and erection of an extension to Gillard, Lyatts Hill, Hardington Mandeville for Mr and Mrs Burden. Appeal dismissed.
   3. 08/02019/FUL Alterations and extension to Hill View, Pen Lane for MF and LJ Young. Mr Young explained that his family was growing and they were running out of room. Both he and his wife have parents with health problems who will need house space on a short to medium time. Mr Young works from home and needs space to work. The application had been made with consultation with the architect and District Council’s planning officer. He asked that the Parish Council considers the reduction in length of the extension, removal of the external chimney and also the break in the roof line. The extension is generally on the footprint of extensions put on in the past. The Planning Authority have said they will not consider a stone built extension. Timber is more aesthetically pleasing.
      The application was approved by the Parish Council with no objections.
8. AFFORDABLE HOUSING
   1. An email had been received from Clive Miller Associates who are carrying out a survey on behalf of SSDC and SCC. They were asking for details of any land holdings or other publicly owned land in the parish. There is no such land in Hardington Mandeville.
9. FOOTPATHS
   1. The extra rail on the footpath from Moor Lane to the Post Office had not been erected by the Lengthsman. Clerk to contact Lengthsman.
10. HIGHWAYS
    1. Somerset Highways will be carrying out resurfacing to the road to Hardington Marsh.
    2. A new diversion route had been received from SCC while Barry Lane is closed. This takes traffic around the A30.
    3. Kevin Margetts had been asked to report overhanging hedges and trees in the Parish.
11. PARISH LENGTHSMAN SCHEME
    1. The boundary wall to the Village Hall had been painted.
    2. Work for this month:
       The rail on the footpath at Moor Lane reported previously.
       The village sign at Penn Lane needs erecting.
       Strim the triangle at top of North Lane.
       Strim grass by noticeboard opposite the Mandeville Arms.
12. RISK MANAGEMENT
    1. Malcolm White has repaired the noticeboard at the Moor.
13. FINANCE
    1. The Clerk confirmed that she had worked 20.5 hrs in the previous month.
    2. A cheque was drawn in the sum of £43.20 for travelling expenses for M. Bickerton.
    3. A cheque was drawn for £641.00 payable to Blue Cube for printing of the Parish Plan.
    4. A cheque was drawn for £25.00 subscription payable to Community Council for Somerset.
    5. A cheque was drawn for £325.65 payable to Allianz for renewal of the Parish Council insurance.
    6. A letter had been received from Nat West giving details of business banking online.
    7. The Annual Audit had been completed and checked by the Chairman. The Parish Council confirmed Section 2 and the Chairman and Clerk signed the Audit.
14. CORRESPONDENCE
    
    1. All other correspondence was circulated.
15. MATTERS OF REPORT & ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING
    The Chairman reported on the Village Hall Committee meeting. The pre-school had received a grant of £1000 towards a dishwasher and the Village Hall Committee had contributed in order that a commercial machine could be purchased which will wash a load in 3 minutes. The Committee are looking into purchasing new crockery as there is not enough for some functions.
    There is a padlock on the side gate and the combination is attached to the hall keys.
16. DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING & CLOSURE
    There being no other business the meeting ended at 9.45pm. The next meeting will be on Tuesday 17th June 2008 at 7.30 pm.

After the meeting Mrs Cherry asked if the Highway Authority could be made aware of water running opposite the Crows Nest which freezes in the winter.