Hardington Mandeville

The Minutes of the previous meeting (September 2008)

MINUTES OF MEETING OF HARDINGTON MANDEVILLE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 21st OCTOBER 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, Kevin Margetts, Malcolm White, Rob Lloyd, David Beckley and Bill Turner.

IN ATTENDANCE

Diane Howes (Clerk), Hannah Lefeuvre(District Councillor), Cathy Bakewell (County Councillor), PC Jon Watson and 9 members of public.

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
   Robin Carpenter.

   Before the meeting commenced Peter Bysouth invited comments from members of the public. The steps in Broadstone Lane leading to the footpath still need clearing. The Clerk confirmed that the Lengthsman had been asked to do this. Clerk to chase this up.

   PC Jon Watson introduced himself as the Beat Manager for Hardington and surrounding areas. He moved to Crewkerne in January this year and his area comprises 38 villages and 2 towns. Together with 4 PCSOs and a number of special constables he is responsible for a very large area, and they therefore tend to concentrate on areas where they feel they are most needed.

   Crewkerne is no longer a frontline station and 999 officers work from Chard and Wincanton. Yeovil Police Station only polices Yeovil. David Beckley asked for the average response time to a 999 call. Mrs Cherry commented that when there was an accident in the village a 999 call took 45 minutes for a response.

   Another member of the public said that when he reported an accident at Barrows Hill a great number of cars arrived. PC Watson explained that with an accident such as this traffic police responded, and were needed for many areas such as traffic control, etc.

   Hannah Lefeuvre asked about speed watch. PC Watson felt that a survey should be carried out again now. However speedwatch can only be applied where a speed limit is in force which is not the case in Hardington. It was generally agreed that the school run and dropping off and collecting from pre-school was the worst problem. Farm Watch is a priority as metal gates, feed, etc. was being targeted. Property marking and Neighbourhood Watch were recommended.

   PC Watson also reminded everyone that isolated properties are being targeted. He stressed the importance of not leaving anything in view in the car or home and to lock doors and windows. He asked that everyone spread the word. A member of the public asked about locking oil tanks. PC Watson recommended audible alarms if the tank was near the house.

2. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 16th September 2008 (Already Circulated).
   Hannah Lefeuvre mentioned that she wished the minutes to be amended to report that she had spoken to Ken Marsh at the Community Council regarding community grants. The minutes were then approved and signed.
3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST.
   Peter Bysouth declared an interest in item 9B as he is a member of the Village Hall Committee and also item 14h – Donation to St Mary’s Church.
4. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
   1. Parish Website: Nothing to report.
   2. Rob Lloyd explained that whilst Mrs Rowswell would sponsor the engraving of a stone name sign the stone would need to be purchased and this would be extremely expensive. No further action.
   3. BT Payphones. The Clerk had received replies concerning purchase of these kiosks and it was agreed that the Clerk should proceed to purchase both for £1 each.
   4. The Village Hall Committee have written saying that the Parish Council should be paying rental for the hall for meetings. Kevin Margetts suggested that the donation should therefore be reduced accordingly. Rent would be approximately £200 per year.
   5. The Village Hall Committee had confirmed that they would be interested in Charity Trustee Insurance and asking if the Parish Council would pay for this. No further information at present received.
   6. Driver Awareness Course. A guaranteed number is needed. Peter Bysouth agreed to make necessary bookings and the Clerk will then put a notice in the Post Office. Advertise in the Messenger.
5. DISTRICT & COUNTY COUNCILLORS' REPORT

   Hannah Lefeuvre had brought a quantity of low energy light bulbs for distribution. These were supplied by SSDC. The question of broadband in the village hall was raised and the Clerk confirmed that she had emailed the person Hannah had suggested but not received a reply.

   Sport Zone had confirmed that Yeovil Rec would be a suitable site. The full report is on the SSDC website. Yeovil Tourist information is in line to win either a gold or silver award. Community Chest grants are available up to £12,500 for local needs. An information pack can be obtained from Lyn Ashton at SSDC. The grant can be for up to 50% of the total cost.

   A report on the Hardington Play Day from James Dival was very good and it has been booked again for 3rd August 2009 from 12 – 4pm. He is hoping to get more funding for the event next year.

   The Play Audit will commence in November in four South Somerset areas of which Hardington Mandeville is one. The proposal has been sent to Cathy Bakewell. It is proposed to hold 4 evenings in the village hall with consultations and 2 outside visits.

   Hinkley Point has been identified as a site for a new nuclear power station.

   Fuel Poverty details had already been sent to the Clerk and will be forwarded to the Messenger.

   Cathy Bakewell said she had held a surgery of Yr 7 at Westfield School as part of Democracy Week and they asked for more play facilities and sport facilities. Cathy Bakewell had received an email from Jayne Jones about speed readings and Cathy has spoken to Colin Fletcher (SCC). Cathy has applied to the local initiative budget for 8 villages to have a speed activated sign. Hardington Mandeville is one and the sign will be set at 30mph and say Please Slow Down. This would be in operation for 2 weeks every 4 months. It was suggested that it should be sited at The Moor. There is £2000 left from the Community budget and this needs to be spent before the end of February. Cathy Bakewell suggested getting a quotation for replacement of the signpost at Lyatts as the cost could be suitable for a grant.

   SCC had money invested in Icelandic Bank but they are very hopeful of getting it back.

6. PLANNING MATTERS
   1. 08/04482/FUL Erection of a livestock shed for keeping of wild boar at Woodentop Farm, West Coker Hill. It was agreed to ask the District Council to consult with DEFRA on the viability of and guidance for the keeping of wild boar. It was felt also that the viability of the wild boar needs to be proved before a decision can be made on the application for the temporary log cabin. The Parish Council felt that they had insufficient information to make a decision on either matter.
   2. 08/03195/S73 Application to remove condition 2 of decision notice 02/02/02623 dated 29/07/03 i.e. the permanent permission for private family gypsy site at The Stables, Partway Lane for Mr and Mrs R Small.
      Notification had now been received that this had been changed from an S73 basis to a retrospective application for Full planning permission.
      Peter Bysouth asked Cathy Bakewell about problems with harassment that she said had occurred at the site. Mr Small said that it had mainly been people sounding their horns and some mail had disappeared before being delivered, and then placed on the SSDC website. The interception of this mail had been reported to the police, and procedures had been put in place to stop such papers being scanned on to the website. He did not want the Parish Council to take any action on these problems.
      A letter had been received from the Environment Agency stating that the applicant has been asked for a revised flood risk assessment. They will also be meeting the applicant on site.
      At the last meeting it had been agreed that the final draft of the objection letter should be circulated to all councillors and agreed before sending to the SSDC, and it was noted that this had been done.
      The carrying on of a business on the site was queried and Mr Small said that the land had been used for storage of vans which are used in selling on the road. He explained that he sells scaffolding towers but the scaffolding is kept on other sites.
      David Beckley also raised the question of the legal position if Mr Small moved on and whether the site could be sold. It was agreed to clarify this point with SSDC.
      Malcolm White said the question of the lighting at the property was a concern, but Mr Small said this had been installed in accordance with the SSDC’s requirements.
      Mr Small confirmed that the application was for 2 touring caravans and 2 mobile (or park) homes.
      Rob Lloyd said that he understood a gypsy way of life was a mobile way of life but it seems that Mr Small was not interested in the mobile side of things. Peter Bysouth explained that legislation had been changed so that the planning exemptions for gypsies meant that they no longer had to ‘travel with economic purpose’.
       
      It was agreed to write to SSDC saying that the Parish Council have spoken to the applicant and clarified some of the issues on this application. However, it was difficult to make a decision until a new flood risk assessment had been seen. The Council therefore agreed to maintain its objection on this point until the new assessment was received. The Council also agreed to maintain its objections under Circular 1/2006. The Parish Council felt it would be useful to meet officers from SSDC to examine Circular 1/2006 – Planning for Gypsy and Traveller Caravan Sites, and to look at other planning issues relevant to this application. This was what had happened when the original application was submitted in 2003 and the Parish Council had found this very useful.
   3. Community Led Plans guidance. The District Council would look at Parish Plans and Design Statement and give advice on any amendments required to ensure they could form part of the planning process. Clerk to send them a copy of both documents and ask for advice. Hannah Lefeuvre said that several other villages have got together and discussed this. She suggested Hardington possibly joining with East and West Coker. To be further discussed next month.
   4. There were no other planning applications.
   5. Results of previous applications:
      08/03375/ELS Erection of an 11KV overhead line on wooden poles on land at Lynch Lane: Approved.
      08/03067/FUL Demolition of existing rear porch and the erection of a two storey rear extension at 343 High Street for Mr and Mrs Kim Manuel. Approved with conditions.
      08/03141/FUL Extension to porch/utility room to provide WC at The Laurels, Barry Lane for Mr L J Hawkins. Approved with conditions.
   6. Amendments to Permitted Development details from SSDC were circulated.
7. AFFORDABLE HOUSING
   No further action.
8. PROPOSED RECREATION FIELD

   Feasibility Study. Peter Bysouth suggested forming a sub-committee. Bill Turner felt that the Parish Council should take this forward and not a separate committee. David Beckley felt that until the Parish Council had spoken to Mr Kong the proposal could not go forward. Peter Bysouth had spoken to Karen Clotworthy about Mr Kong meeting the Village Hall Committee. Karen had felt this would not be useful as the Committee did not support a village hall in North Lane. Peter Bysouth to contact Mr Kong to come to a Parish Council meeting and explain his ideas.
   Rob Lloyd felt that what children need is a goal mouth to kick a ball about and this would really only be a small corner and not a whole field. This would probably be for children under 10 years of age. A play area would be needed for younger children and this need not be in the same place.

   Hannah Lefeuvre felt that Rob Parr had replied to the letter sent to him. However the Clerk had not received this. SSDC have an offer on annual playgroup on playground risk assessment.

9. PARISH PLAN
   1. Appearance of Village.
      1. Bulb planting is taking place on 5th November.
      2. Clerk to contact Francis Jones and invite him to the next meeting to discuss tree planting.
   2. Karen Clotworthy has about six volunteers to form a committee for the development of the village hall. David Beckley will be the Parish Council representative on the committee.
   3. Clerk to contact Katherine Armstrong at SCC again concerning the possibility of broadband in the village hall.
10. FOOTPATHS
    1. There is an electric fence across the footpath at the top of the steps leading off Broadstone Lane. Clerk to ask Ken Curtis to move this.
    2. The stile on the footpath between The Moorings and Penn View needs repair.
    3. The stile leading onto the Ridge needs the bottom tread replacing.
    4. The steps from Broadstone Lane to the footpath to Bishops Lane need clearing.
    5. The stile at the top of this field leading to the path to Bishops Lane need treads renewing.
    6. The gate catch next to Moor Farm is broken.
11. HIGHWAYS
    1. Rob Lloyd will speak to Mr Board about the water in Rag Lane.
    2. Clerk to contact Highways Authority concerning railings over Chinnock Brook at the bottom of North Lane.
12. PARISH LENGTHSMAN SCHEME
    1. The Lengthsman reported that he had completed all outstanding jobs.
    2. The list above of work needed to footpaths to be passed to the Lengthsman. The stile adjacent to Gillards needs replacement and the footpath needs strimming. The signpost at the bottom of the hill from Hill End to Hardington Marsh turning is overgrown and also needs painting, as does the sign post at the top of Lyatts.
    3. Minutes of the meeting held on 17th June 2008 were circulated.
13. RISK MANAGEMENT
    1. A valuation of the Village Hall for insurance purposes had been received from Greenslade, Taylor, Hunt. This gave a valuation of £310,000 and showed that the insurance cover was more than adequate.
    2. One application and two enquiries have been received for the vacancy of Parish Clerk.
    3. Dates for Parish Council meetings in 2009 were circulated.
    4. The Clerk reported that Nat West Bank has deleted authorised signatures from the Bank Account including that of the Clerk. This is the second time this has happened in 5 years. All Councillors will be required to complete the necessary authorisation and take ID to the bank.
14. FINANCE
    1. The Clerk confirmed that she had worked 15.75 hours during the previous month.
    2. A cheque was drawn for the Clerk’s salary of £428.75 and expenses of £29.35.
    3. A cheque was drawn for an invoice from Moore Stephens for the audit for £141.00.
    4. A cheque was drawn for the Parish Lengthsman Scheme for £326.30.
    5. A cheque was drawn for the donation to St Mary’s Church for £100.00.
    6. A cheque was drawn for SSDC in respect of the Village Hall Premises Licence for £70.00.
    7. A cheque was drawn for the invoice from Greenslade Taylor Hunt for £88.13.
    8. The Precept requirements were circulated and agreed at £10,000. Clerk to complete the precept request by 1st January 2009.
    9. The Clerk had received notification of approval of the Audit.
    10. The Bank reconciliation to 30th September was approved and signed.
    11. The comparison of figures was circulated.
15. CORRESPONDENCE
    An email had been received asking about the Repton window in the Church. Rob Lloyd will look into this.
    A letter had been received from Mrs Daphne Creed on behalf of the Village Hall committee giving information about the new hall booking system. If an alcohol licence was needed, an application for this was also necessary. This was required even where the alcohol was not for sale or was a raffle prize.
    A SSDC question time meeting would be held on 26th November.
    All other correspondence was circulated.
16. MATTERS OF REPORT & ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING
    No items to report.
17. DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING & CLOSURE
    There being no other business the meeting ended at 10.15pm. The next meeting will be on Tuesday 18th November 2008 at 7.30 pm.