The Minutes of the previous meeting (August 2008)

MINUTES OF MEETING OF HARDINGTON MANDEVILLE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 16th SEPTEMBER 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, Malcolm White, Rob Lloyd and David Beckley.

IN ATTENDANCE

Diane Howes (Clerk), Hannah Lefeuvre, Lesley Boucher (District Councillors) and 4 members of public.

  1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
    Bill Turner and Cathy Bakewell (County Councillor).
    Before the meeting commenced Peter Bysouth invited comments from members of the public. It was suggested and agreed that comments relevant to an item on the agenda were given just before that item was discussed.
  2. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 19th August 2008 (Already Circulated).
    The minutes were approved and signed.
  3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST.
    Peter Bysouth circulated and then read out notes from SALC on Declarations of Interest as follows:
    1. Each Councillor must decide if they should declare an interest and, if so, to state whether they consider it personal or prejudicial.
    2. Having made a declaration, the Councillor should then make that declaration at every meeting when that subject is discussed.
    3. It is not the role of any councillor or member of the public to insist that an individual councillor makes a specific declaration of interest. If a councillor is concerned that a declaration should be make (or that, having been made, it should be prejudicial rather than personal), then he should ask the Chairman to call for any declarations when that subject is discussed. The request should be recorded in the minutes, together with the response, if any.
    4. There is no whistle blowing requirement in the legislation. If anyone is dissatisfied about a declaration of interest (or lack of one), they should make an allegation in writing to the Monitoring Officer at the District Council.

    Peter Bysouth then asked for declarations of interest. Robin Carpenter declared a personal but not prejudicial interest in the Recreation Field.

  4. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
    1. Parish Website: David Beckley mentioned that the oil consortium is now up and running and through its first cycle. A very good price per litre of oil had been obtained.
    2. Engraved Stone Name sign for the village. It was agreed that this was a good idea depending on the cost. Discussion took place on where it would be best sited. Rob Lloyd to invite Mrs Rowswell to the next meeting to outline her proposal.
    3. BT Payphones. A letter had been received from SSDC regarding the draft discussion document about removal of the red BT phone boxes. A letter had also been received from SALC who have received requests from others and parishes can now keep the phone boxes, minus the phone for a payment of £1 or sponsor a phone whereby the Parish Council pay for the phone. Applications are required by 1.10.08. Maintenance was discussed but it was agreed that the Lengthsman could paint it every few years when needed. There was concern that the incoming electricity would not be disconnected and could be expensive. It was agreed to keep and buy both kiosks for £1 each but the Clerk to ask how much it would cost to disconnect the power. Subject to this cost the Clerk to buy kiosks on line.
  5. DISTRICT & COUNTY COUNCILLORS' REPORT
    Lesley Boucher reported that SSDC had discussed their thoughts on the 19500 houses which will be coming into Yeovil and the surroundings. SSDC had had a report from an independent consultant and they say that the current road system in and around the town would only cope with 16000 houses.
    County has to save money and is considering sharing senior management between SSDC and Mendip. There is an ongoing debate.
    Plans for the new Quedam development were approved. Plans for the Cattle Market site were deferred.
  6. PLANNING MATTERS

    Before discussion of the planning applications Peter Bysouth invited comments from members of the public.
    Peter Smith stated with regard to the planning application for The Stables, Wimborough Lane he had no problem with the residents who had caused no problems at all. He did object that one group can be allowed to liver where others cannot. He will be objecting to this application and asked that the Parish Council take his objections forward. He understood that the justification for the planning permission was that they had to travel for fundamental purpose. Peter Smith felt that this is not relevant as this is a new application, the old one being expired. He asked that the District Council obtain documentary evidence, the same as would be required from any other applicant. The fence and gates are completely inappropriate and he feels that elsewhere the Council would not accept these as permitted development. The lighting is also completely over the top and he is not sure if this has been properly considered and/or enforced.
    Permission was given for 2 units because of aged parents living on the site. There has been no evidence of them living on the site. The Council must satisfy itself on this. If the District Council is completely able to satisfy itself on these points then temporary permission could be given until the children have completed their education.
    Mr Rendell felt that the human rights issue needed to be looked at because young people have to leave the village to get somewhere to live whereas travellers are allowed to live on sites such as this. He felt sure that a business was being run from the site which was in contravention of the original planning permission. He also asked if there was space on the Tintinhull Gypsy site. Parish Council to investigate.

    1. 08/03195/S73 Application to remove condition 2 of decision notice 02/02/02623 dated 29/07/03 ie the permanent permission for private family gypsy site at The Stables, Partway Lane for Mr and Mrs R Small.
      Peter Bysouth circulated a flood risk assessment provided with the application. Clive Wareham confirmed that the site had been flooded during the past 5 years. The ditch to the West had been piped. Robin Carpenter felt that the application was granted on the basis of travelling for economic purposes but this is obviously not the case. Peter Bysouth then read a report he had drafted for sending to SSDC.
      Peter Smith said he understood that if an Environment Agency objected to an application then SSDC could not grant permission.
      It was agreed that Peter Bysouth’s report should form the basis of the Council’s objections to this application.
    2. There were no other planning applications.
    3. Results of previous applications:
      08/02540/FUL Erection of a tractor and machinery store land OS 4985, Barry Lane for Mr L Hawkins. This application was refused.
    4. Woodentop Farm, Coker Hill. The Clerk had spoken to the enforcement officer and the legal paperwork had been completed. However it was felt that Mr Richards would be putting in a new application.
  7. AFFORDABLE HOUSING
    1. Rob Lloyd felt that the Consultants he had approached for advice were not interested in a smaller development.
    2. David Beckley felt that until guidance was received from the government on the feasibility of carrying out economical developments this project is not going to happen. He felt there was no point in bringing it up every month. Although it was part of the Parish Plan until land is available there seems little point in pursuing.
      Lesley Boucher suggested a website on linking Parish Plans with planning policy.
      David Cleaton offered to obtain advice from a Rural Housing Trust. This was agreed.
  8. PROPOSED RECREATION FIELD

    Comments were invited from members of the public.
    Alan Ivory asked Malcolm White if he agreed that the proposed site does get wet at times. This was agreed. He also said that there was never a problem getting a site for the start and finish for the carnival or for the horse and dog show. He also asked if it was felt necessary to have such a large piece of land for a children’s planning field. Previously a field on the opposite side of the road was rejected as a playing field and surely the same objections still apply to this field. Robin Carpenter said that the first proposed field was much wetter. He stated that the recreation field in Martock is much wetter. Although previously the majority of parishioners had voted against the recreation field, the Parish Plan had shown that the majority wanted a recreation field.
    Hannah Lefeuvre said that James Divall of SSDC will be carrying out an audit of play provision and wants to do an audit of Hardington Mandeville.

    1. An email had been received from Karen Clotworthy stating that the Village Hall sustains damage from children kicking footballs in the car park area which she felt they would not do if they had a recreation field.
    2. An email had been received from East Coker Parish Council regarding their recreation field. Equipment purchased approx 3 years ago cost around £20,000 and the car park has recently been extended to double the capacity. Cutting the grass (approx 15 times a year) costs £208 a month. There is vandalism to the Pavilion which is an ongoing problem. They have a problem with dog mess as it is difficult to police this.
      Peter Bysouth had obtained similar information from West Coker Parish Council. They have a Trust which meets twice a year. Grass cutting is approx £5000 per year. The equipment is not insured because of the cost and any damage they have to repair.
    3. Details of equipment and price lists were circulated.
    4. There had been no reply from the Planning Office.
    5. There had been no reply from Rob Parr, SSDC.
    6. Robin Carpenter said he had spoken to Mr Kong who still wants a village hall on the site. He has offered to give a presentation to the Parish. Peter Bysouth to liaise with Mr Kong to arrange such a presentation.
      Peter Bysouth then read a letter he had received from Alan Ivory in which he had said he felt the site was isolated and speaking from experience of building and running a recreation field he felt it would attract people from outside the village. He also read the reply sent.
      Kevin Margetts said that at least 3 people who had spoken to him were not happy about Robin Carpenter’s article in The Messenger.
  9. PARISH PLAN
    1. A letter received from the Village Hall Committee which suggested that they felt the Parish Council should appoint a sub committee for the village hall improvements. They are investigating the cost of removal of the electric post in from of the village hall.
      Hallmark standards have stated that the Parish Council should be paying rent for their use of the hall for meetings. It was agreed that a notice should be put in the Messenger asking for volunteers to form a committee and also contact those who offered help in the Parish Plan. Need to ascertain what form the development should take from the village as a whole. Peter Bysouth to speak to Karen Clotworthy to arrange a public meeting to discuss. This could possibly be combined with Mr Kong’s presentation.
    2. Appearance of the village. To be discussed next month.
  10. FOOTPATHS
    1. The Lengthsman to repair the stile by the road and strim the footpath adjacent to Gillards, Lyatts. Clerk to contact owner.
    2. The footpath adjacent to The Moorings needs gravel where it is quite muddy. Lengthsman to be asked to carry this out.
    3. Robin Carpenter offered to investigate the replacement of the gate into Pennels at the top of Pig Hill.
  11. HIGHWAYS
    1. A letter had been received from Somerset Highways stating that they would consider a new gully in the High Street and hopefully this could be carried out in April/May 2009.
    2. Rob Lloyd reported that Lyatts is to be surfaced in the next year. Mr Sale will consider subsidence before resurfacing. The road past Prospect Farm will also be resurfaced. Mr Sale had also said that the bollards left on the footpath from the Post Office to Moor Lane are not the property of Somerset Highways.
    3. Following the Parish Council’s complaint about the recent poor signage during the closure of Barry Lane, Somerset Highways had written to say that the letter would be passed to the road closure team.
    4. Peter Bysouth reported that the road verge at Hill End has not been reinstated by Wessex Water.
    5. The hedges in Moor Lane are very overgrown making it difficult for high vehicles to get through. Rob Lloyd will speak to the landowners.
  12. PARISH LENGTHSMAN SCHEME
    1. Repair stile and strim footpath 9/3 adjacent to Gillards, Lyatts.
    2. Gravel on footpath 10/4 adjacent to The Moorings.
    3. Varnish notice board opposite The Mandeville Arms.
    4. Fix new catch to the notice board at Hardington Marsh.
  13. RISK MANAGEMENT
    1. Peter Bysouth said he had received a letter of resignation from the Clerk and thanked her for her contribution and work over the past 5 years. Peter Bysouth then circulated a timetable for appointment of a new clerk. Peter Bysouth proposed advertising the post at a salary of £1800 pa which was agreed. The Clerk will place an advert in The Messenger.
    2. The Clerk had received a quotation of £75 from Greenslade Taylor Hunt and approx £400 from Symonds Sampson for an insurance valuation of the Village Hall. It was agreed that the Clerk would contact Greenslade Taylor Hunt and ask them to carryout the valuation.
    3. Village Hall indemnity. The Hall committee would like to complete the questionnaire to request a quotation.
  14. FINANCE
    1. The Clerk confirmed that she had worked 17.75 hrs in the previous month.
    2. The Clerk's salary of £428.75 and expenses of £29.35 to be paid next month as the Clerk had omitted to bring the cheque book.
    3. The precept requirements were discussed and to be agreed at the next meeting.
  15. CORRESPONDENCE
    A letter had been received offering Driver Awareness Courses. Peter Bysouth to look at hall bookings for a suitable date.
    A letter had been received from SSDC offering sandbags. Clerk to register the Parish Council’s interest.
    SSDC will be supplying and planting bulbs on 5th November around the Parish. Volunteers required to assist.
    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 21st October 2008 at 7.30 pm.

©
Hardington Mandeville
Parish Council
2008