The Minutes of the previous meeting (November 2009)

MINUTES OF MEETING OF HARDINGTON MANDEVILLE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY 2nd DECEMBER 2009 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.
Liz Raymont, Parish Clerk

PRESENT

Peter Bysouth (Chairman), Robin Carpenter, Bill Turner, Malcolm White, Rob Lloyd and Rose White.

IN ATTENDANCE

Liz Raymont (Parish Clerk), eleven members of the public including Mr Andy Cato Planning Officer, by invitation.

Before the meeting commenced there was an opportunity for the public to speak.

  1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
    Received from David Beckley, Lesley Boucher and Cathy Bakewell.
  2. MINUTES OF MEETINGS HELD ON 17th November 2009 (Already Circulated).
    The Minutes were signed as a true record.
  3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST.
    1. Rose White declared a personal and prejudicial interest in item 9c. Robin Carpenter declared a prejudicial interest in item 6c.
  4. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
    1. Robin Carpenter advised that he will be able to attend the Community Forum meeting taking place 3rd Dec 2009.
  5. DISTRICT & COUNTY COUNCILLORS' REPORT
    None.
  6. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
    1. No new applications had been received.
    2. No results of previous applications had been received.
    3. Application no 09/04132/FUL The permanent siting of 2 additional mobile homes, 2 touring caravans and construction of hard standing for Mr and Mrs Small at The Stables West Coker Hill West Coker.

      Before the Council discussed this application, the meeting was suspended. Andy Cato, SSDC Planning Officer, outlined the issues involved, and members of the public were given the opportunity to present their views, and to have their questions answered. When the meeting resumed Bill Turner and Robin Carpenter left the room.

      After full discussion the Council resolved that it would object to this application on the following grounds:
      1. That part of this development appears to be in a flood risk zone 3 area and is therefore unsustainable. The members noted that the flood risk assessment accompanying this application relates to a previous application made to locate mobile homes and touring caravans to the southern part of this site and not the northern part as is proposed under the current application. They therefore request that a new flood risk assessment is carried out.
      2. That this development will result in the additional touring caravans and mobile homes being more visible form the road outside of the site and from the road above leading to West Coker Hill. This will produce a demonstrable harm to the surrounding area which is a rural valley bottom site. It would appear to be impossible to mitigate the effects of this with any landscaping.
      3. That this is an intensification of use that will lead to the over development of this site. The existing development is squeezed into the southern part of the site and this application would result in an increase in sprawl. At the time of the last application it was agreed that the remaining area of the site should be retained as an open grass area and if this development proceeds then this agreement will be breached.
      4. That this development will lead to an increase in traffic, with a total of 8 vehicles potentially using the site. In the interests of highways safety for all users of the highway, the Highway Authority have a duty of care to ensure that the existing highway network is of a suitable standard to serve any new development in addition to ensuring that safe and suitable means of access is also provided. An increase in vehicular movements on an access road that is already unsuitable for the level of traffic that currently uses it can only result in a demonstrable reduction in highway safety levels.
      The Council would also like to note the following points:
      1. A legal agreement currently exists that no business should be operated from this site. If this application is successful they request that the existing condition on business should be carried forward to this application.
      2. A sewage treatment system is currently used that discharges clean water into the nearby stream. If the number of people occupying the site increases, then they ask that the Environment Agency reassess the capacity of that sewage treatment system to ensure that it is sufficient for the number of people it serves.
      3. Considerable concern has been expressed by people living near the site about the lighting that is currently installed at the site and that it is causing light pollution. The Council ask that this lighting is reassessed to mitigate this.
    4. Cluster Workshop attended by Peter Bysouth and Rob Lloyd. Rob reported that the meeting had considered the proposed core strategy development for 5,000 additional houses in and around Yeovil. They had looked at the advantages, disadvantages and feasibility of a large development at one site, of a number of smaller developments at different sites. He also advised that a site on the A37 at Key Farm is likely to be earmarked for industrial development and that those attending the workshop wished future development to be attached to Yeovil.

    At this point in the meeting Bill Turner and Robin Carpenter rejoined the meeting.

  7. PARISH PLAN
    1. Village Hall redevelopment. Peter Bysouth reported that the Village Hall Redevelopment Committee had established that in order to move the project forward they had obtained quotations ranging from £5400 to £7000 plus VAT for 3 items; as built drawings, drawings of proposed changes and a budget price from a cost estimator. They are asking the Parish Council to meet the cost of this.

      Although, 80% of people who responded to the Parish Plan in October 2007 said that they would like the Hall to be refurbished and/or extended, the plan did not indicate the likely cost involved. Due to the initial cost of obtaining the 3 items, as stated above, the members felt that they needed to consult the village community on this matter. They resolved to consult with the Village Hall Committee on this and for the Clerk to produce a survey to be distributed with the January Messenger asking whether they support the Parish Council spending £5400 plus VAT to obtain plans.

    2. Welcome Pack. Resolved to leave this item for the next meeting.
  8. PROPOSED RECREATION FIELD
    1. District Council Planning Officer’s visit to potential site. Resolved to leave this item for the next meeting.
    2. The Play audit Report. Resolved to leave this item for the next meeting.
  9. FINANCE
    1. The Clerks hours for November were noted as 31.25 hrs.
    2. Review of Clerk’s salary. Resolved to leave this item for the next meeting.
    3. Letter from West Coker Brownies requesting financial support for a residential trip to Osmington Bay. Rose White left the meeting. Although the Parish Council has a general rule not to respond to requests for donations they felt that as this was in support of children within the Parish that a donation might be appropriate. Peter Bysouth proposed that they donate £100. This was put to a vote and carried unanimously. The Clerk was instructed to raise a cheque.

      Rose White rejoined the meeting.

    4. Funding of village hall project. See 7a.
    5. Provisional notification of Precept. Final precept will be decided at the January 2010 meeting.
  10. DOG CONTROL
    The Clerk reported that she had received 2 letters giving details of attacks in the past on pets whilst out walking, by the greyhounds belonging to Mr & Mrs Walker. She had also received an email alleging that Mrs Walker had been seen walking on Wednesday 22nd November 2009 with 4 greyhounds but only 2 were muzzled.
    1. Dangerous dogs. It was resolved to keep this under review.
    2. Dog control Orders. It was resolved to keep this under review.
  11. AFFORDABLE HOUSING
    1. Planning Officer’s visit to the potential site. Deferred until the next meeting.
    2. The Community Land Trust. Deferred until the next meeting.
  12. CORRESPONDENCE
    No correspondence was received.
  13. MATTERS OF REPORT & ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING
    1. The Chairman reported he will be attending the Flood Awareness Workshop 20th Jan 2010.
    2. The Councillors had nothing to report.
    3. The Clerk reported that David Durrant of the Highways Agency had agreed to deliver 10 extra bags of salt to Bill Turner at Manor Farm. It was agreed that 2 bags will be placed at Barrows Hill.
  14. DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING & CLOSURE
    The next meeting will be 19th January 2010 at 7.30pm. The meeting closed at 10.32 pm.

©
Hardington Mandeville
Parish Council
2012