The Minutes of the previous meeting (June 2009)

MINUTES OF MEETING OF HARDINGTON MANDEVILLE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 21st JULY 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.
Sharyn White, Temporary Parish Clerk

PRESENT

Peter Bysouth, Robin Carpenter, David Beckley, Malcolm White, Bill Turner and Rob Lloyd.

IN ATTENDANCE

Sharyn White (Temporary Clerk), PC Justin Pitman, Cathy Bakewell (County Councillor) and four members of the public.

  1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
    Apologies for absence were received from Lesley Boucher.
  2. MINUTES OF MEETINGS HELD ON 16th June 2009 (Already Circulated).
    There were no amendments. The Minutes were signed as a true record.
  3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST.
    1. Peter Bysouth expressed a personal and prejudicial interest in item 7a.
    2. Declaration of any changes to Register of Interests. Rob Lloyd had no changes to report to his Entry in the Register of Interests.
    3. Ethical Standards Self Assessment Survey. Those Councillors not present at the June meeting had no comments to make on this Survey.
    4. Review of Register of Interest Forms. All forms had been returned by Councillors, and would be sent to the District Council.
  4. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
    1. BT Payphones. There had been no response regarding the repainting and cleaning of these Payphones.
    2. Website Forum. No Councillors had visited the site. A notice will be placed in the Messenger advertising for a Moderator for the site. One possibility was for each Forum to have its own moderator from that particular interest group.
    3. Weekly Rural News Focus. Councillors declined to be on the Email list.
  5. DISTRICT & COUNTY COUNCILLORS' REPORT
    Cathy Bakewell said she had £10,000 this year to spend in Coker Ward on non recurring items.
  6. PLANNING MATTERS
    1. No planning applications had been received.
    2. 09/02039/AGN The erection of an agricultural building at White Vine Farm, Common Lane, Haselbury Plucknett for Mr P Oxenbury. No Objections from SSDC.
    3. The Chairman will invite Flo Churchill, Interim Planning Policy Team Leader at SSDC, to speak at a future meeting on the Core Strategy proposed for the Local Development Framework.
  7. RISK MANAGEMENT
    1. Robin Carpenter reported that Liz Raymont had been interviewed and offered the post of Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer, and it was agreed that the necessary paperwork be issued. The Clerk`s salary will be £1,800.00 per annum plus expenses for an average of 20 hours work per month.
    2. Requirement for letter from HM Revenue & Customs regarding payment of Clerk`s salary to be kept on agenda.
    3. Freedom of Information Model Publication Scheme – It was agreed this be kept on the agenda for new Clerk.
    4. Notice Board at Hardington Moor. After discussion it was agreed that the Council should plan to replace this noticeboard within the next year or so.
    5. The Chairman read a letter of resignation from Kevin Margetts dated the 27th June 2009. The Parish Council expressed their thanks and appreciation to Kevin for his work and contribution to the Council and the village since his election in 2003. A Parish Vacancy notice will be displayed from 1st August stating that 10 electors must request an election within 14 days, otherwise the vacancy will be filled by co-option.
    6. Change of bank signatures. No action until new Clerk and Councillor can be included.
    7. Damage to seat at Nature Reserve. Rob White has kindly agreed to repair the seat free of charge.
    8. The chairman read a letter from the Dog Walkers at West Coker regarding litter and broken glass in the Nature Reserve after a party on a Friday night in June.
    9. PC Pitman from Yeovil introduced himself and said that he and PC Matt Tailby are responsible for Coker Ward, and are keen to meet the Council and villagers.
    10. Some residents expressed their concern about the financial situation of the Mandeville Arms. The Council agreed to seek clarification of the position.
  8. FINANCE
    1. A cheque was raised for £30.00 to Diane Howes for acting as temporary clerk.
    2. A cheque was donated to Hardington Pre School for £120.00.
    3. Notification from Nat West of interest on Reserve Account of (0.05%) was noted.
    4. The Bank reconciliation to the 30th June 2009 was agreed and Robin Carpenter signed the document.
    5. The Chairman explained the quarterly reconciliation to the 30th June 2009.
    6. There had been one query from Moore Stephens regarding the 2008/09 audit, and this had now been resolved.
  9. HIGHWAYS
    1. Rob Lloyd will remove the tree at Bendford Bridge to make it safe.
    2. The signpost for Lyatts has been ordered.
    3. The badger sett at Primrose Hill has been filled in.
    4. Rob Lloyd reported that he had met with David Durrant. They had carried out a very thorough survey of the village. They had examined the drainage problem in the High Street and David Durrant will see where the water is coming from and take necessary action. He is also looking into the drainage problem adjacent to Northwood House and Woodcott in Primrose Hill. The pot holes in North Lane will be left until the big metal pipe is unblocked, and the verge just past the Swedish Houses will be restored. A new sign is needed for Hardington Mandeville at Hill End Rob Lloyd will obtain a quotation.
    5. The Chairman had written to the County Council to request that certain verges should not be cut, in order to protect wild flowers. The County Council had asked for details that they could be included on the map supplied to their grass cutting contractors in future.
  10. FOOTPATHS
    1. Robin Carpenter had yet to hear anything from Explore Somerset Website.
    2. Robin Carpenter would arrange for a replacement sign at Milcombe Farm.
    3. Robin will also report to Dorset CC that footpath Y10/25 is blocked at Hows Coppice.
    4. The Chairman read a letter from Phil Hunt regarding North Lane, Common Lane & Coldharbour Lane. A reply will be sent saying these lanes have to be classified as rights of way before 2026, otherwise they will be lost, and that the Council feels a bridleway is the most appropriate status.
  11. PARISH LENGTHSMAN SCHEME
    1. A report of the work carried out in June had been circulated.
    2. The following work was required in July:
      • Weedkiller on footpath Y10/4 to enable strimming.
      • The drain outside Midway needs clearing.
      • Paint sign at Hardington Moor.
      • North Lane clearance.
  12. AFFORDABLE HOUSING
    1. Peter Bysouth will meet with Jean Marshall of SSDC on the 23rd July at 11.30am.
    2. Community Land Trust. No action until after meeting with Jean Marshall.
  13. PROPOSED RECREATION FIELD
    1. The Play Audit Report from James Divall will be ready for the September meeting. It will be publicised in the Village Shop and the Messenger.
    2. Jean Marshall will look at the potential recreation site on her visit on the 23rd July.
  14. PARISH PLAN
    1. David Beckley reported on developments. The Chairman would contact John Gilmore for the minutes of the last Redevelopment Sub Committee’s meeting.
    2. Welcome Pack. All Councillors were happy with the draft so far.
    3. Tree Planting. The Chairman had not yet had a reply from Francis Jones.
    4. The Garden Club will be approached about planting bulbs around the village.
  15. CORRESPONDENCE
    1. Correspondence was circulated.
  16. MATTERS OF REPORT & ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING
    Peter Bysouth reported on the SSDC Annual Meeting he had attended on the 9th July.
  17. DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING & CLOSURE
    The next meeting will be on Tuesday 18th August 2009 at 7.30 pm. The meeting closed at 9.40 pm.

©
Hardington Mandeville
Parish Council
2010