The Minutes of the previous meeting (May 2009)

MINUTES OF MEETING OF HARDINGTON MANDEVILLE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 16th JUNE 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.
Diane Howes, Temporary Parish Clerk

PRESENT

Peter Bysouth, Robin Carpenter and David Beckley.

IN ATTENDANCE

Diane Howes (Temporary Clerk), Lesley Boucher, District Councillor, Stephanie Wheeler and Sarah Bucks (South Somerset Bridleways Association) and two members of the public.

The Chairman welcomed Stephanie Wheeler and Sarah Bucks from South Somerset Bridleways Association. They explained that, in response to the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, they were researching and submitting modification orders for tracks which they believed had been omitted when rights of way maps were prepared after the Second World War. There were three tracks in Hardington which were old highways, but which had no legal status. The Association had lodged Definitive Map Modification Orders for two of these – Coldharbour Lane and Coker Hill Lane. The third highway was Common Lane where, as there was potential private ownership, the Association wished to speak to landowners before taking any action. They were also investigating whether some rights of way that had been designated as footpaths could be upgraded to bridleways to improve the system. The Council provided them with details of the landowners so that they could contact them about these suggestions, and agreed to support the Bridleways Association in their work.

Stephanie Wheeler, Sarah Bucks and the two members of the public then left the meeting.

  1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
    Apologies for absence were received from Rob Lloyd, Kevin Margetts, Malcolm White, Bill Turner and Cathy Bakewell.
  2. MINUTES OF MEETINGS HELD ON 19th May 2009 (Already Circulated).
    There was one amendment. In Minute 11b the words “fill in the holes and it needed strimming as nettles were obstructing the path” should be inserted. The minutes were approved and signed.
  3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST.
    1. There were no declarations of interest referring to this meeting.
    2. Declaration of any changes to Register of Interests. This only applied to Rob Lloyd who was not present.
    3. Ethical Standards Self Assessment Survey. Members were issued with a draft survey form, and asked to complete and return this with any comments.
  4. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
    1. BT Payphones. An email had been received from BT saying that the Local Authority had objected to the removal of the kiosks and so the phone boxes will remain with working phones. It was agreed to contact BT and ask them to re-paint these phone boxes.
    2. Website Forum. There is now a Forum linked to the Hardington website. Councillors were asked to visit the Forum and try it out. A moderator would be needed to monitor the Forum, and take action if anyone was not obeying the rules.
  5. DISTRICT & COUNTY COUNCILLORS' REPORT
    Lesley Boucher thanked Hannah Lefeuvre for her hard work. It was good to have had a young, fresh, challenging Councillor.

    Lesley Boucher gave details of a workshop on 22nd June which will give guidance on applying for funding from South Somerset Voluntary and Community Action Group. Cathy Bakewell is the new District Councillor in place of Hannah Lefeuvre.

  6. PLANNING MATTERS
    1. There were no new planning applications.
    2. Results of previous applications:
      09/01408/LBC The erection of single storey rear extension to dwelling house at Moor Lane for Mrs Mazey. Refused.
  7. RISK MANAGEMENT
    1. Recruitment of new Clerk. One application for the post of Clerk had been received. Peter Bysouth agreed to circulate the CV to all Councillors and arrange an interview.
    2. Power of Wellbeing requirements. It was agreed it was desirable for the Council to have this Power. The applicant would be made aware that some training (for both the Clerk and the Council) would be required before this Power could be exercised.
    3. Jane Woodcock had confirmed that she had still not received confirmation from the Inland Revenue regarding her salary being paid without deductions.
    4. Freedom of Information Model Publication Scheme – no action until a new clerk was appointed.
    5. Peter Bysouth reported that the edge strip was coming away from the glass on the notice board at Hardington Moor. It was agreed that Councillors would take a look at the notice board, and also to ask the Lengthsman to report back on the work needed: to be discussed at next meeting.
  8. FINANCE
    1. It was noted that, following the delegation of powers at the May meeting, the Parish Council’s insurance had been renewed with Allianz at a reduced premium of £249.37. A schedule of the revised cover was distributed to Councillors.
    2. A new cheque was raised for Francis Jones for tree planting as the previous cheque No. 00436 had been lost and had now been stopped.
    3. A cheque was raised for Jane Woodcock for her final salary in the sum of £706.30 being £702.75 salary and £3.55 expenses. A copy of the final calculation was supplied to Councillors.
  9. HIGHWAYS
    1. There has been no response regarding the railings to Chinnock Brook at North Lane, or the deterioration at Bendford Bridge.
    2. There has been no response regarding the sign post at Lyatts.
    3. The badger sett at Primrose Hill appears to have been filled in.
    4. Rob Lloyd reported that he had met with the new contact, David Durrant, and that he appeared to be very good. They had carried out a very thorough survey of the village. They had examined the drainage problem in the High Street, and had been supplied with a map of the where the ice formed in winter.
    5. The seat outside the Nature Reserve had been dragged down to the bridge at the bottom of North Lane and wrecked. Robin Carpenter had spoken to the Police and a crime incident number had been obtained. However, they had shown very little interest. The railings to Chinnock Brook were also damaged together with the footpath sign. Robin Carpenter suggested giving the police one week to act and then investigating the cost of a replacement seat. Yarcombe Timber Products had supplied good hardwood seats in the past. The seat donated in memory of Bill Laughlin also needed repairing.
    6. Somerset County Council was getting new quotations for the road maintenance contract and a letter has been received from Carillon Highways Maintenance asking for items important to the Parish Council. A response was needed by 12th July. The Parish Council’s response would be that quality of work and speed of response are most important.
  10. FOOTPATHS
    1. Robin Carpenter had yet to hear anything from Explore Somerset Website.
    2. There were no new footpath matters to report.
    3. Robin Carpenter would arrange for a replacement sign at Milcombe Farm.
  11. PARISH LENGTHSMAN SCHEME
    1. A report of the work carried out in May had been circulated.
    2. The following work was required in June:
      1. The grass around the Mandeville noticeboard needs cutting.
      2. The grass around the seat in Pen Lane needs cutting.
      3. Lengthsman to look at the noticeboard in Hardington Moor and report on work needed to repair this.
      4. Footpath Y10/20 from Prospect Farm to Broadstone Lane needs strimming, both at the Farm, and at the steps in Broadstone Lane.
      5. Footpath Y10/4 by The Moorings needs strimming.
    3. Peter Bysouth reported on the Lengthsman’s meeting held on 9th June.
  12. AFFORDABLE HOUSING
    1. Peter Bysouth has spoken to Jean Marshall of SSDC who will be arranging a visit.
    2. A leaflet on setting up Community Land Trusts to deliver affordable sustainable housing had been distributed to members. Grants were available to carry out a Feasibility Study, and Peter Bysouth agreed to investigate this matter.
  13. PROPOSED RECREATION FIELD
    1. The Play Audit Report from James Divall would not now be available until July.
    2. Jean Marshall would also be asked to look at this site as part of her visit.
    3. Kevin Margetts wished it to be on record that the vandalism of the seat in North Lane confirmed his fears about the remoteness and location of the proposed site.
  14. PARISH PLAN
    1. David Beckley said the Village Hall Redevelopment Committee had produced several schemes for the Village Hall which involved re-planning of the internal space. The approximate cost of either of these schemes would be around £200,000.
      They had asked the Parish Council to investigate the value of the Village Hall if it was sold for conversion to a private house. They had also asked for an opinion on an idea to build affordable flats at the rear of the hall, which would go to fund the redevelopment. They were aware that the village did not support these ideas but, in view of Mr Kong’s presentation, had felt it was necessary to investigate these possibilities. Justin Lowe from Greenslade, Taylor, Hunt had visited the site. He was of the opinion that SSDC would be unlikely to approve flats and also that approval would be unlikely for conversion to two properties. He felt that about £125,000 would be raised by selling the Hall for conversion to a single dwelling. However, as the Hall was outside the development area, SSDC would require that the possibility of commercial use of the Hall be investigated first. Greenslade Taylor Hunt could carry out a feasibility study if required, but it was felt it was not needed at this stage.
      David Beckley felt the next step would be to look at the redevelopment of the existing building and to investigate how to raise the funds for this. Grants are available for Village Hall schemes of £70,000 maximum matched funding.
    2. Peter Bysouth had emailed a copy of the Welcome Pack to Councillors. The format seemed fine although some information was out of date. Discussion took place on what should be included and the possible inclusion of advertising.
    3. Tree Planting. Peter Bysouth circulated a leaflet on Hedgerow Tree Grants. He suggested contacting Francis Jones and identifying existing trees in hedgerows which the Parish Council would like to be kept. This was agreed. Robin Carpenter said he would remove the ash sapling growing out of the wall at the top of North Lane.
  15. CORRESPONDENCE
    1. A hymn and reading was needed for the Carnival Songs of Praise. Rob Lloyd had agreed do the reading and the hymn chosen was Hills of the North Rejoice.
    2. Details had been received of a Sustainable Communities Competition with a prize of £5,000. Applications had to be submitted by the end of September. No action.
  16. MATTERS OF REPORT & ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING
    1. Peter Bysouth reported on the ZeroSom Sustainability event he had attended and found it very interesting.
    2. SSDC Annual meeting on 9th July. Peter Bysouth agreed to attend.
    3. SSVA grant applications made easy. Already discussed under Councillor’s report.
    4. Weekly Rural News Focus is sent by email each week. To be circulated and, if Councillors are interested, they can be added to the email list.
    5. David Laws Advice Centre will be at the Post Office on Thursday 30th July at 12.15pm. Advertise in the Messenger.
    6. Peter Bysouth had a leaflet on how to Cut out Junk Mail. This will be summarised for the Messenger.
    7. Peter Bysouth asked if members wished to consider changing the day of the Parish Council meetings. This was felt unnecessary.
  17. DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING & CLOSURE
    The next meeting will be on Tuesday 21st July 2009 at 7.30 pm. The meeting closed at 9.30 pm.

©
Hardington Mandeville
Parish Council
2010