The Minutes of the previous meeting (October 2009)

MINUTES OF MEETING OF HARDINGTON MANDEVILLE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 17th NOVEMBER 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, David Beckley, Malcolm White, Rob Lloyd and Rose White.

IN ATTENDANCE

Liz Raymont (Parish Clerk), Lesley Boucher (District Councillor) Cathy Bakewell (District and County Councillor) and ten members of the public including Mr Ernest Kong by invitation.

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

  1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
    None.
  2. MINUTES OF MEETINGS HELD ON 20th October 2009 (Already Circulated).
    Robin Carpenter asked that Minute 2) asking for an amendment to minute 11b) from the August meeting be amended to say that the replacement sign at Milcombe Farm is in hand and Minute 11c) be amended to state that footpath Y10/25 is partially blocked in Somerset by broken gates and maize and that it is totally blocked on the Dorset side. The Minutes were signed as a true record.
  3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST.
    1. Rose White declared a personal interest in item 10a.
  4. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
    1. Peter Bysouth advised that he will no longer be able to attend the Community Forum meeting taking place 3rd Dec 2009.
  5. DISTRICT & COUNTY COUNCILLORS' REPORT
    Lesley Boucher responded to Peter Bysouth’s frustration that the Planning site meeting had taken place without the Parish Council being included. She suggested that this is normal practice to prevent any future decisions by the Parish Council being prejudiced. She also advised that the planning officer concerned, Andy Cato, is always willing to attend Parish Council meetings to advise on any progress made.

    Peter Bysouth asked Cathy Bakewell if it would be possible for the village to have a speed activated ‘slow down’ sign. She advised that the budget for such items had been cut but she would enquire whether this could be paid for from the Community Budget. She also stated that it would need to be powered.

    Cathy Bakewell advised that extra 20kg bags of salt are available from the area Highways Office, that the County are spending £1.4m on salting roads and that they will continue to salt from A30 White Post to Hill End. Parish Council suggested that the steep stretch where the road meets the A30 travelling towards Crewkerne should also be salted and Cathy agreed to take this up with them.

    The County Council reported that their budget has been cut by 25%. One area affected is the budget for Police and Community Support Officers.

    The County Council has passed a resolution preventing Councillors having access to some Council information and that they would only have Common Law access. She believes that this may be due to the leaking of some information in the past. She advised that there will be budget cuts but can’t see what is proposed. The Lengthsman scheme may be affected but there is no planned increase in Council Tax.

    Further to a previous query regarding the council’s exposure to Icelandic Banks she advised that 2/3rds (£11m) had been returned and more was expected. The rest is under negotiation.

    Cathy Bakewell asked that item10a) Dangerous dogs be moved up the agenda as she is concerned about what she has heard.

  6. DANGEROUS DOGS AND DOG CONTROL ORDERS
    Robin Carpenter expressed his concern that 3 family pets had been killed by the greyhounds belonging to Mr and Mr S Walker over the years and has suggested the text of a letter to be sent to Mr and Mrs Walker asking that they be kept muzzled and on a leash whenever being exercised in a public place. An email from Anne Blight was read concerning an attack on her dog in the past and a letter from Ruth Hill concerning the recent attack on a family pet. Various members of the public present expressed their concern and reported other incidents where they had been frightened or had pets chased by the greyhounds in question. Concern was expressed over the number of dogs being exercised by Mr and Mrs Walker at any one time and whether it was physically possible for one person to hold back 6 or more dogs of this size.

    Rose White reported back on the Dog Control Seminar that she attended stating that there are no powers at present that can be brought into force against Mr and Mrs Walker. The Street Scheme Enforcement Officers at SSDC, which includes the dog wardens, are trying to bring in new dog control orders from March 2010. However these are limited and will mostly extend to cover failure to remove faeces. She reported that fear of being attacked is not sufficient for action to be taken; someone has to be attacked before they will act. She reported that signs saying ‘no dogs’ are not enforceable. The only time this can be enforced is when sheep are in a field and then a dog must be kept on a lead.

    Robin Carpenter proposed that a letter is sent to Mr and Mrs Walker asking that their dogs are kept on a lead and muzzled at all times when walking them in a public place. He also proposed that an article be placed in the Messenger asking for any future incidents where the dogs are seen without a muzzle and unleashed be reported. This was agreed.

  7. PLANNING MATTERS
    1. No new applications had been received.
    2. The appeal against the refusal of application no 09/01408/LBC by Mrs S Mazey for erection of a single storey rear extension at Brookmead Moor Lane Hardington Mandeville, was refused.
    3. Proposed boar shed at Woodentop Farm Ref No; 09/00609/FUL. The clerk reported that Mr Richards had telephoned to say that no wild boar are being or have been kept at Woodentop Farm.
    4. Core Strategy Consultation Evidence Base attended by Peter Bysouth and Rob Lloyd. Rob reported that SSDC is required to provide 19700 new dwellings. 8300 in market towns, small towns and large villages, 5000 on an extension to Yeovil and the remainder on brown field sites. This is in response to organic growth in the population along with changes due to the increasing no of families living separately following divorce. He also reported that if there is a change of Government at the next election this could result in a complete change in housing policy. Peter Bysouth reported that identified sites were split into categories from A to C. Hardington Mandeville is a sub C site (small villages) and there are currently no plans for any sub C development.
  8. PROPOSED RECREATION FIELD
    It was agreed that item 14) Recreation Field would be moved up the agenda.

    Mr Kong expressed his frustration that nothing appears to be happening in spite of his offer of some land for a recreation field and village hall at North Lane. He has heard nothing from the Parish Council. He felt that developing the existing village hall is not the way forward due to its position on a dangerous corner where there is no lighting and no parking. No progress appears to have been made and he was keen to point out that this is a great opportunity for the village to provide something for future generations. The Parish Council expressed their apologies to Mr Kong for not keeping him informed of what has been going on and thanked him for his very generous offer. Robin Carpenter advised that the Parish Plan showed that whilst there was support for the recreation site there was little support for the relocation of the village hall itself. David Beckley advised that the Village Hall Committee had looked into what was financially viable and that redeveloping the current site of the village hall with housing would generate limited funds. Peter Bysouth asked whether Mr Kong would be willing to reserve space for a village hall if the Parish Council proceeds with the recreation ground. Robin Carpenter felt that if the Parish Council was confident that the field was still available then they could move on with the recreation field and apply to the local Council for change of use. Mr Kong confirmed that the field is still available and that his offer was not dependant on a new village hall being built on the site. How much land was needed and exactly what would be sited there could be left for discussion at a later date.

    The Parish Council then discussed the options stated in section 8 of the Play Audit Report ‘Making it Happen’. It was resolved that the Parish council should set up a working party with the remit as stated by option 1 of the Play Audit report. It was agreed that Rose White should be the Parish Council representative on the working party. Robin Carpenter, Sarah Quinton, Ernest Kong, Elizabeth Raymont all offered to be involved in the working party. It was resolved that the clerk should approach the head of play and youth services at SSDC to discuss the way forward. It was agreed to ask him/her to attend the next meeting with a view to making a planning application for a change of use. It was agreed that the other options detailed in the Play audit should be discussed at the next meeting.

    Rose White informed the Council that Ernest Kong had expressed his concern that he had not heard anything from the Council about developments regarding the playing field and his offer of land at North Lane.

    The Clerk was asked to write thanking him for his offer and letting him know that there did not appear to be a remit within the Village to proceed with a Village Hall development on that site. However there does appear to be a wish to pursue the idea that it could be used as a community space. The Clerk will invite him to attend the next meeting when they intend to discuss the play audit and send him a copy of the play audit.

  9. RISK MANAGEMENT
    1. The Clerk has received a letter from HM Revenue & Customs agreeing to payment of Clerk’s salary without deduction of national insurance or tax.
    2. Freedom of Information Model Publication Scheme – It was agreed this be kept on the agenda for the Clerk to deal with once she has more time.
    3. Change of bank signatures has been completed
    4. The clerk went through a comparison of village hall insurance quotations from Aon Ltd and Allied Westminster. The members resolved to renew with Aon Ltd at a cost of £1000 as this provided a more comprehensive cover. The clerk was authorised to draw a cheque for this amount.
  10. FINANCE
    1. A second replacement cheque for Francis Jones was raised and signed.
    2. The Clerks hours for October were noted as 37.75 hrs.
    3. The review of the clerk’s salary. The Parish Council agreed that this would be considered in a closed session at the next meeting
    4. Recovery of VAT. The Clerk advised that the refund has been received.
    5. Provisional notification of Precept and f) Funding of village hall project are to be left until the December meeting.
    6. Renewal of village hall insurance was dealt with under 9d).
  11. HIGHWAYS
    1. The signpost for Lyatts has been ordered but there is no further movement on this.
    2. An email from David Durrant was read to the members. Partial collapse of the road in Wimborough Lane is believed to have been caused by a large vehicle. The ditch is obstructed. There are no funds in this financial year for the repair and warning signs have been placed either side. This will be put forward to be dealt with from 2010/11 funding. Rob Lloyd agreed to pursue this further with David Durrant.
    3. Clerk advised the members that the cost of new signs would be £150 each fitted by the contractor used by Somerset Highways. It was resolved to get Highways to replace the Hill End sign and for the old sign to be delivered to Rob Lloyd. The sign on the Haselbury Road will be replaced in the new financial year.
    4. Winter Service Somerset Highways. It was resolved that Bill Turner would collect 20 bags of salt.
    5. Report from Rob Lloyd, the Highways Representative. Large pothole outside the Mandeville Arms is programmed to be done and the springs running further up the High Street will be monitored. Salt bags will be dropped off for residents to use.
    6. Following his report the highways representative, Rob Lloyd, left the meeting.
  12. FOOTPATHS
    1. Replacement sign at Milcombe Farm. Robin Carpenter advised that he has spoken to Becky Russell at SSDC and the new sign is on its way.
    2. The clerk reported a broken stile at Y7/14 Pendomer. This is in East Coker Parish and Robin Carpenter agreed to take this up with Becky Russell.
    3. The clerk reported that there are crops on footpath at Y7/4 Pendomer. This is in East Coker Parish and Robin Carpenter agreed to take this up with Becky Russell.
    4. Report from Robin Carpenter, the footpaths representative.
      1. It had previously been reported that the two steel bars across the entrance to the footpath that runs from the High Street back towards Yeovil (Y10/11) are very difficult for the less able to negotiate. It was previously resolved to ask the Lengthsman to remove them.However, following a discussion with Becky Rissell, Robin suggested that this be delayed whilst she takes a look at them to see whether this might prove a safety risk. This was agreed.
      2. Robin thanked Malcolm White for replacing the gate at the top of the nature field.
      3. The bridleway from the Somerset boundary to Higher Halstock Leigh has been cleared and Robin agreed to write an article for the Messenger, encouraging horse riders to use it. Becky Russell has advised him that the replacement of the gates along there is in hand.
  13. PARISH LENGTHSMAN SCHEME
    1. The Lengthsman time sheet for October was noted. It was agreed that Peter Bysouth would contact Roy Hodder re Lengthsman’s jobs as some dissatisfaction was expressed regards the time taken.
    2. The following work was required in November:
      1. Finish repainting the southerly wooden windows in the alleyway of the Village Hall.
      2. Collect paint from Sarah Quinton to repaint the North wall of the Village Hall.
      3. The members are not happy with the work done on the footpath to the post office. The ditch needs more clearing and the blocked pipe is still not running.
      4. To deal with the soil from the badger sett at the top of Primrose Hill.
      5. The members believe that there is more wire to be removed at the Moorings
      6. Drains to be cleared. From Highpoint westwards towards Prospect Farm (7 drain Covers) Outside 343 High Street opposite Grass Hill. At the North East corner of the Hill End cross roads. 2 outside Welkin Cottage and 1 opposite Primrose Cottage.
  14. 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.
  15. PROPOSED RECREACTION FIELD AT NORTH LANE
    This was dealt with under section 8. Recreation Field.
  16. PARISH PLAN
    1. Village hall redevelopment. This item will be left for the next meeting.
    2. Welcome Pack. This item will be left for the next meeting.
    3. Tree Planting. This item will be left for the next meeting.
  17. CORRESPONDENCE
    The clerk read a letter received from Jane and Rebecca LeFeuvre, on behalf of 1st and 2nd West Coker Brownies asking for financial assistance to send 6 Brownies from Hardington Mandeville Parish on a residential course. It was agreed that this be deferred until the next meeting for consideration and the clerk should write advising them.

    It was resolved that the clerk should write to Somerset County Council to lobby them against withdrawing funding for Police and Community Support Officers as a result of the forthcoming budget cuts.

  18. MATTERS OF REPORT & ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING
    1. The Chairman had nothing to report.
    2. Bill Turner advised the Councillors that he will be applying for retrospective planning permission for the mobile home that he has installed at Manor Farm.
    3. The Clerk reported that she is planning to attend New Clerks 1 on Tuesday 9th Feb 2010. This is following failure to attend the previous course in October due to a family illness. She also asked each Councillor to complete the Ethical Standards Self Assessment Surveys included in their agenda packs.
  19. DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING & CLOSURE
    It was resolved to have a meeting in December in order to catch up with the outstanding items. The clerk will arrange a convenient date and book the Village Hall as necessary. The meeting closed at 10.02pm.

©
Hardington Mandeville
Parish Council
2010