The Minutes of the previous meeting (February 2010)

MINUTES OF MEETING OF HARDINGTON MANDEVILLE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON 16th MARCH 2010 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 and Malcolm White.

IN ATTENDANCE

Liz Raymont (Parish Clerk), Cathy Bakewell (District and County Councillor), Rob Lloyd (Highways Rep) and one member of the public.

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

  1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
    Received from Rose White and Lesley Boucher (District Councillor).
  2. MINUTES OF MEETINGS HELD ON 16th February 2010 (Already Circulated).
    1. The Minutes were signed as a true record.
  3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST.
    None.
  4. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
    1. It was noted that James Divall and Vanessa May have agreed to present the plans for the recreation ground to the Annual Assembly.
  5. DISTRICT & COUNTY COUNCILLORS' REPORT
    Cathy Bakewell reported that SSDC had successfully agreed to a partnering agreement with East Devon District Council and that the Chief Executive of East Devon DC will act as their joint Chief Executive Phil Dolan, current Chief Executive of SSDC will step down from 22nd March 2010. She also noted that during the cluster meetings regarding the expansion of Yeovil, she had not been informed that the North side of Yeovil was an unlikely area for expansion. Instead the 3 areas that are being considered are to the SW, S and SE of Yeovil and all fall within parishes that she and Lesley Boucher represent.

    Cathy Bakewell had volunteered for a ‘Councillor Shadowing’ scheme, for year 8 and 9 pupils in South Somerset. She has spoken to the Planning Dept regards the proposed recreation ground. She also offered a response to an enquiry from a parishioner regarding the outcome of the Icelandic banks collapse. This is attached to the minutes.

  6. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
    1. Planning applications received – Revised application 10/00332/FUL for 6.5m turbine at Woodentop Farm. No action necessary as have already notified that no objection to turbine at 6.5m.
    2. No results of previous applications had been received.
    3. Cluster workshops 10th March 2010. Peter Bysouth reported that areas to the SW, S and E of Yeovil are being considered by SSDC for development. Once a strategy has been drafted, it will be issued for formal consultation. It will then be submitted to the Planning Inspector for approval early next year. He also reported that they have been successful in gaining a £700,000 grant for the urban village development that is taking place on the Stars Lane site in Yeovil.
    4. App No 08/00881/FUL - Robin Carpenter asked the Clerk to write to the Planning Dept at SSDC to enquire as to why the sedum roof covering, required as part of the planning approval for the extension to Lyatts Cottage at Lyatts Hill, had not been completed. Also to enquire whether the proposed wall at the front that was to separate the new extension from the old cottage was still to be completed.
  7. HIGHWAYS
    1. Report from Rob Lloyd, the Highways Representative.
      1. Highways have installed a drain on the High Street to deal with the problem of ice forming during the cold weather.
      2. He agreed to report pot holes on Moor Lane, Old Track, Pig Hill, outside the new entrance to Manor Farm and the field entrance further along towards Pig Hill.
    2. Bill Turner reported that he and not Somerset Highways had dug the gully along Barry Lane.
    3. He also reported that he had cleared the ditch at the junction of Cott Hill and Broadway Lane. It was noted that the pot hole at this junction had been filled.
    4. Litter Pick Report. Peter Bysouth reported that 10 - 12 bags of rubbish were collected by 20 adult volunteers and 3 children. He suggested that another pick should be arranged in the autumn.
  8. PARISH PLAN
    1. Village Hall Redevelopment – Rose White was unable to present her report.
    2. Proposed Recreation Ground at North Lane – Report from RG working party (see separate minutes). The clerk was asked to enquire of Bernard White how the plans are progressing and to establish with SSDC planning department who should make the application.
    3. Establishing Committee for Grant Applications- Report from RG working party (see separate minutes).
    4. The Clerk read a letter from Mike Bickerton supporting the Parish Council’s plans to establish a recreation ground and suggested that they should try to acquire the whole field if Mr Kong is agreed. A reply will be drafted.
    5. The Clerk reported that it was too late to set up holiday courses for the Easter school holidays.
    6. Welcome Pack – The clerk was asked to contact David Cleaton to see how this is progressing.
  9. RISK MANAGEMENT
    1. Freedom of Information Model Publication Scheme – RESOLVED to adopt MPS, including a new data protection policy as suggested by the Clerk. Proposed Peter Bysouth, seconded David Beckley, vote unanimous. The Clerk was asked to publicise that the new information will be available on the website, in the Messenger.
    2. Model Standing Orders – Peter Bysouth reported that SALC is going to tailor the MSOs to suit Parish Councils. No action currently required.
    3. The procedure for electing the new Chair at the annual meeting in May was discussed.
    4. Co-option of New Councillor – RESOLVED that if 10 requests for an election are not received by 18th March, the Clerk should place a notice in the April Messenger asking for people to come forward for co-option to the Parish Council. Proposed Robin Carpenter, seconded Bill Turner, vote unanimous.
    5. Peter Bysouth asked the Clerk to place dog fouling notices on all the notice boards and to place a notice in the Messenger asking people to consider their neighbours when starting bonfires.
  10. FINANCE
    1. Reserves –
      • Affordable Housing £750
      • Recreation Ground £2000
      • Village Hall £2300
      RESOLVED to reserve as above. Proposed David Beckley, seconded Malcolm White, vote unanimous.

      RESOLVED to make the following payments b) to e).

    2. Clerk’s salary to 31st March - £605.63, mileage allowance £63.60 and expenses £40.78. Total cheque £710.01.
    3. SALC affiliation fee £135.28.
    4. Payment to Bernard White for OS Maps re recreation ground. £41.71.
    5. Data Protection Registration £35.
      Proposed Peter Bysouth, seconded Robin Carpenter, vote unanimous.
    6. Confirmation of Clerk’s hours for February (28.5 hours)
  11. FOOTPATHS
    1. Letter from Environment Directorate re Y10/49, Y10/48 and Y10/31 was noted.
    2. Replacement sign for Y10/19 Pen Lane to Bishops Lane. SSDC have way-marked the stump so no further action required.
    3. Footpath Representative had nothing to report.
  12. PARISH LENGTHSMAN SCHEME
    1. Report from Lengthsman Meeting Tues 23 rd Feb. It was agreed that Richard Thorne will act as agent for the Parish Council in reporting faults to County Highways. He will obtain a reference for all jobs. Also, funding was available for the Lengthsman scheme for the next few years and receipts and payments under the scheme were reported. The Clerk was asked to chase Richard Thorne and Roy Hodder to attend a future Parish Council meeting.
    2. Work carried out in February was noted.
    3. The following work is required in March.
      1. Finish windows of Village Hall on alleyway side.
      2. Start painting wall to Village Hall on playground side.
      3. Continue clearing vegetation on Blackhouse Lane. Specifically cut back any small trees that are growing before they become too large.
  13. CORRESPONDENCE
    1. Noted - Letter from David Laws confirming response from Barbara Follet MP regarding the Sustainable Communities Act.
    2. Noted - Letter from Chief Executive SSDC stating that SSDC had successfully agreed to a partnering agreement with East Devon District Council and that the Chief Executive of East Devon DC will act as their joint Chief Executive. Phil Dolan, current Chief Executive of SSDC will step down from 22nd March 2010.
  14. MATTERS OF REPORT & ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING
    1. Chairman - SALC meeting report.
      1. Electronic banking currently illegal for PCs but the law will be changed to enable this.
      2. PCs cannot grit roads and pavements, only County Highways can do this. However they can provide grit for the public to use.
      3. SALC fee will rise significantly next year, due to a reduction in the County Council grant.
      4. PCs must beware of cost shunting by District Councils, whereby cost of carrying out local jobs is passed to PCs, together with the funding. The danger was that the funding might not always be adequate, resulting in an increase in the Parish Precept.
    2. Councillors – nothing to report.
    3. Clerk – intends to computerise the PC accounts from April 2010.
  15. DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING & CLOSURE
    The meeting closed at 9.20 pm. The Annual Assembly will take place on 20th April 2010 at 7.30 pm in the village hall followed by the normal monthly meeting.

©
Hardington Mandeville
Parish Council
2012