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MINUTES OF MEETING OF HARDINGTON MANDEVILLE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 18th OCTOBER 2016
IN THE VILLAGE HALL
Members are 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.
Nancy Chapman, Parish Clerk

PRESENT

Robin Carpenter (Chairman), Andy Webb, Ernest Kong, Clare Middleton, Malcolm White, Bill Turner, and Gina Seaton (District Councillor).

IN ATTENDANCE

Nancy Chapman (Parish Clerk) and 5 members of the public.

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

  1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
    Apologies were received from Paul Vallis, Neil Dyer (Highways Representative) and Marcus Fysh (County Councillor).
  2. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 20th SEPTEMBER 2016 (Already Circulated)
    The minutes for September were approved and signed by the Chairman as correct records of the meeting.
  3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST.
    Bill Turner declared an interest in item 6.1.a 16/04047/FUL The erection of an agricultural dwelling. Location: Land at Manor Farm, Lynch Lane.
  4. MATTERS OF REPORT ARISING FROM THE PREVIOUS MINUTES.
    None.
  5. DISTRICT AND COUNTY COUNCILLOR'S REPORTS (BY INVITATION)
    A report form Marcus Fysh had previously been circulated.
    Mark Keating reported that the Streetscene team had cleared the drains in Haselbury for £11 a drain and that they had done an excellent job of this.
    Gina reported that the new CEO had attended the Area South meeting and was busy working on the transformation. A report was given from Alistair Bell, on the Environmental Health Services. This department covers services including Food Safety, Health and Safety, Environmental Protection (air quality, pollution prevention and control, contaminated land, water supplies, noise nuisances) and Pest Control. The Council also heard a eport from the Countryside Management Team. They are working hard to improve the gardens at Yeovil Country Park. Gina also highlighted that the Somerset Waste Partnership had produced a briefing paper giving further clarification on there new permit measures.
  6. PLANNING AND PLANNING APPLICATIONS
    1. Planning applications received:
      Bill Turner left the meeting.
      1. App no: 16/04047/FUL The erection of an agricultural dwelling. Location: Land at Manor Farm, Lynch Lane. Applicant: Mr W E Turner. There were no objections.
      Bill Turner returned to the meeting.
    2. There were no planning applications received after publication of this agenda.
    3. Results of previous applications:
      1. App no: 16/03529/FUL The erection of a single storey rear extension to dwellinghouse. Location: Spring Cottage, High Street. Applicant: Mr Martin Tizard. Application approved with conditions.
    4. There were no results of previous applications received after publication of this agenda.
    5. There were no other planning issues.
  7. HIGHWAYS
    1. There were no new issues in Neil’s report for October.
    2. Neil has spoken with Chris Cooper of the SSDC Streetscene team regarding the clearing of approximately 15 gullies and they had quoted £20 per gully. Neil has already asked why Hardington had been quoted £20 per gully instead of the £11 per gully that Haselbury were charged and they had replied that the drains required more work. It was viewed that Hardington drains were no worse than those in Haselbury and therefore there was no reason for the extra cost. It was agreed the clerk should write a letter to Chris Cooper challenging this quote. It was also agreed that the Clerk would contact SSDC to obtain a free OS map of the area.
    3. The Chairman thanked Peter Wilson-Chalon for re-painting the signpost on the junction of Moor Lane and St Jame’s Terrace. The Chairman agreed to discuss the possibility of further signs being painted or to find another volunteer.
  8. PARISH PLAN
    1. Following concerns raised by a parishioner regarding the area of neglect around the Mandeville Arms, the Parish Council discussed their options. Several councilors felt that as the property was privately owned, there was little that could be done. The majority of Councilors felt that it was not advisable to write to the owner to ask him what his intentions for the pub’s future are at this time. It was agreed the Clerk would feedback this outcome to the Parishioner concerned.
    2. There were no other issues.
  9. COMMUNITY FIELD
    1. The amended list of Community Field Event “Conditions of use” was reviewed. The final version will be held on file by the Clerk and also added to the website.
    2. The Chairman reported that he had updated the Community Field Maintenance Log, following tasks carried out as a result of the annual inspection. He also reported that the wild flower area had been "scythed" and thanked all those involved in this task.
    3. There were no other issues.
  10. RISK MANAGEMENT
    1. A quote of £1210.90 for the Village Hall Committee Insurance renewal had been received. This included buildings insurance cover to the value of £477,797. A total of £19,344 had been spent on the equipment and installation of the Solar Panels and new heating system in the last year. If the PC wished to increase the value of cover by this amount it would add a further £38.30 to the premium. Following discussion it was viewed that the existing cover of £477,797 was adequate. The PC therefore passed a resolution to approve the payment of £1210.90 to Came & Company.
      It was also noted that Came and Company had confirmed that the defibrillator was already covered (under the PC policy) up to £5000 under the existing insurance (no additional premium).
    2. Nick Lunt gave a summary of the latest communications between himself and Kevin Flynn of Came & Company, who provide both the PC and VHC insurance. The principle points when determining whether cover was being provided for an event relates to the organisers of the event (PC r VHC) and also whether the event is for commercial business use/gain (in which case owners should arrange their own insurance). Having received detailed clarification on these points it was viewed that no further action was necessary. It was also noted that events such as the Street Fayre, Fireworks Night, etc. should make it clear they are being organised under the umbrella of either the PC or VHC in order to ensure cover. On behalf of the PC, the Chairman gave his thanks to Nick Lunt for his time spent investigating this issue.
  11. FINANCE
    1. The Clerk’s hours for September (20.5 hours) were approved.
    2. The Bank Reconciliation at 31st September 2016 was approved.
    3. The Budget Analysis for Quarter 2 July-September 2016/17 was reviewed.
    4. A resolution was passed to approve payment of £641.65 to Clerk for:
      Jul-Sept 2016 Salary (£595.00), Mileage (£16.20), Other Expenses (£30.45)
    5. A resolution was passed to pay the following invoice:
      Mr P Wilson-Chalon - Re-imbursement for paint and brushes for village sign posts £106.93
  12. FOOTPATHS
    1. The Chairman is still waiting for further update regarding required maintenance to the path between the Post Office and Moor Lane (Y10/51).
    2. A new pedestrian gate has been installed at the junction of Y9/2 and 9/4.
  13. PARISH RANGER SCHEME
    1. Although no progress update had been received, it was thought the Ranger had cleared the area around the Church, and the drains along Broadstone Lane, along with the steps to the footpath. The Clerk agreed to contact Nick Allen to chase him for a monthly progress update and to confirm that the Ranger is still attending Hardington on the second Monday of the month.
    2. The following tasks are on the Ranger’s current list of jobs:
      • Installation of a dog slide for stile at top of steps on Y10/9 at OS 351769/112028
      • New footsteps on stile on path Y10/11 at OS 351553/111694
      • General clearing of drain grills
      • Clear over-hanging branches on the bridleway Y10/51.
  14. CORRESPONDENCE
    1. The Parish Council discussed the NALC communication regarding the Government consultation on proposals to extend referendum principles to all parish and town councils. The consultation proposes limiting increases to less than 2% or less than £5, whichever is higher, before triggering a referendum. Amounts above this would require a referendum, which the councils would have to pay for. It was agreed the Clerk would write a letter of objection to these proposals.
  15. MATTERS OF REPORT & ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING
    1. Chairman: Nothing to report.
    2. Councillors: Nothing to report.
    3. Clerk: Nothing to report.
  16. DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING & CLOSURE
    The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 15th November 2016 at 7.30 p.m. in the Village Hall. The meeting closed at 8.45pm.
 

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