13th July 2005

ADOPTED
WEST MONKTON PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday 13h July 2005 at 7.30pm in the Committee Room, West Monkton Village Hall.

Present: Councillors J Reeves (Chairman), H Besley, H Corcoran, G Day, R Tully, H Ellis, L Warren
In attendance: Four members of the Public

118/05: Apologies for absence
N Cavill

119/05: Adoption of the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 8th June 2005 at 7.30pm
The minutes were adopted with no amendments.

120/05: Matters of report arising from the Minutes
Clerk’s notes having been previously circulated, it was noted that the people keeping the flower tubs in Goosenford were Mr and Mrs Llewellyn, 1 Goosenford.
Costs associated with removal of bus shelter were noted, seemed very expensive, Clerk to seek alternative quote for removal of old shelter. It was agreed that it was not economic to consider its relocation to the lay-by on the other side of the road.
PC Curtis had not responded to the invitation to address the Parish Council, but sent a message by a parishioner that he could not come. A videotape was handed in on the matter of volunteer speed guns.
Footpath, Yallands Hill to Aginhills. The definitive maps were consulted, the 1964 map clearly shows the footpath to the west of the stream. The Council noted there is likely to be a long legal battle ahead. It was reported that the Rambler’s Association have become involved. Tamsyn Matthews to be informed of 1964 map.

The meeting was closed.

PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

Matters raised by the public included
• the LAT/youth shelter, newly constituted LAT did not know Parish Council position so far, nor had information made available to the old LAT been passed on.
• speed guns, the Council might be required to pay for the camera. Six members of the public and a co-ordinator are needed
• suggested skateboard park, silent surfaces are available
• grass cutting of verges at Monkton Elm, view for cars crossing the dual carriageway is obstructed by roadside weeds.
• Footpath, Langaller to Brittons Ash, new stile needed at Green Lane
• it was reported that the restriction order in School Road is not being enforced.

The meeting was reconvened.

121/05 Items arising from Public Question Time
An information videotape on speed guns was given to the Parish Council, provided by PC Curtis who could not attend in person. It was noted that the Parish Council was not supportive of this initiative.
LAT/Play area/the Youth Shelter. The Parish Council statement about its position was referred to (see June 2005 minute 102/05). All correspondence relating to the LAT had been sent in hard copy to the new Chairman, Kim Cooper, 6 Hyde Lane Cottages, Bathpool. The Chairman reiterated that the Parish Council has extended the lease of the Play Area from Somerset County Council for a further three years from September 2005, and is currently providing grass maintenance services. The Parish Council is content that the LAT may wish to use the site for a Youth Shelter. In that event, the Parish Council would provide occasional litter-picking services for the area. The Parish Council will not be involved financially, nor in terms of construction, maintenance or insurance matters. The Parish Council will not assume responsibility for any events that may happen on the site. If the LAT wish to pursue the Youth Shelter, it was agreed that very clear delineations of areas of responsibility should be defined, ensuring that legal aspects are watertight, and identifying clearly where public liability lies. The Chairman hoped that communications in the future would be more effective than in the past.

Agenda item 6 Footpaths dealt with under matters arising


122/05 Report on progress with banking arrangements
For the Alliance and Leicester Account
Certified photocopies of account holders/signatories’ ID documents were received and the application forms signed. The application would be posted next day.
For the Lloyds Bank Account
The cheque book account currently held was supposed to run in tandem with an Instant Access Business account (when the former Treasurer’s account came to an end), so that interest could be paid on immediately available funds. The interest currently is in the region of 2.5%. It was proposed by H Corcoran, seconded by H Ellis that the Clerk should be authorised to set up the Business Instant Access Account, and move funds between that account and the cheque book account as appropriate.

123/05 Trafalgar Weekend 21st October – 23rd October 2005
It was agreed that N Cavill’s offer of a beacon on Friday 21st October 2005 would be accepted. The beacon would be registered so it would be part of the chain of beacons being lit that evening. Volunteers to help organise refreshments would be sought via newsletter and web-site. It was suggested that Canon J Piggott might have information regarding the insurance for the event as he organised the millennium events in the Parish.

124/05 To receive official reports
The Chairman reported his attendance at the Wyvern Waste liaison committee meeting. He commented positively on the good relationship they are building with the community. The new buildings are designed to give minimal disruption to the neighbours. The area towards Acacia Gardens will become a nature reserve. Development of the site is not anticipated.
The Chairman reported on his attendance at the Annual Meeting for Parishes at the Deane House. Matters covered included:
- the work of the Standards Committee – the national Standards Board receives more complaints about Parish Councillors than District or County.
- the new planning arrangements and LDFs etc. In view of correspondence received and the deadlines for comments, a sub-committee will meet to draft the Parish Council’s response to the ‘Statement of Community Involvement’. Sub-committee will be R Tully, H Ellis and J Reeves.
County Councillor R Tully reported that County roadside grass cutting schedule was seriously behind schedule. The Village Hall planning application for the extension had been submitted, the new Licensing requirements were very difficult for the hall to deal with.
District Councillor N Cavill had offered to write a report for distribution subsequent to the meeting as he was unable to attend.

125/05 To consider planning applications received

48/2005/025: Erection of extension to West Monkton Village Hall, Monkton Heathfield
Initial assessment: impact on neighbours to be assessed
Comment: Parish Council supports this application

48/2005/025: Erection of a Conservatory to rear of 20 Parkmead, Monkton Heathfield
Initial assessment: impact likely to be acceptable
Comment: no objection

Before the next planning application was considered H Besley signed the Declaration of Interest Book and left the room
48/2005/027: Conversion and extension of agricultural barn to A1, B1, and D1 use, Prockters Farm, West Monkton
Initial assessment: assess impact on the character of the farm on usual amenity, on road safety, and have regard to planning policy
Comment: very good way of retaining a lovely traditional building

Cllr Besley rejoined the meeting
48/2005/028: Erection of conservatory to rear of 61 Greenway, Monkton Heathfield
Comment: no objection

48/2005/030: Erection of a conservatory to the side of 67 Greenway, Monkton Heathfield
Initial assessment: impact on adjacent site to be assessed
Comment: no objection

48/2005/029: Erection of two storey rear extension and single storey extensions at 33 School Road, Monkton Heathfield.
Initial assessment: impact to be assessed on site
Comment: ensure no adverse impact on neighbouring properties

48/2005/031T: Carry out tree work on one oak tree within West Monkton Conservation area at Musgraves Old Farm, West Monkton.
Initial assessment: to be assessed on site
Comment: no objection

08/2005/012: Erection of 5 dwellings with garages and parking at Mill Court, Tudor Park, Priorswood, Taunton.
Comment: seems rather dense for the development

08/2005/009: Removal of two portable offices, filling in of 3 skip bays, and removal of 1 pier, siting of portable office, creation of new stone surfaced car park, erection of new fencing gates and railings at Priorswood waste recycling centre, Venture Way, Priorswood.
Comment: no objection

48/2005/025: Erection of extension to West Monkton Village Hall, amendment to include car park extension
Comment: see above

48/2005/032: Erection of 2 storey side extension to Marlows Cottage, Blundells Lane, West Monkton
Comment: use of appropriate materials (‘Wayside’ extension, next door, very well done)

08/2005/013LB: Demolition of stone outbuilding at Tudor Park, Maidenbrook Farm, Priorswood.
Comment: no comment

48/2005/033E Erection of conservatory to the side of 1 Sunningdale Cottages, Monkton Heathfield.
Comment: no objections

48/2005/034: Erection of 2 storey extension and garage workshop at 8 Swingbridge, Bathpool.
Comment: an improvement, ensure access adequate.

126/05: To receive planning decisions made by TDBC
48/2005/020: Erection of bicycle shelters at Heathfield Community School, Monkton Heathfield. Permission granted
48/2005/023: Erection of extensions and installation of dormer windows at Springfield, Red Hill West Monkton, as amended by agents letter and plans received 31st May and 3rd June 2005. Permission granted
08/2005/006: Erection of conservatory at 65 Cashford Gate Taunton. Conditional Approval
48/2005/021: Erection of 1st floor extension to provide 2-storey granny annexe at Staddlestones, Monkton Heathfield, renewal of 48/2000/005. Permission granted
08/2005/008: Erection of workshop building, partly on site of existing building which is to be demolished, on land at AMP Access Ltd, Venture Way, Priorswood. Conditional Approval
48/2005/024: Erection of 2 storey extension, single storey extension and porch, and erection of detached outbuilding/garage plus access alterations at 1 Hyde Lane Cottages, Bathpool. Permission refused.

127/05: To consider communications
The list had been circulated previously.
The matter of the ‘Statement on Community Involvement’ had been considered under minute 124/05.

128/05: To approve payments and receipts and Monthly Financial Sheet
Receipts
Payment for entry into business directory on web-site x10 £100


Payments
Mrs David cleaning bus shelters June 05 £20.00
Clerk’s wages June £411.97
Clerks expenses, June £9.06
Parsons grass maintenance June £59.93
Ellis Enterprises,
work to triangle of grass in West Monkton Village £125
Wessex water bill from 7/12/04 to 29/06/05 £18.90

The monthly sheet was circulated, explained and signed. The Annual Return for year ending March 31st 2005 Statement of Assurance was considered and adopted by the Council. The notice for inspection was posted within the due deadline.

129/05: Web-site up-date
The business directory entries kept on coming in – about 50% return from the letters originally sent out.

130/05: Date of the next meeting
No meeting in August, next meeting 14th September 2005 at 7.30pm in the Committee Room of the Village Hall.

131/05 Outstanding items
The skateboard park is the only outstanding item.

132/05 Urgent matters raised with the permission of the Chairman
The van parked on the verge of the dual carriageway between the Creech Castle and the motorway junction was a distraction to motorists. Using the boards on the van to display allegations against TDBC was inappropriate. It was resolved to write to the CEO expressing the Parish Council’s support for any actions she may take to deal with the matter.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.36pm.


Chairman......................................................... Date......