11th November 2005

ADOPTED
WEST MONKTON PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday 9th November 2005 at 7.30 pm in the Committee Room, West Monkton Village Hall.

Present: Councillors J Reeves (Chairman), G Day, H Corcoran, N Cavill, R Tully, H Besley.

167/05: Apologies for absence
H Ellis, L Warren

168/05: Adoption of the Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 12th October 2005 at 7.30pm
The minutes were adopted and signed as a true record.

169/05: Matters of report arising from the Minutes
Clerk’s notes had been circulated prior to the meeting.
As nothing further had been heard about the blocked culvert on Church Hill, it was assumed that the clearance may have been satisfactory.
The footpath Yallands Hill to Aginhills had been brought to the top of the list for consideration of the anomaly on the definitive map. SCC has many such anomalies and cases are brought forward if they satisfy required criteria. The footpath in question met the criteria. It was resolved to forward the letter from Rambler’s Association on to Tony Newbery. R Tully reported that Cheddon Parish will support the case.
The proposed ‘Parish Church’ sign was approved and the contract signed. The proposed ‘30’ roundel by Richards Crescent junction was supported, and it was agreed to communicate this fact to I Titcombe.
The Chairman reported receipt of a letter from LAT Chairman, Mrs Kim Cooper. It was resolved to acknowledge the letter; to reiterate the Parish Council’s offer of occasional litter pick if the Youth Shelter is constructed, but not to commit to a weekly litter pick (which is probably what will be needed); to remind the LAT of the requirement for a weekly inspection of all equipment by RosPa; of the requirement to keep records of the inspections for 21 years; and to note that it is anticipated that the site will be redeveloped within 5 years under the Local Plan, but in any case by 2011.

The meeting was closed.
PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
A request had been received from Molly and Philip Gamblin to repair the staggered metal barriers approaching their house, north of the Church..
Laurel clippings had been dumped across the gate to one of Cllr Besley’s fields, on a Friday. The matter had been reported to the TDBC Litter Hotline, and was dealt with by the following Monday.
Farriers Green Adshel bus shelter had been vandalised again, and the missing window taped up.
The litter bin has been installed in the lay-by opposite Thornash Close.
The meeting was re-convened.

170/05: Items raised by the Public in Open Session
It was resolved to ask Cllr L Warren if he could mend the broken barrier by the Gamlin’s home. It was resolved to send a letter to all allotment holders reminding them of the rent increase, due Jan 06.

171/05: To receive, consider and adopt the draft Precept for 2006/07
The precept and the rationale underpinning it had been circulated to Councillors prior to the meeting. There was detailed discussion based on the draft proposal, during which it was noted that the carry forward for the year had been based on information available at the time as accounts had not been finalised when the precept was discussed and set. N Cavill proposed that a precept of £12k should be requested for 2006/7 from TDBC. The proposal was seconded by H Corcoran, and all were in favour. The precept request document was signed as required. The precept request had risen from £5k to £12k for 2006/07 because the £5k was too low in the first instance, accounts not finalised (due to problems itemised elsewhere) at the time that figure of £5k was determined, and there was carry over from the funds accumulated for the Burial Ground project. The proposed carry forward figure for 2006/7 is justified by the street lights required in School Road and other developments.

172/05 Village Hall update
J Reeves had attended the special meeting of the Village Hall Management Committee, in which K Goodwin had outlined the options available to the hall, to fund the extension project, in his capacity as Financial Advisor to the Management Committee. He stated that the Parish Council should not be approached for major funding but to fund specific items later in the development. It was noted that the Parish Council should not have been asked in the first instance as it was in breach of the DEFRA rules for 75% funding. The planning application for the extension is currently going through the process with TDBC. The Village Hall Management Committee has been required to consider a noise limiter as used in night clubs to protect the rights of the neighbouring properties.

173/05: Footpath update
See item 169/05.

174/05: To receive official reports
Cllr Reeves reported on
The meeting held by the Village Hall Management Committee regarding the proposed extension. See item 172/05.
Cllr N Cavill reported on
The launch of the ‘Slinky bus’, a joint TDBC/SCC project. There are three buses continually on the routes.
Stage two of the ‘Park and Ride’ is already needed as the present Park and Ride is going to be taken up in large degree by SCAT and Musgrove.
The Taunton Deane CPA inspection will be on Asset Management.
The TD Vision document had been submitted to the Royal Institute of Town Planners, where it won an award. The Vision Team is based in East Reach, comprising I Franklin from Regional Assembly and M Green from TDBC. The Abbey Manor development at Firepool is likely to start in Spring of 2007.
Traffic lights at the Wellington Road, and the bus lane are causing problems with the flow of traffic. The Bindon Road junction to Silk Mills is also very congested, although the bridge is better than the level crossing was.
The Sort It campaign has won awards; the new recycling centre at Priorswood is very impressive. Three more roll-out stages to follow. The error re return bins is less than 1%.
The Clerk reported that the report on the Allotments meeting attended by herself and Cllr Warren had been circulated prior to the meeting. It was agreed that a reminder letter should be sent to all allotment holders reminding them of the increased annual rent, effective from 1st January 2006 (£10 per annum).
Cllr Tully had no report.

175/05: To consider planning applications received
48/2005/055T: Fell one Hornbeam and one Damson within West Monkton Conservation Area at Glebe Court West Monkton. Work to trees in conservation areas, not in TPO. Likely issues: proposal will be assessed on site. No adverse comment.
48/2005/056: Erection of new garage/workshop at 5 Yew Tree Lane, (Bathpool) Taunton. Likely issues: assess impact on visual and residential amenity. Comment: No visual impact.
48/2005/057A: Display of 3 illuminated signs, 4 non-illuminated signs, 3 flagpoles at Taunton Jaguar, Bridgwater Road, Bathpool, Taunton. Likely issues: need to be assessed in the street scene. J Reeves declared an interest. Comment: Flags already flying; concern over light spillage for nearby houses.
08/2005/028 Erection of private dwelling and garage at Mill House, Tudor Park, Maidenbrook Farm, Cheddon Fitzpaine. No adverse comment.


176/05: To note planning decisions taken by TDBC
08/2005/016: Installation of high lighting columns at Crown Industrial Estate, Priorswood. Conditional approval
48/2005/048T; Application to carry out tree management work to three willow trees included in TPO at 7 Acacia Gardens, Taunton. Consent granted
48/2005/042: Erection of carport/store within domestic curtilage and erection of stables and hay store on adjacent agricultural land at Oaklands Goosenford as amended by agent’s letter 5th October 2005. Permission granted
48/2005/044A: Display of directional sign and three internally illuminated wall signs at Fitness First, Creech Castle, Taunton. Consent granted (5 year period)
48/2005/050T: Application to carry out tree work on one willow tree included in TPO at 3 Acacia Gardens. Consent granted
48/2005/043: Erection of pump house and sprinkler tank at B & Q, as amended by agent’s letter dated 20th September. Permission granted
48/2005/041: Erection of stable block, carport and cloakroom extension at Quarry Farm, West Monkton. Permission granted
48/2005/047T: Application to carry out tree work to one hawthorn and two ash trees included in TPO at 66 Meadway, Monkton Heathfield. Consent refused. (But TDBC working with residents to solve the issue of overhanging trees shading the gardens)
08/2005/017: Erection of single storey extension to rear of 23 The Shaulders, Nerrols, Taunton. Conditional approval
08/2005/014: Erection of a dwelling on land to the west of Maidenbrook Farmhouse, Cheddon Fitzpaine Refusal
08/2005/015: Formation of access road for residential development to the north of Maidenbrook Farmhouse, Cheddon Fitzpaine. Refusal
08/2005/027T: Application to fell one Ash tree included in Taunton Deane Borough (Cheddon Fitzpaine no 2) Tree Preservation Order (1997) at 20 Hale Way, Cheddon Fitzpaine (TD708) Refusal
48/2005/045: Demolition of 14 and 21 Richards Crescent and erection of 6 flats 3 bungalows and formation of 18 parking spaces at Richards Crescent, Monkton Heathfield. Conditional approval

177/05: To consider communications (as listed)
The list of communications received was circulated prior to the meeting. Action was as noted on the list.
Wessex Reinvestment Trust press release will be sent to R Wimbury for publication in Village News.
Draft Statement of Community Involvement, comments already sent in, no further action.
Tree Warden Scheme, send materials to Clerk, enquire if there is a membership fee for Tree Council.
Planning training for Councils, run by TDBC, Clerk will attend.
Somerset Waste Action Programme – offering free presentations – nfa at present, but possible speaker for Annual Parish Meeting.

178/05To approve payments and receipts, Monthly Financial Sheet and reconciliations of Financial Sheet and Bank Statement
Receipts
Insurance contribution
from WM Produce and Flower Show for 05/06 £63.82
Payments
Mrs David Bus shelter cleaning Oct £20.00
Clerks wages Oct £411.97
Clerks expenses to Nov 8th £170.52
Parsons Landscapes Grass maintenance Oct £59.93
Village News 05/06 £100.00
The receipts and payments list was adopted, proposed by H Corcoran, seconded by G Day and all agreed.
The reconciliation sheets were considered and duly signed. Cllr Cavill is not a listed signatory for any of the bank accounts held by the Parish Council.
The Financial Sheet was considered and adopted and signed by the Chairman.

179/05 Web-site update
Comments from external report noted. Further development of photo gallery is underway order to include current events in the Parish. Photos of Trafalgar Beacon will be first addition to gallery. Site continues to hold prime position as Parish web-site.

180/05 Date of next meeting
Wednesday January 11th 2006, at 7.30pm in the Village Hall. Councillors were reminded that D Greig (Parish Liaison Officer) will deliver Standards Board training at this meeting.

181/05 Outstanding items
There were none.

182/05 Urgent matters raised with the permission of the Chairman
Thanks accorded to those who helped build the Trafalgar Beacon. The event was agreed to be a success despite the inclement weather, the Beacon blazed away exactly on time.
Re e-mail received from a developer seeking opportunities in the Parish, no further action in view of the development which will be taking place in the Parish.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.12pm.

Chairman…………………………………………… Date………………….