11th January 2006

ADOPTED
WEST MONKTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Wednesday 11th January 2006 at 7.30pm in the Committee Room, West Monkton Village Hall.

Present: Councillors Reeves, Ellis, Day, Wallington, Warren, Tully, Cavill, Corcoran, Besley
In attendance: One member of the public and D Greig, Parish Liaison Officer TDBC
183/06: There were no apologies for absence

D Greig explained the requirements of the Code of Conduct, and how important it was to observe them. Sanctions for breach of the code went up to removal from office for up to 5 years. Future changes in the code were referred to, the Clerk reported the summary of those changes could be found in the Communications sheet previously circulated. Interests could be personal or prejudicial. If personal – councillor can stay after declaration, but not speak; if interest is prejudicial councillor must leave the room. Best advice is to err on the side of caution. The register of members interests must be maintained, changes to be notified within 14 days, to Monitoring Officer J Thornberry, at TDBC or via D Greig. Clerk has copies of the register, council was asked to check them at the Annual meeting of the Parish. All Councillors were given a copy of ‘The Parish Councils (Model Code of Conduct) Order 2001.

184/06: Adoption of the minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 9th November 2005 at 7.30pm
The minutes were adopted, proposed by H Besley, seconded by H Corcoran, and signed as a true record.

185/06: Matters of report arising from the minutes
Clerks notes had been circulated prior to the meeting.
Footpath, Yallands Hill to Aginhills. The letter from Mrs Fletcher was read to the meeting. R Tully reported he had visited the site with Mrs Fletcher. The Parish Council noted that the footpath appears on the west side of the stream on the current 2.5 inch Explorer Ordnance Survey Map, no 128, revised 1997. The map was shown to the meeting. All agreed this corresponds with the definitive map issued by the Somerset County Council in 1960 and held by the Footpaths Officer, which had been examined by the Parish Council at an earlier meeting. The only map appearing to show the footpath on the east side of the stream is the present SCCdefinitive map. It was agreed that Cllr Tully would ask Cheddon Fitzpaine Parish Council if they had a definitive map of the footpath to compare. As the parish boundary between the two Parishes runs along the stream, this was considered to be relevant and important information. The Parish Council footpaths officer will deliver the 1960 definitive map to Cllr Tully for him to show to Mrs Fletcher. He was asked not to leave it in the care of SCC but to bring it back to the Parish Council. The member of the public attending the meeting noted that amongst the deeds of his house, there was an old map, before the bungalows on the main road were built, which might also indicate the location of the footpath. It was noted that this information could be made available if Mrs Fletcher required it. The Parish Council noted that in the past overhanging foliage and brambles had been cut out from the footpath where it joins the main road. The work had been done by a local person who could be contacted for further information if Mrs Fletcher required it. The list of names of people who had walked the footpath without obstruction or question had been sent to both Tamsyn Matthews and Mrs Fletcher. The Parish Council had initiated repairs to the stile into the field from the main road, funded by a grant from TDBC a few years ago, when no query was made about the location of the footpath. It was pointed out by one of the members of the Parish Council that if the present definitive map were to be correct then there would need to be a footbridge over the stream at each end of the path to afford access to the field on the east side of the stream. No evidence, historical, archeological or otherwise has been found to support the existence of such footbridges. It was resolved to state that the Parish Council, to its certain knowledge has only known this footpath to be on the west side of the stream passing through the field. The Parish Council has a number of long serving members, including one who has served 25 years as a councillor, and all Councillors endorse the statement. The resolution was proposed by G Day, seconded by H Ellis and agreed unanimously.
R Tully noted the availability of grants for footpath improvements from SCC. The Clerk reported that a notice had been on the web-site for a number on months, asking for reports on the state of footpaths, stiles etc, but there had been no response. G Day reported she had walked a couple of footpaths that had been in good order. The Council noted that the footpaths of the Parish had been surveyed and brought up to standard 4 or 5 years ago. It was agreed that the footpaths of the parish should be surveyed in preparation for a possible grant application in the next round of funding.

The meeting was closed.

PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

The matter of parking in School Road was brought to the attention of the Council. When there is an event in all three venues (Primary School, Tacchi-Morris, Secondary School) then resident’s vehicles are getting boxed into their drives.

The meeting was re-convened.

186/06: Items raised by the public in open Session
It was resolved that the Parish Council would write to the three venues, copied to SCC, noting that in view of the limited facilities would they please co-ordinate with each other regarding scheduling, or provide alternate extra parking, and be aware of the needs of local residents.

187/06: To receive Official Reports
Cllrs Reeves and Tully had attended the meeting of the LAT. The press report of the meeting did not appear to give any credit to the actions the Parish Council had taken to support the LAT.
Cllr Ellis reported that she had attended the New Year celebrations at the Village Hall and the event had been very successful. She was disappointed to see she was the only Councillor supporting the event. Thanks were accorded to her for so doing.
Cllr Besley reported that he would be meeting with Somerset Highways for a tour of the Parish on 23rd January. He would particularly focus on Blundells Lane as the problem of water seeping from the ditch and going across the road has not been resolved. Other matters would include the pothole by Kitchener’s Cottage and the use of Dosters Lane by fast traffic.
Cllr Tully reported on County Council matters – currently response from Parish Councils to questionnaires is low, County not appreciating that many Parish Councils do not meet in August or December.
Cllr Cavill reported that the application for urban development as agreed in the Local Plan has been registered by TDBC, the largest application ever registered. It is proposed that the new road will be built before any construction, and the developers will make funding available to TDBC for the section across Aginhills. The developers' Transport Survey indicates 650 houses could be built before there would be any impact on traffic. Green spaces are included. The 35% social housing would break down into 10% social; 10% affordable, part owned/RSL; 10% affordable, discounted wholly owned; 5% affordable. There was no discussion.

It was resolved that a meeting of the Planning Committee would be arranged with Julie Moore (case worker) to discuss the matter.

188/06: To consider Planning Applications received
Councillors were reminded that in the absence of any response within the time frames required by TDBC, it will be assumed that the Parish Council has no observations to make. Those applications marked with * would be out of time before the meeting in January 2006.

*48/2005/065 Mr Hicks Erection of dormer windows at Greenbank, Yallands Hill, Monkton Heathfield. Full permission sought. Likely issues: impact on visual amenity of building needs to be assessed.
*48/2005/066T Mr Bryan: Carry out tree work on one Holm oak within West Monkton Conservation area at Monkton House, West Monkton
*48/2005/058 Mr J Grant: Erection of single storey extensions to bungalow and detached garage, West Lodge, West Monkton. Full permission sought. Likely issues: assess impact on the character of the buildings and on visual and residential amenity.
*48/2005/060 Mr J Grant: Erection of two storey extension at 21 Heathfield Drive, Monkton Heathfield. Full permission sought, renewal of permission granted in December 2000.
*08/2005/029 Mrs J Moore: Erection of 4 dwellings and associated parking at Mill Mews, Tudor Park, Maidenbrook, Cheddon Fitzpaine (alternative scheme)
*48/2005/059 Mrs H Pulsford: Formation of agricultural access and track, on land to south of Sidbrook Coach House, West Monkton. Full permission sought. Likely issues: need a landscape impact to be assessed. Clerk has received copy of one letter of objection from property adjoining land in question.
*48/2005/061 Mrs J Moore: Erection of 3 detached houses and garages and formation of new access on site of buildings to be demolished at the Old Forge, Bridgwater Road, Bathpool, Taunton. Full permission sought. Likely issues: within settlement limit where new dwellings are acceptable in principle. Detail needs assessment. Next to current building of two new houses, part of Old Forge to be demolished, 3 houses to be erected in space, application for another house was considered recently – total in row of houses would be 6.
*48/2005/062T Mr P Bryan: Application to coppice two willow trees included in Taunton Deane Borough (West Monkton no 3) Tree Preservation Order 1998 at 29 Acacia Gardens Bathpool (TD777). Lopping of trees covered by TPO.
*48/2005/064LB and 48/2005/063 Mr J Grant: Conversion of barn to ancillary use (accommodation) and rebuilding of gable end wall at Coombe Mill, Coombe, West Monkton. Gable end wall has structural fault, salvaged stone to match would be used.
*48/2005/069 Mr D Galley: Application to carry out tree work to one oak tree included in TDBC (West Monkton no.3) TPO 1998 at 23 Acacia Gardens, Bathpool, Taunton (TD777).
*48/2005/067A Mr M Hicks: Relocation of internally illuminated sign on side elevation at Comet, Unit 5, Riverside Retail Park, Taunton.
*48/2005/068A Mr M Hicks: Display of 5 internally illuminated signs at Travelodge, Riverside Retail Park, Hankridge Way, Taunton.
48/2005/070 Mrs H Pulsford: Erection of single storey side extension and front porch 61 Greenway, Monkton Heathfield. Full permission sought. Likely issues: assess visual and neighbour impact. No comment
48/2005/071 Mr J Grant: Erection of 2 storey extension, single storey extension, and extension above garage to form granny annexe at 3 St Quintin Park, Bathpool. Full permission sought. Likely issues: assess impact on the character of the building and on visual and residential amenity.
Letters of objection have been received from the owners of 1 St Quintin Park and 2 St Quintin Park.
The Parish Council object to this application, the development would have a detrimental affect on the neighbours. The size is inappropriate, it represents overdevelopment of the existing site, it is out of character, and would have visual amenity impact. In a small cul-de-sac the impact of this development would be overpowering. It would have a negative impact on the street scene.
08/2005/031LB Mrs J Moore: Installation of garage door to garage at Brook Barn, Tudor Park, Monkton Heathfield
48/2005/072 Mrs J Moore: Proposed mixed use urban extension development comprising residential, employment, local centre, new primary school, A38 relief road, green spaces and playing fields at Monkton Heathfield.
As previously noted in Official Reports (187/06) it was agreed that the Parish Council Planning Committee would arrange a meeting with J Moore. The Parish Council resolved that in the future, meetings of the Planning Committee would be scheduled for August and December.
48/2005/073 Mrs J Moore: change of use of land for siting of 10 mobile homes for holiday use, siting of touring caravans store in fenced area, construction of service road and formation of embankment and planting at Tanpits Farm Dyers Lane Bathpool. R Tully declared prejudicial interest, N Cavill declared personal interest. The Parish Council would require the efforts to screen the site from Farriers Green to be effective and maintained, so that the mobile homes cannot be seen from Farriers Green. The mobiles homes should only be for holiday lets and never for permanent occupation.
48/2005/046 Erection of dwelling, garage, and formation of access on land south of The Old Forge, Bridgwater Road, Bathpool. Application withdrawn.
48/2005/074 Mr R Upton: erection of 3 two storey dwellings, plots 1 – 3 at land on Sidbrook Farm, West Monkton. Reserved matters (detailed design of buildings) from original application for outline planning permission granted in 2003.This application will have an effect on 85A Greenway, which is a bungalow. The development is too close to this bungalow. The bungalow currently enjoys views over open countryside which would be obstructed by the development. The visual impact would be considerable. The height of the roof line of the houses should be no higher than the existing roof line of 85A Greenway.
Pre-application consultation letter: from Daly International on behalf of Vodaphone Ltd, Proposal will be made to update the mobile phone base station at SWEB Training Centre, Priorswood Industrial Estate. Updating to a wireless linkage will require the addition of 5 transmission discs onto the existing tower. Comments invited. The Parish Council had no comment to make.

189/06: To receive Planning Applications made by TDBC

48/2005/051: Erection of bungalow on land to the east of Sidbrook Farm, 83 Greenway, Monkton Heathfield. Outline application, conditional approval. Renewal of 48/2001/003, and 48/2004/016.
48/2005/056 Mr J Grant: Erection of new garage/workshop at 5 Yew Tree Lane, Bathpool, Taunton. Withdrawn.
48/2005/049: Removal of pitched roof to single storey building at rear and formation of flat roof together with the erection of a 1.8m wall and a 1.1m timber balustrading at 24 Elms Estate, Monkton Heathfield. Full Permission, permission granted with conditions.
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. Full permission, granted with conditions.
48/2005/052: Erection of single storey extension to Village Hall and change of use of grassed area to provide additional car parking, West Monkton Village Hall, Monkton Heathfield. Full permission, permission granted with conditions.
48/2005/055T: Fell one hornbeam, and one damson within West Monkton Conservation area at Glebe Court, west Monkton. No objection – trees.
08/2005/021LB Mrs J Moore: Alterations including the provision of a higher new roof and conversion of barn to dwelling at the Wagon House, Tudor Park, Maidenbrook, Cheddon Fitzpaine. Conditional approval
08/2005/022 Mrs J Moore: Erection of a new higher roof and conversion of barn to dwelling at the Wagon Barn, Tudor Park, Maidenbrook, Cheddon Fitzpaine. Conditional approval
48/2005/053 Mr J Grant: Erection of 2-storey and single storey side and rear extensions and detached garage, 1 Hyde Lane Cottages, Bathpool. Full permission, conditional approval.
48/2005/054 Mr J Grant: Erection of single storey extensions and new detached replacement garage, Tanglewood, West Monkton, as amended by applicants letter dated 3rd November 2005. Full permission. Conditional approval.
08/2005/028 Mrs J Moore: Erection of private dwelling and garage at Mill House Tudor Park, Maidenbrook Farm, Cheddon Fitzpaine. Refusal
08/2005/029 Mrs J Moore: Erection of 4 dwellings and associated parking at Mill Mews Tudor Park Maidenbrook Cheddon Fitzpaine, (alternative scheme). Refusal.
48/2005/058 Mr J Grant: Erection of single storey extensions to bungalow and detached garage, West Lodge, West Monkton. Conditional approval: 3 years, use of appropriate materials for external surfaces, as specified on application form
48/2005/057A Mrs H Pulsford: Retention of 2 illuminated signs, (signs B and D), 4 non-illuminated signs, (signs C, G, and H x2), 3 flagpoles at Taunton Jaguar, and one non (externally) illuminated pylon sign (sign A) at Taunton Jaguar, Bridgwater Road, Bathpool, as amended by agent’s email dated 15th December 2005, deleting the external illumination from sign A. Conditional approval: adverts maintained clean and tidy, structures maintained safe, no advert displayed without permission of site owner, no advert to hinder or make hazardous any road or traffic sign, degree of brightness shall not exceed candelas per metre squared, illumination shall be constant not flashing.
48/2005/060 Mr J Grant: Erection of 2 storey extension at 21 Heathfield Drive, Monkton Heathfield. Conditional approval: 3 years, external surfaces shall be of materials shown on plan..
48/2005/032 Mr J Grant: 2 storey side extension to Marlows Cottage, Blundells Lane, West Monkton. Amendment to plan, omitting new window and door openings on rear elevation, and retains existing rear door.
The decisions made by TDBC were noted.
48/2005/038 Mrs J Moore: Construction of estate road at Sidbrook Farm, Greenway, West Monkton, Taunton. Conditional approval: surface treatment of road has to be approved and applied prior to occupation, hedge and bank required, and to be planted within first season from commencement of works on road, full details of street lighting need to be approved by Local Authority, to minimise impact on character of rural area, approved provision for disposal of surface water, prevent discharge onto highway, each dwelling before it is occupied shall have a constructed footpath and turning space to ensure the estate is laid out in a proper manner. Applicant is advised that due to rural location of the site, a less urban finish than black tarmac may be more appropriate. The Landscape officer requires the bank profile to replicate the existing, using hawthorn, hazel and field maple. Re street lighting, for visual amenity reasons the Local Planning Authority would prefer not to have lighting along this stretch of raod. If for highway safety reasons this is not possible, lighting should aim to be the minimum possible in terms of the number of lights and their degree of illumination.
Letter from Dave Spence, Transport Development Group, SCC. ‘…whenever new residential developments are being discussed with the Highway Authority, highway lighting layouts are designed and incorporated within the overall design concept. However, within ‘sensitive’ areas where there may be reservations about highway lighting being provided, it is a requirement for the Highway Authority to approach the Parish Council to gain their thoughts…
‘I am aware that there is a lack of highway lighting within Greenway, and that residents living in close proximity to the proposed site have expressed concerns about the possibility of lighting being provided, and I would appreciate the Parish Council’s views on this matter. Would they be in favour of highway lighting being provided or not?
‘…a section of the proposed internal estate road will be no wider than 3.25m for a distance of approximately 35m and that pedestrians and motorists will be sharing the same carriageway space, there may be an area of conflict and that the provision of highway lighting, low-level if necessary will help to minimise any safety concerns’.
Letter from Peter Smith Design Service Ltd: …’We are in discussion with the County regarding the future adoption of this road and the question has arisen whether streetlights should be provided as part of the upgrading of the existing road.’
‘…My understanding is that the existing residents are strongly opposed to this, …no financial implication for the developer…provision of streetlights would be an unnecessary urbanisation’.
‘…the County have already said that low level lighting (illuminated bollard type units) are not considered appropriate because of the possibility of vandalism’.
Letter of objection to street lighting received from one resident of Sidbrook Orchards.
The Parish Council considered the bundle of correspondence received in connection with this matter. The Parish Council resolved that the existing road must be brought up to adoptable standards before any further development took place. They are aware that local residents are not in support of street lights and they share this opinion, but would accept a minimum number of low level/low density lights for safety reasons. A letter to this effect would be sent to D Spence at SCC, copied to Mr and Mrs Heard, Mr and Mrs Betts, Peter Smith, and Mr Darch.

190/06: Communications.
The list of Communications had been circulated prior to the meeting.
Letter from resident re Monkton Elm junction. The junction is dangerous, the author of the letter had been involved in an accident. The safety measures put in place do not appear to work, vehicles often fail to slow or stop. It was resolved to report the accident to SCC Highways.
The Somerset Local Transport Plan: transport response table was considered and completed. Clerk will send in to SCC.
Planning Training. Copies of the Members’ Code of Practice to be circulated to Councillors.
Boundary changes as proposed by Boundary Committee. Equality of representation seems to have overruled the natural divisions between villages, falsely creating units from disparate communities. It was agreed that the Clerk would respond to the Boundary Committee.

191/06: To approve Payments and Receipts and financial sheet
L Warren had collected rents from the allotments, there having been some change of tenancies. The agreements had been duly signed. The present situation is that all allotments are occupied and there is no – one on the waiting list. The rental monies collected were 11 x £10, there had been no adverse comments about the rent.
The payments, as listed, were approved; proposed by R Tully, seconded by H Ellis, and all agreed.
The financial sheet was circulated. The Clerk explained that, following the discussions over the precept in November, and as the previous 2 years of accounts had been accepted, the Financial Sheet should be brought up to date. Following the corrections made, it was good to see that the sheet balanced exactly. It was also agreed that the outstanding, unpresented cheque (no 855, minute 044/04), having been drawn more than 6 months ago, should now be written out, by a contra-entry (minus £50) on the free donation line, where it was originally drawn from. The corrections to the financial sheet were formally adopted, proposed by H Corcoran, seconded by G Day and all agreed.

192/06: Dates of the next meeting
The next meeting of the Parish Council will be 8th February 2006 at 7.30pm. The date of the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council will be rescheduled to 17th May, as 10th May clashes with the Annual Meeting of the Council (Mayor-making). The date of the Annual Parish Meeting will be 22nd March 2006.

193/06: Outstanding items
There were none

194/06: Urgent matters raised with the permission of the Chairman
The agreement for the seat to be installed at Sidbrook Cross, once the scrub has been cleared, was read to the meeting and all agreed. The clearing of the scrub is scheduled for February.
It was reported that reflective bollards were missing from Boome Lane/A38 and at Beadon’s Copse. The matter will be reported.
L Warren reported that he was unable to mend the metal barrier by the Gamlin’s due to pressure of work. Somerset Footpaths will be contacted.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.49pm.

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