8th February 2006

ADOPTED
WEST MONKTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Wednesday 8th February 2006 at 7.30pm in the Committee Room, West Monkton Village Hall.

Present: Councillors Reeves, Ellis, Day, Warren, Tully, Cavill (arr 8.45pm), Corcoran.
In attendance: One member of the public
195/06: Apologies received from H Besley
196/06: Adoption of the minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 11th January 2006 at 7.30pm
The minutes, having been previously circulated, were adopted and signed as a true record.
197/06: Matters of report arising from the minutes
Clerk’s report had been circulated prior to the meeting.
Footpath, Yallands Hill to Aginhills. T Newbery has been put in touch with C Smeaton. It was summarised that the 1960 definitive map shows the footpath to the west of the stream. The 1990 and 1997 Ordnance Survey maps show the footpath to the west of the stream. Gilbert Sansom’s evidence of clearance 11, 12, 13 years ago, and other local evidence is now on file. It was reported that the matter is likely to take at least 6 months to resolve.
Meetings of the Planning Committee of West Monkton Parish Council have been arranged for 15th March 2006 at 7.00pm, when J Moore and R Mitchinson will be in attendance; 9th August 2006 at 7.30pm; and 6th December 2006 at 7.30pm. All three meetings will be held in the Church Room, St Augustine’s Church.

The meeting was closed.

PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

· A member of the public reported the number of cars parked in Hyde Lane and associated problems.
· R Tully reported that the stiles at the top of Cherry Grove Hill towards Hill Farm were not dog friendly.
· Builders’ rubbish is accumulating in the gritting lay by at Camels Hump, one seen tipping at 5.00am.
· Anti-dog fouling graffiti on the pavement in School Road was reported.
· 9th May 2006 will mark the 50th anniversary of the Quantock National Park.

The meeting was re-convened.

198/06: Items raised by the public in open session
· It was resolved that the matter of cars from the garage/workshop being parked on the side of the road in Hyde Lane should be reported to PC Curtis, Highways and TDBC. The cars are deemed to be causing an obstruction, causing issues of traffic flow, endangering members of the public especially at school times, and the cars are damaging the verges of the Highway. Conditions attached to the permission for the extension of the garage/workshop would be researched to see if there was a planning enforcement matter.
· The graffiti on the pavement in School Road re anti-dog-fouling would be reported to Highways, also the dumping of waste at Camel’s Hump.
· The stiles would be reported to T Matthews –Rights of Way.

199/06: Speaker for Annual Parish meeting; Appointment of Auditor for 2006/07; Allianz Cornhill Insurance policy; maintenance contract for play area; maintenance of churchyard railings
· After some discussion it was agreed to approach Mr F Cornish, Head of SW Tourism. If he were not available another alternative would be found. The Rector will give a report. The meeting would be advertised in the Village News and using posters and the web site.
· It was proposed and agreed to ask T Bullen to continue as Internal Auditor of the Parish Council accounts for 2006/7
· In the absence of any other provider, it was agreed that the Insurance Policy of the Parish Council should remain with Allianz Cornhill. The Parish Council authorised the Clerk to attend SALC Clerk’s Workshop on Insurance on 23rd February 2006 at Edington. Insurance would be on next agenda for feedback from the Workshop.
· The Parish Council agreed that the Clerk’s salary should follow the SALC recommendations with effect from 1st April 2006.
· Two companies would be approached to tender for the grass maintenance contract for the play area at the end of School Road; Parsons Landscapes Ltd and Deane DLO.
N Cavill arrived at 8.45pm.
· It was explained that the bottom rail of the new railings at the new Churchyard was very close to the ground and vegetation was growing up to it. This is likely to cause the bottom bar to rust out quickly. Accordingly it was agreed that tenders would be sought to clear the vegetation below the bottom rail, lay a plastic membrane and cover it with gravel. Deane DLO and Mr Ellis would be invited to tender, and the Rector and the PCC would be informed.

200/06: To receive Official reports
J Reeves reported on the Village Hall Open Session the previous Saturday to launch the appeal for the Village Hall extension. The event was poorly attended, max 25 people, mostly the same faces who always volunteer, and apparently few of the new residents of the village. Statistics presented at the Open Session showed a significant proportion of current users of the Hall were not Parish residents. It was observed that the lack of support might reflect lack of community support. It was re-iterated that the Parish Council would not support the development of the Hall if it were to affect in any way the provision of the new community hall required as part of the new development. The Parish Council would not endorse or support any approach to the developers by any individual member of the Village Hall Management Committee, nor the committee as a whole, for funds that could adversely affect the new community facilities.
H Besley’s Highways report was presented. The ditch opposite Blundell’s Farm had been attended to, the stream had been cleaned and in April a pipe would be laid. Renewal of the white line down the centre of Meadway at the junction with Greenway would help to keep traffic using a better line round the bend then at present. There had been a white line but it had worn off, a request was made for it to be re-painted.
R Tully reported on the recent LAT meeting. The LAT sought clarification regarding what they could put on the play area. The Parish Council agreed that the following points should be made in response:
-The lease of the ground from SCC had been extended until September 2008 (the previous lease had expired in Sept 05). The secondary school could decide to make use of the land at any time, and almost certainly this would happen by 2011, due to the expansion of the school, hence the maximum life of the area is likely to be no more than 5 years.
-The Parish Council had removed the play equipment from the area in 2003, as repeated acts of vandalism made it unsustainable. It proved impossible to sell the second hand equipment. The LAT may not be aware that play equipment requires regular ROSPa inspections and 21 year record keeping.
-The LAT would accept public liability and all responsibility for installation, servicing and maintenance, as the Parish Council would not take any liability.
-The Parish Council has made a commitment to an occasional litter pick, to a maximum of twice per annum; and will continue to pay for the grass cutting and maintenance as it has done in the past.
R Tully reported on the proposed changes of government structure, the possible introduction of Unitary Authorities and the potential implications to County and District Authorities. The effect could be to devolve more power down to the Parish Councils, measures should be considered in preparation for this. Also the Fire Service amalgamation and changes to the Police Authority boundaries. It was agreed to put this matter on the agenda in March. It was agreed that the best function of the Parish Council was as guardian of the quality of life in the community.
N Cavill reported on District matters. The Council rate for next year had been agreed – it would be an extra 7p per week, (3% rise). The Parish precept is up this year compared to last year, but last year’s precept was lower than usual because of funds left over from the Churchyard project.

201/06: To consider planning applications received by TDBC
Planning applications received, considered and comments made.
*4/48/06/001 Officer: Mrs H Pulsford. Replacement of two existing temporary classroom units with two new 3 bay temporary single classroom units at West Monkton Church of England Primary School, School Road, Monkton Heathfield, Taunton TA28PA. *Out of time. County decision, no objection.
48/2006/002T Officer: Mr D Galley. Application to carry out tree management work to one willow included in TDBC (West Monkton No. 3) TPO 1998, at 21 Acacia Gardens, Taunton. Willow situated between garden fence and stream, last done about 10 years ago.
Comment: ensure willow is properly pollard.
48/2006/003 Officer: Mr M Hicks. Erection of single storey extension to side of dwelling at 2 Thornash Close, Monkton Heathfield, Taunton. Full permission. Likely issues: impact on visual and residential amenity to be assessed.
Comment: as per TD comments.
48/2006/004 Officer: Miss R Miller. Erection of extension to the side and the rear of 67 Farriers Green, Monkton Heathfield. Full application. Likely issues – none listed.
Comment - none
48/2006/005T Officer: Mr P Bryan. Fell two horse chestnut, one lime and carry out tree work on one horse chestnut, one holly, and one evergreen oak at Glebe Court, West Monkton. Application type is work to trees in conservation areas, not in TPO. Likely issues: to be assessed on site.
Comment: Support Mr Pugh Thomas in his endeavours.
48/2006/006 Officer: M Hicks. Erection of First Floor extension to form two storey element to rear of dwelling at Four Poplars, Hyde Lane, West Monkton. Full permission sought. Likely issues: impact on character of existing dwelling to be assessed.
Comment: use materials in keeping with existing dwelling.
48/2006/007 Officer: M. Hicks. Erection of two dwellings on site of garage to be demolished at Croft Garage, Yallands Hill, West Monkton. Outline application. Likely issues: principle may be acceptable here given brownfield site.
Comment: no objections, but loss of local employment unit.
48/2006/008 Officer: Miss R Miller. Proposed loft conversion at 48 St Quintin Park, Bathpool, Taunton. Full permission sought. Likely issues: none listed.
Comment: no objection.
48/2006/009 Officer: M Hicks. Change of use to B & B Business and erection of garage block at 154 Bridgwater Road, Taunton. Full permission sought. Likely issues: impact on Highway Safety and Neighbour to be assessed.
Comment: none


202/06 To note planning decisions made by TDBC
*4/48/06/001Officer: Mrs H Pulsford. Replacement of two existing temporary classroom units with two new 3 bay temporary single classroom units at West Monkton Church of England Primary School, School Road, Monkton Heathfield, Taunton TA28PA. *Out of time. County decision, no objection
48/2005/067A: Advertisement application. Relocation of internally illuminated sign on side elevation at Comet, Unit 5, Riverside Retail Park, Taunton. Consent granted, 5-year limit, road safety considerations, not flashing, not illuminated when premises are closed to the public.
48/2005/063:Full Application. Change of use and conversion of barn to ancillary use at Coombe Mill, Coombe, West Monkton; and 48/2005/064LB conversion of barn to ancillary use and rebuilding of gable end wall at Coombe Mill, Coombe, West Monkton. Permission granted – work to begin within 3 years, accommodation must be used solely in connection with the use of the existing house as a single family dwelling and shall not be used as a separate unit of accommodation, provision for bats before building work starts, external materials, mortar, windows to be submitted for approval before use, listed wall to be re-built using salvaged materials.
48/2005/059 Full application. Formation of agricultural access and track on land to South of Sidbrook Coach House, West Monkton. Permission granted – work to start within 3 years, external surfaces as detailed in agent’s letter, recessed entrance, other conditions relating to highway safety matters.
48/2005/061: Full application. 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, as amended by agents letter dated 20th December and drawing no 5A. Permission granted – work to begin within 3 years, external materials as indicated and no other, landscaping and tree planting, trees protected for 5 year, access to be constructed and maintained as per plan, road and access within site to be kept free of obstruction at all times, garages for domestic purposes only, road to be built to adoptable standard before dwellings occupied, visibility splay, protection of retained trees, no gates fences or other enclosures on the site.
48/2005/065. Full application. Erection of dormer windows at Greenbank, Yallands Hill, Monkton Heathfield. Permission granted – start within 3 years, suitable external surfaces.
48/2005/066T. Tree work on one holm oak within West Monkton Conservation Area at Monkton House. Work can commence 18th January 2006, work must be completed within 2 years.
48/2005/070. Erection of single storey side extension and front porch, 61 Greenway, Monkton Heathfield.
48/2005/071: Erection of 2 storey extension, single storey extension, and extension above garage to form granny annexe at 3 St Quintin Park. Permission refused – the 2 storey rear extension would result in loss of light to occupiers of no 2 St Quintin Park to an unreasonable degree and the proposed development which would adversely affect the character and appearance of the building and visual amenity.
48/2006/001: Replacement of 2 existing Elliott classrooms with new 3 bay temporary Elliott classrooms, West Monkton Church of England Primary School, School Road, West Monkton. No objections raised. The land is to be reinstated to its former condition on or before 31st January 2011.
48/2005/070: Erection of single storey side extension and front porch 61 Greenway Monkton Heathfield, or any minor variation thereto as may be agreed in writing by the local authority. Permission granted, to begin within 3 years, using suitable external materials, as shown on approved plan.
Planning decisions noted.

203/06: To consider communications
Communications noted as per list, having been previously circulated.
It was agreed to acknowledge letter from S French, no further action at this stage.
It was agreed to solicit a testimony from a village resident in support of the candidate that the Parish Council wished to nominate for a Taunton Deane Citizenship award. The candidate had been considered a year ago, and Councillors wished to pursue the nomination.

204/06: To approve Payments and Receipts, Monthly Financial Sheet and Reconciliation of Bank Statement to Financial Sheet

Receipts
Allotments rent (11 x £10.00 for 2006) £110.00

Payments
Mrs David bus shelter cleaning Jan £20.00
Clerks wages Jan £411.97
Clerks expenses Jan £11.59

Payments were authorised: proposed by H Ellis, seconded by G Day, all were in favour.
The financial sheet was explained, approved and signed by the Chairman.
The reconciliation of bank statement to financial sheet was explained, approved as correct and signed by a member of the council who is not a cheque signatory.

205/06: Date of next meeting
Parish Council 8th March 2006 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall
Annual Parish Meeting 22nd March 2006 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall

206/06: Outstanding items
There were none

207/06: Urgent matters raised with the permission of the Chairman
There were none.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.54pm

Chairman:………………………………………………. Date:………