17th May 2006

ADOPTED
WEST MONKTON PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on Wednesday 17th May 2006 at 7.30pm in the Committee Room, West Monkton Village Hall.

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

238/06 Apologies for absence
D Greig, TDBC Parish Liaison Officer, G Wallington

The Chairman stepped down and the Clerk took the next agenda item

239/06 Election of Chairman
John Reeves was proposed by N Cavill, seconded by H Besley. There were no other proposals. J Reeves was elected unanimously to be Chairman for the year ahead. The Chairman resumed the Chair.

240/06 Election of Vice Chairman
Ray Tully was proposed by L Warren, seconded by H Corcoran. There were no other proposals. R Tully was unanimously elected Vice-Chairman for the year ahead.

241/06 Election of Planning Committee
The Parish Council resolved to continue the practice that the full Council constituted the Planning Committee.

242/06 Election of Footpaths Officer
G Day was proposed by R Tully and seconded by H Ellis. There were no other proposals and G Day was elected unanimously as Footpaths Officer for the year ahead.

243/06 Election of Allotments Warden
Les Warren was proposed by H Besley and seconded by H Ellis. There were no other proposals and L Warren was elected unanimously as Allotments Warden for the year ahead.

244/06 Election of Open Spaces Officer
There was some discussion, taking into account the forthcoming housing development in the Parish, and the fact that there is new environmental legislation. Consequently, it was agreed that it would be more appropriate to join the roles of ‘Open Spaces Officer’ with ‘Tree Warden, keeping environmental matters separate, under the auspices of an Environmental Officer. The change in position was proposed by G Day, seconded by H Ellis and adopted unanimously. G Wallington was proposed as Open Spaces Officer and Tree Warden by H Ellis and seconded by R Tully. There were no other proposals, and G Wallington was elected for the year ahead.

245/06 Election of Press Officer
G Day was proposed by H Ellis, and seconded by L Warren. There were no other proposals and G Day was elected Press Officer for the year ahead.

246/06 Election of Environment Officer
N Cavill was proposed by R Tully, seconded by G Day. There were no other proposals and N Cavill was unanimously elected as Environment Officer for the year ahead.

247/06 Parish Council representative on Village Hall Management Committee
R Tully was proposed by N Cavill, seconded by G Day and elected unanimously for the year ahead.

248/06 Parish Council representative on West Monkton Relief in Need Charity
G Day was proposed by N Cavill and seconded by H Ellis. G Day was unanimously elected for the year ahead.

249/06 Parish Council representative on Spital Trust
H Corcoran was proposed by H Ellis and seconded by N Cavill. H Corcoran was unanimously elected for the year ahead.

250/06 Parish Council Highways Co-Coordinator
H Besley was proposed by G Day, seconded by H Ellis and unanimously elected for the year ahead.

251/06 Parish Council Governor representative at the Primary School
H Ellis was proposed by J Reeves, seconded by R Tully and unanimously elected for the year ahead.

252/06 Declaration of Acceptance, Register of Interests
The chairman signed the Declaration of Acceptance, and members were reminded that their register of interests should be updated in the event of any change of circumstance. Members were issued with the registration form to use if needed.

253/06 Adoption of the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 12th April 2006 at 7.30pm
The minutes, having been previously circulated, were adopted and signed as a true record. Proposed by H Besley, seconded by G Day and unanimously agreed.

254/06 Matters arising from the minutes
Clerk’s report, having been previously circulated, was noted.
The seat at Sidbrook will be installed by L Warren, in concrete, now the area has been cleared. All agreed it should be sited well back in the lay-by, on the higher level, about 3-4 ft clear of the field hedge to allow the hedge to be cut. It was agreed that the seat should be installed facing towards West Monkton St Augustines’ church.
One of the comments recorded at the Public Exhibition put on by the Developers Consortium referred to the building of the relief road. It was noted that the Planning Application registered at Taunton Deane Planning Authority showed and stated that the relief road should be built at the outset, so why was that not stated at the Public Exhibition? The confusion generated by the situation emphasised the incompetence of the Public Exhibition. There seemed to be some confusion between the road at Milton Hill and the proposed main A38 relief road. The Parish Council’s submission has been sent to TDBC.
Footpath, Aginhills to Yallands Hill. Members of the Legal Team at Rights of Way Dept, SCC, had examined archive material held by the Parish Council back to 1947. The search had been productive. The matter will now progress through due process.
There were no other matters arising.

The meeting was closed.

PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

The triangle of public highway left untarmacadamed outside Crooms Hill. It was reported that D Quick differs in opinion regarding the adequacy of the surface. He does not belief it to be rough and hazardous, and retarmacadaming is not considered justified. The deeds of the property show the land to be part of the public highway. There have been two previous requests that it should be made good
A member of the public asked if the verge on the A3259 adjacent to the start of the footpath Yallands Hill to Aginhills could be cut. It was observed that a programme of verge trimming is in operation in the County, and that it would be cut in due course.

Public question time was closed and the meeting was reconvened.


255/06 Matters arising from Public Question Time
It was resolved that the Clerk should write to the member of the public explaining the road side grass cutting programme.

256/06 Official reports
H Ellis reported that a new deputy head at the Primary School would be appointed shortly. It would be a teaching position. The quality of applications was very high, and the shortlist comprised all excellent candidates. There were no local applications.
R Tully reported that SCC Highways will in future issue a monthly newsletter so advance notice will be available of the grass cutting programme. The annual growth of roadside cow parsley which reduces visibility is the current problem. Main roads where reduced visibility causes hazards would be given priority.
R Tully confirmed that Wyvern Waste has been sold to Viridor Somerset 2006.
N Cavill reported on the TDBC Affordable Housing initiatives. The need for affordable housing in the Deane was highlighted by Holway Green. The publicity resulted in a number of landlords and architects coming forward with proposals. The proposals are welcome although they do not make good the shortfall. The Planning Section at TDBC will talk to Barrett/Persimmon to develop the affordable side of their enterprise; other initiatives include enabling social landlords to undertake extra development on existing sites.
N Cavill reported that TDBC Councillor M Edwards has resigned due to family and business commitments, his portfolio - Environmental Services - has been taken over by Cllr D Bradley and Cllr J Clark has taken over as Portfolio Holder for Leisure.
J Reeves reported that he had been unable to attend the recent meeting of Wyvern Waste Liaison Group.
H Besley reported that he would follow up the unsatisfactory situation at Blundells, as the leak from the ditch has still not been mended. There is a blocked ditch at Overton that he will report.

257/06 Planning Applications received by TDBC
48/2005/061A For information only: Amendment altering design and siting of Plot 3 at the Old Forge Bridgwater Road, Taunton.
48/2006/030 Mr J Grant: Erection of single storey rear extension, conversion of garage and erection of first floor extension over to serve as Annex at 3 St Quintin Park, Bathpool. Likely issues: assess impact on the character of the building and on visual and residential amenity. Comments: see previous comments on previous application, still apply. Application is out of proportion, large scale extension is out of character.
48/2006/031 Mr R Upton: Erection of two storey extension at Travelodge, Hankridge Farm, Taunton. Likely issues: The principle and design appear acceptable. The impact of loss of parking spaces (12) will be assessed by the Highway Authority. Extra rooms include some family rooms and some with disabled access. Comment: no comment.
48/2006/032T Mr P Bryan: Fell one Malus and carry out tree work on one Beech, one Sycamore, one Eucalyptus, and one Hazel within West Monkton Conservation Area, at Bean’s Corner, West Monkton. Likely issues: to be assessed on site. Permission granted.
48/2006/033 Mr J Grant: Erection of garage and store building at 5 Yew Tree Lane, Bathpool.
Likely issues: impact on amenity and flooding to be assessed. Comment: doesn’t impinge on neighbours, owners aware of potential flooding issues, no objection.
48/2006/035LE Mr G Clifford: Application for lawful use certificate re Dans Dismantlers, the Old Mill, Riverside, Bathpool, as Auto Dismantler, repairs and sale of vehicle parts. Comment: no comment.
08/2006/012 Mrs S Melhuish: Retention of conservatory on rear of property at 31 Cashford Gate, Taunton. Comment: no comment.

258/06 Planning decisions taken by TDBC
08/2006/004 Erection of conservatory at 47 The Shaulders, Nerrols Farm Taunton. Conditional Approval.
48/2006/021: Conversion of and extension to agricultural barn to A1 and B1 use, Prockters farm West Monkton. Permission granted. Conditions: begin within 3 years, suitable materials to be used, timber fenestration only, parking and turning area to be provided before development is permitted to be occupied, and thereafter kept free of obstruction, cycle parking to be provided, bats and birds protection, retail use for home farm produced produce only.
48/2006/022T: Application to carry out tree work on a group of ash, field maple, hazel, holly and blackthorn trees included in TDB (West Monkton no1) TPO 2001, at 70 Meadway, Monkton Heathfield. Permission granted. Conditions: complete works within 2 years, cut vegetation to a maximum of 0.5mtrs from boundary to allow for new fence to be erected.
48/2006/023: Erection of single storey extensions to side and front of bungalow, Willows End, Monkton Heathfield. Permission granted. Conditions: begin works within 3 years, use of suitable materials.
48/2006/024: Erection of two storey extensions, Greystones, Goosenford. Permission refused: the proposed development by reason of its design and massing would be adversely affect the amenities of the adjoining properties, in terms of overbearing mass and loss of privacy, and is contra to Local Plan policies S2 and H17.
48/2006/025T Carry out tree work on one Holm Oak within West Monkton Conservation area at Little Marlows, West Monkton, as amended by letter dated 30th March 2006. Permission given. Works to be completed within 2 years.
48/2006/026 Alterations to garage to form garage and office, 2 St Quintin Park, Bathpool. Conditional approval. Conditions: begin work within 3 years, all new brickwork to match existing, office solely in connection with use of the existing family house as a single family dwelling and shall not be used as a business/commercial office.
48/2006/032T Mr P Bryan: Fell one Malus and carry out tree work on one Beech, one Sycamore, one Eucalyptus, and one Hazel, within West Monkton Conservation area, at Bean’s Corner, West Monkton. Permission granted, finish within 2 years.
The decisions were noted.

259/06 Communications as listed
The list was noted.

260/06 Approval of payments and Financial Sheet
Receipts
Refund of VAT for 2005/06,
paid into Lloyds bank by BACS £338.51
TDBC Precept for 2006/07,
paid into Lloyds Bank by BACS £12000.00

Payments
Mrs David cleaning bus shelters in April £20
Parsons Landscapes grass cutting play area April £64.12
TDBC Deane DLO Litter Pick in Play Area £68.74
Allianz Cornhill Insurance Premium
1st June 06 to 31st May 2007 £746.80
Community Council for Somerset Annual sub £25
SALC Affiliation fee year 2006/07 £495.38
Clerk’s salary for April £436.62
Clerk’s expenses (as listed) £12.42

The payments and receipts list, having been previously circulated, was approved, proposed by H Besley, seconded by R Tully and agreed unanimously.
The Financial Sheet was reviewed and approved, and signed.

261/06 Date of the next Parish Council meeting
The date of the next meeting was noted as Wednesday 14th June 2006 at 7.30pm.

262/06 Outstanding Items
Currently there are none.

263/06 Urgent matters raised with the permission of the Chairman
The Chairman reported that the Parish Council had been given a Rate Book from 1873, presented by Mr R Holder. The document had previously been in the possession of Mr D Harris. The document created great interest and was gratefully accepted. It was agreed the Clerk should write to thank the gentlemen for the gift.

The meeting closed at 9.01pm

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