12th July 2006

ADOPTED
WEST MONKTON PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Wednesday 12th July 2006 at 7.30pm in the Committee Room, West Monkton Village Hall.

Present: Cllrs Reeves, Besley, Warren, Ellis, Day, Corcoran. District Cllr Cavill arrived later.

In attendance: The Clerk, Mrs P A Cavill
No members of the public attended

279/06 Apologies
Apologies received from Cllr G Wallington, Co Cllr R Tully.

280/06 Adoption of the Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 14th June 2006 at 7.30pm
Following one amendment (Cllr Ellis’s name was added to the list of those present) it was resolved that the minutes, having been previously circulated, were adopted as a true record. All agreed.

281/06 Matters of report arising from the minutes
The Clerk’s report, having been previously circulated, was noted.
Cllr Warren reminded the Parish Council that he still had a quantity of safety matting, and requested that it was advertised on the web-site. Council agreed to add it to web-site. It was observed that it was unlikely that the Parish Council would become involved in play equipment in the proposed development as much of that would come under S106 agreements.

The meeting was closed.

PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

An e-mail from the web-site was reported regarding the fence posts installed at the end of one of the Meadway gardens.

Cllr Cavill arrived during this matter.

A request from the partially sighted resident of Fouracres for a pelican crossing was reported by Cllr Warren. The matter had been listed elsewhere, in ‘Communications’, as the Clerk had received an e-mail on the same matter from I Titcombe SCC Highways.

The meeting was reconvened.

282/06 Matters arising from Public Question Time
It was agreed that the matter would be referred to TDBC Planning Officer T Burton for his consideration and further action. It was agreed that the author of the e-mail should be kept informed about the actions taken. It was noted that the Parish Council did not own the land nor had at any time in the past. Restrictions existed due to the visibility splay, although the land was within the ownership of the properties.
I Titcombe, in response to the request from the resident of Fouracres, suggested pedestrian warning signs to be put in place on the A 3259 in either direction. It was recorded that County Councillor R Tully objected to this suggestion. It was noted that even before Meadway was built, the Parish Council had been trying to satisfy the Highways criteria to qualify for a crossing. The signs would be a good start. In view of the future proposed traffic calming measures on the A3259, in association with the proposed development, it was considered that the Highways criteria for a crossing would be even less likely to be met in the future. Therefore it was agreed to accept the offer made by I Titcombe.

283/06 To consider Maintenance Grants for 2006/07
It was agreed that the application for the Burial Ground grant would remain the same as 2005/06 (£320). It was agreed the application for the play area grant should be in line with the costs of grass cutting (quoted £381.99 + VAT), so £380 applied for. It was agreed to make an application for a footpath grant, in anticipation of such works as might be required to re-open the footpath between Yallands Hill and Aginhills. The Footpaths Officer, Cllr Day, reported that she had received no adverse reports regarding the condition of the other footpaths in the Parish. Consequently it was agreed that the application should be in the sum of £100. It was noted that if extra costs beyond the sum of £100 were incurred, or in the absence of a grant being made by TDBC, an approach would be made to Cheddon Fitzpaine Parish Council to share the costs. WMPC had traditionally maintained this path, technically it lay within the Parish of Cheddon Fitzpaine. (The Parish boundary lies to the west of Allens Brook for the upper part of the footpath, Yallands Hill to Goosenford; and to the east of Allens Brook from Yallands Hill to Aginhills, the lower part of the footpath).

284/06 To receive Official Reports
In the absence of County Councillor R Tully, there was no SCC report.
District Councillor N Cavill reported that:
The Boundary Commission report had recently been issued. In the ward of West Monkton the earlier proposals had not been amended, i.e. the ward would become a three councillor ward. Some other earlier proposals had been modified after representations had been made e.g. in Wiveliscombe, Neroche. The changes in West Monkton will ensure that the correct number of councillors will be in place for the number of proposed dwellings.
The RSS 2009 - 2016 had been issued - 580pp covering all aspects of life. The consultation period is for one year. Unlike previous ‘Local Plan’ documents, this strategy once adopted, will be inflexible, prescriptive, and mandatory; covering all walks of life - energy, education, transport etc. The area of search L3 is pertinent to W Monkton covering an area from Boome Lane to Langaller with a requirement for 3000 houses. However, Walford Park is in a landscape area, and beyond Greenway Chapel would be high visibility.
The Vision for Taunton was at the redevelopment stage. £27.8m funding had been found for the Inner Relief Road and the Northern Inner Distributor Road. A question had arisen re flooding hazards as the proposals were in a flood plain. Case law was cited, Zurich had refused cover for a house built on a flood plain. Therefore, a flood bund would be built and other measures to rectify concerns would be put in place.

The Clerk reported that:
She had obtained bursary funding for the CiCLA course, and had attended the first session at Chard that morning. As a result of the training, some slight adjustments to the way the agendas and minutes were presented would ensue.

285/06: To consider Planning Applications received by TDBC
48/2006/036 Mrs S Melhuish. Erection of single storey extension at 48 Acacia Gardens Bathpool. Likely issues: none. Comment: no objection
48/2006/039 Mrs F Wadsley. Erection of dormer windows to rear of Orchard barn, Sidbrook, Monkton Heathfield. Likely issues to be assessed: design not acceptable. Comment: design out of character from the existing dwelling which is one of several joined barn conversions around a central courtyard.
The Clerk would submit the comments by e-mail next day to the appropriate TDBC Officers.

286/06: Planning Decisions made by TDBC
48/2006/006 Mr M Hicks. Erection of first floor extension to form 2 storey element to rear of Four Poplars, Hyde Lane, Taunton. Amendment of approved flat roof to lean to roof. Planning decision noted.

Planners Consortium PR company are seeking another meeting with the Planning Committee of the Parish Council. The Planning Committee meeting scheduled for 9th August 2006, 7.00pm would not be available for Simon Perks to attend. Councillors were asked to signal their availability on dates offered by PR Consortium. It was agreed Clerk should re-schedule the meeting and confirm date with Councillors.

287/06: To consider Communications (as listed)
The communications list had been circulated prior to the meeting. It was agreed that the e-mail explaining the lighting situation which the Clerk had sent to the Chairman, following her conversation with Mr Phillip Bennett SCC Highways Lighting Engineer, should be sent to Mr J Browne MP who had requested further information on the matter of lighting in Sidbrook Orchards.
It was agreed to enter the Somerset Community Council competition for Parish web-sites.
It was agreed to delegate making the reply to Sedgemoor SCI to the Clerk, in consultation with the Chairman.
It was noted that the quarterly report from the Enforcement Officer TDBC was very useful.

288/06: To approve Payments and Receipts and monthly Financial Sheet
The list of receipts and payments having been circulated prior to the meeting was approved, proposed by Cllr H Besley, seconded by Cllr L Warren, and all agreed. The cheques were signed.
The monthly financial sheet was considered; the amendments coming from the addition of the annual NS&I interest were explained. It was agreed that the Clerk should transfer funds from the Lloyds Business account into the current account to ensure sufficient funds were available for bills to be paid. The financial sheet was approved, proposed by Cllr H Corcoran, seconded by Cllr H Ellis and all agreed.
The Clerk reported that the Internal Audit for 2005/06 had been conducted by Mr A J Bullen, and everything was in order. He had no matters to draw to the attention of the Parish Council. He had signed the appropriate section (Section 4)of the Annual Return. The Parish Council expressed satisfaction with the audit and the associated preparation of accounts and maintenance of internal control. Consequently, the Chairman signed the Statement of Assurance (Section 2). The Clerk would submit the External Audit 2005/06 to Moore Stephens.
It was agreed that the work done by M Ellis and G Perrin on the new burial ground railings was outstanding in its quality and attention to detail. The Parish Council were unanimous when they voted to record a Vote of Thanks in respect of this work to M Ellis and G Perrin. It was agreed the Clerk should inform Mr Ellis of this.

289/06: Dates of the next meetings
Parish Council meeting 13th September 2006 at 7.30pm at the Village Hall. The next meeting of the Planning Committee will be re-scheduled from 9th August 2006 to a date to be agreed..

290/06: To consider outstanding items
There were none.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.07pm

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