13th September 2006

ADOPTED
WEST MONKTON PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Wednesday 13th September 2006 at 7.30pm in the Committee Room, West Monkton Village Hall.

Present: Cllrs Reeves, Warren, Ellis, Day, Corcoran, Tully.

In attendance: Two members of the public attended

291/06 Apologies
Apologies received from Cllrs Cavill and Besley, the Clerk Mrs P A Cavill. G Wallington did not attend.
The Chairman advised that Councillors should give reasons with apologies for absence, in response to the summons to attend.

292/06 Adoption of the Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 12th July at 7.30pm and Planning Committee meeting held on 15th August 2006 at 7.00pm
The minutes were adopted and signed as a true record.

293/06 Matters of report arising from the minutes
Clerk’s report had been circulated prior to the meeting.
Safety matting: it was agreed that Martin Ellis could take some of the matting for use at a pre-school in the town. The rest is to be offered to the DLO for them to store or use as they see fit. Clerk to contact DLO to ask.
Fence at Meadway: meeting informed
Pedestrian warning signs on A3259: Cllr Tully stated that the signs are ok but are not a substitute for a crossing
Grants: Who is going to replace the stile on the disputed footpath? Grant for playing field may need to be reviewed in the future in view of the situation re lease of land.
Business Directory: Clerk to contact the late payers. Chairman asked the Council to consider if there was any specific way the income could be spent
SLCC membership. Proposed by Cllr Corcoran, seconded by Cllr Day, unanimously agreed.
Bursary cheque: noted
Annual return for year ended 31/3/06: noted
Somerset Partnership NHS: noted
Sidbrook Orchards: noted. The whereabouts of the bollards was questioned (allegedly on private land).
Play area lease: considered as separate agenda item
The meeting was closed.
PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

Parking outside the garage at Brittons Ash has not improved, also water problems. Neighbours having difficulty accessing their properties. It was reported that the owner of the garage (K Welch) is parking in homeowner’s drives. Congestion during school drop down and pick up times, plus younger pupils on bicycles. It was noted that the area was made dangerous by the use of the lane by large lorries going to the garage or further.
Entrance to Phippens field: a number of enquiries had been made to Chairman and Councillors to check that planning permission had been obtained
Speeding through Goosenford: the matter of the 30mph limit was raised.
Overhanging hedges: reported at Little Marlows and above Blundells Farm on the opposite side of the road

The meeting was reconvened.

294/06 Items raised by the public in open session
Cllr Tully reported that he and I Titcombe (SCC) had made a site visit to Britton’s Ash. He stated that if it is the parking of cars from the garage on the highway, then the garage is breaking the law and that the police should be asked to deal with it. It was resolved to send a letter to PC Curtis with copies to A Combes ‘Safe Routes to School’ at SCC, and I Titcombe SCC.
Cllr Ellis noted that the Clerk had informed her that permission had been granted for Phippen’s field entrance earlier in the year. Cllr Tully said he thought permission had been refused due to protected trees and the application came through in December 05/Janaury 06. It was agreed to keep a watching brief on the matter and find out the details of the planning permission. The matter of the trees should be verified.
It was resolved to ask I Titcombe to reconsider the area of the speed limit, between the top of the hill and Greenway, as the increase in volume of traffic was making that section of the road very dangerous.
It was agreed that Cllr Reeves would visit the new owners of Little Marlows to request the overhanging trees are cut, noting that if County Council do the cutting they would charge. It was agreed that the Clerk should write a letter to Mr Nowells requesting that he might cut the field hedge as it represented an obstruction to visibility.

295/06 To consider the renewal of the Lease on the Play Area at School Road, for the period September 2005 to August 2008, as drafted by SCC and handed to their solicitors to continue
After discussion it was established that the LAT did not want the play area any longer for a proposed Youth Shelter, and they will go to Creech St Michael. Councillors then discussed if the lease should be renewed or the land handed back to the County Council. After much discussion it was resolved not to renew the lease, as the area was no longer used for its original purpose. The Parish Council placed on record their desire that the County Council would take full responsibility for the area, and would cover public liability. The onus is on the County Council to keep it safe as it is a public right of way. The resolution was put by Cllr Warren, seconded by Cllr Day and agreed unanimously.

296/06 To receive Official Reports
County Councillor R Tully reported:
Proposed development at Monkton Heathfield, presentation at Tacchi Morris today: traffic continued to be a major concern, but overall quality of presentation was much better.
Design Panel: the suggested community engagement panel, which Parish Council would instigate with several people representing various interest groups to assist with advising the Parish Council on the planning applications coming with the proposed new development re design etc.
Roads: deaths and serious injuries statistics are still too high.
Fire Service: will merge with Devon very soon.
Secondary School: when houses in proposed new development are built there will be serious stretching of resources at Heathfield Comprehensive. There are currently not enough places for all the Parish’s children. Should the Local education Authority at SCC be contacted re placements of children in the future?
Falcon Rural Housing: Cllr Tully had attended a presentation and suggested Parish Council might consider investigating the possibilities of having one.
Cllr Warren reported that the potholes at Monkton Elm have been mended, a good job done.

297/06 Planning applications received by TDBC
48/2006/045 Mrs F Wadsley: Erection of single storey extension to front and rear of property and loft conversion including dormer windows at Little Oaks 16 Sylvan Way Monkton Heathfield. Comment: may be concern regarding size and design of extensions.
48/2006/049 Comment: no problems with the house but concerns about the garage location and access.
48/2006/051T Mr D Galley: Application to coppice three Ash trees included in Taunton Deane Borough (West Monkton no.2) Tree Preservation Order 1989 on the boundary between 41/42 St Quintin Park, and the canal towpath (TD450). Likely issues: application to be assessed on site. Comment: environmentally acceptable work.
48/2006/052 Mr M Hicks: Erection of dwelling and access thereto at land west of Pennystone, Yallands Hill, West Monkton. Likely issues - none listed. Note: this application type is ’reserved matters’, outline planning permission having already been granted. No comment
48/2006/053T Mr D Galley: Application to re-pollard four willow trees included in Taunton Deane Borough (West Monkton no3) Tree Preservation Order at 27 Acacia Gardens, Bathpool, Taunton. Likely issues: none listed. Comment: ensure the pollarding is done properly.
48/2006/054 Mr J Grant: Conversion of loft with provision of 4 dormer windows at Ridgeway, Hyde Corner, Hyde Lane, Bathpool. Likely issues: none listed. No comment.
48/2006/055 Mr G Clifford: Erection of two bed roomed bungalow, demolition of garage and construction of access at land to rear of Fairhavens 63 Greenway, West Monkton. Likely issues: none listed. Comment: ensure the building is in keeping with its neighbours.
48/2006/057 Mrs F Wadsley: Erection of single storey extension at Greenway House, Greenway, West Monkton. Likely issues: none listed. Comment: ensure materials used are in keeping with existing


298/06 Planning Decisions made by TDBC
48/2006/042: Erection of single storey extensions and dormer windows at Greystones, Goosenford, Taunton, as amended by letter and plans received 16th August 2006. Permission granted. Conditions: begin within 3 years, use suitable materials, no windows/dormer windows other than those expressly authorised by this planning permission to be constructed on the north or south elevations.
48/2006/44T: Application to fell one Eucalyptus tree and one Norway Maple within West Monkton Conservation area at Bean’s Corner, West Monkton. Permission given to proceed on 24th August 2006, work to be completed within 2 years.
08/2006/015: Erection of agricultural building at Crosslands Yard, Cheddon Fitzpaine. (Note: applications that are numbered 08 are in Ward of West Monkton but not Parish).
48/2006/039 Erection of dormer windows to Orchard Barn, Sidbrook, Monkton Heathfield. REFUSAL
48/2006/040A Display of 3m x 6m poster display panels Taunton retail Park, Hankridge Way, Taunton. REFUSAL
48/2006/041AGN Erection of agricultural building at Quantock Farm West Monkton. APPROVAL
The decisions were read and noted

299/06 Communications
The list having been previously circulated, it was agreed that Cllrs Reeves and Tully should attend the Annual meeting of the Parishes on 4/10/06. No councillors were available to attend the Water Management Partnership meeting.
300/06 Dates of Parish Council meetings for 2007
It was resolved to accept the dates put forward for consideration and to confirm these dates with the Village Hall Booking Officer.

301/06 To approve Payments and Receipts as listed, and Monthly Financial Sheet, and to consider the appointment of A Bullen as Internal Auditor for the year ending 31st March 2007.
All papers having been circulated prior to the meeting, it was resolved to approve the payments and receipts and the monthly financial sheet; proposed by Cllr Corcoran, seconded by Cllr Tully and agreed unanimously. It was resolved to write to T Bullen inviting him to be the Internal Auditor for the year ending 31 March 2007; proposed by Cllr Day, seconded by Cllr Corcoran, and unanimously agreed.

302/06 Dates of the next meetings
It was noted that the next Parish Council meeting would be on 11th October 2006 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.

303/06 Outstanding items
Currently there are none.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.41pm

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