8th November 2006

ADOPTED
WEST MONKTON PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Wednesday 8th November 2006 at 7.30pm in the Committee Room, West Monkton Village Hall.

Present: Cllrs Reeves, Warren, Ellis, Day, Corcoran, Tully, Besley, N Cavill, Wallington.
In attendance: the Clerk, Mrs P A Cavill; no members of the public attended.

318/06 Apologies
No apologies were received.

319/06 Adoption of the Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 11th October 2006
The minutes were adopted and signed as a true record.

320/06 Matters of report arising from the minutes
Clerk’s report had been circulated before the meeting.
Brittons Ash PC Curtis enquiries. Parish Council agreed that the road through Brittons Ash was unclassified and no-one recalled the lay-by ever having had a number.
Repairs to bus shelter at Brittons Ash. The details and quotation for the repair were discussed and the following questions arose: would the metal be galvanised, if not would it be painted? Would it be as well to reinforce both sides of the shelter at the same time because if only one is done the other might be damaged more quickly? Would two sides done together be cheaper than doing them separately? Clerk to enquire.
Footpath from Browns to Titley Corner. The footpaths map issued by SCC and dated 2006 clearly shows the path to be open. Parish Council agreed that circa 20 years ago there had been discussion regarding application for its closure. It would appear that no action had been taken at the time, although Cllr Warren recalled that, when the PC way marked the Parish footpaths, that particular path was not marked. The present position is that the point where the footpath joins the road by Browns, the hedge is very overgrown.
H Corcoran arrived during this item at 7.50pm.

The meeting was closed.
PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
The increasing use of mobility scooters around the Parish was raised. The scooters are travelling the A38 and the A3259 in addition to the lanes. They are vulnerable to accident and impede the flow of traffic along the main roads.

The meeting was re-convened.

321/06 Items raised by the public in open session
It was agreed that increasing usage of mobility scooters could be safely anticipated, and the Parish Council would wish to ensure the safety of scooter users as well as pedestrians and drivers of vehicles in the Parish especially on the two main roads (A3259 and A38). Enquiries will be made regarding possible use of cycle paths by scooters, road signage, any other options open to the Parish Council.

322/06 Plans for the Precept 2007/08
It was agreed that Cllrs Reeves, Tully, Corcoran, Cavill and Ellis would meet to draft the precept and bring their recommendation to the Council.

323/06 Review of allotments
It was agreed that an annual review of the allotments, including rent, represented good practice. Cllr Warren reported that all allotments were presently occupied. Parish Council agreed that it was appropriate to leave the rent at £10 per annum for another year and would review the situation again then. All agreed the Parish allotments represent good value for money.

324/06 Citizenship Awards
It was agreed to consider the names put before the Council at the meeting.

325/06 Official reports
Cllr Tully arrived during this item at 8.20pm, Cllr Cavill arrived at 8.50pm.
Cllr Tully reported from SCC that the County Council were considering raising the legal age for purchase of cigarettes. He considered enforcement would be difficult.
Cllr Tully reported that actual fatalities resulting from road traffic accidents in the County were low. However the classification of serious accidents is under review in order to make the statistics clearer.
The ‘Vision for Taunton’ has become Project Taunton.
Cllr Cavill reported on Project Taunton. There is a public exhibition in Deane House. The Firepool development will become the powerhouse to drive the rest; it will primarily be an employment development. Great interest has been expressed by developers - 300 information packs have been requested and despatched. Following on, the Pig Market development of 300,000 sq ft, which will be tiered site offering residential, car parking and shopping on a number of levels. The loss of the existing car parks will be replaced by Canon Street car park becoming a three storey parking facility. Views of the Taunton spires will be protected, and the car park will have a ‘skin’ of flats round the outside. The Crescent car park is still under development. Railway Street and parking will be linked to the Cricket Club by the boulevard with views across the spires. Kilkenny car park may become the new bus station, to link better with trains, on split levels with the car parking, which again will have the ‘skin’ of flats around it. The flats are necessary to fund the car parks as TDBC has resolved to keep control of its car parks (rather than have NCP or others to build and run them). The Arts and Cultural quarter will include the new museum at Tangier, improvements to the existing museum, opening up Goodlands Gardens and using the Mecca Bingo building as a centre for the creative industries. Another Park at Ride at Cambria will support the cross town services. Flood alleviation issues have been addressed; land purchased for flood alleviation will also sort out similar concerns at Firepool. The Waterlinks project will help this be achieved. The funding for the northern inner distributor road and the bridge at Tangier have been secured. The Cricket Club will expand its area to become an International Cricket Ground, building extra stands skinned with flats and car parking. The four storey policy for development will change with Firepool, the lie of the land there will support 6 -7 storey development of offices and houses, the buildings higher up having fewer stories so the sky line is protected. A 650-place car park in Priory Bridge Road will have 2/3 of the places reserved for office use in working hours. The funding for these schemes stacks up.

326/06 To consider Planning Applications received by TDBC
48/2006/064 Mr M Hicks: Enlargement of existing pedestrian entrance to school site and formation of a new cycle entrance at Heathfield Community School, School Road, Monkton Heathfield. Likely issues - none listed. Comment: Parish Council supports this application.
48/2006/065 Mrs J Moore: Retention of hay store at Oaklands, Goosenford, Cheddon Fitzpaine. Likely issues - none listed. Comment: Parish Council supports this application on condition that it remains a hay store in agricultural usage and nothing else.
48/2006/066T Mr D Galley: Application to carry out management work (in order to gain safety clearance from overhead power lines) to one oak, several holly, ash and sycamore trees and one Portuguese laurel within West Monkton Conservation Area in the vicinity of the Coach House, The Woodlands, Hadley, Monkton House and West Lodge. Likely issues: proposals have been discussed with the applicant on site and are acceptable. Comment: no comment, necessary work to be done.
48/2006/067T Mr D Galley: Application to carry out work to two yew trees included in Taunton Deane Borough (West Monkton no2) Tree Preservation Order 1998 at Tanfield Cottage, West Monkton (TD776). Likely issues: proposals have been discussed with applicant on site and are considered acceptable. Comment: no comment, necessary work to be done.
48/2006/069T Mr P Bryan: Application to carry out management work to one willow and one maple tree included in Taunton Deane Borough (West Monkton no 1) Tree Preservation Order 1989 at 4 St Quintin Park, Bathpool, Taunton. Likely issues - will be assessed on site. Comment: Parish Council supports this application, pollarding to be done correctly.
48/2006/070 Mrs J Moore: Erection of two-storey extension, Garden Cottage, West Monkton. Likely issues: none listed. Comment: Parish Council supports, design features have been considered and are inkeeping with property itself and the area.
48/2006/072 Mr G Clifford: Erection of an attached garage on land to bungalow rear of Fairhavens, 63 Greenway, West Monkton (revised scheme). Likely issues - none listed. Comment: Parish Council supports this application.
48/2006/068 Mr J Grant: Erection of dwelling at 45 School Road, Monkton Heathfield, Taunton. Papers not received from TDBC, delay requested from officer J Grant in order that TDBC can send the documentation for WMPC to receive, consider and comment upon.


327/06 To note Planning Decisions made by TDBC
48/2006/055 Erection of two bed roomed bungalow, demolition of garage and construction of access at land to rear of Fairhavens, 63 Greenway, West Monkton, as amended by plan received 6th September 2006. Conditional approval: begin within 3 years; use of suitable materials as listed; surface water to be disposed of by soakaways; consolidated and surfaced turning area to be constructed before dwelling is occupied; entrance gates to service new dwelling to be set back at least 14m from carriageway edge; existing access must be modified to incorporate a passing bay before the dwelling is occupied; the passing bay to be kept clear of obstruction at all times; no obstruction to visibility higher than 600mm above adjoining road level of a line 2m back and parallel to nearest carriageway edge; no addition or extension to the dwelling including insertion of dormer windows unless application submitted to and approved by Local Planning Authority.
48/2006/058 Erection of two storey extension to side of dwelling at 36 Parkmead, Monkton Heathfield. Conditional approval: begin within 3 years; use suitable materials as listed; no windows/dormer windows to be constructed on the north-east gable elevation.
48/2006/060 Amended application 48/2005/073 (an appeal against that planning refusal having been lodged) re location for existing 20 caravan site and 10 static caravans on part of existing touring caravan site plus parking enclosure for off road caravan storage at Tanpitts Farm, Dyers Lane, Bathpool. Conditional approval: begin within 3 years; occupation of caravans marked on plan to be restricted to bona fide holiday makers for periods not exceeding 4 weeks total in any 52; a register to be kept; within touring sites shown on map, no caravan, camping trailer or tent to remain on site more than 14 nights, a register to be kept; no caravans outside permitted area at any time; touring site not to be used between 30th September and following 30th April; static caravans to be removed if not let within 24 months; landscaping scheme to be submitted, completed within first planting season from commencement of development; trees and shrubs protected and maintained for first 5 years after planting; access off Dyers Lane to be closed prior to commencement; parking area providing 1 car parking space per caravan pitch to be consolidated, surfaced, and drained before commencement; apple tress to be retained.
48/2006/062T Application to fell one holly, one horse chestnut, one acer and carry out tree work on one horse chestnut and one acer within West Monkton Conservation area at Glebe Court, West Monkton. Permission to proceed - work to be completed within 2 years.
48/2006/063T Application to carry out management work to 2 yew trees and one holm oak included in Taunton Deane Borough (West Monkton no 2) Tree Preservation Order 1998 at Tanfield Cottage, West Monkton (TD776). Conditional approval: work to be completed within 2 years; work in accordance with BS3998:1989 - if bats found on site work must stop, if nesting birds found on site, they must not be disturbed.

48/2006/046: Erection of dwelling, garage and formation of access on land south of the Old Forge, 147 Bridgwater Road, Bathpool. Withdrawn.

The planning decisions made by TDBC were noted, particularly the conditions upon the Tanpits Farm decision to ensure a residential caravan site was not established by default.

328/06 To consider communications received
The list of communications had been circulated prior to the meeting.
Representatives of WMPC sought for Annual Allotment meeting and LAT meeting, both on 21st November; also for SALC meeting on 7th December.
The Parish Council considered and completed a questionnaire sent by Somerset Rural Youth Project.

329/06 To receive and approve Receipts and Payments and Monthly Financial Sheet
Receipts
nil
Payments
Mrs David, cleaning bus shelters Oct £20.00
Parsons Landscapes grass cutting Oct £64.12
Clarks salary Oct £432.62 (plus £8.00 correction, representing two months underpayment)
Clerks expenses to 1st Nov £33.00
The financial sheet was distributed considered and signed by unanimous agreement. The payments and receipts were authorised, proposed by R Tully, seconded by H Ellis and all agreed.

330/06 Dates of next meetings:
Parish Council: Wednesday 10th January 2007, when CEO Falcon Housing Julian Roxburgh will give a brief presentation and run a question and answer session.
WMPC Planning Committee: Wednesday 6th December 2006 in the Church Room at 7.00pm.

331/06 Outstanding items
Disputed footpath - nothing further to report

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.34pm.

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