14th January 2007

ADOPTED
WEST MONKTON PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council held on Wednesday 10th January 2007 at 7.30pm in the Committee Room West Monkton Village Hall.

Present: Cllrs Reeves, Corcoran, Tully, Warren, Ellis, Day, Besley, Wallington. Cllr Cavill arrived later.
In attendance: the Clerk, Mrs P A Cavill; one member of the public attended.

The Parish Council welcomed Mr Justin Roxburgh from The Falcon Housing Association. He gave a short exposition of the work of the Falcon Trust. The Parish Council were interested in hearing what Falcon did in view of the forthcoming development at Monkton Heathfield. Falcon is a not for profit organisation, registered as a Social Landlord, run by a Voluntary Board of Local Members. The aim is to provide housing for local people in the community. The usual procedure is as follows: the need is identified by house to house survey, the survey is analysed, and recommendations made, as to the number and type to be sustainable. The Rural Housing Officer of the Rural Community Council assists with the survey. A search is then conducted for resources - existing building land or existing buildings may be converted (e.g. the old leper hospital at Hamilton Road; a Victorian barn at North Curry). Grant money is used from the Housing Corporation, TDBC, and the Bank. Once built, the properties may provide rented housing or a form of home ownership - the house is sold to a local person at say £80k on a 125 year lease whilst Falcon retains the rest of the equity. The position is maintained because when the property is sold, Falcon will identify a local buyer, and the price will be at the same percentage of market price as the original sale. In the event of repossession the house would go back to Falcon, not the open market. On the matter of sustainability, houses are timber framed, with insulation, heat recovery and recirculation, and a solar hot water system. The structure removes the need for central heating; the running costs work out under £100/year. The aim is to get back to zero carbon emission. The houses are designed to fit existing architecture in the village.
A question and answer session followed:
‘Local’ is at least 5 years residence for rental, if the house is for sale, at least 10 years.
Falcon would work with developers, and could possibly build 10 - 20 houses for locals, out of the 200 - 300 affordable houses required on the Monkton Heathfield site. Lesley Webb could be a contact at TDBC.
Water is not recycled, but rainwater harvesting is done.
There would be no cost to the Parish Council for the initial survey of need.
Timber frames go up very quickly - frames complete in 3 weeks, then the finishing takes time. Six - seven houses could be built in 4 months.

01/07 Apologies
There were none.

02/07 Adoption of minutes of the Parish Council meeting on 8 November 2006, and the Planning Committee meeting held on 6th December 2006.
The minutes of the November meeting were adopted as a true record, proposed by Cllr H Besley and seconded by Cllr H Ellis, and unanimously agreed. The minutes of the Planning Committee meeting on 6th December were adopted as a true record, proposed by Cllr G Wallington and seconded by Cllr H Ellis, and unanimously agreed.
As the time was 8.00pm, the meeting was closed.

PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

The member of the public attending the meeting explained the difficulties he was experiencing in making contact with TDBC Planners in connection with his planning application, which the Parish Council had previously considered and supported.
The Farriers Green notice board has been affected by the weather and needs a replacement backboard.
The culvert is blocked at the bottom of red hill and water is running down the road.
A resident of Sidbrook will be contacting I Titcombe regarding the Goosenford speed limit.
The traffic lights at Brittons Ash are being updated.
Ditch outside the Chapel is overflowing and will be hazardous if the weather causes it to freeze.
Dog fouling was reported at the Merry Monk and Rose Cottage
The roadside verges at the bottom of Standards Hill are sodden and collapsing, as it is a passing place for lorries, some reinforcement is needed.
A tree had fallen across the footpath in the Old Quarry but it had been removed.

The meeting was reconvened.

03/07 Matters arising from the Minutes
The Clerk’s report, having been circulated prior to the meeting, was considered. It was agreed that Cllr Tully could leaflet the whole row of Gordons Cottages regarding fire safety, and hope the house owner with the severely smoking chimney could respond suitably. It was agreed to obtain a quotation from Taunton Fabrication for the lining in metal of the two bus shelters on the A38. It was agreed to contact J Herrington regarding a new bus shelter opposite Thornash Close on the Bridgwater side of the A3259, and also about putting a seat in the bus shelter at the Allotments on the Taunton side of the A3259. Liaise with Spital Trust on the matter. The request had come from some allotment holders to find out the cost of extending the public liability cover onto tenants’ allotments; enquiries will be made at Allianz Cornhill.

04/07 Items raised by the public in open session
The member of the public was given the phone number of the District Councillor.
It was agreed to contact DLO for a quote to replace the backboard on the Farriers Green notice board.
It was agreed to contact Highways regarding the culvert at Noahs Hill and the verges at Standards.
PC Curtis and the PCSO are aware of the dog fouling problem. The matter will be drawn to the attention of the dog warden.

05/07 To receive the recommendations from the Precept Working Party and to agree the Precept for 2007/2008
The Precept papers had been distributed prior to the meeting. The papers were explained showing how the budget for the year ahead had been constructed, the projected outrun for the present year, and thus the precept required for the next year. The Parish Council unanimously agreed to accept the recommendations from the working party and to request a precept of £12500 for the year 2007/2008.

06/07 To consider lighting in School Road/another bus shelter
After some discussion it was agreed to contact the lighting department at SCC who had previously assessed the lighting requirements in School Road, and request that an evaluation of the greatest need should be made. It was considered that the Parish Council might afford (assuming £1000 per light and no grant assistance) to install two lights this year and another two later. Five had been suggested in the original survey. A letter had been received from an elderly resident requesting a seat in the bus shelter by the allotments on the Taunton side of the A3259. This request was considered in addition to the request that the shelter should be cleaned. It was agreed to investigate the costs of installing a seat, and to advertise for a cleaner paying the same rate as the cleaner of the two bus shelters on the A38.

07/07 To note progress regarding Monkton Heathfield development and the CEP
An initial meeting date has been suggested by T Burton TDBC. Members of the Parish Council willing to sit on the CEP were identified: Cllrs Reeves, Ellis, Tully and Cavill (subject to confirmation). Cllr Leighton (TDBC) will chair the meetings and the WMPC Clerk will Clerk for the CEP in addition to Parish Council duties. It was noted that at some stage in the proceedings Inspector M. Ashwin from Avon and Somerset Constabulary would be consulted on safety matters relating to the layout of the development.

08/07 To note date of Parish Council election on 3rd May 2007
The date was noted. There would be a District Election on the same day. The Council were informed that D Greig, Parish Liaison Officer at TDBC had advised that potentially the cost to the Council could be between £700 and £1200. There are sufficient designated funds available in the Parish Council accounts.

09/07 To receive Official Reports
Cllr R Tully reported on SCC recent events. The SCC has decided to make a bid for Unitary Authority status even though most Parishes are not in favour. The decision to make the bid or not would be decided at a meeting in Bridgwater on 22nd January 2007. Cllr Tully stated that if he considered the bid was not in the interests of the people of Somerset he would not vote for it. He considered that it did not seem the right way to go. There would be large divisions with only one or two councillors, and Parishes would be given greater authority. It was considered the Unitary Authority would be too large and remote, the change of status would not improve the performance of the County, it would not be economically beneficial and it would be less democratic.
Cllr N Cavill reported on TDBC recent events. He explained the development of ISIS, which represented enhanced working partnerships with SCC and other District Authorities. He explained that the team working on ISIS had been shocked by SCC announcement, as it had not been discussed at all. The Police Authority is likely to join ISIS soon. Bids are being considered from Capita, IBM and BT.
Some discussion followed regarding the announcement from SCC about the Unitary bid. It was agreed that the Clerk should write to make the views of the Parish Council known before the meeting on 22nd January 2007. It was proposed that the SCC should not go with the suggestion for a Unitary Authority for Somerset and should desist from pursuing the matter; proposed by Cllr H Besley and seconded by Cllr G Day, and agreed by all. Letter to go to CEO SCC Alan Jones, cc to Cllr R Tully, Cllr Cathy Bakewell, Cllr Wolverson, and Cllr Busby.
Further TDBC matters were reported on regarding the redevelopment of Firepool. The project has a value of c£600m and 17 expressions of interest have been received - these will be whittled down to a short list of 7 or 8. Cllr Cavill reported that RDA money for the flood alleviation schemes had come through, also funding for the road improvements. The Hydrographic Office wishes to stay in Taunton, and the preferred site would be at Firepool. The MOD will make the final choice between Taunton and Exeter.
Cllr Reeves reported that the future of the road run (steam rally) had been secured for another year, despite the loss of the Taunton market site due to development. An alternative site where the vehicles can assemble will be agreed with Juliet Hunt TTCCo.
It was suggested that footpaths matters should be advertised in the Village News as well as the web site.
It was suggested that the chipping dump at Camels Hump could be used as a store for the next 12 months until the development starts and thus avoid rubbish being dumped there. It would also avoid duplicating the work to restore the verge, as alterations would be made again when the development work begins. It was agreed the Clerk would pass the suggestion on to SCC. Councillors were advised to phone the litter hotline if rubbish is dumped on the roadside in the Parish.

010/07 To consider Planning Applications received
Applications received by TDBC
48/2006/078T Mr D Galley: Application to carry out work to one coniferous tree included in Taunton Deane Borough (West Monkton No 3) Tree Preservation Order 1998 at 6 Acacia Gardens Bathpool, Taunton (TD777). Likely issues: application will be assessed on site. Comment: PC supports
48/2006/080 Mr J Grant: Conversion of loft to form additional bedrooms, Barge Inn, Hyde Corner, Hyde Lane Bathpool. Likely issues: assess impact on the character of the building and on visual amenity. Comment PC supports, improves old buildings
48/2006/082 Mr J Grant: Conversion of loft to form granny annex, Ridgeway, Hyde Corner, Hyde Lane, Bathpool. Likely issues: assess impact on the character of the building and on visual and residential amenity. Comment PC supports, improves old buildingsAdditional comment which applies to both of the above applications: these properties are adjacent to each other, plans show them to be joined. The same correspondent has applied in each case, the plans are virtually identical to each other. Both proposals are improvements to old buildings.

011/07 To receive Planning Decisions made by TDBC
48/2006/068: Full application for erection of dwelling at 45 School Road - refused, out of keeping with established layout and design of the housing estate, intrusive on street scene, detract from visual amenity of area.
48/2006/070 Full application for erection of 2 storey extension Garden Cottage, West Monkton. Permission granted subject to conditions: start within 3 years; external surfaces to be as shown on plan; accommodation to be used solely in connection with the use of the existing house as single family dwelling.
48/2006/71 Full application for erection of conservatory at Two Farthings Yallands Hill Monkton Heathfield. Permission granted subject to conditions: start within three years; external surfaces shall be of materials as shown on plan.
48/2006/073 Full application for erection of log cabin to house a swimming pool, 2 Thornash Close, Monkton Heathfield. Permission granted subject to conditions: start within 3 years; external surface shall be of materials indicated on application form.
The Planning Decisions made by TDBC were noted.

012/07 To consider Communications
The list of Communications received had been circulated prior to the meeting. A Parish Path Liaison Officer is assist SCC with their work on maintaining the network of paths in the Parish. It was agreed to advertise the role on the web-site. There was no further action relevant to the letter on Weight Limits on local roads. No further action on Sedgemoor LDF, and SCC Parish Emergency Plan.

013/07 To receive and approve Receipts and Payments and Monthly Financial Sheet

Receipts
Two new entries into business directory (£10 x 2) £20.00

Payments
Mrs David, cleaning bus shelters Nov/Dec (£20 x 2 ) £40.00
Clarks salary Nov/Dec (£436.62 x 2 ) £873.24
Clerks expenses from 2nd Nov to 3rd Jan 07 £58.09
Donation to Church funds for use of church room £15.00

The payments and receipts were unanimously adopted and approved. The Monthly Financial sheet was explained, adoption of the sheet was proposed by Cllr Ellis, seconded by Cllr Corcoran and agreed unanimously.

014/07 To note arrangements so far for the Annual Audit for the year 2006/07
Mr T Bullen has accepted the invitation to be the Internal Auditor, and will conduct the Audit on 3rd July 2007.

015/07 Dates of the next meetings
It was noted that the next meeting of the Parish Council will be Wednesday 14th February 2007, at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.
7th March
21st March: Annual Parish Meeting Speaker Francis Cornish on South West Tourism and Taunton Town Centre Company
11th April
16th May: Annual Meeting of the Parish Council
13th June
11th July
15th August (Planning Committee)
12th September
10th October
14th November
12th December (Planning Committee)

016/07 Outstanding items
There appears to have been no further progress with the disputed footpath, as nothing has been heard from SCC.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.45pm.

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