14th February 2007

ADOPTED
WEST MONKTON PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council held on Wednesday 14th February 2007 at 7.30pm in the Committee Room West Monkton Village Hall.

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

17/07 Apologies
Apologies were accepted from Cllrs Corcoran, Tully, and Wallington.

18/07 Adoption of minutes of the Parish Council meeting on 10th January 2007
The minutes of the January meeting were adopted as a true record, proposed by Cllr Ellis, seconded by Cllr Day and all agreed.

19/07 Matters arising from the minutes
The Clerk’s report had been circulated prior to the meeting, and the contents were noted.
It was proposed by Cllr J Reeves, seconded by Cllr G Day and agreed unanimously that the Clerk should contact R Bown at TDBC Deane DLO and accept the estimate for the repair of the seat at Goosenford.
It was suggested that a notice for the cleaner required for the two bus shelters on the A3259 should be placed on the board inside the Village Hall.
It was suggested that Sue Handsford SCC should be contacted and an estimate for solar powered lighting be obtained, in addition to the formal estimate for conventional lighting currently being prepared for two lights in School Road.
It was agreed that a watching brief should be kept on the SCC Unitary bid to ensure that proper and full public consultation is undertaken.
No Councillors were available to attend TDBC insurance on allotments workshop at the Priory depot on 20th Feb. (Noted that the time fixed for during the working day caused difficulties in availability).
It was agreed that information about becoming a Parish Councillor should be posted on Parish notice boards.

The meeting was closed.

PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
Disputed footpath - involvement of Parish Council. Cllr Reeves reported comments from T Newberry regarding progress with the disputed footpath, Yallands Hill to Aginhills, and the involvement of the Parish Council. Cllr Reeves reported that he had explained to Mr Newbery the significant number of hours the Parish Council had spent trawling archives with H Fletcher and her team, of which photos were taken; the hours spent tracking down possible witnesses for the case; the hours spent posting information on the web-site etc. Cllr Reeves reported that he had explained to Mr Newbery that the Parish Council, being aware of the processes that had to be followed with such disputes, and the time they took, had been happy to wait whilst Mrs Fletcher prepared her report and then submitted it for consideration by SCC. Cllr Reeves reported that Mr Newbery had stated that he had received a letter from Mrs Fletcher indicating that her report was complete: the letter was copied to County Councillors Prior-Sankey and Tully. Difficulties had arisen because the Parish Council had not been included amongst those copied, neither had either of the Taunton Deane Councillors, so did not know Mrs Fletcher had completed the report. The list of those to whom the letter was copied had caused problems in the perceived involvement (or lack of it) by local councillors. The lapse of communication at this late stage was unfortunate as local councillors had spent a very considerable amount of time on the matter and were upset that an incorrect impression had been created. The Clerk had requested an update from Mrs Fletcher which was read to the meeting. In it, Mrs Fletcher stated that her report was complete; that a copy has been sent to the landowners so they have an opportunity to comment, then the report would be sent to Cllr Tully; SCC Portfolio holder; and SCC Chairman of Regulation Committee. She is seeking delegated powers to decide the issue. If this is agreed she will issue the decision and publish an Order if appropriate. Mrs Fletcher did not mention her correspondence with Mr Newbery.
Comment from the Primary School Governors was received. Motorbikes are using Dyers Lane especially at the bottom end where its blocked off, and this is getting in the way of the ‘Safe Routes to School‘. The Governors requested that consideration should be given to a crossing at the point where the children cross Milton Hill to go down Dyers Lane. They asked what provision had been made for this in the new development where the crossing place will be the site of a roundabout.
It was reported that Mr M Ellis, Parish Path Liaison Officer, had met with the Luggs to complete his report on the footpaths in the Parish.
Mrs C Townsend reported that the dog fouling at the Merry Monk was as bad as ever.
It was agreed that the Camels Hump gritting dump had been effectively closed by SCC, overcoming the concerns expressed by the Parish Council to SCC Highways when the notice of closure was delivered. The actions of raising the roadside verge and marking the edge with marker posts represented a job well done.
It was reported that the state of the ditch by the road to the chapel and bungalows off Greenway in West Monkton had not improved following the inspection by the SCC Highways Area Technician and subsequent works. The ditches either side of the drive remain full, with water running away down the road which will be a hazard if freezing occurs. It may be that the culvert is blocked or has collapsed.

The meeting was reconvened.

20/07 Items raised by the public in open session
Disputed footpath - involvement of Parish Council. It was agreed that the Clerk should write to Cllr Tully urging him to support the actions recommended by Mrs Fletcher, and the letter to be copied to Mr Newbery, and Cheddon Fitzpaine Parish Council.
Crossing on Milton Hill to Dyers Lane. It was agreed the Clerk should contact Ian Titcombe SCC Highways, and Andrew Combes Safe Routes to School Officer at SCC re pedestrian crossing request to see what could be done.
Dog fouling at Merry Monk. It was agreed that PC Curtis should be informed, also TDBC Dog Warden.
Closure of gritting dump at Camels Hump. It was agreed to contact David Peake SCC and thank him for a job well done which had successfully addressed the concerns the Parish Council had expressed.
The ditch will be reported to SCC Highways again.

21/07 Response and future actions re Falcon Housing
The Parish Council were unanimous in their agreement that what Falcon Housing offered was a desirable product. It was resolved to pass the information to the CEP so that the developers might be encouraged to address issues such as carbon emissions. It was agreed to ask J Roxburgh to carry out a needs survey, then depending on the result, to see if the developers could be persuaded to include an element of Falcon Housing in the development.

22/07 Bus shelter provision and improvement in the Parish
After some discussion it was agreed to accept the quotation from Western Sheet metal to do the repairs to the bus shelter on the Bridgwater side of the A38, by virtue of fitting a metal skin inside it. It was agreed to leave any work on the bus shelter on the Taunton side of the A38, since that one was currently in a better state of repair.
It was agreed to contribute the sum requested by J Harrington TDBC towards the installation of a seat within the bus shelter on the A3259 by the Spital allotments, on the Taunton side.
It was agreed to contribute the sum requested by J Herrington TDBC towards the installation of a bus shelter on the Bridgwater side of the A3259 opposite Thornash Close.
It was agreed to place a notice for a bus shelter cleaner on the notice board inside the Village Hall.

23/07 Progress regarding the Monkton Heathfield development and the CEP
It was reported that there had been two meetings of the CEP so far: one with TDBC planners explaining the background leading to the present position, and the next with the invited experts who looked at the plans so far and determined areas needing some further clarification. Roads, drainage, play provision are all areas needing further work. The ‘dog leg’ road line is a departure from the original Local Plan, therefore has to deliberated further - the Transport Assessment, which justifies the line taken, has been filed. Aspects of the Relief Road, and access to Hyde Lane cottages, are other items also under consideration. Membership of the CEP was outlined. The members bring a wealth of experience from a wide variety of fields - they will be a pioneering group, and a significant consultee in the process. Cllr Tully will obtain £1000 from the SCC Community Chest to fund CEP expenses. Next meeting is at Deane House 14th March 2007.

24/07 Official reports
Cllr Reeves noted that his report on the CEP had been covered in item 23/07 above.
Cllr Cavill reported on TDBC matters. On 20th February 2007 the Council Tax rate would be fixed at 2% - representing 5p per week. This sum is under 10% of the total Council Tax collected (SCC 3.5%, Police Authority 4%).
ISiS - the final analysis of bids is taking place (IBM, BT, and Capita). Some services could transfer as early as July. The Police Authority will join, and other Districts.
Taunton Market s moving to Junction 24 of the M5 - the lease to Taunton Market has been extended until December 2007 to ensure continuity of business. Seventeen bidders for Firepool have been identified, will be reduced to 5 or 6, progressing well. Other projects include Inward Investment Management System, all 5 Districts working with SCC.

25/07 Planning applications received by TDBC
48/2005/072 Ms J Moore Proposed Mixed Use Urban Extension Development comprising residential, employment, local centre, new primary school, A38 relief road, green spaces and playing fields at Monkton Heathfield as amended by master plan and phasing plan received 31st October 2006 and as amplified by Transport Assessment received 16th January 2007. Outline application. Likely issues: will need to be assessed against the contents of the Monkton Heathfield Development Guide. Comments. The comment the Parish Council wish to make at this stage is that the long response that was sent to you when they first of all considered the application still stands.
48/2006/081 Mrs F Wadsley. Formation of new roof to include dormers, to create 1st floor at Branksome, Yallands Hill, Monkton Heathfield. Full application. Likley issues: need to assess on site. Comment: The Parish Council reiterate that the time delay at TDBC resulted in the Parish Council being unable to make timely comment.
48/2006/083 Mrs S Melhuish Erection of conservatory to rear of 17 St Quintin Park, Bathpool, Taunton. Full application. Likely issues: likely to be acceptable. Comment: The Parish Council does not object to this application, and has no comment to make.
48/2006/084 Mr M Hicks Erection of steel framed agricultural building at Homelands Yalway West Monkton. Full application. Likely issues: none listed. Comment: The Parish Council does not object to this application and has no comment to make.
48/2007/001 Mr M Hicks Erection of two storey rear extension at Pennystone Yallands Hill Monkton Heathfield. Full application. Likely issues: design and neighbour impact to be assessed. Comment: The Parish Council notes that the design seems to be complimentary, but the impact of the proposed extension on neighbours would need to be assessed.
48/2007/002 Mr J Grant. Erection of single storey and two storey extensions to the rear of 45 School Road, Monkton Heathfield. Likely issues, none listed. Comment: The Parish Council does not object to this application and has no comment to make.
48/2007/003T Mr P Bryan. Fell three cherry trees within West Monkton Conservation area at Monkton House, West Monkton. Likely issues: to be assessed on site.The Parish Council supports this application and will concur with recommendations made after the assessment is made on site.
48/2007/004A Mrs F Wadsley Display of externally illuminated elevational sign and externally illuminated totem at ATS Euromaster 138 Bridgwater Road, Bathpool, Taunton. Comment: The Parish Council would wish to ensure that the sign does not contribute to light pollution in the area.

26/07 Planning Decisions made by TDBC
48/2006/046 Erection of detached dwelling and garage in garden of 21 Heathfield Drive, Monkton Heathfield. Permission refused: dwelling would be out of keeping with established layout and character of this estate of linked dwellings; proposal would adversely affect residential amenities of the occupiers of neighbouring properties.
48/2006/074 Full application for demolition of existing double garage and erection of two storey extension to side of Highlands, Yallands Hill, Monkton Heathfield. Permission refused - projection and height not considered subservient to existing dwelling, and causes harm to its form, character and appearance.
48/2006/075 Erection of bungalow with attached single garage on land to rear of Fairhavens 63 Greenway, West Monkton. Permission granted. Conditions: begin within 3 years; external materials to be as on application; surface water disposal by soak away; turning space for vehicles to be properly consolidated and passing bay in place before dwelling is occupied; entrance gates to be 14m from carriageway edge; no obstruction higher than 600mm above adjoining road level forward of a line drawn 2m back and parallel to road; no addition or extension without planning permission.
48/2006/077LB Retention of satellite dish at the Coach House, Walford Court, Walford Cross. Consent granted. The siting and size of the dish respects the age character and appearance of the listed building.
48/2006/078T Application to carry out work to one coniferous tree included in Taunton Deane Borough (West Monkton no3) Tree Preservation Order 1998 at 6 Acacia Gardens, Bathpool, Taunton (TD777). Consent granted. Conditions: complete works within 2 years. Work to be to standard BS3998 to maintain health and amenity of tree. Works to stop if nesting birds/bats found on site.
48/2006/080 Conversion of loft to form ancillary accommodation, Barge Inn, Hyde Corner, Hyde Lane, Bathpool. Permission granted. Conditions: begin within 3 years; use external materials as listed on application.
48/2006/082 Conversion of loft to form granny annexe, Ridgeway, Hyde Corner, Hyde Lane, Bathpool. Permission granted. Conditions: begin within 3 years; use external materials as listed on application; accommodation to be in connection with existing house; not to be used as separate unit.
The planning decisions made by TDBC, as listed above, were noted.

27/07 To consider Communications (as listed)
The list of communications received had been circulated prior to the meeting.
Mr Cadsby letter re ditches at Bathpool - Parish Council is aware of the issues outlined by Mr Cadsby, no further action.
Summary of TDBC accounts - feedback. It was agreed the Clerk should complete the form in consultation with the Chairman.
Post information re Parish Councillors on notice boards. Considered earlier in the meeting and agreed that Clerk should create and post notices.
Parish Council responses to Revisions to Model Code of Conduct to DCLG. It was agreed that Clerk should respond to DLCG questions in consultation with Chairman.
Items marked for information were noted.

28/07 To receive and approve Receipts and Payments and Monthly Financial Sheet
Receipts
Sale of book (will be paid into book account) £7.50

Payments
Mrs David, cleaning bus shelters Jan £20.00
Clerks salary Jan £436.62
Clerks expenses from 2ndt Nov to 3rd Jan 07 £141.54
Room Hire - Village Hall Jan to April inclusive £15.75
Clerks CEP work £113.68

The payments were approved, proposed by Cllr Besley, seconded by Cllr Day and all agreed.

The financial sheet was presented, and explained. The adoption of the financial sheet was proposed by Cllr Ellis, seconded by Cllr Warren, all agreed and the sheet was signed by the Chairman and Clerk.

29/07 Dates of next meetings
The next meeting will be on Wednesday 7th March, and the Annual Parish Meeting will be on 21st March 2007. Both meetings will start at 7.30pm at the Village Hall.

30/07 Outstanding items
The disputed footpath was discussed earlier in the meeting under item 19/07.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.38pm.

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