7th March 2007

ADOPTED
WEST MONKTON PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council held on Wednesday 7th March 2007 at 7.30pm in the Committee Room West Monkton Village Hall.

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

31/07 Apologies
Apologies were accepted from Cllr Wallington.

32/07 Adoption of minutes of the Parish Council meeting on 14th February 2007
The minutes of the February meeting were adopted as a true record, proposed by Cllr Ellis, seconded by Cllr Day and all agreed.

33/07 Matters arising from the minutes
The Clerk’s report had been circulated prior to the meeting.
It was proposed by Cllr Corcoran, seconded by Cllr Ellis to contact Sue Handsford at SCC lighting and formally initiate work to install light E as shown on the lighting map; all agreed. Light E is at the entrance to the Primary School towards the end of School Road. The area is very dark and it was agreed that a light in this location represents best value. The Parish Council had explored other options e.g. solar lighting but was advised by P Bennett at SCC Lighting that this sort of light was not appropriate for street lighting.
Following correspondence with Justin Roxburgh at Falcon Housing, it was agreed to contact Rural Housing Enablers at the Community Council to see if they could set up a needs survey.
The Parish Council considered the responses from I Titcombe SCC Highways and A Combes SCC Safe Routes to School in respect of the request to make the crossing area safer on Milton Hill to Dyers Lane. The Parish Council was very disappointed that apparently nothing can be done. At peak times the school children walk or cycle down the pavement on Milton Hill, at the bottom of the hill they stream across the road into Dyers Brook, apparently without stopping, slowing or looking. Some of the bicycles travel at speed. Vehicles travelling in the same direction have a tendency to speed up as they go down the slope. No warning is given to traffic in either direction of the potential for pedestrians crossing the road. It was resolved that further correspondence with SCC was necessary in order to prevent an accident happening.
I Titcombe SCC Highways had suggested white hatching to improve traffic movements over the junction at Sidbrook. The Parish Council agreed to accept the offer.
The Parish Council were delighted to accept the kind offer of Miss Kimber to clean the bus shelter at the Spital Allotments. It was agreed that the Parish Council would provide materials as necessary.

The meeting was closed.

PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
It was reported that the chimney in Gordons Terrace was smoking again despite fire safety leaflets having been distributed in the area.
The location of the ‘No dog walking’ notice at Farriers Green Play area was questioned.

The meeting was reconvened.

34/07 Items raised by the Public in Open Session
It was agreed that Cllr Tully would visit the homeowner in Gordons Terrace to see if a solution could be found.

35/07 To consider Parish Grants (Free Resource S137) for 2007/08
After some discussion it was agreed to support the same organisations with the same grant as last year i.e. Taunton and District Citizens Advice Bureau £50.00; Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance £100.00; The Village News £100.00.

36/07 To note SALC subscription for 2007/08
Notification had been received from SALC stating that the subscription for 2007/08 based on 2155 electors would be £512.94. It was agreed that the service and support provided by SALC is good value. Cllr Cavill proposed the subscription should be paid, seconded by Cllr Ellis and all agreed.

37/07 To note progress regarding CEP
The response from Creech St Michael Parish Council following the press article about the CEP was considered. Creech St Michael Parish Council had asked if they could send a representative. The Parish Council noted that the CEP was a panel set up to deal with plans and design, not planning; and its terms of reference did not relate to representation. It was agreed that someone with appropriate expertise could be invited from Creech St Michael if design matters about the part of the development that falls within the Parish of Creech St Michael was under consideration.
The invitation from Creech St Michael Recreation Field Management Committee to send a representative to sit on the committee was considered at this point in the meeting because the invitation had been in the same envelope as the request for representation. It was agreed to thank Creech St Michael RFMC for their offer, which may be appropriate at sometime in the future after the completion of the development.
The position regarding funds for the CEP was considered. Cllr Tully was thanked for providing £1250 from the Community Chest. The money will be used to meet Panel Members expenses. It was proposed by Cllr Ellis, seconded by Cllr Corcoran to set up a separate bank account for the administration of these funds. All agreed, Cllr Corcoran advising that current regulations might make it easier to set up the account as a separate West Monkton Parish Council account.

38/07 Forthcoming elections
The timetable was explained, and nomination packs were distributed. The Clerk has a copy of the electoral roll for reference.

39/07 Official reports
Cllr Reeves reported that there had been a meeting of Parish Council representatives at the Deane House on 6th March on the subject of the SCC Unitary Authority bid. Due to unforeseen circumstances he had been unable to attend.
Cllr Cavill reported on:
Project Taunton. The developer will soon be chosen from the shortlist. RDA funds have come through allowing purchase of land for flood alleviation and properties. Flood alleviation work has started on Halse Stream at Norton Fitzwarren. The dam will cost circa £6.5m therefore contributions to housing, sports facilities etc are reduced but the dam will ensure that 92 houses in Norton Fitzwarren are flood free.
Waterlinks: the evaluation system to be used in the project is called ‘Princes 2’ and appropriate TDBC officers have received training in its use. Other schemes will bring in contributions to funding: Taunton, as a hub, is very important to the entire project.
WonderTree project is progressing- including sculptures, a living willow cathedral, education centre, carbon neutrality, water take-up and bio-fuels.
The Unitary Authority debate is ongoing: the partnership approach is supported by the five District Councils; additionally South Somerset supports a two tier Unitary authority comprising themselves with Mendip as one unitary, and the rest of Somerset as the other, but Mendip is an unwilling partner and what is left behind is probably not viable.
Cllr Tully reported that:
Each Co Cllr will be allotted £25k to spend - but as a team. Taunton is one team, but the funding is hardly enough to cover the cost of one roundabout.
The timetable for the Area Panel meetings has been agreed, the next one will be in Otterford.
The Fire Services amalgamation comes into being next month, with Headquarters in Exeter.

40/07 To consider Planning Applications received by Taunton Deane
48/2007/005 Mr J Grant Full application. Conversion of and extension to agricultural barn to A1 and B1 use, Prockters Farm, West Monkton. Likely issues. None listed. Note: applicant states ‘This application has been submitted as the building regs appear to differ from the original planning permission 48/2006/021‘. Comment: The Parish Council fully supports this application.

41/07 To note Planning Decisions made by TDBC
48/2006/81 Formation of new roof to include dormers, to create first floor at Branksome, Yallands Hill, Monkton Heathfield. Permission refused: proposed development considered unsatisfactory in its design and appearance such that it will detract from character and appearance of the building and the group of dwellings of which it forms a part.
48/2006/083 Erection of conservatory to rear of 17 St Quintin Park, Bathpool. Permission granted. Conditions: work to start within 3 years; external surfaces to be of materials as shown on the plan approved and no other without consent.
48/2007/003T Fell three cherry trees within West Monkton Conservation area at Monkton House, West Monkton. No objection - trees. Conditions: Work to be completed within two years from 26th February 2007. Work must stop if bat or nesting birds found on site.
The planning decisions made by TDBC were noted.
Notice of appeal
48/2006/068 Refuse permission for the erection of a dwelling at 45 School Road, Monkton Heathfield Note: 1st Nov 2006 notice of application received by email but no papers sent to Clerk. Had to request them specially from J Grant. Parish Council expressed concerns about access onto School Road. TDBC refused permission under delegated powers on 10th January 2007. Comments to Inspector by 3 April 2007.
Changes to delegated powers letter from T Burton Development Control TDBC was distributed.
42/07 To consider Communications
The list of communications received had been distributed prior to the meeting.
The election material had been distributed
The documentation regarding ‘Celebrate St Georges Day’ was taken away for further consideration.

43/07 To receive and approve Receipts and Payments and Monthly Financial Sheet.

Receipts
Nil

Payments
Mrs David, cleaning bus shelters Feb £20.00
Clerks salary Feb £436.62
Clerks expenses from 8th Feb to 7th March 07 £13.85
Clerks CEP work £4.57

Cllr Ellis proposed the receipts and payments were approved, seconded by Cllr Warren and all agreed. The cheques were signed.

The monthly financial sheet was explained. The adoption of the sheet was proposed by Cllr Corcoran, seconded by Cllr Tully and all agreed.

44/07 Dates of the next meetings
Annual Parish Meeting 21st March 2007
Parish Council 11th April 2007

45/07 Outstanding items
The disputed footpath Yallands Hill to Aginhills. It was noted that delegated powers have been given to the Officer in question. A Public Enquiry is likely.


There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.21pm.


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