13th June 2007

ADOPTED
WEST MONKTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council held on Wednesday 13th June 2007 at 7.30pm in the Committee Room West Monkton Village Hall.

Present: Cllrs Reeves, Day, Tully, Besley, Gage, Haskins, Perris, Cavill.
In attendance: the Clerk, Mrs P A Cavill; eight members of the public attended.

92/07 Apologies
Cllr Ellis (unwell); Cllrs Waymouth and Webber, engaged on TDBC business and unable to attend.

93/07 Adoption of the Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council held on Wednesday 16th May 2007
The minutes, having been circulated prior to the meeting, were adopted and signed as a true record: proposed by Cllr Haskins, seconded by Cllr Day and all agreed.

94/07 Matters arising from the Minutes
The Clerk’s report, having been circulated prior to the meeting was considered. In respect of the disputed footpath, Aginhills to Yallands Hill: the Regulatory Board will consider whether or not an Order can be made. Members of the public wishing to speak at that meeting ( 31st July County Hall 2.00pm) have to inform Mr Norman Tottle (01823 355571) of their intention to do so - County Councillor R Tully will speak on behalf of those who cannot. He should be contacted at the Stores in School Road.

The meeting was closed.

PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

It was established that all but one of the members of the public attending the meeting were there in connection with the recent media publicity about the insurance of plots on the Spital allotments. Cllr Reeves presented the background to this matter, explaining that the information forwarded to allotment holders by the Parish Council had, at every stage, been in response to questions raised by the allotment holders and conveyed to the Council by Councillors. The Parish Council had given advice that allotment holders should consult with their own insurers. Mr Almond - who, with Mr Farmer, had appeared in the Press, denied he had sought the Press coverage that ensued. He read a statement explaining the allotment holders’ position. The allotment holders had formed an association. They stated their willingness to meet the costs of the water charges in the future.

The lighting in School Road remained undetermined and no visits to the adjoining houses had been made.

The stream crossing the end of School Road, and the Path Field is in a bad state and needs attention.

Planning Application for change of use from barn on Windy Ridge to Parent/Toddler Group and Childrens Party Venue was explained by Joanne Courtney. She has done a pre-application plan in conjunction with Mr Preston from Greenslades. This included a survey to determine acceptability.

Clay pigeon shooting near to footpath by Quarry in West Monkton. Cllr Tully reported that someone had come into his shop stating they had heard pellets landing close by as they walked the footpath.

The meeting was reconvened.

95/07 Items raised by the Public in Open Session
It was considered deeply regrettable that the concerns about insurance had not been brought to the attention of the Parish Council in the first instance. The Chairman of the Association is Ms Rose Sibley, the Clerk will keep her informed re TDBC Allotments meetings. The Parish Council will determine how the water charges on the allotment will be met in the future, this matter will be on the agenda of the next meeting.
It appeared from reports via Councillor Tully that none of the residents in School Road (who originally requested increased lighting) now wanted the lights. It was determined that, funds having been accumulated for lighting over the past two years, other needful areas of the Parish would be considered. One location close to the Canal, considered several years ago, had not been lit at the time because the lighting allocation had gone to lighting the canal path, forming part of the ‘Safe Routes to School’. The location is at the bend of Dyers Lane by Bawlers Farm, and is also part of the ‘Safe Routes to School‘. This bend is very dark, and it was agreed to approach Somerset Lighting again and request a cost and feasibility study to affix a light to the existing telegraph pole. All Councillors agreed that this would represent best use of the funds put aside for lighting. In the context of ‘Safe Routes to School’ it was noted that the meeting with I Titcombe SCC Highways regarding the crossing at Dyers Lane/Milton Hill had been very productive. It had been agreed that this section of the ‘Safe Routes to School’ was not safe. I Titcombe will arrange for the sign to be moved nearer to the crossing place, for 2 ‘Slow’ signs to be painted on the road, plus cross hatching, and two bollards on each side of the road by the dropped kerb.
The Council was reminded that the initial application for the stable barn on Windy Ridge was conditional on it being for agricultural use in perpetuity. SCC Highways would have a view on access.
Cllr Besley was aware of the incident with walkers by the Quarry, having been in the vicinity at the time. He stated that the matter had been resolved at the time with the person who had commented in the shop. There was no danger to the public at any time and no line of sight between the location of the Clay Pigeon shoot and the footpath. It was noted that at one time it is believed that the Western canal trust owned the Quarry.

Cllr Tully left during this item at 8.25pm.

96/07 To determine Maintenance Grant and Footpaths Grant from TDBC
No application for a playing field grant would be made as the Play Area is no longer the responsibility of the Parish Council, having been returned to SCC and the lease not renewed in Sept 2006. Consequently, it was agreed to apply for £340.00 Maintenance Grant for the burial ground, and £100.00 for the Footpaths Grant. Funds will be needed to restore the disputed footpath to a useable state and the longer the discussions go on the higher the restoration bill is likely to be. Proposed by Cllr Reeves and seconded by Cllr Perris and all agreed.

97/07 Action over overhanging hedges from houses in Meadway onto pedestrian footpath
It was recognised that recently, responsible house owners had been cutting the overhanging hedges, and in nearly all of the cases where obstruction to the footpath had been caused, it was now no longer the case. It was agreed that a thank you letter would be sent to all the house owners whose gardens abut the footpath, with a polite reminder to those who had taken no action. If no co-operation was obtained the Parish Council would have little alternative but to report the obstruction to SCC Highways. SCC Highways would cut the obstructing hedges but the house owners would be billed for it. Councillors were reminded that the residents of Little Marlows had been asked some months ago to cut the overhanging hedges on the corner of their property going into The Street. It was agreed that a further letter would be written to the house owner.

98/07 To complete the SALC Unitary Authority response
Councillors put forward suggestions as to what should be put into the response. The Clerk read back the comments to Councillors who determined she should transcribe them onto the form provided and return it to SALC. The response will be put on the website.

99/07 To complete the Postal Ballot for the Quantock Hills AONB Joint Advisory Committee
Councillors were read the CV’s of the various candidates. After some discussion three votes were cast, to be delivered to SALC by the due deadline by the Clerk.

100/07 To receive Official Reports
Items which would have been reported on, which were covered under other agenda items, include Unitary Authority, Area Panels, Milton Hill.
Cllr Reeves reported on the recent meeting of the CEP. The Developers have done much detailed work on Design Codes, and expressed frustration that the Application had not come before the Planning Committee yet. Possibly it will be heard on 9th July, but QC advice was awaited by TDBC on the proposed road line to the southern roundabout as a divergence from the Local Plan, and a Landscape Report on the screening of the area around the roundabout. The relationship between the Local centre and the School had been reconsidered, the SCC still say no to a road link through, but the orientation of the retail units has been changed. Access to the green spaces and solutions to parking issues have been addressed - the density of the dwellings will be between 12 and 18 per acre, but the Government is allowing only 1 to 1.5 parking spaces per house. The RPS people had come up with some interesting solutions. Design Codes advice had been sought by T Burton, TDBC; the considered opinion of the Panel was that it might be necessary to come up with a S106 or Conditioned so they are adhered to.
Cllr Cavill reported on the Reorganisation of the Panels at TDBC into Task and Finish Groups, except Planning and Licensing which are statutory committees. Concerns have been expressed because 15 out of 54 Councillors will have a full picture, others will only know details of small sections.
Cllr Cavill reported on the Waterlinks project, 4 out of the 5 Local Districts are involved; Cllr Cavill is the Taunton Deane representative. The Big Lottery will come next month to see if the project can go through to the final. There will be 6 finalists, from whom the winner will be selected, the prize is £50m.
Cllr Day reported that she had attended meetings on 24th May of the Spital Trust, and West Monkton Relief in Need, at each meeting the accounts were inspected and the plans for the year ahead considered.

101/07 Planning applications received by TDBC
48/2007/028 Mr A Pick Erection of extension of dwelling at Sidbrook Cottage West Monkton. Comment: Parish Council supports this application.
48/2007/029 Mr G Clifford Removal of condition 09 of permission 48/2007/005 to allow for craft sales at Prockters Farm, West Monkton. Cllr Besley declared his personal and prejudicial interest, answered questions then left the room. Comment: Parish Council supports this application.
48/2007/031 Mrs S Melhuish Change of use of garden to form additional parking/turning area to be used in conjunction with existing shop, Fresh Farm Meats Ltd, South View, Monkton Heathfield. Comment: the Parish Council supports this application, it is highly desirable as it will get heavy lorries off the main road.
48/2007/032 Mr J Grant Erection of first floor extension over existing garage and single storey extension to rear 13 Heathfield Drive Monkton Heathfield. Comment: the Parish Council regrets that Officer J Grant has been unable to provide papers in time for the meeting. Cllr Gage declared a personal interest and left the room. The Parish Council supports the application in principle.
48/2007/034T Application to carry out tree work on one oak tree included in Taunton Deane Borough (West Monkton No.1) Tree Preservation Order (2007) at Dowsborough West Monkton (TD1026 Amended). The Parish Council supports the work required to make the tree safe.

102/07 Planning Decisions made by TDBC
48/2007/015 Erection of two storey rear extension at Pennystone Yallands Hill Monkton Heathfield. Permission granted. Conditions: Begin within 3 years; use materials as indicated on application form and no other without written consent of Planning Authority; no windows/dormer windows constructed on first floor west elevation.
48/2007/017 Construction of dormer window to the rear, Northlea, 97 Greenway Monkton Heathfield. Permission granted. Conditions: Begin within 3 years; use materials as indicated in the application form and no other without written consent of Local Planning Authority.
48/2007/025 Erection of 1.8m fence 70 Meadway, Monkton Heathfield. Refusal. By reason of its siting, the fence would enclose the existing hedgerow resulting in adverse impact on the visual amenities of the area and would set an undesirable precedent for similar proposals along this side and section of the A3259.
Withdrawn
PC/4/48/07/010/JF Enlargement of existing pedestrian entrance to school site and formation of a new cycle entrance at Heathfield Community School Monkton Heathfield Taunton. (grid ref 325457 - 126738).
The Planning Decisions were noted.

103/07 To consider Communications (as listed)
The list of Communications received had been distributed prior to the meeting, and papers were distributed.

104/07 To receive and approve receipts and payments and monthly financial sheet
Receipts and payments, and financial sheet were explained.
Receipts
Gardners Books 2 x Millenium Book £15.00
Payments
Mrs David, cleaning bus shelters May £20.00
Miss Kimber cleaning bus shelter May £10.00
Ms Newland cleaning bus shelter May £10.00
Clerks salary April £436.62
Clerks expenses from 17th May to 11th June £17.84
Clerks CEP work 22nd May to 10th June £20.90
Allianz Cornhill Insurance £759.21
SALC Councillor training £60.00
Western Fix-It Engineering £312.80

Approval of the receipts and payments and the financial statement was proposed by Cllr Ellis, seconded by Cllr Day and all agreed.

105/07 To receive and approve the Receipts and Payments Accounts and Summary for the year ending 31st March 2007
The Clerk went through the document that would be presented to Mr A J Bullen or the Internal Audit. The Parish Council resolved to approve the accounts, proposed by Cllr Ellis, seconded by Cllr Day and unanimously agreed.

106/07 Date of next meeting
The next meeting will be Wednesday 11th July 2007 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.

107/07 Outstanding Items
Crossing Milton Hill/Dyers lane: a solution has been found, see 95/07.


There being no further business the meeting closed at 10.07pm


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