11th July 2007

ADOPTED
WEST MONKTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council held on Wednesday 11th July 2007 at 7.30pm in the Committee Room West Monkton Village Hall.

Present: Cllrs Reeves, Day, Tully, Haskins, Perris, Ellis
In attendance: the Clerk, Mrs P A Cavill; Cllr D Webber, PCSO T Cornish, three members of the public attended.

108/07 Apologies
Cllrs Besley, Gage (away on business); Cllrs Waymouth and Cavill, engaged on TDBC business and unable to attend.

109/07 Adoption of the Minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council held on Wednesday 13th June 2007
The minutes, having been circulated prior to the meeting, following one amendment (Cllr Ellis arrived late) were adopted and signed as a true record: proposed by Cllr Haskins, seconded by Cllr Day and all agreed.

110/07 Matters arising from the Minutes
The Clerk’s report, having been circulated prior to the meeting, was considered.
SCC lighting has sent a site map for completion. Clerk ascertained exact location of proposed light, and will return to Sue Hansford.
A personalised reply from Somerset NHS Trust had been received, following comments submitted by Clerk on behalf of Parish Council.

The meeting was closed.

PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

Mr Simon Cooper, Vice Chairman of the West Monkton and Creech St Michael LAT brought three matters to the meeting:

Extra street lighting at the bottom of Dyers Lane next to Bawlers Farm
Hedges overgrown at Hyde Lane
Parking on garage access at School Road

Mrs M Neilson raised the matter of security key pads for the doors to the stairways in the flats in School Road again.
The bus stop at the top of Milton Hill on the west side has no footway for about 20 yards before the pavement edging Sylvan Way.
Flooding at the bus stop at the top of Milton Hill on the School side is a recurring problem.
The proposals for change of use of the stables and barn at Noahs Hill to provide a play venue were not acceptable to local residents. Cllr Day as a local resident had not received the survey purporting to indicate acceptability of the proposals to residents. She believed none of her neighbours had received the survey.
Shrubbery/hedging beside the bus stop opposite Thornash Close needs cutting
Car sales advertised on Parish notice boards
Berry’s Coaches to London no longer stop at Brittons Ash.

The meeting was re-convened.

111/07 Items raised by the Public in Open Session
Lighting -Clerk is already in contact with Sue Hansford at SCC Lighting re the enquiry for installing a light in the noted location. Letter in support from Mr Needs at Swingbridge will be forwarded.
SCC Highways will be contacted re hedge trimming at Hyde Lane. This is part of the Safe Routes to School; pupils cycling to school have to come far out into the road to avoid the hedge, causing a traffic hazard.
N Day TDBC Housing will be informed that LAT are prepared to part fund a security pad for the door to the flats.
A site meeting will be arranged re parking on access driveways in School Road.
Cllr Tully stated that D Quick SCC Highways knows about the bus stops at top of Milton Hill - the missing footpath and the need to clean the gulleys.
The proposed change of use of barns and stables to childrens’ play area is in contention with the original permission given conditionally that the barns/stables were for agricultural use in perpetuity. The Highways access is unacceptable, local residents do not support the application.
The shrubbery around the bus stop opposite Thornash Close has been cut.
S Rolls advertising cars for sale and car finding service was deemed to be too commercial for the Parish Noticeboards. He was referred to the Business listings on the web-site and the Village News.
Clerk will write to Berry’s Coaches regretting the cessation of the London service stopping at Brittons Ash.

The meeting was re-convened.

112/07 Future Management strategy regarding the Spital Allotments
The weeds will be cleared.
The allotment holders have formed an association and will sort out their own insurance through the National Association.
The Parish Council were broadly in favour of allowing the allotment holders association to take charge of the water supply and usage. Clerk will ascertain the position of the Spital Trust, and the legal position regarding the tenancy agreement (clause 5 indicates the Parish Council will pay certain charges levied on the site). A locking tap might be considered to control water usage.

113/07 Internal Audit
Having completed the internal audit on 3rd July, the report of the Internal Auditor was read to the Parish Council. All is satisfactory.
Governance.
The Annual Governance statement, having been distributed prior to the meeting, was approved by the Parish Council, proposed by Cllr Tully, seconded by Cllr Ellis and unanimously agreed.

114/07 Official Reports
Cllr Webber had nothing to report from TDBC
Report on recent CEP meeting by Cllr Reeves:
Delay in proceeding to Planning is due to waiting for QC advice. Continuation of School Road, across field to join A38 has been suggested again to TDBC - the reasons for previous refusals, i.e. junction with main trunk route A38 is no longer valid as it no longer applies, the road will be access only and traffic calmed. S106’s will be sent. Need to get S106 and design Code tied up enough to stay with the development all the way through. CEP has been very active.
TD Area Working Panel
Cllr Ellis reported on the meeting on 4th July when proposals by Wellington Restorative Justice Team were considered. Night bus scheme funds were agreed, more information required regarding ownership, drivers, security, and cost. Children and Young People’s issues were considered - youth projects in Wellsprings and Blackbrook - these were discussion groups, no decisions made. Next meeting will be 13th September at Zion Baptist Church. It was noted that although people at the Panel meetings do not have voting rights they do have a say.
Cllr Haskins reported on the new Councillors training session in June. It was very informative, explaining responsibilities and bringing matters back to the parish Council.
Cllr Tully reported on SCC matters.
Permanent exclusions in Somerset schools currently run at 100 per annum of which 10 are in Primary Schools
Statistics regarding numbers killed and seriously injured on the roads indicate that secondary roads are the worst. Two roads particularly reported - junction of Creech St Michael Road with A38, a dangerous wet slip; and junction of Milton Hill onto A38, surfacing.
The field hedge is overhanging the pavement going along the A38 between Milton Hill and the closed off end of Dyers Lane - Cllr Tully has asked for this to be cut, as it currently represents a danger to pedestrians. He reported that the pavement in this location is not a public pavement so did not fall into the general hedge trimming rota.
Footpath Yallands Hill to Aginhills will come before the Regulatory Board on 31st July. The Board will inspect the day before. Cllr Tully has to declare an interest so he can speak but not vote.

115/07 Planning applications registered at TDBC
48/2007/035 Mrs S Melhuish Erection of Conservatory, 31 Acacia Gardens Bathpool. Likely issues - no obvious concerns. Comment _ use of suitable materials
PC/4/48/07/036/JF Enlargement of the existing pedestrian entrance to school site and creation of a new entrance and exit cycleway at Heathfield Community School, School Road, Monkton Heathfield TA2 8PD. Comment: support.
48/2007/037 Mrs F Wadsley Erection of Extension to side of 117 Farriers Green Taunton Likely issues, none listed. Comment use suitable material.
48/2007/032 information missing from last month. Comment - approve.
48/2007/039 conservatory at Galleywood. Comment no objection.

116/07 Planning Applications decided
48/2007/016 Mr M Hicks Erection of two storey and single storey extension at Highlands, Monkton Heathfield. Conditions: begin w/in 3 yrs; use appropriate materials.
48/2007/018 Mrs S Melhuish Erection of single storey extension to side and rear of 6 Heathfield Drive Monkton Heathfield. Conditions: begin w/in 3 yrs; use appropriate materials.
48/2007/020LB Conversion of outbuilding to stable and store and formation of door opening at Coombe Mill, Coombe, West Monkton. Conditions: start w/in 3 yrs; details or samples of the type of timber and staining to be submitted for approval.
48/2007/021 Mrs S Melhuish Erection of conservatory to rear of Warwick House West Monkton Conditions start w/in 3 yrs; use appropriate materials.
48/2007/022 Conversion of outbuilding to stables and store and change of use of part of orchard to stable yard at Coombe Mill, Coombe, West Monkton. Conditions: start w/in 3 yrs; details or samples of the type of timber and staining to be submitted for approval.
48/2007/023 Mr M Hicks Erection of implement storage shed and change of use of land at Little Overton. Conditional
48/2007/027 Mrs F Wadsley Erection of two storey extension, dormer windows and erection of double garage with room above at Dowsborough West Monkton (amended scheme). Conditions: begin w/in 3 yrs; use approved materials; no windows or dormers other than those on the planning permission; house shall be single family dwelling; all existing trees on site shall be protected.
48/2007/028 Mrs A Pick Erection of extension of dwelling at Sidbrook Cottage West Monkton. Conditions: begin w/in 3 yrs; use appropriate materials.
48/2007/029 Removal of condition 09 of permission 48/2007/005 to allow for craft sales at Prockters Farm, West Monkton. Conditions: begin w/in 3 yrs; use appropriate materials; repairs to be of matching materials; new windows shall be of timber; new fenestration sunk into wall; parking area to be finished before development is occupied; provide bat roosts; warning signs for pedestrians on footpaths.

Appeal
Site at 45 School Road, Monkton Heathfield, appeal by Miss S Tilley. Appeal granted. Conditions: start w/in 3 years; development shall not start until following details have been submitted to TDBC - internal layout plans; plans for proposed garden shed; type, size, number of all new trees and shrubs; samples of material to be used on roof and external walls; arrangements for disposal of surface water; measures to promote energy efficiency is design/construction and use of renewable sources of energy; no occupation until access, car parking, turning spaces have been approved.
Site at Pennystone, Yallands Hill Monkton Heathfield TA2 8NA appeal withdrawn

The planning decisions and the appeal were noted.

117/07 Communications
The list had been circulated prior to the meeting. Materials were distributed. Councillors were reminded they have to make an expenses return following the election even if nil. Cllr Tully took on the Parish Emergency Plan information.

118/07 Receipts and payments and monthly financial sheet
The information having been distributed and explained, the payments were authorised and financial sheet approved, proposed by Cllr Haskins, seconded by Cllr Day and all agreed.

Receipts
Nil
Payments
Mrs David, cleaning bus shelters June £20.00
Miss Kimber cleaning bus shelter June £10.00
Ms Newland cleaning bus shelter June £10.00
Clerks salary June £436.62
Clerks expenses from 12th June to 10th July £11.09
Clerks CEP work 11th June to 11th July £65.00
Village Hall Room Hire May to Nov 2007 £20.40
Wessex Water 22/12/06 to 12/6/07 £20.40
T Bullen Internal Audit 06/07 £117.15

119/07 Date of the next meeting
Planning Committee of the Parish Council (which comprises all councillors) will meet at the Church Room on 15th August at 7.00pm

120/07 Outstanding items
Disputed footpath: see report above in 114/07.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.35pm

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