12th September 2007

ADOPTED
WEST MONKTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council held on Wednesday 12th September 2007 at 7.30pm in the Committee Room, West Monkton Village Hall.

Present: Cllrs Reeves, Day, Tully, Haskins, Perris, Ellis, Besley, Gage,
In attendance: three members of the public attended.

126/07 Apologies
Cllr Cavill and the Clerk (annual holiday)

127/07 Adoption of the Minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council held on the 11th July 2007 and the Planning Committee meeting held on 15th August 2007.
The minutes of the Parish Council meeting were signed and adopted as a true record, proposed by Cllr Gage and seconded by Cllr Haskins and all agreed; the minutes of the Planning Committee were signed and adopted as a true record, proposed by Cllr Besley and seconded by Cllr Day and all agreed.

128/07 Matters arising from the Minutes
Clerk’s report, having been previously circulated was noted. All agreed Berry’s coaches to go onto list of outstanding items so not forgotten, lighting - see minute 131/07 below.

The meeting was closed.
PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
The Chairman explained to the members of the public in attendance that this was their opportunity to speak; once the meeting was reconvened they were not allowed to speak.
Mr Chris Hawkins of School Road commented on the building work at 45 School Road. He noted that the plans did not match with TDBC - it was a full new build not an extension. He stated that there had been three planning applications, 2 turned down and one for an extension passed. He stated that it had gone to appeal and they have continued to build. The neighbour (Mr Hawkins) said he was not informed by TDBC and went to see the plans at the Deane House. Allegedly, no plans were there, TDBC reported as saying there was nothing they could do. Neighbour does not know what is being built, and had not been informed of an appeal.
Mr and Mrs Jones, Milton Hill - (i) relief road, and (ii) children/cyclists riding the wrong way up the one way 2 or 3 abreast. It was suggested maybe a cycle path should be asked for, along this section of Milton Hill - from the top of Milton Hill by the junction with School Road, and as far as the junction with the A3259 at Croft Garage..
Cllr Reeves reported on the Yallands Hill footpath.
Cllr Day, parking on grass verges.
Cllr R Tully, parking on footpath in School Road
Cllr Reeves - David Greig.
Brittons Ash
Roads

129/07 Items raised by the public in Open Session
The Parish Council should be kept informed about appeals on Planning Decisions by TDBC. Mr Hawkin’s position will be reported to TDBC. R Tully will contact TDBC.
Cllr Reeves explained that the line of the proposed relief road along Milton Hill is the subject of legal debate between the developers and TDBC. The outcome will be in the public domain as soon as possible after determination.
The cyclists and children massing on Milton Hill are dangerous. The cycle path could be continued along one side of the road. Dennis Quick SCC to be consulted. Repeating 30mph signs would slow down vehicles. Contact I Titcombe SCC with a view to a meeting - the route is nominally a ’Safe Route to School’.
Cllr Reeves gave an update on the footpath Yallands Hill to Aginhills. Contrary to what was initially reported, the vote by the Regulation Committee was 9 to 3 to be reinstate the footpath to the west side of the stream. The footpath number T52 (Cheddon) had to be ratified by an Executive Committee; thus generating an appeal period of 28 days. Cllr Reeves will write to Gazette to inform the public of the process involved.
Cllr Day noted that cars for sale on the grass verges have the same phone number - is this a business. Would it be appropriate for PCSO Cornish to investigate?
As the double yellow lines in School Road were not succeeding in protecting access to resident’s parking, it was suggested that the former Play Area might be used as an overflow car park. Cllr Tully will take the matter forward with SCC. The parking on the footpath on School Road should be referred to PCSO Cornish.
Cllr Reeves informed the meeting that D Greig, Parish Liaison Officer will be attending the next Parish Council meeting and will talk on the Code of Conduct.
It was noted that at Brittons Ash window frames were being dismantled.
Roads - some have been resurfaced but white lines have not been reinstated; Greenway potholes not yet repaired; Camels Hump/Hobbs lane is badly resurfaced, having been done in the rain. D Quick SCC to be informed.

The meeting was reconvened at 8.30pm when members of the public left.

130/07 Spital Allotments
The proposed amendment to Clause 5 of the Tenancy agreement had been circulated prior to the meeting. The revisions are as advised by K Donoghue, SLCC, in order that allotment holders can be directly responsible for outgoings on the allotments. It was agreed unanimously to adopt the revised Clause 5. New agreements will be issued for 2008.
It was noted that B Shier had given notice to quit one allotment tenancy agreement at the end of the year; and R Sibley was seeking to share her allotment. It was noted that in the event of a shared allotment, there would only be one tenant responsible for paying rent and other outgoings.
It was reported that the allotments issue had been discussed on the One Show on BBC. It was discussed whether or not to seek a retraction of their statement or ask for an apology.

131/07 Lighting
The response from S Hansford SCC regarding the proposal to put a light at the bottom of Dyers Lane by Bawlers Farm was discussed. The site map was shown to the Council who agreed the position for the light. It was unanimously agreed to go ahead with the lighting, proposed by Cllr gage and seconded by Cllr Day.

132/07 Annual Audit for year ending 31st March 2007
It was noted that the Annual Audit return had been submitted to Moore Stephens by the due date.

133/07 Official reports
There were none.

134/07 Planning Applications registered at TDBC
48/2007/046 Mrs S Melhuish: Erection of single storey extension and alterations to flat roof to form pitched roof, 71 Greenway, Monkton Heathfield. Likely issues - none listed. Applicant is an employee of TDBC. Comment: the Parish Council supports this application.
48/2007/047T Mr D Galley: Application to fell one yew tree and to carry out management to one yew tree within West Monkton Conservation area at West Monkton Churchyard. Likely issues: this application will be assessed on site. Comment: the Parish Council supports this application.
48/2007/049 Mrs S Melhuish: Erection of conservatory on rear of Walford Lodge, Walford Cross. Likely issues - none listed. Comment: the Parish Council approves this application

135/07 Planning decisions made by TDBC
48/2007/041 Erection of dwelling, demolition of garage, and construction of access on land at 61 Greenway, West Monkton, Taunton. Permission granted with conditions: reserved matters to be approved before building starts; reserved matters to be submitted within three years; ditto disposal of foul and surface water drainage; no extension to dwelling without planning permission; building will be single storey with eaves line approximately level with ground floor window heads; fences to be erected before building starts; parking area must be kept clear of obstruction; entrance gates to open inwards and be hung a minimum of 21mtrs from carriageway edge; no obstruction to visibility higher than 600mm adjoining road level.
The planning decision was noted.
It was agreed that TDBC and SCC should be requested to provide a definitive map of the Parish showing areas of land owned by each Council in the Parish.

136/07 Communications
The list of Communications received was circulated prior to the meeting. Items given to interested parties as appropriate.

137/07 Receipts and Payments and Financial Sheet
The August accounts were considered, adoption proposed by Cllr Tully, seconded by Cllr Day and unanimously agreed, and duly signed. The September accounts were considered, adoption was proposed by Cllr Haskins, seconded by Cllr Perris, unanimously agreed and duly signed.

138/07 Date of the next meeting
Next meeting of the Parish Council will be 10th October 2007 at 7.30pm at the Village Hall.

139/07 Outstanding items
It was agreed to keep the Yallands Hill to Aginhills footpath on the list.
As regards footpaths, Cllr Besley requested to repair 2 styles and replace 1 with a dog flap or split gates at the field entrance to contain stock. It was explained that quite recently advice had been given that dog flaps were no longer considered suitable, and kissing gates are the preferred option. Cllr Tully volunteered to get the SCC forms for funding application.
It was agreed that the Councillors who were newly elected in May should now be signatories for cheques.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.45pm.
Signed Chairman………………………………..Date...............