10th October 2007

ADOPTED
WEST MONKTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council held on Wednesday 10th October 2007 at 7.30pm in the Committee Room, West Monkton Village Hall.

Present: Cllrs Reeves, Day, Tully, Haskins, Perris, Cavill
In attendance: The Clerk, PCSO T Cornish, TDBC Parish Liaison Officer D Greig, and three members of the public.

140/07 Apologies
Cllrs Ellis (unwell), Besley (business), Gage (annual holiday).

141/07 Adoption of the Minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council held on the 12th September 2007
The minutes of the Parish Council meeting were signed and adopted as a true record, proposed by Cllr Tully and seconded by Cllr N Perris and all agreed.

142/07 Matters arising from the Minutes
Clerk’s report, having been previously circulated was noted.
It was noted that cars have been going the wrong way along the top part of Milton Hill (school related traffic). PCSO Cornish is aware of the issue. Cllr Tully said that he would take the suggestion of the cycle track further with I Titcombe - the LTP2 scoring would take too long and risk of a fatality is of concern. The existing cycle track serving the Safe Routes to School needs review as it directs cyclists into the oncoming traffic. The Parish Council is aware of the risk of fatality, and notes its frustration at the apparent inability of SCC to take preventative measures.
The Parish Council noted its preference for Mrs D Bradley to be nominated to represent the four Parishes of Kingston, Staplegrove, Cheddon and West Monkton on the Area Panel. Clerk at Staplegrove will be informed of West Monkton’s preferred choice.

PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

The lack of pavement beside the bus stop at the top of Milton Hill - pavement from Sylvan Way stops short of bus stop by about 20 ft: any progress?
Road markings not finished after resurfacing: absence of them on some junctions could result in accidents
Bob Wimbury leaving the village after 20 years, on 19th October. Bob Wimbury‘s assistance in raising awareness of the Parish Council’s meetings and activities via the Village News, and facilitating the distribution of the Annual Report via Village News distribution network was noted.
PCSO has issued 2 parking tickets in School Road, and is frequently in attendance during the busy periods. Parents have had a letter from the School.
Redundant play area, suggestion to use as overspill parking: any progress?
Parked cars at top of Milton Hill may get in the way of the proposed cycle route.
Bus shelter at Bathpool on the Taunton side of the A38 is being vandalised
C Townend reported more dog fouling by the Merry Monk, this time by dogs belonging to new residents

143/07 Items raised by the public in open session
Cllr Tully stated that he would take the suggested cycle route up with I Titcombe SCC to see if progress could be made. If a cycle route is installed, cars would not be able to park around the Sylvan Way junction nor on that top part of Milton Hill.
Ref suggested overspill parking area - Clerk will write to SCC Open Spaces division, Education department, and Highways dept to check the situation.
It was agreed that the Clerk would obtain another quote from Western Fix-It for metal cladding the bus shelter as the previous quotation would by now be out of time.
All agreed that Bob Wimbury’s service to the Parish Council should be marked. The recent publication ‘Taunton Remembered’ would be a suitable gift with a card: proposed by J Reeves and seconded by G Day, unanimously agreed. D Greig suggested the Mayor might write a letter of thanks to B Wimbury, and the Clerk will make an announcement on the website.
It was noted that despite reporting dog fouling to the Dog Warden, it does not seem possible to do anything about it, unless the fouling is witnessed and takes place during the dog warden’s working day. This comment was made on the feedback card received after last report of dog fouling was made.

144/07 Code of Conduct TDBC Parish Liaison Officer D Greig
D Greig stated there was no problem with the way West Monkton Parish Council conducted itself.
He explained the details of personal and prejudicial interest, and the importance of the register of Declaration of Interest. This register is available to the public, Councillors have 28 days to amend the Register should their interests change.
The Standards Committee at TDBC provides over sight and training for ethics and probity for Deane Councillors and Parish Councillors. The Committee will hear alleged local breaches. The committee is largely independent in its constitution. The new Code came out in May 2007, and was adopted by the Parish Council and advertised appropriately. Copies of the legal document will be provided to all Councillors to complement the information obtained from SALC.
The Code applies in meetings and also outside of meetings when the person is acting or perceived to be acting on Parish Council business. The Code should not affect Councillors’ private lives unless it brings the authority into disrepute.
The most common failing is failure to declare personal or prejudicial interest whether deliberate or inadvertent. Interests are noted on a register- the interests would be affecting the Councillor’s financial position and well-being - more than other members of the community.
If personal interest is declared, the Councillor can speak after declaration: after prejudicial interest has been declared the Councillor may not speak unless required to provide evidential information - Councillor would normally make the declaration then leave the room. Prejudicial interest flows from personal and should be declared if the financial position or well-being of yourself/family/close friend/enemy is affected.
General advice is to err on the side of caution. Councillors should be aware of and avoid pre-determination and pre-disposition - decisions and judgements should be based on evidence and information placed before them. Pre-disposition and pre-determination are not breaches o the Code of Conduct, but are breaches of common law.

145/07 Approval and adoption of annually updated lists and documents
The documents had been circulated prior to the meeting. List of Assets, acceptance and adoption proposed by Cllr Day and seconded by Cllr Tully and agreed unanimously; Risk Management, acceptance and adoption proposed by Cllr Tully and seconded by Cllr Haskins, and agreed unanimously.

146/07 Spital Allotments
The revised tenancy had been circulated prior to the meeting. The only change was to Clause 5 which in the revised version gave the tenants joint responsibility for outgoings from the allotment site, this is in accordance with their request for this responsibility earlier in the year. Subject to amending the figure for the acreage of the plots - (decimal point in the wrong place) - it was proposed to adopt the revised tenancy document and issue it with effect from 1st January 2008. Proposed by Cllr Haskins, seconded by Cllr Day and agreed unanimously. It was generally agreed that the best way to distribute the document to the allotment holders would be by personal visit when collecting the rent money. It was unanimously agreed to keep the rent at the same level for 2008 i.e. £10.00 for the year. It will be reviewed again in 2008. Rose Sibley to be informed of these changes as soon as possible so she can inform other allotment tenants.

147/07 Official reports
Cllr N Cavill gave a report from TDBC.
Monkton Heathfield development: N Cavill declared personal and prejudicial interest but gave the report on an evidential basis. The Monkton Heathfield development application has been sent to Government for non-determination by TDBC. The turn around time is likely to be approx 6 months. Reasons why the application was not supported have to be given. Two further applications have been submitted to TDBC by the developers, the first is the same as the one sent to government for non-determination, the second uses the road line through the Hookipa site. Once the planning permission has been sorted out things will move quickly and the site could be completed within three years.
Overview and Scrutiny at TDBC will now receive reports from task nad Finsih groups. T&F groups have the power to call in expert advise. One of the T&F groups will be on renewable energy in support of the carbon neutral targets of major developments especially Project Taunton - e.g. district heating/green roofing/photovoltaic roof tiles etc. The recommendations from the T&F groups will fit in with the RSS proposals fro 2011: funds are available from ESCo to guarantee 10% off the cost of heating and lighting. Water resources will be looked at. Councillors will gain expert knowledge in the areas they have covered in the T&F groups. T&F groups will be used for a 6 month trial period.
Project Taunton: the three short listed developers have given presentations including measures to be as carbon neutral as possible - Terence Hill, St Modwen, and Stanthorpe. The Firepool area is bounded by Canal Road, the weir, Priory bridge Road, and includes the railway goods yards. Firepool development will create over 3000 jobs in retail and other sectors.
Food Town Festival at Wellington was very successful; 10 - 15k extra people came to Wellington and resulted in £0.5million trading over that period (including the regular shoppers).
The ISiS project has determined its logo - SouthWest One. The partner is IBM, and the service will provide a one stop shop for services. IBM promised to move their IT Europe headquarters to Firepool if they won the bid, which they did.
Inward Investment Company will be taking over tourism services in the area, avoiding multi-agency duplication
Waterlinks the bid for £50million lottery funding is now one of the 6 national finalists to be run as a televised competition over Christmas and New Year (similar to ‘Restoration’ programme). If Waterlinks wins it will attract further funding so total may be as high as £64million, but if not, some of the projects may happen anyway having come into public attention. Taunton has been declared one of 29 Growth Points in the country - the only town amongst 28 cities, which will make it eligible to apply for funding for flood prevention and roads. A lot will be going on in the near and foreseeable future, it is essential to get the infrastructure right.
Clerk pointed out that Scrutiny Fact sheets are available. Cllr Tully said it had worked at County level.
Cllr R Tully gave a report from SCC
The eastern Park and Ride is needed, the Monkton Heathfield development should support a northern Park and Ride, Silk Mills Park and Ride is close to capacity.
The trees in School Road will be attended to.
The Village Hall Management Committee needs more members, three left at the last meeting.
The Area Panel voted for a night bus - to run as far as Priorswood as a service then on to West Monkton Parish as a taxi/bus.
Cllr Day reported attending a meeting of the Spital Trust on 24th September, when the new Clerk was introduced.
Cllr Reeves reported correspondence with Lawrence Smith regarding the old definitive maps of the Parish. Cllr Reeves had supplied L Smith with photos of the maps for the purposes of the Footpath Enquiry, but they had been lost thus not presented to the Regulatory Board. The old maps are in the custody of Cllr Gage the Footpaths Officer. All agreed it was advisable to retain custody of the maps and not release them to County Hall given the track record so far. Cllr B Gage has been involved with sorting out kissing gates to replace broken stiles at three locations in the Parish - R Taylor’s pond, pond in corner of Besley’s by Brean, and one other.

148/07 Planning applications received at TDBC
48/2007/013 Mr J Grant Change of use, conversion and extension to barn to form 3 holiday units at Quantock Farm, West Monkton. Likely issues - none listed. Comment: sensible use of redundant buildings that would otherwise be at risk of falling down. Very little passing traffic. PC Supports.
AND 48/2007/014LB Mr J Grant Change of use, conversion and extension to barn to form 3 holiday unit at Quantock farm, West Monkton. Likely issues - none listed.
48/2007/048 Mrs S Melhuish Erection of conservatory at 5 Yew Tree Lane, Bathpool, Taunton. Likely issues - none listed. Comment: PC supports.
48/2007/050 Mr M Roberts Erection of a three storey B1 office building following demolition of existing night club and fitness factory at Creech Castle, Taunton. Likely issues - none listed. Comment: overdevelopment of the existing area. Totally out of keeping with surroundings. adverse impact on the approach vista to Taunton and on the agreed green wedge. Access already very hazardous bearing in mind the future development of Monkton Heathfield there will be conflicting traffic movements.
48/2007/051T Mr D Galley Management work on two oak trees included in Taunton Deane Borough (West Monkton No. 2) Tree Preservation Order 1994 at 30/32 Mead Way, Monkton Heathfield. Likely issues - the application will be assessed on site. Comment: support.
48/2007/052 Mr M Hicks Erection of two storey extension at Harmony, Yallands Hill, Monkton Heathfield. Likely issues - impact on street scene needs to be assessed. Comment: only site plans sent with documents; the line of the extension is to be set back from the existing frontage and the front hedge will be retained, so the impact on the street scene will be negligible. Use materials in keeping with existing.
48/2007/053 Mrs S Melhuish Erection of orangery, Court Place, West Monkton. Likely issues - none listed. Comment: support
48/2007/056T Mr D Galley Application to fell one sycamore tree and carry out management work on one oak, one sycamore and one ash within West Monkton Conservation area at Musgraves Old Farm, West Monkton. Likely issues - the application will be assessed on site. Comment: support
48/2007/057 Mr M Hicks Erection of dwelling and access thereto at land west of Pennystone, Yallands Hill, Monkton Heathfield. Reserved matters - no likely issues listed. Comment: support
48/2007/059 Mrs F Wadsley Erection of first floor extension above existing garage and erection of porch 103 Farriers Green, Monkton Heathfield. Comment: support
PC/4/48/2007/060/JD Ms Jessica Dagnell Single storey science block with glazed link to main building at Heathfield Community School, School Road, Monkton Heathfield. No likely issues listed.
Comment: support. Cllr R Tully declared an interest, being on the Board of Governors, and did not speak.
48/2007/063T Mr D Galley Application to fell 4 beech trees within West Monkton Conservation area at The Woodlands Monkton House West Monkton. Likely issues - application to be assessed on site. Comment: support

149/07 Planning Decisions granted by TDBC
Planning applications granted by TDBC
48/2007/040 Erection of dwelling and garage with shared access drive, new garage and alterations to existing dwelling at 21 Heathfield Drive Monkton Heathfield. Reserved matters to be submitted and approved before work starts; start w/in 3 years; materials to be used must be approved; landscaping scheme must be submitted before work starts; no extension to this building nor any other building on the plot w/out permission; no fences, walls, gates w/out permission; details of all boundary hedges and walls to be approved before work starts; dwelling not to be occupied until parking area has been provided which will be kept clear of obstruction.
48/2007/045T Management work to one maple tree included in Tree Preservation Order (West Monkton No1) Tree Preservation Order 1989 at 4 St Quintin Park Taunton. Complete work w/in 2 years; crown reduce and crown balance to conform to British Standard BS3998:1989; crown raise to conform to British Standard BS 3998: 1989.
48/2007/046 Erection of single storey extension and alterations to flat roof to form pitched roof, 71 Greenway, Monkton Heathfield. Start w/in 3 years; use external materials as shown on the approved plan.
Planning Applications refused permission by TDBC
48/2007/032 Erection of first floor extension over garage and single storey extension to rear 13 Heathfield Drive, Monkton Heathfield. Proposed two storey extension would set undesirable precedent for 2 storey extensions up to the side boundaries resulting in closure of gaps between buildings and resulting in the appearance of a terrace. Such development would be out of keeping with the street scene and detrimental to the visual amenity.
48/2007/042LB and 48/2007/038 Demolition of extension to north of property and erection of single storey extension, porch and conservatory at The Lodge Sidbrook West Monkton. Development would detract from the architectural and historic character of the building. The proposal would add to the significant extensions on the Grade 11 listed building to the detriment of its architectural and historic interest.

The decisions were noted.

150/07 Communications
The list of Communications had been distributed prior to the meeting. Cllr Cavill reported that he would probably have involvement in the sub-groups of the LSP.

151/07 Receipts and Payments and Financial sheet
Receipts
7 x Business Directory subscriptions £70.00


Payments
Cleaning bus shelters in September Miss Kimber £10.00
Ms Newland £10.00
Mrs David £20.00
Clerks salary - Sept £436.62
Clerks expenses - 4th July to 9th October £115.59
H Ellis £30.00

The October financial sheet was explained. Adoption of the financial sheet and approval of payments and receipts was proposed by Cllr Tully, seconded by Cllr Haskins and unanimously agreed.
It was reported that the Annual Audit had been completed without comment, the audit was now closed and notices posted to that effect.

152/07 Dates of the next meetings
14th November 2007 at the Village Hall at 7.30pm, 12th December at the Church Room - Planning Committee only at 7.00pm

152/07 Outstanding issues
Berry’s coaches have been informed that the bus shelter at the layby opposite Thornash Close should be in place by the beginning of November.
Footpath - the Order has been displayed on Parish notice boards and will remain on display until 1st November.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 10.00pm


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