Annual Parish Meeting March 21st 2007

ANNUAL PARISH MEETING FOR THE PARISH OF WEST MONKTON

Minutes of the meeting held on 21st March 2007.

The meeting was attended by 7 members of the public and Cllrs Day, Ellis, Cavill, Reeves. Cllr Reeves chaired the meeting.

The Clerk, Mrs P A Cavill was in attendance.

Apologies were received from Mr M Besley, Mrs T Reeves.

Minutes of the meeting held the previous year, having been circulated, were adopted as a true record.

Matters arising There were none.

The Guest Speaker, Mr F Cornish, was introduced by Cllr Reeves. Mr Cornish is Chairman of both the Taunton Town Centre Company, and South West Tourism, and he gave a short presentation of the work of both of these organisations.

Tourism in the South West is big business. The area stretches from Gloucestershire, through Wiltshire, Dorset, Somerset, Devon and Cornwall to the Scilly Isles. It accommodates approximately 21 million staying visitors per annum, and generates circa £8 billion pounds per annum (this includes spending by day visitors). Somerset gets about 10% of this sum. The figures can be broken down - 31p of every tourist £ goes on food and drink, (including restaurants and take-aways) and 21p on everyday shopping; so over 50% is spent in the local economy.
The aim of SW Tourism is to drive up the quality of what is offered - the industry is very competitive, and air flights to other places are relatively inexpensive.
There are difficulties in competing on price - because this government puts VAT on everything at 17.5% - compared to Spain at 3% and Italy at 4%. The Lyons Report recommended at bed tax on top of this, at the discretion of Local Authorities - but the Chancellor has not taken it up. To maintain quality, tourist facilities are inspected and awarded 1, 2, or 3 stars after accreditation. Only those facilities that are accredited will be advertised on Tourist Board web-sites or in brochures. Quality is applied to not only where you stay, but also includes beaches, water, air, car parks, and public toilets.
The second dimension of quality refers to sustainability - things that make green environmental sense are beginning to be demanded by visitors. The green tourism business scheme awards stars, and takes note of green footprints/recycling and other measures.
The third dimension of quality refers to support for tourism at the destination - destination management system (DMS). It connects Tourist Offices to the rest of the Local Authority, and to other Local Authority Tourist Officers. This represents a genuine partnership between Local Authorities and business to the benefit of both parties. The Destination Management Organisation (DMO) changes competition between neighbouring Districts into county-wide and country-wide positive co-operation. An example was given to explain: West Somerset Railway (WSR) is a major attraction, drawing enthusiasts from all over the country. DMO would also offer for example Cheddar Gorge, Brean Complex, Hestercombe, Fforde Abbey, and Castle Hotel, linking cycling, walking, and riding: by putting all together the result is a major marketable commodity.

Waterlinks is a huge project which will add value to the area.

The Taunton Town centre company is based on the American idea where town centres were becoming, especially at night, lifeless and occasionally dangerous. The TTCCo is a company limited by guarantee and has a Board of Directors. It represents the voice of Business in the town centre. It has an annual budget of about £100k. It has been responsible for the annual Ice Rink in the town. Last year there were 16000 skaters, mostly from outside Taunton who came and did something else in Taunton whist visiting hence good economic value.
The Taunton Town Centre Company is also involved in various advertising campaigns, the continental market and aspects of the night time economy such as PubWatch, graffiti cleaning, and car parks. The Company is a formal consultee on Project Taunton. The TTCCo is championing the Business Improvement District (BID). There will be a vote on 31st July to approve or not a business plan designed to improve services in the town centre which the Council can’t afford to do. The money is raised by a levy on the rates but BID members decide which improvements are done - one example is a dedicated town centre Police Team - not at the expense of policing levels elsewhere. One of the conditions of the BID is that levels of services before the BID stay the same - so the BID adds value.

Following the presentation Mr Cornish answered questions.

What would be the likely effects of large developments (such as the proposed development at Monkton Heathfield)?
The outcome will be that huge numbers of people come into the town and therefore there will be an effect on traffic flow and parking which relies heavily on traffic management systems such as Park and Ride. There will be severe transitional problems, whilst current car parks are demolished within the Vision development and before the new arrangements are built. A possible solution is being investigated - the temporary decking of ground level car parks.

Are there any plans to enhance the Canal between Taunton and Bridgwater?
The canal falls within the Waterlinks project which includes 20 - 30 various projects stretching across the County. It is one of 6 that have been short-listed for a TV programme similar to the Restoration programme broadcast last year.. The winner will attract significant funding opportunities. The publicity launch of Waterlinks will be in April in Bridgwater. Other plans within the scheme include the Nynehead lift, cycle routes along the canals, an archaeology site at Glastonbury, and an education centre. 20 - 30 communities in Somerset will benefit from the scheme. There will be canal cruising opportunities opened up across the Somerset waterways beyond Langport, because the scheme includes the Parrett Sluice.

What are the chances of success with Project Taunton?
The RDA, headquartered in Exeter is a very powerful, unelected body, one of a number set up by the Labour Government some 10 years ago. The CEO of the RDA for the South West regards Project Taunton as a good thing…so with this backing it is likely to succeed. The Taunton Town Centre Company also supports it. It is good and sensible for the area so long as the scheme is delivered in its entirety. Problems will arise if bits are sliced off due to budgetary constraints.

Parish Council Chairman’s report
The Annual Report had been distributed before the meeting - and copies will be delivered to every house receiving a copy of the Village News (1250). The Chairman made his report based on the contents of the Annual Report. He noted that the past eleven years at least have been occupied with sorting out the Monkton Heathfield development. Progress prior to the submission of the Outline Planning Application has reached an advanced stage but is currently held up by the report on the Traffic Assessment awaited from Somerset County Highways department.
West Monkton Parish Council has been a pioneer in setting up the West Monkton Community Engagement Panel. This Panel is comprised of a mix of Councillors and independent experts in the field, and will co-opt other experts when necessary. The professionalism of the Panel is very clear. The Panel will be a significant consultee in the process. The Panel is not there to stop the development but to work for the best outcome - ensuring that plans and designs put forward will work to become a coherent community. The Panel has received a small grant from Somerset Community Chest to fund out of pocket expenses of Panel Members. The Panel, and West Monkton Parish Council, enjoy a good working relationship with Taunton Deane Planning department, established over a number of years.
The Unitary bid by SCC, if successful, would result in the role of Parish Councils changing and having more duties and responsibilities. West Monkton Parish Council voted unanimously to ask them to stop proceeding with the bid, which was done. However, the bid was submitted. If the government grants permission for the bid to proceed, a period of formal consultation will begin. It seems likely that rural areas of Somerset will suffer due to the demands of major settlements. The current partnership works very well, and this Parish Council believes that the good working relationship that it enjoys both with TDBC and SCC does not need changing. The case put by TDBC for Team Somerset is the way ahead - the five Districts and the County Authority all working together. The extra duties likely to be devolved to Parish Councils are unwelcome, and better to stay with the District Authority. Parishioners were urged to express their opinions during the public consultation period. If the bid goes through there will be no place to democratically express opposition to it.
The dispute over the footpath between Yallands Hill and Aginhills was outlined by the chairman. Of all the maps accessed, of various ages between 1938 and 2006, including two scales of Ordnance Survey Maps, only one showed the footpath on the east side of the stream (Allens Brook). The County stated that this anomalous map was the definitive map. When this was challenged, the SCC Rights of Way Legal team were required to collect evidence and make a report. In addition to the map evidence, hearsay and documentary evidence was collected. The Report has been completed and delegated powers awarded to the Officer, Mrs Heather Fletcher. She has to send the report to the Landowners who discovered and used the anomalous map; and it is likely the matter will become the subject of a public enquiry.
Councillors having special duties were thanked. Cllr Day is the Footpaths Officer, and Martin Ellis was thanked for recently becoming the Parish Path Liaison Officer. Cllr Besley was thanked for his involvement as Highways Officer. There have been many instances of repair needed this year, due to the volume of rain. The Parish Council did not succeed, despite determined efforts, to obtain a 30mph speed restriction in Goosenford. The Parish Council is very grateful to SCC for re-instating the bank at the former chipping dump at Camel’s Hump (Hobs Lane). The prompt follow through of this work, as the chipping dump was closed, prevented a potential problem with fly tipping.
The two seats vandalised at the Play Area have been restored and reinstated, one at Meadway, and the other at Sidbrook Cross. The seat at Goosenford, having been almost totally trashed, has been repaired. The ownership of this seat is lost in history - but the benefit to the community, especially with the very attractive planters either side of it which are provided by a member of the public, was sufficient to persuade the Parish Council that restoration was worthwhile.
Bus shelters were another area where the Parish Council has been active. The Adshel bus shelter on Milton Hill is regularly vandalised, but repairs are carried out by Adshel. A new bus shelter was installed to replace the old one beside the Merry Monk, and by the end of the summer there will be a new one on the opposite side of the road in the lay-by. A seat is due to be installed in the bus shelter by the Spital Almshouses, and the Parish Council is very grateful to Miss Kimber for volunteering to keep the shelter clean. The Brittons Ash bus shelters are cleaned by Mrs David, and Cllr Reeves expressed the thanks of the Parish Council to her. Regrettably these bus shelters are also often vandalised by the slats of wood being broken off from the frame. After frequently paying for repairs, the Parish Council decided that better value might be obtained by fixing a galvanised metal skin inside; this work will be taking place soon.
Repairs to the notice board in Farriers Green are in the pipe-line, the board having become bowed by the weather.
Important maintenance work was carried out on the railings in the new burial ground, to clear grass and weeds from below the bottom bar. The vegetation was threatening to rust the bottom bar which would have shortened the life of the railings. The area that was cleared has been covered by membrane and pea-gravel. The Parish Council were delighted with the quality of the work done.
The web-site has continued to grow. All agendas, minutes, responses to reports and questionnaires, and submissions are listed on the web-site, as well as important Parish and Church notices. The business directory lists businesses based in the Parish of West Monkton. The web-site is used increasingly by the public researching the area, and it is anticipated this trend will continue as the proposed development gets underway.
Three Councillors are retiring and will not be standing in the elections in May. Cllrs H Besley and Corcoran have both been Chairman of the Parish Council, whilst Cllr Warren has been a long standing Allotments Officer and always on hand to help when required. Between them, the three Councillors have given over 60 years of service and the Parish Council records its grateful thanks to them.
Cllr Reeves recorded his thanks to the Clerk for her support of the Council and himself.
The Financial Statement was explained, representing the audited accounts for 2005/06, the current financial year (2006/07) projections and the budgeted figures for 2007/08 on which the precept was calculated.

Report from Rev G Boucher, St Augustine’s Church
Rev Boucher reported that he was licensed 6 years ago on 20th March, so this report was given on the first day of his 7th year. The Parochial Church Council had met 6 times during the year; and the Electoral Roll stood at 114 Parishioners at April 2006. The regular programme of services and festivals had been followed, with good attendances particularly at the festivals, with an overall increase in congregation. The 11.30am special at the Village Hall has been very successful; due in no small part to the efforts of Sue Martin from the Primary School. These services are also well supported by Bathpool Chapel (Pastor Grace Appleby). The average attendance is 70/80.
The improved sound system in the church ahs been completed and is now up and running so that CDs can be played and recorded. The Christmas Service had been recorded. A lightening conductor has been fitted to the tower. Work has been carried out on the south side of the Church. Repairs have been made to the south side of the Sanctuary, and the windows in the Lady Chapel; the drainage outside has been sorted out, and the path renewed. The maple tree has been cut down, and all factors together should allow the south side to dry out. Consideration will be given to the replastering of the south wall and renewal of the south aisle roof. The stocks in the Churchyard have been restored.
A servery will be developed in the north east corner of the Church, a place for people to gather; funds are being raised by the Activities Committee. Plans have been drawn up, and quotes will be sought.
The sign at the bottom of the Church Drive has been replaced.
In response to a question, Rev Boucher explained that Sue Councel will serve her curacy at St Augustine’s after she is ordained in June: she will serve 2 -3 days per week. The PCC had approved the suggested Parish Profile.
Discussions have taken place regarding the proposed possible combinations of Parishes for 2012, and it has been agreed to support a team comprising West Monkton, Kingston, Cheddon Fitzpaine, and Broomfield, with a full-time stipendiary priest based at West Monkton and a part-time priest in Kingston. There is co-operation between members of the Local Ministry Group; plans are in place for a meeting together of the Churches on the 5th Sunday of the month. The services will be held in the various Churches in the Group.
In St Augustine’s during the year there have been 15 Baptisms, 7 weddings, and 17 funerals (4 in Church).
The Bell Ringers have been thriving, as has the Choir ably led by Katie Bond. Katie is to be congratulated on gaining the highest RCSM award, winning a cup at the Somerset Music Festival, and being offered a place at the Birmingham Conservatoire.
The new burial ground now has composting bins; the Rector thanked the Parish Council for the work done on the railings, it was extremely well executed.
In response to a question the status of the new Primary School was discussed. It was thought the new school would be C of E voluntary controlled because it is believed there is no financial involvement. It was thought that the original status of the Primary School in School Road might have been voluntary aided, i.e. some financial involvement (for example ownership of the building and/or the land?). It was noted that some investigation was needed in order to secure any money that might have been involved - probably when the original Primary School at the eastern end of School road was sold and knocked down, and the present school built at the bottom end of School Road.
Cllr Reeves congratulated the Rector on the anniversary of his licence, and thanked him for the excellent pastoral care delivered in the Parish.

Comments from the floor
It was reported that the next meeting of TDBC Planning Committee will most likely receive the Outline Planning application for the development at Monkton Heathfield.
There was a suggested request to turn off the lights at Walford Cross at 1.00am, but it was noted that the workings of the National Grid were such that turning the lights off probably would not save any electricity.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.16pm.

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