10 Sept 2008

ADOPTED
WEST MONKTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council held on Wednesday 10th September 2008 at 7.30pm in the Committee Room, West Monkton Village Hall.
Present: Cllr Reeves (Chairman), Cllrs Tully, Haskins, Ellis, Day, Besley, Gage, Cavill.
In attendance: Mrs P A Cavill, Clerk; Cllr E Waymouth.
113/08 Apologies
Apologies were accepted from Cllr N Perris (in France).

114/08 Adoption of the Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 9th July and the Planning Committee meeting on 13th August 2008
The minutes, having been previously circulated, were adopted and signed as true records. Adoption of the July minutes was proposed by Cllr Tully, seconded by Cllr Ellis, all were in favour and it was resolved to adopt the minutes of the meeting held on 9th July. Adoption of the August Planning Committee minutes was proposed by Cllr Gage, seconded by Cllr Day, all were in favour and it was resolved to adopt the minutes of the Planning Committee meeting on 13th August.

115/08 Matters arising from the minutes; Clerk’s report
The Clerk’s report, having been previously circulated prior to the meeting, was taken as read. Discussion followed. The Clerk will provide all Councillors with a copy of the tree maps provided by TDBC.
The meeting was closed.

PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

• Water was pouring off Church Hill and into the grounds of Monkton House. It was suspected that the culvert opposite ‘Dowsborough’ isn’t working.
• Request received from Mr H Boyland to remove dead wood from the quarry in West Monkton.
• The road markings (white line down the centre of the road) in Meadway have not been reinstated since resurfacing. The ‘Slow’ sign has been put on the road in the wrong place – not opposite Hazebrouk House.
• Suspect a water main is broken by the wall of Monkton House on A3259, because water is often on the road even when the weather is dry.
• Fly tipping was reported on Camels Hump (Hobbs Lane) and the layby on the Taunton side of the dual carriageway A38 at Walford.
• Request to swap the lighting warning sign at Walford Cross for a speed camera. Also the 50mph sign seems contra to the derestriction signs either side of it.
• Litter and the general state of the hedgerow either side of the bus shelter by the layby opposite Thornash Close – never seems to be maintained, ownership questioned.
• Graffiti in bus shelter on A38 at Bathpool.

The meeting was reconvened.

116/08 Items raised by the Public during Open Session
• Highways will be contacted about the water on Church Hill, and the water main.
• Somerset County Council will be informed about the white lining, and the signs at Walford Cross.
• The fly tipping will be reported to the TDBC Litter hotline.
• Cllr Reeves will see what can be done about the graffiti in the bus shelter.
• Ownership of the hedgerow by the bus shelter opposite Thornash Close will be researched.
• Following discussion, it was established that the quarry is in the ownership of British Waterways and so therefore the Parish Council is in no position to give or deny permission to remove dead wood from the quarry to Mr Boyland.

117/08 West Monkton Village Hall proposed extension
It was noted that TDBC had committed to award a capital grant of £35k for the Village Hall, subject to match funding by the Joint County and District Committee for Voluntary Village Halls and Community Centres.
The information provided by Mr Goodwin had provided detailed information about the Village Hall business plan.
After some discussion, Cllr Reeves proposed an amendment to the original proposal.
Original Proposal 9th April 2008
The Parish Council resolved to make a grant of £50,000 to the Village Hall Committee phased over a three year period starting in the financial year 1st April 2009 to 31st March 2010. Any costs incurred by the Parish Council, legal or otherwise, will come out of the £50,000 and will not be an extra.
The amendment proposed to add the following to the end of the first sentence of the original proposal:...’subject to TDBC and the Joint County and District Committee for Voluntary Village Halls and Community Centres awarding their grants in full as they have intimated’.
The proposal was made by Cllr J Reeves, seconded by Cllr H Ellis and agreed unanimously. Hence it was resolved that the amendment would be added to the original proposal.
The entire resolution will now read as follows:
The Parish Council resolved to make a grant of £50,000 to the Village Hall Committee phased over a three year period starting in the financial year 1st April 2009 to 31st March 2010, subject to TDBC and the Joint County and District Committee for Voluntary Village Halls and Community Centres awarding their grants in full as they have intimated. Any costs incurred by the Parish Council, legal or otherwise, will come out of the £50,000 and will not be an extra.
On examination of the Village Hall business plan, it looks as if the Management Committee expects the phasing of the £50,000 from the Parish Council to be as follows - £17k in 2009, £16k in 2010 and £17k in 2011. The Parish Council has not yet agreed to this and the details of the phasing will be properly discussed and voted upon according to the Council’s Code of Practice, when it is confirmed that the funding from both TDBC and SCC has been secured.

118/08 On-going provision of dog bins
It was agreed that the next step in the provision of the dog bin at the bottom of Yallands Hill would be a site meeting with members of WMPC, CFPC and the Dog Wardens.
It was resolved that the Clerk should facilitate such a meeting. Monday and Friday afternoon are the favoured ones.

119/08 Allotments provision
Cllr Cavill reported that he had not spoken with the land owner who might be able to offer some land for allotments. However, he had spoken with TDBC, who had offered to assist with the legal work if the land were to be found. Following discussion it was noted that the deadline for accessing LIB funds would be in October.
In respect of the garden share that was considered as an alternative, legal advice has been received that it is not good practice to put people in touch with other people without CRB and other checks. In future, a list might be maintained of those who wish to share their gardens, but the initiatives will have to come from the people who want a garden share, without intervention by the Parish Council, nor can the Parish Council act as a broker.

120/08 Red phone box in The Street West Monkton
Councillors had been directed to the BT web-site prior to the meeting so the contract on offer had been read. After some discussion, it was resolved to proceed subject to satisfactory responses from the insurers and TDBC Planners. The deadline is 1st October so the Parish Council resolved that the Clerk should proceed with the application to ‘Adopt-a-kiosk’, subject to insurance and planning being without problem. The resolution was put by Cllr Day, seconded by Cllr Gage and all agreed.

121/08 Official Reports
Cllr Gage reported on the Yallands Hill Footpath Inquiry. He reported that there were 10 members of the public, and the Ramblers Association in attendance. Evidence was presented on the first day. Cllr Gage was called to speak on the second day. The objector was the developer Tarker, who called an expert, Mrs Masters. The Inspector announced that her decision would be made in 3 weeks and announced to the Bristol office. The Bristol office would make the decision public in 4 – 6 weeks. It was agreed that thanks will be recorded in the Village News to those members of the public who attended and spoke.
Cllr Tully reported on SCC matters. He had attended the Regulatory Committee when the Northern Distributor road was discussed. It took the Chairman’s casting vote to pass it. Cllr Tully noted that, of itself, it will not alleviate the traffic problems, the entire next step is needed.
Cllr Tully reported that the new Fire Control centre is having an open day in October, and urged Councillors to attend.
The Schools DVD on Motor Cycling has been released, it is very shocking, and hopes to get the message of the dangers across to young drivers aged between 16 and 26 years.
Cllr Cavill reported on TDBC matters. He noted the recent difficulties with the Sports Centres, there will be a cost to taxpayers, the matter is subject to discussion between Officers and Members.
Project Taunton – the new developer will be selected in October.
RSS - Housing numbers to 2026 – is ongoing.
Longrun farm – the work has started, a major flood relief scheme will be part of the development.
The Environment Agency is committed to reducing flood risk in Taunton, which will keep Taunton safer. The dam at Norton is worth a visit.
The development at Monkton Heathfield has been questioned by the Secretary of State on the intention that affordable and social housing should transfer to the open market if not taken up within 2 years. The result of the Inquiry is expected soon.
Cllr Reeves reported on the CEP. There has been little action by the CEP whilst the development is the subject of the Secretary of State’s Inquiry. Work will begin again when the developers start. The recent passing away of the former Chairman, Cllr G Leighton was a very sad event, and the loss of an able chairman. The CEP will be chaired by Cllr N Cavill when the development work begins.

122/08 Planning Applications registered by TDBC
48/2008/044 Mrs Wadsley Erection of a Class 3 unit (Frankie and Benny’s New York Italian Restaurant and Bar) and associated reconfiguration of car parking arrangement at Deane Retail Park. Likely issues – none listed. Comment: the Parish Council does not support this application. It represents over development of the retail park. The car parking for the retail park is frequently grid locked (nearly every afternoon) and another unit would serve to exacerbate the situation.
48/2008/049 Mr D Addicott Loft conversion including installation of dormer windows on north and south elevations and insertion of glazing in west facing gable at 29 Meadway Monkton Heathfield. Likely issues – none listed. Comment: The Parish Council objects to this application. It is out of character with the houses on the small estate of Meadway. The location of the house is such that the proposed dormers, and the proposed Juliet window and the round window at the gable ends would overlook neighbours in close proximity. It would be detrimental to the visual amenity.
48/2008/052 Ms K Marlow Erection of rear and first floor extension including raising the roofline and double garage at St Elmo, Yallands Hill, Monkton Heathfield (revised submission of 48/2008/018) as amended by letter and plan 7A received 26th August. Likely issues – none listed. The Parish Council has no comment.
48/2008/053 Mrs J Moore Change of use from Post Office Stores to domestic living accommodation at 5 The Street West Monkton. Likely issues – none listed. Comment: The Parish Council supports this application.
123/08 Planning Permission granted by TDBC
48/2008/037 Retention of a temporary cafe in the Sainsbury car parking area for 10 weeks at Sainsbury’s Hankridge. Works to be completed and site restored by 1 November 2008.
48/2008/038A Display of two externally illuminated canopy fascia signs and non-illuminated pump signs at Sainsbury’s petrol filling station at Hankridge. Conditions; no advertisement to be displayed w/out owner’s permission; no advertisement to interfere with vehicle movements and safety; advertisements to be maintained in safe condition; site to be kept in safe condition.
48/2008/039 Erection of replacement petrol filling station at Sainsbury’s Hankridge. Work to be completed w/in 3 years; use materials as shown on application; landscaping scheme to be agreed before works commence; safe disposal of surface water; risk assessment on land for contaminants.
48/2008/043 Post 16 training centre at Heathfield School – TDBC has no objection
48/2008/051T Application to re-pollard one willow tree included in Taunton Deane Borough (West Monkton no3) Tree Preservation Order 1998 at 20 Acacia Gardens Bathpool Taunton. Work to be completed w/in 2 years. Pollard in accordance with BS3998 and current best practice – remove branches back to previous pruning points.
Application withdrawn
48/08/017 Change of use of building and land for the importation and processing of waste tyres by shredding and/or baling at Dan’s Dismantlers, Bathpool.

The planning decisions made by TDBC were noted.

124/08 To consider Communications as listed
The list of communications had been circulated prior to the meeting. Journals were distributed. It was agreed to enquire further about the driver awareness courses offered by Somerset Road Safety Partnership.
The overhanging hedges had been cut.

125/08 To receive and approve Payments and Receipts and to note closure of the Audit of the Annual Return
The clerk reported that the Annual Return had been audited by Moore Stephens, no questions or comments, Annual Return is now closed.
The financial sheets were distributed – one for August and one for September – explained and agreed.
The withdrawal form for removing the bulk of the money from the NS&I and putting it into the Alliance and Leicester was signed by authorised signatories. This action was on the advice of the Internal Auditor. The account will be left open in order to collect the interest for the year 2008 which is due on 31st December.
It was resolved to make payments as listed, proposed by Cllr Besley, seconded by Cllr Ellis and all agreed. Cllrs Besley and Ellis signed the receipts and payments sheet.
It was resolved to move the money from the NS&I to the Alliance and Leicester, proposed by Cllr Ellis, seconded by Cllr Tully and all agreed.
It was resolved to adopt the financial sheets for August and September; August was proposed by Cllr Ellis, seconded by Cllr Day, and all agreed; September was proposed by Cllr Tully, seconded by Cllr Haskins and all agreed. The Chairman, Cllr Reeves and the Clerk signed the financial sheets.

126/08 Dates of forthcoming Parish Council meetings
8th October, 12th November 2008, 14th January, 11th February, 11th March, 8th April 2009. Planning Committee meeting: 7.00pm in the Church Room on 10th December.

127/08 Outstanding items
Village News: this matter has resolved itself as there is now a team producing the Village News.
There are no other items on the list.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.49pm.


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