14th January 2009

ADOPTED
WEST MONKTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council held on Wednesday 14th January 2009 at 7.30pm in the Committee Room, West Monkton Village Hall.
Present: Cllr Reeves (Chairman), Cllrs Haskins, Ellis, Gage, Cavill, Perris.
In attendance: Mrs P A Cavill, Clerk; no members of the public attended.

The Chairman opened the meeting by wishing all members of the Council a Happy New Year.

001/09 Apologies
Apologies were accepted from Cllr Besley (business), Cllr Tully (another meeting), Cllr G Day (personal).

002/09 Adoption of the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 12th November 2008 and the Planning Committee on 10th December 2008.
The minutes of both meetings having been previously circulated, Cllr Ellis proposed to resolve to adopt the minutes of both meetings as a true record. Seconded by Cllr Haskins and all agreed, hence it was resolved to adopt the minutes of the meetings on 12th November and 10th December 2008.

003/09 Matters arising from the minutes: Clerk’s report
The Clerks report having been previously circulated, was noted.

The meeting was closed

PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
• It was reported that a pothole is developing on the dual carriageway A38 close to Walford Lodge on the Bridgwater side of the road.
• It was noted that the directional sign is missing from outside Prockters Farm ‘to the Village Hall’.
• It was requested that the list of projects on which the pedestrian crossing outside the Village Hall is included should be identified so that the Parish Council can verify how much expectation of the project coming to fruition there might be.
• The restoration work on the Yallands Hill to Aginhills footpath should be starting in the near future.
• It was noted that the Land Registry have been contacted to determine ownership of the Quarry at West Monkton.
• It was reported that the trees for the ‘Plant a Tree scheme’ will be purchased from Kelways in the near future.
• It was reported that efforts were underway to identify someone to make a presentation of the nature and spirit of TPOs to the Council.
• It was reported that the litter bin adjacent to the phone box in The Street West Monkton is broken and needs replacing.
• It was reported that the search for more allotments land is continuing, a landowner had been approached and the matter was under consideration. It was noted the Garden Sharing movement is increasing in popularity.
• Recycling lorries have been out on Yallands Hill during peak traffic hours and causing traffic disruption.

004/09 Items raised by the public in Open Session
• Somerset County Highways will be contacted to repair the pothole developing on the A38, and the cost of a replacement ‘Village Hall’ directional sign will be obtained from them.
• The County Councillor Cllr Ray Tully will be asked to access the list on which the pedestrian crossing by the Village Hall is placed.
• It was suggested that the opening of the footpath should be marked in some way, photos taken and the list of those who appeared for the path at the Inspectors Inquiry will be provided to the Chairman for his thanks to be conveyed.
• Trees will be delivered as soon as possible after purchase from Kelways.
• The replacement bin by the phone box in The Street could become part of the overall improvement of the ‘triangle’ when the ‘Adopt a Kiosk’ comes through. The cost of a litter bin in a style in keeping with the K6 box will be investigated.
• The landowner is considering the sale of some land to the Parish Council for allotments, in view of the delay to the start of the Monkton Heathfield development. The Parish Council will maintain its position regarding Garden Sharing, which is, in the absence of clear legislation and direction regarding CRB clearance, that the Council will not act as a broker between gardens and growers. Rents which were due 1st January 2009 for the year ahead, will be collected over the next few weeks.
• Somerset Waste Partnership will be contacted and asked to reschedule collection timetables so the main road through Monkton Heathfield is not obstructed during peak traffic times.

005/09 Freedom of Information Act Publication Scheme
It was noted that the Parish Council resolved to adopt the model publication scheme at its meeting in November. An information pack had been assembled to show what information was held, how it could be obtained and at what cost. It was resolved to place the information pack on the West Monkton Parish Council web site.

006/09 Consideration of quotes for repairs to Farriers Green notice-board and replacement litter bin outside Stores in School Road
The cost of a replacement bin, to be affixed to the same base had been determined by Deane DLO at £180.00 plus VAT. It was resolved to accept the quotation, the resolution put by Cllr Ellis, seconded by Cllr Gage and all agreed; and to ask if a black and white striped warning pole could be placed adjacent to the bin to prevent a repeat of the alleged accident with the delivery van that destroyed the previous bin.
The repairs to the notice-board at Farriers Green were discussed, and the quotes from Deane DLO and Notice-It Ltd were considered. Cllr Haskins proposed to resolve that Notice-It quotation was accepted, with the suggestion that a discount could be given if an order for a new notice board (for St Quintins Park) was placed with the same company. The proposal was seconded by Cllr Gage and all agreed hence it was resolved to accept the Notice-It quotation. It was agreed to determine a suitable location in St Quintins Park and to find out if a license is needed.

007/09 Appointment of Internal Auditor for year ending 31st March 2009
Following the recommendation of the previous Internal Auditor, Mr T Bullen, and in the absence of any other suitable candidate, it was resolved to appoint Mr B Howe as Internal Auditor for the Parish of West Monkton for the year ending 31st March 2009. The resolution was put by Cllr N Perris, seconded by Cllr Haskins and all agreed.

008/09 Arrangements for Annual Parish Meeting
It was explained that the Parish Council is under a statutory obligation to hold an annual parish meeting. Over recent years attendance has been very poor and discussion ensued about how to attract more members of the public to the meeting. Following the discussion it was agreed to invite the Primary School to give brief presentation ‘Who we are and what we do’, and Somerset Community Council would be asked to provide someone to speak about ‘Parish Plans’. Cllr Ellis would contact the Primary School, and the Clerk will contact Somerset Community Council. An advert will be put into the Village News and onto the website.

009/09 Official reports
Cllr Ellis reported on the RSS toolkit meetings
Workshop 1
We made lists of the positive and negative things within the areas.
These were then sorted into lists of different issues.
They were Access, Employment, Identity and Character, Transport, Facilities, Links and Location, Community Spirit and Education.
We then had to choose the ones we thought were the most important and the above list is how it turned out.

Workshop 2
We refreshed our memories on the different issues from the previous meeting
We then drew on a plan the existing places of special interest, shops and schools, roads, river, canal and railways.
Then the new Road Infrastructure and buildings from the new development
We then looked at the plans to see if there were any obvious area to improve
i.e. where a possible new motorway junction could be and perhaps a new road from the Brico Site to the motor way through the back of Creech!!
May be a rail link with a station in Creech!!

Arising from the Toolkit meetings came the request for the various boundaries within the Parish of West Monkton to be identified e.g. boundary of AONB, designated landscape area, conservation area.
The Parish Council members were in general agreement that the RSS proposals for a further 4000 houses in 2011 to 2026 (having already had to accept 1000 in Local Plan to 2010) were utterly unreasonable and apparently not a decision reached by democratic process but by determination by unelected planners and Regional Assembly. The use of the term ‘public consultation’ was discussed. Whilst to the RSS the term relates to details regarding infrastructure etc, huge difficulties and misunderstandings are created because the public interprets the words to mean that the original decision is up for debate – which is not the case. The first tranche of 1000 houses got off to a very difficult start because the residents of West Monkton Parish thought the public consultation meant that the allocation of 1000 houses was up for debate and much valuable energy was lost trying to stop the development from going ahead.

010/09 Planning applications registered at TDBC
48/08/0067 Miss K Purchase Erection of single storey and two storey extensions following demolition of single storey extensions to the rear of no’s 2 and 3 The Street, West Monkton. Likely issues – none listed. Comment Parish Council supports this application, it is in keeping with the area.

011/09 Planning decisions made by TDBC
48/08/0063/LB Insertion of first floor, retention of connection to house at first floor level, opening of blocked windows, insertion of new steel ridge beam, recovering of roof and insertion of three roof lights at Birds Farmhouse Dyers Lane Bathpool. Permission granted: works to begin w/in 3 years; use materials specified in the application; all guttering and downpipes to be of cast iron; further details of new windows doors architraves etc to be approved before installation.
48/08/0064 Construction of loft conversion at 29 Meadway Monkton Heathfield. Permission granted: works to begin w/in 3 years, use materials specified in application.

012/09 Communications
The list of Communications received had been circulated prior to the meeting.
Requiring action
Land registry – invitation to register unregistered land in PC ownership – making an enquiry as to ownership of the old quarry at West Monkton.
South West Employers invitation to attend conference as non-member. Cost £75.00. Venue Holiday Inn on 12 Feb 2009. Key topics: employment law, sickness absence, performance management, contractual variations, retirement, prioritising training needs, future training provision. Any councillor interested? None
Hestercombe Humdinger road race 1st Feb 2009. Any feedback/comments/concerns? Place poster on noticeboard, check farmers and milk tankers know about road closure
Proposals for the development of mental health services in Bridgwater. Consultation up to 15th March 2009. Clerk to complete in consultation with Chairman? Yes
Age Concern – details of how to become a volunteer – phone 01823423497
DigitalUK: Details of Help Scheme to help the elderly make the change to digital. Any Councillor need a pack? No but put details on website
Code of recommended practice on local authority publicity – consultation up to 12 March 2009. Clerk to complete in consultation with Chairman? Yes

For information only
Rural Youth newsletter Autumn 2008
Christmas cards from J Browne MP and the Mayor and Mayoress of TDBC
Taunton Town Centre Area Action Plan: adopted October 2008, replaces many of policies and proposals of the Taunton Deane Local Plan in the town centre area. List of policies which ceased to have effect from November 2007.
November newsletter from Chief Supt Sandy Padgett.
Lets Talk – journal from Alliance and Leicester
Winter service from SCC Highways – salting routes. The majority of roads will not be salted.
Escape support group –information about their work
2009 guide to Local Health services in Taunton Deane. Somerset PCT Annual Public Health Report 2007/08
CPRE Somerset Matters Autumn 2008 newsletter
Home finder Somerset live from 10th December – guide to bidding for a home.
Minutes of Viridor Priorswood Waste Management Facilities
What’s on in the Heart of Somerset January 2009

13/09 To receive and approve Receipts and Payments and Financial Sheet
Two sets of sheets were issued, one for December and one for January. The interests rates on the accounts were noted – possibly moving from one account to another will be required to get best rate – wait for next month’s information.

Receipts and Payments for meeting on 14th January 2009
Receipts
nil
Payments
Bus shelter cleaning for December
Mrs David £20.00
Bus shelter cleaning & litter picking for December
Ms M Newland £30.00
Miss A Kimber £20.00
Clerk’s salary for December £478.31
Donation for use of Church Room £15.00
Wessex water BWBSL June 08 to Jan 09 £21.00
S137 donations agreed in Nov 08
Village News £100.00
Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance £100.00
Taunton and District CAB £150.00

Rates on accounts
A & L (£5,000 - £49,999) until 31st Jan 2009 - 1%
A & L from 1st Feb 2009 – 1%
Lloyds Business Instant Access (below£5000) 27th Oct to 9th Nov 08 2.00%

The Financial sheet was explained including the bank reconciliation and the budget position.
It was resolved to accept the receipts and payments sheet and financial sheet, proposed by Cllr Ellis, seconded by Cllr Haskins and all agreed. Cllrs Ellis and Haskins signed the Receipts and Payments sheet, the Chairman and the Clerk signed the Financial Sheet.

014/09 Dates of Forthcoming meetings
Parish Council: 11th February, 11th March, 8th April, 13th May, 10th June, 8th July, 9th September, 14th October, 11th November 2009, at 7.30pm at the Village Hall.
Planning Committee meetings: 7.00pm in the Church Room on 12th August, 9th December.
Annual Parish Meeting 25th March 2009 at 7.30pm at the Village Hall.

015/09 Outstanding items
Allotments – dealt with under minute 004/09.

Finally – the Chairman noted with regret the passing of Mr Leonard Hardy, aged 92, former Chairman of West Monkton Parish Council and retired Headmaster of Heathfield School. The funeral will be tomorrow, but a memorial service is planned at St Augustine’s sometime in May or June.

There being no further business, the meeting as closed at 9.34pm.


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