11th Feb 2009

ADOPTED
WEST MONKTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council held on Wednesday 11th February 2009 at 7.30pm in the Committee Room, West Monkton Village Hall.
Present: Cllr Reeves (Chairman), Cllrs Haskins, Ellis, Gage, Besley, Tully, Cavill.
In attendance: Mrs P A Cavill, Clerk; Cllr E Waymouth (TDBC), one member of the public attended.

016/09 Apologies
Apologies were accepted from Cllr Perris (on holiday), Cllr G Day (unwell).

017/09 Adoption of the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 14th January 2009
The minutes of the meeting having been previously circulated, Cllr Ellis proposed to resolve to adopt the minutes of the meeting as a true record. Seconded by Cllr Gage and all agreed, hence it was resolved to adopt the minutes of the meeting on 14th January 2009.

018/09 Matters arising from the minutes: Clerk’s report
The Clerk’s report having been previously circulated, was noted.

The meeting was closed.

PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
• Ref 004/09 The SWP lorry was in School Road at 9.00pm causing obstruction.
• Footpath Aginhills to Yallands Hill: there had been a delay due to rubble being dumped in the access route. Work started yesterday 10/2/09.
• Delay to notice board repair at Farriers Green due to the weather. The fir tree overlapping the right hand side of the notice board will be cut back.
• The owner of empty cottage in The Street spoke about her objections to the Planning Application submitted by no’s 2 and 3, illustrating her case with photos. The planning application had been withdrawn several days before the Parish Council meeting.
• The letter from Dr Penny (previously circulated) regarding Dosters Lane junction with A38 and A3259 was noted, plus the general situation, and Parish Council’s communications with I Titcombe at SCC.

The meeting was reconvened.

019/09 Items raised by the public in Open Session
• The owner of no 4 The Street was thanked for the information about the back of no 4.
• In response to emails from the Chairman, I Titcombe had responded that the signing and red markings on the A38 Red Route are being monitored to see if it makes any difference. Only fatalities are counted in the assessments. Parish Council concerns have been forwarded to Dan Martin and N Cowling both SCC officers. Cllr Tully had been involved in meetings at a County level – Adsborough is campaigning for a crossing – he is trying to achieve speed reduction along the entire length of the A38 from Adsborough to Monkton Elms. He believes roundabouts will achieve the necessary reduction in speed, but at £400k per roundabout that is not likely to happen. There is concern that SCC is postponing all action under the umbrella ‘when the development comes’, but it will be at least 5 years before the development gets underway. The case needs to be put before the Highways Agency. Cllr Gage asked if a ‘Stop’ sign, replacing the ‘Give Way’ might assist matters – Cllr Tully said that he would put the matter forward. Noting that this has been a problem for at least 20 years, Cllr Cavill observed that it was always down to lack of funding. He suggested contacting Patrick Flaherty at SCC to push it, still under HFA funding. Cllr Reeves noted his comment in the Village News urged parishioners to write to SCC. Cllr Tully noted that every letter should be acknowledged. He stated that Cllr T Shire and Cllr Prior-Sankey share the transport portfolio on the County Council.

020/09 Camels Hump drainage
It was reported that L Warren recalled that before the pavement opposite Richards Crescent to the Prockters Farm junction was installed a storm drain had run along that side of the road. Whilst this may be adding to the problems, the main issue is that the culverts are getting blocked. They have been jetted a number of times. D Quick was reported as saying only 1/10th of the water is going through the Monkton Elm site. The general feeling is that the culvert is not big enough for the huge area from which the water is draining- all the area at the top of the hill by Woodballs through the pond at the bottom of Noah’s Hill, past the pub and down Blundells Lane. It was agreed to write to D Quick stating that since all possible options having been explored without resolving the problem would he please now consider the next step, take to the next level, with a possible solution being a double culvert. The forthcoming development must not be used as an excuse. A grill should be in place to stop the culvert blocking. Stream capacity is not an issue. Less than 10% of the catchment acreage is arable, so it is unlikely that panning is an issue. Nothing has changed upstream, but the flooding at Camels Hump has got worse. It is dangerous for vehicles leaving Monkton Heathfield, as the water lies just as the street lights finish so it is difficult to see and assess depth. D Quick reports that to offset the damaging effects to the road edge by longer buses, kerb stones will be installed at Milton Hill. ‘Dyers Lane’ street sign needs repair.

021/09 Report on quarry, boundaries of various areas within Parish.
A report on ownership of the Quarry had been prepared by the Clerk and circulated prior to the meeting. Historically, the quarry and an area at Burlinch were declared respectively a ’stone quarry and gravel pit’ for repair of roads and houses in the Parish but not for sale. The areas were registered as common land with no known owner, circa 1970. This is verified by the Registrar of Common Land at SCC. The Parish Council can therefore take such measures to make the areas safe under S45 of the Commons Registration Act 2006. Public liability of the Council’s insurance cover applies to works done in the quarry. Rospa Inspection is recommended by the insurers. It was suggested that the Parish Council may approach the developers and allow the ponds to be filled in by inert builders’ waste.
Boundaries of Conservation areas, AONB, and the Special Landscape were shown on maps registered under the Local Plan: although the Special Landscape area boundary has been moved slightly since the map was first published.

022/09 Allotments
Cllr Haskins reported that all but one tenant had paid the rent for the year 2009. He reported some adverse comment about the rent, but reviewing the situation, the Parish Council noted that due notice had been given and the tenants had been given to option of paying the bills incurred themselves and had declined that responsibility. The locking taps had not been fitted despite the plumber having been asked to do the job. The Clerk will try to find someone else to do the job, for both taps on the allotments.
One tenant is retiring at the end of 2009.
The Parish Council’s search for more land for allotments is ongoing.

023/09 Arrangements for Annual Parish Meeting 25th March 2009
The Primary School will do a presentation on ‘Improving our school environment’ led by the deputy head. Due to the age of the students they will be put first on the agenda. Cllr Ellis will confirm with the school. In view of the unsatisfactory way that the alleged drug abuse incidents on the top of Cherry Grove Hill were dealt with by the Police, it was agreed to invite the Police to give a brief report on their work in the Parish. Cllr Tully had similar lack of response to a call after a brick was thrown through his shop window. Cllr Tully will invite the Police to give a report. The Clerk confirmed that Katy Calvert will come to talk on Parish Plan. Cllr Reeves will give his annual report.

024/09 Official reports
Cllr Tully SCC: Cllr Tully produced the list of priorities on which the Meadway pedestrian crossing would feature. To be listed it would have to replace another project from the same sector, same value (£60K) same level of priority (medium). Note: list on file, available on request.
SCC Council tax increase will be 2.75%, and over the next two years, 2.5%.
Cllr Cavill TDBC: Budgeting was still in progress. Improper government funding of free bus travel continues to cause problems. The new government initiative for free swimming for over 60s and under 16s therefore has been greeted sceptically. The govt say they will fund for two years then withdraw. The Leisure sector is running into problems. The Brewhouse is in trouble – Arts Council funding was withdrawn because the programme was too commercial, not enough culture. So programme revised, more culture, resulting in smaller audiences, therefore loss of income, and no restoration of Arts Council funding. Budget proposals will be released next week; TDBC Council tax increase will be 2.75% or less.
Cllr E Waymouth TDBC reported that Project Taunton was going ahead but the terms of the contract have been renegotiated. The Core Council Review will result in redundancies, but savings will be made. There is also a need to restructure to fit all the partnership agreements entered into to avoid duplication e.g. SouthWest One. The five Districts will remain but back office savings will be made. Firepool time scales have changed but the infrastructure is going ahead. Taunton Deane has one of the highest Growth Point funding grants in the country. Castle Green will return to a green. At Longforth farm the infrastructure work is complete.

025/09 To consider Planning applications registered at TDBC

48/08/0069 Miss K Purchase Change of use of land to domestic cartilage at the rear of 41 St Quintin Park, Bathpool. Likely issues – none listed. Comment: The Parish Council supports this application.
48/09/0001 Mrs F Wadsley Erection of two storey extension and vehicular shelter at New Dawn Gotton, Cheddon Fitzpaine (resubmission of application 48/08/0046). Likely issues – none listed. Comment: The Parish Council supports this application.
48/09/0002 Mrs F Wadsley Erection of canopy to main entrance at renal unit Creech Castle Taunton. Likely issues – none listed. Comment: the Parish Council supports this application.
48/09/0003 Mrs J Moore Change of use of site to private hire minibus business amended plans to 48/07/0070 at 154 Bridgwater Road Taunton. Likely issues - none listed. The Parish Council comments that there should be a limit placed on the development of this site, to no more than 2 minibuses only. This represents the reasonable maximum use of the site.
48/09/0004LB Miss K Purchase Conversion of barn into art studio and alterations to outbuilding to form utility, toilet and study, all for private domestic use, at Blundells Farm, West Monkton. Likely issues – none listed. Comment: The Parish Council supports this application.

026/09Planning decisions made by TDBC
None received
Withdrawn
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.
48/08/0068LB Miss K Purchase Demolition of single storey extensions and erection of single storey and two storey extensions to the rear and re-opening of two windows in the front elevation of no’s 2 and 3 The Street West Monkton. Likely issues – none listed

027/09 To consider Communications as listed
Requiring action
Explore Somerset, Rights of Way improvement plan, information sheet to complete – Cllr Gage?
Taunton Deane Citizenship Awards 2009 (Note closing date is 6th Feb).
SALC Items of interest to Councillors and Clerks
- copy for each Councillor has been distributed. NB Powers of Well Being this is a very important piece of legislation which may change the way the Parish Council will conduct itself– details of information meetings on reverse of ‘Items of Interest’ page. Training sessions are being organised for Clerks as an extension of CiLCA, (also, later, for Councillors): it looks as if Qualification of the Clerk will be a requirement for a Parish to qualify under the terms of the Powers of Well Being.
-Severn Barrage proposals – Information event Tues 31ST March at Locking Village Hall – Clerk has details. Some Parishes on the coast of the Bristol Channel may be affected by the barrage.
For information
SCC – temporary road closure A38 4 nights from 23rd Feb 2009 for resurfacing.
DCLG Protected trees: a guide to tree preservation procedures. Three copies of booklet available.
Trading with SCC, TDBC, Avon and Somerset Police and Southwest One. Parish details lodged.
Heart of Somerset Events Feb 2009
Acknowledgement of S137 donations received from Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance Trust, Taunton and District CAB, Village News. Newsletter winter 2008 for Air Ambulance trust.
Safe in your community: providing for life. SCC booklet, three copies available.
Environment Flood Risk management calendar 2009
Public Transport Timetable – amendments from 1st Feb 09.
Somerset Rail Guide 2008/2009
Play equipment catalogue.
Deane Dispatch Jan15th.
SALC minutes of meeting of West Area held on 4th Dec 2008 at Crowcombe
Somerset Rural Youth project newsletter Spring 2009
028/09 To receive and approve receipts and payments, and Financial sheet
The financial sheet was distributed. Councillors’ attention was drawn to the reduced rates of interest, having an effect on monthly income. The items of expenditure were explained. Expenses included ink for the printer and trees for the ‘Plant a Tree’ initiative. Adoption of the receipts and payments sheet was proposed by Cllr Tully, seconded by Cllr Besley, and all agreed. It was resolved to approve the receipts and payments as described, Cllrs Tully and Besley signed the sheet and the Clerk and the Chairman signed the financial sheet.
Receipts
nil
Payments
Bus shelter cleaning for January
Mrs David £20.00
Bus shelter cleaning & litter picking for January
Ms M Newland £30.00
Miss A Kimber £20.00
Clerk’s salary for January £478.31
Clerks expenses 5th Oct 08 to 5th Feb 09 £155.60


Signed
Councillor.................................................................. Date..........................

Councillor.............................................................. ........ Date..........................

Rates on accounts

A & L (£5,000 - £49,999) until 1st to 8th Jan 2009 - 1%
A & L from 9th Jan to 31st Jan 2009 – 0.5%

Lloyds Business Instant Access (below£5000) 27th Oct to 9th Nov 08 2.00% Now 0.10%

029/09 Dates of the next meetings
Dates of forthcoming Parish Council meetings –11th March, 8th April, 13th May, 10th June, 8th July, 9th September, 14th October, 11th November 2009. Planning Committee meetings: 7.00pm in the Church Room on 12th August, 9th December.
Annual Parish Meeting 25th March 2009.

030/09Outstanding items
Allotments – search for extra land

Councillors were reminded that the Memorial Service for the late Councillor L Hardy will be at St Augustine’s Church in the afternoon of April 4th 2009

There being no further business the meeting ended at 9.57pm

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