11th March 2009

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

031/09 Apologies
There were no apologies.

032/09 Adoption of the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 11th February 2009
The minutes of the meeting having been previously circulated, it was resolved to adopt the minutes of the meeting on 11th February 2009 as a true record. Proposed by Cllr Ellis, seconded by Cllr Cavill and all agreed.

032/09 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
• The member of the public asked about the culvert at Prockters Farm, the water is not going away.
• Speed control of the lorries coming into Monkton Heathfield was suggested.
• Traffic on car boot days at Prockters causes difficulties with cars parking on the verges.
• Concern expressed about local businesses going into liquidation in the current financial crisis.
• Tarmac is breaking up around some manhole covers in the area: at 30mph limit on Yallands Hill; on Meadway close to the junction with A3259; half way up Meadway opposite 55 Greenway.
• Litter: fridge in layby at top of Cherry Grove Hill, on footpath between School Road and A38.
• Damage to bus shelter could have been caused by an air rifle, as centre of each impact point has a small hole. Other acts of vandalism reported; fencing on gardens of houses on Milton Hill triangle; dog bins emptied in Maidenbrook; rowdy behaviour in Greenway after pub closes.
• Laurel hedge at Marlows overhanging the highway again possibly because of snow.
• Dead elms have fallen on the side of the carriageway on the A38.

The meeting was reconvened.

033/09 Items raised by the public in Open Session
• Culvert at Prockters Farm: Cllr Besley explained that the culvert is not straight and blockages occur at the bend. A grid has been fitted, if that doesn’t work the culvert will be straightened. The storm drain was filled in when the footpath was installed. If blockages continue, SCC has said they would put it as high priority. The Parish Council determined to monitor the situation and keep up the pressure to get the problem solved.
• Speed control: all part of the ongoing problem of the A38/Dosters Lane junction/A3259. It was agreed to request the police to do speed checks on the approach into Monkton Heathfield from the A38 so that statistics can be passed to SCC.
• Traffic on car boot days: the police advice is that members of the public (including car boot organisers) should not get involved in traffic directing. There are issues about public liability insurance.
• The breaking up tarmac around potholes will be reported to SCC Highways.
• Litter will be reported to the Litter hotline at TDBC. The litter hotline will be published in the Village News.
• Damage and vandalism will be reported to PC S Curtis.
• The owners of Marlows will be contacted about the overhanging laurel trees.

034/09 To consider Parish Grants S137 for 2009/10
After some discussion it was agreed to support Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance Trust £100; Taunton and District Citizens Advice Bureau £150.00; and Village News £100.00. It was resolved to support the three, proposed by Cllr Cavill, seconded by Cllr Tully and all agreed.

035/09 To note annual rental for Spital Allotments and Bus shelter
It was noted that the rental in 2009/2010 for the allotments will be £15.00 and for the bus shelter £25.00.

036/09 To note and approve the SALC subscription for 2009/2010
It was reported that the subscription for the year ahead would be £594.06 at a rate of £5.14 per elector. It was agreed that SALC membership represents good value for money. It was resolved to approve the SALC subscription, proposed by Cllr Ellis, seconded by Cllr S Haskins ad all agreed.

037/09 Progress report on BT phone box – Adopt-a-kiosk
The adoption papers have been signed by BT and the Parish Council. The MPAN will be sent by Western Power to EDF energy. Various ideas for the use to which the box will be put were discussed, and it was agreed to put a notice in the Village News to seek ideas, from residents of the Parish. It was agreed to set up a working party to determine what restoration measures would be needed, Cllr Gage will lead the working party and will report back to the April meeting of the Parish Council.

038/09 Climate Change initiative 2008/09
It was noted that all the light bulbs had been distributed bar the screw fitted ones. A total of 12 trees had been given away to Parish residents. It was agreed to close the climate change initiative for this year. The matter will be discussed at the Parish Council meeting in July to assess what climate change measures could be supported in 2009/2010.

039/09 Quarry – next steps
A number of options were considered. It was agreed that come the time it might be possible to accept inert waste from the Builders of the MH development in order to fill in the quarry and make it safe. In the interim enquiries will be made at Persimmon and Viridor.

040/09 Arrangements for Annual Parish Meeting 25th March 2009
It was agreed the Clerk should contact the Primary School to check their presentation.
Katy Calvert from Community Council to talk about Parish Plan has been confirmed. Also confirmed, reports will be given by Rev Boucher, Police, and Chairman of Parish Council. It was agreed that refreshments should be served – Clerk to check kitchen is available.

041/09 Official reports
Chairman Cllr J Reeves reported on the recent workshop ‘Powers of WellBeing’ attended by four Councillors and the Clerk. The empowerment the Act gives was noted, together with the conditions to self-certify. It was agreed to distribute copies of the power point presentation to all Councillors and have a discussion at the April meeting of the Parish Council.
Cllr R Tully – nil report from SCC
Cllr N Cavill – report from TDBC. Budget setting had happened that day; 0% increase has been achieved. It had been agreed that Council house rents would go up 6.2%, despite recommendation from TDBC Officers for an increase of 6.99%. However, government has decreed the rent increase will be no more than 3.1% across the country, so the future is yet to be determined. On 25th April there will be a moratorium because of the elections committees will cease until 4th June. On fourth day after the election the new administration will take over.
Cllr B Gage – queried the SCC/TDBC grant for the Village Hall as nothing had been heard. Apparently a decision is expected by end of March. Cllr R Tully will find out.
Cllr Gage reported on the stables at the top of Noah’s Hill. He had consulted John Hardy TDBC Enforcement Officer. The owners have stated the gates and fence are for security, and the hardcore is needed for lorry access. J Hardy stated that no further action would be taken unless there are further complaints, then a retrospective planning permission would be sought. It was reported that on the site there have been 2 lorries, 2 scrap cars, 3 trailers and other miscellaneous vehicles. It was considered this was more than just agricultural use. Change of use would have to be applied for following retrospective planning permission. It was noted that the barn was given permission for agricultural use in perpetuity; the field is outside the development line; there is a history of refusals on the site; the style and design are not in keeping with the agricultural permission given for the barn; the security aspect is not relevant since the vehicles on the site are not in keeping with the agricultural use. After some discussion it was resolved to go back to John Hardy to seek further action, proposed by Cllr N Cavill, seconded by Cllr H Ellis, and all agreed.
Cllr Ellis reported a visit by the Primary School to Blaise Castle, exploring the Victorian theme. Rev Boucher accompanied the trip, with her, in Victorian costume.

Councillor Perris left at 9.30pm.

042/09 To consider Planning applications registered at TDBC
48/09/0005 Miss K Purchase: Erection of a single storey double garage in rear garden of Wisteria Cottage A, Monkton Heathfield, West Monkton. Likely issues – none listed. Comment: The Parish ouncil gives overall support for the proposal as it is safer access to a garage than from the A3259. The proposed construction overhangs the boundary wall, leaving no room for maintenance – this should be amended.
48/09/0006 Miss K Purchase: Change of use and enclosure of open archway to private garage at 51 Cashford Gate Taunton. Likely issues – none listed. Not WMPC.
48/09/0007 Officer not identified: Construction of loft conversion incorporating a dormer to the front and rear elevations and a new porch at 148 Bridgwater Road, West Monkton. Likely issues – none listed. (see email sent to K Purchase 13/3/09)
48/09/0008 Mrs S Melhuish: Erection of a conservatory at 42 Acacia Gardens Bathpool, West Monkton. Likely issues – none listed. Comment The Parish Council supports this application.
48/09/0009 Miss K Purchase: Change of use of land to domestic cartilage at the rear of the property at 42 St Quintin Park, Bathpool, West Monkton. Likely issues – no comments to make at this time. (see email sent to K Purchase 13/3/09)
Dear Miss Purchase
The planning application for the erection of extension to detached garage at Lyndhurst, Milton Hill, West Monkton 48/09/0011 arrived by post this morning 12th March.
The Parish Council met yesterday, and whilst informed of the application, because you had sent an email to Cllr N Cavill, there was no paper version with plans etc. As such, the Parish Council felt unable to make any comment.
The Parish Council will not meet again until 8th April. There seems to be a gap between 6th March, the date on the application, and the date of receipt by the Parish Clerk of some 6 days. The date on the envelope, franked by TDBC, is 11th March. Accordingly, there is no way that comments can be returned to you within 21 days of the date on the letter.
I wish to record on the file that this absence of comment does not allow the assumption to be made that the Parish Council has no comments to make. The Parish Council will consider this application on 8th April and the observations will be sent to you by email next day.

The application 48/09/0012 is similarly 'out of kilter', posted on the 11th March and received this morning. Because of an email sent by you to the Borough Councillor, the Parish Council in this instance was able to consider this application because it is a resubmission of 48/08/0069, which was to hand, together with the reasons for its refusal by TDBC including the inappropriate 1.8m fence. The detail about the proposed fence had not been included in the papers provided to the Parish Council with application 48/08/0069. So the first application, (48/08/0069) in the absence of information about the height and nature of the fence, was supported by the Parish Council. On considering the reasons for the refusal of this application the Council was minded to object to the resubmission, on the grounds of the inappropriate fencing. However, the documentation received this morning included copies of correspondence with Ian Clarke Heritage and Landscape Manager at TDBC about a proposed hedge planting, so I believe that the Parish Council will wish to reconsider this application. Hopefully by the time they meet on 8th April they will be in possession of all the facts pertinent to this application. I would be grateful therefore that you will not assume that the Parish Council has no observations to make, because I shall send the observations to you, as always, the day after the Parish Council meeting.

The amended drawings for application 48/09/0007 also arrived this morning. The comments made by the Parish Council were based on the original drawings which of course now become superfluous. The comments were: 'the Parish Council objects to this application because it is not in keeping with the nature and design of the original building, it is out of proportion with the existing dwelling, and with its neighbours'. The amendments are significant - removal of the front dormer, and addition of a rear conservatory - and I believe the Parish Council would wish to consider the application with the amended drawings when it meets on April 8th. I will send the observations to you by email the next day.

I appreciate that you have deadlines to meet, but when the applications arrive a day or two after the Parish Council has met, then the 21 day deadline required by TDBC becomes impossible to meet, because the Parish Council meets on a monthly cycle. This is quite frustrating, particularly in the case of 48/09/0011, as the 'lost' six days meant that the application could not be considered properly and in due time.

Yours sincerely
Tricia Cavill
Clerk

043/09 Planning decisions made by TDBC
48/08/0069 Change of use of land to domestic curtilage at the rear of 41 St Quintin Park, Bathpool. Application refused.

045/09 To consider Communications as listed
Items of communication, the list having been previously circulated, were distributed as appropriate.
Requiring action
Taunton Deane Council for Voluntary Service nomination form, deadline 9th April 2009.
For information
Taunton Town Charity Sheltered Accommodation – information leaflets for distribution, who is eligible and how to apply.
Traffic Regulation Orders on the A358, part of the east Taunton Park and Ride Scheme: Speed limit, banned right turn, yellow box markings.
Town and Parish Standard Issue no 4 Feb 2009.
Somerset Matters CPRE Spring newsletter and Annual Report
Lexis Nexis Patersons Licensing Law Conferences Gambling Law 12 May, Licensing Law 13 May London
The Playing Field Winter newsletter
Parish Council insurance – Came and Co/Norwich Union – publicity flyer
Posters supporting SCC ‘Investing in Somerset’.
Deane Dispatch Feb 12th.
It was agreed that information regarding Digital switch over would be put on the web site.
046/09 To receive and approve Receipts and Payments and Financial sheet
The receipts and payments sheet having been previously circulated was agreed. The financial sheet was explained and agreed. It was resolved to approve the receipts and payments sheet and the financial sheet, proposed by Cllr B Gage, seconded by Cllr Haskins and all agreed. The financial sheet was signed by the Chairman and the Clerk.
Receipts
Allotments rents £275.00

Payments
Bus shelter cleaning for February
Mrs David £20.00
Bus shelter cleaning & litter picking for February
Ms M Newland £30.00
Miss A Kimber £20.00
Clerk’s salary for February £478.31
Room Hire (Village hall Oct – Feb) £17.35
TDBC replacement litter bin at The Stores School Rd £207.00
Ashley Gold Notice-It ltd (Farriers Green) £298.00

047/09 Dates of forthcoming meetings
Dates of forthcoming Parish Council meetings – 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.

048/09 Outstanding items
Allotments – search for extra land

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 10.10pm.

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