April 2009

ADOPTED
WEST MONKTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council held on Wednesday 8th April 2009 at 7.30pm in the Committee Room, West Monkton Village Hall.
Present: Cllr Reeves (Chairman), Cllrs Haskins, Day, Ellis, Gage, Tully, Cavill, Besley.
In attendance: Mrs P A Cavill, Clerk; Cllr E Waymouth (TDBC) attended.

049/09 Apologies
There were no apologies. N Perris tendered his resignation, received 7th April 2009, and did not attend.

050/09 Adoption of the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 11th March 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 Day and all agreed.

051/09 Matters arising from the minutes: Clerk’s report
The Clerk’s report having been previously circulated, was noted.
Further to the email received from D Quick SCC Highways, it was agreed to take forward the planting around the bus shelter opposite Thornash Close. D Quick will be consulted re planting bulbs and wildflowers of road verges.

The meeting was closed.
PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
• It was noted that the joint funding from SCC/TDBC for the Village Hall Annex had been granted.
• It was reported that the gulleys at Camels Hump are full, the matter has been reported to D Quick.
• The planters maintained privately at Goosenford have not been planted up yet.
• The member of the public seen cutting overhanging hedgerows at the bus stop opposite the Farriers Green bus shelter was thanked for their public spirited gesture.
• Could the verges and roadside areas be planted with wildflowers and bulbs?

The meeting was reconvened.

052/09 Items raised by the public in Open Session
• The state of the planters at Goosenford will be watched.
• D Quick will be consulted re planting bulbs and wildflowers of road verges.

053/09 Power of Well Being
Four Councillors had attended the presentation for Councillors given by Peter Lacey (SALC) at Fivehead. The paper of the power point presentation was distributed to all councillors and explained by Cllr Reeves. The pros and cons of joining the scheme were discussed. It was agreed that to become certified was not a step to be taken lightly, as it put much more responsibility to the Council; but the overall impression was that there were likely to be more advantages in being part of it than not. It was resolved to go ahead with the scheme, proposed by Cllr Gage, seconded by Cllr Haskins, seven voted in favour, there was one abstention.

054/09 K6 Phone Box
There will be a meeting at the box at 7.00pm on Weds 15th April to determine what needs to be done to the Box. A red litter bin will be identified to replace the broken one presently adjacent to the Box. The Quantock Hill AONB will be contacted re information facility.

055/09 Official reports
Cllr Tully reported that business was quiet at SCC due to impending elections. He advised the Council that the Parish Path Liaison Officer (M Ellis) is entitled to a high visibility jacket and a pair of secateurs.
Cllr Cavill reported from TDBC that deregistration of some employment land is being considerd. In response to a question from Cllr Haskins it was noted that TDBC is looking for suitable additional employment sites. Project Taunton is likely to complete with the developer in the near future. Cllr Waymouth added that the Core Council Review is going through, some staff opted for redundancy, some have become more secure. R Willoughby-Foster and R Mitchinson have been re-appointed. The first tranche is finished. The archway at Cashford Gate has been given its planning permission to become a garage (issues about flying freehold and who owned land on which archway stood). Pioneer Somerset is moving along – it is about behind the scenes service provision so not really in the public eye, but resulting in increased efficiency. This produces the savings required by government.
Cllr Day reported that she had attended a meeting of the Spital Trust on 31st March 2009 when confidential matters relating to the lady residents were discussed. The next meeting is in September.

56/09 Planning Applications registered at TDBC
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 as amplified by additional block plan received 17 March 2009. Likely issues – none listed. Comment: The Parish Council supports this application.
48/09/0010 Miss K Purchase Erection of a double garage at Tanglewood, West Monkton. Likely issues – none listed. Cllr Tully declared personal interest. The Parish Council supports this application.
48/09/0013 Mrs F Wadsley Construction of a manege and diversion of access at Oaklands Goosenford Cheddon Fitzpaine. Likely issues: landscape impact of scheme needs to be assessed. Cllr Tully declared personal interest. The Parish Council supports this application conditional on the use of the manege remaining purely for personal use and not for commercial use. Although the details of the application indicate that lighting is not applicable the Parish Council, having regard to the proximity of neighbouring properties, wish to note that if lighting/flood lighting for the manege is to be considered then it must be low intensity and down shielded to prevent pollution of the night sky.
48/09/0014 Mrs J Moore Demolition of four agricultural buildings and erection of two single storey office buildings with associated parking at Prockters Farm, Blundells Lane, West Monkton. Likely issues: The impact of the proposal on existing highways, visual amenity/landscape and ecology need to be carefully assessed against policies. Cllr Besley declared personal and financial interest and remained in the room to answer questions then left whilst the matter was considered. Comment: the Parish Council supports this application.

57/09 Planning decisions made by TDBC
48/09/0002 Erection of canopy to main entrance at Renal Unit Creech Castle Bathpool Taunton. Permission granted - no harm to visual or residential amenity and not adversely affecting the character of the Listed Building, not conflicting with Taunton Deane Local Plan policies S1 (General requirement) and S2 (Design) and PPG15. Begin w/in 3 years and use materials specified.
48/09/0003 Change of use of site to private hire minibus business (amended plans to 48/07/00070) at 154 Bridgwater Road Bathpool, Taunton. Permission refused: the introduction of a minibus business of the nature proposed here, by reason of potential noise and disturbance and adverse visual impact, would have an unacceptable detrimental effect on neighbouring residential properties, contrary to the provisions of Taunton Deane Local Plan Policies S1 (General Requirements) and S2 (Design). Planning Committee requested to authorise enforcement action to secure cessation of unauthorised uses.
48/09/0004/LB Conversion of barn into art studio and alterations to barn to form utility toilet and study, all for private use, at Blundells Farm West Monkton. Permission granted: works will maintain the historic character of Grade 11 listed Building, therefore in accord with PPG15 and Policy 9 of Somerset and Exmoor National Park Joint Structure Plan Review. Begin w/in 3 years; no start until strategy in place for development of breeding birds; use approved materials; minimal intervention; details of windows, doors, skirtings, rainwater, staircase, balustrade, roof venting and finished treatment for joinery, to be approved before commissioning.
48/09/0007 Construction of loft conversion incorporating dormer to rear elevation, erection of conservatory to rear and new porch to front at 148 Bridgwater Road, West Monkton as amended 5th and 11th March 2009. Permission granted - extensions do not compromise character of the property or result in harm to the street scene, no adverse impact on amenities of occupiers of neighbouring properties; so proposal is in accord with Policies S1, S2 and H17 (Extensions to Buildings) of TDBC Local Plan.. Begin w/in 3 years, use materials specified.
48/09/0008. Erection of conservatory, permission granted.

58/09 Communications
The list of communications having been previously circulated was noted. Various communications were distributed.
Requiring action
SLCC Regional Conference at Plymouth 13th May 2009. Agenda includes: Local empowerment, Managing Assets, HR issues, Modern allotments, Good Practice, Innovations. Cost per delegate £45.00 (three delegates same council £115). Clerk seeks approval to attend, any others?
Quotation for emptying three dog bins twice weekly £2.25 +VAT. Accept quotation? There are no other businesses in Taunton Deane providing this service.
The Second Taunton Area Transport Strategy Reveiw. Not a formal consultation but feedback and thoughts can be made on feedback form by 3rd April 2009.
For information
Change of address: Spital Trust Clerk, Mrs Lesley Webb now at 148 Bridgwater Road.
‘Heart of Somerset Events’ April 2009
Guidelines from Diocese of Bath and Wells re Memorial Safety in Burial Grounds. Pass on to Parochial Church Council?
Change to bus service 624 and 626. Now running as a Slinky bus – so 24 hour booking required. No charge for holders of free bus passes. (Thanks to Cllr Day for raising the question).
Details for Recycling and Refuse collections from Somerset Waste Partnership. Details have been put onto web-site.
From Strategic Procurement Service – procurement information regarding Avon and Somerset Constabulary, SCC, TDBC, Somerset Leisure Ltd and Southwest One.
From SCC and TDBC – regarding enquiries. Service will soon be jointly managed, and information about caller to be logged centrally for quick response subsequently.
Promoting the June 2009 elections – County election and European on 4th June.
After some discussion it was resolved to support the Clerk in attending the SLCC Regional Conference at Plymouth on 13th May, by paying the conference fee, and unanimously agreed.
After some discussion it was resolved to accept the quotation by TDBC for emptying three dog bins twice weekly +VAT for the year ahead, and unanimously agreed.

59/09 Annual Accounts and Annual Return
The Clerk explained the Annual Accounts. Following her explanations it was resolved to adopt the annual accounts, proposed by Cllr Tully, seconded by Cllr Ellis and agreed unanimously. The Clerk then explained the Annual Governance Statement. The annual governance statement was approved by the Council, proposed by Cllr Ellis and seconded by Cllr Besley, and unanimously agreed.

60/09 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 H Ellis, seconded by Cllr Day and all agreed. The financial sheet was signed by the Chairman and the Clerk.
Receipts
nil
Payments
Bus shelter cleaning for March
Mrs David £20.00
Bus shelter cleaning & litter picking for March
Ms M Newland £30.00
Miss A Kimber £20.00
Clerk’s salary for March £478.31
SALC Cilca Module training £40.00
TDBC Supply install and empty 3 dog bins for 2008/09 £1405.61
SALC affiliation fee for 2009/10 £594.06
Comm Council for Somerset annual subscription £30.00

61/09 Dates of forthcoming meetings
Dates of forthcoming Parish Council meetings –13th May, 10th June, 8th July, 9th September, 14th October, 11th November 2009. Planning Committee meetings: 7.00 pm in the Church Room on 12th August, 9th December.

048/09 Outstanding items
Allotments – search for extra land. No further progress to report

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.40pm.

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