September 2009

ADOPTED
WEST MONKTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council held on Wednesday 9th September 2009 at 7.30pm in the Committee Room, West Monkton Village Hall.
Present: Cllr Reeves (Chairman), Cllrs Tully, McCubbin, Cavill, Ellis, Day, Besley, Gage
In attendance: Mrs P A Cavill, Clerk; PCSO 9264 Suzanne Murray

126/09 Apologies
Apologies were received from Cllr Haskins (holiday).

127/09 Adoption of the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 8th July 2009, and Planning meeting on 12th August 2009
The minutes of the meetings having been previously circulated, it was resolved to adopt the minutes of the meeting on 8th July as a true record, proposed by Cllr Gage, seconded by Cllr Day and all agreed. It was resolved to adopt the minutes of the meeting on 12th August as a true record, proposed by Cllr Ellis and seconded by Cllr Cavill.

128/09 Matters arising from the minutes: Clerk’s report
Clerk’s report was noted.

The meeting was closed.
PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
It was reported that Cllr Waymouth was minded to distribute funds from her SCC Community Chest in support of specific projects, and West Monkton Parish Council could seek funding up to £3000 for a 50/50 funded project.
The safety of the Monkton Elm junction was raised again as SCC seems unable to produce a solution.
Andrew Cole has said that he is unable to continue to wash the finger post sign on the triangle on the Street.
The Monkton House footpath to the gate at Noah’s Hill has become very overgrown.
Report from PCSO Murray: thefts from cars in Monkton Heathfield have increased; and there has been an increase in crime in School Road (cables taken from new school building site, 2 vehicles broken into, scooter taken, incident in the shop).
Cllr Tully reported that cars are turning the wrong way into the one way system (next to Croft garage) at the top of Milton Hill.
The fly tipping situation is relatively quiet.

The Parish Council heard a presentation by Jenny Short on possible planting schemes for the lay-by beside the bus shelter opposite Thornash Close. Three options were explained, and Ms Short answered questions. The matter will be included on the October agenda for further discussion.

The meeting was reconvened.

129/09 Items raised by the public in open session
Discussion of funding from SCC Community Chest on a 50/50 basis for a particular project will be on the October agenda.
The Clerk will pass on suggestions to Somerset Highways to reduce speed of traffic at Monkton Elms junction: speed camera on dual carriageway, stop sign at the junction for traffic leaving A38 and turning into A3259.
The finger post is the responsibility of SCC highways, Mr Cole now finds the ladder too unsteady, S Rolls will do it whilst he is working on the K6 box. SCC will be informed.
PCSO Murray has asked for some information to be published in the Village News regarding safely parking vehicles in order to reduce theft from vehicles. Her name and contact information will be published in the Village News.
The Clerk will report wrong turning by Croft garage to SCC – ‘no left turn’ sign may be obscured.

130/09 Bulbs and other road side plantings
Parish Councillors volunteered to look after various areas: Cllr Cavill - Sidbrook cross roads; Cllr Reeves - triangle at The Street; Cllr Ellis will supply grape hyacinth and cyclamen bulbs, and primroses; Cllr Besley - Camels Hump; Cllr Gage – Greenway; Cllr McCubbin – Milton Hill bank. Councillors were requested to bring their requirements to the October meeting so Clerk can co-ordinate and purchase.
It was unanimously agreed to re-run the ‘Plant -a-Tree’ scheme again. A notice will be put in the Village News, with a form to complete as per last year.
This matter will be on the October agenda.

131/09 Allotments update
No report, Cllr Haskins not present.

132/09 K6 box
S Rolls is making good progress. He asked if the surround to the internal notice board should be oak (which would cost about £100.00). Parish Council decided that a cheaper hardwood should be sourced if at all possible. Mr Rolls asked for guidance regarding the fixing of the replacement glass panes. After some discussion it was resolved that the metal fixing frames should be purchased, for the three glass panes; proposed by Cllr Cavill, seconded by Cllr Besley and all agreed. Further discussion indicated that the rest of the panes will be left as they are for the time being, although the polycarbonate is marked it does not actually need replacing at this point in the project.

133/09 the Next Book to be produced
Cllr Ellis has collected ‘Village News’ and other clippings etc since the publication of the Millennium Book. The working title is ‘Ten years on – history in the making’; the proposed format is another A5 book. She has requested assistance in collecting photos and stories, celebrity obituaries, and other pertinent items. It was resolved to put a notice in the Village News and on the web site.

134/09 Official Reports
Cllr Day had attended a meeting of the Spital Trust, when the needs of the lady residents were considered.
Cllr Cavill reported that TDBC is undergoing the Core Council Review, so matters are under consideration.
Cllr Gage reported that Sam Jones, SCC Rights of Way Officer, is leaving but has promised to replace stiles with kissing gates at a number of sites before he leaves. Some other paths need clearing.
Cllr McCubbin reported that the organ recital at St John’s Church on Sat 12th October is part of the SCC Heritage Day celebrations.

135/09 Planning applications registered at TDBC
48/09/0030 Miss K Purchase Erection of an extension to Tyre Store at ATS 138 Bridgwater Road, Bathpool. Likely issues: Need to assess whether the proposed extension will have any adverse impact on the surrounding area. Comment: Assessment of fire hazard and impact on adjoining bungalow now – and the future Monkton Heathfield development which shows that more bungalows will be built to the rear of the ATS site.
48/09/0031 Mr D Addicott Erection of steel framed agricultural store age building at Quantock Farm, West Monkton. Likely issues: will assess on site, should be acceptable as adjoining existing building. Comment: PC supports this application.
48/09/0033T Mr D Galley Application to fell one ash tree and 2 false acacias and carry out management work to one magnolia tree within West Monkton Conservation area at Glebe Court and Glebe Court Lodge, West Monkton. Likely issues: the application will be assessed on site. Comment: the Parish Council supports this application.
4/48/09/0035 SCC Ms Karen Turvey Renewal of permission for a temporary classroom (unit E.630) located at the eastern edge of the campus. Comment: Parish Council supports this application.

136/09 Planning decisions made by TDBC
48/09/0029T Application to fell one walnut tree included in Taunton Deane Borough (West Monkton no 3) Tree Preservation Order 1998 at 64 Acacia Gardens Bathpool (TD777). Permission granted : complete w/in 2 years; replacement walnut tree to be planted w/in 3 months of felling, w/in 7 mtrs of felled tree. Landscape Technician to be informed when new tree planted.

137/09 Communications
Requiring Action
SALC Annual Report and Accounts 2008-2009, information about the Annual General and Area meetings Saturday Sept 26th at Woolavington Village Hall at 10.30am. Tickets which include lunch are £10.00 per person. Any Councillors wishing to attend please let Clerk know for the return of the reply slip.
For Information
Somerset Rail Guide 2009 (May to Dec)
Somerset County Councillors (June 09)
Rural Youth Newsletter Autumn 2009
SCSN Somerset’s Community Safety Newsletter Issue 9
Invitation to Annual General Meeting 2009 and Community Project Showcase of the Community Council for Somerset on Tuesday 15th Sept at 4.00pm at Burtle Village Hall
Deane Dispatch August 13th (as included in County Gazette)
The Playing Field summer 2009
Heart of Somerset Events September 2009
Glasdon street furniture catalogue

Recently received communications were distributed. Councillors will inform the Clerk if they can attend the SALC AGM.

138/09 Receipts and Payments and Financial sheet
Receipts
Nil
Payments
Bus shelter cleaning for August
Mrs David £20.00
Bus shelter cleaning & litter picking for August
Ms M Newland £30.00
Miss A Kimber £20.00
Clerk’s salary for August £348.27
HM Revenue and Customs (employers PAYE and NIC) £161.53
Clerks expenses £69.87
J Short landscape design £248.85
SALC training fees (Councillors - well being) £140.00
SALC training (Clerk – financial risk assessment) £15.00
West Monkton Village Hall room hire March – July09 £24.20
TDBC Red litter bin at The Street £282.98
SLCC membership for 2009/2010 £105.00
Moore Stephens Annual Audit for yr ended 31st Mar 2009 £155.25
TDBC Building Control Inspection ref VH extension application £652.05

The invoice received from TDBC for the Building Inspection relating to the proposed Village Hall extension was discussed, and reference made to the subsequent letter from TDBC requesting that further inspections should take place as the building progresses. The original arrangement with the Village Hall Management committee was that the Parish Council would be the agent for the application, but no undertaking to pay any costs was entered into. Accordingly, it was resolved to pay the invoice received with a very clear statement to the Village Hall Management Committee that no further invoices would be paid and a request that the contact information at TDBC should be corrected. The resolution was put by Cllr Besley, seconded by Cllr Gage and all agreed. Cllr Tully abstained because he is on the Finance Committee of the Village Hall.

The financial sheet was explained, including a comparison of budget versus actual. It was resolved to make the payments as shown, proposed by Cllr Ellis, seconded by Cllr Besley and all agreed. Cllrs Ellis and Besley signed the payments sheet.

139/09 Dates of forthcoming meetings
Dates of forthcoming Parish Council meetings: 14th October, 11th November 2009, with a Planning Committee meeting at 7.00pm in the Church Room on 9th December. It was agreed that meetings should continue to be on the second Wednesday of every month, with a Planning Committee Meeting replacing Full Council in August and December. Dates for 2010 are to be confirmed and Village Hall booked.

There being no further business, the meeting was closed at 9.48pm.

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