April 2010

Minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council held on Wednesday 14th April 2010 at 7.30pm in the Committee Room, West Monkton Village Hall.
Present: Cllr Reeves (Chairman),Ellis, Day, Gage, Haskins, Tully, Besley
In attendance: Mrs P A Cavill, Clerk; Cllr Waymouth.

47/10 Apologies
Apologies were given from Cllr McCubbin (personal), and Cavill (business).

48/10 Adoption of the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 10th March 2010
The minutes of the meeting had been previously circulated, and it was resolved to adopt the minutes of the meeting on 10th March as a true record, proposed by Cllr Haskins, seconded by Cllr Day and all agreed.

49/10 Matters arising from the minutes: Clerk’s report
Clerk’s report, having been previously circulated, was noted.

The meeting was closed.
PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
• Bread Making Village – initiative by P Youd, assisted by B Neilsen. A popular series of bread making classes, the funding had now run out, so alternative sources were being sought. By email, P Youd had had the remit for PWB outlined to him, the benefit having to be economic, social and/or environmental.
• S Haskins reported the opening hours of the tip were not conducive to week day use, and closure at 5.00pm encouraged fly tipping. He was present when a queue of 22 cars was turned away at 4.50pm because the facility closed at 5.00pm.
• R Tully reported dissatisfaction at the noise from the Car Boot sale on Easter Sunday held at the secondary school.
• Speed Cameras are operating on Yallands Hill and A38.
• Surveyors had been seen measuring the corner of Milton Hill/A3259 where the kerb needs reinforcing.
• It was reported that gullies at New Cross are full and need to be cleaned out.
• It was suggested that a litter bin might be installed near the dog bin at the bottom of Yallands Hill in an attempt to reduce the litter problem on the stretch of road between the bottom of Yallands Hill and the Maidenbrook roundabout.
• Water leaking from the private land along the east side of Dosters Lane, which was running down the road, was reported to Wessex Water.

50/10 Items raised by the Public in Open Session
• An application for Bread Making funding will need to be made by P Youd/B Neilson.
• Cllr Waymouth will take up the matter of opening hours at SCC. It was generally agreed that later opening in the morning, thus allowing later opening in the evening would be conducive for users wishing to use the facility after work in the evening.
• The location of the Car Boot sale was a last minute change of venue, agreed with the school, and likely to be a ‘one-off’. Some concern was voiced by Councillors that Governors had not apparently been consulted about the decision. Although the responsibility rests with the school, Cllr Waymouth said she would raise the matter at County Hall.
• Speed cameras at Yallands Hill were welcomed, as part of the speed control measures being sought by the Parish Council, although it was noted that situating the camera car on Yallands Hill in the rush hour would be unlikely to obtain any results as the traffic was so congested it was unlikely to be more than 20mph. No progress report from D Grabham regarding SIDs, Clerk will enquire.
• Full gullies at New Cross will be reported.
• The suggested litter bin at the bottom of Yallands Hill would be within Cheddon Fitzpaine Parish, so the idea will be passed on to Nena Carter, Clerk.
• The response from Wessex Water regarding the leak flowing onto Dosters Lane, was that they were unable to do anything about the leak because it was on private land. Since the water had been responsible for icing up Dosters Lane in the winter, it was agreed to report the matter to SCC Highways, as the water will be damaging the road surface.

51/10 PWB Certificates
Certificates were distributed to Councillors who had successfully completed the PWB training.

52/10 Environment matters
1) The terms of the License for planting the layby opposite Thornash Close were read out. It was resolved to accept the terms of the licence, proposed by Cllr Tully, seconded by Cllr Ellis and all agreed. The licence was signed and will be returned to R Tyson at SCC.
2) Further discussion about the layby noted that the planting should be completed as soon as possible and the grass should be rolled then cut. It is anticipated that bulbs will be planted in autumn, and it was suggested that other roadside verges should be planted at the same time. It was suggested that a small sign should be put in the layby indicating that the Parish Council maintained the layby, and requesting use of the litter bin provided.
3) M Newland had reported that the roofs of the two bus shelters in this location need cleaning and graffiti needs removing from the interior of the bus shelter in the layby. Enquiries will be made to J Herrington.
4) Adverts for the circus had been posted on bus shelters etc, and amounted to fly-posting. The matter will be reported to TDBC.
5) After some discussion it was agreed to consider including the offer of ‘bat boxes’ to residents with the ‘Plant a tree Scheme’, if the Council decides to run the scheme again next autumn. Clerk will investigate ecofriendly suppliers and costs.
6) Allotments. Councillors had visited the site under consideration prior to the meeting: a site meeting with the SCC officer having already taken place. After some discussion, centred on the bullet points listed by S Briggs in his email to Cllr Waymouth on 26th March 2010, it was resolved that the Parish Council considered that part of the former play area owned by SCC is suitable for conversion into allotments and the Council resolves to investigate the feasibility and financial obligations associated with it. The resolution was proposed by Cllr Reeves, seconded by Cllr Gage and agreed unanimously. The Clerk will respond to S Briggs SCC. Cllr Haskins undertook to obtain some quotes for fencing, and Cllr Gage undertook to investigate costs of water extraction from the stream with Environment Agency. Hard core could be laid for a small car parking area for allotment holders. It was agreed that at this stage in proceedings, parking problems associated with the schools should not be included in the considerations. The flat area at the end of the site would appear at this stage in the investigations to be the most suitable, the site is likely to be fenced up to the footpath, and brambles removed adjacent to the school. The Primary School might be offered a plot. Grant support for investigations has been awarded from SCC Community Chest.
7) Correspondence from Mr Almond Secretary to Spital Allotments. The contents were considered. It was agreed that, as noted previously, the Parish Council public liability covers the paths on the allotment site and any unoccupied plots. It doesn’t cover occupied plots, nor does the Parish Council have any statutory power of enforcement.

53/10 Highways matters
It was agreed to check with PCSO Suzanne Murray to see if any residents were doing the speed camera training. Kingston St Mary Parish Council has a speed gun and maintains and calibrates it. KsM Parish Council is aware of West Monkton Parish Council’s interest in paying for a share of the use of the gun, if a team of WM residents is trained. Clerk will check.
D Grabham speed survey wires. Clerk will check on progress.
It was agreed to request from I Titcombe SCC, yellow background for the ‘Pedestrian crossing’ signs by the butchers/Hartnells Farm, to replace the current grey.

54/10 Annual Audit
The annual accounting statements having been circulated prior to the meeting, the Clerk explained the document and answered questions. It was resolved to approve and adopt the annual accounting statements, proposed by Cllr Besley, seconded by Cllr Ellis and all agreed. Copies of the annual statement of governance had been circulated prior to the meeting, and it was resolved to accept the statements made, proposed by Cllr Ellis, seconded by Cllr Day and all agreed.

55/10 Official Reports
Cllr Reeves reported that the Annual Parish Meeting had been well attended and a most interesting talk given by C Robinson from the Canal Wardens Service.
Cllr Waymouth reported on SCC matters.
She had met with representatives of the Crown Estate, together with Cllr Cavill and Webber, regarding plans for the Nerrols extension. Public consultation will follow - 19th May at Monkton Heathfield, Cheddon and Priors wood.
The corner at the top of Milton Hill has been reported, and surveying work commenced. Yew Tree close will have the ‘Keep Clear’ box repainted following resurfacing/pothole repair.
Remedial works have been done to correct the flooding outside Tanpits Farm, which were due to tree roots penetrating the drains.
Somerset hosting Olympic Torch. The terms laid down by the Olympic Committee and the money required by them were not acceptable as they did not represent good value for the people of Somerset. Negotiations are on-going.
Cllr Tully reported on the Village Hall extension. Progress is on-going and the 1st July completion date still holds. The amount of time it takes the screed floor to dry may influence final completion date.
Cllr Gage reported on footpaths. Kissing gates have been installed on the path between the Monkton Inn and Greenway, and at Cosseys Field.

56/10 Planning Applications registered at TDBC
48/10/0008LB Mr N Pratt: Internal alterations to the first floor to create two ensuite shower rooms at The Poplars 70 Bridgwater Road, Bathpool. Likely issues: no observations at present. Comment: The Parish Council has no comment.
48/10/0009 Mr D Addicott: Erection of extensions to convert a bungalow to a house and widen the driveway at Hillcrest, Yallands Hill, Monkton Heathfield. Likely issues: will assess impact on neighbours and visual impact on site. Comment: the Parish Council would consider the impact to the east only, which is a bungalow.
48/10/0010 Ms K Marlow: Erection of timber framed building measuring 6m x 12m for storage of machinery and feed, on land to the east of Pengotton (formerly Gotton Barns) Cheddon Fitzpaine. Likely issues: need to assess the size and location of the proposal in relation to existing buildings and open countryside. Comment: the Parish Council supports this application.
48/10/0012 Mrs S Melhuish: Erection of garage extension at 28 Greenway, Monkton Heathfield. Likely issues: assess the impact of the garage on site. Comment: the Parish Council has no comment.
48/10/0015 Mr D Addicott: Change of use of vacant Fitness First Centre to Veterinary Clinic at Creech Castle, Bathpool. Likely issues: will assess views from Highway Authority, should be suitable use given previous use as a gym, and temporary use for part of building for renal dialysis. Comment: the Parish Council supports this application.

57/10 Planning decisions made by TDBC
48/10/0004 Change of use from residential and restaurant to B1 business (offices) at The Poplars, 70 Bridgwater Road, West Monkton. Permission granted: an appropriate use for the buildings in this location; access satisfactory and parking provided; proposal does not adversely affect the character of the area; proposal is in keeping with Policies S1 (general), M1 and M3 (parking) of the TD Local Plan. Conditions: begin w/in 3 years; premises for B1 (a and b) and no other; existing access to The Poplars from the A38 to be permanently closed; parking spaces for 25 to be correctly consolidated etc; cycle rack for 5 cycles to be provided.
58/10 Communications
The list of communications received had been circulated prior to the meeting, and journals etc were distributed according to interest.

59/10 Receipts and Payments
The receipts and payments sheet had been circulated prior to the meeting. There was no financial sheet as the year end sheet was presented amongst the annual audit papers. It was resolved unanimously to authorise the payments, and the sheet was signed by the proposer Cllr Gage and the seconder Cllr Besley.
Receipts
nil

Payments
Bus shelter cleaning/litter picking for Mar 2010
Mrs David £20.00
Ms Newland £30.00
Miss Kimber £20.00
Clerks salary for Mar £351.74
HMRC March (month 11) £163.18
Landmark gardens (layby) £2013.58
TDBC dog bin emptying £541.02
SALC affiliation fee for 2010/2011 £591.72
Comm Cncl for Som sub for 2010/2011 £30.00
SALC Chairmanship training fee £20.00

It was agreed that the 5 cups currently held in a private dwelling house should be valued before the insurance policy was renewed for another year. Three other cups awarded at last year’s Flower Show are in private dwelling houses and should be valued once they are returned.

60/10 Dates of forthcoming Parish Council meetings second Weds of every month, 7.30pm Village Hall: 12th May, 9th June, 14th July, 8th Sept, 13th Oct, 10th Nov 2010. Planning meetings 11th Aug, 8th Dec – 7.00pm Church Room, Precept Working Party 16th Nov 7.00pm at Hill Farm 2010.

61/10 Outstanding items
Layby

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 10.00pm

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