The Minutes of the previous meeting (July 2009)

MINUTES OF MEETING OF HARDINGTON MANDEVILLE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 18th AUGUST 2009 AT 7.30PM AT THE VILLAGE HALL

Members were reminded that the Council has a general duty to consider the following matters in the exercise of any of its functions - Equal Opportunities (race, gender, sexual orientation, marital status & any disability); Crime & Disorder, Health & Safety and Human Rights.
Sharyn White, Temporary Parish Clerk

PRESENT

Peter Bysouth (Chairman), Malcolm White and Bill Turner.

IN ATTENDANCE

Liz Raymont (Parish Clerk), Cathy Bakewell (County and District Councillor) Lesley Boucher (District Councillor) and two members of the public.

  1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
    Apologies for absence were received from Robin Carpenter, Rob Lloyd and David Beckley.
  2. MINUTES OF MEETINGS HELD ON 21st July 2009 (Already Circulated).
    There were no amendments. The Minutes were signed as a true record.
  3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST.
    1. Malcolm White expressed a personal and prejudicial interest in item 8a.
  4. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
    1. BT Payphones. There had been no response regarding the repainting and cleaning of these Payphones. The Clerk was asked to pursue BT on this matter. If BT is not forthcoming it was resolved that the Lengthsman might be approached to carry out the refurbishment.
    2. Website Forum. It was discussed that each Forum could have its own moderator from that particular interest group. The Clerk will write to all Forum members asking them to nominate a moderator for each group.
  5. DISTRICT & COUNTY COUNCILLORS' REPORT
    Cathy Bakewell said that Flo Churchill was no longer the point of contact concerning the Local Development Framework and that Jo Wilkins had taken over the position. Cathy Bakewell and Lesley Boucher both commented that they had not received information regarding progress with the Core Strategy proposed for the Local Development Framework and would therefore prefer to delay any discussion on it until they have been brought up to date. They advised that they would email the Parish Council once they had any information to pass on.
    Lesley Boucher advised that the green wheelie bin system is to be reintroduced from the autumn for those that want it at an estimated cost of £42 a year. She advised that it would be fortnightly alternating with the black bins. She also said that the Flagship play area at Yeovil Recreation ground is being officially opened 19th August 2009.
  6. PLANNING MATTERS
    1. One planning application had been received after the publication of the agenda. Application no 09/03081/FUL for the conversion of existing garage into a self contained annexe and the erection of a conservatory at Woodlands Hardington Moor for Mrs A Marsh. The Council made no objections to the plans.
    2. Results of previous planning applications. None received.
    3. Application No 09/01408/LBC Erection of a single storey rear extension to dwelling house at Brookmead Moor Lane Hardington Mandeville for Mrs S Mazey. - Notice of Appeal: Mrs Mazey was appealing against the District Council’s refusal of this application. The Parish Council resolved to write a letter to the planning authorities in support of the application stating that the building already has an extension and therefore a further extension would be acceptable. They also stated that the intention to face the extension in natural stone would be an improvement on the current Bradstone exterior. They also wished to state that the extension would greatly improve the general facilities of the property and could not be seen from the road.
    4. Malcolm White brought it to the Council’s attention that Mr Small has a website advertising tower scaffolding for sale and showing the address as The Stables, Partway Lane, which may be deemed to be trading from the site. An individual who had collected scaffolding from the site recently had shed his load going up West Coker Hill and had been helped by a passing villager. The District Councillor noted that a one off sale might be acceptable. A member of the public also noted that 5 touring caravans were on the site when planning consent was only given for two. It was resolved that the Clerk write to Liz Arnold, the enforcement officer in the planning department of SSDC regarding both issues.
  7. RISK MANAGEMENT
    1. A letter from HM Revenue & Customs regarding payment of Clerk`s salary without deduction of national insurance or tax shall be obtained by the Clerk.
    2. Freedom of Information Model Publication Scheme – It was agreed this be kept on the agenda for new Clerk to deal with once she has settled in.
    3. Notice Board at Hardington Moor. After discussion it was agreed that the Council should get quotations to replace the notice board. Quotations will be obtained from 3 joiners. Specification:
      1. Made of hardwood
      2. Of a similar size to existing notice board
      3. Hinged opening lockable doors (not sliding as currently exists)
    4. The Chairman notified that no requests for an election to fill the current vacancy on the Parish Council had been received and therefore the council will need to co-opt an individual onto the council. As there is no procedure to cover this situation it was agreed that a notice will be placed in the Messenger asking for anyone interested in serving as a councillor to contact the Parish Clerk in writing.
    5. Change of bank signatures. No action until new Councillor can be included.
    6. Damage to seat at Nature Reserve. Rob White has kindly repaired the seat free of charge. The Clerk is to send a letter of thanks to Rob White for the excellent job that he has made of the seat.
  8. FINANCE
    1. A payment of £30.00 to Sharyn White for acting as temporary clerk. This could not be resolved as a quorum of Councillors was not available, Malcolm White having made a declaration of interest (3a)
    2. Recovery of VAT. This has not been carried out for the last 2 years due to the small values involved. It was resolved that the Clerk should make a claim for the recovery once up to speed with her new position.
    3. It was resolved that the Clerk should attend the Clerk’s workshop recommended by NALC at a cost of £15.00.
    4. Mandatory Councillor Training for Powers of Wellbeing. It was resolved that all Councillors should attend the training being offered in October at a cost of £20 each. An offer is available where the fifth councillor attends for free. The Clerk will contact all the Councillors who were not present to confirm that the date was acceptable and book places for them on the course.
  9. HIGHWAYS
    1. Rob Lloyd had asked the Chairman which tree was to be removed at Bendford Bridge. The Chairman produced a photograph of the affected area of the bridge and it was agreed that it was the tree on the west side. In addition, the Chairman had a photograph showing the crumbling stonework on the east side of the bridge itself. Although the Bridgeman from the local council has already inspected the stonework and deemed it to be sound, the Council felt that this was not the case and asked the Clerk to contact David Durrant, Highways Superintendent, to get the bridge inspected again.
    2. The signpost for Lyatts has been ordered but there is no further movement on this.
    3. We are still waiting for a response from the County Council on how to deal with the problem of the badger sett at Primrose Hill.
    4. National Highways Transport Survey. It was agreed that the Clerk and the Chairman would complete the survey on behalf of the councillors and return it before the end of August.
    5. There was no report from Rob Lloyd, the Highways Representative, as he was not present.
  10. FOOTPATHS
    1. Explore Somerset Website. There was no report as Robin Carpenter, Footpaths Representative, was not present.
    2. Replacement sign at Milcombe Farm. There was no report as Robin Carpenter, Footpaths Representative, was not present.
    3. A copy of a letter from Symonds and Sampson on behalf of Mr Patten at Grove Farm to South Somerset Bridleways Association, stating his objection to the changes suggested to the footpaths on his property, was read to the Council. A response from South Somerset Bridleways Association was also read stating that they enclosed a copy, for his information, of the Field Book entry which shows a bridleway running through his land.
    4. The Chairman read a letter from Phil Hunt regarding Blackhouse Lane, Common Lane & Coldharbour Lane, which was received in response to the Chairman’s letter of 30th July. Mr Hunt reiterated his objection to the proposed changes. A draft reply will be produced by the Chairman and circulated to the Councillors.
    5. There was no report from Robin Carpenter, the Footpaths Representative, as he was not present.
    6. Bill Turner reported that he had received a letter of complaint stating that footpath no Y9/2 is blocked due to a maize crop. He informed the Council that the crop would be cut on 19th August.
  11. PARISH LENGTHSMAN SCHEME
    1. A report of the work carried out in July had been circulated.
    2. The following work was required in August:
      1. All around the Village Hall generally needs tidying, including the passage to the side of the hall and the enclosed area to the rear.
      2. Blackhouse Lane to the top of the Conservation field also requires clearing as it has become very overgrown.
      3. Sign at Hardington Moor requires its black lettering.
  12. AFFORDABLE HOUSING
    1. The Chairman advised that he had not heard from the District Council regarding their Planning Officer’s visit to the potential site. The Clerk was asked to pursue this further.
    2. Community Land Trust. No action can be taken until the visit referred to in 12a has taken place.
    3. The Chairman advised the Council that he had been notified of a proposed reduction in the national indicative site size threshold for the provision of affordable housing to 15 dwellings. If the Council wish to make any comments regarding this proposal they should do so by 30th Sept 2009. The Council had nothing to comment on this.
  13. PROPOSED RECREATION FIELD
    1. The Chairman advised that he had not heard from the District Council regarding their Planning Officer’s visit to the potential site.
  14. PARISH PLAN
    1. An email was read out from Karen Clotworthy advising that the Village Hall Committee’s representative, John Gilmore, wished to address the Parish Council regards their progress with the Village Hall redevelopment. The Clerk advised the Council that he has been invited to address the September meeting. Karen also enquired about a Sustainable Communities Competition being run by Somerset Strategic Partnership. She was informed that the Council had decided not to pursue this as no specific project had been identified and the closing date was the end of September 2009. However it would be considered in the future if the competition was run again.
      The Clerk was also asked to invite James Divall Community Play Officer to speak about the Play Audit at the October meeting and Jo Wilkins Planning Officer to speak about the developments in the Core Strategy of the Local Development Framework at the November meeting
    2. Welcome Pack. There have been no further developments.
    3. Tree Planting. The Chairman had not yet had a reply from Francis Jones so the Clerk was asked to get an update from him on the potential sites for tree planting and also the arrangements for a survey of trees within hedges.
  15. CORRESPONDENCE
    1. The Chairman advised that he had received a letter from the County Council concerning an award to be given to individuals who have provided outstanding service to their communities. The Council said that it would consider any suitable candidates and the Clerk and the Chairman would complete the nomination form and circulate it.
    2. The Council has also received a notice requesting volunteers to stand as local school Governors. It was agreed that the clerk would put the notice on the notice board and mention it in the Clerk’s Report in the September Messenger.
  16. MATTERS OF REPORT & ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING
    1. The Chairman had nothing to report
    2. The Councillors inquired about progress with the letter to The Mandeville Arms. The Chairman advised that Nick Lunt was going to draft a letter and that he would chase it up.
    3. The Clerk had nothing to report.
  17. DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING & CLOSURE
    The next meeting will be on Tuesday 15th September 2009 at 7.30 pm. The meeting closed at 9.05 pm.

©
Hardington Mandeville
Parish Council
2010