The Minutes of the previous meeting (January 2010)

MINUTES OF MEETING OF HARDINGTON MANDEVILLE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON 16th FEBRUARY 2010 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.
Liz Raymont, Parish Clerk

PRESENT

Peter Bysouth (Chairman), Robin Carpenter, Bill Turner, David Beckley, Rob Lloyd and Rose White.

IN ATTENDANCE

Liz Raymont (Parish Clerk), Lesley Boucher (District Councillor), Cathy Bakewell (District and County Councillor) and 2 members of the public.

Before the meeting commenced there was an opportunity for the public to speak.

Mr Ron Ahern reported the giant pot hole at the junction of Cott Hill and Broad Lane.

  1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
    Received from Malcolm White.
  2. MINUTES OF MEETINGS HELD ON 19th January 2010 (Already Circulated).
    1. Cathy Bakewell asked that minute 11b) be amended to say ‘It was noted that the delivery of ‘Rights of way’ will be moved from SSDC back to Somerset County Council with effect from 1st April 2010.’ The Minutes were then signed as a true record.
  3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST.
    Peter Bysouth declared a personal and prejudicial interest in item 9a.
  4. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
    1. It was noted that acknowledgment received from David Laws re Sustainable Communities Act Amendment Bill.
    2. It was noted that acknowledgment received from Mike Fear regards the request for extension of gritting route along to A30 at Elliott’s Hill.
  5. DISTRICT & COUNTY COUNCILLORS' REPORT
    Lesley Boucher reported that SSDC will be setting its budget at the next full council meeting and that a recommended 2% increase in Council Tax will be put to the council. She also noted that some recycling facilities at local supermarkets had been withdrawn due to vandalism, inappropriate recycling and the rising cost of supporting this facility. It is hoped that from the autumn kerbside collection of plastics and cardboard will commence. Negotiations are currently underway with Somerset Waste Partnership. She asked that a note to this effect be placed in the Messenger.

    Cathy Bakewell reported that the County Council is considering a zero budget increase for the next 3 years. However £500k has been set aside to deal with potholes and road degradation caused by the recent cold weather. She also noted that it is the council’s intention to reduce the social care budget by £2.5m. This will be achieved by reneging on a previously agreed 2.9% uplift promised to providers of social care and renegotiating a 0.9% increase. She also stated that the Community Budgets given to County Councillors have been abolished. The Lengthsman scheme will not be affected this year. The proposed cuts can be viewed on the SCC website.

  6. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
    1. A planning application was received after publication of the agenda. Application no. 10/00332/FUL The stationing of a temporary agricultural workers mobile home and the erection of a 6.5m high wind turbine at Woodentop Farm, West Coker Hill, West Coker, Yeovil, Somerset. The Council unanimously resolved to object on the grounds that the business plan submitted by the applicant did not provide adequate evidence to show that the agricultural business proposed is viable and sustainable. However they have no objection to the proposed wind turbine.
    2. No results of previous applications had been received.
    3. Cluster workshops 4th March 2010. It was decided that as there is no proposed development for Hardington Mandeville that no councillor would attend.
  7. PARISH PLAN
    1. Village Hall Redevelopment – The Clerk gave details of the grants that may be available. (See separate sheet) It was noted that the Parish Council cannot apply, however the Village Hall Committee can. Rose White agreed to attend the next Village Hall Committee meeting and ask them to draw up plans for renovations and proceed with grant applications as appropriate.
    2. Proposed Recreation Ground at North Lane – Report from RG working party (see separate minutes). Vanessa May reported that, following a successful meeting with Steve Barnes (SSDC Play and Youth Facilities Officer), the next step is to make a planning application for the proposed recreation field at North Lane and in order to do this a plan of the site using the Ordnance Survey maps is required. Bernard White has offered to draw up such a plan free of charge, subject to payment of any expenses incurred. The Clerk presented the estimated cost of ongoing maintaining of the site which was considered.

      Robin Carpenter proposed that the Council accept Mr White’s offer. Rose White declared a personal interest. Proposal seconded by David Beckley. Carried unanimously.

      Rose White proposed that the Council make an application for change of use of the lane at North Lane to a recreation ground. Seconded by Peter Bysouth and carried unanimously.

      The Clerk was asked to keep Mr Kong informed of developments and include this in her Messenger report, and also to obtain a planning application form.

    3. The Play Audit Report. The Clerk noted that the Council has not considered all the recommendations of the report. Following a general discussion it was felt that the Council should concentrate on the recreation ground project. However the Clerk agreed to approach SSDC Play Officer with a view to running courses during the Easter holidays similar to those offered in 2009. Rose White offered to approach a local ‘Forest Schools’ teacher to see whether she could offer courses during the Easter break.
    4. Welcome Pack. Peter Bysouth offered to look at this and other outstanding areas from the Parish Plan.
  8. RISK MANAGEMENT
    1. Freedom of Information Model Publication Scheme – The Clerk agreed to Contact SALC to establish what is required.
  9. FINANCE
    1. PCC donation £120. Proposed Robin Carpenter. Seconded Bill Turner. Agreed unanimously. Clerk instructed to raise a cheque.
    2. Messenger donation £120. Proposed Peter Bysouth. Seconded Rob Lloyd. Agreed unanimously. Clerk instructed to raise a cheque.
    3. The Clerk's hours for January 2010 were noted as 21.25 hours.
  10. HIGHWAYS
    1. Grit bins – Reply from East Chinnock PC refusing to pay for the proposed grit bin was noted. No further action to be taken at this time. Will review this following decision of Highways Agency over the extension of the gritting route to include Elliott’s Hill.
    2. Litter Pick – The Clerk reported that Saturday 13th March 2010 had been booked for litter pick. The Clerk was asked to include this in the Messenger and to carry out a risk assessment. Peter Bysouth agreed to collect the litter picking equipment from the SSDC depot.
    3. Rob Lloyd handed the Chairman a letter stating his intention to resign as a parish councillor from 28th February 2010. However he is still happy to act as the highways representative. The Parish Council thanked Rob for all his hard work and enthusiasm during his time on the council and that his resignation will be a great loss to them.

      The council resolved to issue a notice, asking for requests for an election be submitted to SSDC, be issued 1st March 2010. This will be placed in the Messenger, on the website and on the notice boards.

    4. Report from Rob Lloyd, the Highways Representative.
      1. Highways have agreed to install a drain on the High Street to deal with the problem of ice forming during the cold weather.
      2. The flood on the ridge road above the conservation ground will be looked at.
      3. He reported that Ray Turner has dug some gullies along North Lane diverting the road water into the ditches and this appears to be working. Highways have agreed to apply hot tar and chippings to North Lane in order to improve the road surface.
      4. Highways have agreed to unblock the blue pipe at the junction of Partway Lane and Hill End but have noted that the blue pipe that has been installed by the farmer appears to be too small to cope with the volume of water and a larger one may be needed.
      5. Highways have agreed to unblock the drains on Primrose Hill once funds allow.
      Pot hole at the junction of Broad Lane and Cott Hill as reported by Mr Ahern. The Clerk was asked to write to East Chinnock PC about this and ask them to report this to Highways as it falls outside of Hardington Mandeville Parish.
  11. FOOTPATHS
    The footpaths representative gave the following report:
    1. It was noted that the sign at Milcombe Farm has been replaced.
    2. It was noted that the new footpath sign at Y10/19 Pen Lane to Bishops Lane, has been vandalised. It was noted that this was not the first time this has happened and has been reported to SSDC.
    3. It was noted that repairs to the wall belonging to Mr Boord running along the footpath from Rectory Lane to Broadstone Lane are progressing.
  12. PARISH LENGTHSMAN SCHEME
    1. The Lengthsman’s time sheet for January was noted. A number of councillors commented that although the lengthman’s report states that he has cleared the pipe in the ditch by the sewage works and the blue pipe at the junction of Partway Lane and Hill End they still appear to be blocked.
    2. The following work is required in February:
      1. Ditch clearing on footpath to village shop and Moor Lane - as agreed with Malcolm White.
      2. Along Barry Lane after Field View on LHS. To clear a small gully at the edge of the road to enable water running off the land to drain into the existing drain. This stretch was particularly icy during the cold spell.
      3. Look at the pipe near the sewage works again as it still appears to be blocked.
      4. Look at the blue pipe at the junction of Hill End and Partway Lane again as it still appears to be blocked.
    3. It was noted that Peter Bysouth will attend the rearranged Parish Lengthsman’s scheme meeting on Tuesday 23rd February 2010. He will take up the members' concerns about the time taken to carry out jobs directly with the Chairman of the scheme.
  13. DOG CONTROL
    It was noted that numerous signs have been placed around the village by SSDC Streetscene asking that dog owners take their dog mess home and bin it.
  14. CORRESPONDENCE
    1. It was noted that NTS training certificates for Powers of Wellbeing had been issued to all Councillors who attended Powers of Wellbeing training.
    2. It was noted that the SALC Area South meeting is on 8th March 7.30pm North Cadbury.
  15. MATTERS OF REPORT & ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING
    1. The Chairman proposed –
      1. That the Clerk should approach James Divall’s replacement at SSDC to speak at the Annual Assembly.
      2. That the Clerk should approach SALC to establish what happens in the event that a councillor does not come forward to stand as Chairman following his decision to step down as Chairman.
    2. Councillors – nothing to report.
    3. The Clerk reported that she attended New Clerks 1 on Tuesday 9th Feb 2010.
  16. DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING & CLOSURE
    The meeting closed at 10.06pm. The next meeting is 16th March 2010 at 7.30 pm in the Village Hall.

©
Hardington Mandeville
Parish Council
2010