The Minutes of the previous meeting (November 2011)

MINUTES OF MEETING OF HARDINGTON MANDEVILLE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON 25th JANUARY 2012 AT 10.45AM IN THE PARISH CHURCH

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.
Jessica Vale, Parish Clerk

PRESENT

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

IN ATTENDANCE

Jessica Vale (Parish Clerk), Gina Seaton (District Councillor), and 3 members of the public.

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

  1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
    received from Robin Carpenter and Vanessa May.
  2. MINUTES OF MEETINGS HELD ON 15th November 2011 (Already Circulated).
    1. The minutes were approved and signed.
  3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST.
    None.
  4. MATTERS OF REPORT ARISING FROM THE PREVIOUS MINUTES.
    None.
  5. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
    1. Planning Applications received.
      1. Application no. 11/04963/FUL Mr & Mrs D Creed, erection of replacement storage building for agricultural contracting business, Hardington Moor (revised application); there were no objections to the proposed building, but concern was expressed that clarification is needed over the management of business use on the site.
      2. Application No. 11/05023/FUL Mr & Mrs M Wilson, alterations and erection of 1st floor rear extension and formation of pitched roof over existing garage (for additional accommodation), Poachers Lodge, Moor Lane; there were no objections.
    2. Any planning applications received after publication of this agenda. None.
    3. Results of previous applications; Application no. 11/04021/FUL Under Hill Cottage, Coker Hill Lane – the Parish Clerk reported that the application has been withdrawn – the applicant may attend a future Parish Council meeting to give an explanation.
    4. Results of previous applications received after publication of agenda – none.
    5. Manor Farm accommodation; the Parish Clerk reported that South Somerset District Council (SSDC) will be receiving a planning application about this in February.
  6. HIGHWAYS
    1. Report from Highways Representative;
      1. Rob Lloyd has received a positive email from Somerset County Council Highways to indicate the actions that they intend to take to improve drainage and surface of North Lane, to be finished in 2013. Parish Clerk to respond with details about Milcombe Farm area.
      2. Rob Lloyd met with David Durrant on the 1st of December. They noted that the farmers of the adjacent land are responsible for maintaining several of the drains in North Lane, but Highways will carry out a one-off clearance, and then dress the road surface. Highways have been told about the new grit bins, so these will be refilled along with the other bins. Drains in Wimborough Lane near the Sewage Works need regular inspection to ensure that they do not become obstructed.
    2. Report of parking in turning bay, Bishops Lane; Parish Clerk to write to all residents in the Lane to point out the area which is a designated turning bay to prevent further nuisance parking there.
  7. PARISH PLAN
    1. Recreation Ground at North Lane.
      1. It was RESOLVED to pay Robin Carpenter £42.50 in reimbursement of expenses incurred in discharge of planning conditions to SSDC.
      2. It was RESOLVED to pay Touch Wood Enterprises Ltd £1935.00 (excl. VAT) as the first part (30%) of agreement to build play structures.
      3. It was AGREED to approve the contractor’s estimate of £270 (excl. VAT) for drawing up plans and making a site visit about proposed bike jumps.
    2. It was AGREED that the Parish Council’s Recreation Ground Committee comprises Robin Carpenter, Vanessa May and Malcolm White.
    3. Recreation Ground tree-planting, grass-cutting and inspection charges are currently being discussed by the Friends of Hardington Community Space and more detailed costings will be put to the Parish Council soon. It is hoped that the tree-planting will be possible at no cost.
  8. RISK MANAGEMENT
    1. Co-option of new Parish Councillor; as no requests for an election were received by SSDC by the due date, the Parish Clerk will proceed to ask for nominations for co-option by advertising the vacancy.
    2. Parish Chest; this is a wooden cupboard which has been in the Church for some time but belongs to the Parish Council. The Church now wishes to clear the area which it occupies. Parish Clerk to find out more about how and when the Council acquired it, and date of production.
  9. FINANCE
    1. Clerk's hours for November and December were CONFIRMED as submitted (59.5 hours). It was RESOLVED to pay the Clerk for October - December 2011 hours as submitted and expenses totaling £145.99, also PAYE to HMRC for the Clerk amounting to £177.00. To be noted that a correction will be needed at the next payment date to correct an underpayment by 44 pence.
    2. It was RESOLVED to accept the Bank Reconciliation to 31st December 2011 as presented.
    3. The budget comparison presented for consideration was noted.
    4. It was RESOLVED to set a budget for 2012-13 requiring a Parish Precept of £15,000; Clerk to notify SSDC.
    5. It was AGREED to notify the bank of the change of business address caused by change of Parish Clerk, and removal of Rose White as a signatory to the Parish Council account following her resignation from the Council.
  10. FOOTPATHS
    1. Report from Footpaths Representative; no report, but Bill Turner pointed out that a new stile, previously agreed to by the County Council, is still awaited beside a field gate on path Y9/4 near Lyatts; Clerk to follow this up.
    2. Missing signpost at south end of Y10/19; Robin Carpenter has reported the loss of this sign, installed only recently (see 11 a below), to the Police. The Clerk also reported that Cathy Bakewell is taking up the issue with the County Council Rights of Way team.
  11. PARISH LENGTHSMAN SCHEME
    1. In November 2011, the Lengthsman installed two new grit bins and put grit into them, removed a section of rail sticking out of the hedge by the telephone box at Hardington Moor, put up a sign for footpath Y10/19, and cleared drains at Primrose Hill, Penn Lane and Wimborough Lane.
    2. Information about the forthcoming meeting about the Coker Division Lengthsman scheme and possible increase in cost of this service was noted. Peter Bysouth to attend the meeting.
    3. Work for January;
      1. Check drains in Wimborough Lane and gully opposite sewage works.
      2. Weeding / clearing up leaves round the Village Hall, checking / clearing the gutters, and clearing any cobwebs etc from the windows and checking that they are sound.
      3. Dig out ditch at upper end of footpath between Stores and Moor Lane and cut back nettles there.
  12. CORRESPONDENCE
    1. Correspondence to be circulated was presented.
    2. Correspondence received
      1. From SALC about deletion of discretionary power of Councils to pay gratuity to Clerk in lieu of pension; noted, but this Parish Council has never exercised this power.
      2. SSDC Review of database of markets in the area; noted, but considered not to be any in the Parish.
      3. County Council invitation to event for community groups; the date of this event coincides with that of the next Parish Council meeting, but there may be an alternative possibility for consideration on another date.
  13. MATTERS OF REPORT & ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING
    1. Chairman; none
    2. Gina Seaton reminded those present of the forthcoming Area Committee meeting of SSDC at which the Draft Core Strategy takes centre stage, on the 7th March at the Gateway in Yeovil, starting at 10 a.m., which the public may attend. There will also be a meeting more focused on the immediate area at East Coker Village Hall on the 1st March at 7 p.m.. The County Council’s document for review of car parking strategy, currently open for discussion, shows that it is proposed that any new housing developments in Coker Ward will be required to have only 1.5 car parking spaces on average per property; it is felt that villages within the ward require 2 spaces per property; the Parish Clerk was asked to write to the relevant Officer of Somerset County Council to put forward the Parish Council’s view.
    3. Parish Clerk; none.
  14. DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING & CLOSURE
    The next Parish Council meeting will be held on Tuesday the 21st of February 2012 at 7.30 p.m. in the Village Hall. The meeting closed at 12.45 p.m.