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MINUTES OF MEETING OF HARDINGTON MANDEVILLE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 26th JANUARY 2018 IN THE VILLAGE HALL

Members are 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.
Nancy Chapman, Parish Clerk

PRESENT

Robin Carpenter (Chairman), Ernest Kong (Vice Chairman) Malcolm White, Clare Middleton, Bill Turner, Paul Vallis, Jane Humby, Gina Seaton (District Councillor) and Mark Keating (County Councillor).

IN ATTENDANCE

Nancy Chapman (Parish Clerk) and 4 members of the public.

Before the meeting commenced there was an opportunity for the public to speak: No items were brought for discussion.

  1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
    Apologies were received Cathy Bakewell (District Councillor).
  2. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 21st NOVEMBER 2017 (Already Circulated)
    The minutes were approved and signed by the Chairman as correct records of the meeting.
  3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST.
    Bill Turner declared and interest in items 6a)i) and 6e).
  4. MATTERS OF REPORT ARISING FROM THE PREVIOUS MINUTES.
    Following a lack of response to an email regarding a recent planning application, the Chairman urged all Councilors to check their emails regularly. The Clerk agreed to highlight future emails that require a response with an “urgent” or “important” flag of some description.
  5. COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS' REPORTS (BY INVITATION)
    Cathy Bakewell, Mark Keating and Gina Seaton's reports have been previously circulated. MK reported that the news of Carrilion's administration has been reviewed and should have minimal impact on SCC. GS reported that there have been several major job role changes within SSDC in the last month, particularly within the planning department. GS also reported on the proposed ward boundary changes.
  6. PLANNING AND PLANNING APPLICATIONS
    1. The following applications were received:
      1. App nos: 17/04645/FUL and 17/04646/LBC The erection of a single storey rear extension to dwellinghouse. Location: The Cottage, Hardington House, Rectory Lane. Applicant Mr Gerald Boord. There were no objections.
      2. App no: 17/04615/FUL The Change of use of land from agricultural to extension to domestic garden and the formation of new access. Land adjoining Hill End House, Hardington Mandeville. Applicant: Mr Colin Chapman. Application Withdrawn.
    2. There were no planning applications received after publication of the agenda.
    3. The following results of previous applications were received:
      1. App no:17/04132/FUL The erection of an extension to form a roof over dry cow feeding area. Location: Royal Oak Farm, Moor Lane. Applicants: M & S White & Son Ltd. Application approved with standard conditions.
      2. App no:17/04198/REM Erection of 1 No. dwelling with formation of access (reserve matters of 16/00719/OUT). Location: Land adjacent Finials, Rectory Lane, Hardington Mandeville. Applicant: Mr B White. Application approved with standard conditions.
    4. There were no other results of previous applications received after publication of this agenda.
    5. The Chairman has received several comments from parishioners that the siting of the new property at Manor Farm obscures the view of the Church when driving towards it from the Moor. While nothing can be done in retrospect, this possibly could have been avoided if the planning application had included a CAD projection of the viewpoints (at the request of the planning officers). The house could then have been sited in a position that didn’t affect views (further away from the road or lower down). It was noted that if a similar situation arises that perhaps viewpoint drawings should be requested.
    6. The demolition contractors have been working at the Moor End Nursery site for several weeks and have made a considerable mess on the road as well as churning up the verges. RC has contacted Owain Barker, in addition to speaking to the contractors themselves, to complain that little effort has been made to clear up this mess. RC will continue to monitor the situation.
  7. HIGHWAYS
    1. ND has reported nine routine defects to SCC this month in his previously circulated report.
    2. ND reported that disappointingly, the Parish Council were unsuccessful in the application to Somerset Community Foundation, but he was still following up some other leads. SSDC are discussing the application at their committee meeting on the 15th March. If successful this could provide up to 50% of the cost of the project.
    3. There was no update on the drains at North Lane. They have been cleared but have soon filled up again.
    4. ND stated that he would continue to monitor Moor Lane and report defects as necessary, in addition to any direct complaints from residents.
    5. ND has included the now collapsed HGV sign at the Hill End crossroads in his monthly report and hoped that this issue may be progressed in the near future.
    6. MK has requested that the “SLOW” signs on Pig Hill and on the corner of the Moor Lane junction be repainted, but this will not be done until the weather allows.
    7. PV asked if anything could be done about the blocked drains on Lyatts at Nappers Cottage. It was thought that the drain was under the hedge and therefore might be the landowners responsibility. ND agreed to investigate.
  8. PARISH PLAN
    1. The Clerk read out some recent statistics relating to the Hardington website, provided by Tim Watkins. There have been around 700 hits a day on average. 8462 visits in the 5 months from July to November. In November 546 different computers accessed the site.
    2. SSDC is currently subject to an electoral review by The Local Government Boundary Commission. This is because some of the district councilors represent many more, or many fewer, electors than their colleagues elsewhere in the district. The review aims to correct those imbalances. The Commission have now published their draft recommendations for new council wards and ward boundaries, including the proposal to move the whole of Hardington Parish from Coker Ward to Parrett Ward. The PC discussed this proposal and all felt that the proposed move would be disadvantageous. There are many close links with the neighboring villages of East and West Coker including schools and social groups and very few connections with the villages in the proposed Parrett ward. It was agreed the Clerk would write a letter objecting to these proposed changes. The Chairman also suggested individuals should submit their views independently.
  9. COMMUNITY FIELD
    1. The ground is still too wet to cut the field hedges at this time.
  10. RISK MANAGEMENT
    1. There were no issues
  11. FINANCE
    1. The Bank Reconciliation at 31st December 2017 was approved.
    2. The Budget Analysis at 31st December 2017 was reviewed.
    3. The final budget plan for 2018-19 was approved and a resolution was passed to agree the precept (including the Council tax grant of £30) would remain the same as the previous year at £15,000.
    4. The Clerks hours for November (22 hours) and December (4 hours) were approved.
    5. A resolution was passed to pay Clerk salary for October, November and December (£445.00), expenses (£37.00 (inc VAT £5.33)) and mileage (£10.80) = £492.80
    6. A resolution was passed to approve payment of the following invoice: SSDC Annual Playground Inspection & Risk Assessment (£78.50 + VAT £15.70) £94.20
    7. FOOTPATHS
      1. The Chairman reported that the broken stile on Y10/6 has been replaced with a new gate.
      2. The Chairman reported that gravel had been added to the part of Y10/6 near the Moor Lane end that was particularly muddy. This is an improvement although the gravel may disappear into the mud in time.
      3. ND has agreed to follow up the uneven surface issues along the footpath between the shop and Moor Lane (Y10/51) with SCC highways, as Les Braunton’s view is that it is their responsibility.
    8. PARISH RANGER SCHEME
      1. The following tasks had been carried out on 11/12/2017:
        • The post in Lyatts has been fixed 2 small posts either side and screwed in
        • Strimmed out drains/gullies from Church to village shop and clear leaves
        • Strimmed out Lyatts gullies and dug out others
        • Strimmed around grit bin and Village signs
        • Cleared drains at Primrose hill
        • Strimmed visability areas at Lyatts
      2. The following tasks had been carried out on 15/1/2018:
        • Clear weeds/detritus from pavement at village hall
        • Clear back of village hall
        • Clear leaves, strimmed nettles, strimmed along bank behind BT boxes and grit bin
        • Clear brambles from wall
        • Clear mud in Moor Lane foot path
        • Unblocked drains
        • Painting signs
      3. The following tasks are on the Ranger’s list for December:
        • Continue repainting the Fingerpost signs
    9. CORRESPONDENCE
      1. Nothing to report.
    10. VILLAGE HALL COMMITTEE UPDATE
      Solar-powered lights for the North wall of the village hall have been purchased, but not yet installed.
    11. MATTERS OF REPORT & ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING
      1. Chairman: Nothing to report
      2. Councillors: BT stated that there were several large potholes forming in North Lane. He agreed to feed this back to ND.
      3. Clerk: Nothing to report.
    12. DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING & CLOSURE
      The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 20th February 2017 in the Village Hall at 7.30pm. The meeting closed at 8.55pm.
     

    After the meeting there was an opportunity for the public to speak:

    No items were brought for discussion.

 

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