The Minutes of the previous meeting (February 2013)

MINUTES OF MEETING OF HARDINGTON MANDEVILLE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON 19th MARCH 2013 AT 7.30pm IN 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

Robin Carpenter (Chairman), Peter Bysouth, Malcolm White, Bill Turner, Paul Vallis, Keith Blackwell, Kathy Bakewell (District and County Councillor) and Gina Seaton (District Councillor).

IN ATTENDANCE

Sharyn White (Temporary Parish Clerk) and 19 members of the public.

Before the meeting commenced there was an opportunity for the public to speak.
The residents of Moor Lane expressed concern about the proposed development of Moorend Nursery, mainly the number of houses and the servicing of them, and possible effects on drainage from the site. As no planning application has been made the Parish Council were unable to give any clear view of the proposal.

  1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
    Apologies had been received from Vanessa May.
  2. APPOINTMENT OF SHARYN WHITE AS TEMPORARY CLERK.
    Peter Bysouth proposed Sharyn White as Temporary Clerk this was seconded by Keith Blackwell. The Chairman expressed the Parish Council's deep sorrow about the death of Jessica Vale who was the Parish Clerk and a minute’s silence was observed.
  3. MINUTES OF MEETING held on 19th February 2013 (Already Circulated)
    1. The minutes were approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record of the meeting.
  4. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST.
    Robin Carpenter made a declaration of personal but not prejudicial interest in Item 7d (Discussion of proposal from Kevin Margetts re development of Moor End Nursery site) as he is a long standing friend of the Margetts.
  5. MATTERS OF REPORT ARISING FROM THE PREVIOUS MINUTES.
    1. No matters of report.
  6. DISTRICT AND COUNTY COUNCILLORS' REPORTS (by invitation)
    Kathy Bakewell reported on the County Council budget , there was no increase from the County Council but there was an increase from the Fire Service. Kathy had a cheque for the refurbishment to the Village Hall kitchen for £1,400 from the Health and Wellbeing Parish Scheme which she would forward to Peter Bysouth. Gina Seaton spoke about the Environment Agency responsibility for rivers etc, and would discuss with Robin Carpenter anything applicable to Hardington.
  7. PLANNING & PLANNING APPLICATIONS
    1. Planning Application received: there were none.
    2. Applications had been received since publication of the agenda: there were none.
    3. Results of previous applications received: Application No 13/00164/FUL, Mr & Mrs R Grave - the demolition of dwelling and the erection of a replacement dwelling house has been permitted.
    4. Discussion of proposal from Kevin Margetts re development of Moorend Nursery site: the Councillors spoke about affordable housing for the site and expressed a desire to keep the number of houses on the site to a sensible number, and the need to address issues of possible increased water run-off, but could not comment further as no planning application has been applied for.
  8. HIGHWAYS
    1. Report from Highways Representative: Neil Dyer reported that a lot of work had been done on the pot holes and drains. Neil is unable to attend the next three Parish Council meetings but is able to report to Cathy Bakewell any work needed to be done, and will send reports for our information/ attention. Robin Carpenter had contacted Judith Wilkins about water coming out of her cottage drive in Lyatts; Judith thinks it is a Highways' drain which needs jetting. A hole in the road at the top end of St James terrace will be reported. A letter from Rob Lloyd expressing concern about 2 holes on Primrose Hill was read and action will be taken.
    2. Developments reference additional Highways Funding. Peter Bysouth will look into the paperwork concerning this matter.
    3. There were no other issues.
  9. PARISH PLAN
    1. The Litter Pick on Saturday 23rd March will go ahead at 10.00am.
    2. The Cherry Tree is still in Jessica’s garden and will be collected by Bill Turner and Malcolm White.
    3. Affordable Housing: a survey needs to be done before any other consideration of Affordable Housing and the Chairman will contact SSDC to see if they are able help with the survey. A quote of £410 for a survey of up to 250 households has been received from the Community Council for Somerset.
  10. COMMUNITY FIELD
    1. Report from the Chairman about the field was all was fine.
    2. Removal of grass cutting from the football area will be looked into - funds are available; the Chairman will find out a price for the work and will report back at the next meeting.
    3. Hedge Cutting: the Chairman will make enquiries about getting the hedges cut and will enquire about more top soil which is needed to address the issue of water lying near the mound with the tunnel.
  11. RISK MANAGEMENT
    1. Nothing to report under Risk Management.
  12. FINANCE
    1. Peter Bysouth will find out Jessica’s hours for February when he has time to sort through the paperwork.
    2. Update of Village Hall Improvements: there is a Village Hall meeting next week when more details will be known.
    3. Bonus Saver Account: Peter Bysouth will look into the paperwork to see how far this has progressed. Robin Carpenter will talk to Stewart Ogden about the insurance for the Street Fair. Ernest Kong will be reimbursed £400 for the oak benches at the Community Field; Peter Bysouth will process the cheques.
  13. FOOTPATHS
    1. Report from the Chairman: the field to the west of Pen Lane has been ploughed to the hedge and has not left a footpath; Bill Turner will correct this and the cross-field path in the same field, and also attend to the gate on path 10/11, which is rather an obstacle to walkers.
    2. Update on addition of Bridleway from Ridge Lane to North Lane: Peter Bysouth will see what correspondence has been dealt with so far.
  14. PARISH LENGTHSMAN SCHEME
    1. Work carried out in February: a worksheet was obtained by Robin Carpenter for work done in February.
    2. Discussion ref Streetscene Parish Ranger Scheme: this item was discussed and as it will be only slightly more expensive than the Lenghtsman Scheme which is due to finish; it was proposed by Keith Blackwell and seconded by Robin Carpenter to join the scheme. Any money left over from the Parish Lengths Scheme will be repaid to the Parish Councils concerned in the scheme. Cathy Bakewell had just come from a meeting which wound up the Lenghtsman Scheme; a cheque was presented to Roy Hodder and our Parish Lenghtsman on their retirement.
    3. Work for March:
      1. Clear water runs to drain grilles.
      2. Clear accessible drain grips.
      3. Dig out drain grill and water run at junction of Penn Lane/Barry Lane.
      4. Footpath 10/11 - cut back overgrowth by 2 stiles west of Eastfield Cottage.
      5. Community Field – weed killer to edge of paths, car park and cycle track.
  15. ANNUAL ASSEMBLY
    1. Date: Tuesday 16th April 2013 at 7.30 p.m.
    2. Stewart Ogden will speak on Village Hall Improvements and other representatives of Village Groups will be asked to speak.
    3. Robin Carpenter and Keith Blackwell will ask their wives if they would kindly serve tea and biscuits at the Annual Assembly.
  16. CORRESPONDENCE
    1. Correspondence to be circulated - Robin Carpenter will ask Vanessa May if she has last month's correspondence.
    2. Correspondence received: the Chairman read a letter re Village Street Fair insurance; The Village Pre-School is unfortunately finishing, some equipment may be suitable for the Community Field; a meeting for South Somerset Together Transport is on Monday 8th April, Robin or Peter will attend; a car rally for the MG Car Club will be passing through the village on the 13th April 9.20 am to 10.30 am; John Lines has approached the Parish Council about a proposal for Natural Gas in the village - an item will be placed in the Messenger.
  17. APPOINTMENT OF NEW CLERK
    1. Peter Bysouth will place an advert in the messenger for a new Clerk; Sharyn White has agreed to stay until a new Clerk is found.
  18. MATTERS OF REPORT & ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING
    1. Chairman: nothing to report.
    2. Councillors: Peter Bysouth had received a letter from Jim Hedges about the Mandeville Arms - this will be put on the Agenda for next time.
    3. Clerk: nothing to report.
  19. DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING & CLOSURE
    The next Parish Council meeting will be held on Tuesday 16th April 2013 at 7.30 pm in the Village Hall. The meeting closed at 9.04 pm.