1 Apologies for Absence: There were no apologies.

2 Youth Parish Council

There was no report from the Youth Parish Council.

3 PC Jonathan Watson

PC Jon Watson introduced himself; he covers Crewkerne, South Petherton ad thirty smaller villages and in SP has been making anti-social behaviour his priority. He explained the street briefing that he held in February and since then there has been a reduction in reported crimes and anti social behaviour, but there was a problem last weekend, which was caused by a visiting group. Following this event he worked a 5pm – 1am shift in SP and stopped seven vehicles and gave one caution, so he is regularly in SP although not always seen. He understands the lack of visual presence in the past and will do his best to improve this but does need help from the village and encouraged the reporting of all incidents/crimes and information of who might be responsible.

He has been working with the SP Local Action Group

Possible use of the ‘Mosquito’ in St James Street car park was discussed and will be considered but needs careful consideration because of the range at which it can be heard and the proximity to local residents.

The most effective way of getting reports to Jon Watson was discussed; 01935 402043, his office phone, and leave a message.

4 District Councillors’ Report

a) The commitment of those in the Local Action Group to deter anti-social behaviour by providing activities for young people was explained, including the requirement for a youth shelter at the recreation ground and lighting for the half MUGA. SP are considering employing a youth worker, to compliment the work already been done at the Youth Club, for varied activities that are not necessarily based at the Youth Club.

b) SSDC has sourced funds to replace the David Hall railings, which will be both visually effective and more secure.

c) Bus passes for over 60s can be used anywhere within the country and the cost is paid locally. SSDC estimate that this will cost £300/£ 400, 000 to cover additional visitors/users. For accountability, some form of automatic reading of bus passes is being considered. The competition on the same routes is a SCC responsibility.

d) The waste collection service is now on a Monday for the whole of SP, with waste and recycling on the same day, with recycling every week and waste alternate weeks. This is working towards having just one vehicle next year. This was 90% efficient in SP in its first week.

e) At a recent audit, SSDC was one of the top twenty improving councils in the country. SSDC having been dealing with the hardest problem first i.e. community engagement.

f) SSDC, with the Regional Development Agency, has purchased the ACI site in Chard for redevelopment.

g) The Tour of Britain race stars in Chard going through to Burnham on 9 September 2009.

5 Declaration of Interests

R Shutler declared an interest in the planning application for 50 Compton Road.

6 Vacancies

Becky Cotterill and Simon Nevitt introduced themselves and were then co-opted to join SPPC.

7 Late Correspondence

There was no late correspondence

8 Agreement of Minutes

The minutes of the monthly meeting held on 3 March 2008 were approved and signed as a correct record.

9 Matters Arising

These will be dealt with under the relevant agenda item.

10 New Planning Applications

a) 01098ful Alterations and extension to existing single storey extension to form two storey extension and the erection of a single storey extension to the south elevation at 82 Lamprey’s Lane. SP PC recommended approval.

b) 01140lbc Internal alterations to form a WC at 3 St Elizabeth Way. SP PC recommended approval

c) 01181ful The erection of 2 x 6 metre high lighting poles at the recreation ground in Lightgate Lane. SP PC recommended approval.

d) 01208ful The erection of an agricultural store and provision of hard standing at 50 Compton Road. SP PC recommended refusal until such time as the proposal included landscaping from Compton Road to the proposed building and between the building and the near by dwellings. Also no reason was given for the need to have so much hard standing, which is also adjacent to a neighbouring dwelling. Whilst speculating on what the need for the hard standing might be, it was suggested that it would be required to manoeuvre vehicles which would be over 60 feet servicing the agricultural store. If this is the case, it is queried whether this is a suitable site next to a residential area for such an agricultural store. If permission is granted, South Petherton PC would want to see a condition included that this should be solely for agricultural use. It was further noted that the footpath through the site has been blocked and an application should be made for a formal diversion.

d) 00728ful Construction of balancing pond and soak away to serve residential developments on Land OS0038 at Hayes end. SP PC recommended refusal until the following issues were resolved. Access, which must not be through the cemetery. Provision and size of access tracks for construction of the pond. Provision and size of access tracks for maintenance of the pond. Landscaping and replacement tree planting. Who is responsible for future maintenance? Separate to this there are number of issues not relating to the planning application which the developer needs to resolve with the owners of the land.

e) 00897ful The erection of an agriculturally tied dwelling at The Trading Post, Old Filling Station, Lopen Head. SP PC felt that a strong business case had not been made; neither do they feel that an agricultural need has been demonstrated. Hence if an agricultural need can not be demonstrated SP PC recommend refusal.

f) 01319ful To remove condition 9 of planning permission ie related to a highway requirement at Hamden View, Over Stratton. SP PC recommended approval.

g) 01042ful Erection of a single storey extension with mezzanine side extension at Denmans, West Street. SP PC recommended approval.

h) 01384ful Demolish existing extension and erection of a rear single storey extension and conservatory at 43 Stoodham. SP PC recommended approval.

11 Highway Matters

a) The increased heavy traffic in Hayes End during the building work was considered. Routing traffic through Bridge Road was considered to be impractical; with the A303 junction on the dual carriageway.

b) Following a site meeting at the lay-by at the junction of Lightgate Road and Silver Street, it was agreed with Somerset Highways that the lay-by was needed and would be curved and landscaped at the back with kerbing and the wall in Silver Street shamphered to improve the visibility at the junction. This will be done as part of the resurfacing of Lightgate Road which has been deferred until the work on the housing development in St Michael’s Gardens is complete.

c) Light in Silver Street - Contact with the owners of Greengage Cottage to discuss the proposed lighting has not yet been possible.

d) One resident has objected to the ‘no right turn’ at the Over Stratton junction being reinstated.

e) The verge by Over Stratton village hall has been worn away by heavy traffic, so Somerset Highways will be erecting bollards to prevent further damage to both the verge and possibly the building.

f) The bollard in the centre of George Lane needs a reflector so that it can be seen at night.

g) The sign in the lane between the Infants School and the church needs removing/replacing.

12 Footpaths

a) The stile at Barcroft and Stoodham has been repaired.

b) The fence at Y24/19 going parallel to South Street is being repaired by the Lengthsman.

c) Somerset Highways has accepted that they are responsible for the repairs to Doctors Row. A request has been made that it should be sympathetically repaired.

d) Mrs Griffin organised a litter pick and clearance of the woodland and footpath Y24/25 and some stones for that path have been requested.

e) Persimmon has made some minor repairs to the temporary footpath across their site, but they are not ideal.

f) A short stretch of blocked path which runs from Petherton Bridge to Stoke sub Hamdon on the route of the old A3088 has been cleared by SSDC. This is a critical link between Target Lane and a permissive path, on Rob Vaux's land, running beside the River Parrett up to Creedy Bridge. Walkers can now get all the way from Joyler's Mill to Creedy Bridge although it is necessary to cross the A303 at Petherton Bridge. This is a delightful walk close to or just within the parish boundary"

13 Recreation Ground

a) The Youth Shelter price increase and the funding to date were explained. It was agreed to underwrite the shortfall to make the purchase at the pre increase price but continue to fund raise.

b) A brief explanation of the funding for recreational use that comes from the larger developments was explained but it seems to be difficult to obtain exact figures, but with the two current developments this could be significant for SP but there are still queries about the process to be discussed.

c) The request for a container for storage use by the cricket and football clubs was supported and will be considered as a grant application at the June SPPC meeting.

d) Consideration will be given as to whether the Garden of Remembrance should be moved to the churchyard.

e) After the successful Street Soccer arranged by Yeovil Foyer, SP PC has arranged for this to continue but there does need to be a check on the interest in this to consider for how long it should be continued.

f) The money owed by the pavilion committee to SPPC for electricity and water was discussed. The pavilion committee are holding a pig roast with seven aside cricket as a fund raising event on 28 June 2008.

14 Cemetery

a) Fencing along the A303 needs to be considered so quotes will be obtained. Somerset Highways will be contacted to see if they can quote for such work.

b) A headstone and base has been moved to the community woodland and it is not clear why.

15 Churchyard

a) There have been two responses to the request for some one to take over looking after the churchyard flower beds.

b) Further quotes are awaited for the pier and the walls.

16 Approval of Cheque Payments

a) Approval was given for cheques 3653 -36574 drawn as indicated on the list attached to these minutes.

b) Signatures on the new bank mandate will be R Neve, K Dexter, N Greenleaf, P Mottram, C Willy and M Willy. The mandate will be circulated for completion.

17 To Consider

a) Annual Parish Meeting – Draft agenda agreed.

b) Designated Public Places Order – SPPC would support this if the police deemed it necessary for SP.

c) Interpretation Boards – Before signing the agreement with SSDC, the new conditions which may have insurance implications for SP PC will be queried.

d) Local Action Group – Covered under the District Councillors’ Report.

e) Local Development Framework – There is still no document to read as part of the consultation. Following the recent SSDC meeting, it relates mainly to future housing needs.

f) Market Towns Investment Group – Nothing to report at present.

g) Mobility Awareness Day and National Gardens Scheme at Barcroft Hall – By the nature of footpaths, not all can be made available for disabled use, so a discrimination trail of footpaths is not considered to be practical and could cut across the work already been done by SCC and SSDC, so is not supported by SPPC.

h) Risk Assessment – Following advice from NALC, R Neve and S Dickie will be carrying out the SPPC Risk assessment.

i) The donation requests from the allotment holders and the Methodist Church, Children and Families Worker Project will be considered at the June SPPC meeting

18 County Councillor’s Report

a) J Sharpe has been involved with waste issues such as Hinckley Point and the Seven Barrage project.

b) The government has a new agenda for localised frontline councillors, but covers mainly urban issues. Each division will be given £15,000 to spend on Local Area objectives, but the objectives have not yet been agreed by the government. The preliminary list includes safer communities, anti-social behaviour, and schools’ SATS results. The consultation has not been with County Councillors but with the Local Government for the SW.

c) Update on George Lane light; new quotes are now required and are still awaited.

d) The local police now come under the South Somerset Rural Division but are still based at Somerton

The meeting closed at 9.25pm

Chairman……………………… Date…………….