1 Apologies for Absence: Mr J Broughton, Mrs J Derbyshire, Mr P Mottram and Mr C Willy

2 Declaration of Interests

R Shutler declared an interest in the planning application for 13 Hospital Lane.

3 Young People’s Parish Council

SP Youth PC had secured funding to refurbish the Youth Club and is going to make another grant application for funding for new furniture etc. A fund raising car wash is planned for 25 April 2009 in St James Street car park. They will be inviting parishioners to see what they have achieved at the Youth Club. SP Youth PC are keen to become involved with SP in Bloom and also plan to write regularly for TA13.

4 Late Correspondence

a) There are a number of road closures in the area in addition to Lightgate Lane, these being Bull Bridge and Creedy Bridge

b) Following a letter from S Wallis regarding ‘Lights Out’, SPPC agreed to support a full survey of the parish, with advice being sought from SCC on how best to design the survey. SPPC would like to be involved in the survey before it is printed.

5 Agreement of Minutes

The minutes of the monthly meeting held on 2 March 2009 were approved and signed as a correct record.

6 Matters Arising

The police have confirmed that the problems between SP and Martock youth that were mentioned at the last parish council meeting are not significant, no more so than anything else in the area.

7 New Planning Applications

a) 00837ful Demolition of existing garage and storage building, formation of vehicular access and the erection of two bungalows on land at rear of Arbutus in West Street. The agent for Arbutus was allowed to comment to say that the planning application last time was for houses and this time it was for bungalows and the concerns last time were about overcrowding and access and in this application there is no loss of parking spaces. SPPC recommended approval subject to there being adequate visibility display at the entrance.

b) 00909cou Change of use of land from agricultural to residential at Land OS9974, Watergore. SP PC recommended approval to the extension of the curtilage.

c) 00798ful The construction of a manege at Land OS 4880, Over Stratton. SP PC recommended approval.

d) 00838ful Demolition of existing scout hut and the erection of a replacement scout hut at the recreation ground. SPPC recommended approval.

e) 00958ful Demolition of existing conservatory, internal alterations and the erection of two storey and single storey extension at 13 Hospital Lane. R Shutler left the room. SP PC recommended approval.

f) 00937ful Demolition of existing buildings and erection of a new hospital and ancillary accommodation with car parking, service yard, access drive and improvements with associated works at South Petherton Hospital. SPPC recommended approval with conditions that suitable safe access was provided for pedestrians and cyclists and as there is no pavement in Silver Street the footpaths to the hospital from St Michael’s Gardens and Lightgate Lane be improved as part of the development. SPPC would want to be involved with these proposals. The applicant was invited to speak to say that they had wanted Hospital Lane as the pedestrian access but will go with the planning officer's view and contribute towards this improvement. The application includes 117 car parking spaces but the doctor’s surgery is a separate issue and there would need to be an assessment as to whether this would accommodate the doctor's surgery parking. As a major application this will go to Area North Committee.

g) 05177ful Alterations, link extension and conversion of a barn into an annexe ancillary to the main farm house at 6 Palmer Street. SPPC recommended refusal because of the impact on neighbours who would loose privacy and be overlooked. The application is increasing accommodation without increasing parking facilities and the link extension and its style are not in keeping with a listed building.

h) 01167ful Alterations, demolition of single storey extension and the erection of two storey extension at Fouts Cross Farm, Fouts Lane, Shepton Beauchamp. SPPC recommended approval

8 Highway Matters

a) There was an update on the unsuccessful efforts made to try to improve the level of disruption to residents during the Lightgate Lane closure. There is concern that the ditch at the top of Lightgate Lane has been filled with scalpings which could affect drainage.

b) There is a problem with heavy traffic for Mill Lane, Lopen arriving at Mill Lane, SP, often at night and often with non English speaking drivers. The post codes are similar which maybe why there is Satnav problem and SCC are working with Ordnance Survey and Satnav to improve this. Reassessment of the signage at Hayes End roundabout might help to address the problem.

c) Most potholes have now been dealt with.

d) The Twinning sign has been erected.

e) A mirror has been requested at the exit from Stoodham onto Silver Street. The house owner opposite is happy for it to be erected on their building but it is not normally Somerset Highways policy so a response is awaited.

f) Parking that blocks the entrance to Crown Court in Market Square is a problem which is being discussed with Somerset Highways.

9 Footpaths

a) There are two areas in the parish where hedgerows are reported to have been removed or are currently being removed but there is no one available in SSDC to deal with this at the moment.

b) J Johnson gave an update on the situation relating to Long Lane in Over Stratton. It was agreed that J Johnson and P Kidner should come up with a proposal for discussion with SSDC.

c) Field Lane in Over Stratton is blocked by a landslip that should be cleared by the landowner. SSDC have said they will clear it as part of routine maintenance but work on Long Lane is from the improvements budget.

d) Electric gates have been fitted that block the highway that leads to Y24/36 which is part of the Parrett Trail. To date there has been no response for SCC or SSDC Rights of Way teams about this.

d) The roadway on the east of the Persimmon site covers two thirds of the footpath so restricts the footpath. J Johnson will contact SSDC Rights of Way team.

10 Recreation Ground

a) Busy Bees pre-school would like to erect a metal storage shed between their building and the existing storage container. Providing that this is acceptable under fire regulations and the insurance company have no objections, SPPC agreed.

b) SPPC agreed to act as the paymaster for SPPC Tennis Club when they install lighting on the third court.

c) S Nevitt gave a report on the Play Builder Grant Programme. SPPC has been offered £50,000 to upgrade the play area at the recreation ground; the funding does not have to be matched. The application has to be made by September 2009 for the work to be carried out in 2010, working with selected designers. The cost of future maintenance will fall to SPPC. S Nevitt is happy to lead on this project for SPPC and will consult with all interested groups in the parish. P Robathan confirmed that this was separate to the future MUGA project which was sport and neither would it affect any future Section 106 agreement for funding. SPPC confirmed that they would be accepting this offer.

11 Cemetery

a) A new litter bin has been installed to replace the one that disappeared.

b) Quotes for work on the removal of one tree and hedge cutting have been received and will be discussed after the meeting closes.

c) To improve the appearance on the memorial wall some new shrubs will be planted.

12 Churchyard

a) Following the felling of the unsafe tree, the chippings left behind have now been removed but not by the contractor who refused to move them.

b) The sites for the bench seats in the church yard have been sent to the church for their comments but the rector considers two to be inappropriate. There seems to be a number of matters relating a closed churchyard that need to be addressed, so a meeting between SPPC and SP PCC was proposed.

c) Two quotes have been received for removing the memorial garden plaque but will not be pursued at the present time.

d) Rat poison has been placed in the churchyard but it is not known who decided to do this but it has been removed by the Lengthsman as the way it has been left is dangerous to both domestic animals and children. K Dexter will make sure that the rector is aware of this.

13 Approval of Cheque Payments

Approval was given for cheques 3862 – 3880 value £77,12.40 drawn as indicated on the list attached to these minutes.

14 District Councillors’ Report

a) The SSDC phones were not working all day on Monday which caused many problems.

b) SCC has given the Blake Hall some additional funding from the Community and Village Halls joint fund.

c) The houses being built by Yarlington Homes (previously South Somerset Homes) have been modified to 2 three bedroomed and 4 two bedroomed, not all two bedroomed as per the application. The concern is availability as first homes.

d) Angie Cox who was the Area North Committee Administrator is now the Democratic Services manager; a role previously held by Bob Gillis.

e) The planning application for Hilberry was referred to Area North Committee because of the large amount of evidence from a concerned resident.

f) On Saturday 18 April 2009 there is ‘Zero Project’ at Chicago Rock Café in Yeovil. It was not clear whether SP Youth PC had been invited.

g) The Youth Evening planned by SSDC for those who want to work with youth is the same evening as the SPPC training evening so Pete May, the Youth Worker, will be asked if he would like to attend

h) The government briefing paper on action to combat rural recession says that a further 30,000 are required in the SW but there are currently 60,000 empty, so there should be enough homes to protect the countryside form developers. There are a high proportion of second and holiday homes on Exmoor National Park because of the lack of amenities and the high prices of housing.

15 County Councillor’s Report

a) SCC is looking at ways to release land for low cost housing

b) There are SCC and European elections 4 June 2009.

c) There is a schools review taking place, with concern about the impact of oversubscribed schools; one reason is parents exercising choice and opting out of the three tier system If SPPC want to get involved they should contact Judith Richardson.

d) SP is a transition town and as such might like to comment on the government’s consultation on the Seven Barrage before 20 April 2009. There are five alternative schemes being considered.

e) The hospital volunteer car service is going to come under SCC from September 2009 rather than under the ambulance service and there will be changes to eligibility and cost. SCC is starting a new register of volunteer drivers if anyone wants to be involved.

f) This will be the last SPPC meeting for John Sharpe as he is retiring and is not standing at the June elections. He thanked SPPC for their support and he was pleased to have been involved with so many SP projects. Equally John was thanked for the help he has given to SP over many years.

16 To Consider

a) Bank Charges – Following the recent correspondence from Nat West Bank it was agreed in principle to use Bath Building Society for SPPC‘s banking, subject to the proposed system being approved by the internal auditor.

b) Woodland Trust and Duchies Orchard – It was agreed that SPPC might be interested in taking over the maintenance of Duchies Orchard, subject to what restrictions there might be and responsibility for insurance

17 Meetings

a) Westdown Orchard, a pre planning application meeting with the agent and SSDC planning officer on 24 April

b) Annual Parish Meeting, 27 April 2009.

c) Planning and Development Training, 30 April 2009

Meeting closed to the public at 9.02pm.

18 Cemetery Quotes

It was agreed to ask P Kidner to cut the laurels hedges for the next three years and to remove the small tree that has died.

Chairman……………………… Date…………….