1 Apologies for Absence: There were no apologies.

2 Hayes End Development - A Presentation

J Shaw gave a presentation on behalf of K Duffield on the proposed new development at Hayes End. This was to inform the PC of their ideas before an application for outline planning permission was made and to encourage comments and consultation.

3 Declaration of Interests

a) C Hockey declared an interest in 38 Silver Street.

b) R Beale declared an interest in Harding’s Court, 38 St James Street and 64 Silver Street.

c) J Broughton declared an interest in 45 Silver Street.

4 Parish Council Vacancy

C Hockey explained the procedure when there was a Parish Council vacancy, both co-option and election procedures. J Broughton was co-opted to replace Mrs J Beale. There remains one vacancy for which parishioners have requested an election.

5 Youth Parish Council

a) The new members of the Youth PC were introduced, one being from Martock and one from Seavington.

b) The car wash raised £119 towards the purchase of a new litterbin at the recreation ground. A further £200 towards the cost of a new litterbin was approved.

c) P Mottram read the letter of thanks from the Youth PC following the invitation to the PC, Youth PC and Tennis Club to a bowling afternoon.

6 Late Correspondence

Over Stratton light was deferred until the next meeting as more information is required.

7 Agreement of Minutes

The minutes of the monthly meeting held on 11 July 2006 were approved and signed as a correct record after deleting 14a relating to the footpath diversion and changing part of the report of Inspector Pitman’s presentation to read to make it clear that it was a police report that said 70% of residents were happy with the service; the SP PP indicated a different response.

8 Matters Arising

a) It was agreed that B Priddle, R Shutler and S Wallis would confirm the correct wording relating to the footpath diversion/closure of Y16 and Y18.

b) Market Towns Initiative. C Willy clarified that he was not against SP joining the Market Towns Initiative but having attended the recent meeting had not felt this was currently the way forward for SP as it would mean joining an already established group. It was noted that SSDC would be happy for SP to change its mind at any time. J Broughton expressed an interest in representing SP on the Market Towns Initiative group so it was agreed to reconsider this at the next meeting.

c) Following the comment at the last PC meeting that government targets for recycling had reduced, it was noted that SSDC had no wish to reduce recycling levels.

9 Planning Verdicts

The verdicts on planning applications received during the month were reported.

10 New Planning Applications

a) 02395ful Construction of a three bedroom detached house with garage at 45 Silver Street. The Parish Council recommended approval.

b) 02414out Erection of a new build dwelling and alteration of existing vehicular access at land adjoining Manor Gardens. The Parish Council recommended approval.

c) 02409ful Erection of a replacement lean to B1 extension to the old mill buildings at Lopen Feed Mills. The Parish Council recommended approval.

d) 02429ful New vehicular access and rotating the existing garage anti clockwise 90 degrees at Pippens, North Street. The Parish Council recommended approval.

e) 02078ful Erection of a two storey extension and double garage at Appletrees, Harp Road. The Parish Council recommended approval. The concerns about the on street parking outside Appletrees were noted.

f) 02534ful Erection of a two storey extension at Tynemouth, Over Stratton. The Parish Council recommended approval.

g) 02577ful Erection of a four bedroom detached house at Harding’s Court. This was a retrospective planning application. The Parish Council recommended approval of the revised design but refusal of the revised position on the site.

h) 02047ful Alterations to south and west elevations at Units A and C at Lopen Business Park. The Parish Council recommended approval.

i) 02619ful Erection of a rear extension and internal alterations to The Farmhouse, East Lambrook Road. The Parish Council recommended approval.

j) 01865ful Erection of a conservatory at 64 Silver Street. The corrected plans were noted.

k) 02670ful Erection of a cottage at 38 St James Street. As his refers to a simultaneous planning application, which had not yet been made available, a request would be made to the planning officer that this should be deferred until the next meeting. If a decision is required before the next meeting it was agreed that S Dickie, P Mottram, C Willy and M Willy would meet to discuss it.

11 SP Fruit Farm Appeal

It was agreed to respond repeating the same comments as made when the planning application was originally considered.

12 County Councillor’s Report

a) J Sharpe reported that there was funding available for landscape purposes and he was asked to provide more information on the scheme.

b) Landfill Allowance Trading is to be introduced, which relates to an EU directive to reduce landfill. The potential cost is £150 per ton if over the allocated allowance plus a percentage of the fine imposed on the UK government by the EU. So this has important implications to the levels of recycling. Those countries that convert waste to energy for fuel can gain extra income.

c) A Partnership for Older People with fifty Active Life Centres is to be introduced and one of these might be included at the new SP hospital.

d) The Rights of Way definitive map is now on the SCC website. It was queried whether the map was correct.

e) The reason behind the SCC decision on the public right of way along Barcroft Lane was queried and J Sharpe was asked to strongly represent the Parish Council point of view.

14 District Councillor’s Report

a) The bad report in the local press on the SSDC planning service related to the external assessor’s report at the end of last year, but there is now a new head of the planning service and all district councillors are committed to improving the service. To improve the speed at which applications are considered, three levels are to be introduced from those that have only a local implication to those with major impact, which will have a greater level of consultation.

b) The planners report on three of the four trees in the rectory garden has been written, but not that for the copper beech. It is unlikely that the tree will be protected and with major surgery it is likely to die.

c) SSDC has won a Green Flag award for both Ham Hill and Yeovil Country Park.

d) The Local Authority Business Grant Initiative has been introduced, where by SSDC now get some of the business rates back and have chosen to ring fence these for business development.

e) Area North has an under spend on their budget for capital projects, which could be available for capital projects in South Petherton.

f) C Cooper, the Head of Street Scene has been asked to address the inconsistency in levels of weed clearing, street cleaning and litter collection and to put more resources into the villages. It was noted that road cleaning with parked cars was a problem.

g) The high road in Silver Street needs to be cleared of brambles as well as being cut back to avoid damage to the wall.

h) A copy of the SSDC report on recycling was requested.

15 Community Woodland

Details of this initiative will be passed to R Shutler and K Parkin, the tree warden, for consideration before reporting back to the next PC meeting.

16 Highway Matters

There was a meeting with Somerset Highways to discuss safety options at the Over Stratton/Old A303 junction. A report on their recommendations is yet to be received.

17 Street Naming

It was agreed that the Youth PC would be asked to come up with some suggested names for the street name for the new development at Stoodham.

18 Footpaths

a) It was agreed to respond to Mr Herrick’s agent saying that the PC’s footpath representatives would be happy to attend a meeting with SCC, when a firm date has been arranged.

b) SSDC is aware that many footpath finger posts are still missing. A survey was competed by P Kinder early this year so they have full details of the missing finger posts.

(J Sharpe left the meeting)

19 Recreation Ground

a) C Willy reported on the SPRUG meeting.

b) The estimated cost of the new netting/fencing required by the cricket club is in the region of £18,000.

c) The BMX track is in urgent need of attention with weeds and some of the rumble base coming through the track.

d) The Garden of Remembrance has been cleared and the scouts will plant some bulbs. C Willy offered to arrange the purchase of these.

e) The Astro turf should be installed during the coming week and a goalmouth needs to be painted on the MUGA.

f) The on going success of the Out of School Hours Club was noted.

g) The Carnival Committee have organised a Family Fun Day on 3 September 2006.

h) The cost of painting parking bays in the recreation ground car park is still being investigated.

i) The police are keen to have a gate or a barrier at the entrance to the recreation ground car park: a decision on this was deferred until more information is available

j) Both the bowls and the cricket clubs are top of their league.

k) There was discussion on possible moving the football pitch and the purchasing of some more land but no decision was reached.

l) It was noted that P Bussell has suggested a first floor extension to the pavilion, combining this with the installation of the new cricket nets.

m) It was agreed that the low level lighting in the car park should be on 24 hours each day to provide additional security.

20 Cemetery

a) P Kidner has offered to arrange for ferreting at the cemetery to help with the problem of rabbits and this was agreed for later in the year.

b) The weeds near the memorial wall need spraying and this was agreed.

c) S Doble looks after the cemetery books and the marking of graves when the clerk is away. He was thanked for this and it was agreed that this would be recognised at Christmas time.

21 Churchyard

a) It was agreed that a maximum of £1,500 could be spent on replacing the base of the war memorial with a ham stone base.

b) It was agreed that P Kidner would be asked to remove the bottom branches of the Christmas tree to a height of two metres up the trunk.

22 Police Post Update

a) There is a new Neighbour Hood Watch scheme at West End.

b) The volunteer rota is working well but with no phone, there are some safety concerns. A panic button has also been requested.

c) Some of the volunteers do not consider that they need the computer so this will be discussed when they next meet as a group.

d) The beat manager for SP will not be in post until September 2006.

23 To Consider

a) Youth Club Management Committee - P Mottram offered to take on this role.

b) Churchyard - R Beale offered to take on responsibility for the churchyard.

c) The keys for the police post will be passed to the next person on the rota at the PC meeting.

d) Venue for PC Meetings - It was agreed to hold two meetings each year at Over Stratton Village Hall, subject to availability.

e) Skip in Crown Lane Car Park - It was agreed this could stay but should be kept to a minimum and that a donation for using the PC car park instead of purchasing an on street licence would be suggested.

f) Repairs to St James Street Fence - Despite requests only one quote has been received, so at least one additional quote will be sought before a decision is made.

g) Cemetery Hedge Cutting for 2007 - P Kidner withdrew his current quote; so further quotes will be sought for 2007. Consideration should be given to a fence instead of a hedge to reduce maintenance costs going forward and SSDC will be approached with a request for a grant towards this.

h) George Lane Light - There is a site meeting with R Hagley from SCC Conservation Group planned for Thursday 10 August 2006.

The meeting closed 10.26pm

Minutes Approved by: Chairman……………………… Date…………….