1 Apologies for Absence – Mrs J Derbyshire, Ms N Greenleaf, Mr J Johnson, Mrs M Willy and

Mr J Sharpe Absent: Mr S Nevitt

The Parish Council remembered Howard Brunton who had recently died.

2 Youth PC

No report

3 Declaration of Interests

a) R Shutler declared an interest in the planning application for Hillberry and for the diversion of footpath Y24/18.

b) J Broughton declared an interest in the planning application for Putt Cottage.

4 Late Correspondence

a) Two letters of objection for the planning application for Hilberry in North Street.

b) The plans for the 2008 South Petherton Carnival. SP PC will write agreeing to the use of the recreation ground and the banner in St James Street

c) Letter from R Chammings expressing concern about an over grown pavement in Lower Stratton

5 Agreement of Minutes

The minutes of the monthly meeting held on 30 June 2008 were approved and signed as a correct record.

6 Matters Arising

a) There has been no response to the questions put to Cllr Tony Shires who attended the last SP PC meeting

b) There have been some objections from residents in Lightgate Road about the siting of a seat on the grass outside the Catholic Church, so this has been put on hold subject to further discussion.

7 New Planning Applications

a) 02818adv The display of two non illuminated facia signs at 6 Market Square. SP PC recommended approval.

b) 02513ful Erection of an extension to create a new meeting hall, alterations to extend walls of the church and increased parking facilities at St Michael’s Church, Lightgate Road. SP PC recommended approval.

c) 0292ful The demolition of existing buildings, the formation of a new vehicular access and the erection of four semi detached houses on land to the rear of Arbutus, West Street. SP PC recommended refusal as they were concerned about the safety of the access on to West Street and the over development of a small site

d) 02788ful Alterations and the installation of a replacement roof over existing conservatory with tiled roof and small covered porch at Brook Cottage, East Lambrook. SP PC recommended approval.

e) 06/00726rem Amended plans for 31 houses at Hayes End, Alterations to unit 9,10and 11. SP PC still recommended refusal as the small number of changes did not address their original concerns.

f) 02823lbc Internal and external alterations to small barn and garage at The Farmhouse, 6 Palmer Street. SP PC recommended refusal until their queries can be resolved; these being that the western elevation and the boundary lines have not been drawn accurately on the plans, giving an impression that more space for parking cars is available than actually exists. With the size of the house thought to be extending to six bedrooms, the parish council had concerns about the lack of a garage without providing sufficient off street parking.

g) 03043cou The change of use of land to form extension to residential curtilage at Hillberry, North Street. SP PC deferred their decision until a visit to view the site could be arranged and SP PC agreed that those visiting the site could make a decision on their behalf.

h) Revised planning application for 5 Roundwell Street for which a response had to be made before the SP PC meeting. The response sent was that SP PC recommended refusal as the changes being made were minor and do not change their earlier comments about this being an unsympathetic design in a conservation area, potential parking problems when most homes have more than one car, the close proximity to each other and to the existing residential properties, the impact of light reduction in a narrow road. All the comments made previously.

There was a further concern which does not seem to have been mentioned which is the impact that demolishing this hamstone property would have on 1 Roundwell Street where it is a 'party' wall

8 Highway Matters

a) Market Square by the chemist has been resurfaced and there have been some minor repairs in South Street.

b) There is a flower bed in Prigg Lane which is encroaching onto the road and causing a problem to traffic. Also the flower trough at the end of Prigg Lane appears to be blocked and is a problem when it rains.

c) Somerset Highways has agreed to meet regarding Harp Road and Over Stratton junction but have not yet agreed a date to meet. In the mean time flashing warnings signs are being investigated. It was noted that speed watch had recorded a high level of speeding in that area.

d) It was felt that some ‘give way’ signs were needed on the roundabout at the top of Knapp Hill.

10 Footpaths

Permanent diversion of Y24/18 on land adjacent to 50 Compton Road. The path has already been unofficially diverted and it was felt that this made no practical difference so SP PC recommended approval.

11 Recreation Ground

a) The football pitch has been sprayed and the goal mouth moved by four yards.

b) Some youths are causing problems for the tennis players by throwing stones onto the court whilst they are playing. There was concern that this will give SP a bad reputation with visiting clubs.

c) Some tennis club members are not happy with the position of the youth shelter, but representatives of the tennis club had attended the site meeting to discuss the position of the youth shelter.

d) The 7-aside cricket tournament was a great success.

e) There has been football coaching for the younger children during the school holidays.

f) Litter by the new shelter is a problem and the purchase of a litter was suggested. SSDC will be consulted to ensure that they will empty it and at the suggestion of the Crimestoppers trustee, who recently visited to see the youth shelter, an application will be made to Crimestoppers who made a contribution towards the shelter.

12 Cemetery

Nothing to report

13 Churchyard

a) It is understood that the diminunus rule will apply, but a faculty, for which there is no charge will be required which the PCC will be asked to apply for. It was questioned whether there was a need to consult with the church architect on this type of work, when the rules say consultation with District Council planner and English Heritage is what is required. The planners are able to provide a map of the area. K Dexter will discuss this with the rector.

b) There are some trees in the church yard that require attention but the responsibility for the trees in the churchyard, which is a closed churchyard, is unclear. SP PC has always understood that the church was responsible for the trees but it seems that the legislation on closed churchyards may have changed without SP PC being notified, leaving SP PC with responsibility but no authority. SP PC will arrange for the SSDC arborist to check and report on the church yard trees.

14 Approval of Cheque Payments

Approval was given for cheques 3729 – 3744; value £8628.21, drawn as indicated on the list attached to these minutes.

15 County Councillor’s Report

a) There was no report, but the SCC Local Initiative Budget was discussed. It was agreed that the suggestion to be put to J Sharpe was to have a service provided in SP to help people, particularly young people, to get work or get back to work. ‘Connections’, who are part of the Area Working Partnership, offer this service and initial discussions have taken place with them about outreach work in SP.

b) It was queried how SP PC could know which organisations are funded by SCC and/or SSDC and which are linked together.

16 District Councillors’ Report

a) SCC and SSDC are meeting on 12 September to discuss how to make better use of the local initiative money that is available.

b) On 7 August the District Executive are discussing the future delivery of the Rights of Way Service. The three options are to pass it back to SCC, to remain the same or to cut the staffing for the service. It was noted that SSDC spend more on footpaths than they are given by SCC for this purpose. It was felt that local knowledge was important and that there should be no reduction in the service provided.

c) SSDC has agreed to support all villages and towns’ Transition Initiative but at this stage will not be declaring themselves as a Transition Council.

d) Following the recent Lengthsman meeting, it has now been conformed that SSDC have the funding for this scheme in the budget for the foreseeable future.

e) Fly tipping in Careys Hollow continues to be a problem.

f) Performance monitoring of the Street Scene services on SP gave a good report for every thing except litter so additional litter collections have been requested.

g) The senior SSDC Enforcement Officer has published booklet on ‘Enforcement’, which explains their powers, their discretion powers and the approach that they take to unauthorised actions which are causing unacceptable harm.

17 To Consider

a) SSDC Sustainable Strategy - R Neve, S Dickie and B Cotterill will meet to respond to this.

b) Healthy Living Pooled Fund – This was noted but no projects were suggested. A proposal is already being submitted by P May, the Youth Worker for a project.

c) New Seat at the Bus Stop outside the David Hall – A parishioner has offered to buy a new seat rather than have the old one refurbished. This offer was appreciated and agreed.

d) Parish Plan Update – Following the recent meeting of the SP Parish Plan group it was agreed that R Neve and D Lingham would meet to discuss the longer term planning for SP to give consideration to planning and funding for the future to create a vision for the village for the next 10,15 or 20 years. Also to discuss how SP PC and the SP Parish Plan group will work in future, eg who will look at the vision, who will work on the implementation.

e) SCC Chairman’s Awards – Nomination have to be made by 8 August and any suggestions should be made to the parish clerk.

f) Training for Parish Councillors – To date only five parish councillors have responded to say that they would like to attend and two that they are unable to attend and there has been no response from any of the other parishes invited. All parish councillors were asked to respond to the clerk as to whether they would like to attend or not so that a decision can be made on whether this should continue or be cancelled.

g) Western Power Distribution Wayleave – This is for work in Lightgate Lane near to the youth club and this was agreed.

Meeting closed at 9.14pm

Chairman……………………… Date…………….