1 Apologies for Absence: R Beale, J Broughton and S Wallis.

2 Declaration of Interests

There were no declarations of interest.

3 Youth PC

Apologies from the Youth PC who are fund raising this week.

4 South Petherton Fair

a) Keith Duffield and Caroline Dunn, a professional events organiser, gave a presentation on a proposal for a South Petherton Fair. It is planned that this will be an event on the River Parrett to be held at Joylers Mill, subject to permission being given by Defra and the Environment Agency. It will be similar to the event held in Langport this year to raise awareness of the River Parrett, the use of open spaces, healthy living and promote South Petherton, its resources, history and landscape.

This area of the River Parrett is narrow so most of the event would be on the land, promoting water safety, fishing, climate change and showcases for local businesses and interest groups. It would be a fun, family event with free access. To proceed with the planning of this event, which will start as a one off but could become bi-annual, they want the support of the local community. If an event can be organised for 2007 it is likely to be 14/15 or 21/22 July 2007. The Parish Council was supportive of the principle of such an event in the village.

b) Water Links, which includes 63 different projects in Somerset, has made a lottery bid supported by SCC, SSDC and the Somerset Waterway Development Trust. They have now reached the final six in the UK and will be consulting on these projects during the coming year. When it is down to the final three it will be televised with the public having their opportunity to vote for their favourite project. It could generate £78 million of funding for Somerset.

5 Late Correspondence

The licence from SCC to move the hamstone village sign. This was agreed.

6 Agreement of Minutes

The minutes of the monthly meeting held on 14 November 2006 were approved and signed as a correct record

7 Matters Arising

From the meeting hosted by Avon and Somerset Constabulary, the numbers of PCSOs will be cut as the government funding to the police has been cut. Eight million pounds is to be taken from the countrywide police forces and reallocated to the Metropolitan police. There is a letter about this for next month's correspondence box.

8 Planning Verdicts

The verdicts on planning applications received during the month were reported. Also the Hayes End development was approved at the last SSDC Area North meeting.

9 New Planning Applications

a) 04095ful Demolition of existing sales building and canopy, erection of a new sales building, canopy, forecourt and installation of new underground fuel tanks at South Petherton Service Station. The Parish Council recommended refusal because of road safety concerns. The plans do not show clearly how close the access to the service station will be to the busy Hayes End roundabout on the A303, with an increased sales area and therefore increased trade which brings with it increased traffic, there is the potential of backing up to the roundabout at busy times. The speed limit on the stretch of road in front of both the entrance and exit is 60mph and bringing either of these closer to the roundabout is likely to increase the danger of a road traffic accident. A similar site at Amesbury on the A303 has a slip road to the service station and even this does not prevent road traffic accidents as some traffic speeds up as it moves from the roundabout and some is turning in to the service station as it leaves the roundabout. There is still a significant amount of traffic that takes the wrong exit when travelling west from the Hayes End roundabout, which uses the garage forecourt to turn to get back to the roundabout and this should also be considered when looking at the volume of traffic using an entrance close to the roundabout. Consideration should be given to the siting of both the entrance and exit to the service station as part of what the Highways Agency is proposing for the Hayes End roundabout and widening of the Ilminster by-pass.

b) 4102adv Display of illuminated and non-illuminated shop signs, fascia signs, wall mounted signs and gantry signs at the South Petherton Service Station. The Parish Council recommended refusal on the basis of the environmental impact. The current Esso service station is easily visible from a distance when approaching from the A303. The proposed signage is going to be two metres higher i.e. currently 6.1 metres and 8 metres is proposed. The proposal also includes a second sign to be 28 feet closer to the roundabout, which will be virtually on the roundabout which seems both inappropriate and a potential danger.

c) 04251lbc Re-rendering of part of the side elevation of Oaklands, 8 Palmer Street and the repositioning of the air vent and the installation of a false window. The Parish Council recommended approval.

d) 04279ful The erection of a detached dwelling house and garage on land adjacent to Drovers Lea, Droveway. After a vote the Parish Council recommended approval.

e) 04264ful The erection of a garden room to the rear and a first floor extension at Lynwood, 6 Hayes End. The Parish Council recommended approval

f) 04347ful Erection of a double garage (renewal of previous approval) at The Putt House, The Bartons, Yeabridge. The Parish Council recommended approval.

g) 04462ful Extension and alterations to Greenways, Over Stratton. The Parish Council recommended approval.

10 County Councillor’s Report

a) Under the Waste Partnership, the waste collection is going to one collection group. Wyvern Waste has been sold and there will be a new contract for the disposal of waste; a decision on this expected in January 2007 to commence in October 2007. The public should see no change in the process. J Sharpe was asked to investigate the possibility of a plastic recycling for South Petherton. The recycling contract let by SSDC three years ago did not include plastic recycling, but it is the intention to introduce a new service to include kerbside plastic and cardboard recycling next year.

b) Safeway is withdrawing the Crewkerne service following a cut in bus subsidies, although Nippy Bus is introducing some new services on other routes. It was noted that Safeway had applied for deregulation of this route, which can be done without any consultation. It may be that South Petherton should be working with the Crewkerne ‘ABCD’ Parish Plan and the SSDC Market Towns Initiative to ensure that there is a bus service to Crewkerne railway station.

c) SCC have a proposal for a scheme of local area working, based on different areas to the geographical areas of the district councils but to be based around town centres eg Chard, Crewkerne and Yeovil, with each area having a local budget of £15,000. It is proposed that this will happen whether Somerset becomes a unitary authority or not. It was queried how all Parish Councils have been consulted as all the consultation has been with parishes belonging to SALC.

d) Both SCC and SSSDC have to make their recommendations on the future structure of local government by 27 January 2007. SCC voted for their officers to prepare a case for one unitary authority in Somerset. This would include a reduction in the number of county and district councillors from three hundred to one hundred.

11 District Councillors’ Reports

a) There has been a debate on the boundary review but that does not affect South Petherton.

b) The proposed local government restructuring will be discussed on 18 December 2006. SSDC are totally opposed to what the government is doing and the way it is being done without time for proper consultation. It is clear that SCC and SSDC will appear to be in opposition to each other. The idea of avoiding duplication makes sense but not the process or the lack of consultation. At the end of March 2007, the government will make its decision. Currently the leader is elected from within the party for one year, the likely model is for an elected leader for a four year term; similar to a mayoral system with only the leader having executive powers. . SSDC have recommended to SCC that any proposal to change their systems to ‘local working’ should be deferred until after the restructuring has been decided.

c) SSDC is being assessed for Beacon Council, round eight, which is the assessment of the local councillors.

d) Seavington Parish Council has met with David Laws and Somerset Highways to discuss their concerns about speeding on the Old A303.

e) If Somerset becomes a unitary authority, there will be elections again in May 2008, with shadowing for one year before starting in May 2009.

f) It was noted that Steven Bellei, one of the Team Leaders from the SSDC Planning Department was leaving.

12 Precept 2007/2008

Following the precept meeting, a reduction of 10% was proposed for the South Petherton precept for 2007/2008. It was further proposed that it might be prudent to have a level precept and keep £5,000 as a contingency but after discussion it was agreed to accept the proposal from the precept meeting and the precept for 2007/2008 would be £50,045.

13 Approval of Cheque Payments

Approval was given for cheques drawn as indicated on the list attached to these minutes, plus £15,000 to be transferred from Bath Building Society to the Nat West bank account.

14 Recreation Ground

a) Gates for the recreation ground car park were considered; wooden, metal or electric with a timer. The electronic gates at Martock recreation ground have not been a success, so C Willy is investigating the options and will go to look at some other installations. The cost for electric gates is likely to be between £2,300 - £2,800 plus the electrics of about £3,000.

b) The problem with noise will be discussed with SSDC Environment Officer.

c) Dispersal Zones have been declared in Yeovil and Castle Carey, which put the duty on the police to move people on and clear an area. It was agreed that this should be pursued for the recreation ground car park.

d) Consideration was given to the required work on the BMX track being carried by a group of Parish Councillors in the spring after the weeds have been sprayed. The decision was deferred until next month, after consultation with the Youth PC.

e) It was agreed that the Parish Council would act as paymaster for both the third tennis court and the cricket netting.

f) Drainage from the car park to Bridge Road with a spur to the tennis courts will cost in the region of £2,500. C Willy will obtain another two quotes so a decision can be made.

g) Three local builders were asked to quote for the repairs to the memorial wall, but none have provided a quote so another three will be contacted.

h) Two options for white lining in the car park were considered. SSDC will be asked to obtain quotes for the preferred option. It was decided not to include any kerbs at this stage but leave space for them to be included at a later date if necessary. Advise will be sought on how many bays for disabled parking should be included.

i) Replacement chains and fittings for the cradle swings will be ordered and S Boarder from SSDC, who carries out the weekly inspection, will fit them.

j) There are three broken tiles on the pavilion roof and a broken window.

15 Highways

a) The response from SCC Highways to the concerns raised about the safety of the Over Stratton junction with the Old A303 was disappointing. It was noted that the Community Speed Watch indicates a higher than normal level of speeding along this stretch of road. The concern is whether there would have to be a fatality before something is done to improve the safety here. SCC will again be asked to consider footpath improvements, traffic islands and a refuge for pedestrians.

b) Quotes for the George Lane lights have still not been received.

c) The quote for two lights on South Street Bridge is £15,000 so cannot be pursued at this stage. The idea of the power being supplied by a wind generator or solar power will be discussed as an alternative with Somerset Lighting.

d) A request has been received for a light in Crown Lane opposite P Grinter’s yard. P Kidner and R Shutler offered to investigate this and report back to the next meeting.

e) It was felt that pursuing the Over Stratton light was a priority over Crown Lane and Somerset Lighting will be contacted for a response as to why the earlier light was not maintained.

16 Footpaths

SCC are re-examining the permission for a gate across Y24/78a now that they realise that this was not a replacement gate. For a new gate, planning permission is required and hence consultation.

17 Cemetery

There was nothing reported.

18 Churchyard

a) The quote for ham stone under the seat in the cemetery was £150 so will not be pursued; paving slabs will be put down instead.

b) The vicar has still not respond to a request to give permission for the Parish Council to remove some lower branches from the Christmas tree.

19 Blake Hall

a) M Davidson reported that the Blake Hall Committee has written to the Sports and Social Club about the rent arrears and the increase in rent form January 2007, but they are still four months, approximately £2,500, in arrears.

b) K Ronaldson has a copy of the lease and will discuss this with the SSDC solicitor

20 Market Towns Initiative

No report.

21 Community Woodland Initiative

a) The grass cutting in the new Community Woodland needs to be included in the grass-cutting contract for 2007.

b) R Shutler offered to donate some trees.

c) The possibility of a Carbon Offset Trust to donate to a local fund rather than national fund is being investigated by Ted Woodruffe-Peacock.

22 To Consider

a) Additional Seats - The purchase of three new seats to be situated as per the proposed plan was approved.

b) Audit Report - A response will be sent to Moore Stephens explaining that the clerk is self employed, there is a register of assets, risk assessments are carried out regularly and an increase in fidelity insurance has previously been considered and rejected.

c) Code of Conduct - The Parish Council minutes of 24 October 2006 show the correct record of the Parish Council’s decision and the Councillors that wish to do so have responded to the points raised in B Herrick’s letter.

d) Annual Parish Meeting - This will be at 7.30pm on Monday 30 April 2007.

e) Parish Emergency Plans - This will not be pursued.

f) Planning Enforcement - A response will be sent to SSDC combining the comments of S Wallis and the clerk.

g) SP Newsletter and Almanac - The introduction of a quarterly SP Newsletter will incorporate The Almanac. h) SP Twinning Group and Village Leaflet Funding - It was agreed to give £250 towards the production of a new village leaflet with a print run of 5,000. Other funding still has to be sought for the leaflet to be produced in sufficient numbers to become a village leaflet.

i) Training for Parish Councillors - It was agreed to try to arrange some training for all Parish Councillors after the May 2007 elections, to be held in South Petherton. Consideration will be given to inviting other local parishes.

j) Yeovil Twining Association Donation Request - This was not supported.

23 Meetings

SSDC - Local Government Review, special meeting on 8 January 2007. C Hockey will attend.

The meeting closed at 10.20pm

Chairman……………………… Date…………….