SOUTH PETHERTON PARISH COUNCIL
Monthly Meeting held on 3 December 2007
Present:
Mr. R. Neve – Chairman
Mr. J. Broughton
Mrs. J. Derbyshire
Mrs. S. Dickie
Mr. M. Duplock
Ms N Greenleaf
Mr P Mottram
Mr R Shutler
Mr C Willy
Mrs M Willy
Mr P Robathan (District Councillor)
Mr K Ronaldson (District Councillor)
Mr J Sharpe (County Councillor)
Mr. S. Doble (Acting Clerk)
Mrs S Blake (Clerk)
Absent: Mrs. N. Symes
Mr Mick Duplock signed the Acceptance of Office and joined the meeting. It was reported that there had been interest expressed in the other available vacancy but the individual was not present. It was noted that Mrs. Symes had now missed three consecutive meetings.
4 Late Correspondence
The Clerk read a letter from Mrs. C. M Beckett regarding the use of footpaths for horses. Similarly a letter from John and Vivien Jewsbury registering objections to the planning application for 5, Roundwell Street. The South Somerset Are Working Panel confirmed a meeting at Wincanton on the 5th December.
An agenda had been received for the meeting with Area North Town and Parish Councils that would be attended by Mr. R. Shutler. E-mails had been received from Mr. K. Dexter who had reported several highways issues to the relevant office.
The minutes of the monthly meeting held on 5th November 2007 were approved and signed as a correct record.
Inspector Pritchard described the role he played in the large Somerton sector. With a history in Community Policing though experience in other roles he noted that this was his ideal job and that he was concerned to further establish community policing with an emphasis on continuity of staffing.
With a structure involving 100 staff, the sector comprises Response Team for emergencies and a Team that concentrates on Neighbourhood Policing. There were developments in terms of cells that were being installed at Wincanton and Chard and 24 hour supervision was now in place.
He confirmed that Mark Edgington from the South Petherton Beat Team had been promoted but was intending to replace him by Christmas.
His priority was to reduce the fear of crime, noting that whilst South Petherton has a low crime rate the fear of crime was still evident.
He was keen to emphasise the role local communities played in determining the police agenda.
In answer to a question posed regarding the installation of a PC (computer) at the village Police Post he said that he would be looking into it. He also addressed a concern raised in the public session regarding the use of Moor Lane by overly large vehicles using SatNav systems.
A question was raised about locally funding a police officer. Inspector Pritchard thought that it would be better to fund a PCSO that would not be available to be moved away from the village.
8 Presentation by Peter Littlewood as Youth Representative on the Parish Plan.
Mr. Littlewood had started looking into the lack of a place for young people to regularly socialise. His aim of providing such a place was being temporarily addressed by the very successful visits by the Time-Out Together Bus. However, he would like to see a longer term solution perhaps in the form of a Youth Café with the ability to provide food drink, Internet support, games and DVD facilities.
The Bus was attracting about 20 young people each visit, between the ages of 12 and 17. It was noticeable that they all engaged positively and politely.
He would be looking to fund-raising with the YPPC once support from the community was established
There would only be two more evenings currently with the bus. One would be used as an open evening with any interested parties welcome to visit.
9 New Planning Applications
a) 04995cou Use of part of light industrial unit as bus depot at Lopen Business Park (Lopen Parish) – South Petherton Parish Council supported the concern that had been expressed by both the Highways Department and Lopen Parish Council that the junction was unsuitable.
b) 03039ful Erection of agricultural store and formation of hardstanding at land adjacent to 50, Compton Road, South Petherton (Mr. Shutler left the room) - Recommended Approval
c) 0719ful Amended Plans for the demolition of existing house and outbuildings, formation of a new access and erection of six dwellings at 5, Roundwell Street, South Petherton – Recommended refusal based on the same objections as previously:
Over development of site
Concern over future parking problems on a narrow road
Close proximity to existing residential properties
Unsympathetic design for a conservation area
The impact of the lack of light that three storey buildings fronting on a narrow road would create
d) 05207ful Revised application for erection of a detached dwelling house and detached garage/carport with amended fenestration details at land adjoining Manor Gardens, Hayes End, South Petherton (Mrs. Willy left the room) - Recommended Approval
e) 02022lbc Replacement of aluminium gutters with Brent Martin Rain Water Goods at Hayes End Manor, Hayes End South Petherton – Recommend Approval
10 Highway Matters
Comments were made regarding Mr. K Dexter’s Highways matters noted in the late correspondence:
· The drain by Hayes End Manor is a soakaway
· Freezers dumped off Bridge Way had already been reported but no action taken. Mr. Robathan would look into this.
11 Footpaths
It would be established with Mrs. Beckett whether FP76 was correct as noted in her letter.
12 Recreation Ground
a) Play Equipment. It had been pointed out to the Council that a Pirate Ship would not be the best way to spend available funds. Clare Davis would be asked to write to the Council with a list of suggestions.
b) Pavilion Committee. It was reported that a meeting had taken place with 8 members present. A Treasurer had been appointed but no Secretary as yet. The progress was welcomed but it was agreed that it was early days. The next meeting was planned for the 6th February, Mr. P. Mottram would represent the Council.
It was noted that the Committee was getting behind with the payment of electricity.
c) Chain-link fencing repairs. Mr. C Willy had contacted the contractor who was willing to mend top and bottom of the fence for £500. It was agreed that this work should go ahead. Mr. Willy would progress it.
d) Hedge Cutting along Bridge Road. It was now too wet. When dry again, this would be organised.
e) Garden of remembrance. The Lengthsman Mr. D. Muir had tidied the area up but asked whether it could be removed. The Council would look to the community for views on this (TA13, The 60’s Club, the Annual Parish Meeting). It was noted that work to maintain the Garden had been given to Keith Vincent some time earlier but had not yet been carried out.
f) Moving the Shelter. Michelle Haimes had raised a query about this taking place. This was not being pursued but the possibility of extending a light from the MUGA/ Tennis Courts was being considered.
13 Cemetery and Churchyard
Cemetery. There was some concern that the revised plan to plant trees in the Cemetery should take account of unmarked burials and sold grave-spaces. Use of the burials map would be made to guide the planting. The number of trees would be reduced from the original 25 to about 8 or 10.
Work quoted by Mr. P. Kidner at the November meeting needed re-quoting without the cutting of the laurel hedge that was already in the specification of the contractor who cuts the grass.
Churchyard. M. Willy reported that the step leading to the gate opposite the Church Steps is badly broken. Mr. K. Dexter would be asked to report this to the Highways Department.
14 Approval of Cheque Payments
Approval was given for cheques 3596 – 3614 drawn as indicated on the list attached to these minutes.
15 County Councillor’s Report
Mr. J. Sharpe noted that the South Somerset Area Working Panel would be meeting on the 5th December. Only two of three applications for funding by the Parish Council had yet been determined and it was noted that there was some confusion around the matter. Mrs. S. Blake would attend this meeting.
He noted that Adult Social Services in the County had received the highest award for the fifth year in a row.
A gritting schedule had been released but not yet received by the Parish Council.
Comments were invited regarding the proposed Park and Ride scheme for East Taunton in a consultation process.
The George Lane light saga continued with there being some unfounded comments regarding the Parish Council causing a delay in the process. Letters from the Council would be re-sent to the Lighting department and Mr. Sharpe notified when this had been done.
16 District Councillors’ Report
Paull Robathan spoke on behalf of the District Council.
a) The Persimmon Application for Lightgate Development had been approved but not issued. This would not happen until certain conditions were agreed including the Footpath relocation and the prevention of use of Lightgate Lane by construction traffic.
b) Moor Lane and other SatNav problems in the Parish had already been reported to the major SatNav companies.
c) Christmas Lighting. Mr. Robathan noted that contrary to the request made by Mr. Hockey in the Public Session that Christmas Lighting should be considerably increased and improved, the District were looking at ways to reduce them due to the ecological cost.
d) Again replying to an issue raised in the Public Session, Mr. Robathan reaffirmed the District Council position that if similar levels of damage recurred to the Prigg Lane toilets they would be closed. It was noted that the lights are meant to be turned off when the toilets are locked up at night to deter misuse.
e) Blake Hall staircase. There would be a new attempt to rectify.
f) He had agreed to fund a flag for the Cricket Club.
g) Yeovil Country Park had been successful in being awarded £79, 000 from the lottery.
h) There would be an initiative to provide local businesses with the possibility of very high speed broadband access.
i) Mr. K. Ronaldson reported that the issues regarding Moondown Lane noted in November had been referred to Paul Attwell.
17 To Consider
a) Interpretation/Information Boards – There would be news of any developments on these in the week following the Parish Council meeting.
b) Tree Working Committee – Mr. K. Parkin had forwarded the minutes of the Committee in which there was a suggestion regarding the appointment of a maintenance contractor for trees at the Cemetery. The Council agreed that they would keep with the existing arrangement to use the District Arborist to give recommendations and to get necessary work carried out when required.
c) A request had been received from Keith Duffield for permission to move a new badger sett very near to the Hayes End Development site. The Council had no objections.
d) Progress on Village Clocks. It was reported that a series of quotes from a supplier had been received but were very high prices and, specifically, the recommendation was to replace rather than repair the clock that had been outside Crombleholme’s Shop. This was thought to defeat the point. It was noted that there would be no good purpose for having a clock on the Blake Hall with the proximity of the Church clock.
The meeting closed to the public at 9.05pm
18 Contracts
Tenders for tree work at the Cemetery were not available and it was agreed that Mr. R. Shutler should return the committees recommendations to the Clerk.
The Clerk reminded the Council that there would be a meeting to determine the Precept on the 3rd January 2008.
The meeting closed at 9.15pm
Chairman……………………… Date…………….