SOUTH PETHERTON PARISH COUNCIL
Monthly Meeting held on 13 February 2007
Present:
Mr R Beale
Mrs M Davidson
Ms N Greenleaf
Mr C Hockey
Mr R Neve
Mr R Shutler
Mr M Wakely
Ms S Wallis
Mrs M Willy
Mr P Robathan (District Councillor)
Mr J Sharpe (County Councillor) - part
Mrs S Blake (Clerk)
a) The four new members of the Youth PC introduced themselves. Before Christmas when there were two vacancies there were five applicants.
b) At the recent celebration night held in Ilminster, the Youth PC gave a presentation of what they have been doing.
c) There have been complaints about the anti-social behaviour around the David Hall, this group were invited to go to the Youth Club but did not arrive, so the Youth PC went down to the David Hall to meet them. The group have been invited to join the Youth Club free for one month and to work on making a film about what life is like for them in South Petherton. The anti social behaviour was from children of eight years old and upward.
d) The questionnaire for the consultation about the new light in Watergore is being completed.
e) Funded by the Youth Opportunities Fund, sixty young people from other villages will have a residential weekend in the New Forest, with South Petherton Youth PC doing the training.
f) Before Christmas they took Father Christmas around the village and raised £250, of which £50 went to the Youth Club, £100 to Busy Bees Pre School and £100 for the Youth PC.
g) P Robathan reported that Jamie Knight had won an award at Stanchester School; he was voted the most outstanding person by his fellow students.
h) The young people in the village have indicated that they would like a skateboard park rather than a full MUGA. So the Youth PC had explained how the funding would have to be obtained and questioned whether the young people would get bored with a skate board park as they had the BMX track. The BMX track is ideal for younger children but needs some repair work and some higher jumps. The Youth PC is going to produce a questionnaire about this for SP Junior School.
i) The Youth PC were congratulated on what they have achieved.
4 Late Correspondence
There was one planning application, which the planner has agreed can be deferred until the next meeting.
The minutes of the monthly meeting held on 9 January 2007 were approved and signed as a correct record after correcting some typing errors.
b) To date there has been no reply from Simon Gale about why the planning application for New Farm Restaurant was dealt with in the way it was without waiting for the parish council response.
c) The new Beat Officer is planning to attend the PC meeting.
a) 00262ful Alterations and the erection of an extension to the rear of Fouts Farm. The Parish Council recommended approval.
b) 00389ful Erection of a two storey rear extension to 28 Compton Road. The Parish Council recommended approval.
c) 00246ful Erection of an open porch at the rear of Corner Cottage, 2 Whitehall, retrospective application. It was agreed that this was the best that could be achieved and the Parish Council recommended approval.
d) 04258ful Erection of a field shelter for cattle at The Mobile Home at South Harp Farm, Lower Stratton. The Parish Council recommended approval.
e) It was noted that although not yet received by the Parish Council, SSDC has received an application to demolish 5 Roundwell Street and erect seven new houses.
8 Market Towns Initiative
Neither J Broughton or N Greenleaf was able to attend the Market Towns Initiative meeting held in January; the next meeting is on 1 March 2007.
a) R Shutler explained what was being proposed; to put in a mixture of tree sizes, including some larger ones, with rabbit guards, fencing and gates with a four-metre footpath fenced off for access and a gate to allow grass cutting access from the cemetery.
b) P Kidner has quoted to cut Mr Darby’s hedge.
c) Access to the land owned by the Parish Council and leased to Pitt Brothers needs to be discussed. The Community Woodland Group will make a recommendation to the next Parish Council Meeting about this.
d) The Badger Preservation Group will be consulted before any work is done.
e) Approval of the quotes for the work will be subject to the above two points being resolved.
f) The British Trust for Conservation Volunteers has offered their services for projects such as this.
a) C Matthews, the PCSO for the Crewkerne area, who is training with Michelle Haimes was introduced.
b) Michelle Haimes will continue as the PCSO for South Petherton and Eggwood Wards and Richard Oaten will be the PCSO for East Coker and Odcombe area.
c) Initially it was proposed that there would be six PCSOs but now there will only be three, but Stoke sub Hamdon and Tintinhull have been moved to another group.
d) The Police Community Trust might be able to help the Youth PC with funding for their project on anti-social behaviour amongst young people.
e) There has been a lot of glass and litter around the David Hall. The police do move the group on but they then meet somewhere else in the village.
f) The possible use of a ‘mosquito’ for the David Hall area is being considered, as the police are considering purchasing three. It emits a sound that is unpleasant to the hearing of young people. How it might effect hearing aid users will be checked before it is used.
g) When/if a gate is installed at the recreation ground car park, it has been suggested that the police should be asked to help with the locking for the first week.
h) Residents can call and report any crime and say that they want to remain anonymous.
Approval was given for cheques drawn as indicated on the list attached to these minutes, plus £100 to Busy Bees Pre School from the Youth PC funds.
12 District Councillors’ Reports
a) C Matthews the new PCSO used to work for SSDC.
b) Two proposals for the local government reorganisation have been sent to the Government. The first assessment is that the SSDC bid is valid and there will now be a meeting to discuss the detail. This is a different bid to that being put forward by SCC. It has been suggested that it should be the residents that decide on what form of local government they want.
c) The Democracy Bus will be in South Petherton on Wednesday 14 February 2007 to explain the role of district and parish councillors.
d) The first ‘carbon excise duty’ in the parish has been paid by P Robathan and will be ring fenced towards the
planting of more trees in the parish.
e) A question was raised about Safeway and Nippy Bus services covering the same/similar routes. Until control is given back to the district or county council, there is nothing that can be enforced on routes, except for discussion with the two operators. The Nippy Bus ‘demand response’ route is subsidised but not the direct route. It was suggested that parishioners should write to the two bus companies with their views.
13 Highway Matters
a) There has still been no response from Somerset Lighting to the request for a quote for wind generation or solar power for the lights on South Street Bridge. As the grant obtained by the Youth PC has to be spent by the end of March, if this progressed before the next Parish Council meeting, it was agreed to put £2000 towards these lights.
b) With such slow progress on the George Lane light it was suggested that residents should write to David Laws. c) SSDC are still providing a service for litter and sweeping in the parish but the glass in the car parks has been a particular problem recently. Road sweeping by the library seems to be a particular problem so the Lengthsman will be asked to give attention to this area.
d) Dog fouling is again becoming problem in Silver Street and Hayes End. If it is known who the offending owner is a fixed penalty can be issued.
14 Footpaths
a) Where the new gate has been installed in Over Stratton, there are now three gates but the definitive map shows only one. SCC Rights of Way Group is to clarify the situation on the existing gates. SCC have asked the view of the Parish Council on what gate would-be appropriate but first it needs to be established whether there should be an additional gate to prevent vehicles using the track. And the Parish Council will ask SCC to carry out the necessary procedures to establish the need for a gate first eg planning permission and consultation. There has to be a demonstrated need that vehicles are damaging the track.
b) At the end of the same track there is another gate for which no application has been made to install it. R Shutler offered to discuss this with J Broughton who is believed to be the landowner.
c) The stile has now been repaired on Y24/12 but the surface needs to be improved. Mere Linches Trust owns one side and S Wallis offered to discuss this with the Trustees.
d) An application has been made to SCC by P Kidner for a York gate instead of a stile adjacent to Chapel field, the new Community Woodland. If approved SCC will be asked to provide the gate as they have elsewhere in the parish.
15 Recreation Grounds
a) It was agreed to accept the quote of £900 to bring the BMX track back up to standard.
b) It was agreed to accept the quote for the installation of a metal gate at the entrance to the recreation ground car park. Two couples have contacted PCSO M Haimes to say that they will be happy to lock and unlock a gate at the recreation ground car park. A letter asking for confirmation will be requested. Each user group will have a key and it was agreed it should be locked at 10.30pm each night.
c) It was agreed to accept the quote for white lining marked bays in the recreation ground car park.
d) There was an attempted break in at the pavilion and the alarm was set off. It was agreed that the Parish Council would pay for the repairs.
e) Litter in the play area is a big problem despite the efforts of caretaker to keep it clear.
16 Cemetery
a) R Beale has now arranged for two people to work on reducing the number of rabbits, but they also need to go into the adjacent field owned by the Parish Council. R Shutler will ask Pitt Brothers about access.
b) The future use of the field owned by the Parish Council to be considered at the next meeting. R Shutler will discuss a possible change with Pitt Brothers.
c) The quote for weed spraying at the cemetery was approved.
17 Churchyard
a) The slabs under the seat in the churchyard are still outstanding.
b) The new church architect has been contacted about the work required for the piers and wall by the gate.
18 County Councillor’s Report
a) J Sharpe suggested that County Councillor J Shortland might have some information about wind and solar powered lights as some had been erected in her Ward.
b) The Slinky bus can be used by those living in Seavington but its service does not extend as far as South Petherton.
c) The Lengthsman report has been well received by SCC but written confirmation of funding for 2007/2008 has still not been received from SCC.
d) Consultation on the admission policy for schools and a revised school transport arrangements for low-income families are being considered.
e) There is a change in the speed management policy with new guidance on setting local speed limits. In future if the Parish Council wanted to have a flashing speed warning sign it will be possible for them to make the decision to purchase one from their own funds. The Parish Council has not yet received this document.
f) Whilst acknowledging that a good case has been put by SSDC for the local government reorganisation, SCC has concerns about splitting social services and the education service. A decision is expected on 27 March 2007.
g) The Local Area Authorities proposed by SCC will have a devolved budget making decisions at a lower level.
19 Blake Hall
There has been no progress in sorting out the money owning by the Sports and Social Club.
20 David Hall
It was agreed that the Parish Council would act as paymaster for the light in the archway in front of the David Hall.
21 Lengthsman
a) P Kidner was thanked for writing the report on the first year of the Lengthsman Scheme. He has offered to write the report in future years.
b) It was agreed that the new drop off point for tasks for the Lengthsman would be a post box on the side of the Blake Hall, subject to the Blake Hall Committee agreeing.
c) The Scheme Co-ordinator has changed to what has evolved ie S Blake will deal with the day to day management and Mrs M Muir will keep the paper records; both will be paid from the Lengthsman Scheme budget.
22 To Consider
a) CCTV - The suggestion of CCTV by the David Hall was considered and a Market Towns Initiative of a shared system giving economies of scale may cover this.
b) Recycled Paper - Most recycled paper goes to China as there is in sufficient demand for recycled products in the UK, the Parish Council agreed to use recycled paper where practical in future. S Wallis will investigate costs and get some samples of the quality. This will also be discussed with the Purchasing Officer at SSDC to see if there can be a benefit of economies of scale on the purchasing.
c) New Site for SP PC Notice Board - The proposed site on the Nat West Bank wall was considered. It was felt that being on a wall behind a railing was a problem for those wanting to read the notices and that the area whilst central was too busy. On balance the current position was felt to be preferable. The SP PP group would be asked for other suggestions for siting the new notice board.
d) Aggregate Levy - If there is evidence of where South Petherton stone was quarried, it might be possible to apply for grants under the Aggregate Levy. M Willy and M Wakely will investigate.
e) Somerset Local Access Forum - No one was interested in joining this.
23 Meetings
a) The Future of Rural Post Offices - No one is able to attend.
b) Local Area Working Panels - R Neve will attend.
c) SSDC Annual Meeting with Parish Councils - C Hockey will attend.
d) Somerset Local Awareness Forum - No one is able to attend.
d) It was noted that the SSDC Regulation Committee would be meeting at 10am on 20 February 2007 to consider the planning application for The Mobile Home at South Harp Farm.
e) It was noted that the appeal hearing to lift the agricultural tie at Barcroft Hall would commence on 6 March 2007.
f) There will be a meeting at 7pm on 6 March 2007 in South Petherton church to discuss the plans for South Petherton hospital.
The meeting closed to the public.
24 Tenders
b) Community Woodland - It was agreed that the contract for the trees and hedging be awarded to R Shutler, the fencing to Mayday Ground Works and P Kidner be asked to cut the existing hedge. These three contracts being subject to all known costs being available ie gates, sufficient funding being available and the grant confirmed in writing. So none of the above will be contacted yet to carry out the work.
It was agreed that the Parish Council should pay K Duffield’s legal costs for the transfer of the land.
c) Recreation Ground Drainage - It was agreed that Mayday Ground Works be awarded the contract.
The meeting closed at 10.30pm
Chairman……………………… Date…………….