1 Apologies for Absence: M Davidson, S Dickie, L Port and P Robathan

2 Declaration of Interests

a) P Kidner declared an interest in the planning application for plot 2, 23 Silver Street.

b) J Broughton declared an interest in the planning application for 38 Summershard

c) R Beale declared an interest in the tenders for the work at the memorial garden at the recreation ground.

3 Youth PC

a) S Blake and C Hockey are attending the next Youth PC meeting.

b) The ‘Father Christmas’ fund raising before Christmas raised over £200 of which part will be donated to the Youth Club and part to the Busy Bees Pre School.

c) There are two new members of the Youth PC, Zoë and George.

d) The BMX track will be discussed at their next meeting.

4 Late Correspondence

The internal auditor has resigned. S Doble has been asked if he would consider taking on this role on the same terms as the previous internal auditor. He has agreed providing the position is reviewed annually and there can be a system for him being aware of procedural changes.

5 Agreement of Minutes

The minutes of the monthly meeting held on 12 December 2006 were approved and signed as a correct record after altering 15d to read P Grinter not M Grinter.

6 Matters Arising

There is a small car park in Crown Lane owned by the Parish Council. It was agreed that there should be a sign saying ‘This car park is owned by South Petherton Parish Council, who would appreciate if it were used for short stay only’. This will be discussed with the surgery to suggest it would be better used by visitors to the surgery who are probably less able than the staff.

7 Planning Verdicts

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

b) The Parish Council concerns about road safety at the Esso garage have been raised but Highways did not raise similar concerns. Recycling at the garage was not being considered. The height of the illuminated signs has been reduced to the current height.

c) The Parish Council's request for an extension to submit their comments on New Farm Restaurant until after the Parish Council meeting was ignored and a decision has been made. The correspondence between the clerk and the planner was considered and the Parish Council will now write to the Head of Planning about this matter.

8 New Planning Applications

a) 0454ful Alterations and erection of a porch, single storey extension and two storey extension at New Farm Restaurant, Over Stratton.

b) 03421ful Construction of a conservatory to the rear of plot 2, 23 Silver Street, amended plans. The Parish Council recommended approval.

c) 04252lbc The installation of a pole mounted satellite dish in the rear garden of 12 Roundwell Street. The Parish Council recommended approval but will point out to the planning office that the residents of St Peter’s Rise were notified but not the more immediate neighbours in St Paul’s Close.

d) 00010ful The erection of temporary cricket netting during the cricket season. It was noted that this would be in front of the pavilion. The Parish Council recommended approval.

e) 00007ful Erection of an extension and double garage with new access at 38 Summershard. It was noted that some neighbours may not have had the opportunity to see the plans yet. The Parish Council recommended approval subject to knowing the view of Somerset Highways to the change of access into Whitfield Lane.

f) 04652ful Removal of existing conservatory and erection of new. Conversion of garage to living space, erection of an extension and removal of hedge and shed and erection of a fence. The Parish Council recommended approval.

9 PCSO, Michelle Haimes

a) The Police Post will now open on Wednesday mornings instead of Thursday mornings. No change to the Saturday opening.

b) Letters have been delivered to the Lightgate Lane residents asking for help with locking and unlocking the proposed gate at the recreation ground car park. C Willy is investigating electrically operated gates.

c) There is s problem with underage drinking the Roundwell Street area but it is not known who is supplying the alcohol; it is not the local shops. The police are trying to encourage an under 21 policy on sales of alcohol. An article will be written for the newsletter.

d) There have been directed patrols at night to the recreation ground during the past three weeks to move people on.

e) Sgt Stanbridge is not enthusiastic about creating a Dispersal Zone at the recreation ground. The police would not be able to give any greater level of response than they do now. Dispersal notices work well in large car parks in non-residential areas. A dispersal notice would have to be advertised in the local press and local residents would have to declare this when selling their homes.

f) At night the cars do move on but to the next place and then back again eg Recreation ground to Prigg Lane and back.

g) There have been conversations with many of the parents of the13 year olds and upwards about what the young people are doing when out.

h) PC Mark Edgerton, the new beat officer, has been invited to the next PC meeting.

10 Market Towns Initiative

J Broughton reported on the recent meeting with SSDC to consider whether South Petherton should join the SSDC Market Towns Initiative. The benefits of working together as a group were emphasised and the possibility of extra funding. It was felt that in the future South Petherton could fall between the small villages and the small towns and miss out on future funding. As the parish can withdraw at any time if they decide that this is not the right thing, it was decided to join the group. This does not change the status of South Petherton, which continues to be a village.

11 Approval of Cheque Payments

Approval was given for cheques drawn as indicated on the list attached to these minutes.

12 Lengthsman

a) A change to the drop off point and the management of the area scheme is being discussed and a recommendation will be made to the PC.

b) P Kidner took over the writing of the first year report on the Lengthsman Scheme, as D Harvey had not yet done this.

13 Recreation Grounds

a) A second quote for the drainage work at the recreation ground has been received, and a third is awaited. It is anticipated that the work will be done in the spring prior to the installation of the third tennis court.

b) There is a meeting with the SP tennis club on 15 January 2007, to discuss any outstanding matters relating the third court.

c) The BMX track will be discussed by the youth PC.

d) Some paving slabs outside the Busy Bees emergency exit and the fence around the children’s play area have been vandalised.

e) The caretaker does a good job in trying to keep on top of the litter and debris, but it is difficult with the amount of broken glass. This winter has necessitated him working extra hours because of the amount of broken glass. C Wily will discuss this with him and it was agreed that he should be paid accordingly.

f) It was confirmed that the mud was caused by the extra water not anything done by the children. Concern was expressed about the state of the football pitch, which although normally free draining is not coping with the recent heavy rains. Moving the pitch or reducing the size has been discussed with the football club but no decision has yet been made.

g) The pavilion committee will be making grant applications for a new kitchen at the pavilion.

14 Blake Hall

a) A standing order has been set up by the Sports and Social Club for future monthly rental payments but they are still four months arrears.

b) The bell tower is leaking on occasions when it rains, but it is cheaper to replace the ceiling tiles than get the bell tower sealed.

c) There is a problem with barrels and gas cylinders in the entrance to the Blake Hall blocking the Sports and Social club’s own emergency exit. They should not be stored in the stair well at the entrance lobby as this could invalidate the Blake Hall insurance.

d) It was noted that the Parish Council is the Custodian Trustees of the Blake Hall.

15 Highway Matters

a) There has been no response from Somerset Lighting about the missing streetlight on Over Stratton.

b) The initial quote for street lighting in South Street Bridge was in excess of £15,000, but Somerset Lighting proposed an alternative near Watergore. A successful grant application has been made for this, with the Youth PC paying £50 and the Parish Council agreeing to pay £50, subject to the Youth PC consulting with neighbours. There has 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.

c) P Kidner and R Shutler have checked the need for a light in Crown Lane and feel that in the area of the sheltered housing light would be appropriate. J Sharpe offered £600 towards this from his next year’s Divisional Fund. South Somerset Homes will also be approached for funding. P Kidner will mark the most appropriate site and a quote will be obtained.

d) The pavements in the village are often blocked with bins and pallets, ‘A’ signs and on occasions, cars. This will be discussed with SSDC for advice.

e) It was noted that roads and rights of way are not regularly checked by Somerset Highways for fly tipping or maintenance requirements. It is up to individuals to report.

16 Footpaths

S Wallis has contacted SSDC for an update on all of the path maintenance issues reported to them over the last six months because it would appear that none of the work has been actioned. There is a stile on B Herrick's land

Y24/12, which has been reported by a parishioner as being dangerous. It is understood that SCC has now written to B Herrick because it is his responsibility to repair that particular stile, not SSDC's.

17 Cemetery

There are some wooden crosses being erected in the cemetery without permission. It was agreed that to be fair to everyone, all memorials, be they stone, plastic or wooden, that were erected had to be with the permission of the Parish Council as the owner. Hence these will be required to seek permission retrospectively. The clerk will follow this up with the undertakers. Similarly with plaques being erected in the memorial wall without permission.

18 Churchyard

a) The path from Little Thatch to the Infants school needs sweeping initially and then resurfacing.

b) The slabs under the seat will be put in by D Muir and P Stratford.

19 County Councillor’s Report

a) The unitary bid has been prepared, but as the officer’s report has not yet been seen, J Sharpe had nothing more to report on this.

b) There will be a meeting in February on how Local Area Working should be arranged in Somerset. There are some areas with no parish councils. Areas will be grouped around a major centre, which could be around South Petherton. It was not clear how the responsibility between SCC and SSDC would be divided.

20 District Councillors’ Reports

K Ronaldson has met with S Gale, head of SSDC Planning Department to discuss the number of outstanding enforcement actions in South Petherton and seeking update sin what action is proposed.

21 Memorial Garden Wall Repairs

The meeting closed to the public to consider the quotes received. It was agreed that K Vincent would be asked to carry out the work, plus replacing the damaged slabs near the Busy Bees emergency exit.

The meeting closed at 9.44pm

Chairman……………………… Date…………….