1 Apologies for Absence: M Wakely, B Sweet, N Symes and J Sharpe.

2 Parish Council Vacancies

Barbara Sweet has resigned with immediate effect and Michael Wakely has announced his intention to resign after the August Parish Council meeting, so these two vacancies will be formally advertised

3 Members’ Interests

The Parish Councillors co-opted at the last meeting were reminded that their acceptance forms and their Register of Interests should have been returned to the clerk before the start of this meeting, in order for them to participate as Parish Councillors. S Dickie will return hers at a later date, so is unable to vote during this meeting.

4 Declaration of Interests

R Shutler declared an interest in the planning application for West End Close

5 Natalie House, Community Regeneration Officer, SSDC Area North

Natalie House introduced herself and explained her role, which is to look after the Market Towns in SSDC Area North, to support with community planning, to assist where ever possible, to be the link across the four market towns. She can help with providing statistical evidence, grant sources and finding the correct person within SSDC or SCC.

6 Youth Parish Council

a) The changes to the roles of the Youth PC secretary, treasurer were announced and the new roles of vice-secretary and vice-treasurer.

b) Zara Scott-Davies has left following promotion to a new role with in SCC Youth Service and a leaving party was organised for her as a thank you. The Youth PC is now working without any direct support from a youth worker, but with guidance from SCC Youth Service where necessary.

c) They have helped K Parkin, the Tree Warden, with tree planting at SP Junior School.

d) They would welcome having a new SP PC link to work with them.

e) They have agreed to take over responsibility for cardboard recycling with help from the scouts and cubs.

7 Agreement of Minutes

The minutes of the monthly meeting held on 12 June 2007 were approved and signed as a correct record.

8 Matters Arising

a) Allotments - J Broughton offered to discuss the state of the track with D Vaux, and consideration was given to getting three quotes and charging the cost of the remedial work to D Vaux.

b) The Health Fair has been arranged for 21 August 2007 with SP Surgery offering a room at the surgery as the venue.

c) Cardboard recycling will continue whilst the handover to the Youth PC is organised

9 New Planning Applications

a) 02759ful Siting of one static caravan for site manager (renewal of permission) at West Down Orchard Touring Caravan Park, Lopen Head. The Parish Council recommended approval as they think it essential that a touring caravan park should have an on site manager, but would like to know that that the outstanding issues relating to the storage of caravans and running other businesses from the site have been resolved before a further planning application is approved.

b) 02551ful Alterations and erection of an extension at Sheria, Whitfield Lane. The Parish Council recommended approval.

c) 01252ful Amended plan for the erection of 19 houses at West End Close to include a change of window fenestration on plot 4 to provide accommodation for a disabled person. The Parish Council had no objection to this change for one dwelling but their overall comment on a recommendation of refusal for this planning application had not changed.

d) 00719ful Demolition of existing house and outbuildings, formation of a new access and erection of 7 dwellings, revised design and site layout and parking layout at 5 Roundwell Street. Whist acknowledging that improvements have been made to the original application, the Parish Council still recommended refusal, as this does not address their main concern of over development of the site and future parking problems. The original comments relating to this application still stand i.e. to recommend refusal because of the close proximity to existing residential properties, over development of the site, an unsympathetic design for a conservation area and the impact of the lack of light that three storey buildings fronting on a narrow road would create. Whilst the plans allow for one car parking space per dwelling plus two extra, the level of off street parking when most households, even smaller dwellings, have two cars is a concern in this narrow road.

10 Village Representatives and SP PC Working Parties

These were agreed as per the attached list. With two vacancies on SP PC, the remaining posts will be filled when theses appointments have been made.

11 Approval of Accounts for 2006/2007

The accounts for 2006/2007 were accepted and approved.

12 Audit Commission, Annual Return for 2006/2007

The Annual Return was approved and it was agreed that R Neve should sign it on behalf of SP PC. The detailed report from the Internal Auditor will be discussed at the next SP PC meeting

13 Approval of Cheque Payments

Approval was given for cheques 3494 - 3531drawn as indicated on the list attached to these minutes.

14 Highway Matters

a) Work has almost been completed on resurfacing St James Street, but there is a problem relating to the bridge over the brook where there was insufficient depth of surface to be dealt with at the same time. It was queried whether the work included work on the sewage drains or just the run off drains

b) Enquires have been made about getting the cables across St James Street car park removed and placed underground and these discussion are progressing.

c) The work planned for Hayes End roundabout does not include moving the drain to make it effective

15 Footpaths

a) Having received a letter from SCC Rights of Way team saying the gate across Southfield Lane can remain as it is, local residents have written to David Laws, as there was no consultation on the matter. SSDC footpath officers have been asked to walk the paths with the original walking notes, which were used to define the definitive map. There is an issue that this locked gate blocks a legal access to the fields used by J Broughton and M Goddard-Watts, and the pedestrian gate is not suitable for disabled access or pushchairs.

b) The yellow lettering on the new wooden footpath signs is difficult to read; black or dark blue would seem to be more appropriate. P Robathan offered to check whether it would be acceptable for these to be painted another colour.

16 Recreation Ground

a) There has been no reply from Mayday about the problems experienced with the new drainage across the recreation ground, but with the recent heavy rain it does seem to be working. It was agreed that Mayday would be duty bound to remedy the drain if needs to be extended to Bridge Road.

b) Work on the third tennis court has been delayed due to the bad weather. The contractors are not being allowed to take their vehicles onto the recreation ground so they are tipping into the car park, and using a mechanical wheelbarrow across wooden planks in the play area. Work is due to be finished during next two weeks.

c) Reseeding of the football pitch has been completed.

d) A formal agreement needs to be in place with all the users of the recreation ground, including the pavilion committee. A meeting will be arranged between the R Neve, R Shutler and C Willy to discuss how this should be implemented.

17 Cemetery

a) It was confirmed that a letter has been sent to Pitt Bros for SP PC to take back the use of the land currently rented by them in 2008.

b) The position of the proposed new trees in the cemetery will be marked out and comments invited. Concern was expressed that planting along the track, whilst looking attractive, could cause damage to the graves as the trees grew.

c) In the Community Woodland the contractor currently mows the paths and the rest has been left to grow naturally.

d) Plans for the boundary hedge were queried. A price for this work will be obtained for discussion at the next SP PC meeting.

18 Churchyard

a) J Purefoy gave an update on the progress on the piers and the walls and he will now be obtaining quotes.

b) He has met with the rector who has a list of requests that he would like considered by SP PC. The rector would like the work go through the deminimis system, with approval being sought from the Archdeacon rather than the faculty. The list needs to be prioritised and SP Parochial Church Council has offered to make a financial contribution to the work.

19 To Consider

a) Additional Litter Bins - The manager at Balfours has agreed to put a replacement litterbin by their door. N Greenleaf will monitor the requirement for another litterbin on the junction of Silver Street and Prigg Lane. A request will be made to SSDC to replace the missing bin outside the Co-op.

b) Bus Stop Proposal - The suggestion from a parishioner to have the bus stop outside the David Hall as the main bus stop to reduce the amount of heave traffic going through the village was discussed but considered not to be viable because the bus would still require a turning area and moving the bus stop from outside The Old Court house increases the walking distance for many who use the bus.

c) Cardboard Recycling - This is being taken over by SP Youth PC. There have been problems of anti social behaviour in the car park, which it has been suggested are associated with recycling bin. The recreation ground car park was considered as a venue but this would not be ideal at weekends, which is a busy time at the recreation ground, so will not be pursued.

d) Clocks - Quotes will be obtained for repairing the clocks at the recreation ground, at the vets and Crombleholmes clock.

e) Emergency Planning - It was decided not to pursue this at the present time.

f) Flower Troughs on the Wall by the Brook in Silver Street - SSDC Planning Officers will be consulted and costs obtained.

g) Future Management of Duchy’s Orchard - A decision on this was deferred for six months, whilst giving priority to other areas of tree planting.

h) Hayes End Development - A letter from K Duffield suggesting an option for an off site contribution to be retained by South Petherton, associated with social housing/affordable homes, which could create additional funding to develop the village was considered. The proposal seemed to be against SSDC policies, so the meeting closed to give K Duffield an opportunity to explain his proposal. His original planning application was to include affordable homes but SSDC officers have changed their decision on this. SSDC say it is social engineering not to have social housing in a development of this size. They say there is a need for social housing in SP and hence a local policy should be agreed.

i) Homefinder Somerset Choice Based Policy - The proposed system is driven by the applicant rather than the council. Homes are advertised and applicants apply rather than a council officer allocating. Applicants are graded into categories depending upon their need. The proposal is likely to speed up the process. SP PC agreed to support this.

j) Market Towns Initiative Interpretation Board Maintenance - It was agreed that SP PC would be responsible for maintenance.

k) Move Recycling Bins from St James Street to Prigg Lane Car Park - It was noted that the new recycling contract, if it approved next week by SSDC, would include a reassessment of where recycling bins should be positioned and SP might find that they no longer have this facility. Kerbside recycling was discussed and the longer-term requirement for recycling bins was questioned. In the shorter term no change will be made, but longer term the bins should be removed.

l) Planning Considerations, Training 17 July 2007 - Parish Councillors were reminded of the details for this training. Parish Councillors from neighbouring parishes have also been invited.

m) Publication Scheme - R Neve has now finished preparing this and the Information Commissioner will be asked for their comments.

n) Recycled Paper - The increased cost of recycled paper and increased ink usage were considered and the decision was not to change to using recycled paper.

o) Revised Code of Conduct - Acceptance of this was approved.

p) South Somerset Sustainable Community Strategy - This document is intended to reflect the views of the community not SSDC. It will become the measure by which any service provider delivers their service to the community, but eco- sustainability is not mentioned in any detail, so it was agreed to accept the recommendation from J Johnson and SP PC would respond to this affect.

q) Sport Relief - This funding opportunity was noted.

r) Temporary Overt Camera - This is a police initiative, for a camera to be fitted for two months to cover St James Street car park. The £70 cost of installation would have to be met by SP PC and this was agreed.

s) Tree Planting on the Perimeter of St James Street Car Park - N Greenleaf offered to research other areas that have done something similar.

t) Tree Warden, Assistant to help Ken Parkin - Rob Cotterill has agreed to take on the role of assistant Tree Warden and SP PC supported this.

u) Venue for SP PC Meetings and the Use of a Hearing Loop - Two letters of concern about the proposed move to the Blake Hall and the wheelchair access have been received. A number of Parish Councillors would benefit from a hearing loop as loss of hearing is also a disability and full size tables and chairs would be easier for everyone. Blake Hall Management Committee have spent a number of years trying to get approval from SSDC Building Control to install a platform stair lift. In a similar situation Langport Town Council have been able to install a platform stair lift. This will be investigated further before a decision on moving SP PC meetings to the Blake Hall is decided.

20 District Councillors’ Report

a) Local Government Review - The government has received the bids, but there is now a change of ministers and a second consultation document has been sent out on how the choice should be made. The Treasury is now involved and financial reasons are now being considered. It seems wrong to ignore strong democratic reason against the change ie 82% of Somerset residents and local MPs. There has been a legal challenge to the process, as the bill had not gone through parliament, so an expected announcement on 31 July is likely to be delayed until after ministers have heard the challenge in September.

b) The British High Commission in India have not granted visas to the Indian touring tem that was coming to South Petherton in August

c) Weed spraying should take place during week commencing 16 July if the weather improves.

d) The new gambling act comes into force on 1 September 2007 and SSDC Licensing Committee will be issuing new licences.

e) Forms on how to make a claim for any unclaimed benefits were made available.

f) F Ronaldson has met with Police Sgt Lloyd.

21 County Councillor’s Report

No report.

22 Meetings

Community Council for Somerset Road Show, 18 July 2007 - No Parish Councillors were available to attend

The meeting closed at 9.49pm

Chairman……………………… Date…………….