1 Apologies for Absence: P Mottram

2 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.

3 Co-option to the Parish Council

There were six nominations for five vacancies. After voting, Joe Broughton, Jenny Derbyshire, Sandra Dickie, Nikki Greenleaf and John Johnson were duly co-opted.

4 Declaration of Interests

a) J Purefoy declared an interest in the planning application for The Old Vicarage at Old Vicarage Gardens

b) R Shutler declared an interest in the application for 34 Compton Road

c) J Broughton declared an interest in the application for Southfield Cottage, Over Stratton.

d) J Derbyshire and N Greenleaf declared an interest in the application for 40 St James Street.

5 Late Correspondence

The determination of the planning application for a residential development of 55 dwellings and associated works on land adjoining St Michaels Gardens and Lightgate Lane, permission has been refused

6 Agreement of Minutes

The minutes of the monthly meeting held on 8 May 2007 were approved and signed as a correct record after altering item 19b to say that ‘District Councillors had £5,000 in total’ not each.

7 Matters Arising

a) Allotments - The allotment holders have asked that, as a matter of routine letters should be sent to those who are not cultivating their allotments as the weeds cause a problem to other allotment users, saying ‘an improvement is required within four weeks or the allotment will be reallocated to the next person on the waiting list’. This was agreed; two letters will be sent immediately.

b) The spraying of the field is causing damage to some allotments, so it was agreed that a five-metre strip should be left between the crop and the allotments.

8 New Planning Applications

a) 02019ful Erection of a 1.8m high garden boundary wall at The Old Vicarage, Old Vicarage Gardens. The Parish Council recommended approval

b) 01807ful Erection of a conservatory at 43 Lightgate. The Parish Council recommended approval.

c) 02023cou Change of use of existing flat to office accommodation at 28a St James Street. The Parish Council recommended approval

d) 02180ful Demolition of existing bungalow and erection of one dwelling at Southfield Cottage, Over Stratton. The Parish Council recommended approval.

e) 021961lbc and 02192ful The erection of a dwelling house with integral garage at 40 St James Street.

This application only partially addressed the concerns raised when the first application for the site was considered. This part of South Petherton is a conservation area and this planning application is for a house to be built in one of the oldest areas of South Petherton, which by doing so would spoil the character of that area. 40 St James Street was historically part of a larger house so any change should be considered as the affect on the 'whole' house. This is not in keeping with the row of houses in St James Street as suggested in the supporting letter. There is a listed wall that would need to be demolished if this application was approved. This is not a brown field site but in a private garden. The comparison with proposed dwelling house that has been approved on the opposite side of Silver Street is inappropriate as that is going to be built in a 'yard' so a brown field site but also where there has previously been a cottage. This is proposed to be in part of a garden. This area of South Petherton is known to flood and cottages in this part of Silver Street have been flooded in the past, so with less garden and more buildings the risk of flooding is likely to increase. Safety could be an issue as the entrance/exit is across a narrow pavement with restricted visibility on to a busy one way street close to the junction of St James Street and Silver Street. The relative levels of land make this inappropriate, particularly with the height that any retaining wall would need to be and the close proximity of the retaining wall to the proposed dwelling house. The ground floor of the proposed new dwelling would be surrounded by a retaining wall giving restricted views, and first floor windows would overlook neighbouring gardens. This is not in keeping with any local style in South Petherton. There are currently over 100 new homes planned for South Petherton and it is questioned whether South Petherton can 'service' any more dwellings or needs any more new dwellings. There were many other valid points raised by parishioners which all need serious consideration by SSDC planning officers as this would affect some of the oldest houses in South Petherton and hence the character of the village. After a vote the Parish Council recommend refusal

f) 01700ful Amended proposal for erection of extension to the dwelling at Sherwood, 38 Summershard. The garage has been removed from this application The Parish Council recommended approval.

g) 0258ful Erection of a detached dwelling on land adjoining Manor Gardens, Hayes End. The Parish Council recommended approval with the request that there should be a condition to retain the red brick wall, which was a condition of the original outline planning permission.

h) 02234ful Amended plans to an approved dwelling at Land Adjoining the Old Telephone Exchange, Hele Lane. The Parish Council recommended approval.

i) 02578ful Erection of a conservatory at 54 Summershard. The Parish Council recommended approval.

j) 02606ful Demolition of fire damaged bungalow and erection of a replacement chalet at 34 Compton Road. The Parish Council recommended approval.

k) Amended plans for the smoking area at the Brewer’s Arms. The Parish Council recommended approval.

9 Movement of heavy plant equipment on to the site at St Michael’s Gardens and Lightgate Lane

This has been discussed with SSDC Planning Department and Rights of Way Team. Movement of heavy plant equipment on to the site on a temporary basis is acceptable with the owner's permission, but it cannot stay for more than six months without planning permission. The Local Plan says access for contractors to the site should be via Silver Street and if there is a future planning application that will need to be a condition.

10 County Councillor’s Report

a) The government has announced a consultation on there bring a Unitary Authority in Somerset.

b) Any concerns about the quality of the recent surface dressing should be brought to the attention of J Sharpe. Lightgate Lane has been resurfaced over the potholes.

c) As a healthy living initiative, Dawlish Wake has croquet on Monday afternoons, an idea which SPRUG might like to consider.

d) The Somerset Wide Waste Contract will include the collection of cardboard and plastic, initially on a trial basis. The government waste strategy includes possible charging, with refunds to those who recycle the most. Local Authorities are to work with businesses to look at a more integrated approach. There will be a new contractor with effect from October 2007.

e) It was suggested to J Sharpe that even with consultation the government would still make the decision about a Unitary Authority. The original consultation was not with the parishes and towns that will be affected. Whatever the out come of the consultation, it is likely that there will only be one set off councillors, not district and county.

11 District Councillors’ Report

a) The Scrutiny Committee are recommending that after consultation with parishes and ward members, the Development Control Scheme of delegation has been a success. The Parish Council questioned the level of consultation with parishes. The reason for implementing the change was to meet the government deadlines, and over the past year the determination time on planning applications has reduced from 12 to 9 weeks. The priority has been the speed of the process to avoid government fines and the priority is now customer care. It has been difficult to get comments from Somerset Highways within the time scale. Area North received 749 applications of which 42 were referred to the Area North Committee.

b) Corporate Objective 19 is for SSDC to be one of the top councils in the country for reducing CO2 emissions by 2012. A Green Team, led by Vega Sturgess, is taking a pro-active approach to addressing climate change and associated environmental issues. Energy saving initiatives implemented in Council sites at Brympton Way offices, Goldenstones Leisure Centre and Lufton Depot ensure that about 65% of energy used is obtained from ‘green’ sources, eg hydroelectric, wind. It is intended that SSDC vehicles will run on bio fuel, but this is not easy to achieve for technical and economic reasons. The Scrutiny Commission recommend that the SSDC should work in conjunction with the Carbon Trust's Local Authority Management Programme.

c) S Gale has indicated that he will be able to attend the next meeting to explain what are planning considerations and the reasons to recommend approval or refusal when considering planning applications. It was agreed that a slot during a parish council meeting would not give sufficient time, so S Gale will be invited to a separate meeting on a third Tuesday and other local Parish Councillors will be invited.

d) The Community Council and Life Style Team have taken a bus out to give health checks, but SP was not included in their route. At a cost of £50 to cover consumables and the cost of hiring a local hall, this can be arranged for SP.

e) There is a consultation on Choice Based Lettings. The options depend upon the rules of each scheme and who manages it.

j) South Somerset was one of only two councils in the country selected to host international delegates in the Champions of Participation n Local Government Programme.

12 Local Area Working Panels

R Neve reported on the meetings that he had attended recently. Three short term and three longer term projects need to be identified by 30 June 2007. A few ideas have already been received from parishioners, so it was agreed that a small working group, R Neve, S Dickie, B Sweet and S Blake meet to discuss this.

13 Highways Matters

a) The closure of St James Street will now be at the beginning of July, during times of the week agreed with SP Business Association as being those days likely to have least impact on village life. The closure will be brought to the attention of SP Infants School.

b) Weed spraying for some villages including SP is now the responsibility of SSDC, but SSDC will only be spraying once each year whilst SCC will be continuing to spray twice each year. This change is being discussed with SSDC.

c) The schedule for verge cutting will be requested

14 Footpaths.

a) It was agreed that Peter Kidner would be the Parish Paths Liaison Officer working with SSDC. He will work with the two Parish Councillors who have responsibility for footpaths, but will not have any involvement with footpaths on land owned by Mr Herrick.

b) Footpath Y24/13 has been blocked with a sign saying ‘bull in field’; the bull has now gone and the sign needs to be removed. Y24/13 is virtually unusable in other places due to crop growth; this will be reported to SSDC Rights of Way Team.

c) The footpath that is the missing link going from Isle Moor Lane through the orchard has been recommended by both SP PC and The Ramblers’ Association as an addition to the definitive map and is being considered.

15 Recreation Ground

a) The request from the Bowling Club for a one off contribution to their buildings insurance rather than continue with a sliding scale over the next three years was agreed.

b) Water has now been installed at the recreation ground to provide a water supply beyond the cricket square for use by the football and cricket clubs. C Willy has met the cost of this.

c) Work is being done to reseed the football pitch and returf the goalmouth.

d) The new drainage has proved to be inadequate during the recent heavy rain, when the soak away exploded with a fountain of water. The work done was as advised by the contractor to be adequate rather than what was originally proposed, which was that the water should be taken way towards Bridge Road. A letter will be sent to the contractor asking how he recommends this problem can be remedied.

e) Work on the tennis court has started, with some soil being used in the goalmouth and the rest moved to behind the garden of remembrance and levelled; this will need to be seeded later in the year.

f) SP Infants School will be having an activity day on the recreation ground on 17 July 2007.

g) Grants for a new kitchen in the pavilion are still being pursued with SSDC.

h) The query of use of the pavilion by youth groups has been over taken by events.

i) When S Gale visits to talk about planning considerations he will be asked to explain the recreational contributions associated with larger planning applications.

16 Cemetery

a) The Tree Warden has made a grant application for trees to be planted as an avenue through the cemetery. This was made in advance of seeking approval from the Parish Council, as the closing date for applications was 31 May 2007. This was approved by the Parish Council, as was additional expenditure in the region of £175.

b) P Poulton from SSDC has provided some advise on the long term tree management at the cemetery; quotes will now be sought.

c) A propsal to release the Woodland Trust of their obligations for Duchy’s Orchard and develops it as more of a parish asset was discussed. This required more thought and will be an agenda item at he next meeting.

17 Churchyard

a) There is a problem with the wall/pier by both gates to the churchyard. The work required has been discussed again with Michael Kempt and the Diocesan Registrar consulted. Quotes will now be obtained for the required work for consideration at the next meeting.

b) It seems that litter picking at the churchyard is being done by a number of different people and needs to be investigated further

c) The lower branches still need to be cut from the Christmas tree by the war memorial. Written permission will be requested from the vicar.

18 Approval of Cheque Payments

a) Approval was given for cheques drawn as indicated on the list attached to these minutes plus a cheque for £100 from the Youth PC funds to purchase items for Zara Scott-Davies leaving party.

b) A transfer of £10,000 from the deposit account to the current account was agreed.

19 To Consider

a) Cardboard Recycling - Ideas were discussed but no solutions as to who might be willing to take on the cardboard recycling each month. Scouts and Cubs have expressed an interest but not in doing it every month. The carnival groups will be contacted and Parish Councillors were all asked to contact the groups that they know.

b) Community Plans on the SSDC website - The SP Parish Plan group is content for this to happen so it was agreed that this would be provided to SSDC.

c) Grants and Donations - It was agreed that the donations should be the same as in 2006 plus £100 to the Twinning Group. The Tucker Fund and SP Surgery were one off grants last year so would not be repeated.

d) The Information Commissioner has received a complaint from Mr Herrick that the Parish Council has not provided the information that he requested. This is untrue, as it has been provided on three separate occasions. After a discussion with the Information Commissioner it was suggested that a letter to this effect should be sent in reply and the information provided as paper copies to Mr Herrick as he has said he is unable to read the discs or print the e-mails.

e) Methodist Church Seat - A wooden seat, fixed into the tarmac, at the Methodist church was agreed as part of the SP PP’s improving the environment.

f) Building Society Mandate - J Broughton, S Dickie, N Greenleaf and M Willy will be the new signatories on the mandate for the Bath Building Society.

g) Venue for SP PC Meetings and Use of a Hearing Loop - After discussion it was agreed to consider moving the venue for SP PC meetings to The Blake Hall with effect from August 2007. The first Monday of the month is the proposed day. S Blake and J Johnson will investigate hearing loops for the Blake Hall.

h) Youth Club Additional Opening - Kirstie Brown, the Youth Worker, felt having a café or similar open on the evening was a better idea than the youth club being open an extra evening each week as this would attract more young people. B Sweet and J Derbyshire will discuss with the management committee, the possibility of using the Sports and Social Club one day each week.

20 Questionnaires

Playing Pitch Strategy - C Willy was asked to complete this.

The meeting closed at 10.00pm

Chairman……………………… Date…………….