1 Apologies for Absence: Mrs M Davidson, Ms N Greenleaf and Mr J Sharpe (County Councillor)

Mr R Palmer has now resigned from the Parish Council. It was decided to wait until the May 2006 meeting before appointing a new Vice Chairman.

2 Co-option of Parish Councillor

Mr Rodger Neve was co-opted as a Parish Councillor to replace Mr B Davis.

3 Declaration of Interests

C Hockey and P Mottram declared an interest in the planning application for Field House, Lamprey’s Lane.

4 Late Correspondence

a) Planning Control meeting

b) Invitation to join the Bowling Club on 21 May 2006.

c) Notification that the planning application for a mobile home will be considered by SSDC Area North at their meeting on 22 March 2006. It was noted that whatever the Area North Committee decide the planners have the right to refer this to the Regulation Committee. The Parish Council’s comments need to be restated, as they appear not to have been fully reported on the agenda papers. The application is for the permanent siting of the mobile home not a temporary permission.

5 Agreement of Minutes

The minutes of the monthly meeting held on 14 February 2006 were approved after adding

- 7a footpath Y24/13 and

- 21c The problem of rats and the overgrown footpath from Hospital Lane is to be referred to the landowner and SSDC.

6 Matters Arising or Raised by Members

a) The paper work has been received for the cardboard recycling scheme and this has to be arranged through SCC. S Wallis is the licence. The parish receives income, as SCC does not have to pay for the landfill. It is proposed that a skip will be placed in the Prigg Lane car park once each month on a Friday evening to be collected on Monday morning, if SSDC give their permission for the use of their car park. The accessibility of the site still needs to be checked with Martock Waste Paper Company.

b) An application has been made for a grant to improve the surface of the footpath from Hospital Lane to Lightgate. It was noted that in principle Somerset Highways should be doing such work but as they have no funding available other sources of funding are being sought.

c) It was noted that pavement at Stoodham is to be widened by South Somerset Homes as part of the new development.

d) The use of trial bikes on the area near Mere Lane track is again disturbing the residents of North Street.

e) The yellow signs for New Cross Development have reappeared, increased both in size and numbers. Somerset Highways say anyone can request to put up yellow signs, so although they are consulted there does not need to be any consultation with the parish. It was noted that clearer directional signs are still required for Lopen Mill and Branston's Potatoes, which seems to be a contradiction. J Sharpe will be asked to pursue this on behalf of the Parish Council. It was suggested that the Automobile Association might be able to help.

f) The Lengthsman’s salary was reviewed earlier in the year, but after consideration of the costs that he incurs in his role it was agreed that a further increase was appropriate.

g) Despite the report at the last PC meeting, the introduction of plastic recycling will be delayed until problems associated with the actual recycling process have been resolved.

h) Mr Bullen has agreed to continue as the internal auditor, and the audit will be on 24 April 2006.

i) SSDC have a number of possible grants available as the year end approaches; applications have been made for £150 for music instruments for Busy Bees Pre School, £150 forth Business Association towards a new village map, £500 towards a YP PC project and £250 towards a cultural event in the village. The details of the last two applications still to be finalised.

j) Next year SSDC will have some funding available for tree planting in villages that have tree wardens. Details of the tree warden role will be included in the Annual Parish Newsletter.

k) The overgrown area on the ground going from Lightgate towards the hospital is footpath Y24/55 and SSDC will be clearing this. A request will be made for some scalping to be put down

7 Young People’s Parish Council

Four members of the YP PC gave an update on what they have been doing.

- There was a litter pick which was a great success, both for the amount of rubbish collected and because it improved the reputation of the young people in the village.

- They have been invited to Martock, Ilminster, Crewkerne and Cheshire to help them set up a YP PC.

- The Sparkplug Initiative concluded with a presentation in the David Hall

- Mendip and South Somerset Community Safety Panel have invited the YP PC to a celebration evening.

8 Planning Verdicts

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

9 New Planning Applications

a) 00547ful Erection of a conservatory at Field House, Lamprey’s Lane. The Parish Council recommended approval.

b) 00547ful Erection of a timber building and poly tunnel as approved in permission 01/02793ful on land OS7300 between Southfields roundabout and Hayes End. The Parish Council recommended approval.

It was noted that as from August 2006, it will not be possible to submit a renewal application for lapsed permissions, but a new application will be needed.

c) 00343ful Erection of a porch to the front at Tulloch House, Hele Lane. The Parish Council recommended approval.

d) 00182ful Erection of a new tennis court at the recreation ground, Lightgate Lane. The Parish Council recommended approval.

e) 00618ful Erection of a conservatory at18 Lightgate Villas. The Parish Council recommended approval.

f) 00658ful Erection of an open porch at the rear of Corner Cottage, 2 Whitehall to replace a demolished conservatory. The Parish Council recommended refusal at this stage, as the plans do no reflect the situation correctly as the neighbour's window is not shown. To make a recommendation based on these plans would be inappropriate. Hence, South Petherton Parish Council recommend that the decision should be deferred until amended plans have been received.

g) 00671tpo Application to carry out tree works at The Rectory, Hele Lane. This was deferred with the agreement of the planner until more information is available.

10 Tree Preservation Order

The Parish Council supported the SSDC initiative to place tree preservation on the walnut tree in The Droveway.

11 Burnt Out House in Compton Road

SSDC Building Control have confirmed that the house is safe, but SSDC are prepared to serve a 215 notice as the building is detrimental to the visual amenity of the area and they would be prepared if necessary to take over the responsibility for building, have it repaired and then look to recover their costs. As the owner of 34 Compton Road was at the meeting, the meeting was closed and he was invited to comment. He is happy to leave the building as it is until he can buy some other land locally. The meeting then opened again and after discussion on whether the decision should be deferred to give the owner more time or not, it was decided to support SSDC in what ever action they deemed necessary to improve the situation.

12 Recreation Ground

a) There has been damage to the recreation ground caused by the SSDC play bus driving on to the recreation ground at half term. They have not yet rectified the problem.

b) It was agreed that the fence on the east side of the cemetery should be repaired at a cost of £329.

c) It was agreed that the rubber matting should be repaired in the short term and the likely cost was in the region of £2,000 but for the longer term a wet flow surface would be investigated. The contractor would be asked to liaise with C Willy.

d) It was agreed that the maintenance work, as identified by the Wicksteed report, for the roundabout bearings would be carried out as per their quote.

e) The quotes for Astro turf in the goalmouth of the MUGA are £1,000 fitted and £600 plus fitting. It was agreed to first investigate possible grants but to go ahead and get this done.

f) A proposed extension to the recreation ground was considered a number of years ago. It has been suggested by SPRUG that this should again be investigated, as the recreation ground is restricted for future improvements.

P Vaux will be contacted to ask if this is something he might consider in the future. Planning implications for a change of use will be investigated.

g) Bridge Road steps require some attention to clear the rubbish that has accumulated.

h) The requirement for toilets at the recreation ground should be considered again. One suggestion was portaloos with suitable screening. The planning requirements for this will be investigated. This will be an agenda item at the next meeting.

13 Highway Lighting

a) Somerset Lighting have raised a number of queries regarding the installation of a lantern style light in George Lane. The George Lane residents have been consulted and unless there is any adverse comment from them in relation to the Somerset Highways’ comments, the Parish Council will continue to pursue having lantern style light in George Lane.

b) A site plan and an estimate has been received for the installation of four additional streetlights between Hayes End roundabout and Coles Lane. A quote will be requested and the residents consulted.

c) A light near to Stratton Farm in Over Stratton has been requested so a quote for consideration by the parish Council will be requested from Somerset Highways.

14 Highway Matters

a) The gas board are digging up George Lane and they have been made aware that it has to be reinstated to the same standard as previously.

b) R Beale asked that the request to remove the ‘village centre’ sign at the top of Knapp Hill should be reconsidered.

c) As the person taking the lead on highway matters in the village, R Beale felt decisions were being made without consultation with him as there were faults reported to Somerset Highways of which he was unaware. He was asked to prepare an agreed report for the correspondence box prior to each meeting; so all parish councillors could be informed of the current problems.

d) The ‘no-waiting’ signs have been removed in Roundwell Street as they have been through out Somerset and the double yellow lines were not reinstated after the road was last resurfaced. After neighbourhood consultation and discussion by the Parish Council it was agreed that double yellow lines should be requested on the left side, facing up Roundwell Street, as far as Lightgate Farm. A further request will be made for double yellow lines outside the entrance for the disabled at The David Hall. The concern about parking on the junction of Roundwell Street and Lightgate will be brought to the attention of the PCSO.

15 Footpaths

a) The work on the bridge on Y24/13 is due to start on 17 April 2006.

b) Although no paper work has received, the proposed diversion of footpath Y24/69 at Drayton will now include a slope of a similar gradient to the existing footpath instead of the steps previously proposed. The Parish Council were then in agreement with the diversion.

16 Cemetery

The cemetery hedge along the A303 needed to be cut and it was important that it should be done before the birds started nesting. For the future quotes have been requested for it to be cut annually. Concern was expressed about the cost of this work for the length of time if was likely to have taken. It was also noted that the contractor should have had the road closed off for safety but this was not done. This raised a question of where the responsibility lies. Future contractors will be asked to ensure that they comply with the appropriate rules and regulations for working on the highway. Longer term a fence might be considered and the clerk was asked to get quotes for this.

b) Two quotes have been obtained for cutting the laurel hedge and Trim Trees have been asked to carry out this work.

c) L Port will discuss the rubbish removal and the siting of a compost bin with the new contractor.

17 Churchyard

The caretaker being paid to clear the cemetery each week was temporary until the end of March 2006. The need for this will be reconsidered after checking the extent of the current problem with the caretaker.

18 Pavilion Committee Matters

The payment to the Parish Council for the pavilion electricity was discussed, as there is invoices raised by the Parish Council outstanding. It was agreed that a summary of the SWEB invoices be complied and the Pavilion Committee provided with another copy of the invoices. It was noted that the pavilion committee have rent free use of the building owned by the Parish Council but still owe their contribution for the past two year’s electricity bills. Options for the future were discussed to ensure that this matter is settled and not repeated in the future. P Mottram offered to meet with the Chairman of Pavilion Committee to discuss this.

19 Approval of Cheque Payments

Approval was given for cheques drawn as indicated on the list attached to these minutes, plus four other cheques where the invoices have not yet been received but it is known that payment has to be made within this financial year, SCC Youth Service, Keith Vincent, Stable Print and The David Hall.

20 Distinct Councillors’ Report

a) A presentation on the Nippy Bus Service will be given at the Annual Parish Meeting.

b) White lines on the kerb outside Little Thatch will not be pursued, as they are considered unsuitable on this type of stone.

c) Hayes End from A303 to Coles Lane is due to be resurfaced this summer.

d) SSDC has received two stars out of a possible three for customer access, with excellent prospects.

e) There is to be a meeting on 23 March 2006 with the Local Government Minister to discuss Unitary Authorities and their decision will be made known in June. If adopted many services would pass to the Parish Councils eg the responsibility for certain properties is a serious concern.

f) The planning service is now across two areas but will be moving to one office.

g) It was noted that next year Somerton’s community charge would be £110, this being a town with 2,000 households compared to South Petherton’s 1,500 with a charge of £41.

21 ALMANAC, the Annual Parish Newsletter

The Almanac will be available for distribution during week commencing 3 April 2006.

22 Meetings

a) The Annual Parish Meeting will be at 7.30pm on Monday 24 April 2006 at the Blake Hall. All Parish Councillors were asked to attend.

b) SSDC Annual Meeting with Parish Councils. This meeting will be held on 30 March 2006 and Parish Councillors were asked to consider whether they would be able to attend as neither the Chairman or clerk are available that evening, but none were available.

c) SCC Meeting with Parish Councils. This was deferred until the April Parish Council meeting.

d) SSDC Sports and Leisure Strategy. P Mottram offered to attend.

The meeting closed 10.15pm

Minutes Approved by: Chairman……………………… Date…………….