1 Apologies for Absence: R Beale, L Port, C Willy, M Willy and J Sharpe (County Councillor)

P Kidner has resigned as a Parish Councillor. A letter of thanks for his contribution, particularly in relation to grant applications and the Lengthsman’s Scheme report will be sent.

2 Declaration of Interests

R Shutler and M Wakely declared an interest in the quotes for work on the Community Woodland.

3 Youth PC

a) The Youth PC are consulting on the site of the new waste bin at the recreation ground.

b) It was queried whether the Watergore Street light could go ahead with the proposed changes to the A303. It was confirmed that this would go ahead as planned, as the changes to the A303 were not imminent, so consultation with the neighbours will continue.

c) Quotes for wind or solar powered lights for South Street Bridge are still awaited.

d) As well as inviting the young people from outside the David Hall to join the Youth Club, an extra session for Wednesdays is being planned.

e) At the Annual Ceremony for Youth Opportunities, the SP Youth PC was awarded a new laptop, digital camera and printer; their project being amongst the top thirty in England and Wales. If they win they would be warded £30,000.

4 Late Correspondence

There was a planning application for the residential development at St Michaels’ Gardens and Lightgate. The plans will be put in the library to make them available to everyone for the whole of the coming month.

5 Agreement of Minutes

The minutes of the monthly meeting held on 13 February 2007 were approved and signed as a correct record.

6 Matters Arising

Aggregate Levy - Research has shown that there was a quarry close to the back of North Street, previously owned by the Shutlers and there was quarrying to make lime at Poundsfield. SCC will be contacted to establish what evidence of quarrying is necessary to be able to apply for a grant for the aggregate levy.

7 New Planning Applications

a) 00684ful Demolition of most of the existing bungalow and rebuild new at Highbridge, Watergore. The Parish Council recommended approval.

b) 00753ful Single storey extension at Bowminster, 4 Church Lane, Over Stratton. The Parish Council recommended approval.

c) 00719ful and 00720con Demolition of existing house and outbuildings, formation of a new access and erection of seven dwellings. The Parish Council recommended 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. The formation of the new access appears to be across a public highway not with in the curtilage of the property. The need to demolish the existing stone house when South Petherton is a conservation area was queried.

d) 00563lbc Reposition of existing lath and plaster wall following removal of modern stud and partition wall at 49 Silver Street. The Parish Council recommended approval.

e) 06/04464cou The change of use of ground floor of the premises at 8 Silver Street for hot food takeaway. Providing the concerns about the extraction of smells in a residential area and additional pressure on an already overloaded drainage system can be resolved, South Petherton Parish Council recommend approval.

f) 06/03209ful and 03211ful Erection of a four bedroomed detached house and a five bedroomed detached house and detached garage with revised boundaries and design. Before recommending approval, the Parish Council would like written assurance from both SSDC Building Control and Planner, that these plans are in line with what has been built.

g) 00980ful Erection of a single storey extension at 10 Old Vicarage Gardens. The Parish Council recommended approval.

8 Enforcement Issues

There are a number of enforcement issues in South Petherton that have been slow to be dealt with by SSDC. It was noted that the SSDC enforcement office has been undermanned and there are now two new monitoring officers and a fourth enforcement officer. Serious concern was expressed that SSDC were not dealing with enforcement issues and it was suggested that the Parish Council should consider making a complaint to the Ombudsman about maladministration. It was decided that initially a letter would be sent to the Chair of SSDC making these concerns very clear and asking for a response before the next Parish Council meeting when the matter would be considered again.

9 Market Towns Initiative

a) £50,000 will be available to the Market Towns for CCTV. A formal request from South Petherton to join this initiative needs to be made. Whether South Petherton wants/needs CCTV will be discussed at the next PC meeting.

b) There is a further £50,000 between the ten Market Towns for capital projects eg mobile flashing speed signs to be shared between the ten towns if the money is spent collectively. Ideas to be discussed at the April PC meeting.

c) The first Market Towns Initiative was for interpretation panels but South Petherton may have joined too late for this but this will be pursued.

10 Community Woodland Initiative

a) C Hockey offered to check the legal paper work for the transfer of ownership.

b) There has been a meeting with the Badger Preservation Group who have raised issues about fencing the Community Woodland because of badgers in the area, so without fencing this brought down the overall cost considered at the last meeting, but additional tree guards will be required. R Shutler has changed some of the species of tress and the size of the trees to give more impact and these trees have been planted, although not yet approved by the Parish Council. R Shutler proposed that if the Parish Council were not in agreement he would retain ownership of the trees and remove them and replant with smaller trees next year. It was noted that it was not usual for work to be carried out before it was approved by the Parish Council; the procedure for all contractors including Parish Councillors biding for work is that it should be approved before the work commences and any changes to the specification agreed. All work must be carried out inline with this Parish Council policy. The Chairman recommended that on this occasion the Parish Council should support R Shutler and give approval for the work done. P Stone from SCC has verbally offered 75% of the £3,000 that the trees will now cost but there is no written offer of a grant.

c) The ‘Plant a Tree’ scheme will be launched with a photo opportunity with P Robathan, who was the first to make a donation for a tree in the parish. Another six people have indicated a wish to do similar. Trees can also be ‘in memory of’.

d) Some additional work is proposed for the Community Woodland. Access from the cemetery for mowing is required so it was proposed that the fence between the cemetery and the community Woodland be removed and levelled providing L Port and R Beale as the Parish Councillors with responsibility for the cemetery agreed. R Shutler offered to carry out the work at a cost of £300.

11 Approval of Cheque Payments

Approval was given for cheques drawn as indicated on the list attached to these minutes. The line marking at the recreation ground car park is not as per the plan as one of the disabled bays has another space marked across it at 90° which does not give space to manoeuvre and the double white lines where kerbs may be installed in future have not been put in. The cheque will be paid when this has been corrected. A cheque was signed for Cornhill Insurance but the amount is not yet known as Cornhill have combined the Parish Council and Blake Hall policy into one policy.

12 Highways

a) All Parish Councillors’ comments relating to the A303/A358 consultation should be sent to the clerk to collate a response from the Parish Council. Initial comments were that this would split the parish north and south of the A303, too many roundabouts, no underpass for pedestrians. The Highways Agency has been invited to the SSDC Area North meeting at 1.30pm on 28 March 2007 at Seavington. Public comments will form part of the SSDC response.

b) Concerns about parking in South Petherton were discussed, particularly in relation to residential developments without off street parking and the pressure that could have on parking in the centre of the village. Enforcement of current parking rules was seen as the first step.

13 Footpaths

The concern about the surface of the footpath going next to Mere Linches is now irrelevant, as the correct route has now been reopened.

14 Recreation Ground

a) The car park gate has now been installed and a key lock rather than a number lock will be purchased, with each club having a key to the gate. After consideration it was agreed that the car park would be closed at 10pm.

b) It was reported by a resident that there had been some arrests in the recreation ground car park the previous weekend.

c) The grant applications for the third tennis court, cricket club netting and the allotments were all successful. Particular thanks to P Kidner for presenting the case to SSDC when the grant applications were considered.

d) Work on the new drainage scheme across the recreation ground has commenced.

e) G Tucker, from SSDC, is working with the pavilion committee to obtain grants for a new kitchen in the pavilion. Ownership will need to be established.

f) The outside security light has been damaged; the pavilion committee should arrange and pay for the repair.

g) The English Bowling Association have recommended a bespoke company for the Bowling Club insurance, which is likely to be more cost effective.

h) The Bowling Club asked if the Parish Council contribution to replace the SSDC Recreational Maintenance Grant could relate to all costs associated with the bowling green. A proposal for consideration at the next meeting was requested.

15 Cemetery

a) A letter of confirmation that ferreting is permitted on the recreation ground and the neighbouring field owned by the Parish Council was suggested and has already been sent.

b) The long-term use of the Parish Council owned field next to the cemetery was considered. Mr Pitts has agreed in principle to the Parish Council next year taking back the use of land that he currently rents. This will be confirmed in writing to Mr Pitts.

c) K Parkin is in the process of preparing a report on tree planting at the cemetery and the additional piece of land, with the idea of having an area for ashes under a tree, with a memorial plaque. The Parish Council agreed the scheme in principle.

16 Churchyard

a) The Lengthsman will be asked to look at the flooding on the path by the main gate.

b) It has been suggested by the church architect that the wall near the gate at the top of the steps from St James’ Street is in need of repair and should be more of a priority than the piers at the main entrance. This will be investigated and advice sought from SSDC Building Control.

c) It was noted that there was no contract to employ the church architect and as he was seeking a fee for advice given to the Parish Council, he would no longer be contacted. No payment would be made for the advice he had given on the phone, as there had been no previous suggestion that he would be charging for this limited service.

17 Blake Hall

It had been agreed with the Sports and Social Club that a direct debit or standing order of £100 per month would be set up to pay the arrears.

18 District Councillors’ Reports

a) The diversion of footpath Y24/16 and part of Y24/18 in North Street has been agreed.

b) SCC say they have discharged their duty relating to the gates at Barcroft Hall and the gates should be kept locked open at all times. The server of the section 130A notice relating to the removal of the gates on Barcroft Lane could seek a magistrates’ court order to have the gates removed. A new footpath signs have been put up for Y24/12 and Y24/10.

c) No certificate to allow development at Hayes End has yet been issued to K Duffield even though the planning permission has been given. A poor service from the SSDC Planning Department.

d) Some councillors have received individual requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act. If someone is working as an elected representative of the Parish Council they are covered by the Freedom of Information Act and need to respond and provide any information that they have retained.

19 To Consider

a) 2007 Elections - C Hockey announced that he would not be seeking re-election to the PC. Nomination papers for the elections in May were made available.

b) Cardboard Recycling - This scheme, which is once each month, is well supported but more volunteers are needed to operate the scheme ie put out the bollards, lock and unlock the container, check the container during the day to ensure it only contains cardboard. Local clubs will be asked if they are interested in taking this on as a monthly or longer-term fund raising event.

c) Freedom of Information Act Request - A letter will be sent saying the Parish Council believe they have complied with the request to provide information as requested. The need for a publication scheme will be investigated.

d) Cycling Prohibited Notices - It was agreed to purchase two new signs for each end of the path between Prigg Lane Car Park and Silver Street.

e) Pitt Bros Water Supply - It had previously been agreed that Pitt Bros could have a water supply across the allotments in Pitway, and it is was now further agreed that this should be done with a legal agreement. The SSDC solicitor will be asked to act for the Parish Council and Pitt Bros were asked to request their solicitor to draw up the required licence and Pitt Bros would pay all costs.

f) Whitfield Lane Allotments - The track has been damaged by the farmer who rents the field and it is now in urgent need of repair to provide access to the allotment holders; as are the fence and bridge that have also been damaged by the farm vehicles. C Hockey offered to speak with D Vaux.

g) Waterways Awareness Day - This is an event organised by Waterlinks to promote the River Parrett at South Petherton and will be in memory of B Priddle. The Parish Council agreed to support this and a parish councillor to liaise with the organisers will be appointed at the May Parish Council meeting.

20 Meetings

SSDC Annual Meeting with Parish Councils on 22 March 2007 - C Hockey will attend.

The meeting closed at 10.35pm

Chairman……………………… Date…………….