1 Apologies for Absence: Mrs J Derbyshire, Mr M Duplock, Mrs C Forsey, Mr P Mottram, Mr R Shutler.

2 Declaration of Interests

a) R Neve and J Johnson declared an interest in the grant request towards the David Hall railings.

b) C Willy declared an interest in the planning applications for Littlehayes.

c) J Broughton declared an interest in the planning application for Southfields Bungalow

3 Vacancies

a) The death of Nuala Symes, who for a few months last year was parish councillor, was remembered.

b) There are still two vacancies and three people have expressed a possible interest.

4 Youth Parish Council

A number of the Youth PC attended to introduce themselves; they have fifteen members aged between 15 – 19 years. Having not attended the SPPC meetings for a while they want to reconnect. They have two current projects; the renovation of the youth club building and to hopefully attract some new members, and a community arts project which they will update SP PC on in April. They are making a bid for £20,000 to improve the youth club.

5 PCSO Michelle Haimes

Jon Watson the Community Beat Manger had hoped to attend to introduce himself but was not able to. Peter Brember, the new PCSO for the area, working with Michelle Haimes was introduced.

b) A meeting was held with the youth on Wednesday 27 February, with about twenty attending. The positive things were highlighted as well as explaining what is not acceptable behaviour and what is expected of them. The things that are being done for them in SP were highlighted and the young people explained what facilities they would like to have, a youth shelter with proper seating and lighting to be situated between the MUGA and the tennis courts, and lighting so that the MUGA can be used in the winter. These are being considered.

c) The Time Out Bus is being used but with variable numbers each week.

d) Michelle Haimes is through to the last round of the PCSO competition for this sector.

6 Late Correspondence

The requirement for the lighting was explained in more detail and the costs likely to be £1200 - £1500 with the young people digging the trenches for the cables. It was agreed to make a grant application to Somerset Community Chest for 50% of the cost and SP PC would fund the rest if no other sources of funding were available.

7 Agreement of Minutes

The minutes of the monthly meeting held on February 2008 were approved and signed as a correct record after altering SDC to read SCC .

8 Matters Arising

There were no matters arising.

9 New Planning Applications

a) 00616ful The erection of a bungalow and garage on land adjoining St Michael’s church, Lightgate Lane. SP PC recommended approval.

b) 00535ful Erection of a single storey extension to form a new garden room at 42 Compton Road.. SP PC recommended approval.

c) 00726rem The erection of 31 houses on Land at Hayes End. Whilst accepting and understanding that 31 dwellings will be built on this site as is included in the Local Plan, SP PC recommend refusal until the following points were resolved or agreed.

Who is going to be responsible for the maintenance/grass cutting of the landscaped areas?

Who will be responsible for the maintenance of the trees that are being planted?

The site and size of the balancing pond

Street lighting in Hayes End should be installed on either side of the road to this development, between Hayes End roundabout and Coles Lane.

The hedge at the back of the site that is being retained is in a poor state and needs to be replanted

The original application was for hamstone dwellings, which is in keeping with the local area. The proposed materials of rendering, concrete tiles, cast stone walling, russet brick are not in keeping with local area or the village of South Petherton. South Petherton is a hamstone village. SP PC strongly urged SSDC to ensure that the materials are changed back to the original hamstone. Until this is agreed SP PC will be recommending refusal.

Dwellings with three floors, ie town houses, are more appropriate to a town than a village such as South Petherton

The proposed layout differs to that in the original application and this layout has more impact on the existing dwellings in Hayes End, particularly dwellings 9 -13 which are now far closer to the existing dwellings and the close proximity is not shown in the plans. The original layout of the site was more sympathetic to the existing residents of Hayes End and SP PC strongly recommended that the layout should revert to this. It is unclear why the change has been necessary. .

References to Phase 1 and Future Development, Future Additional Development were both concerning and confusing so this will be queried.

d) 00780lbc The erection of a porch at 3 St Elizabeth Way. SP PC recommended approval.

e) 000800ful Demolition of existing bungalow and the erection of one dwelling at Southfield Cottage, South Harp, Over Stratton. SP PC recommended approval.

f) 00728ful Construction of a balancing pond and soak away to serve residential development. A small group, R Neve, C Willy, M Willy and S Blake, will meet on site to agree a response before the next meeting.

g) 00580ful Alterations and extension to two bed sits to form two self contained flats at 18 and 19 Pitway. SP PC recommended approval.

h) 00863ful Alterations and extension to existing bungalow with new roof construction to form a two storey dwelling at Littlehayes, Whitehall. SP PC recommended approval.

10 Highway Matters

a) Somerset Highways has asked what SP PC would like to see happen with the lay-by at the junction of Silver Street and Lightgate Road. SP PC would like to see the lay-by retained but tidied up to include a better surface and kerbing. Also for the retaining wall to be ‘shamphered’ to improve visibility at the junction as was discussed a few years ago with Somerset Highways.

b) Silver Street lighting - It was agreed that the light should be on the existing pole and SP PC would discuss the need for the tree to be cut back with the owner.

c) There will be a new sign at the corner of Prigg Lane and St James’ Street directing to the additional parking and the toilets.

d) The reinstatement of the 'no right turn' sign as you come out of Over Stratton onto the old A303 is being pursued.

e) Resurfacing of Lightgate Road was planned for this year; a request will be made for this to be deferred until after the building work in St Michael’s Gardens.

f) With more traffic using Lightgate Road, there is serious concern about the lack of pavements and this will again be pursued with Somerset Highways

g) In response to a query from Somerset Lighting, it was confirmed that SP PC think the development at St Michael’s Gardens should include street lighting.

h) As Somerset Lighting are still insisting on a third lantern being purchased for George Lane, even though the reasons given do not seem to be sound, SP PC has agreed to purchase a third lantern to avoid any further delay.

11 Footpaths

a) It was confirmed that SP PC has no responsibility for Doctors Row as they do not own it. Whether ownership and responsibility is SCC or SSDC is not clear. J Johnson will be meeting with Paul Attwell from SSDC on site to discuss the problems. The suggestion from a parishioner on suitable signage was discussed but will not be pursued as Doctors Row is considered to be a pavement and not a rural footpath. It was also considered important to retain the current style/condition rather than tarmac as Doctors Row is a feature of SP.

b) Footpath Y24/87 - The map would indicate that the footpath is blocked by tyres but as mentioned in the public session it would seem that it is the steps that have been put in the wrong place. Additional signing was not considered necessary. The question of the rubbish was unclear and will be referred to SSDC.

c) The proposed diversion of Y24/23; J Johnson has met with the owner who cannot be persuaded to change the route as requested. The proposed diversion is significantly better as proposed even if this further request is not included.

12 Recreation Ground

a) There is a pavilion committee meeting on Wednesday, where the high electricity bills and the amount owing SP PC will be discussed.

b) It was agreed that the recreation ground does not need to be sprayed this year as the weed growth is minimal.

c) The railings at Bridge Road steps have been broken.

d) Following the article in TA13, there has been one comment to date about the memorial garden and that is that it should be retained and fenced to make it a more secluded area.

e) The proposed new youth shelter was discussed. The Youth PC has been asked to consult on designs and SP PC agreed to meet third of the cost if the remainder could be secured through grants and fund raising.

f) The young people have said they would prefer the BMX track to be muddy rather than have gravel on it as it does at present.

g) It was agreed that the parish councillors who are members of SPRUG could authorise up to £300 to be spent on youth activities if required between SP PC meetings.

h) Motor workshops for up to six young people costing £250 per person were discussed, but will not be pursued at the preset time.

13 Allotments

There are currently eight people waiting for allotments.

14 Cemetery

a) Somerset Highways has agreed to erect a sign opposite the service road in Hayes End, directing to the cemetery and SPPC will purchase a sign to go at the entrance to the cemetery.

b) The laurel hedge near the roundabout needs to be cut back.

c) A memorial plaque has appeared by one of the trees in the community woodland and it is not know who placed it there.

15 Churchyard

A) The people who have been maintaining the flower bed in the churchyard for many years are giving up the task and so a replacement is sought.

b) One estimate has been received for the work required in the piers and wall of the churchyard. Two more quotes are required and K Dexter will also contact the Diocese.

16 Approval of Cheque Payments

a) Approval was given for cheques 3635 -3652 drawn as indicated on the list attached to these minutes.

b) It was agreed to obtain a new bank mandate to add additional signatories.

17 District Councillors’ Report

a) A new Development Framework is being produced which should be available shortly.

b) The average increase in Council Tax is a rise of 4.07% which for a Band D property is £53.38. The SPPC precept is the lowest of the Market Towns and is lower than many smaller villages. ie Somerton £121,000 and Martock £102,000

c) There have been no complaints about the toilets in Prigg Lane in recent months since the railings were put up.

d) P Robathan is using part of his divisional funds to purchase a flag for SP Cricket Club. SP PC agreed to act as paymaster to reclaim the Vat.

e) The latest announcement about the closure of post offices does not affect SP.

f) The SSDC contact centre is now open 8.00 – 18.00 Monday to Friday and 9.00-12.00 on Saturdays.

18 To Consider

a) Annual Parish Meeting – The agenda will include a presentation by the police and the Youth PC will be asked if they would like a slot.

b) Blake Hall Stair Lift – A modular lift to go in the outside of the building is being investigated.

c) Campaign to Save Councils – This was discussed but will not be pursued.

d) Christmas Lights – C Hockey has agreed to liaise with Knight Electrical about the lights for 2008 and to purchase some more rope lights.

e) Code of Conduct – It was emphasised that if any parish councillor had any doubt they should declare an interest.

f) Healthy Living Project – This has been circulated to local groups.

g) Housing Needs Report – There were fourteen requests from SP residents for social housing, so there would appear to be adequate in SP. R Pallister has indicated that there are many different schemes to provide housing for local people, so J Johnson, R Neve and R Shutler will meet with R Pallister to discuss options

h) David Hall Railings - A grant of £600 to Petherton Arts Trust to replace the railings outside the David Hall was approved. If there is still a shortfall SPPC would consider another application next year.

i) The July SPPC Meeting will be brought forward one week to 30 June 2008 instead of 7 July 2008.

j) Market Towns Radio Link – There is a role out programme across the Market Towns but it is not clear whether this will include SP, as it is primarily for shop lifting and lost children. The PCSOs are being asked to talk with the people in the ‘hot spots’ and neighbourhood watch groups to seek their opinion as the main use in SP would be in the evenings. It was noted that Martock are very keen on the system which might push more anti social behaviour towards SP.

k) Mosquito – This has received recent bad publicity and the children’s’ ombudsman are against it. It was noted that it has a range of twenty metres so the location is important and this will be discussed with the police. PC J Watson will be invited to the next SP PC meeting.

l) SP Website – N Greenleaf agreed to be the liaison with A Ashdown on the SP website to help keep the website up to date.

m) Validation of Planning Applications – This appeared to be similar to what was currently happening

The meeting closed at 9.25pm

Chairman……………………… Date…………….