1 Apologies for Absence: Mrs B Cotterill and Mrs C Forsey

2 Declaration of Interests

a) J Johnson declared an interest in the planning application for The David Hall

b) J Derbyshire declared an interest in the planning application for the Co-op

c) R Neve declared an interest in the allotments

3 Young People’s Parish Council

No report.

4 Late Correspondence

a) Boon Brown Architects have suggested a change to the plans for Flamberts which they ask SP PC to consider in order to move the matter forward. SPPC agreed that this did not change their original response.

b) The police post will be moving from the David Hall at the end of May during their building work. Alternative locations are being considered.

c) Hatch Green coaches have asked to park a mini bus in St James Street car park. SPPC suggest that the Prigg Lane car park and they should consult SSDC about this.

5 Agreement of Minutes

The minutes of the monthly meeting held on 2 March 2009 were approved and signed as a correct record after altering to say apologies from S Dickie.

6 Matters Arising

a) Somerset Highways have agreed to paint white lines on the road either side of the Hayes End Manor entrance.

b) A meeting has been arranged with SSDC Street Scene to discuss the emptying of the new litter and poop scoop bins that SPPC want to provide. The SSDC enforcement officer has to make an assessment of the proposed sites before SSDC can agree whether or not to empty them.

c) The abandoned vehicles in Stoodham have been removed.

7 PC Iain Selley, New Beat Manager

PC Iain Selley introduced himself. His area covers Martock and SP with a total of four PCSOs. Charlotte Rogers is already working in SP and another PCSO is being trained. A permanent police office in SP is being considered and some site visits have been made already. This would enable there to be a greater police presence in SP with the police starting and finishing their shift in SP. The Community Volunteers would continue to work with the police. Iain has had career in community policing and hopes to be the beat Manger for SP until he retires in five years time. His main role will be to investigate criminal damage and anti social behaviour. He is made aware of other crimes that occur in SP but is the not the one investigating other types of crime.

K Ronaldson raised a Health and Safety concern relating to the Yeovil Town football club session in SP.

8 Valence Similien, New SCC Youth Worker

Valence Similien introduced himself explaining that his area covered Martock, SP and Stanchester School. His time is divided between Martock Youth Club on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and SP Youth Club on Thursdays but he hopes to spend some Tuesday evenings in SP in future. The attendance at SP Youth Club is 32 on Tuesday evenings and 15 on Thursday evenings. The Youth Club is SP is currently closed for refurbishment following the Youth PC ‘s efforts to raise the funding for this. He has concerns about the Yeovil Town football project and this will be discussed at the Local Action Group meeting on 3 March 2009. He is aware of running battles between Martock and SP youth last summer so suggests inviting Martock to some of the SP activities. He has had no experience of anti social behaviour problems in SP, most are in Martock.

9 New Planning Applications

a) 04508fulDemolition of outbuilding and extension and the construction of a new extension to the convenience store and removal of four trees at Balfours, 4 St James Street. Whilst supportive of the Co-op continuing in South Petherton, SPPC recommend refusal until an agreed management plan for delivery and unloading has been agreed and SPPC wish to be involved with this proposal. At the initial site meeting the removal of the zigzag lines by the infant’s school to be replaced with time limited parking was considered. The head teacher of SP Infants School has written asking to be consulted about this, but equally the PC would like to be involved with the discussions to reopen this entrance as there was on occasions chaos in St James Street when this was the school entrance.

b) 00639lbc Alterations and insertion of a platform lift and formation of a second floor mezzanine at The David Hall Arts Centre. SPPC recommend approval.

10 Highway Matters

a) There is no progress on Lightgate Road pavement as Somerset Highways say no funds are available as this is not considered to be a high enough priority.

b) Five sites for grit bins have been identified and the views of Somerset Highways will be sought on the suitability of these locations.

c) Numerous potholes in the village have been reported to Somerset Highways but they have a large workload following the recent bad weather. The Highways Agency was quick to repair the hole in the road at Hayes End roundabout.

d) SPPC has been notified that 30mph signing work is to take place but it is not yet clear what is going to be done.

e) The hoarding in Hayes End is due to be painted dark green.

f) The speed and flow of traffic on the old A303 in Watergore by the Over Stratton junction is currently being monitored

11 Footpaths

a) A note on the SSDC agenda said that surfacing work has been requested to Long Lane in Over Stratton. It has been established that extra funding is available from SSDC to modify and improve footpaths and this will be done as part of the parish paths stewardship scheme with volunteers. Long Lane was being used as an example of the type of work. The agreed procedure is now that nothing gets prioritised without agreement with the parish council. This work is not identified by SPPC as being the priority for improving footpaths within the parish so SPPC do not want his particular improvement to be carried out before other more important areas.

b) There is concern about the footpath access from Lightgate Villas to the new hospital and that route needs to be upgraded for pedestrians and cyclists. This should be part of the discussion when the planning application for the hospital is discussed.

c) There has been concern about large dogs off the lead on the footpaths around the hospital being intimidating to other walkers.

d) Doctors Lane is Somerset Highways resistibility and they are still being urged to make this apriority

12 Recreation Ground

a) Two of the lights in the new youth shelter are not working and the supplier is not prepared to come out to repair them but requests that they are returned to the factory. Someone will be sought locally to carry out the repair and the supplier asked to pay as they are still under warranty.

b) There is still damage to the recreation ground caused by the fair last year. Somerset Landscapes will be asked to meet with C Willy to discuss this.

c) There have been discussions with the Vaux family about extending the recreation ground.

13 Allotments

a) A letter will be sent to SSDC saying the more appropriate use of the grant for fencing would be paths and rabbit fencing around the new allotments that will be available from September 2009.

b) Possible work to improve the access track which is badly rutted was discussed. Before any work is done this will be discussed with SSDC Rights of Way team.

c) The allotment holders meeting planned for 3 March will have to be cancelled as no parish councillors are available to attend.

14 Cemetery

a) J Broughton and S Dickie have looked at the risk assessment of the trees in the cemetery and consider that the work on the tree by the A303 should be carried out but first clarify if this is the tree for which the original quote was received.

b) A new litter bin will be ordered to replace the one that was stolen.

15 Churchyard

a) The tree stump has been removed but the ‘chippings/sawdust left behind. The contractor will be contacted again.

b) There has been no response from SP PCC about the proposed siting of benches in the churchyard.

c) Quotes have been received for a new memorial plaque as the contactors approached thought the existing one was likely to be damaged when moved from the recreation ground to the churchyard. As there is a war memorial in the churchyard, creating a new plaque seems inappropriate. If the existing plaque can be removed with out breakage this will be moved but a new plaque will not be purchased. C Willy will ask T Monaghan if he can do this.

16 Approval of Cheque Payments

Approval was given for cheques 3838 – 3861 value £14,621.86 drawn as indicated on the list attached to these minutes. Cheque number 3837 had been cancelled.

17 County Councillor’s Report

a) The budget increase for SCC is 2.74 %, which means that in the past four years it has been 60% lower than the cost of living index so there should be no substantial reduction in services and it is confined that the contribution the cost of the lengthsman is included.

b) SCC is now a 4* council and improving.

c) With gritting during bad weather there was a clear distinction between Dorset and Somerset. Any issues should be notified to Somerset Highways. SCC bought a new fleet of gritting lorries during the past two years which use less salt and instead spray onto the road in wet conditions. It was queried whether all roads with bus service could be gritted next year.

18 District Councillors’ Report

a) The council tax budget for SSDC is 3.75% which is less than last year. Looking at the comparison between villages is interesting.

b) A Safer Neighbourhoods Road Show was held recently with strong representation by the police. The current Yeovil Town football project is an example of introducing different motivations.

c) The Ilton travellers’ site is causing some problems at the moment.

19 To Consider

a) Bank Charges – Nat West have said that they will be introducing bank charges for the SPPC account in future so alternatives will be considered, eg Co-op, post office and building society banking, as it is likely that all banks will follow this approach. Internet banking was suggested and this will be checked with auditor as to the suitability over controls over public funds.

b) Car Park Improvements – Three experts have been asked to review the car park in St James Street, maintaining the number of spaces but improving the appearance. In the future, the Parish Plan group is going to be looking strategically at what happens in SP but with the Co-op planning application any changes to the car park need to be considered now. A traffic management expert has also been approached to look at having no defined spaces for traffic which has worked well in parts of Europe. In the first design seven spaces would be lost in the car park to accommodate the Co-op deliveries vehicles for at least part of the day. It was queried whether the 106 agreement with the Co-op should include a contribution towards the use of the car park.

c) SP in Bloom – An initial donation of £200 was agreed.

d) Internal Audit Report – This was reviewed and recommendations accepted as noted on the report.

e) Review of Internal Audit – Consideration was given to the accuracy, independence, reporting and satisfaction of the current internal audit. All agreed that they were happy with the existing standard of audit.

f) Market Towns Investment Group – The Visitor Audit was explained.

g) Premises Licence – P Robathan said this was for information only and parish councils were not able to make any recommendations

h) Risk Assessment – This has been carried out, with a few changes made to the perceived risks. This was agreed by SPPC

i) SP Scouts Planning Application – SPPC agreed to be the applicant as this was a local group

j) Training Course on Cemeteries and Burials – It was agreed that the clerk would attend.

20 Meetings

a) Somerset Cultural Forum, 20 March 2009. No one is able to attend

b) SSDC Joint Annual Meeting, Area North and Parish Councils, 26 March 2009. R Neve will attend.

c) Annual Parish Meeting, 27 April 2009.

d) Planning and Development Training, 30 April 2009

Meeting closed to the public at 9.20pm.

21 Memorial Garden Plaque

Quotes have been received for a new memorial plaque as the contactors approached thought the existing one was likely to be damaged when moved from the recreation ground to the churchyard. As there is a war memorial in the churchyard, creating a new plaque seems inappropriate. If the existing plaque can be removed with out breakage this will be moved but a new plaque will not be purchased. C Willy will ask T Monaghan if he can do this.

Chairman……………………… Date…………….