1 Apologies for Absence: Mr K Dexter, Ms N Greenleaf, Mr P Mottram and Ms N Symes

2 Parish Council Vacancies

There are currently two vacancies on the Parish Council and a possible third as Nuala Symes has indicated that she will be resigning. Mick Duplok and Lisa Major have expressed an interest in becoming parish councillors and co-option will be considered at the next meeting

3 Declaration of Interests

a) R Shutler declared an interest in the planning application for Pippins in North Street.

b) Jenny Derbyshire declared an interest in the Blake Hall grant application.

4 Late Correspondence

There was no late correspondence.

5 Agreement of Minutes

The minutes of the monthly meeting held on 11 September 2007 were approved and signed as a correct record.

6 Matters Arising

To date there has been no progress on getting a survey on affordable housing in SP completed.

7 New Planning Applications

a) 04317ful Erection of a two storey dwelling at 7 George Lane. South Petherton Parish Council recommended refusal because this would be over development of the small site and out of line with the development style in that area of South Petherton, both Palmer Street and George Lane. So development would be detrimental to the street scene in this conservation area. With the elevated position, the dwelling would be too dominant in both George Lane and Palmer Street. This current space forms a valuable gap in a prominent position, and this is important to the conservation area and this proposed development would not enhance or preserve the conservation area.

The wall that it is proposed to change is also a feature in the conservation area. The width of George Lane makes it an unsuitable access even with the proposed change. The main 'traffic' in George Lane is pedestrians not motorised vehicles and hence this is a safety issue to be considered.

b) 04253cou and 04252cou, both for change of use of premises from A1 to A5 takeaway at 8 St James Street. South Petherton Parish Council strongly recommend refusal. This was refused earlier this year and as far as SP Parish Council can see there is no reason for the response to be any different now. These applications have provided very little information to consider, so the response from SP Parish Council makes some assumptions and is the same as last time plus a commenting about seating. The reasons being:

· The close proximity of residential properties. South Petherton Parish Council strongly recommends a site visit to view the rear of these properties and see how close they are to each other.

· Problems of noise, smells, fumes and general disturbance in a mainly residential area of the village centre.

· Pressure on parking which is already limited both daytime and evening in South Petherton.

· The grouping of two similar businesses so close together seems inappropriate in a mainly residential area.

· A potential increase in anti social behaviour and rubbish. Whilst appreciated that this might be a police rather than a planning issue, it is not something to be ignored.

· The extraction of smells at the back of the building so close to residential properties

· The additional pressure on a drainage system, which is already under strain to cope with the needs of the existing properties.

· The lack of any rear access, so where would waste be stored prior to collection.

It is understood that A5 take away allows for seating as well as takeaway, and whilst it is difficult to see how this could be accommodated in this small area, there are no plans to indicate how this could be included and this would not be supported by SP Parish Council

c) 04286ful Erection of a two storey and one storey rear extensions at Pippins, North Street. SP Parish Council recommended approval.

d)04260ful Alterations and extension of part of the public house (previously used as a private house) to form one dwelling. SP Parish Council recommended approval.

8 Highway Matters

K Dexter has completed the survey on pinch points in the parish. This was circulated to see if there was anything else to be added and Mill Lane and Lower Stratton will be added.

9 Footpaths

A reptile barrier has been erected by the developer around the proposed site for the development behind St Michaels Gardens and Lightgate Lane and this blocked the footpaths to the hospital.

10 Recreation Ground

a) It was agreed to ask SSDC to carry out an Annual Play Inspection and Risk Assessment for the play area at the recreation ground.

b) SCC Scientific Services have quoted to for carrying out water safety checks at the pavilion, either a price per sample submitted or an hourly rate to carry out a full inspection and advice on regular checks and recording. It was agreed to ask SCC to carry out the initial checks and SP PC would pay for the initial survey.

c) Two swings have been removed for safety until the parts for the new joint arrive. SSDC will fit this as part of their weekly inspections.

11 Churchyard

There has been fly tipping of garden waste in the church yard. A note will be included in TA13 about this, as it is a similar problem at the cemetery.

12 Approval of Cheque Payments

Approval was given for cheques 3571 – 3580 drawn as indicated on the list attached to these minutes.

13 District Councillors’ Report

a) The new Waste Board came into being at the start of October. ECT will be the company running the recycling and waste collections. Staff from SSDC will move across to the new Waste Board so there should be no noticeable change, except a new service for less cost. Cardboard and plastic kerbside recycling will be added in 2009.

b) Sports Awards - Any coaches or volunteers can be nominated for the award from SSDC; a proposal form is on the website.

c) At the meeting of the SCC Local Area Working Panel, funding was approved for two of the three South Petherton proposals, an additional youth worker and a fortnightly CAB surgery.

d) The Meals on Wheels service is being stopped. In future there will be frozen food from Wiltshire Farm Foods, so a microwave will be required and there will be an assessment by Social Services on whether help is required to operate the microwave.

e) A wrought iron gate to go in the entrance to the library is being progressed, with the landlord offering to pay for the gate and SCC Library Service paying for the planning costs.

f) Chief Superintendant Nicky Watson gave a presentation to SSDC Area North. It was suggested that PCSOs would be required to contact all reporters of a crimes within 24 hours. There is a 22% crime reduction rate; violent crime has reduced but car crime increased.

g) SSDC do not agree with the SCC ruling that children under 17 years cannot be employed for washing-up in licensed premises and SDCC will be meeting with SCC to discuss this.

h) The reason for no internet access at the police post had been that the contract was not in place. The contract is now in place and the reason now being given is that it is not secure enough for a laptop despite the police security people visiting before the start of the project and agreeing that a laptop could be stored in a locked cabinet.

g) The check that the new police post volunteers are being asked to complete is far too excessive and personal. This has been brought to the attention of Andy Pritchard and his help sought.

h) Inspector Andy Prichard is attending the December SP PC meeting.

14 To Consider

a) Christmas Lights - As N Symes is resigning from SP PC, Chris Hockey will be asked if he would liaise with Knights Electrical for this year's Christmas lights which will be put up on 21November.

b) Farmers/Produce markets - SP PC supported the idea. J Derbyshire explained what the Blake Hall is proposing for next year. As they are considering a similar idea, C Combden will be asked to liaise with J Derbyshire.

c) Ramblers’ Association, Rights of Way Issues in Somerset – The letter from SCC referred to, has not yet been received but SP PC felt it was the problems that should be prioritised not the footpaths themselves. i.e. footpaths should all be the same priority, with the problems dictating the second level of priority.

d) South Somerset Association for Voluntary and Community Action (SSVCA) - Agreed to join.

e) Stratton and District Village Hall, Paymaster – It was agreed to act as paymaster for the heating and roof work providing this was acceptable to Customs and Excise.

(J Broughton arrived)

f) Waste Recycling and Recycling Point in SP - Following a site meeting with SSDC, it was agreed that the proposed site at the recreation ground was not suitable and neither was the landing in Lightgate Road. Without a strategic site in SP the options will be Crewkerne, Martock or kerbside recycling. Balfours have agreed to move their red waste bin, and the two charities that have the clothing and shoe bins will now be asked to remove these.

g) William Blake Memorial Hall, Grant Application – It was agreed to precept £6,000 over two years towards the refurbishment of the Blake Hall roof.

h) A ‘wish list’ will be complied so that when there are grant opportunities, SP PC has some ideas that have already been considered.

15 Cemetery

a) K Parkin explained the proposal for the tree planting at the cemetery. There is a working group which includes R Shutler, who have been looking at how they want to develop the cemetery and the areas around it as a park. Chapelfield is already planted and it is proposed that the field beyond the cemetery will be used as a memorial garden, with widely spaced trees so that ashes can be scattered and to have plaques. Some gaps in the cemetery will be planted with more trees eg rowan and elderberry to attract birds. It is proposed to have an avenue of silver birch trees along the main track through the cemetery. SCC has offered a grant of £5 per tree and it is hoped that volunteers will plant the trees. Concern was expressed about the long term maintenance of the proposed twenty trees on either side of the track, the problem with leaves when most of the existing trees are conifers and the affect of the roots on the track and the graves. It was recognised that the visual impact would be good but this might not be the right place, as it would create a shady area on the left side of the cemetery. It was agreed that whilst supporting tree panting in the field, SP PC did not support avenue of tress at the cemetery.

b) The Lengthsman will look at the loose headstones in the cemetery to see if they can be easily made stable.

c) Where headstones have been broken, just through old age, the families will be approached where they are known and the pieces will be put in the chapel.

16 County Councillor’s Report

a) J Sharpe encouraged SP PC to complete the survey of HGV pinch points.

b) He gave a reminder about Somerset Food Week.

c) He explained the new Waste Board.

d) SCC staff will be seconded to join a new scheme to improve services in Somerset. It will be called SW1 and will include the police with all back office facilities being operated by this company led by IBM.

e) J Sharpe has not been able to help progress the George Lane light but he will be meeting with Patrick Flattery from Somerset Lighting to discuss this. Also the lights on South Street Bridge.

17 Meetings

a) Planning Appeal, St Michaels Gardens and Lightgate Lane, 3 October 2007. J Johnson will attend.

b) SCC Waterways date to be announced. No one from SP will be attending.

18 Parish Council Surgeries

The value of the Parish Council Surgeries on the first Saturday of every month will be considered at the December SP PC meeting.

The meeting closed at 9.20pm

Chairman……………………… Date…………….