1 Apologies for Absence: R Beale, P Mottram, C Willy and J Sharpe.

In memory of B Priddle, a letter from his son was read and a minute’s silence observed. Instead of flowers the family have requested donations to South Petherton surgery and it was agreed that donation of £50 would be made.

2 Declaration of Interests

a) C Hockey declared an interest in 38 St James Street.

b) L Port and R Neve declared an interest in Old Harp House.

3 Youth Parish Council

a) Condolences to B Priddle’s family were expressed.

b) The sponsored car wash raised £119 and the Parish Council have donated £200 towards a new litterbin at the recreation ground. The Youth PC were asked to liaise with the parish clerk to order the bin and decide upon the best location.

c) A graffiti wall has been requested. The Youth Club Management Committee and Michelle Haimes, the PCSO are supporting this. The Youth PC was asked to send the parish clerk details of size and cost of the proposed wall for consideration at the next meeting.

d) Following a successful grant application to the Youth Opportunities Fund the Youth PC have been awarded £12,400 which will be used for a residential course for fifty young people to learn more about Youth PCs and a confidence building training day is being arranged. Congratulations to the SP Youth PC.

e) Ten members of the Youth PC are going to Cheshire to talk at the NALC Conference on 19 - 23 October 2006.

f) A Ashdown is still working with the Youth PC, which meet on alternate Wednesdays at the Youth Club.

g) P Mottram will be the Parish Council representative to the Youth Club Management Committee and C Hockey will be the Parish Council representative to the Youth PC.

h) Street lighting in South Street by the bridge is still being investigated.

4 PCSO Michelle Haimes

Residents at West End, who have set up a new scheme, have asked if they can put up some Neighbour Hood Watch signs. The Parish Council is in agreement but will need to seek guidance from SSDC on the correct procedure.

5 Late Correspondence

There are two late planning applications for consideration.

6 Agreement of Minutes

The minutes of the monthly meeting held on 8 August 2006 were approved and signed as a correct record after altering 18 to read Kidner not Kinder and item 26 to read counties not countries.

7 Matters Arising

a) The Police Post now has a phone but broadband is still not available.

b) There is no news on when the new police beat manger will be in post.

c) Over Stratton Village Hall now has a regular booking on a Tuesday evening, so 14 August 2007 will now be booked for the Parish Council meeting at Over Stratton Village Hall.

8 Parish Council Working Parties and Committees

This was deferred until the next meeting when it will be discussed in detail but R Neve expressed a wish to be involved with footpaths, and it was suggested that M Wakely might like to take over B Priddle’s role at Mere Lynches.

9 Planning Verdicts

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

10 New Planning Applications

a) 02867out Residential development of land at Hayes End. Concerns included the width of the entrance, the street lighting in Hayes End, and a tree preservation order to be requested for the oak tree at the rear of the development. The Parish Council recommended approval. The proposed installation of additional street lights in Hayes End will now be delayed until after the development as the requirements are likely to change.

b) 02838ful Installation of genesis vertical lift enclosure at Burnworthy House, South Street. The Parish Council recommended approval.

c) 00658ful Erection of an open porch at Corner Cottage, Whitehall, amended plans. This was considered to still be too close to the neighbouring property for maintenance and still to take away too much light. The Parish Council recommend refusal.

d) 02672lbc External alterations to east elevation of Old Harp House. The Parish Council recommended approval.

e) 02670ful Erection of a cottage at 38 St James Street. After a vote the Parish Council recommended approval.

f) 03127ful Erection of a conservatory at 1 Lampreys Lane. The Parish Council recommended approval.

g) 01099ful and 01091lbc Amendments to roof lights and dormer windows at South Lea Farm, amended plans. The Parish Council recommended approval.

h) 03182lbc Renovating adjoining outbuilding and demolition of porch at 8 Palmer Street. The Parish Council recommended approval.

i) The number of permanent caravans and the appearance that West Down Orchard Touring Caravan Park has become a base for businesses will be referred to the SSDC Enforcement Officer.

11 Conduct of Parish Councillors in Planning Matters

S Wallis expressed concern, under the Code of Conduct for Parish Councillors, about the procedure when Parish Councillors are making judgements and comments on planning applications. e.g. when a Parish Councillor has made a planning application that has been refused but no enforcement action has yet been taken. R Shutler was asked through the chair to comment on his own planning application, R Shutler said he understood that the SSDC Enforcement Officer was unlikely to be taking action regarding his application and he is extending his plot so that when he has more land he hopes it will justify the agricultural store. He felt it was up to the SSDC planners whether they chose to take enforcement action or not. It was agreed that the position of a Parish Councillor has to be looked at from the position of the public i.e. they should receive no special treatment. All Parish Councillors should be seen to be treated exactly the same as every other parishioner. i.e. they must be seen to be whiter than white. It was noted that all District Councillors have to apply for planning permission even when an individual would not be required to do so.

12 Barcroft Hall Planning Applications

a) The letter from B Herrick’s’ solicitor relating to the conduct of specific Parish Councillors and the maladministration of the Parish Council was discussed. It was agreed that the draft letter of response, prepared by the clerk would be sent.

b) P Robathan originally said he would not participate in the application relating to Barcroft Hall if it was considered by District Councillors because he believed it might be considered that he had an interest. After taking advice and guidance from the District Monitoring Officer and the Chair of the Area North Committee P Robathan has decided that he is able to speak on the matter at the Area North Committee.

13 Approval of Cheque Payments

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

14 Donation Request

After consideration and a vote it was decided not to make a donation to Yeovil Shop Mobility on this occasion, but to keep the money available this year for donations within the parish.

15 Community Woodland Initiative

a) Some land adjacent to the cemetery has been purchased by K Duffield for community use and will submitted to SCC for consideration as a Community Woodland Initiative.

b) The Residents Committee at the Bartons at Yeabridge would also like to submit the area between the Bartons and the A303 to be considered under this scheme and this was also supported by the Parish Council.

16 Street Lighting in Over Stratton

a) Whilst pursuing the request for an additional streetlight in Over Stratton, it has become apparent that there used to be a streetlight in the area which is darker than the rest of the village. There was a streetlight on a pole in the garden of Quillon House, which Somerset Lighting has removed/ceased to maintain. Hence Somerset Lighting will be asked to reinstate a light in this part of Over Stratton rather than the Parish Council fund a new light.

b) It was also noted that there used to be a streetlight outside West End House, for which a replacement will be will be requested, as it appears to be a similar situation.

17 Street Lighting in George Lane

Both the style of light and the location have now been agreed, so a new quote is awaited.

18 Parking for the Disabled

a) There have now been three different requests for parking spaces in St James Street for the disabled. The Parish Council is not against the principle of parking spaces for the disabled but, with so many elderly residents in the village who are not eligible for a disabled parking badge, to take spaces out of use in the centre of the village for much of the time would seem to be inappropriate. A view supported by the Business Association. A preferred solution would be to make those who have disabled parking badges aware that they can park on double yellow lines in the village when safe to do so whilst this is not a legal option for other residents.

b) SSDC are carrying out a review of all on street parking i.e. how it will be policed, road markings etc, so it would seem to be more appropriate to wait for this report and then consider the needs of the parish as a whole.

c) Somerset Highways will be made aware that the PC would like to be consulted on such matters as parking in the parish.

19 Poop Scoop Bins

a) The Parish Council have previously considered and agreed five sites for poop scoop bins. The comments of the residents of Over Stratton were noted but it was still felt that the most appropriate site for a poop scoop bin is in Lopen Lane, opposite Field Lane.

b) If more poop scoop bins are considered a request was made for one in Silver Street on route to Mere Lynches.

20 Bus Shelter

A suggestion has been received that the hamstone bus shelter by Hayes End roundabout should be moved to outside the Methodist Church. This bus shelter could not be easily moved and the provision of bus shelters is a separate decision and any provision should relate to where there is a bus stop e.g. outside the David Hall.

SCC Heritage Group will be contacted to establish what is considered acceptable in a conservation area.

It was suggested that consideration should be given to a bus shelter opposite the Esso garage for those waiting for the Berry’s bus service.

21 Knapp Hill/Harvey’s Road

Maps show this road being named as Harvey’s Road, which is what will appear on satellite navigation systems, but this may become a safety issue. SSDC recommend a sign saying Knapp Hill, with Harvey’s Road underneath it. This was agreed.

22 David Hall Fire Exit - Roundwell Street

The Fire Officer wants an area marked on the road to keep the area around the emergency exit in Roundwell Street clear, but Somerset Highways are not happy with this so it was suggested that a site meeting should be arranged.

23 Footpaths

Concern was expressed over setting a precedent and that there should be a consistency of approach by the Parish Council. The views of the Parish Council, including the footpath group were not in agreement regarding the gates across Y24/24. SSDC, SCC Councillors and Rights of Way Officers are meeting on 14 September 2006 to discuss footpaths, gates and related matters in South Petherton, so the concerns about Y24/24 will be discussed then and more guidance sought.

24 Recreational Ground

a) A decision on the car park security has been deferred until the promised report from the police is received, but quotes will be obtained for a lockable barrier and/or speed bumps.

b) A quote is awaited from Somerset White Lining for marking the car parking bays.

c) A cheque has been received from the Pavilion Committee to cover the latest electricity and water invoices and they will continue to pay £200 per month.

d) The BMX track was deferred until next time.

25 William Blake Memorial Hall

The Parish Council has ultimate responsibility for the Blake Hall, which is currently managed by the William Blake Memorial Hall Management Committee, a registered charity. It was noted that the Sports and Social Club, who rent the ground floor, are five months in arrears with their rent. A letter will be sent offering the support of the Parish Council to resolve this matter and asking what the contractual arrangements are and what action the committee is taking.

26 Cemetery

Following P Kidner’s offer, R Beale will be asked to resolve who is doing the ferreting at the cemetery.

27 Churchyard

a) Concern had been expressed about whether the seat at the churchyard was attracting litter. It was decided that this would be kept under review.

b) S Monaghan has been asked to quote for a hamstone base for the war memorial.

28 Police Post Update and Funding

a) There had been a meeting with the police and the volunteers, some of whom had concerns about their safety.

b) The meeting identified some other items that were necessary to the smooth running of the police post so a grant application has been made to Somerset Community Chest for £660, leaving a shortfall of £450 to meet the list of requirements, or potentially £1,100 if the application is unsuccessful. It was agreed that an amount up to £1,100 could be spent if the grant application was unsuccessful.

c) In the New Year the police post opening is likely to change from Thursday to Wednesday mornings.

29 County Councillor’s Report

There was no report.

30 District Councillor’s Report

a) The report has been written on three of the four trees at The Rectory for which a decision on the planning application is still awaited. In principle three of the four trees can be pruned and the copper beech will be allowed to be taken down but the owner is happy for it to be pruned to keep it for as long as possible.

b) C Cooper, the SSDC Street Scene Manger, was complimented on how good the village looked on the Sunday morning after the carnival. A request was made that routine street cleaning should commence later than 6.20am.

c) The builder at Harding’s Court had expressed disappointment that none of the Parish Council attended a site meeting but no formal invitation to the Parish Council was received. The house has now been moved but modification to reduce the first floor was thought to be questionable. The SSDC planners have told the Area North Committee that the builder would both move the house and reduce the roof lines as per the proposed revised planning application.

31 To Consider

a) Risk Assessment - C Hockey and L Port will complete a risk assessment using the previously prepared guidelines.

b) Market Towns Funding Opportunities - SSDC have a total budget of £300,000 for their Market Towns Initiative and the separate Market and Coastal Towns Initiative has up to £20,000 per town. J Broughton will submit an ‘expression of interest’ for the second initiative and will also attend the next SSDC Market Towns meeting.

c) A New Single Water Management Strategy - This will replace the Parrett Catchment Project. It involves marketing and funding to go towards the initiative to make this a World Heritage Site and South Petherton is considered to be the start of the moors and levels area. R Neve expressed an interest in pursuing this further and will make to contact to establish the way forward.

32 Meetings

a) SSDC, Housing Strategy Seminar, 27 September 2006, S Wallis will attend.

b) Market Towns Initiative Meeting, 14 September 2006, J Broughton will attend,

c) Routine Visual Playground Inspections, 16 November 2006. SSDC will be asked to continue to carry out weekly inspections in South Petherton.

The meeting closed 9.46pm

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