BRADFORD ON TONE PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 26 NOVEMBER 2012

PRESENT

Mr K Mear (Chairman), Mrs J Cape, Mr C Dinsdale OBE, Mr P Haines, Mr D Venn Two members of the public – Mr Pearce and Mr Richards

1. APOLOGIES

Mr C Ellis, Mr T McMahon (County Councillor), Mr C Bishop (District Councillor)

2. DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTERESTS, OTHER INTERESTS AND GRANTING DISPENSATIONS

The Clerk reminded Councillors about the reasons for granting Dispensation. It was agreed that all Councillors needed to seek a Dispensation where they had a property subject to Council Tax (DPI). This would allow Councillors the resolution to set a precept. The business of the Council would be impeded if most, if not all of them were unable to vote. Dispensation forms were then completed by all Councillors for minute 10.4.

3. CRIME UPDATE

The new police constable, PC Adrian Hooper, introduced himself to the Parish Council. He is based at Wellington Police Station. Four crimes had been reported in the parish during October and November and a number of calls received within his beat area. He suggested that anyone who had valuable farm machinery should contact him with the details so that it could be registered.

4. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 19 SEPTEMBER 2012

The draft minutes, having been circulated, were taken as read and signed as correct. The proposer was Mr Dinsdale, seconded by Mrs Cape.

5. UPDATE ON ITEMS IN MINUTES

5.1 Public Footpaths WG 3/4 and 14/1 Bradford on Tone to Nynehead

The County Council’s Rights of Way Warden for bridges reported that other contracts were taking priority over this job but it was hoped something would happen in December or January.

5.2 Location Scheme Consideration – Footway outside Taransay and Dayland, Bradford on Tone

Somerset County Council had recently carried out a survey along the frontage of these two properties. The owner of Dayland had indicated she was not willing to gift any land towards the scheme. The owner of Taransay had agreed to assist the County Council.

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5.3 Highway Maintenance Matters

A number of maintenance issues regarding manhole covers and blocked drains had been reported to the Highways Department.

5.4 Footway outside Stoneycroft, Bradford on Tone

The contractors who had carried out further works had covered a drain with spoil. Mr Richards offered to look at the site and see if he could alleviate the build-up of water.

6. DRAFT INFORMAL FUTURE STRATEGY

The Clerk had prepared and circulated this paper. In the absence of Mr Ellis who had originally suggested the strategy, councillors agreed to postpone discussion of the paper until the January meeting.

7. SCC CHAIRMAN’S CITIZENSHIP AWARD TO MR DAVID RICHARDS

Councillors congratulated Mr Richards, who was present, on achieving the award and unanimously agreed it was well deserved.

8. SPEED INDICATOR DEVICES (SIDs)

The County Council had recently revised their current policy on the provision of SIDs which would allow communities to have access to the signs as long as they met a certain criteria, ie there must be a location within an official speed limit of 30 or 40 mph.

Two locations had been suggested in Bradford on Tone. One was the approach to the village from World’s End. The other was the A38 approach to the World’s End. This location would qualify as it was a posted speed limit and SIDs were used in some 50 mph limits. With the busy junction to West Buckland just after the World’s End this appeared to be a suitable location.

9. PLANNING

9.1 Minutes of the meeting held on 25 September 2012

The minutes, having been circulated, were taken as read and signed as correct. The proposer was Mr Haines, seconded by Mrs Cape.

9.2 Applications

9.2.1 07/12/0022 – Erection of extension to facilitate formation of a bay window to the front of Greenbank, Bradford on Tone – Parish Council met 25.9.12 – supports application

9.2.2 07/12/0019 – Formation of vehicular access at 1 Stonehouse Cottages, Hele (retention of works already carried out) – Parish Council had following comments:

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(a) Visibility restricted right on exiting property

(b) Chippings may encroach onto highway

(c) Parked vehicles on highway do not help with visibility

9.2.3 07/12/0023/A – Painted lettering and painted clock face, both with illumination, at Worlds End, Heatherton Park, Bradford on Tone – Parish Council commented only that the lettering could be smaller.

9.2.4 07/12/0024/T – Fell one pittosporum tree within Conservation Area at Russets, Bradford on Tone – Parish Council supports application.

9.3 Decisions

9.3.1 See 9.2.1 – permission granted 1.11.12

9.3.2 See 9.2.2 – application withdrawn 7.11.12

9.3.3 07/12/0018 – Works at Worlds End, Heatherton Park (retention of works already undertaken) (resubmission of 07/11/0019) – permission granted 19.10.12

9.3.4 07/12/0021/T – Tree works in Conservation Area at Risdons, Back Lane, Bradford on Tone – proceed as from 10.10.12

9.3.5 See 9.2.4 – work can begin on 14.11.12.

9.3.6 See 9.2.3 – permission granted 22.11.12

9.4 Other Planning Matters

9.4.1 07/12/0006 – Erection of timber chalet in courtyard of old stone barn, Langs Farm, Bradford on Tone (retention of works already undertaken). Applicant has lodged an appeal with the First Secretary of State against the decision of TDBC to refuse planning permission. Parish Council confirmed with Secretary of State that it met the applicant at a site meeting on 6.6.12 and agreed with him that there were no further comments for them to make.

9.4.2 Notification of proposed solar pv development at:

(a) New Rendy Farm, Oake (pre-planning application stage)

(b) North Grange Farm, Nynehead (application received 6.11.12 as neighbouring parish – responses requested by 27.11.12)

9.4.3 Notification in September 2007 of various works at Tone Works, Wellington – application withdrawn 14.11.12

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9.4.4 07/12/0017 – Appeal by applicant over refusal of TDBC against erection of a two storey extension and conservatory to the rear of The Waggon House, Bradford on Tone – appeal withdrawn 28.11.12

10. FINANCE

10.1 To consider approval of the following accounts for payment £

10.1.1 Clerk’s salary October/November 441.92 10.1.2 Clerk’s expenses October/November 20.00 10.1.3 Viking – stationery 44.34 (inc VAT £7.39) 10.1.4 FMS printer cartridges 50% of total 57.47 10.1.5 Society of Local Council Clerks – revised inserts to Clerk’s Manual 32.00 10.1.6 Hire of Chant Room 19 September 2012 8.00 10.1.7 Mr Wallis – British Legion wreath 22.00

On the proposal of Mrs Cape, seconded by Mr Dinsdale, it was unanimously agreed to pay these accounts.

10.2 Income

Taunton Deane Borough Council grant towards churchyard maintenance and public footpaths maintenance 520.00

10.3 Bank Balance and Reconciliation Statement

After the above transactions had been taken into account the Parish Council’s bank balance totalled £6675.

10.4 To consider Budget and Precept for 2013/2014

[Dispensation forms had been completed and approved]

The Clerk submitted the draft budget and precept, a copy of which is attached as Appendix 1. On the proposal of Mr Haines seconded by Mr Venn, it was unanimously agreed to approve the budget and ask Taunton Deane Borough Council for a precept of £5500 for 2013/2014, the same as for the current year.

10.5 Half year audit results

A successful audit had been carried out by Mr Dinsdale and Mr Ellis and they were thanked for their assistance.

11. CORRESPONDENCE

11.1 Total Advocacy – supporing vulnerable people across Somerset (flyers on noticeboards)

11.2 Somerset County Council – Waste Core Strategy Consultation

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11.3 Provision of 20 kg bags of de-icing material 24.11.12 – It was agreed Mr Mear would arrange collection.

11.4 Assets of Community Value - ‘The Community Right to Bid’ introduced by the Localism Act 2011 (emailed to Councillors 1.11.12)

The Clerk explained the principles involved. The ‘Right to Bid’ gave voluntary and community groups the opportunity to nominate local land/buildings to be included on a list of ‘assets of community value’ held by the local authority, ie Taunton Deane Borough Council. If those buildings came up for sale the voluntary or community group would have first opportunity to bid for it.

11.5 Donations – The Parish Council’s current policy was not to provide financial support following charitable requests, even though it was empowered under Section 142 of the Local Government Act 1972 to give the equivalent of £5+ per elector to charitable causes. Having received a request from Taunton & District Citizens Advice Bureau Councillors took the opportunity to reconsider their policy. Mr Haines suggested considering each donation as and when they were received. Mr Venn suggested ring fencing an annual amount and Mr Dinsdale suggested an annual cap for donations.

It was agreed to reconsider the Parish Council’s policy at the January meeting.

The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Wednesday 16 January 2013 at 7.30 pm. Items for the agenda should be with the Clerk at least 14 days before the meeting.

The meeting closed at 9.30 pm.

B414m

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