The Monthly Council Meeting

Misterton Parish Council

Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Tuesday 15 February 2011 in the WI Hall, Middle Street, Misterton at 6.30pm.

Public session; one parishioner present. The parishioner referred to his letter of 3 February addressed to the clerk. It was proposed and agreed unanimously that this letter be discussed in a closed session at the end of the meeting, in the order of the agenda, as it involves staffing issues.

Present: Mr D Welch (Chairman) Mr R England Mr R Heyd-Smith Mr G White Mr P Braley Mrs D Bradly Mrs C Walker Mrs A Kay Clerk In attendance: Cllrs Mrs Singleton (SSDC) and John Dyke (SCC) for part of meeting.

Apologies: Cllr Mrs C Newbery, Cllrs Mr Best and Mr Clarke (SSDC). Declarations of Interest: none 10/11-94: Minutes of previous Meeting; The minutes of the meeting held on 18 January 2011 were agreed to be a correct record of the proceedings and signed by the Chairman. 10/11-95: Matters arising; i) A letter had been drafted to Somerset County Council (SCC) Highways inviting an officer to attend a Parish Council meeting enabling the specific issues and potential solutions to Misterton’s traffic problems to be discussed. The need to address the existing traffic flow and intensity was raised by residents in the Parish Plan and it was noted that traffic density will increase considerably in the next few years, with planned development of over 700 houses. The key requirements are prioritised traffic flow, with clear signage, in the narrow sections of road plus an enforced weight limit to deter lorries from using the road as a short cut. The letter was approved and it was agreed that the clerk send the letter to Mr Ioan Rees, SCC Service Director for Highways & Passenger Transport. ii) It was noted that the drainage work in Knowle Lane had been completed iii) Crewkerne HWRC update; Somerset Waste Partnership voted to ‘mothball’ the HWRC. This recommendation will go to the SCC budget meeting on 16 February. The petition to look at alternatives, such as reduced hours and paying to recycle, has been supported by over 8000 signatures an unprecedented response. It was noted that no business case for closure had been presented by SWAP. iv) SCC Flood questionnaire; the Chairman is replying to a SCC survey on flooding issues in the parish. v) Snow preparation working group update; it was reported that 5 grit bins should initially be purchased with named representatives responsible for spreading in their area. It was understood, at this time, that SCC Highways would fill the bins. Parishioners would be asked to support the initiative by clearing the pavement in front of their property. A proposal to cost the project, inform the village and use the Cemetery Wall Reserve to pay for the bins was agreed unanimously. The Fete and Village Hall Committees had been asked to support this initiative. Clerk to get a price for bins. vi) Oil buying group update; 5 parishioners are interested and the information will be included again in the newsletter.

Christine Langford - Parish Clerk - February 2011 1 of 3

10/11-96: Knowle Lane; it was noted that repairs had been carried out by SCC Highways. 10/11-97: Overgrown vegetation in Silver Street & Cathole Bridge Lane; it was proposed and agreed unanimously that letters be sent to the properties involved asking for the overhanging vegetation to be trimmed back. If this was not done within one month then the Parish Council would have the work done and invoice the householders. 10/11-98: Planning i) Betterment Properties update; Betterment has asked for a meeting re the 2 bus shelter sites and the MUGA on 16 February. The short notice was noted. Cllr Heyd-Smith to meet the developers. ii) 11/0004/FUL Hillcrest Bungalow; an amended plan has been received increasing the chimney height. There were no objections. iii) 11/00147/S73 Land by Brook House; the removal of visibility conditions had been agreed. The observations including the amendment were all approved unanimously.

10/11-99: District Councillors’ Reports; it was reported that there would be a 0% increase in SSDC council tax. If the Crewkerne HWRC closes than SSDC expect to pick up the cost of increased fly tipping. 10/11-100: County Councillor’s Report; it was reported that SCC will be setting their budget on 16 February. There will be a 0% SCC council tax increase in line with the Somerset police and fire authorities. Local Authorities who freeze their Council Tax in 2011/12 will be rewarded with the resultant loss to their tax base funded by central Government at a rate of 2.5% in 2011/12 and in each of the following 3 years.

10/11-101: Finance i) The finance report for the current month had been circulated beforehand and was approved and accepted. ii) The following payments were approved: D C Langford £536.18 (office supplies & February salary) Mr D West £400 (cemetery maintenance quarterly payment ) iii) Somerset Landscapes Limited has quoted for cutting the recreation field grass. It was agreed that the clerk obtain 2 more quotes before a decision is made. Somerset Landscapes Limited also quoted to cut the cemetery grass. It was agreed unanimously to continue with the current contractor Mr West as he offers a comprehensive maintenance service. 10/11-102: Parish Plan; The website is almost complete. Photographs of councillors are required for the site and Cllr Brayley agreed to provide these. A progress report and website address to go in the councils newsletter report. It was agreed that a website co-ordinator was needed and Cllr Kay to ask Jo Thomas if she would be willing to update the site and if so what her hourly rate would be. Clerk informed councillors of website training available from Vision ICT. 10/11-103: Chairman’s Report; The Chairman’s report had been circulated in advance and was received and accepted. 10/11-104: Clerk’s Report; This had been circulated in advance and was received and accepted. In accepting the report it was agreed that councillors would send items for the agenda to the clerk by 9am the Tuesday before the next Parish Council meeting. It was also agreed that the clerk will write to Post Office Ltd and ask for the Post Office sign to be removed from the vacant village shop property. 10/11-105: Parish Elections; It was agreed that the clerk would include details of election information events provided by SSDC in the council newsletter report.

CL - Parish Clerk - February 2011 2 of 3 10/11-106: Playground Assessment Report; The results of the SSDC and Misterton PC inspections were noted. It was agreed that the clerk obtain quotes for a replacement roundabout bearing and for safety surfacing under the bars. 10/11-107: Youth Facilities; It was agreed that as the Betterment agreement includes provision of a MUGA on the Recreation field that the council would not accept the SSDC grant offer for additional provision. Clerk to inform SSDC of this decision and to invite a SSDC officer to advise the council on MUGA facilities to ensure that the most appropriate facility is provided by Betterment. It was agreed that for security reasons the MUGA should not be sited behind the village hall. 10/11-108: Bus Routes; The council noted that the local authority cuts would result in reduced bus provision for the parish and it was agreed to monitor this. 10/11-109: Correspondence; The following had been received and were available to view at the meeting: i) SSDC playground training courses; no councillor able to attend. ii) Somerset Playing Fields Association Newsletter iii) SSDC letter regarding Royal Wedding celebrations. It was agreed that the council would not be organising a celebration event. iv) Queens 2012 Jubilee letter from Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media & Sport v) Lord’s Larder Food Bank request for funds. It was agreed not to support this charity financially. vi) Letter from parishioner; as agreed in the Public Session this item was discussed in a closed meeting due to the staffing issues involved. It was agreed that the Council has confidence in the way that it conducts its affairs, especially on the issue of transparency. The Council’s duty of care owed to its employee was noted. It was proposed and agreed unanimously that, to avoid the risk of disproportionate costs falling on the Council and thus on the taxpayers, the clerk should work on tasks agreed with the Council and access to the clerk will be restricted. It was agreed that the chairman will reply in writing to the parishioner informing him of the Councils decision.

10/11-110: SALC Area Meeting: Cllr Welch to attend. Date of next meeting: 15th March 2011 The meeting closed at 8.50pm

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