STOCKLINCH PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of Parish Council Meeting held on Monday January 21, 2019 at 8.00 p.m. in the Village Hall

1. Welcome and Apologies:

Present:; Alan Speed (Chairman) Rosie Gallagher (Vice-Chair); Alison Corr; Fiona Day; Rob Rainbow; Brian Faulkner; Ursula McKinlay (Clerk)

Adam Dance (County Councillor) Crispin Raikes (County Councillor)

Apologies: Paul Stewart; Derek Yeomans

2. Declarations of Interest: None

3. Minutesof general meeting 08/10/2018 were taken as read and signed by the Chairman.

4. Finance Statement/Accounts Payable:

❖ Finance statement as at January 21, 2019

Current account: £4037.18 Reserve account: £1189.40

5. Precept 2019/20

Adam Dance advised consideration be given to cuts to County budgets when determining next year’s precept. Services under threat include bus routes, libraries, youth amenities. In the event the Parish needed assistance with verge maintenance Adam recommended the Ranger scheme be used which would cost approx £30 per hr. Rosie recommended an increase to the Clerk’s allowance be included. At this point Ursula announced she wished to step down as Clerk, preferably after the May election and hoped a replacement within the village could be found. An e-mail announcing clerk vacancy and request for volunteer outlining clerk’s duties to be circulated

Considering the above issues the Precept was increased to £2,000.

6. Matters of Report

❖ Bridleway – Gummers Lane – Petition to upgrade the definition of the lane from pathway to bridleway has been submitted to the County Council.

❖ Parish footpaths: New tenant farmer Godfrey to take over lease of Brakes Farm and adjacent land March 2019. Alan stressed village residents need to be aware and adhere to public footpaths so as not to impede on the Ilchester Trust land.

Brian stated he was agreeable for villagers to still use the walkway from Gastons Corner but did not want it to be designated as a public footpath.

Minutes 1/21/09 Page 2

- Alison drew attention to dog fouling within the village and on farmland.

- Alan raised concern that if the new tenant farmer places cattle in the field where Ros Harding’s tree is planted it would require fencing off for protection. All agreed that the Parish Council would release funds to cover any costs involved

❖ Fly tipping – six incidents occurred in Stocklinch. SSCC informed and rubbish removed. Stocklinch residents need to be vigilant.

7. Correspondence:

• District Council: Derek Yeoman’s monthly report circulated by e- mail. - Area North office in Long Sutton now closed and staff relocated in the Brympton Way Headquarters. - New waste management legislation being considered.

• Area North Policing Team – new team announced (details in circulation box) No crimes recorded in Stocklinch

• Somerset Libraries – Ilminster Library to be retained

• Election 2nd May – Alison Corr and Alan Speed formally announced they wish to stand down. Alan because he is moving away from the village. It was noted that Rob Rainbow and Paul Stewart also considering to opt out.

• County wise parking review (info in circulation box)

• Environment – local pollution issues “

8. Date & Time of next meeting:

The date for the meeting was scheduled for Monday, 25th March 2019 at 8 p.m.

Meeting Adjourned at: 9.05 p.m.

Minute Reference 00120/19