Sampford Arundel Parish Council Meeting Tuesday 4 July 2017 at 7.30pm in the Parish Room, Sampford Arundel

Present: Councillors Janet Lloyd, John Burgess, Kathleen Hill, Barry Brown, Greg Pike, Roland Milton, The Clerk Members of the public interested in item 64.17. Those that spoke at the meeting were; David Tredwin, Nick Tredwin, Mr Popplestone, Margaret Meale, Mary Waterhouse, Rev Budgett, Mary Burgess, Martin Burllin, Mrs Popplestone, Kay Famer, Wendy Pollard Apologies; Mr Mrs Flaherty, Isobel Popplestone, Rev Maria Hearl

61.17 Public Forum – matters of report Nothing reported 62.17 Apologies for Absence and approve reasons for absence As above 63.17 Declarations of Interest, pecuniary or otherwise, in any of the items for discussion. Nil 64.17 Parish Room The meeting was well attended by residents wishing to discuss the Parish Room lease. The lease is due to expire on 24 December 2018. The freeholders Mr David Tredwin and Mr Nick Tredwin attended the meeting. Mr David Tredwin asked for it to be recorded that he would like the Parish Room to continue past the current lease end as intended by his grandfather and Mr Popplestone. Mr Nick Tredwin was prepared to extend the lease for 10 years if the Parish Room Committee set up a working party to consider all options for an alternative provision after that date. The Parish Room Committee will consider the proposal. Action: 64.1.17 Detailed notes of the discussions within the meeting to be passed to the Parish Room Committee Chair; Mrs Popplestone. Action: 64.2.17 A summary of the notes to be sent to the editor of the Village Voice

65.17 Defibrillator Following the presentation given to the Parish Annual meeting in May the Chair asked the Parish Council to vote whether a defibrillator was necessary for the village. The vote was unanimous - in favour of purchasing a defibrillator. Action: 65.1.17 Chair to enquire the process followed by PC Action: 65.2.17 Clerk to investigate providers and funding

66.17 Approve and sign Minutes of the ordinary meeting held on 2 May 2017 Minutes of the last meeting were agreed to be a true record of the meeting Proposed John Burgess 2nd Mervyn Sydenham

67.17 Matters arising from May’s minutes 58.1.17 Clerk to prepare letter to thank Mr Popplestone – complete

68.17 Police Report There were 265 calls to the police for the Wellington Rural Beat area with 27 police logs for the month. This included a road related incident at the Beambridge. A suspicious incident was recorded for Sampford Arundel due to a male being seen climbing into a window of a property. The police attended and the male was fixing some building works. The local PCSO requests that any suspicious behaviour is reported and to continue to be vigilant in our beauty spots as theft from vehicles are continuing. The monthly police report can be found on the Parish Council website www.sampfordarundel-pc.gov.uk

69.17 Chairs announcements 69.1.17 The Chair attended the SALC West Area meeting on 22 June. Penny James gave an outline on the proposed merger between TDBC and West District Council (WSDC) and then responded to pre-submitted questions. In summary: the new council combined would share resources (which is currently happening). WSDC requested the partnership, it is estimated that the new council will make savings of £1.8M per annum. Due to physical boundaries WSDC is unable to expand whereas TDBC is not restricted in the same way. Sedgemoor District Council are not supportive of the merger. Public response to the Consultation on the merger was only 500 despite active reminders of the consultation and deadline. Those who did respond were mainly negative about the merger asking what TDBC gained from the merger? The two main issues from the public where concerns about Town being unparished and concerns about the Mayoralty. Local businesses in Taunton Deanne appear to be in favour and supportive of the merger. Some Parish Councils were not in favour, these comments have been included in the Business Case. If the approved, the merger will start in May 2019, it was felt that there may be an indication of the decision prior to Parliamentary recess in 2017.

The proposals for the A358 were also discussed although invited SCC they did not send a representative to the meeting. and are very concerned about the suggested routes a presentation of all four possible routes can be found www.stokestmary.info

The meeting was also informed that it would appear that precept capping was no longer an immediate issue.

69.2.17 advised of two road closures that will affect the village. Notices providing details have been posted on the parish notice boards.

70.17 Clerk’s Report Under the Pension’s Act 2008 the Parish Council is required to submit a declaration of compliance with the Pensions Regulator. Sampford Arundel have complied with the requirement. For the record Sampford Arundel Parish Council currently are not required to automatically enrol the Clerk into a pension scheme. The Rights of Way Warden (Bridges) Rachel Pearce has advised that they have again contacted the landowner with options in relation to the closed footpath in Green Lane towards the railway bridge in Sampford Arundel and will contact the clerk when they have a response. The clerk will continue to monitor the situation.

71.17 Notice of Exercise of Public Right for accounts FY16/17 Notice was placed on the Parish Notice Boards 9 June giving dates for notice of Public Right for FY16/17 accounts (3 July 17 – 11 August 17)

72.17 Planning Applications No Planning Applications received. The Parish Council were asked if they wished to respond to an appeal APP/D3315/W/17/3173329. The Parish Council confirmed that their position in opposing the planning application had not changed.

73.17 Review of Assets The asset register was reviewed and approved by the councillors. Proposed Barry Brown 2nd Roland Milton Action: 73.1.17 Clerk to upload to website

74.17 Holywell Lake SiS No further update available

75.17 Risk Review The risk register was reviewed, no changes required

76.17 Annual Audit The internal audit report carried out on 3 May was distributed to the Council prior to the meeting. There was one point of note, about the asset register not being reviewed prior to the internal audit, however the auditor accepted that it was scheduled for the July meeting. All papers have been submitted to the external auditor.

77.17 Finance: 77.1.17 Quarterly Bank Reconciliation Current Account: £ 3,709.16 Reserve Account: £ 7,270.41 (as of 14/06 /2017) reviewed by the Parish Council and approved as a true record Proposed Mr Pike 2nd Mr Burgess 77.2.17 Cheques to be signed: Clerks Salary M3 £154.16 (+expenses/re-imbursement) Clerks Salary M4 £151.84 (+expenses/re-imbursement) TDBC (Grass Cutting) £158.52 D Crow (Grass Cutting) £285.00 Mrs J Wardle (internal Audit) £50.00 HMRC £56.66 The cheques above were approved and signed by the Parish Council

77.3.17 Mr Crow has submitted a quotation for cutting the grass at the top of Whiteball Hill, as requested by the Parish Council following an accident in that area last year. The Parish Council voted unanimously to approve the quote as keeping the grass cut in that area is important for the safety of drivers. Proposed Mr Burgess 2nd by Mrs Hill Action 77.3.1.17 Clerk to present cheque for Payment at the September meeting.

78.17 Matters of report 78.1.17 The question was asked when the Parish Council’s term of office ended. The Chair advised that it was 2019. 78.2.17 Comment was made that a number the village signposts required a little TLC. This was noted by the Parish Council. 78.3.17 Two potholes were reported near Holbains & Rose Cottage Action 78.3.1.17 Clerk to report via TDBC website link

79.17 Items for Next Agenda o Budget review o Millmoor Bridge (Railway bridge) o Update on Funding for Defibrillator

Next meeting 7.30pm 5 September 2017