Parish Council MINUTES OF NETHER STOWEY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY 10 th SEPTEMBER 2007 AT 7.00pm IN THE VILLAGE HALL

Present: Parish Councillors Carol Parsons (Chairman) Lyn Forsey Rita Corbett Pat Pardoe Tony Rich Teresa Youe Malcolm Hogg (from minute 3444) Margaret Hogg (from minute 3444)

In attendance: District Councillor Ken Dyer District Councillor David Joslin District /County Councillor John Edney Parish Council Clerk Ainslie Ensor 14 Parishioners

3443 Apologies Apologies were received from Cllr Roberts (business commitment). Proposed by Cllr Rich, seconded by Cllr Youe the absence was approved.

3444 Parish Council Vacancies It was reported that four people had expressed interest in the two vacancies. One person was not, however, qualified to serve as a Parish Councillor at present as she had only recently returned to live in the Parish. Malcolm Hogg was proposed by Cllr Youe and seconded by Cllr Rich; Margaret Hogg was proposed by Cllr Forsey and seconded by Cllr Corbett; Patricia Hooper was proposed by Cllr Pardoe. There being only two persons proposed and seconded Malcolm Hogg and Margaret Hogg were elected and signed the declaration of acceptance of office and joined the meeting.

3445 Clock Tower The Chairman reported that after many years Gilbert Villis had retired from winding the clock. Cllr Rich had offered to take over the duty and Mr Villis had offered to provide advice as required. It was agreed that a letter be sent to Mr Villis to thank him for his many years of service to the parish.

3446 Castle Street Toilets The Clerk reported that the current opening hours of the public toilets were 9am to 7pm (1st April to 30th September) and 9am to 6pm (1st October to 31st March). In the past there had been problems of vandalism in the toilets which it appeared had occurred mainly in the late afternoon. As the library closed at 5pm it would appear reasonable to close the toilets earlier and reduce the chances of vandalism. Proposed by Cllr Rich, seconded by Cllr Corbett it was agreed that the opening hours of the Castle Street public toilets be amended to 9am to 5.15pm (all year) with immediate effect and that a sign be installed giving the new opening hours.

10 September 2007 Page 1 of 6 6 Nether Stowey Parish Council 3447 Old Gaol Following discussion regarding the problems of vandalism and anti-social behaviour that had occurred during the last few months proposed by Cllr Rich, seconded by Cllr Mr Hogg it was agreed that the Old Gaol should be open from 7am to 5pm and that a sign giving the opening hours should be installed.

3448 Planning (i) Application Ref: 36/07/00020 Address: The Old Bakery, 9 St Mary Street Proposal: Change of use and conversion of rear extension of dwelling and outbuildings to four dwellings Response: Support – greatly enhance this property. Concerned about the vehicles we don’t want them parking on the highway. Entrance gates to be possibly set back into driveway, of which the owner talked to us about, having electric gates of which we agreed. Including the main house parking at the moment up to 6 vehicles are parking on the highway

(ii) Application Ref: 36/07/00022 Address: 2-3 Stowey Rock Cottages Proposal: Erection of two storey extensions to rear elevations Response: Support – improve property no impact on neighbours

(iii) Application Ref: 36/07/00023 Address: 3 Coxford House Proposal: Reduce one yew tree by 50% and crown lift one walnut tree by removing lower branches Response: No objection

(iv) Application Ref: 36/07/00024 Address: Hedgerow on land east of Nether Stowey Proposal: removal of one 2m section of hedge Response: No objection

Proposed by Cllr Rich, seconded by Cllr Forsey the above responses were approved. Cllrs Youe and Corbett requested that their objection to item (i) The Old Bakery, 9 St Mary Street be recorded.

3449 Finance Expenditure incurred since the Parish Council meeting of 9 July 2007

Payee Amount Details Nether Stowey Village Hall 38.00 Hall Hire (Active Living 5/6) (Unitary 8/6) Dorset & Air Ambulance 75.00 Annual Grant Trust Citizens Advice Bureau 75.00 Annual Grant Victim Support Somerset 75.00 Annual Grant Nether Stowey Village Hall 1,050.00 Annual Maintenance Grant Talk Talk Business Ltd 31.65 Office Telephone Gordon’s Electrical Services 57.70 Repairs to Clock Tower Lighting EDF Energy 6.81 Clock Tower Electricity N Power 101.26 Toilets Electricity Logiscan Security Systems 199.98 Repairs to CCTV

10 September 2007 Page 2 of 6 6 Nether Stowey Parish Council Clarity Copiers (Avon) Ltd 167.56 Copy Charges Sedgemoor Community Transport 81.90 Bus Hire June Talk Talk Business Ltd 31.51 Office Telephone Sedgemoor District Council 60.00 Cemetery - Wasp Treatment Sedgemoor Community Transport 156.90 Bus Hire July Talk Talk Business Ltd 31.13 Office Telephone G Bickers 1,118.00 Village Mtce/toilets/ playing field/cemetery Chanin & Thomas 300.00 Office Rent August September A Ensor 98.11 Postage £38.08, Internet £58.04, Pavilion £1.99 A Ensor 604.96 Salary September Total £4,360.47

Proposed by Cllr Pardoe, seconded by Cllr Mr Hogg the above expenditure was approved.

3450 Highways The following items were noted. • Castle Street (from The Cross to Number 11)closed 3 October 2007 • Special meeting of Parish Council to discuss highway matters Monday 29 October • Railings needed at end of footpath from Oak Road to Banneson Road • Overhanging trees being pruned at end of Mill Lane / Lime Street

3451 Reports Affordable Housing The Chairman reported that last Friday all members of the Parish Council were invited to meet the Directors of Falcon Rural Housing and view the finished properties. Four members were able to attend. Years ago this parish was very well situated with houses to rent with Coleridge Road and Mount Road which the army had built and then sold to Sedgemoor; but when the right to buy came in most tenants took the opportunity to but their homes, which you cannot blame them for doing. Several parishioners realised that years down the line this would have a great effect. The new houses are great work and design and offer lovely spacious 2 or 3 bedrooms bathroom lounge and beautiful kitchens with great use of cupboard space, also the otherwise dead area under the stairs has been made into a downstairs toilet and cupboard. The exterior although there has been some debate, fits in with the surroundings. It is hoped all the tenants will look after the houses and be happy at Highbeer Close. There will be an official opening in the spring of 2008. Unfortunately one house was vandalised which took several days to correct, this has been sorted out and the police notified. The moving in date was postponed but this was nothing to do with it as rumour has suggested. The original date for moving in has been put back because of wet weather when the contractors moved onto the site and finding broken springs and drainage which took time to rectify. Quantock Hills AONB JAC The Chairman reported on the JAC meeting held on 27 July 2007. The move by the rangers from Nether Stowey to Fyne Court is still ongoing. The rangers have reduced the number of leased vehicles from 3 to 2. The sustainable Development Fund has been allocated £70,000 from Natural . Swaling; scrub removed and more than 40 hectares were burnt. Rhododendrons have been moved from Round Hill and wooded areas of Bincombe. The Exmoor ponies on Cothelstone Hill are in good state and are kept closely checked. The registered commons, heaths and forest are all now designated access land. Under new rules from the beginning of March to the end of July all dogs must be on a lead no longer than 2 metres when off the public rights o way or within land of livestock. At the beginning of May the fire severity reached level 5. The PCSO Eammon Lennison has been concentrating on car parks and advising people not to leave items on display in their cars. At

10 September 2007 Page 3 of 6 6 Nether Stowey Parish Council three sites, Wills Neck, Triscombe Stone, Muchcare Lane burnt out vehicles have been found. Fly tipping is great on the Hills but a commercial garage has been identified and legal action is being taken against them. Non road legal bikes and illegal weapons have been seized and crushed. Reference the Coleridge Bridle Way my husband and I have been approached to see if we were interested in the stabling part of this, which would also enable the vehicles to be parked off the roads. We have had discussions and agreed to this but there is a lot more in depth work and public relations to take place before this is fully up and running. Quantock Commoners The Chairman reported on the meeting held on 18 July 2007 at the Carew Arms. The pre meet in the bar caused much confusion as the notification we received was for the AGM, so upon trying to pay our subscription the Secrtary was somewhat confused but he realised he had issued the wrong calling notice ; this was to cause a good atmosphere with quite a lot of ribbing at times. English Heritage is now Natural England. The selling of properties with rights on the Hill and the owner wishing to keep them this can only be done if the rights stay within the parish. A few years ago a stallion from the Hill was killed in an accident with a coach at Woodlands. The negotiation of fault has been continuing but was brought ot a head this year in the courts. Common ground at Woodlands goes to the fence on the other side of the main road and the case was ruled in the Commoners’ favour. Mrs White at Durborough Farm requested the backing for Aisholt Common to be in the stewardship scheme. Concern was expressed about so many people feeding the ponies on the road then being unhappy when their wing mirrors are damaged. The stock on the Hill are looking very well with some lovely foals. The Commoners are working closely with the wardens with the bracken control. Village of Year Cllr Youe reported that Nether Stowey had won the Large Village and Environment categories in this year’s competition and the judges had encouraged the village to enter again next year. Hinkley Point Cllr Pardoe reported that papers on the future of nuclear power were being presented to government in early October.

3452 County and District Council Liaison There was nothing to report.

3453 Action List Action items from previous meetings: Minute Subject Action 3114 Cycle Racks Arranging installation 3133/3164 Footpaths Liaison with County ROW Team 3172 On Street Parking Yellow / white lines request 3186 A39 Monitoring position re St Mary Street/A39 junction 3196 Insurance Review Buildings valuation & report 3243 Highways No cycling signs Pooles Close/Audley Close FP & Palmers Path 3278 Welcome Pack Clerk to prepare cards 3369 Millennium Wood Arrange license from County Council 3372 Plot 173 Arrange lease from SDC 3405 Buildings of local Clerk to circulate list of all listed buildings in Nether interest Stowey 3435 Grants Obtain up to date financial information from local organisations 3454 Correspondence Correspondence received included: From Subject NALC Cracking The Code Conference 19 July Viking Direct Catalogue Guy Manning Leaving As ROW Officer For

10 September 2007 Page 4 of 6 6 Nether Stowey Parish Council Sedgemoor Area Sedgemoor District Council Re Works To Trees Land Re Coxford House Planning Certificate Re Hedge Removal By Sedgemoor District Council Reservoir Rural Women’s Network Meeting Information Eco Frame Marketing Letter Somerset Road Safety Partnership Leaflet Somerset County Council Public Transport Timetable Somerset County Council Re Area Working Panel Funding PC Minutes 18 June Sedgemoor District Council Cllrs And Wards 2007 Somerset County Council Quantock Hills Jac Agenda 27/7 Somerset Playing Field Assoc The Playing Field Newsletter Viking Direct Catalogue Somerset County Council Letter Re Unitary Decision Wicksteed Marketing Letter Jubilee Debt Campaign Newsletter Somerset County Council Sedgemoor Area Working Panel 4 Sept Sedgemoor Community Transport Increase In Charges Sedgemoor Cab Thank You Letter For Grant Sedgemoor District Council Re Unitary Bid Decision Somerset County Council Tour Of Britain Cycle Race In Somerset 11 Sept Nether Stowey Village Hall Letter Of Thanks For Annual Mtce Grant NALC Local Council Review Take Art Programme Waterlinks Information On Waterlinks Project Sedgemoor District Council Major Road Works W/C 10/09 Clerks And Councils Sept Edition Quantock Messenger Sept Edition Sedgemoor District Council Customer Services Service Plan 2007-8

3455 Forthcoming Events • Tuesday 11 September Community Council AGM 7.30pm Edington Village Hall • Wednesday 12 September Active Living planning meeting 7pm Parish Council Office • Wednesday 19 September – Training for Cllrs (code of conduct and development control) 7pm to 9pm House • Monday 24 September Somerset Playing Fields Association AGM 10.30am Woolavington Village Hall • Friday 28 September – SLCC Branch meeting 10am Yeovil • Saturday 29 September SALC AGM 10.30am Barrington Village Hall • Tuesday 16 October Rights of way workshop 7pm Bridgwater House

3456 Date of Next Meeting The next meeting of the Parish Council will be in the Village Hall on Monday 8 October 2007 at 7pm.

The meeting closed at 9.08pm.

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