EAST COKER PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES Minutes of Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday 12 November 2014 The Pavilion, Long Furlong Lane, East Coker 7pm
537/14 (Agenda item 1) Minutes of Parish Council Meeting held on 8th October 2014 were proposed by Cllr. Shayler, seconded and carried. 538/14 (Agenda item 2) Apologies accepted from: Cllrs. Bennett, Fysh, D.Mead, Apologies from D.Cllr. C. Bakewell and C.Cllr M.Fysh Present: Cllrs. S. Shayler, R. Jones, J. New, M. Mead, H. Clarke, B. Sugg, K.Wilson, J.Shaw 539/14 (Agenda Item 3) Declarations of Interest - None 540/14 (Agenda Item 4) Public Question Time. – Ella and Emma from The Zone came to explain the benefits of the Youth Project. Council welcomed them and appreciated the Presentation and results of a Survey they had carried out on what the young people thought of the staff, activities and how the Zone benefits them and the community.
541/14 (Agenda Item 5) County/District Councillors Reports D.Cllr. Cathy Bakewell sent written report concerning her activities in Westminster and on local issues, South Somerset Together Housing Assembly consultation on priorities; Area South and the application for housing development near Holywell being refused; Full Council items being Taxi Licensing Policy, Modifications to the Local Plan voted to be accepted, a pilot scheme to start audio recording of District Executive meetings and the possibility for this to be rolled out to all other public Council meetings. D.Cllr. Gina Seaton reported on Area South Committee and the Heart of Wessex grant money for business startups especially in agriculture and rural situations available –contact sarah@heart of Wessex.co.uk; Modifications to Local Plan – Gina and Cathy opposed removal of buffer zone; attended Workshop on Eastern Corridor which needs more updating. In Cllr.Fysh’s absence she reported for him on the Libraries Consultation and plan to reduce mobile libraries and recommended responding. Clerk to respond to keep the regular visits to the Parish. 542/14 (Agenda Item 6) Reports from representatives on outside organisations. None
543/14 (Agenda 7) Planning Applications. a. 14/04692/FUL Mr. Robinson, Old Stable Cottage, Burton BA22 9LS and 14/04876/LBC Alterations and conversion of existing integral garage/store into habitable room. – Council had no objections. b. 14/04629/FUL Mr. & Mrs. Edgerley, 12 Lower Wraxhill Rd. BA20 2JU Alterations and the erection of a first floor side extension to dwellinghouse (revised application – to remove front section of first floor element on original application. Council had no objections.
c. SSDC Determinations d. 14/03725/FUL Mr. Neil Boxall, Sunset Cottage, Burton – granted e. 14/03736/FUL Mr. Nicholas Marr, 8 Mill Close - granted
ITEMS FOR REPORT AND DISCUSSION 544/14 (Agenda Item 8) Notice/Information Board – message from Cllr.Bennett that it is now ready to print 545/14 (Agenda Item 9) Rangers Scheme Cllr. Sugg reported that the Ranger has done work around Pavilion and hedges. Agricultural contractor Vic White asked to quote to dig ditches in Darvole, Lodge Hill and Naish Priory. Clerk to write accepting quote of £35 p.hr. 20bags of salt to clear roads offered by SSDC for collection on 22 November. Matthew the Ranger to collect. Major blocked drains in North and East Coker. Chairman recommended that S & D Contractors of Chard be hired to jet/rod the drains. Cllr. Sugg to contact them. (Agenda Item 18)Cllr. Sugg reported on the Christmas Tree to be erected in the Paddock. As there is no suitable tree Mr. & Mrs. Miskin who are prepared to give a 20ft tree and the Parish Council will give a £200 donation to them for a charity of their choice proposed by Cllr. Sugg, seconded Cllr. Jones, and carried. CCM Electrics (Gill Macpherson) will obtain and fit the lights. Lights will be turned on following the Council Meeting on 10th December 546/14 (Agenda Item 10) Health & Wellbeing Fund. Clerk to clarify criteria for funding. 547/14 (Agenda Item 11) Co-option to PC. Mrs. Sandra Snelling applied for a spare seat. Cllr. S. Shayler proposed her co-option with effect from 10th December 2014, seconded Cllr. B. Sugg and carried. 548/14 (Agenda Item 12) Commonwealth War Graves Plaques. Cllr.Shaw has letter from the Commission re. two war graves in the cemetery. In this centenary year of the First World War, the Commission are endeavouring to place war grave plaques at the entrance to sites to inform the public that war graves are within. The plaques will be 430mm x 230mm. Council agreed to the erection of this plaque. . 549/14 (Agenda Item 13) Walker-Heneage-Button Family Archives A letter received from Mrs. Heather Snook in support of keeping the Archives in Taunton. Cllr. Shayler reported that the Council can make a grant and the Archivist had reported that if fund raising failed then the donation would be returned. Cllr. Shayler proposed £1000 be donated, Cllr. Jones seconded, carried. Resolution - It was resolved that the Council in accordance with its powers under sections 137 and 139 of the Local Government Act 1972, should incur the following expenditure which, in the opinion of the Council, is in the interests of the area or its inhabitants and will benefit them in a manner commensurate with the expenditure of Service. . 550/14 (Agenda Item 14) Neighbourhood Plan. Cllr. Wilson reported on the next meeting 19th November to finalise objectives and create policy intents with consultants who will create sample policies. Cllr.Wilson to contact Paul Wheatley to ascertain timescales for SSDC to review the NP objectives and policy intents.
551/14 (Agenda Item 15) Signpost Finalisation Clerk to request artwork from suppliers of the signpost for the proposed arms – Church, Cemetery, Visitor Information Board; Village Hall; Pavilion and Sports Field. 552/14 (Agenda Item 16) Dog Bin for Placket Lane. Cllr. Shayler reported there would be no problem with placing it at Placket Lane on fieldgate side set back past the gate. Clerk to order – Ranger to erect. 553/14 (Agenda Item 17) BT Telephone Kiosk – email received confirming removal asap. 554/14 (Agenda Item 18) Christmas Tree Lights in Paddock – see Minute 545/14
555/14 (Agenda Item 19) SSDC Correspondence a. Yeovil Markets relaunch – 5th and 9th December b. Visitor Information Centre and Café at Nine Springs Country Park now open c. Council Tax Town & Parish Workshop – Brympton Way 13 Nov. 10am-12pm d. Information on the Winter Service – snow removal – holiday times refuse collection 556/14 (Agenda Item 20) General Correspondence a. Mrs Jean Caunter sent thanks to the PC for clearing the footpath along Cemetery Hill of hedge trimmings and also to the ladies who run the computer classes on a Monday. b. Chilton Cantelo School Invitation to attend new Nursery launch on 14 Nov. 9.30am. c. East Coker Scouts send thanks for the Grant they received. d. Information on Village Gateways products. Agenda Item 21 - None 557/14 (Agenda Item 22) To approve monthly cheque payments and bank reconciliation as follows: Bank Balance at 03.11.14 £77,356.21
Cheque payments – November 2014 Office Expenses 544.29 (inc. renewal of Web site and cartridge purchases) KM Dike 570.54 KM Dike 333.64 Tessa Cleaning 200.00 S & D Services 3936.00 (flood prevention work/grant) Kathryn Sturtridge 72.95 (planting at The Tree) P.Mead & Son 342.00 (hedge trimming) East Coker Society 500.00 (grant) Active Learning 1648.18 (Sept/Oct/Nov/payments) SSDC 70.00 (premises licence) TOTAL £8217.60 Accounts proposed Cllr. Shayler seconded Cllr. Shaw and carried.
558/14 (Agenda Item 23) Future Agendas Council considered major spending for 2015 – the Chapel repair/refurbishments needs to be finalised. A secondary use would be helpful – Jan.2015 Newsletter item “Do You Have A Use for the Chapel?” e.g. office, meeting room etc. Council to discuss in future. Childrens Area – tarmac to cover mud and mole damage. Lewis Contractors Beaminster (experienced LA) estimate cost at £4350 To tarmac car park inc. drains and machine laid £18,000 this would be useful to mark out games. Further suggestions: Carpark and playground tarmac plus static play equipment and markings Extend pavilion for use of all. Enlarge changing room. Discussion on competition with village Hall. Enlarge changing room with use of Architect. Guttering and timber treatment to pavilion. Carpark upgrade might encourage people to come at night. Create a priority list in date order: playarea, chapel, changing rooms.
Parish Noticeboard at Holywell. Cllr.Seaton suggested to talk to West Coker PC to share a noticeboard. Cllr. Seaton to broach subject to W.Coker. 559/14 (AOB) Cllr. Sugg has been asked by Cllr. Fysh, that the Parish Council discuss a social meeting. This would be offered following lighting of the tree on Wed. 10th December, at Helyar Arms.
Mrs. Gill Macpherson has applied for the post of Parish Clerk. She lives opposite the pavilion in Long Furlong Lane, has supplied a CV and met existing Clerk to learn what the position involves. It was suggested that Mrs. Macpherson shadow Mrs. Gubbins in January and February 2015 then appoint her in February 2015 to work alongside the Clerk.
Somerset County Council Bus Survey – Council to encourage people to complete the survey.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.45pm
Signed…………………………………. Date ……………………………………