Moorlinch Village Meeting Minutes FINAL Thursday 24th October 2013 7:00pm Church Hall, Moorlinch Attendees Ron Hixon (Chair) Stevie Burrows Tony Leigh (Clerk) Jenny Hawkins Malcolm Garrett Jane Stryker Carol Garrett Elaine Clarke Alex Treacher Trevor Clarke Kez Herbert Gilly Hayward Shane Oxbury Fiona Hixon Julie Oxbury Jenny Hayward-Karlsson John Mason Nancy Farmer Mary Mason Carrie Skinner Andrew Gigiel Dave Jenkins Peter Allwright Lindsey Taylor James Hall Alex McNeill Gerry Corbet David Taylor Val Evans Sue Simmons Helen Gould Graham Simmons Audrey Warner Apologies Guests Kate Blackburn David Huxtable, Duncan McGinty Jan Yardley Pete Hawkins Duane Quinn Hilary McNeill Agenda Item Who 1. Minutes of the Last Meeting Ron Hixon 2. Chairman’s Report Ron Hixon 3. New Mail System for Moorlinch Tony Leigh 4. Road Signage (Moor Road) Tony Leigh 5. Broadband in Somerset Tony Leigh 6. A39 Junction and Speeding Traffic in the Village Cllr David Huxstable 7. Remembering the Great War Gerry Corbet 8. Church Committee Update Jane Stryker 9. Church Hall Social Committee Update (including Italian Evening) Fiona Hixon Item 1: The minutes of the last meeting were accepted as correct. (Proposed : Peter Allwright, Seconded : Nancy Farmer) Item 2: The Chairman gave a brief report. There are no current outstanding planning issues. Item 3: The Clerk gave a brief update on the new Yahoo Mailing list used by the village to share and distribute information. He reported almost 80 members of the village had subscribed to the list, and despite some early teething problems with some subscribers the migration had been very successful. He requested that people consider their neighbours – particularly any elderly residents who may not have email access – and where appropriate share with them any important news or emails. The Clerk agreed to share a short list of instructions for people wishing to subscribe to the main Yahoo user group. (ACTION) Item 4: The Clerk reported that there was an outstanding action from the previous meeting to review whether a road sign for ‘Moor Road’ is needed to be placed opposite the Ring O’ Bells pub. At the last meeting Duane Quinn had spoken about such a sign being potentially confusing and so a decision was deferred until this meeting. An initial question was asked whether there was a need for a sign. Only 4 members expressed an interest and so a decision was made for no sign to be placed. (DECISION) Item 5: The Clerk gave an update on Broadband in Somerset. He was disappointed to report the slow rollout of high speed broadband to rural areas despite central and local government funds being available. There were also some issues relating to EU competition regulations as only British Telecom have agreed to provide the infrastructure necessary for this UK wide rollout. The Clerk reported that the local Ashcott Exchange is updated and ready for the high speed rollout, but the remaining work of installing the cables to the local exchange ‘boxes’ is still to start. A plan has been made for some exchanges but thus far this work is not scheduled. Cllr Hall confirmed that SCC has significant funds available to support this initiative but they are also frustrated by the lack of detailed plan from BT. Item 6 Cllr Huxstable gave an update on possible work for the Moor Road/A39 junction and on concerns raised about speeding vehicles in the village. Concerning the A39/Moor Road junction, there are 2 main traffic safety issues, namely (i) overtaking traffic on the A39 travelling towards Street not realising a car may be turning right into Moor Road, and (ii) for vehicles exiting Moor Road there is not great visibility in either direction, and one may make a left turn (towards Bridgwater) and be confronted by a vehicle on the ‘wrong’ side of the road. Cllr Huxstable confirmed that double white lines are not an option for this stretch of road, as they would tend to be ignored, and that there is a relatively low accident record at this junction. Plans to widen the road would be costly and require land purchase, and may increase the risk of accident. Visibility at the Catcott junction had been completed and was low cost owing to the donation of a small piece of land around the junction. This may be possible for Moorlinch too, subject to the land being donated. Ron Hixon to check with the landowner to see if this is possible. (ACTION) The issue of speeding traffic in the village generated healthy debate. Many residents reported that unsuitable vehicles were speeding into the village, resulting in many dangerous situations. Several residents reported loss of pets to car accidents. Cllr Huxstable reported that this is a complex issue and in his experience there are no ‘one size fits all’ measures which will satisfy residents and resolve this issue. It was agreed that a number of proposals will be shared with the next meeting so that they can be considered by the village, including if possible having a resident of the village of Mark discuss the impact of the measures introduced there. (ACTION). The Clerk agreed to supply pictures of the parking within the village as this acts as a ‘natural’ traffic calming measure’ (ACTION). Item 7: Gerry Corbet provided an update of events happening between now and through 2014 of activities to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the start of the Great War. He had a number of suggestions of activities in which the village may partake, including planting of poppies around the verges and green areas. Gilly Hayward provided some suggestions how best to do this. Item 8: Jane Stryker provided a detailed update on Church activities and forthcoming services and events. This addressed details of the Christmas and Remembrance services, plus updates on the recent Church inspection (it is in a good state!), and a number of fundraising activities required to support the ongoing maintenance of this historic building. She also passed on thanks to the Bell Ringers for all their support, plus the organisers of numerous clubs and events (including the Table Tennis club). Item 9: Fiona Hixon gave an update on the Church Hall Social Committee. She gave thanks to Peter Farmer for his many years of service as Committee Treasurer and organiser of the 100 Club, and his support handing over these roles to Alex. Fiona reported many of the activities of the Committee, including the 100 Club, Fete and plant sale, and stated how these are essential fund raisers to support the running of the village hall (utility bills, maintenance, insurance, etc). Fiona also reported that bookings and use of the hall had increased, with more activities and events including pilates, table tennis and Art club. Fiona also reported that on the 16th November at 7:30 there will be an Italian Evening, involving dinner, drinks and entertainment. The meeting closed at 8:00pm. Summary of Actions and Decisions Date Description Type Owner Status 24/10/2013 Share a list of instructions with the village for accessing Action Tony Leigh Open the full Yahoo user Group 24/10/2013 The village agreed that there was no need for additional Decision N/A Agreed road signage for ‘Moor Road’ opposite the Ring O’Bells pub. 24/10/2013 Check if the land around the A39/Moor Road junction Action Ron Hixon Open could be donated to allow SCC to make visibility and safety improvements. 24/10/2013 Provide options on traffic calming measures which may be Action Cllr Huxstable Open considered at the next village meeting. This may include having a resident of Mark discussing the recent measures implemented there. 24/10/2013 Provide pictures of car parking through the village as these Action Tony Leigh Open act as a traffic calming measure .