CARHAMPTON PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY 4 MARCH 2021 (19:30 – 21:38) Councillor F Barringer-Capp (Chairman) Councillor B Maitland-Walker (Vice-Chairman) Councillor L Bagley Councillor P Mason Councillor P Jaques Councillor S Mew IN ATTENDANCE: Alan Hemsley (Clerk to the Council) County Councillor Mrs C Lawrence District Councillors M Kravis and P Pilkington 2 members of the public were also present. 1. Comments from the Floor. Mrs Passmore, from the public gallery, asked for comments on her suggestion for an Art Exhibition later in the year to showcase the creative skills learnt by those living in the Parish during the period of national lockdowns in 2020 and 2021. Mrs Passmore confirmed that she had staged similar events elsewhere in the West Somerset area in recent years and was willing to talk to whoever might help with such an event. Members were keen to see something like this happen and suggested that Mrs Passmore might like to talk to the Carhampton Art Group, the local Woodcarving Group, the Recreation Centre and the Youth Club to seek their support. 2. Apologies for absence. The Clerk advised that District Councillor Marcus Kravis would be arriving late due to his attendance at a meeting of the District Council’s Scrutiny Committee. 3. Declarations of Interests and Dispensations There were no additional declarations of interest to be made by Members at this stage of the meeting. 4. Minutes of Meeting held on 4 February 2021 RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 4 February 2021 having been previously circulated, be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. 5. Actions and Ongoing Matters from Previous Meetings (a) Members NOTED the Action Sheet issued after the last meeting of the Council updated to 25 February 2021 (a copy of which is attached to the signed copy of these minutes) Carhampton Parish Council minutes 4 March 2021 1 (b) Road Safety (Min 5(c)/02/2021 The Clerk advised that it appeared that the Small Improvement Scheme to be undertaken by County Highways was apparently starting in early April with works to the pedestrian safety barriers outside and opposite the Butchers Arms being replaced between 15 and 25 March. (c) Village Signs (Min 13/12/2020) Members had been sent a suggestion from the County Highways office for the design of the new 30mph/40mph “Welcome to Carhampton” signs at the entry points to the village on the A39. Members were concerned that that a drawing of St Carantoc alone on the new sign, without a historical reference, would not provide would mean nothing to visitors to and through the village. Members expressed the view that they would prefer to have an additional sign or signs elsewhere in the village with the drawing of St Carantoc and some historical reference in a similar vein to that on the approach to Dunster village. Members AGREED that the Highways Authority be asked to remove the drawing and substitute the words: “Welcome to the historic village of Carhampton – Please drive carefully” for the wording on the current proposed design. (d) SRA Flood Alleviation Works (Min 8(c)/01/2021 The Clerk reported that yellow paint markings had recently appeared in Withycombe Lane which appeared to indicate the line of surface water drainage and try to ascertain the reason for them. He had contacted Wessex Water, County Highways and Somerset Rivers Authority. Only Wessex Water had replied to date and they were unable to help. (e) HM Government Cycling and Walking Safety Money Announcement (Min 16/12/2020) The Clerk advised that at a recent on-line meeting with the County Council and Clerks, mention had been made of SCC working with Carhampton Parish on the cycle path between Carhampton and Minehead. Having made that statement in public, it was now clear that design work was imminent. (f) Butchers Arms Car Park Wall (Min 5(f)/01/2020) Members NOTED that the hedge around this car park had recently been significantly trimmed and looked a lot better for it. (g) JPF Hedge Trimmings (Min 4(a)/06/2018) Members NOTED that no further deposits of hedge and grass cuttings had been found on the JPF and AGREED that this matter be removed from the Action Sheet. Carhampton Parish Council minutes 4 March 2021 2 (h) Old Bus Shelter (Min 18/01/2021 Members noted the recently completed work to remove the overgrowth on the old brick built bus shelter. They were, however, concerned that there were several roof tiles that needed replacing and the guttering needed clearing. Members AGREED that the Clerk should ask the contractor to return to undertake these works as soon as possible. 6. Co-Option of New Members Members received and considered a report of the Clerk (a copy of which is attached to the signed copy of these minutes). The report provided Members with details of 2 residents in the Parish who had applied to be co-opted to the Parish Council. Members: (a) APPROVED the co-option of Mr Lee Bagley to the Council; (b) AGREED that Councillor Bagley should sign the Declaration of Acceptance of Office by no later than noon on Saturday 13 April 2021; (c) AGREED that Councillor Bagley should fully participate in the rest of the meeting; (d) AGREED that consideration of an application from Bruce Stevens should be deferred pending his being able to meet some Members and/or provide a more detailed explanation of his wish to join the Parish Council and what particular skills, experience or knowledge he might be able to; and (e) AGREED that consideration of an application from Lisa Overington be considered at the August meeting of the Parish Council at which point she would qualify under the residency rule. 7. Planning (a) Applications – 3/05/21/003 – Creation of level area for off-road parking for 2no. vehicles within the rear garden (retention of works partly undertaken) – 6 Hill Lane, Carhampton Members considered this application. Members were unhappy at being required to consider a retrospective application and that the text of the application form did not correctly reflect the actual situation in respect of the neighbouring property. Members noted that the application drawing A3 DRNO 004 PROPOSED SITE PLAN- 220763 showed a proposed set of steps leading down from the highway in Hill Lane to the rear garden. However, a photograph taken by the Clerk on 2 March 2021 showed a breezeblock wall approximately 1m high for the full length of that boundary which would preclude the installation of the steps. Carhampton Parish Council minutes 4 March 2021 3 Members AGREED that the Local Planning Authority be advised of the Parish Council’s displeasure at the retrospective application. Whilst the application was not detrimental to the immediate neighbourhood, there were slightly misleading comments within the application relating to the application being complimentary to the adjacent property. (b) Decisions Members NOTED that the following Decision Notices had been issued since the last meeting: (i) 3/05/21/001 – Merlin House, Carhampton Road, Blue Anchor – Members also noted that demolition work had commenced on this site. (ii) 3/05/21/002 – Footlands Cottage, Orchard Road, Carhampton – Listed Building Consent. (c) Outstanding Applications Members NOTED that the following applications were awaiting a Decision Notice: (i) 3/05/20/001 – Land off Withycombe Lane, Carhampton. The Clerk advised that, although the Planning Committee had approved the application on 10 December, no Decision Notice would be issued until the S106 Agreement had been signed; and (ii) 3/05/20/006 – Garlands, Withycombe Lane, Carhampton. 8. Finance (a) Expenditure Monitoring Members received and NOTED the monthly Expenditure Monitoring Report (a copy of which is attached to the signed copy of these minutes). (b) Income Monitoring Members received and NOTED the monthly Income Monitoring Report (a copy of which is attached to the signed copy of these minutes). Members NOTED that application had been made to HMRC for a VAT refund but this had not yet been received. If received before the end of March, the total income for the year 2020/21 would exceed £25,000 and, therefore, the Council would be subject to a full audit. (c) Statements of accounts Members NOTED the balances of accounts as follows: (i) Current Account: ................................. £3,099.10 (ii) Business Reserve Account ............... £27,434.73 Carhampton Parish Council minutes 4 March 2021 4 The Clerk advised that the £6 under-deducted by the bank reported to the last meeting had been corrected by both the Council’s and payee’s banks. Councillor Mew was authorised to check and sign the Balance Sheet. (d) Accounts for payment RESOLVED that the following accounts be paid: Clerk’s salary ..................................................... £440.84 Clerk’s expenses ................................................. £30.32 Function28 (Website Hosting)(SO) ...................... £12.00 CG Thrush – Clearing Old Bus Shelter ............. £320.00 Idverde- New litter bin Park La/Hill View Rd ...... £246.48 MHPF(UK) Ltd – Allotment Rents ...................... £113.70 Clean It Windows (March clean).......................... £36.00 (e) Transfer of funds RESOLVED that the sum of £1,300 be transferred from the Business Reserve Account to the Current account to cover these payments. 9. Policy Documents In accordance with the published schedule Members reviewed the following policy documents: (a) Asset Register Members APPROVED the amendments to the Asset Register (a copy of which is attached to the signed copy of these minutes) subject to adding the two dog waste bins purchased by the Parish Council in 2018 to the list. (b) Financial Risk Review Members APPROVED the amendments to the Financial Risk Assessment (a copy of which is attached to the signed copy of these minutes).