The Monthly Council Meeting s1
Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Tuesday 15th April 2014
in the WI Hall, Middle Street, Misterton starting at 6.40pm.
Present: Cllr D Welch (Chairman) Cllr R Jeffreys Cllr Mrs C Walker
Cllr G White Cllr Mrs D Bradly Cllr G Restorick
Cllr Mrs C Newbery
In attendance; Clerk Ms C Langford
Mr John Dyke (SCC & SSDC) & Mrs A Singleton (SSDC) part of meeting.
One parishioner & Western Gazette.
Public Question Time: none.
Apologies: Cllr R Heyd-Smith
14/15-1: Declarations of Interest to receive any written requests for DPI dispensations: there were none.
14/15-2: Minutes of the meeting held on 18th March that had been circulated were agreed to be a correct record of the proceedings and signed by the Chairman.
14/15-3: Matters arising: there were none.
14/15-4: District Councillor’s Report: there is an inquiry into a planning application near Wadham School that SSDC opposes on the grounds of poor travel links and benefit to the town. Council noted that speculative applications such as this were resulting from current Government planning policy.
14/15-5: County Councillor’s Report: Mr Dyke was pleased to inform Council that he had been successful in getting a £500 grant from the Health & Well Being fund towards the updated Walking Packs. Mr Dyke was thanked and the cheque presented.
It was agreed to include the Pavement Survey on the May agenda.
14/15-6: Highways: a) it was proposed and agreed to request that SCC significantly increase the distance of the 30mph signs, on the approaches to the Misterton turnpike crossroads, further away from the crossroads to give motorists adequate advanced warning to slow down. Clerk to send this request to SCC with details of the distances required and also to ask for action to be taken regarding the new sign that is blocking visibility towards Misterton from the crossroads. Council to research accident statistics to support the request.
b) Village car park; survey completed and awaiting final scheme design.
c) SCC traffic calming report; it was agreed that Council had made decisions that may have been different if they had seen this report in a timely manner. It was also noted that there are errors in the report. It was proposed and agreed to write a letter of complaint to the SCC portfolio holder regarding the issue of SCC not supplying Council with a copy of the traffic calming report completed in 2012 until a specific request was made at the end of 2013.
14/15-7: Planning: i) Council noted that SSDC has granted;
14/00627/FUL Parkfield, Station Road erection of summerhouse (retrospective) and 14/00817/FUL Sherwood, North Perrott Road alterations to main roof and erection of two single storey extensions to dwelling house.
ii) Council noted that SSDC has not granted 14/00400/FUL 3 Hillside, Middle Street demolition of wall and creation of off road parking (retrospective).
iii) Council noted that the Proposed Main Modifications to the South Somerset Local Plan are available to view at SSDC offices & website prior to final Hearing Sessions in June.
iv) Clerk to check progress of WD/D/14/000011 Seaborough Manor Farm application for an Anaerobic Digester.
v) Council noted Consultation on the National Planning Policy Framework. It was agreed that the Clerk feedback the concerns regarding delays in Local Plans being finalised and the lack of a five year land supply that is allowing developers to submit speculative applications that are not supported by Local Planning Authorities and are not beneficial to the local area.
vi) Council noted that residents are struggling to exit the Betterment Homes development due to cars parked on the roadside, to avoid Crewkerne Station parking charges, and reducing visibility. Clerk to follow up previous requests for limited non-resident parking in Broughtons Drive.
14/15-8: Recreation Field & Play Area: i) the weekly inspection reports were noted. The play area maintenance session had been a success. Action agreed re refurbishing the benches and fixing lose coping stones on the steps by the Village Hall.
ii) Council noted the South Somerset Disability Forum access report that had been circulated. It was proposed and agreed that the Clerk obtain three quotes to improve the ramp on to the Rec & the access by the play area and repair the hole & manhole covers on the access track behind the hall and install a field gate into the play area. Clerk to ask SSDC re potential funding.
iii) Council approved the request from the Village Hall Committee to use the Recreation Field for a Big Lunch event on Sunday 1st June (a free event for villagers).
14/15-9: Finance:
i) The following payments were presented: D C Langford (expenses/salary) £559.36,
Huck Nets (UK) Ltd (plastic ties re MUGA) £67.14 and JRB Enterprise Ltd (dog bags) £70.20
Misterton WI (hall hire) £38.50 and Mr D Welch (parts for play area maintenance) £36.70
Institute of Cemetery & Crematorium Management 2014/15 subs £90.00
Somerset Association of Local Councils 2014/15 membership £218.45
Information Commissioners Office registration re Data Protection £35.00
Council noted CPRE annual membership Direct Debit has increased from £29 to £36 and regular payments were noted to Vodafone £31.74 & Cox & Co (payroll) £18.00 & Village Hall (rent) £45.
ii) Council noted monies received; £45 re memorial stone and the Precept £15,841 (including the Government grant).
It was resolved that the finance report and payments be approved.
14/15-10: Chairman’s Report: nothing to report that is not elsewhere on the agenda.
Items were agreed for the magazine copy.
14/15-11: Clerk’s report: that had been circulated was approved. It was proposed and agreed that the Clerk source a pictorial ‘Do Not’ list for the Rec ie no horses, motor bikes, golf, archery etc. The Walking Packs are in progress.
14/15-12: Correspondence: the following had been received and were available to view at the meeting: CPRE and Came & Co and Avon & Somerset PCC newsletters and invitation to South Somerset Housing Fair.
i) Invitation to join the Rural Sounding Board; Cllr Mrs Bradly agreed to join this on confirmation that the process allowed for Council opinions.
ii) Somerset Levels & Moors Flood Action Plan consultation response agreed that residents would not be prepared to pay to reduce the risk of flooding.
14/15-13: Reports from Outside Bodies: It had been agreed in the Annual Parish Meeting that the need for an assistant Parish Tree Warden be publicised in the magazine.
Village Hall Committee AGM; it was noted that there will be a new Bookings Clerk and more maintenance is planned.
Clerk to report unauthorised use of footpath C20/2 and also ask for a No Cycling sign. Council noted that dog fouling has reduced on this footpath due to owners being reminded of their responsibilities by Councillors.
Date of next meeting: Tuesday 20th May 2014 following on from the Annual Parish Council Meeting that will start at 6.30pm.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.15pm.
Signed: Dated:
Christine Langford - Parish Clerk – April 2014 2 of 2