Present:- Mr Hounsell, (Chairman); M/s Hooper, Mrs Kingston; Messrs Fowler and Townson.

Apologies:- Messrs Holt and Rogers.

In Attendance:- Mr Crossley (Clerk)

813 Declarations of interest

There were no declarations of interest

The minutes of the meetings held on 10 July and 13 August were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman

The Clerk reported that it was now unlikely that funding would be available from the County Council as he had been advised that there had been an overwhelming response to the offer of funding and the County Council had completed its distribution of grant aid at its first meeting. However he had recently been advised that the Council were considering making a further tranche of money available and he had, therefore, made a further request for grant aid towards the tree and plaque at Hatch Green, and the entrance stones to the village.

Mrs Gee had written to say that in any event she and her neighbours were intending to proceed with the provision of the tree at Hatch Green. The Chairman circulated photographs of an example of the form of entrance stone which could be provided by Sterling Services Ltd. Whilst the Company would provide the stone it would be for the Council to arrange delivery and siting.

Members discussed the location of the entrance stones and they were informed that a suggestion had been made that they should be located at the parish boundaries. Members indicated that, if the highway authority agreed, it would be preferable for the stones to be sited in approximately the same positions as the existing signs.

1) that the Clerk continue to press the County Council for grant aid

2) that the views of the highway authority be sought on both the location of the entrance stones and any requirement which they might have for fixing

3) that Sterling Services be asked to provide stones to a similar size and design to that shown in the circulated photographs, with a Bath stone finish and black lettering.

The Chairman reported that some minor works had been done to the hedging on the footpath between the school and the village hall, including some hedge cutting by TDBC. However Mr Pettit to date had been unable to undertake the work agreed at the last meeting. Although he had met Mr Derman and agreed on the need for some further work to the hedging on the boundary of his property, as yet that had not been undertaken.

Members were concerned that brambles and thistles were still causing a problem and felt that some work should be undertaken fairly quickly given that an increased number of children were now using the footpath to gain access to the MUGA. Mrs Kingston indicated that she had been made aware of a further contractor who might be able to undertake some works if Mr Pettit was unable to proceed with his offer

1) that the Chairman speak again to Mr Derman about the hedge boundary to his property

2) that the Chairman approach Mr Pettit about undertaking the work agreed at the last meeting, and should he be unable to do the work the Chairman liaise with Mrs Kingston about appointing another contractor on a similar basis.

The Clerk reported that he had been able to obtain one quotation for the provision of a new notice board. However the Chairman explained that in discussion with Mr Fowler he had been able to make alternative arrangements with the owner of the property where the board was currently located for the provision of a new board in the new location at a nominal cost to the Council.

RESOLVED that the alternative arrangements be approved

The Chairman reported that he had received three responses to the notice that had been published inviting expressions of interest from persons willing to be co-opted on to the Council. Members agreed to proceed by way of ballot and a majority of votes was ultimately declared in favour of Mr Downie

RESOLVED that Mr George Downie of The Gables, Close Farm be co-opted a member of the Council and that a letter be sent to the other persons who have made expressions of interest thanking them for their interest.

Brief details of the Waste Action Programme which was jointly being promoted by the local authorities and Carymoor Environmental Trust were made available at meeting

RESOLVED that the company be invited to make a presentation to the next meeting

RESOLVED that no observations be made to the County Council

The council reviewed the constitution of the Planning Committee given that there had been problems at recent meetings with maintaining a quorum

RESOLVED that M/s Hooper and Mr Holt be added as full members of the Planning Committee

The Clerk reported that WPC Butt had advised him that there had been a poor response to the survey which she had undertaken, and that as a consequence the issue of a youth shelter was not being pursued.

823 Report of the Planning Committee

Minutes of the meetings of the Planning Committee held on the 30 July and 26 August had been made available to members. The Committee had dealt with applications relating to the following matters

1) dwelling adjacent to 8 Crimthorne Cottages

2) garage at Grey Lodge

3) felling of trees at Orchard House

4) extension at Whitegates

5) entrance signs at Hatch Mews Business Park

6) hardstanding at 8 Crimthorne Cottages

7) swimming pool building at Orchard House

8) retention of mobile home at Orchard Park Nurseries

Members discussed the situation since the closure of the Post Office. Whilst a local couple had expressed interest in opening a new post office they were having difficulty in identifying suitable premises. The Council discussed a number of possibilities.

RESOLVED

1) that publicity be given in the parish magazine to the situation inviting suggestions as to suitable premises

2) that TDBC be asked to undertake a Land Registry search on behalf of the Council to ascertain the current ownership of the former GPO building

3) that the Chairman approached the owner of Hatch Beauchamp Nursing Home inquiring as to the possibility of locating a Post Office within the area of that property

RESOLVED

1) that the Chairman and M/s Hooper be authorised to attend the training to be organised by SALC in Hatch Beauchamp on 23 September for new councillors and new chairmen

2) that any other member interested in attending the training approach the Chairman

RESOLVED that the Chairman and Clerk be authorised to attend this meeting in North Curry on 28 September

Members were given advance information that this meeting would be held in Taunton on 2nd December. Further information would be contained in the Members Bulletin as soon as it was received.

RESOLVED that no action be taken on the requests from Age Concern and the Exmoor Search and Rescue Team for donations

The Clerk submitted a Statement of Account and Bank Reconciliation Statement showing a balance of £1,613.43 in the Current Account and £3,238.14 in the Business Reserve Account. The Statement also incorporated proposals for grants on a similar basis to previous years

1) that payment of the following invoices and expenses be approved

a) Clerk's expenses £32.31

b) Clerk’s salary £207.50

c) Parsons Landscapes £57.58

2) that the following grants be approved

a) St John’s PCC (for burial ground) £233

b) H B Baptist Church (for burial ground) £86

c) Village Hall Management Committee (for insurance) £500

d) Village Hall Management Committee (for playing field - VAT refund) £57.64

830 Correspondence

1) letters from Commission for Racial Equality on the new Statutory Code of Practice regarding the duty to promote race equality

2) Somerset Rural Youth Project moped loan scheme (details included in Members Bullletin)

3) letter from DEFRA confirming Parishes to retain right to be notified of planning applications

4) tour of rural parts of constituency by Adrian Flook MP

5) Planning Control Annual Report 2001

6) DEFRA letter re Rural Service Standards

831 Any Other Business

1) Members discussed the circulation of documents by e-mail. Whilst it was not practical to do this for the majority of documents received by the Council a copy of the covering note to the Members Bulletin would be made available to those members who had an e-mail address

2) Members expressed concern that a damaged field maple tree at the entrance to Sterling Services Ltd, which was included within a tree preservation order, was dying.. It was understood that TDBC were aware of the position

3) Parking in Station Road was again occurring and the position appeared to have been aggravated following the reopening of the school after the annual holidays. The Clerk agreed to make the Somerset CC video "Kill Your Speed" available to the head teacher

4) Complaints were being received about noise from the newly opened MUGA which would be drawn to the attention of the Village Hall Management Committee for comment and an item placed on the next agenda

5) Noise was again being experienced from motorbikes using Hatch Hill although this appeared to be an isolated incident

The Chairman closed the meeting at 9pm

P Hounsell

Chairman

The next ordinary meeting will be on 13 November