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

Apologies:- Messrs Lintern, Rogers, Townson, Councillor Williams (TDBC) and WPC Butt (Avon & Somerset Police)

In Attendance:- Mr Crossley (Clerk), Mr Farthing (Carymoor Environmental Trust)

Mr Rogers had formally advised the Clerk that commitments outside the area prevented him from attending the meeting and this reason was approved by the Council under S85(1) of the LGA 1972

There were no declarations of interest

The minutes of meetings held on 11 September and 29 October were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman

The Clerk reported that the tree at Hatch Green and now been planted and that he was waiting for information on the costs associated with the tree and proposed plaque.

A meeting had been held with the Highway Authority to discuss the siting of the village entrance stones. There were difficulties in siting them near the existing village signs. It would be possible to put one in the lay-by at Hatch Green but there was insufficient room to put the other stone by the disused railway bridge in Station Road. The Highway Authority had suggested locating the stone further out of the village where there was a wide grass verge. The Chairman indicated that the enquiries which he had made suggested that this was outside the village boundary.

RESOLVED that the siting of the stones be further considered at the next meeting and meanwhile members consider alternative sites and the Clerk make inquiries of Mr Townson about locating a stone on the embankment by the disused railway bridge.

The Chairman reported that the contractor (Mr Pettit) had been injured and consequently was unable to undertake the work to the footpath. He had approached a new contractor who had undertaken to provide a quotation for making good the footpath and then keeping it clear. Meanwhile some work had been undertaken to clear some of the hedging by the footpath.

Members remained concerned that the footpath was a very slippy in wet weather, and drew attention to the barbed wire fence adjacent to the footpath which appeared to be in a state of disrepair. The Chairman undertook to discuss this with the owner.

RESOLVED that the matter be further considered at the next meeting

840 Waste Action Programme (minute 819)

Mr Farthing of the Carymoor Environmental Trust gave to members a presentation on the Waste Action Initiative which had been sponsored by the authorities in Somerset and the Carymoor Environmental Trust. He explained that this new initiative was designed to promote waste recycling and had four main elements; separation of waste at home, composting, re-use and smart buying. The trust was targeting schools and community groups to encourage them to become involved, and he was anxious to know about any local groups who would be interested in learning more about the initiative. The Government had set ambitious targets for recycling and a substantial amount of work needed to be undertaken if they were to be met.

Mr Farthing confirmed that Hatch Beauchamp was currently outside the boundary of the kerbside recycling scheme which was being introduced by TDBC and he understood that it would be at least 18 months before the Borough Council considered the application of the scheme to rural areas. In such circumstances the best option locally appeared to be the establishment of local recycling banks and members explain to him the difficulties in finding a site within the village. He offered to send the criteria for establishing such sites.

Members thanked Mr Farthing for his presentation.

The Clerk reported that it was understood that the persons interested in opening a new post office had identified premises above the Baptist Church in Station Road and that provided issues progressed smoothly it was anticipated that it would be open in early spring

The Clerk reported that a response had not yet been received from the Village Hall Management Committee to the enquiries which have been put to them. Members accepted that the issue was not likely to be a problem in the winter months but that it might recur in the spring

RESOLVED that the Management Committee be pressed for a response

The Clerk reported that the demonstration mast had been erected and that the site had been inspected by a number of members. It was understood that an adjacent owner who had been particularly affected by the original proposal had withdrawn his objections to the revised proposal. The Clerk advised that the Borough Council would be considering the application that evening prior to the Parish Council meeting and that he had, therefore, advised the Planning Department that whilst the Parish Council was not in a position to review its decision prior to the Planning Committee coming to a decision, from the discussions which he had had it did appear that a number of the original concerns had been met

RESOLVED that the position be noted

WPC Butt was unable to attend the meeting to give a presentation on this initiative but had made available a video for members to see

RESOLVED that the matter be further considered at the next meeting

The Clerk submitted a report setting out the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 for the Council to adopt a publication scheme. The aim of the Act was to develop a culture of openness amongst public authorities and all were required to adopt a scheme. A model scheme had been prepared for Parish Councils although they were free to devise their own scheme within the principles of the Act. The Council were required to have a scheme improved by the Information Commissioner by 28 February 2003

RESOLVED that in the circumstances of the Council

1)the basic model scheme be adopted with the option of including the agenda and supporting papers for the forthcoming/ immediate past meeting

2) the Clerk be responsible for issues concerning compliance with the scheme

3) at the Clerk’s discretion £1 charge for copy documents

4) notice of adoption of the scheme be given in the parish magazine and on the Council's noticeboard

TDBC were organising a series of workshops covering a range of issues. Details of these were given to members. The two which appeared to be of most relevance locally was one to be held Bishop's Lydeard on 28 November concerning public services/affordable housing and the other to be held at the end of January 2003 on transport/access

RESOLVED that members interested in attending any of the workshops advise Clerk within the next week

Information had been received from SALC on a training course for members and officers to be held in the Yeovil on 19th November dealing with recent legislation and local councils

RESOLVED that any member interested in attending contact the Clerk

The Chairman indicated that although the recent firework display on the playing field had been an undoubted success concerns had been raised with him about the traffic problems and related issues caused by the exceptionally large number of people attending the event. WPC Butt had also informed the Clerk of the complaints which she had received and had offered to meet with the organisers. He had also received one formal complaint which raised a number of concerns, which would be passed to the organisers, together with a guidance pack on firework displays which TDBC had promised to provide.

The Clerk indicated that from the enquiries which he had made it appeared that there was not a formal licensing requirement for a firework display but that he had also been informed that it was extremely likely that legislation would be introduced in the new parliamentary session.

Members of the Fireworks Committee responsible for organising the event were present at the meeting and were invited to give their comments. They acknowledged that many of the concerns which had been made were valid and that the traffic arrangements had been inadequate to cope with the large numbers. They remained anxious to meet with the relevant authorities and work with them to try and resolve the problems for next year

RESOLVED that the Fireworks Committee be encouraged to discuss with the Police, Fire, Ambulance and Highways Authority the safety and traffic arrangements which need to be put in place for any event which is held next year

Mrs Kingston asked the Council to consider to the introduction of a Welcome Home Pack on the lines of one organised by North Curry Parish Council. In addition to information on local organisations and amenities the booklet give a short history of the area and provided information on such matters as footpaths, bus stops etc.

The Chairman explained that in past years a similar but simpler document had been prepared on behalf of the Parish Council but this had fallen into disuse. An example was circulated at the meeting as was an example of a document being prepared on behalf of the local church. Members felt that the principle of a welcome pack was a good one and Mrs Kingston indicated an offer to be involved in its preparation and maintenance, although it was accepted that initially enquiries should be made of Clive Hayward (who was preparing a pack on behalf of the Church) to see if it might reflect the needs of the Parish Council

RESOLVED that Clive Hayward be approached on the lines indicated

Mrs Kingston had asked that the Council consider this issue as she was concerned about the increasing incidence of dog fouling in the Village. Attention was drawn to a recent article in the parish magazine in which problems on the playing field had been attributed to foxes and badgers. The Management Committee was addressing that issue.

It was it suggested that the problems on the highways might be addressed by the dog warden carrying out a number of patrols and steps been taken to improve the warning signs on display

RESOLVED that representations be made to TDBC about the availability of publicity and improved signs, and that the dog warden be asked to make a number of patrols

The Clerk had circulated with the agenda a half-yearly summary of receipts and payments for 2002/2003. At this point in time there was no remedial action required

RESOLVED that the half yearly summary be approved

The Clerk reported that the external auditor had completed his audit and had submitted his certificate and opinion. The only issue to which he had the drawn attention was that an internal auditor had not been appointed but he had noted in his report that this would be corrected for the next audit.

The Clerk reported that national negotiations had been completed on new salary bands for Parish Clerks. The new grades provided for small increases in the hourly rate covering the periods April to September 2002, October to April 2003, and April 2003 onwards. Details were given to Members of the Council. A small increase had also been made to mileage rates

RESOLVED that the revised scales and mileage rates be adopted

The Clerk submitted a Statement of Account and Bank Reconciliation Statement showing a balance of £576.12 in the current account and £3,240.97 in the Business Reserve Account.

RESOLVED that payment of the following invoices and expenses be approved :-

1) Clerk's salary £228.88 (including arrears)

2) Clerk's expenses and office and administration costs £41.88

3) SALC training course for members £10

4) Weavo fencing (for playground improvements- subject to satisfactory completion of work) £1,070.95

5) District audit fee (2000/2001) £95.18

6) Moore Stephens (audit 2001/2002) £58.75

7) Parsons Landscapes (August and September) £168.66

1)Community Learning Partnership Conference 2nd December

2)Second annual progress report Local Transport Plan

3) Somerset's Waste Local Plan

4) Somerset Minerals Local Plan

5) Taunton Deane CVS AGM 17th October

6) Police Mobile Committee Safety Van (visiting on 29th November)

7) Grants for Parish Play Areas

8) Joint county and district grant scheme for village halls

9) SALC comments on accounts and audit regulations

10) Model Standing Orders and financial regulations (will be the subject of a later report

11) Letter From Mr Pitkin regarding footpath obstruction in adjoining parish

1) The Chairman indicated that for future meetings it was intended to replace "any other business" with items for report and items for the next meeting

2) In response to questions about the new noticeboard the chairman indicated that it had been removed to allow the building to be repainted but it should now have been reinstated

3) Enquiries would be made about responsibility for the seat outside the school which have been damaged by vandals

4) Attention was drawn to the poor or non existent road markings near Grey Lodge, Hatch Inn, Home Orchard and Nightingale Way, and to the unsightly state of the footpaths on the approach to the village from Ashill

5) Publicity would soon be given by the Flower Show Committee to the need for a new chairman and secretary without which the organisation would cease to exist

The Chairman closed the meeting at 9.45pm

(The next ordinary meeting will be held on Wednesday 8th January, 2003)

P Hounsell

Chairman