Present:- Mr Hounsell, (Chairman); Messrs Downie, Fowler, Holt, and Lintern

Apologies:- M/s Hooper, Mrs Kingston; Messrs Rogers and Townson.

In Attendance:- Councillor R Watson (SCC), Councillor J Williams (TDBC) and Mr Crossley (Clerk)

Mr Fowler declared a non-prejudicial interest in Minute 891 (Grass Maintenance Contract Hatch Beauchamp Playing Field)

The minutes of the meetings held on 8 and 28 January 2003 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman

The Clerk reported that to date he had been unable to arrange a site visit with the Highway Authority

RESOLVED that the Clerk continue to press for a meeting

Mr Fowler reported on his discussions with Mr Lee, who had indicated that it would cost £30 for a morning's work to carry out maintenance to this footpath. Once the footpath had been cleared it would be desirable to establish (together with school representatives) a working party to place some wood chippings on the surface which TDBC would be willing to provide at a cost of £30 per cubic metre plus delivery.

Mr Downie indicated that he had approached Mr Attwood who if required would be willing to provide an estimate but the cost was likely to be substantially more than that quoted by Mr Lee

RESOLVED that the offer from Mr Lee be accepted and that Mr Fowler be authorised make the arrangements with him and when required the Clerk the authorised to obtain wood chippings from TDBC.

The Chairman reported that from the inquiries which he had made it was clear that the suggested site along the disused highway leading from Ashill was not suitable. Mr Williams indicated that TDBC was beginning to roll out its recycling programme and the hope was that eventually it would be extended to Hatch Beauchamp. Members acquainted him with the information provided by Mr Farthing of Carrymoor Environmental Trust at his recent presentation (minute 840). Mr Williams advise that Mr Carpenter of TDBC would be able to give detailed information as to when the programme would be extended to include Hatch Beauchamp.

The video provided by the Police Authority had not been viewed by all members. The Clerk also reported that he had been advised by WPC Butt that she was taking up a new post and that a replacement beat officer would be appointed within the next few weeks.

RESOLVED that the matter be further considered at the next meeting.

883 Welcome Home Pack (minute 865)

In the absence of Mrs Kingston this was deferred to the next meeting

884 Bench Seat in Station Road (minute 870)

Members give further consideration to the replacement of this bench seat. The Clerk had established that the seat was insured and whilst a claim could be made to finance its replacement the Council would have to bear an excess of £75. A revised quotation had been obtained from a Weavo (Fencing) Products Ltd but the cost had increased because of the need for new concrete foundations. Members felt that little use was made of the seat and there are some concern that it had previously been vandalised on a number of occasions

RESOLVED that for the time being no action be taken to replace the seat

The Clerk reported that he had been informed this bus shelter had been vandalised and/or damaged by impact. Two quotations had been obtained for carrying out the necessary repairs and the lowest quotation had been submitted by G Woodland and Sons Ltd in the some of £763 plus VAT. The bus shelter was insured but the Council would be required to meet an excess of £75

RESOLVED that subject to the insurers agreeing to meet the claim the quotation submitted by G Woodland and Sons Ltd be accepted

Members considered the date for the Annual Parish Meeting and discussed whether as a Council to put forward items for discussion

RESOLVED that the suggested date of 23rd April be agreed as the date for the Annual Parish Meeting to be held in the Village Hall commencing at 7:30pm, and that no items be put forward by the Council

RESOLVED that the offer from Mr Layzell, Senior Rural Housing Enabler with the Community Council, to come and address the Council about his role with the Community Council be accepted and that he be invited to the July meeting

888 Standards Board

The Chairman reported on his attendance at the Standards Board’s South-West of England Road Show held recently in Taunton. The roadshow had been directly concerned with the impact of the new regulations on local councils. The Board was aware that some aspects of the regulations could be oppressive for local councils and some changes were likely to be brought forward in the near future. From the discussions, however, it was clear that even in their existing form the regulations had highlighted some issues which needed to be addressed. Nevertheless the Board recognise that the majority of members working in local councils were honest and hard-working.

A copy of a letter from Somerset County Council had been circulated with the agenda which set out the County Council's obligations to have published a Rights of Way Improvement Plan. The County Council was obliged to consult with Parish Councils and as an initial step sought a response to a number of issues detailed in the letter

RESOLVED that the Clerk obtain copies of the Rights of Way Map for Hatch Beauchamp and circulate this to Members, and any individual member who has points which they would like to see pursued discuss these with Mr Fowler as the Council’s footpath liaison officer

The Chairman reported that he and the Clerk had recently attended an informal meeting convened by West Hatch Parish Council to discuss matters of common interest concerning Parish Councils in this area. It was likely that a further meeting would be convened at which a wider representation from members would be welcome. Mr Williams stressed in particular the need for authorities in the area to work together regarding the A358/A303 improvements

RESOLVED that if a further meeting is convened the Chairman be authorised to nominate two or three members to accompany him

Parsons Landscapes Ltd had submitted a revised quotation for undertaking work to the playing field, car-park, war memorial and roadside banking for the period March to October 2003. Although the costs had marginally increased the work could still be contained within the grant made available by TDBC

After meeting all the costs for the current year there would still be a balance of £316.78 in the grant from TDBC which it was usual to make available to the Village Hall Trustees for them to spend on ground maintenance work

RESOLVED 1) that the quotation from Parsons Landscapes Ltd be accepted and that the Clerk continue to manage the contract to enable the VAT element to be reclaimed

2) that the balance of the grant from TDBC amounting to £316.78 be paid to the Village Hall Trustees for further works to the playing fields

The Winged Fellowship Trust, the Marie Curie Cancer Care Trust and the Taunton and District CAB had all submitted letters seeking the Council's financial support

RESOLVED that a grant of £25 be paid to the Taunton and District CAB but the other requests be reluctantly declined

893 Parish Council Emergency Planning

A letter had been received from the County Council Emergency Planning Manager suggesting that more could be done at parish level to improve preparations for dealing with emergencies. He had produced a skeleton Parish Emergency Plan which he would be happy to provide although he indicated that a Plan’s preparation would have to be on a self-help basis and it would not be possible for the County Council to provide resources to help prepare it

RESOLVED that when a copy of the skeleton plan has been provided the matter be further considered

The Chairman reported that the Planning Committee had met on 28 January and 17 February to consider applications relating to the following developments. Copies of the minutes were circulated to members.

1) Erection of open-fronted agricultural implement store at Hatch Court Farm

2) Erection of dwelling on land adjacent to 8 Crimthorne Cottages

Members considered this application for planning permission to site a mobile home and 2 touring caravans, the redevelopment of the stable block to provide a washroom and toilet block, and a parking area on land adjacent to and to the north of Perry's Farm.

RESOLVED that TDBC be informed that the Council objects to this development as it is outside the village envelope and is not sustainable, and does not justify an exception to Local Plan Policies

The Clerk submitted a Statement of Account and Bank Reconciliation Statement showing a balance of £127.14 in the Current Account and £2,493.82 in the Business Reserve Account

RESOLVED that payment of following invoices and expenses be approved

1) Clerk's salary£214.18

2) Clerk's expenses £18.27

3) Clerk's office and administration costs £4.92

4) Balance of grant to Village Hall Trustees £316.78

5) Grant to Taunton CAB £25

1) Somerset Community Chest grant scheme. The Clerk held copies of the application forms if required by local groups

2) Local Safety Scheme A358 Henlade to A303

3) Election papers regarding May elections

4) Obstruction to public right of way Elm Bridge (Letter from Mr Pitkin)

5) Parrett Catchment Project Report

6) CHC report - Putting Patients First

7) Local air management areas

8) Report on Local Workshops on skills training and affordable housing

9) Community Learning Partnerships

10) Licensing Bill and impact on village halls. It was noted that the proposed relaxation of the requirements in so far as they related to church and village halls had largely come about as a result of pressure from local councils

11) Landscaping scheme at Hatch Beauchamp Business Park

898 Matters for Report

The Clerk reported that the TDBC Organic Waste Collection Scheme had been extended to include Hatch Beauchamp and publicity information was circulated to members.

It was also pointed out that the Parish Council had not been represented at recent meetings of the Village Hall Trustees. The Chairman indicated this should be rectified at the annual meeting when new appointments would be made

The Chairman expressed his appreciation for the support which he had received in the previous year. He also thanked Mr Watson and Mr Williams for the support which they gave to the Parish Council

The Chairman close the meeting at 9-40pm

P Hounsell

Chairman

(The next meeting of the Council will be the Annual Meeting and it will be held on the 7 May 2003)