Present:- Mr Hounsell (Chairman), M/s Hooper, Mrs Kent, Messrs Buck, Downie, Fowler, Graham, Holt, and Parsons.

In Attendance:- Mr Watson (SCC), Mr Crossley (Clerk)

M/s Hooper and Mr Hounsell declared a prejudicial interest in Minute No 1011 (tree works to rear of 29 Home Orchard) and left the meeting for the discussion of this item.

Mr Fowler declared a prejudicial interest in Minute No 1008 (Hatch Inn) and left the meeting for the discussion of this item.

Mr Graham declared a prejudicial interest in Minute No 1012 (Application to retain canopy to front of Old Post Office) and left the meeting for the discussion of this item.

The minutes of the meetings held on 12 November and 2 December 2003 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Members again considered the preparation of an Emergency Plan based on a skeleton document provided by SCC. Mr Holt was able to provide for information a copy of a plan prepared in 1985

RESOLVED That whilst no further action be taken for the time being, the 1985 document be made available to any interested member and the item be reconsidered should any member then wish to have the issue considered further.

The Clerk reported that Joanna Lewin-Harris (deputy to Councillor Williams) had agreed to address members on this issue and that the presentation had been arranged for the next meeting (10 March 2004)

The Clerk reported the receipt of a letter from the owner of the Hatch Inn, which had been received following the last meeting, and in which he referred to the support given by the pub to village activities and asked to be informed of any further complaints. The Chairman reported that since the last meeting the problems complained of appeared to have subsided, and he proposed that the position be kept under review and that if problems re-surface he make a visit to the new landlord and report back to members.

RESOLVED That the report be approved

Members gave further consideration to the motion consideration of which had been formally adjourned at the last meeting in accordance with the terms of Standing Order 26. A copy of the proposed standing orders incorporating all amendments currently proposed and incorporating clarification of Standing Order 9 (recording how members have voted) to reflect the statutory position, had been circulated to members prior to the meeting.

RESOLVED That the model standing orders of NALC, as amended by the Clerk’s report and the proposals set out in Minute No 988 as reflected in the amended document circulated by the Clerk, be adopted with effect from the next meeting (10 March)

The Clerk reported that he had received information from Councillor Williams to the effect that the TDBC recycling scheme should be extended to Hatch Beauchamp in the early part of the year.

(Mr Fowler in the chair)

The Clerk reported that TDBC had advised him that clarification of the application had agreed with the applicant and that the Landscape Technician considered that the revised application was only a minor one and would not damage the amenity. Consequently the application had been approved.

RESOLVED that no further views be expressed.

(Mr Hounsell in the chair)

The Clerk reported that TDBC had arranged for the application to be advertised and presumably accepted, therefore, that the property’s location in a Conservation Area required additional procedures to be undertaken. Planning officers were unaware of what might be behind the canopy which could not be dealt with, and as the development had already been carried out would only enter into negotiations with the applicant about alternative solutions if the application should be rejected. The Clerk also reported that the Conservation Officer had lodged an objection to the proposal.

The Chairman then adjourned the meeting for a short period to allow the applicant to address the meeting. On the meeting being resumed it was

RESOLVED That TDBC be informed that the Council has no comment to make on the application

( Mr Parsons requested that it be recorded in the minutes that he had voted against the motion)

RESOLVED That no action be taken on the request from Age Concern Somerset for a donation.

This issue was discussed at the request of Mr Fowler, who had received representations about the provision of this type of facility as current regulations prevented the Muga from being used for this type of activity. Members identified a number of issues relating to this type of proposal, including locating a site, insurance issues and continuing responsibility once a facility had been provided. Mr Watson indicated that significant grants could be available to support social amenities, and suggested approaches to the Police and TDBC, who would inevitably require a survey and feasibility study to be undertaken

RESOLVED That the offer of Mr Fowler to have further discussions with interested parties, including an approach to the Village Hall Trustees, be accepted

The Chairman indicated that he had been approached about the provision of additional street lights within the village. Members were made aware that when the issue had been raised before there had been conflicting views from residents. Mr Watson indicated that current SCC policy would require a Parish Council to make a substantial contribution towards any costs incurred in extending a street lighting scheme.

RESOLVED That the Chairman endeavour to establish the support for such a proposal

Mr Fowler referred to the various enquiries which he had made about improving the surface of the footpath near to the Village Hall, the surface of which had become very muddy. He had been unable to find a source for replacement bark, and TDBC had suggested as an alternative stone chippings although it was thought that the owner might be reluctant to accept this alternative. Wood chippings were seen as a poor substitute as they would not be effective for any length of time.

RESOLVED That the Chairman and Mr Fowler approach the owner (Mr Durman) about both the state of the surface of the footpath and the presence of barbed wire on the adjoining fence, and subject to the outcome of those discussions the Clerk be authorised to proceed with ordering as a preference stone chippings, but if agreement cannot be reached, with the supply of wood chippings for the surface of the footpath.

The Clerk reported that SCC had approached the Council about putting forward names of suitable persons for nomination as LEA Governors for schools in the area. He had displayed notices on the notice board and had available the relevant forms for any person who was interested. The closing date for nominations was 1 March

TDBC was again promoting its small grants scheme.to assist with seats, notice boards, planting etc, and required applications by 31 March.

RESOLVED That enquiries be made as to whether fencing of footpaths would be covered by the scheme.

A number of documents had been received about this scheme, which was being promoted by the Forestry Commission. The project was essentially about enhancing and improving access to land within the forest area. The project area boundaries had still not been settled but current options did not include any land within the parish boundaries

RESOLVED That the position be noted

The Clerk had circulated to members the annual estimates for 2004/2005 together with a suggested precept of £2800 after allowing for an estimated contribution of £508 from balances

RESOLVED That the estimates be approved and that the precept be set at £2800

The Clerk submitted a Statement of Account and Bank Reconciliation Statement showing a balance of £691.43 in the Current Account and £2719.28 in the Business Reserve Account

RESOLVED That payment of the following expenses and accounts be approved

a) Clerk’s salary - £223.16

b) Clerk’s expenses - £14.30

c) Clerk’s office and admin costs - £5.74

a) Notification of dismissal of appeal re Buttles Lodge

b) Letter from SALC listing issues of interest – December. The Clerk drew particular attention to the training and support sessions for clerks mentioned in the letter, the relevant ones of which he would endeavour to attend. It was agreed, however, that as no decision had been taken on attaining Quality Council status and given the cost there was no immediate purpose in pursuing with the workshop sessions for the AQA Certificate

 

a) It was reported that Hatch Beauchamp had reached the minimum registration for "broadband"

b) The retrospective application for consent to the installation of solar panels at The Cider House, Capland Lane , had been refused.

c) The Chairman and Clerk had attended a further meeting with SCC to discuss the Station Road improvement scheme. Mr Watson had also been present. The proposals were being refined as measurements on site had shown the original drawings to be inaccurate. A further meeting was being arranged.

a) Disused highway on the road to Ashill by the bus shelter

b) Highway chipping site on A358

 

 

 

The Chairman closed the meeting at 8.50pm. The date of the next meeting is 10 March 2004

 

 

 

P Hounsell

Chairman