HATCH BEAUCHAMP PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of an ordinary meeting of the Hatch Beauchamp Parish Council held in the Village Hall on Wednesday 14 September 2005 at7.30pm.
Present:- Mr Fowler (Vice Chairman in the Chair), Mrs P Kent, M/s H Hooper, Messrs Buck, Downie, Graham, Holt, and Parsons.
Apologies:- Mr Hounsell, PC B Hicks
In Attendance:- Mr Williams (TDBC) Mr Crossley (Clerk)
1225 Declarations of interest
There were no declarations of interest
1226 Minutes
The Minutes of the meeting held on 13 July 2005 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman
1227 Questions from Members under Standing Order 23
There were no questions from Members
1228 Recycling – provision of larger bins (minute1216)
The Clerk reported that TDBC had advised that it expected to be in a position to provide the larger bins from May 2006, although the next phases had not yet been finalised
1229 Provision of replacement bench on playing field (minute1224(a))
No further information had been received from the HB Baptist Church whom it was understood would be making its own arrangements to replace a bench on the playing field
1230 Provision of new bin and signs for village hall (minute 1224(b))
Mr Holt as the Council’s representative on the Village Hall Management Committee reported on a request for grant aid towards the cost of providing new “Village Hall” and “Dogs on Leads” signs at a total cost of £42.30. Members had a discussion about the VAT implications when the Council itself undertook work.
RESOLVED that a grant of £18.70 be paid in respect of the cost of the “Dogs on Leads” signs
1231 Report of the Planning Committee of 2 August 2005
The Committee had considered an application to provide a rear extension to 1 Crimthorne Cottages, and an application to carry out tree work at Beauchamp Cottage
1232Victim support – request for donation
RESOLVED that the request for a donation be declined
1233 Age Concern – invitation to launch of parish link
RESOLVED that the invitation to attend the launch of the Local Link Project at 11am on 25 October 2005 in Taunton be noted
1234 Temporary closure of highways – A303 (at Knightshayne) and Bickenhall Rd (near Abbey Hill)
Notice had been received of the temporary closure for 5 weeks in September of Bickenhall Road Bickenhall for bridge repairs. A leaflet had also been circulated to members explaining the closure of the A303 at Knightshayne Slope for embankment stabilisation works. The closure was expected to be from 5 September until 16 December. As heavy traffic would be diverted on to the A358 and make it more difficult for traffic from Hatch Beauchamp to emerge on to the A358, the Chairman had asked the Clerk to express concerns to the Highways Agency, who had responded that the work was essential and that they had put in place other diversion routes to try and absorb some of the traffic.
Mr Williams indicated that the work was causing traffic congestion throughout the Neroche Ward, but that there appeared to be little alternative given the essential nature of the work
RESOLVED that representations be made to the Highways Agency about the temporary signs on the A303 which do not adequately give advance notice of the diversionary routes for light traffic and heavy traffic
1235 Invitation to AGM of Parrett Catchment project
RESOLVED that the invitation to this meeting to be held on 20 October 2005 in Langport commencing at 10am be noted
1236 Development of Statement of Community Involvement in Planning with Draft Issues and Options Report, and replacement of Minerals Local Plan
As part of its process in developing the Local Development Framework required under new planning legislation, the SCC had provided a copy of its Issues and Options report for the proposed Statement of Community Involvement. Any responses would guide the next consultative stage. A copy had also been provided of the Minerals Local Plan, which would gradually be replaced by a series of Local Development Documents. Copies of the documents could be obtained from the Clerk. The Waste Local Plan, which would also need to be replaced, would shortly be available on the County’s web site
RESOLVED that the position be noted
1237 Invitation to support campaign for Sustainable Communities Bill
RESOLVED that the paper from the Campaign for the Sustainable Communities Bill be noted
1238 Obstruction of footpath in Village Rd by overhanging shrubs
A complaint about the obstruction of this footpath had been received. The Highway Authority were unwilling to carry out any work and had placed responsibility on the adjoining landowner, which appeared to be the Village Hall and Playing Field Trustees. However members raised some doubts about the boundary line as it was understood that the hedge had originally been planted by the TDBC
RESOLVED that
1) that Mr Holt as the Council’s representative on the Village Hall Management Committee enquire of the Chairman if he has information on the precise boundary
2) the Clerk contact Mr I Clark at TDBC and ask if they will accept responsibility
1239 Annual Audit
The Clerk reported that the Annual Audit for the year ended 31 March 2005 had been completed and that the external auditor (Moore Stephens) had issued their report without raising any issues of concern. Publication of the end of the audit had been undertaken in accordance with statutory requirements. The internal auditor (Mr R Dominy) had also issued a “clear” report.
RESOLVED that the fee of the external auditor be paid, and that the Clerk be authorised to incur expenses on an honorarium for the internal auditor on the same basis as previous years.
1240 Accounts and Annual Grants
The Clerk submitted a Statement of Account and Bank Reconciliation Statement showing a balance of £1680.92 in the Current A/c and £3294.82 in the Business Reserve A/c. He also reported on the receipt of funds from TDBC that enabled the Council to make a number of grants
RESOLVED that payment of the following accounts and grants be approved
1) Clerk’s salary - £322.92
2) Clerk’s expenses - £12.80
3) Clerk’s office and admin costs - £4.45
4) Parsons Landscapes Ltd - £154.75
5) Moore Stephens (audit fee) - £58.75
6) Village Hall Management Cttee (grant for signs) - £18.70
7) Village Hall Management Cttee (annual grant towards insurance) - £500
8) HB Baptist Church (annual grant for burial ground maintenance) - £95
9) St John’s PCC (annual grant for burial ground maintenance) - £250
1241 Items report
The Clerk reported the following matters:-
(1) Boundary changes to Neroche Ward – letter from Councillor Williams
(2) Neighbourhood Watch Schemes – extension of e-mail network – letter from Councillor Williams
(3) Circulation sheet of 8 September 2005
(4) Damaged direction signs at Belmont Hill – information passed to Highway Authority
(5) Complaints re noise from use of motorbike in playing field – advise given to contact local beat officer and now also being addressed by Village Hall Management Committee
(6) Changes to front elevation of Scrumpy Cottage – Planning Authority advised that planning permission was not required
Mr Williams reported on the Community Handyman Service and Wessex Home Improvement Loans, and provided a copy of the recently published Local Plan. Advertising of the Handyman service would be clarified
The following matters were also noted
(1) Capland nursery site was now progressing
(2) the notice board at the entrance to the playing fields needed repairing
(3) The chipping site gate near the A358 was still being left unlocked
(4) Responsibility for removing paint deposited on the highway lay with the Highway Authority
(5) The flower show marquee had been vandalised
(6) The residential development site in Station Road was being advertised for sale
1242 Items for next meeting (to be held on Wednesday 9 November2005)
(1) Mr Parsons to report on briefing session on the new planning framework, with copies of slides circulated beforehand
(2) Community policing (at the request of Mr Downie)
The Meeting closed at 9.12pm
R Fowler
Chairman