HATCH BEAUCHAMP PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of an ordinary meeting of the Hatch Beauchamp Parish Council held in the Village Hall on Wednesday 13 September 2006 at7.30pm. (in the form to be submitted to the next meeting for approval as a correct record)
Present:- Mr Fowler (in the chair), M/s Hooper, Messrs Graham and Holt
Apologies:- Messrs Downie, Hounsell and Parsons. Mr Williams (TDBC)
In Attendance:- Mr Crossley (Clerk)
1330 Apologises
RESOLVED that the absences of Messrs Downie, Hounsell and Parsons as they are otherwise engaged be recognised as approved absences for the purposes of S185 Local Government Act 1972
1331 Declarations of interest
Mr Fowler declared a non prejudicial interest in minute number 1336 (Application to carry out tree work at Oakfield Cottage)
1332 Minutes
The minutes of the meeting held on 12 July 2006 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman
1333 Questions from Members under Standing Order 23
In response to questions about action taken in response to complaints about the closure of Station Road the Clerk advised that he had contacted the Highway Authority who had advised that the developer was still carrying out works to surface water drains in the highway and that as a consequence the closure order remained in force. Because of continuing concerns members agreed to have the item on the agenda for the next meeting
1334 Community Policing (minute 1323)
A note prepared by Mr Downie following the recent meeting with the local MP had been circulated prior to the meeting. Mr Browne had agreed with many of the points made by the Council and would continue to press for the Police Service to be more responsive, accountable and effective
RESOLVED that the outcome be noted
1335 Report of Planning Committee of 29 August 2006
The Committee had considered applications relating to matron’s accommodation at Beauchamp Nursing Home, extensions at 6 Crimthorne Cottages, alterations at Hatch Court and a garden building in Parkland opposite Hatch Court
1336 Application 19/2006/027T – Fell one leylandii and carry out tree work on one lime at Oakfield Cottage
RESOLVED that no comments be made on this application and TDBC be advised accordingly
1337 Parish Responses to Planning Applications
A letter had been received from TDBC apologising for problems associated with the introduction of a new IT system for the registration and tracking of planning applications and any inconvenience which that might have caused Parish Councils. Councils had been reminded in the letter that speed of decision making remained a target set by government, and that this dictated the limited timescales for consulting on applications. If this caused difficulty in particular cases Councils were urged to contact the Development Control Office to see whether the consultation period could be extended without compromising the Borough Council’s timescales for determining the application
RESOLVED that the letter be noted
1338 Invitation from TDBC to annual meeting with parishes at North Curry Village Hall on 4 October at 7pm
The theme for this meeting was Rural Policing
RESOLVED that Messers Downie and Graham be authorised to attend on behalf of the Council, and that the Clerk be authorised to agree any substitutes
1339 Invitation from SALC to Annual General and Area General Meetings on 30 September at North Curry Village Hall from 10am to 4pm
RESOLVED that these papers be passed to Mr Downie as one of the Council’s representatives on SALC, Mr Holt, the Council’s other representative being unable to attend
1340 Invitation to Young People’s Democracy Day at Tacchi Morris Arts Centre on 6 October
RESOLVED that the invitation to take part in this workshop be noted
1341 On –site ground maintenance
The Clerk reported that a letter had been received from a company (“nicenstrippy”) interested in the opportunity of quoting for the maintenance of open spaces, footpaths etc
RESOLVED that the Clerk make further enquiries about likely costs for carrying out works to the footpath linking the school to the playing feld, and the playing field itself.
1342 Completion of annual audit
The Clerk reported that the Annual Audit for the year ended 31 March 2006 had been completed and that the external auditor (Moore Stephens) had issued their report without raising any issues of concern. Their fee was £58.75. 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 Moore Stephens 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
1343 Accounts and annual grants
The Clerk submitted a Statement of Account and Bank Reconciliation Statement showing a balance of £42.37 in the Current A/c and £3661.12 in the Business Reserve A/c.
RESOLVED that the following accounts be paid
1344 Items of report
1) circulation sheets of 9 August and 8 September
2) advisory note from SCC on steps being taken for establishing a new single Water Management Partnership in Somerset which would replace the Levels and Moors Partnership and the Parrett Catchment Project
3) Mr Graham reported on his attendance at the meeting initiated by Mr Williams to explore broadband connections locally, which did not appear to offer higher speeds within the village to those currently available
1345 Items for next meeting (8 November 2006)
1) Closure of Station Rd
2) Potential development opposite Oldbury Lane
The Chairman closed the meeting at. 8.45pm
Chairman