DRAFT

ABBAS AND TEMPLECOMBE PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting held on the 11^th March 2008

 

PRESENT Councillors I Speight (Chairman), C James (Vice Chairman), C Brown, Sarah Webb, G Foers, C Hukins, I Middleton

 

IN ATTENDANCE

County Councillor/District Councillor William Wallace, District Councillor Tim Inglefield, PCSO’s Fiona Wilson and Jenny Tetstall, Mr James Divall – Community Play Officer – South Somerset District Council, 3 Parishioners

 

Chairman welcomed everyone and commenced the open session.

 

Chairman introduced Mr James Divall – Community Play Officer who outlined his post which is funded by the Big Lottery Fund.

• He intends to run 16, free, open access Play Days each year, for three years, in targeted rural Parishes – Templecombe being one of these.
• His work would be with Schools, extended School programmes, children from 0-18.  He would offer support/resources to volunteer groups/play schemes and set up a development website
• Play Day would be an annual event on the 6^th August.  It could be organised over a day or perhaps two hours over 4 to 5 days.  It is intended to include sports and different experiences of play, including risky play.  It is hoped to develop a play scheme in each location with an annual play day – involving other organisations.
• Sarah Webb would put him in contact with the Playgroup, Scouts and agreed to be a co-ordinator.  He would also be speaking to Laura Johns from the Linx Project.
• CRB checks can be carried out with South Somerset District Council for free.

 

PCSO Fiona Wilson reported damage to three vehicles at the Sports and Social Club and commented on the on going parking problems in Station Road.  Her first Beat Surgery would be held at the Westcombe Stores on the 20^th March and in future on the third Thursday of each month.   She would be attending a meeting in connection with the application for funding with the Youth Funding Opportunity on the 11^th April and C Brown signed the bank details form, on behalf of the Parish Council, to allow the funds to be submitted to the Council’s bank account.

 

William Wallace reported that Area East would be debating the Henstridge Airfield plans and in particular traffic concerns.  He commented on the closure of Post Offices and had spoken with Network Rail about the parking problems.  He referred to the speed of HGV’s and referred to concerns over the number of Hopkins vehicles using the Village.  It was felt that the irregular speed limits on the A357 did not help.

 

1              APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

P Andrew, R Saunders, G Wilson  

 

2              MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 12^TH FEBRUARY 2008

It was Proposed by C Hukins and seconded by C Brown that the draft Minutes be agreed, as previously circulated.

 

3              DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Councillors I Speight and I Middleton declared an interest in Planning Applications numbers 08/00769/FUL and 08/00770/FUL, to be discussed under Agenda item 5 3) and 4) as the properties concerned were in Throop Road.

 

Councillor L Bennett joined the meeting at 7.55 pm

 

CORRESPONDENCE

Correspondence received since the last meeting was discussed:-

1.             South Somerset District Council – Notification of Rescheduling of SSDC Area East Annual Meeting with Parish and Town Councils – from 19^th March to 30^th April 2008.  Chairman explained that the meeting had been rescheduled so allow a presentation on the Local Development Framework document, the “Core Strategy”.  The consultation period for Parish/Town Councils ends on the 25^th April but special dispensation had been given for replies by the end of 30th May 2008.  Members were all invited to attend and should let Clerk know if they wished to attend in due course. 

 

5              PLANNING

1)             Determination of Applications - None

 

2)             Clerk reported that the Area East Meeting would take place on the 12^th March 2008 at 9.30 am at the Council Offices, Churchfield, Wincanton.

 

3)             Planning Application No 08/00769/FUL – Demolition of existing workshops and the erection of no. 2 dwellinghouses with associated car parking – Ken Doyle Motorcycles Ltd Throop Road Templecombe Somerset BA8 OHR.

Members discussed the application and made the following observations:-

Members noted the minor amendments that had been made to the proposed plans i.e. pavement to highway/turning space but felt that their concerns expressed to the original application No 07/05446/FUL – which was withdrawn still stand in relation to this application as follows:-

• Lose of commercial premises/business opportunity for Village
• Four parking spaces allocated to development are not adequate or practicable – they are only one and a half metres wide
• There is currently a problem in this area from the number of parked vehicles on the road if the parking provided is inadequate further parking will add to the problems already encountered.  Parking already takes place near to the junction of Throop Road with School Lane and in close proximity to Abbas and Templecombe Primary School
• We understand that Highways intend to move the lamp post to allow better visibility for the residents using the off road parking provided for the development below this application.  It is noted that the residents do not use this parking and, therefore, park their vehicles on the road sides
• Members were concerned that parking of contractors vehicles could cause problems, bearing in mind that School Lane Car Park is private and in the ownership of the Parish Council and regularly used by users of the School and Church on a daily basis

 

4)             Planning Application No 08/00770/FUL – Erection of a two storey extension and lean-to – 14 Throop Road  Templecombe  Somerset BA8 OHR

Members discussed the application and raised no objections.

 

5)             Planning Application No 08/00501/FUL – Conversion of a barn to live/work unit – Bowden House Farm Bowden Road Templecombe Somerset BA8 OPG (observations only)

Members discussed the applications and raised no objections.

 

6)             Somerset County Council – Validation of Planning Application – Somerset County Council’s Local List – Consultation/South Somerset District Council – Validation of Planning Applications – update.  The copy of the Validation of Planning Applications, received from South Somerset District Council, was currently with Councillor G Wilson.  Sarah Webb agreed to have a look at the Validation of Planning Applications document, received from Somerset County Council, comments were required by the 4^th April 2008.

 

Chairman reported that the following planning application has been received after the preparation of the Agenda and it was agreed it should be considered at this meeting, due to the timescale date of the 28^th March 2008.    

 

7)             Planning Application No 08/00971/FUL – The erection of a two storey rear extension to dwellinghouse – 34 Bowden Road  Templecombe  Somerset  BA8 OLF.

Members discussed the application and raised no objections.

 

6              ACCOUNTING MATTERS

1)             It was proposed by L Bennett and seconded by G Foers that the following accounts be paid:-

 

J Milton – fee for copy plans for proposed Cemetery                   7.50

J Pratt – Basic pay/hours February/March 08                                 84.38

A Dunn – Upkeep of Railway Station – Oct – Dec 07   112.50

J Pratt – Upkeep of Railway Station – Jan – Mar 08                       112.50

T Chapman (Clerk) – Salary/Expenses – March 08                         309.77

 

2)             Clerk reported that the following monies had been received:-

 

Templecombe Rovers Football Club – Pitch fees for February and

Outstanding January pitch fees                                                        55.00

South West Trains – Repayment of upkeep of Railway

Station Oct 07 to March 08                                                                 225.00

 

The sum of £2,000.00 had been transferred from the Capital Reserve Account to the Current Account.  A VAT return had been submitted for £2,349.94.

 

7              UPDATE OF NEW MODEL CODE OF CONDUCT FOR COUNCILLORS – REPORT ON TRAINING SESSION (CLERK)

Clerk had attended the training session and reminded Members of the need to update their Register of Interests, if the need arose and when declarations of interest were declared to bear in mind disclosers made on their Register of Interests. 

 

8              HIGHWAY MATTERS

1)            Bus Shelter – High Street update

To date no reply had been received from M Pedlar, Transporting – Somerset County Council, to the Council’s letter dated the 31^st January.  Clerk had chased matter up.

2)            Traffic calming/HGV’s

It was reported that Hopkins vehicles, from both sites, were driving at speed through  the Village, showing little consideration to road users/pedestrians and at times intimidating drivers.  Clerk was instructed to write to both firms.

3)            Somerset County Council – HGV pinch point consultation dated 29.2.08

Chairman read out letter dated 29^th February updating on the consultation carried out in September 2007.  500 individual points had been identified and were now in the process of being score carded.  Once this had taken place the pinch-points will form part of a larger dataset alongside information on existing HGV restrictions.

4)            Relocation of Stocks – update

Chairman read out Clerk’s e-mail to Rev Peter Hallett in connection with the possible relocation of the Stocks, currently on Slades Hill/Church Hill.  Rev Hallett indicated that the matter would be raised at the next PCC meeting, on the 31^st March.  The Parish Council would have to apply for a Faculty to place the Stocks in the Churchyard and Rev Hallett was concerned about possible damage to them and future maintenance.  Members would await outcome of PCC’s views.

5)            Other

Network Rail had now replaced the guttering under the Railway Bridge.  Highways had indicated that they felt there was sufficient drainage within the carriageway to cope with the water that was collecting and the replaced guttering should help, situation to be monitored.

Clerk reported that she had now spoken to Scott Pollard concerning the Speedwatch and another session would be arranged in the near future.

 

9              SOMERSET’S YOUTH OPPORTUNITY FUND AND YOUTH CAPITAL FUND (2006/08) – PROPOSED GOAL ENDS/YOUTH SHELTER – UPDATE

Covered during open session.

 

10           FOOTPATHS

Nothing to report.

 

11           TREE WARDEN’S REPORT

I Middleton reported that the 10 trees in Temple Lane had now been mulched, weeds would come through but they could be sprayed.  The Willow tree, which had been cut back, was now sprouting and needed cutting back, I Speight and G Foers offered to help.  The rest of the trees, around the Village, were in good order.  Some pruning had been done to the Throop Road trees.  C James reported that some of the trees in the Vine Street hedge had died and gaps were appearing.  He offered some hazel nut trees for planting in the gaps.

 

12           PROVISION OF CEMETERY

Jim Milton had now supplied plans, taking into account the parking area being gravelled and the proposed new vehicular access finished with tarmacadum as opposed to gravel.  Plans were circulated amongst Members who were in agreement to them and the planning application, for change of use, now being submitted.

 

13           NEWSLETTER

C Brown reported that the March edition of the newsletter was out.  In the next edition he would include PCSO Fiona Wilson’s dates for her Beat Surgery at Westcombe Stores, which would be held on the third Thursday of each month.  An article on the Activ8 scheme could also be included.  Clerk had asked Laura Johns previously and would contact her again.

 

14           RECREATION GROUND MATTERS/CHILDRENS PLAY AREA

A             Play Area – South Somerset District Council – one day training courses

Details had been received and reported.

B             Weekly Play Area Inspection Reports

Weekly inspection reports were noted.  G Foers offered to look at the loose posts and asked Clerk to let Jeremy have his contact details if he could help with any future jobs that may arise at the Recreation Ground.

C             Social Club

C Hukins reported that the last meeting had been cancelled.  A copy of the February 2008 figures was passed to Clerk.

D             Football Club – Agreement of Usage/Changes to Water Meter – Changing rooms

Sarah circulated copies of the Agreement of Usage, taking into account comments made at the February meeting.  It was commented that if the arrangement ceased provision should be made for the Changing rooms to be handed back in the condition they were at the commencement of the agreement.  Clerk was asked to check the excess with regard to insurance.  Clerk reported that she had spoken with Bristol Wessex Water who had indicated that it would be preferable to install a sub meter on the spur that goes to the changing rooms, which would give the Parish Council the ability to bill the Football Club for the proportion of water used on receipt of the account from Wessex Water.  Clerk would speak to G Wilson to see if he could carry out this work, or a plumber would be needed.

E              Dog Fouling – Recreation Ground/Yarnbarton – update

The Dog Warden had been out and put up posters and sprayed dog fouling.  An article would be included in the next Newsletter and Members felt that if the problem continued dogs may have to be excluded from the Recreation Ground.  It was noted that they should not be allowed on the playing surfaces.

F              Other

Chairman read out a letter dated 10^th March received from the Tennis Club, which indicated that they were now in the process of preparing a planning application for the flood lights, which would be submitted via the Parish Council for approval.  It was hoped to complete the project in time for autumn and a request was

 

made to the Parish Council to see if they would be prepared to waive wholly or partially the annual rental of £300.00 to assist with financing the project.  Members were favourable to this request, subject to planning being obtained.  Clerk would reply accordingly.

 

15           ANY OTHER BUSINESS/ITEMS FOR THE AGENDA FOR THE NEXT MEETING ON 8^TH APRIL 2008

Annual Meeting

Members were agreeable to an Annual Parish Meeting taking place at the beginning of the April meeting.  Sarah would prepare a proforma for the Village representatives to complete to assist with their reports.  Members were agreeable for the accounts to be presented at the usual Annual Parish Council meeting in May.

 

Meeting closed at 9.45 pm          signed……………………..dated………………