DRAFT

DRAFT

ABBAS AND TEMPLECOMBE PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting held on the 11^th September 2007

PRESENT Councillors I Speight (Chairman), C James (Vice Chairman), R F B Saunders, I Middleton, P Andrew, C Hukins, G Foers, Sarah Webb, G Wilson,

IN ATTENDANCE

County Councillor/District Councillor William Wallace, 7 Parishioners

Chairman welcomed everyone and commenced the open session. A representative from the Templecombe Rovers Football Club reported the following concerns:-

Condition of the showers – only one shower was operating in the away side and complaints had been received from the league
The general cleaning of the changing rooms

The Chairman responded with an account of costs incurred, during the period of a year, by the Parish Council in connection with the changing rooms/Recreation Ground and use thereof by the Football Club:-

Electricity - £218.00

Water - £366.00

Expenses incurred – cleaning

Changing rooms - £97.50

Grass cutting – pitches - £146.00 - (£23.00 per match)

Repairs - £346.00

Total £1,173.50

The sum of £232.00 had been received for pitch fees from 13 games and approximately £1,000.00 would need to be spent to change two of the faulty showers. It was also noted that the football posts had been insured by the Parish Council, since 1998, and the Clerk had been informed that the Parish Council cannot insure the posts unless they are in their ownership and we as a Council are responsible for maintenance/repair. Chairman reported that showers had not been turned off properly, at times, and the changing rooms had been left in an untidy state and suggested that it might be better for the Football Club to arrange to clean them. The Club were reminded that when matches were on the five bar gate into the extended parking area should be opened to avoid cars being parked in the parking area, which should be left for the users of the Social Club/Play Area. Further discussion would take place in the meeting.

Councillor L Bennett joined the meeting at 7.40 pm

William Wallace referred to the Area Working Panel meeting to be held on the 12^th September and the proposed funding that would be available. He commented on some of the projects that had been put forward and would see if additional funding requests were possible. The provision of showers for the Changing Rooms could be a likely project together with the possibility of a replacement bus shelter on the High Street.

He referred to a meeting with Dorset County Council who were concerned about over development of Henstridge Airfield and the traffic on the A357. County Hall were aware of ongoing problems and were looking at ways to change satellite navigation systems as they were in agreement that the A357 was not a strategic route but 70% of traffic was local. Mr Wallace referred to the monies put up by Thales, when it was proposed to put in an alternative road some years ago. A third of the costs i.e. £100,000.00 was lodged with South Somerset District Council. The remaining monies would have had to come from some form of development associated with the new road. A proposal of traffic lights on the junction of Throop Road were suggested but objected to Sarah Webb referred to the crossing patrol light post, situated at the top of Church Hill, at the narrowest point of the pavement and the need to leave the pavement i.e. with pushchairs. Now the School had no crossing patrol the lights were manually operated. The School would now benefit from flashing auto signs.

P Andrew had spoken with the developers at Casterbridge Hall and they were currently working on the additional surrounding development and had not started on the reconstruction of the main building.

1 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

PCSO Fiona Wilson, C Brown, District Councillor Tim Inglefield

2 MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON THE 14^TH AUGUST 2007

It was Proposed by I Middleton and seconded by C Hukins that the draft Minutes, as previously circulated, be agreed as a true copy.

3 DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS

L Bennett declared an interest with regard to planning application nos 07/03642/FUL and 07/03892/FUL under Agenda item no 5 Planning. G Foers declared an interest in respect of Agenda item 14 D) – Football Club.

4 CORRESPONDENCE

Correspondence received since the last meeting was discussed:-

1) South Somerset District Council – First Meeting of Area East Forum – 17^th October 2007 6.30 pm – Venue TBC (Castle Cary Area). Members were asked to let Clerk know if they wished to attend.

2) Mendip District Council – Joint Strategy Day for Mendip and South Somerset District Councils – Tuesday 25^th September 2007 at The Bishops Palace Wells. Details circulated amongst Members.

5 PLANNING

1) The following determination was noted:-

Application No 07/02805/FUL – The erection of two houses and garages – The Rectory 8 Church Hill Templecombe Somerset BA8 OHG

2) Clerk reported that the Area East Meeting would take place on the 12^th September 2007 at 9.30 am Council Offices Churchfield Wincanton Somerset. There were no matters relating to Templecombe.

3) Application No 07/03642/FUL – The erection of a new cubicle house to replace existing which is to become milking parlour and covered yard – Slades Farm Slades Hill Templecombe Somerset BA8 OHF. Declaration of Interest declared by L Bennett. Members discussed the application and raised no objections.

4) Application No 07/03892/FUL – The relocation of dry cow and straw barn to allow milk tanker access – Slades Farm Slades Hill Templecombe Somerset BA8 OHF

Declaration of Interest declared by L Bennett. Members discussed the application and raised no objections.

5) Application No 07/03840/FUL – Alterations to roof to form loft conversion and formation of 4 no. dormer windows – Greenways 52 Bowden Road Templecombe Somerset BA8 OLF. Members discussed the application and raised no objections.

Following Application was received after the preparation of the Agenda

6) Application No 07/03939/FUL – Erection of attached garage – 39 High Street Templecombe Somerset BA8 OJG. Members discussed the application and raised no objections.

6 ACCOUNTING MATTERS

1) It was Proposed by C James and seconded by G Foers that the following accounts be paid:-

South Somerset District Council – Playground Inspection fee £70.50

Somerset County Council – Photocopying June/July 07 £14.90

A J Dunn – Salary/Expenses September 2007 £60.00

A J Dunn – Upkeep of Railway Station April to Sept 07 £225.00

Mr Jeremy Pratt – Grass Cutting at Recreation Ground £226.87

14.8.07 to 10.9.07

Mrs T Chapman – Clerk’s Salary/Expenses September 07 £301.55

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

H M Revenue and Customs – Repayment of VAT - 1.2.06 to 31.5.07 £407.16

Templecombe Sports and Social Club Rent – 07/08 £345.00

3) Clerk reported that the sum of £3,000.00 had been transferred from the Capital Reserve Account to the Current Account. Also a cheque for £22.53 had been drawn prior to the meeting, payable to Southern Electric, for electric supplied to changing rooms from 9.5.07 to 24.7.07.

7 HIGHWAY MATTERS

1) Bus Shelters on High Street/Templars Barton – update

G Foers reported that an inspection had been carried out of the Bus Shelter on the High Street. It was in considerable need of repair, concrete was dropping off, the wooden panels were rotting and the roof needed replacing. G Foers and G Wilson agreed to come up with a suitable design for a replacement together with costs involved.

C James reported that the weekend timetable had been changed. Chairman read out a letter received from First indicating that they were happy to have a bus stop at Slades Hill, signs to be fitted to lamp posts either side of the Hamlet junction. It was not possible to have an additional stop at Combe Hill.

2) Provision of waste bin – Corner of School Lane/Recreation Ground

Clerk reported that a revised quotation had been received from Bailey Streetscene Limited for the purchase of two Jupiter Steel Bins. The bin for the Recreation Ground would be purchased, by way of a donation. Members discussed having a Jupiter style bin for the corner of School Lane but felt that a bin with a lid would be more suited to keep the birds away from the chip paper waste. Clerk would enquire as to alternative styles. Members discussed the matter further and it was agreed that the present bin should be removed and a trial period be allowed to see what would happen if there was no bin at all i.e. would waste be taken home due to the absence of a bin or left.

3) Speedwatch Scheme – update

I Middleton reported that he and Viv had attended a quarterly meeting of Speedwatch co-ordinators and had reported back to the group, two more sessions had taken place since the last meeting. We were able to have a voice recorder and signs at each end of the Village. A digital camera would be useful to take photos of speeding vehicles. The results gathered from the Speedwatch sessions revealed that the Village does not have a speeding problem, but a traffic volume problem especially the number of HGV’s using the Village.

4) Other

Car park sign (School lane)

Clerk would obtain a price for a suitably sized sign, the following wording was suggested “No over night parking, sleeping or commercial business to be conducted from this car park”. It was established the Parish Council had statutory enforcement rights.

Village Planters

R Saunders reported that complaints had been received on the condition of the planters. Members acknowledged their bad state and it was decided to remove them. G Wilson would initially arrange to remove the plants and I Speight and I Middleton, with the help of L Bennett, would organise their removal.

It was reported that the bank, opposite the Chip Shop on the junction of Station Road/High Street., was very overgrown. Clerk had reported the matter to Highways asking them to cut it back and would chase it up again.

8 VILLAGE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS 2007

G Wilson indicted the Phoenix group would be making a donation towards the lights. Rope lighting could be used and the Parish Council were happy to support the Village lights in line with the 2006 budget.

9 TRAFFIC CALMING ISSUES/HEAVY GOODS VEHICLES – UPDATE

Chairman read out letter dated 5^th September 07 received from E Holbrook in respect of continuing problems with the speed of traffic (HGV’S) negotiating the High Street from the Yenston end of Templecombe and the possibility of flashing 30 mph signs. Resulting from Speedwatch sessions it was noted speed was not so much a problem as the size of HGV’s. Enquiries had been made in the past for a weight restriction but this would still allow local traffic to use the Village. An independent traffic survey was suggested and it was felt this would be in order if the authorities were happy with it. W Wallace commented that the proposed concrete batching plant on the Henstridge Airfield did not warrant a survey due to the number of vehicles it was proposed would be working out of the site. David Heath MP was continuing to support the Villages traffic concerns.

10 FOOTPATHS

P Andrew reported that he had cleared vegetation from the boardwalk (Temple Lane) and would weedkiller growth growing up between the boards. A working party would be putting in a gate, fence and finger post on footpath WN29/7 – Throop Road. South Somerset District Council are holding a Rights of Way Workshop at Norton sub Hamdon Village Hall on Saturday 27^th October 2-4 pm. P Andrew would not be able to attend and I Middleton had been asked to attend in his place.

11 TREE WARDEN’S REPORT

G Wilson reported that the Hawthorne, on the green at the entrance to Manor Close, had a broken off branch. I Middleton would carry out an inspection. The TPO horse chestnut, in the Hamlet, appeared to be hollow in the middle. I Middleton commented that most chestnuts were hollow and felt that it must have been checked during the planning application submitted for the Rectory.

12 PROVISION OF CEMETERY

Chairman reported that Mr R Hunt had come back with a figure of £20,000.00 for an acre of land at the identified site in Temple Lane. I Speight had spoken again with him pointing out the steps we could take including the involvement of the District Valuer, who would negotiate on behalf of the Parish Council, which may well have to happen in any event. Mr Hunt had come back with a revised proposal of £12,000.00 for an acre of land on an alternative site, in Temple Lane. Clerk would now contact Mr Hunt to arrange a site meeting.

13 NEWSLETTER

The current edition had been delivered and C Brown had indicated to Clerk that he would like a follow up article, on the failed Unitary bid, for the December edition.

14 RECREATION GROUND MATTERS/CHILDRENS PLAY AREA

A) Play Area

Nothing to report.

B) BMX Bike Park proposal – Abbas and Templecombe Primary School (update)

Mr Gartell had indicated that he hoped to be able to start work towards the end of September. Clerk would inform him of the dates when the Fair would be at the Recreation Ground. Bourton Fencing had written confirming the quote given still stood and would attend to measure the site. Clerk had requested the £2,000.00 from William Wallace.

C) Social Club

C Hukins reported that the balance sheet was not available. The AGM would take place on the 25^th September at 7.30 pm and it was thought a meeting with the Club and Parish Council should take place after this meeting. The Social Club had arranged for an electrical survey to be carried out.

D) Football Club

Following on from the discussions held during the open session, Members agreed to quotes being obtained to replace out of order showers with push button control showers, with a central thermostat. Approximate costs were calculated at £1,000.00 for two. The Football Club had also offered to provide labour if the Parish Council purchased the equipment. It was felt that when the work to the showers was completed the Football Club could be asked to take over the responsibility of cleaning the changing rooms. Quotes would be obtained for the next meeting and it was felt a meeting should then take place with the Football Club.

E) Templars Tennis Club – Trench for electric cable (update)

R Saunders reported the following prices for 110 metres of electric cable:-

10mm - £295.00

16mm - £435.00

25mm - £600.00

All quotes subject to VAT. It was recommended that 25mm cable was used. There would also be an Electrician’s fee for the connection at the Tennis Courts/Changing rooms. Also it would be necessary to drill a hole in the wall of the changing rooms. R Saunders would ask Gartells to also quote for the cable as it may be beneficial for them to supply the cable as they were going to dig the trench. Paul Hawkins (Tennis Club) had been made aware of the cable costs. The cost for the trench remained at £380.00 plus VAT.

F) Fair – 23^rd September to 30^th September – update

Clerk had written to Fair with conditions and all was in order. Upon receipt of Insurance Certificates copies would be sent to the Allianz Cornhill.

G) Other

P Andrew reported that he was carrying out water metre checks.

C James had received reports that the dog bins were overflowing at times. Clerk reported that there were problems with the arranged Highway Pick up and would speak to South Somerset District Council to see what could be done.

15 ANY OTHER BUSINESS/ITEMS FOR AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING TO BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY 10^TH OCTOBER 2007

None.

Meeting closed at 9.45 pm

Signed ………………………………….dated…………………………………