DRAFT

ABBAS AND TEMPLECOMBE PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting held on the 14th August 2007 

 

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

 

IN ATTENDANCE

PCSO Fiona Wilson, District Councillor Tim Inglefield, 6 Parishioners

 

PCSO Fiona Wilson reported as follows:

·         She had researched the matter of law relating to white lines and found there was no specific law for parking near junctions.  Vehicles could be towed away only if they were right on the junction.  She would continue to advise those parking on the white lines.

·         A group of eight young people were going between the Recreation Ground and Railway Station.

·         Tree damage at the Recreation Ground had been noted and she had dealt with the offenders who had caused damage to the tents prior to the Village Fete.  A number of smaller incidents had also been dealt with.

 

Sarah Webb commented that 999 calls were failing to find addresses at Blackmore Vale Close.

 

Tim Inglefield reported that the Concrete batching plant at Henstridge had been approved.  Highways were going to attend an Area East meeting in connection with the A357 and a freight forum was due to take place to let the public have a say.  He would let us know dates.  He referred to the problems encountered with planning timescales and it was hoped to create a forum with Parish Council/District Council to improve representation.  He confirmed that there were grants we could apply for, he and William Wallace receive £5,000.00 between them and a further £5,000.00 from County Council.

 

Chairman continued with the open secession. The matter of dogs on the Recreation Ground was raised.  Chairman indicated that the Parish Council, as owners of the Recreation Ground, were liable for dog control.  The majority of dog walkers were responsible and did not let their dogs run on the pitches.  It was felt that it was up to the people using the Recreation Ground to police it.  Further discussions would take place in the meeting but it was not intended to restrict dog walkers using the Recreation Ground.  It was noted that the dog bins were well used and often full.  Chairman explained that the collection arrangements did not work at times and Clerk would speak to the collectors.

 

Councillor L Bennett joined the meeting at 7.40 pm

 

It was asked whether a “Stop sign” could be substituted for the “Give way sign” at the junction of Bowden Road with the High Street.

 

1              APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

G Wilson

 

2              MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON THE 10TH JULY 2007

It was Proposed by C Brown and Seconded by P Andrew that the draft Minutes, as previously circulated, be agreed as a true copy.

 

3              DECLARATION OF INTERESTS

I Middleton declared an interest in Agenda item 7 Highway Matters – 4) Overnight parking – School Lane Car Park

 

4              CORRESPONDENCE

Correspondence received since the last meeting was discussed:-

1)             United Reformed Church Templecombe – Harvest 2007 “All good gifts around us”.  Chairman read out the letter giving details of the event running from the 7th September to 9th.   Clerk would be happy to do a display on behalf of the Council.

2)             Local Works – Campaign for the Sustainable Communities Bill – update.  Bill had passed through the House of Commons on the 15th June.  Parish Council would continue to support the Bill.

3)             Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance – Acknowledgement of donation

4)             Somerset County Council – One Council for Somerset.  Circulated amongst Members. 

5)             South Somerset District Council – South Somerset Local Development

Framework – Adoption of the Statement of Community Involvement.  Document was officially adopted by South Somerset District Council on the 19th July 2007.

6)             South Somerset District Council – Distribution of South Somerset District Council’s Performance Plan 2007/8 – Circulated amongst Members.

7)             South West Regional Assembly – Public Consultation – Review of Additional

pitch requirements for Gypsies and Travellers in the South West.  Clerk circulated copies of extracts from the document.  Consultation runs until 31st October 2007.

8)             South Somerset District Council – Yeovil Sport Zone – Public Consultation.  Information circulated amongst Members.  District Councillor Tim Inglefield declared an interest.

 

5              PLANNING

1)             The following determination was noted:-

Application No 07/02184/FUL The Erection of a conservatory to the rear of dwelling house – 21 Vine Street, Templecombe, Somerset, BA8 OJZ

 

2)             Clerk reported that the Area East Meeting had taken place on the 8th August 2007.  Tim Inglefield indicated that the Area East Committee had approved the planning application for a Lidl Foodstore at the Aldermeads Depot, Wincanton and the application would now be taken to the Regulation Committee meeting.

 

3)             Application No 07/02805/FUL – Bath and Wells Diocesan Board of Finance – The erection of two houses and garages – The Rectory 8 Church Hill Templecombe Somerset BA8 OHG (Amended Plans).  Members noted the repositioning of the buildings and were satisfied measures had been taken to avoid damaging existing tree roots.  It was noted that a provisional Tree Preservation Order had been placed on the Lime tree in the south east corner of the Rectory.

 

4)             Planning White Paper – “Planning for a sustainable future”

Circulated to Members prior to meeting.  The following comments were made and would be submitted to the Secretary of State:-

  • Timescale given for planning application responses at times does not fit in with scheduled Parish Council meetings and thus late replies cannot be avoided.  28 days would be a reasonable consultation period
  • It is felt that if a planning application ticks all the boxes it is approved regardless of comments made by the Parish Council (being a local body and in touch with the local community and its needs)
  • The input of senior bodies on larger developments would allow for very little input at Parish level and would be worthless.

 

6              ACCOUNTING MATTERS

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

 

Sticky Fingers Pre-School – Donation                                             100.00

Moore Stephens – Audit fees for year end 31.3.07                        158.62

Mr A Dunn – Salary/Expenses August 2007                                    60.00

Mr Jeremy Pratt – Grass cutting at Recreation Ground                 331.87

10.7.07 to 13.8.07

Mrs T Chapman – Clerk’s Salary/Expenses August 2007             242.19

Mr R Saunders – Refund for manhole cover and work to

Fit manhole cover/make up surround – Recreation Ground          68.78                     

 

2)             Clerk reported that the sum of £6,975.00 had been received direct to the Capital Reserve Account (Play Equipment Appeal Fund) from Awards for All in respect of the grant applied for in connection with the proposed BMX Track at the Recreation Ground.

 

3)             P Andrew handed Clerk £3.00 – proceeds of village Tennis Court hire – July 2007.

 

7              HIGHWAY MATTERS

1)            South West Coaches – Bus Shelters on High Street/Templars Barton

Chairman read out letter dated 23rd July from South West Coaches.  Members had no objection to a timetable board being affixed to the Templars Barton shelter.  Clerk referred to past correspondence (November 2005) received from the Developer’s Solicitors concerning a small triangular piece of land, forming part of the shelter, that remained within the Developer’s title and its proposed transfer to Somerset County Council.  Matter was not finalised and Clerk would write again.

 

They commented on the condition of the High Street shelter and G Foers would carry out an inspection to see what could be done to repair it.

2)            Royal Mail Collection Box – Slades Hill

Reports had been made that post was being damaged by snails etc due to the fact that the Edwardian box required a new liner.  Requests had been made but no action taken.  Clerk would write to Royal Mail.

3)            Speedwatch Scheme – Update

I Middleton reported the results of the last three speedwatch sessions, on the last occasion the Beat Manager PC Brown was present.  The following points were noted:-

  • Suggested 20 mph from the old butcher’s shop (High Street) to railway bridge
  • A further speedwatch location – by Manor House
  • 20 mph speed restriction can only apply in the location of a school if it comes directly out on to a road
  • School patrol flashing lights only operable by a key.  Lights at the top of Church Hill are located on the narrowest part of the pavement, pushchairs have to leave the pavement to get around it
  • Development at Thales would have led to road alterations

4)            Overnight parking – School Lane Car Park

Concerns had been raised with vehicles being left for three or four days and occasionally overnight.  Clerk had spoken with Highways who had no objection to a suitable sign being attached to the Parish Council’s noticeboard.  Suggested wording “No overnight parking or sleeping permitted”.

5)            Other

R Saunders reported the following matters:-

  • Accumulations of dirt causing verges – grass/vegetation to become established along High Street and Church Hill
  • Over hanging grass verges causing poor visibility along Lily Lane and Bowden Road
  • Over hanging vegetation at the junction of Station Road with High Street (by the Railway Bridge) obstructing the textured surface for the blind using the crossing and obstructing visibility

Clerk would inform Highways.

C James reported that the pavement at the entrance to Overcombe had been damaged by the developers HGV’s entering the site.  He agreed to speak to them to ensure repairs would be made.

Chairman reported that Thales had cut back vegetation from the site fencing along Throop Road and left it on grass verges.  C Brown would speak to those who had dealt with it.

The telephone box on the junction of Westcombe/West Street had been removed.  Work to the guttering under the Railway Bridge was still outstanding.  Clerk would contact Network Rail.

 

8              FEEDBACK ON AREA EAST WORKSHOP – AUGUST 1ST 2007

Sustainable Community Strategy for South Somerset

Sarah Webb reported on the recent workshop which discussed sustainable communities – defined as being places where people want to live and work, now and in the future.  In developing the Strategy information was gathered from hundreds of regional, national and most importantly local sources.  Issues looked at were housing, health, employment, the economy, the environment and population growth.

Trends were determined and how they were likely to impact on the District.  A Vision and series of goals were drawn up to deal with the issues.  Chairman thanked Sarah for her report and attending the workshop.

Advertising Protocol

Clerk reported that the South Somerset District Council had now set out a protocol for dealing with advertising.  Regulations had been drawn up indicating who could advertise, size of advertisements, where they could/could not be displayed.  Action could be taken by the District Council if adverts were causing an annoyance, obstruction to visibility or a distraction to users of the highway.

 

9              TRAFFIC CALMING ISSUES/HEAVY GOODS VEHICLES – UPDATE

Nothing to report.

 

10           FOOTPATHS

Peter Andrew reported that the circular walk was now on the website.  The footpath off of Throop Road, along the side of Thales, was very overgrown and he would report it to Peter Keenlyside.

 

11           TREE WARDEN’S REPORT

I Middleton reported that he had re-tied the tree tie at Temple Lane. A tree had been removed from a property in the High Street, the owner having contact Tree Warden.

 

12           PROVISION OF CEMETERY

Chairman reported that Mr Hunt had now referred the area of land in Temple Lane to his Agent.  He had indicated a price of £20, 00.00 per acre plus costs.  Mr Hunt would also like the footpath which currently comes out on to East Street, by way of a stile, to be diverted so as to come out at the possible Cemetery site.  Chairman referred to a letter sent to Mr Hunt, prior to this meeting, indicating that it was felt the price was beyond the Parish Council and it was hoped a more affordable sum could be negotiated.  Loans could be applied for and the District Valuer could be involved in negotiations but it was hoped his involvement could be avoided.  No reply had been received and Chairman would contact Mr Hunt in due course.

Clerk had received notes from Milborne Port Parish Council as to the steps they took to secure cemetery space which were circulated amongst Members.

Clerk would ascertain what the criteria was for obtaining burial ground from the District Valuer/Surveyor and Planning Department.

13           NEWSLETTER

C Brown circulated copies of the draft September edition of the Newsletter.  Future articles were discussed such as, listed buildings in Templecombe and others of historical interest and information of the Precept.  Chairman thanked C Brown.

 

14           RECREATION GROUND MATTERS/CHILDRENS PLAY AREA

A)            Play Area – Play Area Inspection Report 10.7.07

No new items were raised.

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

Clerk reported that the Awards for All programme had granted the sum of £6,975.00.  Clerk and G Foers had met with Mr John Gartell on site and he had indicated that the work may be able to take place mid to the end of September.  A letter of confirmation had been sent to Gartell and Son confirming acceptance of the estimate of £3,640.00 plus VAT.  He would confirm he could obtain the required sub soil.  Also a letter had been sent to Bourton Fencing Limited requesting confirmation of the estimate supplied in connection with the bow top fencing for the sum of £4,405.00 plus VAT.  In addition the pedestrian gate amounted to £325.00 and maintenance gate £495.00, subject to VAT.  Clerk had written to William Wallace requesting the £2,000.00 from his Community Budget.  Mr Gartell would meet again on site to measure out the site.

Steve Barnes had informed Clerk that we could write to Viridor Credits stating that we were accepting the grant from Awards for All and seeing if they would be willing to make a lower grant towards the project.  Members were happy for Clerk to do so.

C)            Social Club

C Hukins circulated copies of the balance sheets for Members information.  The Social Club Committee had indicated that they would not be making electricity available for the Fair.  P Andrew confirmed that a new water meter had been fitted and upon carrying out a check it showed that 12 cubic metres had been used in a period of 13 days.  Possibly the Social Club toilets (mens) were not operating properly and should be checked out.  Clerk reported that one of the showers had not been turned off properly and water had been leaking for a time.  R Saunders informed Members that the Parish Council should visit the Social Club and point out any repairs needed twice a year.

D)            Dogs on Recreation Ground

Clerk had referred the matter to the Dog Warden who had indicated the Parish Council could say that dogs should be kept on leads and off of sports pitches if it so wished.  The Dog Warden could take action if there was a continuing problem with an aggressive dog if it was reported.  It was noted that dog fouling was now not so much a problem due to the availability of dog bins.

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

Gartells had indicated that they would wish to carry out the work to provide a trench at the same time as the work was being undertaken to the BMX track.  Clerk had spoken with Paul Hawkins (Tennis Club – Treasurer) and he had indicated that he thought the trench should be done, the Parish Council had indicated that they would meet the costs of the trench in previous correspondence.  R Saunders was awaiting quote for the electric cable and this would have to tie in with the trench work.

F)            Fair – 23rd Sept to 30th Sept 2007

Members were agreeable to the Fair attending the Recreation Ground and Clerk would write to confirm conditions and the unavailability of electricity from the Social Club.

G)            Other

Football Club – R Saunders reported that the Football Club were not using the parking space beyond the five bar gate causing limited parking for users of the Play Area.  Also creosote had been used to mark out the pitch.

Litter Bin – Chairman reported that a letter had been received from a resident of the village offering to contribute towards a litter bin for the Recreation Ground.  Two styles had been offered and it was felt a metal bin would be preferable.  Clerk would obtain a price for this bin and Members would make a decision to proceed with the offer.

 

15           ANY OTHER BUSINESS/ITEMS FOR AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING TO BE HELD ON THE 11TH SEPTEMBER 2007  

C James reported that young people had been witnessed jumping on top of the storage unit at the Recreation Ground, also further damage had been caused to nearby trees.

It was noted that the Social Club compound needed weeding.

 

Meeting closed at 10.10 pm

 

 

 

Signed……………………………………dated…………………………………