MINUTES OF THE BISHOP'S HULL ANNUAL PARISH MEETING HELD AT THE FRANK BOND CENTRE, BISHOP'S HULL,
ON THURSDAY 23rd APRIL, 2009

19 members of the Parish attended. Malcolm Summers was in the Chair.

1. Minutes of the last meeting

The minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on 24th April 2008 were taken as read and signed as a correct record, subject to changing the word 'receipts' to 'income' in paragraph 3.

2. Bishop's Hull Charity

Mrs Mapletoft, the Clerk to the Bishop's Hull charity, presented the annual report. It seemed likely that the Charity would shortly be wound up, as there were only two people remaining on the list of beneficiaries. A meeting would be held to decide the future of the Charity on 15th June and a representative of the Parish Council was invited to attend. A balance of approximately £6,000 remained to be disposed of.

3. Parish Council Accounts

The Clerk to the Parish Council presented the Statement of the Council's Accounts for the year ended 31st March 2009 (appendix A to the signed copy of these minutes).

The Clerk explained the accounts and then invited questions. Mr Porter raised several points on presentation, and said he would like the accounts to be discussed fully at the next Parish Council meeting. It was requested that the Clerk's and Street cleaner's salaries be shown separately, also that Liabilities and Assets should probably be depreciated to nothing over a period of years.

3. Parish Tree Warden's Report

Mrs Rose Humphreys, the Parish Tree Warden, presented her report.

She commented that winter had hung on rather, although there had been a good show of blossoms, with no winds to blow them away. Broad-leaved trees were very slow coming into leaf and now needed rain. The tree planted in Daws Mead to replace the cedars was growing well. The elm suckers in the hedgerows were beginning to show again above the hawthorn and hazel. Dutch Elm disease had a 20 year cycle and the suckers were the second growths from the old roots. Another ten years would seen them succumb to the disease again, as there was regrettably yet no cure.

4. Chairman's Report

Mr Summers presented his report, a copy of which is appended to the signed copy of these minutes. He thanked David Greig, the Parish Liaison officer from Taunton Deane BC for his help and it was agreed to write to him. He also thanked the Taunton Deane and Somerset County Councillors who regularly attend Parish Council meetings

Mr Summers said that he had been Chairman of the Council for four years, and as it was half way between elections, he thought it a good time to stand down. He thanked the Parish Councillors, the Clerk and Street Cleaner for their help and support during his period of office.

5. Other matters

Cllr Morrell gave an update on the Persimmon Homes application. Traffic was still a major issue. He thought that it might go to the Planning Committee in either May or June. Parking in Heron Drive was still a major issue and he did not know what was happening.

Mr Catherall reported on the Local Action team, which was continuing to meet regularly. He said that it was now on the parish website and he hoped that the minutes would go on soon. Speedwatch continued to be the main activity although they had also been helping out Jane Kilty with youth activities, although, sadly, these had been reduced to once a month. Paintballing and the Energise disco were still popular. It was also hoped to organise mountain biking and cycling proficiency.

There were two new PCSOs in the parish. It was noted that a 'no cold calling' zone was to be introduced in 'Birdland'.

Mr Summers was given a vote of thanks for his time served as Chairman.

CHAIRMAN