MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF BISHOP'S HULL PARISH COUNCIL HELD AT THE ROBIN CLOSE COMMUNITY ROOM ON THURSDAY, 18th DECEMBER 2008
Present: Mr M Summers (in the Chair)
Mrs J Beaumont
Mrs C Bulbeck
Mr K Burgess
Mr G Everett
Mrs L Kelly
Mrs W Lewis
Mr R Porter
Mr E Rose
Cllrs Nigel Stuart Thorn (TDBC) and Alan Paul (Somerset CC) were also in attendance.
E2010 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Mr Roper, PC Claire Griffiths, PCSO Kelly Browning and David Greig (TDBC).
E2011 MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
The Minutes of the meeting held on 23rd October 2008 were signed as a correct record.
E2012 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
E1985 - Former United Reformed Church - the Clerk confirmed that she had not heard any more about what was happening to this building.
E1998 - PACT - The lack of a Police presence at this meeting was noted, also that PCSO Kelly Browning was moving on. Mrs Beaumont observed that the number for reporting non-emergencies (not 999 incidents) did not work well enough - the 0845 number was not effective.
E1980 - Planning - the following applications had been GRANTED:-
05/08/056 - Industrial building at Ashwood Timber, Fideoak Mill;
05/08/058 - proposed additional care accommodation for young adults with profound and multiple learning difficulties at Longrun Farm;
05/08/059 - Removal of condition 03 and variation of condition 02 to remove the requirement for the site to provide residential accommodation for one gypsy family only at Little Shamba.
E1985 - Domestic rubbish in litter bins - the PCSO had visited the alleged offender. He had expressed great indignation at being accused, but it was hoped that the situation would be resolved.
E2005 - Parking on Heron Drive etc - Ian Titcombe (SCC) had said that a meeting was to be held in December (no date) to discuss commuter parking and the extension to the Park and Ride Scheme, after which he would be in touch again with a view to providing a more 'resident friendly' parking scheme for the residents of Heron Drive and the surrounding streets.
E2006 - Dropped kerbs - the Clerk had received a response from Kate Morgan at Area highways, stating that there was no funding available specifically under the LTP2 budget for dropped kerbs, and suggesting that Cllr Paul be approached to see whether he had any money left in his Local Initiatives Budget.
E2009 - Devolution of Services Survey - Mrs Beaumont said that she had replied 'no' to almost everything in the survey and returned it.
E2013 ESTIMATES
The Clerk had circulated the estimates. She apologized that, due to an oversight on her part, there was £4,000 more available than had been thought. This year's carry forward figure had been the one from the previous financial year but one - £10,000 not £6,000.
There was then a lengthy debate initiated by Mr Porter about adherence to Standing Orders. The Council had adopted the model set by NALC some years ago. He suggested that, while there was nothing substantially wrong with the way the Council operated, if the model Standing Orders were not in fact being followed to the letter, then they should be revised, and tailored to better suit the way the Council functioned. This was agreed, and the Clerk was asked to furnish the current model Standing Orders to all members who did not possess a copy, and to put this as an item on the next agenda.
Mr Porter went on to suggest that the Council should revert to holding monthly meetings, rather than (approximate) six weekly meetings. In his opinion, the Council would function more effectively with more regular meetings. This was disputed by other members, who recalled that the reason for moving to six-weekly meetings was to allow more time to get responses to correspondence and requests for action. Four weekly meetings did not allow sufficient time to progress matters.
(Clerk's note: the Clerk indicated that while she in no way wished to influence members' decision, she did wish to state at this point that, should the decision be taken to revert to four weekly meetings, her personal position as Clerk would be in jeopardy, and it was likely that she would feel forced to resign her post, for domestic reasons).
It was also decided, after full debate, to leave the meeting arrangements as they were for the time being (dates having been circulated) and, if necessary, to call additional/special meetings if required.
It was agreed to change the proposed December 2009 meeting date from 17th to 10th.
Returning to the agenda item, it was agreed to leave the precept at the 2008 level i.e. £20,000. This would leave a healthy balance for the Council to use for any special projects which came up during 2009/10, including possibly even the refurbishment of the Netherclay cobbles. The Chairman and Clerk then signed the relevant documents authorizing the precept.
E2014 CHEQUES FOR AUTHORISATION AND SIGNATURE
The following cheques had been presented and signed since the last meeting:
S Watts - Clerk's salary and expenses for November £680.82
R Coombs (internal audit) £37.50
Poppy Appeal £50.00
The following cheques were presented and signed:-
S Watts - Clerk's salary and expenses for December £611.41
R Dezille - street cleaning £546.19
Inland Revenue (3rd quarter) £208.50
Rick Moon (footpaths) £66.00
Frank Bond Centre (room hire) £99.00
Taunton Deane CAB (donation) £50.00
E2015 PLANNING
Persimmon Homes application - there was some debate about whether this was still going on, and whether it should be, as it had been over a year since the planning application was first put forward. There was some feeling that it should be withdrawn if it was not going ahead, although some thought that they could take as long as they wanted, as it was such a large application that different rules applied. The Clerk was asked to write to the Planning Officer and ask what was happening.
The following planning applications had been considered and no objections raised:-
05/08/031 LB - Installation of 3 replacement windows at 2 Rumwell Cottages;
05/08/060 - Demolition of single storey side extension and porch and erection of two storey extension to side and single storey extension to rear with porch to front at 61 Stonegallows;
05/08/062 - Single storey garden room extension to rear of 3 Daws Mead;
05/08/064 - Two storey extension to side elevation of Sherlands, 54 Stonegallows.
Appeals - the Clerk reported that appeals were being lodged in respect of The Croft, Stonegallows (to demolish The Croft and build 3 dwellings) and 46 Jarmyns (a first floor extension).
E2016 PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE CODE OF CONDUCT
The Chairman said that there was currently a consultation running about proposed changes to the Code of Conduct for Members. It was a very large document and had been circulated by the Clerk. The deadline for comments was in January. As some members had not yet seen it, it was agreed that Mr Burgess would email the Weblink (if there was one) around to all as he was currently holding the document. It was suggested that in future, large documents should be circulated as a Weblink wherever possible, to avoid delay, and that anything with a deadline should not be put into the general circulation.
It was also suggested that agendas and minutes could be emailed. The Clerk was not sure if this was allowed (legally) and would check the protocol with David Greig.
E2017 CHANGE TO FREEDOM OF INFORMATION SCHEME
The Clerk reported that she had just been notified of a change in the requirements for publication schemes under Freedom of Information legislation. This were coming in on 1st January 2009, and while the Council was not required to notify the Department that they were adopting the new model scheme, the presumption was that they would be. The Clerk had visited the website and tried to locate the relevant template but had found the whole process both confusing and frustrating and had ended up going around in circles. Mr Porter kindly volunteered to research what was required and to report back to the next meeting. In the meanwhile, the new scheme was adopted by the Council, in principle.
E2018 REPORTS FROM OTHER BODIES
Local Action Team - Messrs Burgess and Porter reported that Speedwatch was progressing, and being extended to Shutewater, Farrant Close and Netherclay. A high quality speed gun had been acquired, thanks to Cllr Paul. Paintballing and mountain biking were progressing. The Police report had been very full, and there had been several burglaries reported.
VEG - Mrs Bulbeck said that the new group was meeting on 12th January to discuss a forward programme of events, and she was hopeful that it would be a success. The tree lights had been put up and carols, etc would be taking place on 22nd December.
Frank Bond Centre - the refurbishment work was very much appreciated by everybody and the 're-launch' had been a great success.
Woodland Group - Mr Burgess said that there was a meeting with the Somerset Trust coming up and there were some concerns to be raised, including 'professional' dog walkers using the Community Woodland. They would be needing some extra funding in due course and maybe the Parish Council could help.
Housing Workshops - long meetings, but worth attending, as they addressed future housing requirements in Bishop's Hull and elsewhere. The proposal appeared to be for even more houses here - 220 would not be enough to attract serious benefits for the village.
Footpaths Group - Mr Burgess reported several paths needing attention, about which he had written to Grant Turner at County Hall. One serious and urgent case was T3/6 which runs from Roughmoor along by the River Tone into town. There had been serious fluvial erosion of this path, and it had been partially fenced off, but no remedial action had been taken yet. It was quite dangerous and Mr Burgess was concerned that the Parish Council might be liable. It was agreed to write urgently to the appropriate bodies drawing their attention to the danger.
Mrs Beaumont said that the bridge in Pigs Loose Lane was in urgent need of repair and should be listed. She requested that Diane Hartnell be approached to see if it could be listed before it was repaired, possibly badly and out of keeping, by SCC.
Rick Moon should have a risk assessment if he is carrying out work on behalf of the Council.
E2019 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Thursday, 22nd January 2009, at 7.30 p.m.
E2020 ITEMS OF REPORT
Local Initiatives Budget - Cllr Paul said that he had allocated most of his LIB, and that Bishop's Hull was getting 60% this year. Projects included the LAT Community Speedwatch camera, high visibility tabards for the pre-school, and laptops for the Frank Bond Centre.
Street Cleaner- Mr Rose said that he had been supervising the street cleaning for several years, and wished to divest himself of the responsibility. He was therefore giving up with immediate effect, and a volunteer was sought to take it on.
Rubbish bin outside the Chinese takeaway - this had gone, and no-one knew where it was.
CHAIRMAN