MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF BISHOP'S HULL PARISH COUNCIL HELD AT THE FRANK BOND CENTRE ON THURSDAY, 1st JULY 2010

Present: Mr K Burgess (in the Chair)
Mrs J Beaumont
Mrs C Bulbeck
Mr G Everett
Mrs W Lewis
Mr R Porter
Mr E Rose
Mr N Roper

Cllr Ian Morrell (TDBC), PC Claire Griffiths and PCSO Simon Parry were also in attendance.

E2186 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Mrs Kelly, Mrs Ravenhill, Mr Summers,
Mrs Watts (Clerk) and Cllr Alan Paul (SCC).

E2187 MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
The Minutes of the meeting held on 20th May 2010 were signed as a correct record, subject to the amendment of minute 2183, re the Taunton Transition Group – the opening sentence to end ‘which Mr Fogg was hoping to put on the website in full’.

E2188 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
E2166 - Persimmon Homes – Cllr Morrell had met the Managing Director of Persimmon Homes and received an undertaking that they would do the highways work before commencing the development. Papers had recently been sent out regarding the adoption of reserved matters.
E2172 – Citizenship Award – the closing date for nominations was 8th September. Members were asked to give this some thought prior to the next meeting.
Park and Ride lighting – the Clerk had spoken to Richard Scant at Cooks Coaches. He confirmed that they were experiencing problems over the timing device but were calling out the engineer again to try to rectify the situation.
E2178 – Financial Matters - Following a meeting at HMRC’s Taunton Office, the Clerk’s salary would now be paid after deduction of income tax and national insurance. Unfortunately no ruling has yet been given re the extent of any liability for national insurance payments due from both employer and employee in previous tax years. Discussion with HMRC would continue until the matter has been resolved.
E2181 – Parking in Birdland - Cllr Morrell advised members that SCC Highway’s Ian Titcombe was producing a proposed scheme. Details would be forwarded to the Clerk and it was agreed that this should be an agenda item for the August meeting.
E2182 – Planning – the following application had been granted conditional approval -
05/09/011 – Change of use to residential dwelling house at the Bishop’s Hull Annexe, Gypsy Lane.
E2185 – it was noted that the rusty motorcycle had been removed from the community woodland.
Former URC Chapel – Mr Summers was expecting to get approval to speak or write to the Trustees or owners very shortly.
Dropped kerb on Shutewater Hill - Kate Morgan of SCC had responded re concerns about its safety and confirmed that she and the depot manager from Atkins had been to the site to check. They were both happy with the gradient of the slope, which they believed met the guidance, and the kerb had been tied in with existing concrete path.
Bus gate in Mountway Road – the Clerk had been advised that there was a faulty cable which staff from the Merseyside manufacturer had hoped to replace on 19th May. However, they were unable to do this because of a blocked duct and were now waiting for civil works to be scheduled. Alan Paul had commented that he had been chasing the continued failings of the bus gate to function. It has been repaired several times and gone wrong again soon after. There may be alternative ways of making the gate function instead of bollards - e.g. notices and cameras to identify anyone going through.
While this was noted, the police view was that notices and cameras were already in place but not being fully utilised. SCC controlled the cameras but were not reporting offending motorists to the police.
Benches - The bench by the school had been repaired. Efforts to remove and renovate the old bench by the flats in Haydon Close had yet to be arranged.
Tytherleigh bridge - A repairs scheme was being drawn up and further details were awaited.

E2189 PACT
PC Claire Griffiths and PCSO Simon Parry were welcomed to the meeting. PCSO Parry gave figures relating to Bishop’s Hull for the period 8th April to 29th June -
Total calls received - 163
Crimes recorded - 44
He also provided a full breakdown of these figures which are attached as Appendix A to these minutes. The main concern continued to be anti-social behaviour and this would remain the PACT priority.
As in previous summers, there was a particular problem at Netherclay with river jumping, camping and making fires. However, those concerned seem to be pushing the boundaries further this year and there has been more damage caused plus trespass onto a private residence. The police action had been to clear them out of the area and not take names and this seemed to have worked as no subsequent calls had been received.
However, the problem has not gone away. There have been recent disturbances but, unfortunately, no 0845 call to the police has been made.
Similarly, Simon was unaware of a group of people rough camping in the woodland area and the need to immediately report matters to the police can not be stressed enough.
A contacts slip giving both Claire’s and Simon’s mobile numbers plus the 0845 number and the team mail box address was handed out at the meeting. It was agreed that these contact details be put on the village website and also that a request be made for their inclusion in each month’s Community News.
Rogue traders - Arrests have been made in Bishop’s Hull. Residents are asked to be on their guard against any unsolicited approach re building work, etc.
It was noted that youths were congregating in Frethey Lane.
Neighbourhood Watch - Details were requested of schemes in Upcott, Barr and Longaller.
‘No Cold Calling’ areas - This initiative had been extended to Bakers Close and, for anyone wishing to establish it in their locality, the first step was to contact a member of the police team. A meeting would then be arranged for residents to consider the proposal and ensure that the overwhelming majority were in favour.
Speed limit at Stonegallows - Ian Morrell is seeking a 30 mph speed limit for the Stonegallows minor road (at present unrestricted) and he would appreciate police support for this.
Dog dirt - Complaints have been received about the bags of dog dirt left in the hedgerow at the Shutewater Hill / Frethey Lane junction. It was agreed that the parish council renews its previous request to TDBC to install a dog bin. Councillors would certainly consider paying for this but it was thought that TDBC still object to such requests because of the collection difficulties.

E2190 PROHIBITION OF ENTRY ORDER
This order had come as a result of the proposed Persimmon development off Bishops Hull Road. Due consideration was given to objecting to it on the grounds of safety, the continuing legal uncertainty re the proposed footway, the increased cost subsequently identified and the adverse economic and social effect it will have on the village.
After much discussion it was agreed that the Parish Council responded by (i) objecting to the order as it does not fully resolve all issues involved and (ii) stating that a traffic signal solution would be better and safer for the community. This preferred solution would provide better safety, would aid peak traffic flow and traffic calming, and would not sever an important part of the village.

E2191 FINANCIAL MATTERS
An arithmetical error was found in the cheque issued re the Clerk’s salary / expenses at the last meeting. The overpayment of £100 would be deducted from this month’s salary / expenses.
It was noted that, in accordance with Financial Regulations, cheques should not be signed unless supported by invoices or other evidence of the amount of payment due.
Various items of 2009/10 budgeted expenditure remain outstanding. Two of these relate to agreed financial assistance to the Village Events Group to cover the cost of the Christmas lights and to the youth club to cover their insurance premium. The Clerk should now make enquiries as to whether such funds are still required.

E2192 TOWARDS A RESILIENT BISHOP’S HULL
Taunton Deane’s Local Strategic Partnership enabled Taunton’s Transition Town group to lead a series of workshops to discuss the implications of Peak Oil and climate change.
The group had now produced an 8 page document following the workshop held in Bishop’s Hull.
It was agreed that the village website should include some details of the Taunton Transition Town group’s purpose together with a contact number / e-mail address for those interested in obtaining a copy of the booklet and any further information required.

E2193 PLANNING
The following application had been received and there were no objections:-
05/10/13 – Change of use from B2 (general industrial) to B8 (wholesale distribution and storage) at Unit 1, Cornishway West.
Although notice had been published, papers re the following applications had not been received -
05/10/0015 - Fishponds and shed at Hamwood
05/10/0016 - Extension at 4 Richmond Park
As mentioned above, papers concerning the adoption of reserved matters re the Persimmon development had also recently been issued. However, these were not as yet to hand.

E2194 CLERK’S DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The current list of duties, responsibilities and procedures had been circulated ahead of the meeting. This should be regarded as a working document to be regularly amended as we continue to discuss and agree matters with the Clerk.
Comments made were as follows:
- Councillors needed to be better advised on the contents of all correspondence, including emails, both in and out.
- Details should be included of computer back-up procedures and frequency.
- Although Councillors receive details of cheques to be issued, other items are not always reported, e.g. bank charges and payments received. Each meeting should be given details of all bank account entries.
- The need to make records available for Internal Control purposes needs to be included.
- Various gaps need to be filled in the events calendar, e.g., returns to HMRC, salary reviews, etc.

The Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Immediate Past Chairman and the Clerk would continue to progress these matters.

E2195 REPORTS FROM OTHER BODIES
Local Action Team - The speedgun was due for recalibration and this was expected to cost £200. The LAT was looking for some contribution from the police but no news to date.
Monthly events for local youngsters kicked off with a Wii evening in the skittle alley at The Old Inn. There had been very positive feedback and many thanks to Simon Parry for initiating this and to Alan and Mo for the venue.

Village Events Group - The Party In The Park was very well attended despite the many other counter attractions that day. The weather was ideal and all the stalls were busy throughout the afternoon together with the tea tent, the ice cream van and the free bouncy castle. The evening session saw three bands take the stage and they all gave good entertaining performances.
On the finance side, the event made a loss on the day but this was already covered by fund-raising earlier in the year.

Frank Bond Centre - The Mountway Road frontage had been transformed. The hedge had gone, fencing panels have been installed and a retaining wall built with a cutting providing more space behind the bus shelter. This feature had been especially welcomed by pedestrians and those waiting for a bus found that the retaining wall was just the right height for an informal seat.
Landscaping work would follow although total costs were likely to be higher than estimated.
Diary dates include the afternoon of 29th July for the AGM and the evening of 6th August for a pork roast and jazz band.

E2196 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Thursday, 12th August 2010, at 7.30 p.m. at the Frank Bond Centre.

Format and agenda items for next meeting - the following points were agreed:
- Future agendas should include a separate item ‘Correspondence’ with details of sender and subject heading.
- The August agenda should include an item ‘Issues Still Outstanding’. This would enable a list to be compiled of those matters that have been discussed at previous meetings but still remain unresolved. Councillors were asked to consider this in the coming weeks and advise both the Chairman and the Clerk of any such items. The list would be reviewed, and decisions taken on further action.
- The August agenda should also include discussion on updating the Clerk’s contract of employment. To prepare for this, the Clerk was requested to contact S.L.C.C. to obtain current rates of pay, details of the job grades and a template for a standard contract of employment. The aim was to obtain these items and copy them to Councillors well ahead of the August meeting.

E2197 ITEMS OF REPORT
Destroyed stile at the second gate at Netherclay. The Chairman stated that this was actually outside the parish boundary and within Norton Fitzwarren. He added that he had reported the damage to SCC some weeks ago.
Website - The list of parish council members on the village website included an email contact address (councillors@bishopshull.org.uk) and the first items of correspondence had been received. A request was received to further discuss how the village website operates. As the August agenda would be lengthy, this would be scheduled as soon as possible afterwards.

CHAIRMAN

APPENDIX A

Bishops Hull Crime Figures

April - July 2010

Dwell Burglary 1 - Waterfield Close

Non Dwell Burglary 3 - Bishops Hull School
Silk Mills Park and Ride
Private Property
Criminal Damage
Dwelling 2 - Private Dwelling

Non Dwelling 0

Vehicle 8 - Mountway Road x 2
Musgroave Road x 2
Silk Mills Park and Ride
Netherclay
Wellington New Road
Farrant Close

Other 4 - Bishops Hull Cricket Club
Cornish Way Trading Estate
Smithy
Belmont Road

Thefts
Theft of Pedal Cycle 5

Theft of M/V 1

Theft from M/V 1

ASB calls received April - 10
May - 7
June - 26
July so far - 7