MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF BISHOP’S HULL PARISH COUNCIL HELD AT THE FRANK BOND CENTRE ON THURSDAY, 22nd OCTOBER 2009
Present: Mr R Porter (in the Chair)
Mrs J Beaumont
Mrs C Bulbeck
MR G Everett
Mrs L Kelly
Mrs W Lewis
Mr N Roper
Mr E Rose
Mr M Summers
Cllrs Stuart Thorn and Morrell of TDBC were in attendance, also Cllr Alan Paul (SCC).
E2104 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Mr Burgess and Mrs Ravenhill.
E2105 MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
The Minutes of the meeting held on 10th September 2009 were signed as a correct record.
E2106 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
E2086 - Smells at Frethey House – these were reported as being worse, with no end to the problem in sight. The Clerk was instructed to write to the Environment Agency.
E2093 – Victim Support – the Clerk reported receipt of a letter of thanks for the Council’s donation.
E2095 – Dropped kerb at Shutewater – there had been no progress on this, as the DLO was adamant that their quote was more accurate than that provided by SCC. It was agreed to tell SCC that we would proceed with their quote of £500, emphasising that this work was for the convenience of disabled people.
E2096 – Bench at Haydon Close – there was a division of opinion about whether it was worth keeping the existing bench as it was in a poor state of repair. On the proposal of Mr Rose, seconded by Mrs Bulbeck, it was agreed to purchase a new bench and have it installed on the new site and to leave the old bench in situ for the time being.
Planning – the following applications had been approved:-
05/09/023 – erection of a two storey extension at Davey’s Cottage, Silk Mills;
05/09/025 – erection of two storey extension to rear of 62 Bakers Close.
E2100 – Street Cleaning – Mr Porter was pleased with the street cleaner’s performance and the new schedule was working well. The secondhand cart which had been obtained from Taunton Deane BC was not yet in use as it needed some attention. In future the street cleaner would be paid on a regular basis for 10 hours work per week, with no need for claim forms.
E2107 PACT
PCSO Simon Parry was welcomed to the meeting. He apologised for the non-attendance of PC Claire Griffiths explaining that neither of them were actually on duty this evening.
He first reported on the situation in the village regarding anti-social behaviour. This had been worse during the summer but was now declining as the weather got colder. There had been some instances of graffiti in the play area. The culprits had been dealt with under the restorative justice route which had proved very constructive for at least one young person. Fly tipping had not been a real concern over the past three months, but his attention was drawn to a couple of problem areas by members. Simon mentioned that Taunton Deane were actually very good at removing rubbish promptly and had a hotline which could be accessed via their main number. He added that a CCTV camera was soon to be installed on Malthouse Court, overlooking the play area.
In response to a question from Mr Rose about any action being taken following the events after the summer party in the park, Simon said that decisions on how to deal with the youths in question were still being considered by the Youth Offending Team.
Dog fouling on the playing fields was now a serious issue. There was a bylaw in effect which forbade dogs on the actual playing field area, but dog owners were largely disregarding it. Mr Rose said that it would be a good thing if someone was caught and fined or prosecuted and this could be publicised locally. Simon said it was very much a case of someone being ‘caught in the act’ and that was difficult to arrange.
It was agreed that PACT priorities for the village would continue to be anti-social behaviour, with particular attention being paid on Halloween and Bonfire Night, and in the playing field area.
Mr Porter also drew attention to a new area where young people were now congregating, next to the now disused SCAT building in Gypsy Lane.
E2108 REQUEST FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
A request for financial assistance from the Village Events Group was received, for putting up and taking down the Christmas lights. This was agreed in the sum of £500.
E2109 EXTERNAL AUDIT REPORT
The Clerk explained that the only point raised by the external auditors concerned levels of reserves which they considered to be rather low. This matter would be addressed at the budget meeting in December. The Council’s accounts were then formally signed off and it was agreed that Completion of Audit notices should be put on all notice boards.
E2110 MID YEAR FINANCIAL STATEMENT
This was noted. The Clerk reported that there was at last some movement on the Netherclay cobbles project, and SCC were hoping to complete the job before Christmas. A site meeting was to be held on Wednesday 28th October – several members indicated a willingness to attend this. The Council’s offer of £3,000 towards the work was likely to be taken up and this should be borne in mind when considering commitment and balances.
E2111 CHEQUES FOR AUTHORISATION AND SIGNATURE
The following cheques were presented and signed:-
S Watts – Clerk’s salary and expenses for October £572.08
R Dezille – Street Cleaner’s hours £424.74
R Moon (strimming) £121.00
Ken Burgess (expenses) £13.00
Moore Stephens (audit fee) £327.75
Village Hall and Playing Fields Trust (TDBC grant) £1700.00
E2112 INTERNAL CONTROLS
Mr Porter had reviewed the internal controls and made some minor presentational changes which had been agreed with the Clerk. He stressed that nothing was awry, it was simply a question of presenting things more clearly. One recommendation was the move to Excel spreadsheets, with which Mr Summers had offered to help the Clerk if necessary.
E2113 FINANCIAL REGULATIONS
Mr Porter had reviewed the Financial Regulations. Once again he stressed that they were all there but not in one document which was desirable. It was agreed that he, Messrs Summers and Everett and the Clerk should meet to draw together the Financial Regulations.
E2114 PERSIMMON HOMES APPLICATION
The meeting was temporarily closed to enable those present in the body of the meeting to speak if they wished to do so.
The Chairman confirmed the situation as it was at present regarding the Persimmon Homes application – that a decision had been deferred at the planning committee meeting held on 23rd September so that the transport issues could be further addressed. A Parish Meeting had been held on 27th September at which it had been resolved to continue supporting the Parish Council and the Residents Group in their opposition to this application.
The Chairman then invited anyone present to update the Council if they had more news. Mr Wren said that as far as he knew, the matter was coming back to Planning Committee on 25th November, providing all the additional information had been provided. The question of Highway Rights was still with the solicitors – all 14 properties along Bishop’s Hull Road were affected.
In response to a question from Mrs Beaumont about whether only transport issues would be considered at the November meeting, Cllr Paul said that he thought that any matter to do with the application could be discussed even though the main reason for the deferral was transport.
There was some discussion re the venue for the meeting – it was desirable to hold it in the village if possible, and at a venue large enough for everyone to get in. The Clerk was asked to write to Judith Jackson at Taunton Deane asking whether they were prepared to hold the Planning Committee meeting in the parish.
The meeting was reopened.
E2115 PLANNING
The following planning applications had been considered and no objections raised:-
05/09/026 – erection of a summer house in the rear garden and a boundary fence at the Frank Bond Centre (this has been granted);
05/09/027 – replacement of boundary fencing at Berry Coaches, Cornishway West;
05/09/028 – erection of extension to front of 72 Gillards (this has been granted);
05/09/030 – replacement of single storey extension with minor internal alterations and construction of an open porch at 4 Mountway Lane;
05/09/031 – change of use from B8 to B2 at Autotec SW Ltd, Cornishway East;
38/09/0305 – change of use of land from agricultural to an informal recreation space on site between Castle School and the River Tone – Longrun Meadows.
The Clerk reported that an enforcement notice had been issued in respect of the unauthorised presence of a mobile home at Fideoak Mill. This would take effect on 29th October 2009 and the owner had 6 months to comply.
E2116 RESIDENT FRIENDLY PARKING POLICY
Mr. Paul said that he was in the process of conducting consultations with residents throughout Comeytrowe and Bishop's Hull, in order to address current and potential problems of commuter parking.
The opening of the second park and Ride at Hankridge had prompted the County Council to consider a policy review which would favour the needs of residents rather than commuters, and Mr. Paul was currently in discussion with senior officers and Councillors to ensure that the policy would benefit local residents as soon as possible. He was concerned that there might be an unwarranted delay while the impact of the second Park and Ride was being evaluated.
Mr. Paul said that the main areas with commuter problems where residents would be likely to welcome changes in parking restrictions were the Heron Drive estate and the area around Musgrove Road (which was outside the parish boundaries). It was agreed that the Parish Council would join with Mr. Paul in conducting surveys on a non-political basis.
Mr Everett said that he would prefer it if clear options could be offered. Mr Summers said that the problems extended beyond ‘Birdland’ into areas such as Haydon Close, and Mr Rose added that cars were still being parked in Waterfield Drive too close to the junction with the Silk Mills Road.
It was agreed that members would help Mr Paul with his survey, but wanted all problem areas included and that it was on a non-political basis. Mr Porter said that he would brief Mr Burgess, the Chairman, about this, and get back to Mr Paul.
E2117 REPORTS FROM OTHER BODIES
Local Action Team – The AGM had been held and it had been a relatively successful year. Speedwatch had been the main project and the results had been useful and encouraging. 299 speeders had been sent letters by the Police and it appeared that average speeds through the village had decreased. Mr Rose suggested that the Speedwatch results be published in the Community News. Other activities had been less successful notably the youth projects, but other schemes were now being considered and the local Police were actively involved.
VEG events - the quiz on 16th October had been very successful and well attended and they had raised over £700. Their AGM was on 9th November at the Old Inn.
Website – the Group was meeting on Monday 26th October.
Youth Group - A proposal by Jane Kilty for a youth leader had been received too late for this meeting, but would be considered at the next meeting. This dovetailed into the development of the Trident Centre at Galmington and Mr Porter agreed to get in touch with Mr Paul to obtain details ahead of the December meeting.
E2118 DATES FOR 2010
These were agreed as set out in the Clerk’s note. This meant that next year there would be 9 meetings, not 8.
E2119 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Wednesday, 9th December 2009, at 7.30 p.m.
E2120 ITEMS OF REPORT
Tytherleigh Bridge – this had still not been repaired and the situation was getting worse. The Clerk read out a long email from Paul Tucker, the Bridge Maintenance Team Leader at SCC, in which he said that an eye was being kept on the bridge to ensure that it did not get any worse but that it was in a queue of jobs waiting to be done when time and money allowed. He suggested that bollards might be used to prevent vehicles from hitting the bridge, although he thought that local publicity was probably the best option, with any offenders being noted, reported and photographed if possible. Mrs Kelly undertook to contact Mr Tucker personally, and the Clerk was asked to arrange for a report to go on the village website and also in the Community News.
Overgrowing hedges – reported between Haydon Close and the Silk Mills Road.
Footbridge over the River Tone – there had been no progress on getting this bridge either listed or repaired. The Clerk was asked to pursue this with Taunton Deane.
Vehicles parking on grassed area by Haydon Close – Mr Summers said that contractors vehicles were parking on the new grassed area which was being damaged as a result. The Clerk would contact PCSO Simon Parry and Taunton Deane.
Chewing gum - it was disappointing to see the amount of discarded gum on the pavement area between the Constitution Club and the Old Inn.
Wall by School – Mr Rose asked that SCC repair the wall between the two main gates into the playing field which was falling down, particularly on the inside.
Taunton in Bloom – the Chairman mentioned that the Meryan House Hotel and Mr G Stark of 33 Richmond Park had won awards in Taunton in Bloom. He suggested that letters of congratulations be sent from the Council. This was agreed.
CHAIRMAN