MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF BISHOP'S HULL PARISH COUNCIL HELD AT THE FRANK BOND CENTRE ON THURSDAY, 11th SEPTEMBER 2008

Present: Mr M Summers (in the Chair)
Mrs J Beaumont
Mrs C Bulbeck
Mr K Burgess
Mrs L Kelly
Mrs W Lewis
Mr R Porter
Mrs S Ravenhill
Mr N Roper
Cllr Alan Paul (SCC), Cllr Ian Morrell and David Greig (TDBC) were also in attendance.

E1986 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Mr Rose, Mr Everett, Mrs Beaumont and Cllr Nigel Stuart-Thorn.

E1987 MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING

The Minutes of the meeting held on 10th July 2008 were signed as a correct record, subject to the addition of Mrs Bulbeck to the list of those present.

E1988 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

E1980 - Planning - the following applications had been GRANTED:-

05/08/030 - conservatory to east elevation of annexe, repositioning of double garage and erection of shed and car port to the east of Hillview, Bishop's Hull Hill;
05/08/035 - erection of new sales building and forecourt to replace existing (to be demolished) and associated works including new canopy, ATM machine, storage area and fencing at Taunton West Service Station, Wellington New Road;
05/08/36A - display of illuminated and non-illuminated signs to front and side elevation of new building at Taunton West Service Station, Wellington New Road;
05/08/038 - erection of dwelling and formation of access at 50 Stonegallows;
05/08/043 - proposed additional care accommodation for young adults with profound and multiple learning difficulties at Longrun Farm.
05/08/039 - erection of two storey extension to rear of 56 Smithy
05/08/037 - erection of 3 bedroomed dwelling at Moorlands, Hamwood;
05/08/041 - discharge of Section 106 agreement requiring the annex to be occupied as ancillary accommodation to Moorlands and not as a separate residential unit.

The following application had been REFUSED:-

05/08/028 - retention of garden shed, erection of fencing and formation of new access to garden at 2 Rumwell Cottages

E1985 - Domestic rubbish in litter bins - the Clerk reported that letters had been delivered to the residents of Richmond Park, and a name had come forward. It was agreed to notify both Taunton Deane and the CPSO to see what action, if any, could be taken.

E1985 - Former United Reformed Church building - the Clerk had not received any reply to her letters to the new owners. She was asked to check with Taunton Deane and the Land Registry as to who the current owners were, in case it had changed hands again. Ms Hartnell, the Conservation Officer, at Taunton Deane may also be interested.

Park and Ride lights - Mr Paul said he would investigate why they were still on at night with Richard Needs at County Hall.

E1989 APPLICATIONS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

An application for financial assistance had been received from Victim Support Somerset; it was agreed to give them £50 as they did much good work with people in the parish. It was also agreed to renew the Council's subscription to CPRE. A request for financial assistance from the Bishop's Hull Resident's Group, which had been brought forward from the last meeting, was rejected unanimously following a show of hands.

E1990 CHEQUES FOR AUTHORISATION AND SIGNATURE

The following cheques had been presented and signed:

S Watts - Clerk's salary and expenses for August £535.03
R Dezille - street cleaning £459.83
Malthouse Printing (Bells 2008) £105.52
Malthouse Printing (Bells 2008) £9.95

The following cheques were presented and signed:-

CPRE £28.00
Victim Support Somerset £50.00

E1991 PLANNING

The following planning applications had been considered and no objections raised:-

05/08/042 - Demolition of existing covered entrance canopy and erection of a new one with reception area at St Margaret's Somerset Hospice (GRANTED);
05/08/049 - change of use from A1 retail to A2 Professional services at 3 Wellington New Road;
05/08/050A - display of illuminated and non-illuminated advertising signs at 3 Wellington New Road;
05/08/051 - demolition of single garage and erection of two storey extension for annex at 28 Stonegallows;
05/08/052 - first floor extension at 78 Gillards;
05/08/053 - conversion of domestic building to annex at Haydon House;
05/08/054 - erection of two storey extension and first floor extension to form a flat at 3 Wellington New Road.

Objections were raised to the following applications:-

05/08/040 - first floor extension at 46 Jarmyns (REFUSED);
05/08/044 - demolition of existing dwelling (The Croft) and erection of 3 detached dwellings with associated garaging (REFUSED);
05/08/045 - erection of 2 dwellings within the residential curtilage of The Croft (REFUSED);
05/08/046 - erection of first floor extension and dormer window to rear of 40 Mountway Road (REFUSED);
05/08/047 - erection of single storey, two storey and first floor extensions and dormer window to rear of 42 Mountway Road (REFUSED).

E1992 PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT ON FIELDS TO WEST OF BISHOP'S HULL ROAD

It was noted that no reply had been received to the Parish Council's letter sent in July. It was agreed to chase this up with both Taunton Deane and Somerset County Council, also to complain that changes were being put forward without consultation with the Parish Council. Various amendments to the scheme were noted, also Persimmon's unfavourable reaction to these proposals.

E1993 VANDALISM IN THE PLAY AREA

The Clerk read out an email from Mr Rose about several incidences of vandalism in the new play area. The Police were aware, but no effective action had been taken so far. It was agreed to bring it to Kelly Browning's notice, with a copy to Mark West.

E1994 REPORTS FROM OTHER BODIES

Local Action Team - a further paintballing session had been held and had been quite successful. It was hoped that another would be held in October. Speedwatch had been a success on Heron Drive and some more observations would be done now that term had started. It was hoped to do more in Shutewater and Netherclay. There was a chance now that a new speed gun would be purchased if funding could be found. The next LAT meeting was on 21st October.

Mr Porter said that everyone was very impressed by PC Clare Griffiths, the new Neighbourhood Beat Manager, who was proving to be very effective. She had already taken action on some domestic incidents which had been happening in Smithy, as a result of which a man had been imprisoned.

Mr Porter had already circulated details of the Community Partnership meeting which he had attended. He drew members' notice in particular to the housing figures currently up for discussion in the Regional Spatial Strategy. He felt, however, that the partnership was not the right forum for people to air their grievances, and this was more properly the role of the Parish Council. He had already written to this effect, with LAT's support, to Cllr Wedderkopp and asked that the Council also give their support to his view.

The last meeting had been mainly devoted to discussion about the regional housing figures currently out for consultation as part of the Regional Spatial Strategy. It was agreed to put this matter on the next Parish Council agenda for discussion. Bishop's Hull was not specifically mentioned in the breakdown of the 18,000 new houses proposed for Taunton Deane, whereas other communities were. Members wanted to be sure that they were consulted when housing was being considered, and therefore would keep a watching brief on the progress of the Regional Strategy. In addition, it was agreed to send a letter to Taunton Deane before 17th October consultation deadline, stating the Council's interest in the proposals. Mr Porter agreed to draft this letter, together with Mr Summers.

Partners and Communities Together (PACT) - the Clerk had drawn members' notice to this latest Police initiative whereby communities could decide on priority issues which needed addressing by one or more of the authorities involved - Police, Health, local councils, etc. It had been suggested that a PACT meeting should be held in each Parish but that would be a duplication of Parish Council meetings: a better solution would be for the Councils to include this on their agendas, and consider which items needed addressing. PCSOs would gather information from local residents and feed that to Councils prior to their meeting, so that they could have a list from which to prioritise. PACT should then appear on agendas every quarter.

The Clerk was instructed to contact Mark West (Avon and Somerset Police) and invite his comments in time for the October meeting.

VEG - Mrs Bulbeck reported on the latest VEG meeting, together with representatives of the 'Bells' committee, and said that they were getting rather disheartened at the lack of support from the village. The next meeting was on 15th October at The Manor, when they hoped to make some progress.

Frank Bond Centre - it was noted that the Centre was to be closed for two months for refurbishment.

Village Hall and Playing Fields Trust - they had held their AGM recently and the officers had been reappointed. Accounts were on their way to the Clerk, as usual. It had been noted with regret that the Junior Football Team had ceased, but the adults were continuing.

Footpaths Group - Mr Burgess had nothing specifically to report. Several overgrown footpaths and stiles were mentioned and the Clerk was asked to pass the information on to Mr Moon.

E1995 DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Thursday, 23rd October 2008, at 7.30 p.m.

E1996 ITEMS OF REPORT

Drainage - several instances of flooding had been experienced following recent heavy rain on the Bishop's Hull Road where it was thought the ditch was probably blocked.

Frethey House - the sewage outflow from Frethey House's treatment plant was smelling very badly. The Clerk was asked to write to Frethey House and copy the letter to the Environment Agency.

Housing Strategy Seminar - this event was brought to members' notice. Mrs Lewis said that she was going to attend.

Cllr Paul's budget - he asked for ideas as to how he might spend his allocation for the village. Dropped kerbs were mentioned, although there were no obvious places where they were needed. Members were asked to think of possible schemes and to circulate these ideas by email.

CHAIRMAN