MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF BISHOP'S HULL PARISH COUNCIL HELD AT THE FRANK BOND CENTRE ON THURSDAY, 24th APRIL 2008

Present: Mr M Summers (in the Chair)
Mrs J Beaumont
Mrs W Clothier
Mr G Everett
Mrs S Ravenhill
Mr E Rose

Cllr Stuart Thorn and David Greig (Taunton Deane BC) were also in attendance.

E1950 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Mr Burgess, Mr Porter, Mr Roper, Mrs Kelly, Mrs Bulbeck and Cllr Alan Paul (SCC).

E1951 MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING

The Minutes of the meeting held on 13th March 2008 were signed as a correct record, subject to the change of the words 'rat run' to 'quick route' in Minute 1944.

E1952 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

E1945 - Planning: the following applications had been granted:-

05/07/058 - Two equipment housing modules for signal boosting purposes, Taunton Sub Station, National Grid, Fideoak
05/08/03 - new sales building and forecourt at Taunton West Service Station (Esso), Wellington Road;
05/08/05LB - reinstatement of first floor doorway at Rumwell Park.

E1953 CHEQUES FOR AUTHORISATION AND SIGNATURE

The following cheques were presented and signed:

S Watts - Clerk's salary and expenses for April £597.55
R Dezille (street cleaner) £360.00
Bishop's Hull Youth Group £274.75
Taunton Deane BC (supplies) £28.72
Taunton Deane BC (noticeboard repairs) £70.31
Allianz Cornhill (insurance) £382.30
Somerset CC - allotments rent £150.00
Village Hall and Playing Fields Trust £5,000.00
Bishop's Hull Flower Show £194.25
Community Council for Somerset £25.00

E1954 FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

An application for financial assistance from the Bishop's Hull Flower Show had been received and it was agreed to pay their insurance for the 2008 show.

E1955 PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT ON FIELDS TO WEST OF BISHOP'S HULL ROAD

The Chairman tabled a draft letter which had been prepared by Mr Burgess following a meeting which he had attended with Jeff Copp, Somerset County Council. Mr Copp had intimated that there were insufficient highway grounds to justify objecting to this application. The letter was discussed and it was agreed to ask Mr Burgess to finalise it and submit it to Mr Copp as his record of their meeting. Other matters arising from the proposed planning application included possible objections that the Bishop's Hull Road formed a natural boundary to the village and it would be inappropriate to develop on the west side of it, and that concerns were being raised as to what employment prospects might be for any potential house buyers. It was acknowledged that this was more of a practical consideration than a planning objection.

The Chairman said that he had been approached via Taunton Deane about a possible sum of £160,000 being made available for a new village hall, as part of a Section 106 agreement. As there had been no demand for a new village hall when parishioners had been asked about possible S106 requests, he was in some doubt that it would be of any use, which raised the question as to whether it could be used for anything else, and whether any more money might be forthcoming. Mr Rose knew about this, as the Trust had been approached also. He had responded by saying that the only possible use would be for an extension to the existing 'Village Hall' (room in the School) and he thought that it was unlikely that the Head would agree to this. Mr Rose said that he would copy his response to Mr Summers so that he would know what had been said.

E1956 PLANNING

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

05/08/07 - first floor extension to rear of 3 Jarmyns (this had been GRANTED);
05/08/012 - Erection of self-contained pod freezers on site of existing with timber fencing around at the Stonegallows Inn (this had been GRANTED);
05/08/013 - two storey extensions on north and south east sides of the main house, single storey extension to rear, alteration of access and parking at the Rumwell Manor Hotel;
05/08/018 - replacement sun room and installation of doorway at St Margarets Somerset Hospice;
05/08/016 - material storage racking and twelve floodlights at Bradfords Building Supplies, Wellington New Road.

Objections were raised to the following applications:-

05/08/019 - first floor extension and dormer window to rear of 42 Mountway Road - the neighbours strongly opposed to first floor extension as it would lead to loss of light. The Panel agreed that the dormer would be unacceptable.
05/08/027 - two dwellings at 4 Stonegallows - this represented over-development of the site.

It was noted that the following applications had been GRANTED:-

05/07/062 - external extraction ducting at 87 Mountway Road;
05/07/066 - retention of a single storey extension to Colourtone Print and Graphics, Roughmoor;
05/08/08 - first floor extension to front of 1 Morgans Rise;
05/08/09 - canopy on front elevation and jumbrella to rear of Stonegallows Inn.

The following application was REFUSED:-

05/08/010T - management work to one oak tree at 7 Badgers Close - the tree had amenity value and was not dangerous. The tree was healthy and was several metres from the house.

The Clerk reported receipt of a letter from Clive Miller and Associates Ltd of Langport who were requesting information from all parish councils about possible land available for possible development for affordable housing. It was decided to take no action.

E1957 REPORTS FROM OTHER BODIES

Local Action Team - it was reported that the Paintballing project had been held and despite the bad weather it had been very successful. The Speedwatch project was up and running although some teething problems had been experienced. Permission to carry out speed checks in Netherclay had been refused by the Police as there was no safe place to stand. Mr Porter had initiated a debate about community partnerships and the development of semi official groups.

Footpaths - the Footpaths Group had met on 19th March, and Mr Burgess would be reporting in more detail at the next meeting, although nothing serious had been raised.

E1958 DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Thursday, 22nd May 2008, at 7.30 p.m. This would be the annual meeting at which the Chairman would be appointed.

E1959 ITEMS OF REPORT

Netherclay Cobbles - nothing had been heard from Mr Hagley (SCC) and the Clerk was asked to remind him about this project.

Dogs - dog fouling was becoming a problem but it was difficult to see what could be done. The Clerk was asked to mention it in the Community News. She also made members aware of the change in the arrangement for the collection and retention of stray dogs now that it was solely the responsibility of Taunton Deane Borough Council.

CHAIRMAN