MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF BISHOP'S HULL PARISH COUNCIL HELD AT THE FRANK BOND CENTRE ON WEDNESDAY, 9th DECEMBER 2009

Present: Mr K Burgess (in the Chair)
Mr G Everett
Mr R Porter
Mrs S Ravenhill
Mr E Rose
Mr M Summers

Cllr Ian Morrell of TDBC was also in attendance.

E2121 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Mrs Lewis and Mrs Bulbeck.

E2122 MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING

The Minutes of the meeting held on 22nd October 2009 were signed as a correct record.

E2123 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

E2086 - Smells at Frethey House - the Clerk reported that she had not received a response from the Environment Agency yet, but would chase them up again.

E2095 - Dropped kerb at Shutewater - SCC were currently investigating the relevant statutory undertakings which would apparently take about six weeks. They promised to be in touch again early in the New Year, but the Clerk would chase.

E2096 - Bench at Haydon Close - the revised estimate for a new high quality bench and a full concrete standing was £600 plus VAT.

Planning - the following applications had been approved:-

05/09/027 - replacement of boundary fencing at Berry Coaches, Cornishway West;
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.
E2120 - Tytherleigh Bridge - it was not known whether Mrs Kelly had made any progress with SCC re getting this bridge repaired.
Footbridge over the River Tone - the Clerk was asked to continue pursuing the possible listing of this bridge with TDBC.
Declaration of Interest - Mr Porter wished to place on record that he was now a member of the Frank Bond Centre.

E2124 REQUEST FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

A request for financial assistance from the Frank Bond Centre was received. The Trustees were intending to have works carried out on their boundary and would like to include widening the pavement behind the bus shelter, a project which had been considered by the Parish Council some years ago, when permission had been with-held by the Trustees. The FBC trustees were seeking £1,500 from the Parish Council towards the total bill of £4,500 - £6,000. Following discussion, it was decided to defer this matter to the January meeting, as too many councillors present had connections with the FBC, being either members, Trustees, or married to Trustees.

E2125 DRAFT FINANCIAL REGULATIONS

A group of members and the Clerk had met and drawn up draft Financial Regulations. These were adopted. (Proposed by Mr Porter, seconded by Mr Everett, and carried unanimously).

E2126 ESTIMATES FOR 2010/2011

The estimates were considered. It was accepted that the Council's running costs were fairly static, including salaries, and discussion focused on possible projects.
There was a debate at this point about the request from Jane Kilty for a Youth Worker. Mr Porter had circulated a short paper about youth activities being progressed by the LAT, and Jane had submitted her proposals for the future development of youth provision in the village, particularly for older children, just prior to the October PC meeting. There was some feeling expressed that the Council put quite a lot of money into youth provision a few years ago, and that scheme had not been a success. This was partly due to the reluctance of a sufficient number of adults to get involved in helping. Mrs Kilty had said in her proposal that she did not want to head up any group, but was seeking support in this from the Parish Council and the LAT.

After discussion, it was agreed not to make any financial provision for a youth worker at the present time and to await the results of the LAT initiatives, due in January, before taking any further decisions on youth facilities.

It was agreed to make provision for £1,000 towards the Frank Bond Centre project, £1,000 for some woodland work, and £1,000 for any small projects arising from the Parish Plan, which was due to be reviewed next year. This would bring total expenditure for 2010/11 to about £21,000, but with an estimated £7,000 carry forward and a precept of £20,000, it was agreed that should be sufficient funds available.

E2127 PRECEPT FOR 2010

It was agreed that the precept for 2010 should be set at £20,000, and the Chairman and Clerk signed the relevant forms.

E2128 CHEQUES FOR AUTHORISATION AND SIGNATURE

The following cheques were presented and signed:-

S Watts - Clerk's salary and expenses for November/December £1120.91
R Dezille - Street Cleaner's hours £486.62
Inland Revenue (3rd quarter) £287.31
R Coombs (internal audit) £37.50
Poppy Appeal £50.00

E2129 PERSIMMON HOMES APPLICATION

The Chairman confirmed that the vote of the Planning Committee had gone in favour of the application being granted by 7 votes to 5. Cllr Morrell said that he was still contesting the legality of the meeting and was intending to appeal to John Denham MP, the Communities Secretary. He urged the Council to write also, asking for an appeal against the planning decision. This was agreed.

Mr Burgess said that, in his view, the way forward now was to focus on the S106 agreements, and to get the best deal possible for the village. He would make contact with local groups who had an interest in how the extra funding might be used.

E2130 PLANNING
The following planning application had been considered and no objections raised:-

05/09/032 - Barn conversion at Parsonage Farm.
There were objections to the following applications:-
05/09/033 - New garden wall at 86 Gillards - it was considered that as this was the front garden, a 2m wall would be extremely intrusive.
05/09/034 - Two dwellings to the rear of 50 Stonegallows - this would represent over development of the site ad was contrary to the general nature of development in the area.

E2131 MEMBERS' E-MAILS ON WEBSITE

After discussion, it was agreed that members would be happy to use an anonymous email address which could be provided on the Website. This would be monitored regularly by the Chairman and the Clerk and e-mails forwarded to the relevant councillors.

E2132 REPORTS FROM OTHER BODIES

Local Action Team - Speedwatch was still ongoing and some very successful actions had been taken against speeding motorists. VEG had organised some successful events, and the next would be carol singing on 21st December. The Police did not have much crime to report - A CCTV camera has been installed opposite the play area, and a cold calling alert zone would be introduced in Gillards, if supported. There had been a request for the 'H' bars to be re-painted at Shutewater following resurfacing and it was agreed that the clerk would write to SCC. The next meeting of LAT was on 26th January 2010.

Woodland - Mr Burgess had attended a meeting with the Somerset Wildlife Trust and TDBC on 12th October. Future responsibility for the community woodland was passing to the Parks Department, and there were some concerns about their ability to maintain a wildlife area, also future funding of things like routine tree thinning given the current financial situation. The introduction of some wildflower planting was being considered, which was where the Parish Council may be able to assist with funding. The Trust was keen to record any changes in the wildlife seen in the woodland and regular users of the woodland were being asked to report any new birds or animals.

Website - there was a discussion about the use of the website, and who had ultimate editorial responsibility. The site was being given a makeover, and Mr Jorgensen was keen to clarify the Group's relationship with the Parish Council. He thought that this needed to be more formalised than it was, although some people felt that it was better kept entirely separate from the Council. Others expressed disappointment that the website was under-used compared to what it could be, also that it was not kept up-to-date. It was difficult to do this without employing someone in a more or less permanent capacity. It was noted that Bishops Lydeard paid someone £500 per year to do this. Tribute was paid to Jill Coldicott and all the unpaid work she did in connection with the website, but she was also in a full time job and it was difficult for her. It was agreed to put the website on the next agenda for a fuller discussion.

Frank Bond Centre - the newsletter had just gone out and the Centre was doing well, with over 200 members. A Lottery grant had been received for upgrading the outside facilities, and it was considered that the Centre was providing a really useful facility for the over-50's in the village and was an important focus for the community.

VEG Group - since no representative was present the Group's activities were covered by the LAT report above.

E2133 DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Thursday, 14th January 2010, at 7.30 p.m.

CHAIRMAN