MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF BISHOP'S HULL PARISH COUNCIL HELD AT THE ROBIN CLOSE COMMUNITY ROOM ON THURSDAY, 23rd OCTOBER 2008

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

Cllrs Nigel Stuart Thorn and Ian Morrell (TDBC) were also in attendance, as were PC Claire Griffiths and PCSO Kelly Browning.

E1997 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Mr Roper, Mrs Kelly and Cllr Alan Paul.

E1998 PACT

As the Police representatives were in attendance and needed to get away, the Chairman agreed to take this item first.

PC Griffiths said that the three items which had been brought to her notice as being of most importance in the parish were underage gambling at the Royal Crown on Wellington Road, parking in Musgrove Road (not in this parish), and obstruction of the junction of Shutewater Close and Shutewater Hill. After discussion, it was agreed that the main issue of concern to the Council at the moment was actually the ongoing vandalism in the children's play area in the playing field. This had been officially reported by different people and given a crime number on several occasions. There was clearly a breakdown in communication, as this had not been reported to PC Griffiths as a current problem, although PCSO Browning confirmed that she knew about it and it was on her Patrol Plan to visit the play area. PC Griffiths was asked to report the Council's concern to her line manager Sgt Mark West, tell him that PACT wasn't working too well so far, and invite him to attend the Council's next meeting.

While they were present, the Police were told of problems caused by a large van being parked near the junction of Farrant Close and Shutewater Hill.

PC Griffiths said she would be back in three months to review PACT again. In the meanwhile, someone would try to attend every meeting although it depended on shifts etc. Her mobile number was 0771 7700 671 for the reporting any incidents in the meantime.

E1999 MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING

The Minutes of the meeting held on 11th September 2008 were signed as a correct record, subject to the deletion of Mrs Beaumont from the list of those present, and the correction of CPSO to PCSO in E1985.

E2000 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

E1980 - Planning

The following applications had been 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.

The following application had been REFUSED:-

05/08/054 - erection of two storey extension and first floor extension to form a flat at 3 Wellington New Road.

E1985 - Domestic rubbish in litter bins - the Clerk reported that she had passed o the name which had come forward to both Taunton Deane and the PCSO. She had only heard back from the PCSO who agreed that although not a crime, this kind of activity was anti-social, and she would visit the alleged offender. Nothing more had been heard since.

E1985 - Former United Reformed Church building - the Clerk had received a reply from Diane Hartnell at Taunton Deane, saying that one of her staff had visited and did not consider that the building had deteriorated so much that legal action was required. They were still in the process of trying to contact the owners.

E1992 - Proposed development of land to west of Bishop's Hull Road - responses had been received to the reminder letters sent to Taunton Deane and Somerset CC. The letter from Gareth Clifford mentioned both highways and S106 issues, and the Chairman said he would respond saying that this Council wanted to be involved in all future discussions.

E1994 - Housing/Regional Strategy - the Chairman and Mr Porter had done a response to this document, and circulated it to all members. They were congratulated on their thorough response. Mark Leeman (Taunton Deane) was organising a housing workshop and asking for members to volunteer to attend. The dates proposed were 12th and 19th November - although the Clerk was unclear as to why there were two dates. She would contact Mr Leeman to clarify this and let members know by email.

E1996 - Drainage on Bishop's Hull Road - the Clerk had received a response from SCC Highways, stating that they were aware of the flooding problems along that road and were currently carrying out an investigation with the intention of providing a drainage improvement scheme, possibly in the new financial year.
Frethey House sewage - the Home had confirmed that their sewage plant had been de-sludged a month ago and there had been no unpleasant smells since then. They were happy to be informed about any recurrence. The contact was Mr Porter on 253071.

Housing Seminar - Mrs Lewis confirmed that she had attended this one day seminar which had covered the whole of Somerset.

E2001 HALF YEARLY FINANCIAL STATEMENT

The Clerk had circulated the half yearly financial statement. This was amended to include the £1,000 which the Council had donated to the Bells celebrations to underwrite the Sealed Knot event, and the extra £500 it had been agreed to give to the Playing Fields Trust later in the financial year. The £3,000 for the cobbles had not been included as no more had been heard from Mr Hagley and it was unknown when this work would be done, if ever. Members were invited to think of potential schemes, and the Clerk said that the estimates would be coming to the next meeting, as usual.

E2002 EXTERNAL AUDIT REPORT

The Clerk presented the report of the external auditors. They had suggested that members should consider again whether they insured their fixed assets (benches, noticeboards, bins etc) but it was agreed that it was not worth insuring them. They should be depreciated annually however, and be shown on the balance sheet presented to the Annual Parish Meeting.

The auditors recommended that the fidelity insurance should be increased to at least the total of the balances held plus one half of the precept. The Clerk said she would be implementing this immediately. The Council's financial controls and risk management were adequate but should be reviewed regularly. This was due to take place next May.

A completion of audit notice had been displayed on the main village noticeboard.

E2003 CHEQUES FOR AUTHORISATION AND SIGNATURE

The following cheques had been presented and signed since the last meeting:

S Watts - Clerk's salary and expenses for September £563.28
Sealed Knot (replacement cheque) £916.50

The following cheques were presented and signed:-

S Watts - Clerk's salary and expenses for October £599.23
R Dezille - street cleaning £422.23
Inland Revenue (2nd quarter) £295.74
Rick Moon (footpaths) £209.00
Moore Stephens (audit) £334.88
Village Hall and Playing Fields Trust (TDBC grant) £1,700.00
Taunton Deane BC (room hire) £15.30

E2004 PLANNING

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

05/08/056 - Industrial building at Ashwood Timber, Fideoak Mill - it was, however, feared that this site could end up being over- developed, and there were already traffic issues;

05/08/057LB - removal of waterwheel and replacement with generator to produce HEP at Longaller Mill - the Council had declined to comment on this, as the applicant was a member of the Council. The Clerk reported receipt of a copy objection from neighbours, Mr and Mrs Chamberlain, which had been forwarded to Taunton Deane BC. She had also informed the Chamberlains, who were concerned, that the Council would not be commenting on the application

05/08/058 - proposed additional care accommodation for young adults with profound and multiple learning difficulties at Longrun Farm.

Trees at Bishop's Hull House - the Clerk reported that two trees at Bishop's Hull House, a lime and a robinia, were to be felled due to disease. Replacements would be planted.

E2005 PARKING ON HERON DRIVE AND SURROUNDING ROADS

The Principal of SCAT had attended and was welcomed to the meeting. The Chairman closed the meeting to allow Ms Davies to speak.

On re-opening the meeting, it was agreed that the Council would write to Ian Titcombe (SCC) to request a further survey of parking in Heron Drive and the surrounding roads, with a view to introducing restrictions or permits.

(Clerk's note: During the discussions with Ms Davies, the question of smoking off the premises was raised. Ms Davies adhered to her policy of not allowing smoking anywhere on the college campus, but said she would ask the two PCSOs stationed at SCAT to monitor off site smokers who were causing safety concerns on the Wellington Road).

E2006 DROPPED KERBS

The Chairman had received a request from disabled lady in Shutewater about having the kerb at the top of the hill dropped so that she could use the pavement. The Clerk was asked to approach SCC to see whether this could be done. Cllr Paul may have funding for the work. It was not known if there were any other points in the village where dropped kerbs would be useful and it should go into the Community News again.

E2007 REPORTS FROM OTHER BODIES

Local Action Team - Messrs Burgess and Porter reported back on the AGM.. They said there was nothing new to report - things were ongoing. They were suffering from the same problems as so many other local groups with a general lack of people to do the work - they had a very small team.

VEG - Mrs Bulbeck agreed with the comments of the LAT regarding volunteers. Their AGM had been aborted, and the Committee had stood down. A new group was being formed and would hopefully be taking over.

Youth Group - Mrs Beaumont reported that the Group had restarted, and was hoping to expand the age range covered. They also could do with more adult assistance, especially men.

Frank Bond Centre - Mrs Bulbeck and Mr Rose reported that the refurbishment work was well under way and it was hoped that the Centre would re-open at the beginning of December. It was stressed that it was not an old people's day centre - it was intended to cater for the over -50s and it was hoped to run a wide range of activities.

Footpaths Group - Mr Burgess said he had recently walked all the paths and there were some in need of trimming. He would pass the information on to Mr Moon via the Clerk.

E2008 DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Thursday, 18th December 2008, at 7.30 p.m.

E2009 ITEMS OF REPORT

Wildlife Trust - Mr Burgess said he would be attending a meeting with the Somerset Wildlife Trust on 10th November to talk about the community woodland. He asked members if they had anything they wanted raising to let him know by email.

Constitution Club - the Street Cleaner had reported that there was still a problem with cigarette ends outside the Constitution Club, but the Clerk reiterated that she had already written, had a conversation with the manager and got nowhere.

Possible Devolution of Services - the Clerk brought a survey of the possible devolution of council services to members' attention. It was a long and detailed document, listing all council services currently provided by county/district/parish councils, with a request that parish councillors consider whether they would like to take on any of the services. It was stressed that this was just a survey at this stage. Mrs Beaumont took the document to look at.

Overgrowing hedges - these were reported in Shutewater Close, Waterfield Drive and potentially on Silk Mills Road, where it was noted that a row of Leylandii had recently been planted.

BT phone kiosks - the Clerk reported that the phone kiosk in Northfields would not be removed for the time being.

CHAIRMAN