Present Julia Clewes (Chairman), David House, Sue Hembrow, John Hembrow,

Trevor Williams, Chris Pitman, Irene Browning, Ian Parker.

David Lake (footpath officer), Nobby Clarke (Somerset County Council).

1 member of the public.

In attendance (Liz Smith (Clerk),

Public Question Time

A representative of the village Meals on Wheels service said that they would like to continue offering meals twice a week. The volunteer cooks and drivers are willing to carry on. There are setting up costs involved: boxes and liners, foils and lids. The main expense is product insurance, which will be in the region of £ 200 – £ 300. Two cooks needed to do a health and hygiene course at a cost of £40 each. They are providing nine meals at present. The costs above work out at 62p per meal served. They asked for £750 to fund the start up costs.

Apologies were received from Robert Hembrow.

 

Minutes of the Previous Meetings

Minutes of the meeting held on Monday 11^th July were agreed to be a correct record of that meeting and signed by the Chairman.

 

Matters Arising

Footpaths DL said that the stile by Huntham Farm had been repaired. The 3 village walks have now been printed and copies were placed in the shop. They have already run out and DL will ask TDBC to reprint them.

Purchase/rent of land at Polkesfield. A letter has been received from the trustees offering to rent the land to the Council in the sum of £1,500 p.a. or sell it for £65,000. The clerk was asked to reply offering a rent more in line with agricultural prices.

Community Beat Officer. PC Hicks has been to visit the Chairman, he also phoned SH. He advised that if members of the public wish him to attend immediately they should ask whether he is on duty and ask to be put through to him rather than just leaving a message on his voicemail. Problems of disorder appear to have abated at present.

Boundary Changes. A letter of acknowledgement has been received from the boundary commission. John Williams, Leader of the Council at Taunton Deane, supports the Parish Council’s position. As member for Neroche he feels that people should come before numbers and will be writing to the Boundary Commission accordingly.

Young People. Mrs Hamdi has offered to consult with the young people about what facilities they would like and what they are prepared to do about helping to fund them. Her offer was welcomed by the Council.

Verge Trimming. The clerk has written to Somerset Highways Authority. No reply has been received but a circular was sent out to all councils stating that Class D roads would be trimmed by 7^th August. The trimming has not been done and Dark Lane and Huntham Lane are particularly bad with vegetation meeting in the middle in some places. ES to write again to SCC reminding them of their legal obligations. NC will also look into the matter.

Community Transport. The new bus service has started and a return costs £3.95. There are concessions for OAPs, etc. The service will enable people from Athelney, Polkesfield & Woodhill to attend surgeries at North Curry and Musgrove Park Hopsital including passengers in a wheelchair.

 

4. Planning.

The fence at 9 Willey Road has been lowered.

36/2005/011LB Internal alterations at Poplar Farm – refused

36/2005/012LB & 013 Conversion of old workshop at Frog Lane farm – withdrawn.

36/2005/014 Erection of two storey extension at Moorside, Woodhill. Amendments to windows. The Council has no objection to these amendments.

36/2005/015 Erection of 7 low cost houses at Polkesfield. The Council is a co-applicant and strongly supports this application.

36/2005/016 Erection of Village Hall at Dark Lane. (DH declared an interest as a member of the Village Hall committee). The Council is the applicant and strongly supports this proposal.

 

Financial Matters

a. The following cheques were passed for payment:

000468 SSG Youth Drama Group 75.00 donation

000469 E Smith 458.88 salary + wine

000470 Merlin Timber Frame Ltd 623.25 planning fees & consultation

000471 Moore Stephens 141.00 external audit

000472 Julia Clewes 44.88 VE supper refreshments

000473 John Musgrove 153.50 strimming footpaths, etc

000474 Nick Sloan 500.00 memorial stone

000475 Village Hall 81.50 rent

The clerk was asked to thank Nick Sloan for his work on the memorial stone.

b. External Auditor’s report the information received is in accordance with the audit commission’s requirements and no matters came to their attention giving cause for concern.

c. Internal Audit. IB offered to check the books for the first four months. Income and expenditure for the first four months was reviewed against budget. There is a balance of £6,000 in the bank.

 

Correspondence

(2) TDBC Briefing sessions on the new planning system to be held at 7.30 on 14^th September in North Curry Village Hall. JC & TW will attend.

(6) Highway related services questionnaire to be completed by SH.

(12) LAMP Mump villages tourism forum at Burrowbridge, 7 for 7.30 on 19^th October. JC, DH & CP will attend.

 

Amendment to Burial Ground Regulations.

Following correspondence with the insurance company it was decided to insert the following sentence in paragraph (14) of the Burial Ground Regulations:

Headstones/memorials are under the control of the relatives of the deceased. It is their responsibility to ensure the safety of the headstone/memorial.

Proposed: JH, Seconded: DH, All in favour.

 

Feedback from Meetings.

DH & DL have had a footpath meeting with Burrowbridge regarding the proposed new trail and have walked part of it. The towpath needs redesignating and appropriate gates/stiles installed. We wait to hear what Burrowbridge would like to do next.

 

Any other matters for discussion

Delegated planning powers. A paper written by Mike Nicholls, Chairman of Burrowbridge Parish Council was attached to the minutes. It sets out those matters that can be handled by a parish council planning committee and what is involved. Burrowbridge, North Curry and West Hatch have delegated planning powers and Stoke would be the odd village out. It is not possible to apply for delegated powers at present but is something for councillors to bear in mind.

Meals on Wheels. The request for start up funding was considered: the Council has funded facilities for young people and it seems fair to do something for the elderly and disabled. Although only 9 people receive meals on wheels anyone could be eligible at any time for this service. The Council would like to promote healthy eating and the use of fresh , local produce. It was agreed that the Council will donate £750 to start up the village Meals on Wheels service and this cheque will go on the next agenda.

Proposed: JH, seconded: CP, all in favour.

Highways A dangerous section of road along Meare Green has been reported, water collects. The clerk to look at the road and report to the Highways Agency if necessary. JH said that water also lies in Huntham Lane before Sturts Barn. Either the pipe under the road has collapsed or there is no pipe at all. The clerk to report this as well.

Memorial Stone. to be included on the Council’s insurance.

 

Date of Next Meeting: Monday 12^th September, 7.30pm in the CHURCH ROOM.