David House, Trevor Williams & Chris Pitman

Apologies were received from Irene Browning, Robert Hembrow & David Lake.

In attendance Justin Rox burgh (Falcon Housing Trust), Liz Smith (Clerk).

JR went through the list of sites offered for low cost housing as outlined in his letter to Tim Burton of TDBC:

Huntham Lane: originally TDBC’s preferred site but the owner would only sell subject to the remaining land being available for sale at a market price, so this option was no longer viable.

Polkesfield: concentrates social housing in one area of the village.

Coal Yard: JR’s preferred option as the site is a mess, it is near the centre of the village and is available. It has planning permission for light industrial use, which pushes up the cost; the owner has asked for one plot to be available to sell on the open market.

JR said that planners are going to have to accept some element of cross subsidy in order to bring the cost of land down for low cost housing.

DH said that he was opposed to the Coal Yard site being used for anything other than light industrial use. The survey carried out for the Parish Plan indicated that people want employment in the village and this is the only site available for this purpose.

There was further discussion: public opinion appears to be in favour of the Coal Yard because it is a mess, however there is no pavement and walking to the village can be dangerous, especially with small children. Many of the Polkesfield houses are now privately owned so social housing cannot be said to be concentrated in one area. It was suggested that the remainder of the Polkesfield site be made into amenity land. Burrowbridge are still looking for a suitable site for their low cost housing, but they do not want it in Stoke.

It was agreed that JR would negotiate with the owner of the Polkesfield site and draw up preliminary sketches for the Council’s consideration. There will be a public exhibition in March/April. He would also write to the owner of the Coal Yard asking her to consider marketing it for light industrial use.

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

Minutes of the Previous Meeting

P.26, Item 1: "He said that" was deleted. TW had not made this observation. Subject to this amendment, the minutes were agreed to be a correct record of that meeting and signed by the Chairman.

Matters Arising

Footpaths: nothing to report.

b. Highways:

i. Erosion of land at Woodhil Terrace. The clerk was asked to pursue Graham Warnecke for a reply to the Council’s letter.

ii. Repairs and resurfacing of Frog Lane are complete and the owners of Frog Lane Farm wish to thank the Council for pursuing the matter.

iii. The fingerpost at the bottom of Griggs Hill has been repaired and replaced. The sign for Lane End is now in place.

iv. Arrow on Bull Place Bridge – clerk asked to follow this up.

Bottle Bank: the glass has been swept up and removed.

Bus Stop: the school transport official from SCC has visited the site and agreed that the children should wait at the bus stop in Dark Lane and not outside the pub. Letters will go out to the parents during the school holidays.

Bench: was removed by the DLO as soon as they received the Council’s letter. The Playing Field would like it and would collect and fix it in place themselves. The clerk was asked to write and find out if it was still available.

Planning

36/2004/019 Conversion of barns to form two storey dwelling and garage at Frog Lane, Meare Green.

TDBC advise permission granted. A subsequent application has been received:

36/2004/023LB Conversion of barns to form two storey dwelling with garage at Frog Lane, Meare Green.

This is the same application but for listed building consent. As with the above application, the Council has no objection.

TPO PD22/784/TD965 In respect of a pollarded ash in the grounds of the proposed garage at Frog Lane. It was thought that this type of tree has to be kept pollarded, otherwise it would die. Without looking at the tree is was not possible to reach a decision. The clerk was asked to pass the TPO to the tree warden for comment.

36/2004/021 Two storey extension and integral garage at Bryre House, Meare Green.

(amendment of previous application).

SH felt that the proposed garage was too close to the proposed new barn development at Bryer Barn. It was agreed that the Council has no objection to this development.

Proposed: JH, seconded: JC, 4 in favour, 1 against, 2 abstained.

36/2004/022 Conversion of barn to form single dwelling at Bryre House, Meare Green.

There was no objection to this application.

36/2004/018LB Porch, door and windows at Lane End Farm – TDBC advise two minor amendments.

Parking at Woodhill Terrace: The Enforcement Officer at TDBC advises that if nos 1 – 6 require a parking bay they would have to apply for planning permission because they are on a classified road, nos 7 – 20 would not as they front a non-classified road.

Finance

It was agreed that the following cheques be passed for payment:

453 SSG Village Hall 51.00 rent, July – Dec

454 J Musgrove 19.00 strimming and clearing stiles.

Proposed: SH, seconded: IP, all in favour.

Budget figures for the year 2005-06 were circulated with the agenda. Estimated expenses totalled £4,400, approx. The internal auditor was unable to be present but advised that no provision had been made for clock maintenance; this was provided in the sum of £400. He also advised that the balance at bank in the sum of £2,500 should be taken into account when setting the precept. It was decided that a contingency should be provided for elections, that a sum be set aside for providing a seat, that a sum might be required for contributing to the VE/VJ celebrations next year and a provision should be made for a possible amenity ground. It was also felt that the Council might wish to consider making more provision for young people in the village. With his in mind, it was agreed that the precept for the year 2005-06 be set at £6,000.

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

Correspondence

Invitation to attend RSPB Open Day. TW will attend.

Invitation to attend Speed Camera Partnership Day. CP will attend.

Feedback from Meetings

JH reported progress on the new village hall. A timber frame building is being considered, which will cost less than £400k. Building must start before March 2006 to retain the contributions form the district and county councils and this is now feasible. Wyvern have awarded a grant of £10k and an application is being made to Biffa. The projected shortfall at present is £88k, which is manageable. The fundraising committee is planning to put on 2 – 3 big events next year.

Matters for consideration

SH asked that the VE/VJ celebrations be put on the agenda for the next meeting. Lottery funding may be available. She would like some help from the Council. The date has been set for the weekend of 9/10 July.

Concern was expressed about the road at Stathe just before the turning to Red Hill. Vehicles are frequently parked in the road making it difficult to pass. The clerk was asked to write to Burrowbridge Parish Council.

There being no further business, the meeting ended at 9.50pm.

(Please bring diaries).