Trevor Williams, David House & Robert Hembrow.

In attendance Liz Smith (Clerk) & David Lake (Footpath Officer & Tree Warden),

Members of the public Six.

Apologies were accepted from Irene Browning.

Not present Chris Pitman.

Memorial on Playing Field.

At the last meeting SH had been asked to look into a possible memorial on the playing field. She had approached Nick Sloane. He attended the meeting to present his suggestions: a rough stone, the height of the gatepost, near the entrance to the field on the left hand side. He and SH had looked at the site. A metal plate could be fixed to the stone but he suggested that it would be better to cut the letters directly into the stone, this would look more natural and be vandal proof. The letters would be deep cut and painted inside so they were legible but not too garish. They would need repainting every 10 years. The stone would need a base, a foundation slab and then backfilled. He suggested two possible texts. NS is happy to be involved with the project and will supply the stone free of charge, costs will be in the region of £500. It could be ready by 10^th July when the celebrations take place. The Chairman thanked NS for his kind offer and for coming to the meeting.

(NS left the meeting)

Warden of Sheltered Housing.

Mary Hembrow said that she had been warden at Polkesfield for 28 years. Taunton Deane are making all the wardens redundant and replacing them with a mobile warden and telephone service. Mrs Hembrow is not a secure tenant and TDBC have now given her notice to leave her house. MH described her situation her dealings with TDBC. She felt she had been unfairly treated and asked the Council to support her. The Clerk was asked to write to Carl Brazier, Head of Housing and Greg Garner, Executive Member, strongly supporting MH.

(IP entered the meeting)

Transport for Old People.

MH also said that the elderly tenants of Polkesfield are finding it increasingly difficult to get transport to the Health Centre for Blood Tests, to collect prescriptions, etc. Maureen Lawrence (County Councillor) said that the County Council have budgeted £0.5m for a passenger transport review and suggested that the Council write to Tim Carroll, portfolio holder for transport. To go on the agenda of the next meeting.

Traffic in Polkesfield.

A member of the public asked where the proposed access is for the low cost housing to be built at Polkesfield. It seems that the only possible access is from the cul de sac in the middle of the estate. Concern was expressed about the increase in traffic: cars speed past the old peoples’ houses at the entrance to the estate, children play in the road, too many cars are parked in the road. Traffic calming measures are needed. The Chairman said that there would be opportunities for the public to look at the plans and comment at another open day and also at the planning stage. ES to write to Falcon Housing and let them know of concerns about traffic, JC to contact the beat officer about untaxed vehicles on the road. JH suggested renting the remaining part of the field as an amenity area.

Low cost Housing.

Justin Roxburgh reports that a deal has been done with the owners of the field in principal. A formal offer has been made for the top half of the field. He has started the process of obtaining grant funding and TDBC have agreed in principal. Still to do are the fine tuning and deciding the mix; two further applications have been received. He will then come back to the Council with formal proposals. It may be necessary to meet before the 14^th March to keep the momentum going.

(MH & 1 left the meeting)

Guard Rails for horses. (Agenda Item 7).

Ann Finn passed around maps and photographs showing the bridge over the Main Drain at Pincombe. She said that TDBC are promoting the levels and moors for horse tourism. However, both bridges onto West Sedgemoor have unguarded bridges. The bridge at Meare Green is short but at Pincombe it is 14’ long and 12’ wide. There is a 5’ drop at the side. This is dangerous for horses frightened by swans, young stock, etc. Similar bridges on Curry Moor are guarded in case horse shy. Grants of up to 50% are available from LAMP. The Drainage Boards and RSPB may also contribute. The Clerk was asked to establish who owns the bridge in the first instance and to write to the Environment Agency explaining the position.

(AF left the meeting)

Taunton Deane 2026 (Agenda Item 6)

JC said that she had been to a meeting held by TDBC/SCC. The initiative for a Regional Spatial Strategy has come from central government and produce by the SW Regional Assembly. A booklet has been issued (circulated with the minutes) setting out the options for possible settlement patterns in Taunton Deane. An additional 15,000, 18,000 or 20,000 houses could be built. So far 2,500 extra houses have been planned and an additional 7,000. There is 40ha of regeneration land.

CyCllr Maureen Lawrence said that at present there are 25,000 houses in Taunton, so 13,000 is half as many houses again. Ruishton, Henlade and Creech St Michael would be submerged. Consultation should take place before the report is written.

There was some discussion. Roads and transport need to be considered. Will the housing be affordable? Are there enough jobs? Will houses be built on the floodplain? The 7,000 houses planned for 2011 is a 30% increase and is enough, no more. Grade I & II agricultural land would be used. It was felt that expansion east of the motorway was particularly undesirable; the route of the proposed A358 dual carriageway has not been publicised. There is no Park & Ride. The clerk was asked to respond to Mr Phil Norman (SCC Strategic Planning Service) expressing the Council’s views. (Copies to Rod Watson and A Flook MP).

(ML left the meeting)

Minutes of the Previous Meeting

Insert "July" in Item 5. With this amendment the minutes were agreed to be a correct record of the meeting and were signed by the Chairman.

Matters Arising

Footpaths:

The step for the stile by Sturts Barn has been stolen. TW has some spare timber. TW thanked DL for arranging the Bristol gate for T25/8.

 

 

b. Highways:

A letter has been received from Neil Pincombe (Somerset Highways) concerning erosion at Woodhill Terrace. He has arranged for the blocked drains to be cleared. Landowners are responsible for maintaining roadside hedges.

Peter Radford (SCC) has reported that Wick Railway Bridge will be open in 3^rd week of March. All the railway critical work has been done.

Burial Ground:

A quote has been received from G Walls to cut grass and hedges in the coming year. Clerk asked to write accepting quote but asking that the clippings be removed as the ditches have been tidied up.

Bench:

Has been returned but has yet to be put in place on the playing field.

Planning

36/2004/020 Conversion of barn to dwelling at Huntham Farm

36/2004/022 Conversion of barn to form single dwelling at Bryre House

36/2004/023LB Conversion of barns to dwelling & garage at Frog Lane

36/2004/024 Extension to offices at rear of Meare Green Farm

36/2004/025 Single storey extension etc to Corner Close, Woodhill.

TDBC advise permission granted

36/2005/001 Erection of replacement agricultural store at Meare Green Court.

The clerk has been advised (verbally) by the Planning Officer that amended plans are being drawn reducing the width of the proposed barn to take the trees into account. JC, IB and SH had visited the site and thought it would tidy the site up. It would be good if the rusty old container could be removed. Provided there were no objections from the neighbours the Council had no objection to this application.

36/2005/003 Erection of two-storey extension to front of 17 Church Close.

JC & SH had visited. The proposed extension is 2.1m deep by 5.4m wide. It does not appear to affect the neighbours directly. The Council has no objection to this application.

Finance

Notification of Tax Base for the Parish has been received from TDBC.

VE/VJ day celebrations

SH asked if the Council intended to make any presentation to the children eg: mugs. It was agreed that the expense of the memorial would be sufficient.

The siting of the memorial and other details need to be agreed with the Playing Field committee.

The text was agreed: "This Playing Field is a living memorial to the people from Stoke St Gregory who served in World War II".

It was agreed: That Nick Sloane be asked to supply and fix a memorial stone in the Playing Field for a sum not exceeding £500. Proposed: DH, seconded: RH, All in favour.

JH & TW offered to help dig the hole, mix concrete, etc.

Correspondence:

Look at Clerk’s model contract.

Invitation to civic service – no one to go.

Details of notice boards – look at choose. New site needs to be considered.

Taunton CAB request for donation - £25 to go on next agenda.

Dog waste bins – clerk to write and ask if TDBC would consider siting one on children’s play area.

Feedback from Meetings:

TW had attended a meeting hosted by the RSPB. A PR exercise to explain how they manage 1000ha on West Sedgemoor. There are numerous wildfowl and the largest heron population in the South West. The number of herons is declining due to the lack of eels, which cannot get onto the levels because the sluice gates aren’t open. Details circulated with correspondence.

Matters for Discussion:

TW said that Wessex Water have advised him that the sewage line between Polkesfield and his field is to be replaced.

SH said the bus shelter is a mess. JC said she would go and clean it. The clerk to ask TDBC if they will routinely clean it.

9. Date of Next Parish Council Meetings: Monday 14^th March

Monday 11^th April

Date of Annual Parish Meeting: Monday 25^th April

(depending on availability of Village Hall)

Date of Annual Parish Council Meeting: Monday 9^th May, to be followed by an

ordinary meeting of the Parish Council.