Present Irene Browning (Chairman), Heather Venn, David House, Trevor Williams,

Gill Slattery, John Hembrow, Fiona Quick

Councillor), Lyndsey Gamblin (Police Community Support Officer), 14 members

of the Public

Public Question Time 1. A local resident requested that the Parish Council consider paying the hire charge for use of the village hall for an exhibition in November 2008 to commemorate the 90^th anniversary of the 1^st world war. The Clerk was asked to put this item on the agenda for the next meeting.

A local resident requested that provision of allotments in the village be put on the agenda for the next meeting and the Clerk was asked to do this.

As we do not currently have a tree warden a request was made to put this on the agenda for the next meeting and the Clerk was asked to do this.

The Chairman introduced Lyndsey Gamblin (Police Community Support Officer) who explained the area she covered and advised that a new Community Beat Manager, PC Mark Bryant, would commence at the end of February to cover the area.

99. Apologies Julia Clewes, Nobby Clark (County Councillor)

Declarations of Interest: Gill Slattery, declared a personal and prejudicial interest in

planning application 36/2007/022 as a near neighbour and would not take part in the

Council’s discussion or vote on this application. David House explained his position as a

district councillor on planning applications 36/2007/02 and 36/2008/003

The minutes of the meeting held on Monday 14^h January 2008 were agreed by all to be a

correct record of that meeting and signed by the Chairman.

Footpaths PK reported that he had contacted SCC re the work not yet done on the footpath

signs and advised that this was in hand. He also advised that the work on footpath T25/37

Polkesfield had now been done by SCC.

Highways

TW was asked to report to Highways a large pothole at The Old Barn, Curload. The Clerk

was asked to write to Highways re the state of Frog Lane and the metal pole at Griggs Hill..

Parish Emergency Plan The first draft was discusseD and GS advised that TW and herself

would attend one of the flood fairs to be held later this month. After this the final version of

the plan would be produced.

Proposed Bus Shelter Discussions took place on the proposed oak bus shelter. DH to

talk to John Herrington at TDBC re funding when TW has obtained a written estimate.

PS entered the meeting

A discussion took place on the letter received from 2 local children re the provision of a bus

shelter at Polkesfield. It was agreed by all the Clerk should reply stating that this would be

considered.

At this point the Chairman adjourned the meeting at 8pm to allow public question time

Public Question Time 2.

2 members of the public spoke on behalf the residents involved re planning application

36/2007/022.

2 members of the public spoke re planning application 36/2007/003

36/2007/021 Erection of two storey extension to front of 21 Church Close

T.D.B.C. advise conditional approval of above application

36/2007/022 Following discussions it was proposed by JH, seconded by FQ and agreed by all

to object on for the following reasons

The close proximity of the neighbours party wall

Loss of light to neighbours property

Presence of bats on the property

No valid reason for raising roof structure over car port

No valid reason for a house of this size to widen access for normal use.

The Parish Council also consider that due to the level of local opposition it is essential that

the application is decided by the full planning committee where members of the public are

able to speak.

GS returned to the room

be supported.

36/2008/002 It was proposed by HV, seconded by IB and agreed by all that the application be

supported.

36/2008/003 Following discussions it was proposed by JH, seconded by FQ and agreed by all

to object for the following reasons

1.  The proposed site is designated in the Taunton Deane Local Plan for light industrial

use.

2.  In the planning inspector's report for the Taunton Deane Local Plan in Spring 2004

the following comments were made by the inspector at REC 20/5.

    "Woodhill is a quiet hamlet of Stoke St. Gregory consisting of a ribbon of detached

individual - styled houses and cottages that respect the rural character of the

settlement. Any further development would be contrary to the local policy of rural

restraint".

The inspector then deleted the Woodhill area from the settlement limits of Stoke St.

Gregory.

3.  The Stoke St. Gregory Parish Plan published in December 2003 committed to looking

for more employment  opportunities for young people within the village.

11 members of the public left the meeting

It was proposed by GS, seconded by JH and agreed by all that the following cheques be

signed

562 G.K.Walls Burial Ground grass and hedge cutting 2007 £470.00

563 Smith of Derby Annual maintenance of Church Clock 2007 £233.83

564 SALC Course fees for Clerk £ 30.00

Review of expenses to 15.01.08 The expenses and income to 15.01.08 were reviewed and

there were no queries. It was agreed by all that TW should audit the cashbook.

Quotation for Burial Ground 2008. It was agreed by all to accept the quote from G.K.Walls

for cutting the grass/hedges in the burial ground in 2008.

Correspondence was put on circulation to Councillors.

It was agreed by all to amend the date of the Annual Parish meeting to Tuesday 29^th April

and the Clerk was asked to write to all organisations in the village advising them.

It was also agreed by all that wine/nibbles would be provided by the Parish Council at the

end of the meeting. Clerk/HV agreed to organise this .

2 locations were identified and the Clerk asked for details of the owners before writing to

them..

107 Revised estimate for regilding of Church Clock. The Clerk explained details of the revised

estimate which now included a further £1200 because of H&S requirements. FQ agreed to

follow this up.

108 Feedback from Meetings TW reported on the initial meeting re setting up a green group

and agreed to report on this at the Annual Parish meeting

109 Communications It was agreed by all that after future meetings the Clerk should prepare a

short report for inclusion in the Somerset County Gazette.

Agenda items for next meeting The Clerk was asked to put on the agenda for the next

meeting items on planting trees near the new notice board and a request for the Council to

supply the Willow Set Playgroup with a compost bin.

Letter re Dogs on Playing Field Following discussion it was agreed by all that FQ should

bring this matter up at the next Playing Fields meeting.