Sue Hembrow, Trevor Williams, John Hembrow.

In attendance: David Lake (Footpath Officer), Elizabeth Smith (Clerk).

Members of the Appraisal Group: Fran Tecks, Tony Morkane, Graham Joll,

Dave Evans, Gill Slattery.

The Chairman wished everyone a happy and prosperous new year and thanked members of the appraisal group for attending. The Group explained that the next steps forward would be discussed at the meeting to be held on the 20^th January. Individual members of the Group have offered to help with their particular area of expertise using the information they have acquired, eg: housing, transport, broadband. The meeting will establish priorities and what action can be taken. The Community Council will be present to advise on grants and support. JC will chair the meeting. TM will draw up an agenda and e-mail it to ES for distribution.

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Declarations of Interest: the Clerk declared a financial interest in planning application 36/2003/033 – Swimming Pool at Holly Farm.

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Footpath Walks – DL has drawn up a map and directions for two village walks. It was decided to have them copied for distribution free of charge. DH said he would enquire if TDBC would photocopy them at a reduced rate. DL was thanked for his work.

SH said that Peter Bateman had been to see her. He said that the November minutes are incorrect: there are no steps in place on T25/11. There is a steep and muddy drop on the path where it leaves Mr Bateman’s field and crosses into the Yarde’s field. This makes it difficult for anyone with mobility difficulties to negotiate. SH felt that there had been a breakdown in communications with Mr Bateman. She offered to go and see him, with JH, to discuss whether it would be possible to improve this section of the path.

Highways Village Signs. Replies had been received from the clerks of Compton Bishop and Middlezoy Parish Councils. It was decided that simple signs were preferred. The clerk was asked to contact SCC and ask if the long signs (with "Stoke St Gregory" all on one line) would be any more expensive than the shorter, fatter signs.

SH said that the street signs were in place. DH said that Mrs Merritt at the Post Office felt that the "Griggs Hill" sign is in the wrong position as Meare Green now joins Griggs Hill and Lane End is in danger of disappearing off the map. Her deeds show that the Post Office is in Lane End. SH said that it would be a simple matter to have the Griggs Hill sign moved to the other end of the wall but TDBC will not come out to do it until there are other matters to attend to.

The signs on the corner of Windmill had been destroyed by a large lorry. SH visited the person concerned and the signs were made good and reinstated. ES was asked to write and thank the contractor for his prompt action.

Following the recent heavy rain there was flooding in Willey Road and the bottom of Dark Lane. JH said the culvert by Huntham Farm was blocked and needed clearing to allow water to run away. The clerk was asked to write to the appropriate authorities and ask them to ensure that the drains were cleared of silt and debris.

TW said that on 16^th December the sewer at Polkesfield had leaked again. He had reported it to Wessex water, who had attended to it within two hours.

Local Plan – TDBC had written to confirm that the Council’s views will be considered when modifying the Local Plan.

Church Clock – An annual maintenance agreement is now in place with Smiths of Derby. DL has agreed to liaise with their engineer when he visits.

School Development Plan The clerk confirmed that she had given a copy of the Council’s letter to the Headteacher and it will be discussed at the Governors’ meeting next week.

36/2002/020LB TDBC advise change from glazed pane door to window.

36/2003/029 First floor extn at Lawn Cottage, Curload.

36/2003/031 Replacement conservatory at Osier, Curload.

TDBC advise permission granted for the above.

36/2003/030 Retention of boundary wall/fence at 2 Meare Green

TDBC advise permission refused.

36/2003/032LB Woodhouse Farm – inclusion of two additional rooflights.

They will not be visible from the road and there was no objection.

000428 SALC £10.00 Training day for internal auditor.

000429 Village Newsletter £22.00

The above cheques were approved for payment. Proposed DH, Seconded: TW, All in favour.

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Somerset Highways had sent a map showing the salting routes. The clerk was asked to write and ask them to continue gritting a few extra yards into the Square.

Parish Grants Initiative: TW said it would be good to use money from the scheme to plant more trees and shrubs around the village. The difficulty lies in identifying suitable locations.

SALC – Rights of Way consultation Cllrs were asked to look at this and consider if anything could be done about motorised vehicles on the droves.

E-mail – DH/SCC – The bridge over the railway line at Wick is closed because it is dangerous. SCC say that if it has to be completely replaced, the work cannot be done until September/October. If strengthening work is sufficient then the work can be done more quickly. DH said that he had been approached by several people concerned that the bridge will remain closed for a long time because it is a rural route and not seen as being important. The clerk was asked to write to SCC pointing out that it is an important road for some people and Red Hill can be dangerous in cold weather. It is also disrupting business.

EA – Lower Parrett/Tone Flood Management Strategy – feedback from consultation meetings in a Q & A format. DH said that it is detailed and very interesting.

A petition from the Community Council was circulated, encouraging the government to support Village Halls.

36/2003/033 Replace old barn with indoor swimming pool and games facilities at Holly Farm, Meare Green.

There were no objections to this application subject to the facilities being for the use of residents of the holiday cottages only.