Present Irene Browning(Chairman), John Hembrow, Sue Hembrow, Julia Clewes , Trevor Williams, David House, Ian Parker, Robert Hembrow, Chris Pitman.

In attendance Tony McKenzie (Clerk),David Lake (Footpath Officer/Tree Warden), Nobby

Clark (County Councillor), Claire Shephard/Mandy Boobyer(Stoke St. Gregory

Youth Club)

The Chairman opened by welcoming everyone to the new village hall. She then introduced Mandy Boobyer and Claire Shepherd from the youth club.

SH outlined the reasons for inviting the youth club representatives and they then gave an outline of their activities and the age range of youngsters who attended. Following discussions it was agreed by all that the youth club should continue to work with the playing field committee and the playing field committee members on the Parish Council would report back. The Parish Council would then consider what help they could offer as and when possible.

The Chairman thanked the youth club representatives for attending and for the work done with the young people in the village.

20. Apologies There were no apologies for absence

21 .Minutes of the Previous Meeting

The minutes dated 12^th June 2006 were agreed to be a correct record of that meeting after

altering the following items

Highways to read Meare Green and not Frog Lane

Church Clock to read "write to thank Andrew Sollis"

The minutes were then signed by the Chairman

22. Matters Arising

Footpaths /Highways DL reported that he had notified Highways of the pothole in Polkesfield and that he was concerned re the safety aspect re the damage.

IP reported that the gates at Churley had been vandalised and expressed concerns re safety. The Clerk was asked to write to the Council expressing their concern on the safety aspects.

A damaged finger was reported on the fingerpost at Frog Lane and DL was asked to rectify this.

Low Cost Housing Following a meeting on with Justin Roxburgh of Falcon Rural Housing it was proposed by DH,seconded by IB and agreed by all that the Council accept the revised heads of terms for the lease as agreed at the meeting and outlined in Justin Roxburgh’s letter of to his solicitors. The Clerk was asked to notify the Council’s solicitor of this and also point out that the clause re the annual renewal of the lease included in the original heads of terms be put into the lease.

Parish Council Notice Board Following discussions it was agreed by all that there were 2 possible sites.

1. On land belonging to the Royal Oak. 2 Councillors had spoken to the owner and a decision was awaited.

2. Inside the bus shelter. The Clerk was asked to write to T.D.B.C. re the possibility of this.

It was therefore agreed by all that the decision would be made at the next meeting and the Clerk was asked to put this on the agenda

Hydrographic Office The Clerk advised the Council of the reply received from Jeremy Browne MP supporting the views in the Council’s letter and saying he was doing everything he could to retain the Hydrographic Office in Tsunton

Village Hall Signs Discussions took place re the siting of location signs for the new village hall. It was proposed by CP and seconded by JH that only 1 sign was required and this should be placed as per Sign 1 on the drawings/photographs supplied by Somerset Highways. This was agreed by a majority of 8 votes for and 1 against. The Clerk was asked to write to Somerset Highways notifying them of the decision and to obtain a revised quotation.

Church Clock It was proposed by SH, seconded by CP tand agreed by all that no action be taken on the re-gilding of the Church Clock until the Council discusses the precept for next year. The Clerk was asked to write to the Church PCC to ask for a contribution to the cost if and when the Council agree to go ahead

23. Planning

36/2006/012 Erection of Steel Framed agricultural building at Huntham Farm

36/2006/013 Erection of Agricultural Workers Dwelling with Garage and formation of

access at Hancox Farm

T.D.B.C. advise conditional approval of the above applications.

36/2006/011 Erection of one and a half storey extension to side of dwelling with two

dormer windows at The Shambles (Amendment to scheme 36/2002/028) – Amended

description. It was agreed by all that the Council had no objection to this application.

36/2003/026 Unauthorised conversion and alteration of Higher House Farm, Helland

beyond that approved by planning permission. The Clerk advised the Council of the

correspondence receivedfrom T.D.B.C. re the enforcement order issued on this application

and the date of the hearing of the appeal

Complaints 2^nd Quarter – The Clerk advised the Council of the correspondence from

T.D.B.C. re complaints received during quarter 2.

24. Financial Matters

Annual Maintenance Grants 2006/2007 The Clerk presented the figures to be given to

T.DB.C. for the annual maintenance grants and these were agreed by all. The Clerk was

asked when sending these figures in to enquire if a maintenance grant would be available in

2007/2008 for the grassed areas at the new village hall.

Submission of Annual Financial Return The Clerk reported that he had submitted the

annual return to the external auditors

Approval of Cheques for Payment

502 S.A.L.C. Course fee for D.Lake to attend Internal Audit Course £15

(Agreed at last meeting and cheque issued by Clerk)

503 Stoke St. Gregory New Village Hall Contribution to Insurance premium £1000

504 WM direct Printing of Village Newsletter June edition £54

505 A.A. McKenzie Clerk’s Salary and expenses £428.09

It was proposed by DH, seconded by JH and agreed by all that the cheques be approved for

Payment.

25. Age Concern – Somerset Active Living

Following discussion it was proposed by IB, seconded by JC and agreed by all that the

Clerk should write to Age Concern inviting them to attend the next meeting to discuss this.

JC asked if a donation of £25 could be made to Age Concern. It was agreed by all to put this

on the agenda for the next meeting

26. Request for Lighting along Dark Lane towards Polkesfield Following discussion it was

proposed by JH, seconded by TW and agreed by all that this matter be left in abeyance.

27. Correspondence This was put on circulation to Councillors.

28. Feedback from Meetings DL reported on the Internal Auditors course he had attended

29. Any other matters for discussion

JH reported that the ditch at the burial ground had been filled in. JC suggested planting daffodils and CP offered to supply these.

SH asked the Clerk to contact T.D.B.C. re when the new Huntham Close sign would be ready.

SH was asked to follow the request from a resident re providing recycling facilities in the village for plastic and cardboard.

IB reported requests from residents in Polkesfield for the provision of additional parking spaces. The Clerk was asked to write to T.D.B.C.

JH reported overhanging trees at Curload. The Clerk was asked to notify Highways.

The next meeting will be held on Monday 14^th August at 7.30pm in the Meeting Room, Williams Hall .

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.30pm.