Sue Hembrow, Trevor Williams & Ian Parker.

Apologies were received from Chris Pitman & Robert Hembrow.

In attendance David Lake (Footpath Officer) & Liz Smith (Clerk).

Minutes of the Previous Meetings

The Minutes of the Annual Parish Council Meeting and Parish Council Meeting held on Monday 10^th May 2004 and the Planning Meeting held on 17^th May 2004 were agreed to be a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Matters Arising

a. Footpaths The Footpath Officer said that he would continue the Saturday walks until the end of July and then stop as they had not been well supported.

T25/15: There is barbed wire across the path, this has been reported to the Footpath Officer at TDBC.

T25/11: There is a notice in place stating that part of this path will be surface dressed from the point where it leaves Huntham Close, subject to there being no objections. This will form part of the route adapted for the less able.

T25/14: A local farmer has reported problems with gates being left open. The problem may be due to the fact that the gates are difficult to close. The retaining catch on the gate behind the sewage works needs to be straightened out, the other gate is held fast with a chain. TW would report back to the farmer and suggest that he ask his landlord to repair and improve the gates.

Abandoned Earth Mover – has now been moved. Thanks to the Parish council for looking into this matter. (IP entered the meeting).

Extending Speed Limits – A reply has been received from Somerset Highways. Woodhill meets the new criteria for a 30mph limit if desired. There was a discussion about how it would be enforced and how far the new limit would extend. IB to refer back to those people who had requested the speed limit and ask for their views.

Leaning Poles – Western Power Distribution have examined the poles in Willey Road and say they are safe. The poles are set 6’ in the ground. The clerk to report the leaning pole in Curload to BT.

Litter – SH reported that black plastic bags by the entrance to the field at the top of T25/18 had been removed. However, there was uncertainty about who owns this land and whether the Council could take any action. It was decided just to monitor the situation for the time being.

SH said that the clean up day had been successful; TDBC had helped by sending the street cleaner around beforehand. Lots of work had been done, the benches had been painted. Thanks to Garry Thompson for donating a drum of teak oil. It had been suggested that spring cleaning become an annual village event.

Highways – A letter had been received from Somerset Highways in connection with the badgers in Slough Lane. The clerk was asked to reply saying that the Council is happy with the proposal to remove the debris and erect wooden fencing.

SH said that the new village signs are in place and the old ones are in her garage. IB offered to store them. The Lane End fingerpost sign has been replaced. The Frog Lane and Broad Lane signs have yet to arrive; other signs have been cleaned.

Potholes, etc in Frog Lane: TW is pursuing this.

A member of the public had expressed dissatisfaction with the trimming of the verges. As the work has not been finished yet, it was decided to wait until all the verges had been trimmed.

Somerset Waste – a talk has been arranged for the start of the next Council meeting.

3. Planning

36/2004/008 Conversion of barn to holiday let at Hancox Cottage, Woodhill.

36/2004/010 Erection of agricultural barn for general storage at Meare Green Farm.

TDBC advise that the above to applications have been granted.

36/2004/010 The owner of Meare Green Farm had contacted the Council to ask

a36/2004/011 Removal of condition attached to use of garage at Lovells Farm,

36/2004/012 Change of use of holiday unit to private dwelling at Lovells Farm,

Dark Lane.

TW & IB had visited the site; there is adequate access and the

building appears suitable for residential use. There was some

discussion: does it benefit the village to break up the buildings

from the farm? If permission were granted, would it encourage

planning by "creep"? The business has not been in existence for

very long. The clerk was asked to write opposing the application.

It was noted that there appears to be other holiday accommodation in the village now in permanent residential use where planning permission has not been applied for. The clerk was asked to write to TDBC concerning Crotchets Rest and ask the Enforcement Officer to check that the conditions of use were being complied with.

36/2003/030 Fence at 2 Meare Green. TDBC advise that an enforcement notice

has been served and provided no appeal is lodged, it must be

removed by 19^th July.

Planning procedure: it was decided that the role of the Council is to reflect the local situation and it would be onerous to expect councillors to be fully conversant with all the planning policies. The TDBC code of good practice to be circulated. Because a response to planning notices is required within 21days, it was decided that reserve dates for meetings should be pencilled in on the 4^th Monday of every month. These meetings to be concerned only with planning.

4. Financial Matters

a. Internal Auditor’s report. The Council received the report of the Internal Auditor. The Auditor said that the Council needs to be aware of the duty to manage risk. It was noted that the insurance cover should be checked before the premium is renewed, particularly to ensure that the Burial Ground is covered. One cheque stub had only been initialled by one person. It was decided that in future the cheques would be left in the book until after they had been signed. Invoices, where applicable, should be signed as well.

b. Annual Accounts. It was proposed that the Accounts for the year ended 31^st March 2004 be adopted by the Council and were signed by the Chairman.

Proposed: JH, Seconded: DH, All in favour.

c. Cheques The following cheques were passed for payment:

000438 SSG Appraisal Group 464.38 Final payment from CA

000439 New Village Hall 3000.00 2^nd payment.

A balance of £1,500 remains payable to the NVH, this will be paid on 1^st May 2005.

5. Correspondence

a. Linda Silcock – had written commenting on potholes and sunken manhole covers in Woodhill and requesting a cycle rack outside the Shop. The clerk was asked to reply saying that the potholes had been reported and that the land outside the shop is private. There is a rack in the Royal Oak car park.

b. SLCC are putting on a training day re funding raising, cost £40. details to be passed to Alex Morrice.

c. Oath Lock refurbishment – the Lock will be closed for refurbishment works from this week until the end of October, details included on newsletter. The Environment Agency will be talking to Burrowbridge PC in July if further information is required.

d. Lower Parrett/Tone consultation document. DH & JH to read the paper in conjunction with the reply sent by North Curry PC and formulate a reply, to be sent by the clerk before 30^th June.

e. Resurfacing Windmill some residents had been unaware that work was about to start until the day the machine arrived.

6. Feedback from meetings

DH & the clerk had attended a SALC meeting – among the items discussed were declarations of interest and the clerk reminded the meeting of the rules relating to personal and prejudicial interests.

7. Matters for discussion

a. Playing Field – Paul Valentine has now joined the committee. It was noted that the third PC representative has been unable to attend the last committee meeting again. The 60^th anniversary of VE Day falls next year; the Field is a living war memorial and it is proposed to rededicate it. The possibility of a full village event is being discussed, to celebrate the day. This would not be a fund raiser for the playing field. JH proposed that the PC get the ball rolling and the clerk was asked to write to each village organisation, asking them to send a representative to a meeting.

b. Heavy traffic from Cutts Rd to Turkey Cottage. There had been complaints about heavy lorries using the river bank. As none of the complainants had attended the meeting to give further details, it was decided that no further action would be taken.

c. Broadband. An e-mail had been received from a resident unable to get a broadband connection, although most of the village is now within range. It is almost impossible to obtain a response from BT. The clerk was asked to investigate.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 10.10pm.