Present John Hembrow(Chairman), Julia Clewes , Trevor Williams, Fiona

Quick, Heather Venn, David House, Gill Slattery

Before the meeting commenced the Chairman welcomed the new Councillors

12. Apologies Irene Browning, Ian Parker and Paul Kenefick(Footpaths Officer)

Declarations of Interest: None

The minutes dated Monday 14th May 2007 were agreed by all to be a correct record of that meeting and signed by the Chairman.

Footpaths The Chairman presented a written report from the Footpaths Officer which

contained the following

Footpath 25/4 Ivy Villa farm, Woodhill to Pound Drove. The 2 railway sleepers at the bottom

of the ditch, at the set of stiles exiting 2^nd field are rotted. TW to look at this and report back.

Footpath 25/10 End of Windmill Road to Huntham Lane. The two bar barrier that stops

cattle getting across the footbridge at Bailey’s Farm has completely rotted due to rotted

supports. PK to contact owner re replacement.

The kissing gates at Meare Green Farm have still not been installed. PK has reportedc this to

SCC.

Highways Iris House – overgrown hedge onto highway and service gate opens outwards.

GS to contact owner.

Corner of Church Close – overhanging tree branches. DH to contact owner.

Notice Board Discussion took place on the estimate circulated with agenda re the proposed

new notice board. It was proposed by DH, seconded by JC and agreed by all that the notice

board be ordered and purchased with white lettering plus the cost of producing the village

map.

Installation of the notice board would be carried out by Councillors.

Playing Field The Clerk reported that no reply had been received from re camping on the

playing field. JC advised that this matter was on the agenda for the Playing Field

Management Committee meeting to be held on Thursday 14^th June.

Bus Stop The Clerk had written to the Headteacher at Heathfield School. JC asked the

Clerk to contact Stoke School and ask the Headteacher to remind pupils going toHeathfield

in September of the correct place to assemble for the bus.

Town and Country Planning Act1990, Erection of Village Hall, Dark Lane,- enforcement

Letter. The Clerk reported that he had received a reply to the letter re non compliance of

planning conditions for landscaping at the new village hall which confirmed that all

planning conditions have been complied with and no further action is required by the Parish

Council.

Steel Famed Building at Meare Green The Clerk reported that he had received a reply from

T.D.B.C. stating that as the building was within the domestic curtilage no further action was

necessary.

Certificate of Lawfulness Speke Cottage, Meare Green The Cl;erk reported that this had

been received from T.D.B.C.

534 WM direct Printing of Village Newsletter May 2007 £54.00

535 D. Lake Internal Audit Fee £50.00

It was proposed by TW, seconded by JC and agreed by all that the above cheques should be passed for payment.

Annual Return The Clerk presented the Annual Return and Accounts. It was proposed by

DH, seconded by GS and agreed by all to agree and accept the accounts. The statement of

accounts was signed by the Chairman.

The statement of assurance was read out to the meeting and it was proposed by DH,

seconded by GS and agreed by all that the statement be approved. The statement was signed

by the Chairman and Clerk.

The Clerk advised that the Annual Return and Accounts would be submitted to the external auditors on 29^th June.

Internal Controls TW agreed to carry out the quarterly review of cash book, receipts and payments for the financial year ending 5^th April 2008.

Victim Support Following discussion it was proposed by TW, seconded by HV and agreed by all to send Victim Support a donation of £25. The Clerk was asked to put the cheque on the agenda for the next meeting.

Maintenance Grants The Clerk reported he had received the form to complete from T.D.B.C. for the annual maintenance grants.

Discussions took place on the revised Model Code of Conduct and it was proposed by TW,

for Town and Parish Councils without modification to include the optional paragraph

12(2). and authorise Taunton Deane Borough Council to place an advertisement, as

required by the Local Government Act 2000, in an appropriate newspaper on behalf of the

Parish Council.

The Declarations of Office for the new Councillors were completed and signed by the Clerk.

Discussions took place on the Unitary Authority for Somerset. It was proposed by HV,

seconded by GS and agreed by all that the Council should send the following views to

S.A.LC.

Headline view – The Council was opposed to the proposal

Reasons for the above view

– Reduction in democratic representation as Councillor to population ratio was too high to be

effective and new County Councillors would not have the local knowledge that they have

now.

- queries on the costs/savings as at present only limited information available.

The correspondence was put on circulation to Councillors. The Clerk highlighted to

Councillors item 4 re the "Lenghtsman Scheme".

DH/TM reported on the items discussed at the SALC West Area meeting held in the

Williams Hall on Thursday 7^th June.

Communications It was agreed by all that items for the next village newsletter would be on footpaths, new notice board and new Councillors.

Street Lighting at Woodhill Terrace DH reported that that a street light was not working and was obscured by overgreen trees . The Clerk was asked to talk to IP and report that the light was not working to T.D.B.C.

DH queried out of date info re local organisations on the village website. He circulated a list for updating.

Discussion took place on planning site visits.

The Clerk was asked to write to D. Lake following his illness.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.20pm.