Ian Parker, Sue Hembrow, & Robert Hembrow.

Apologies were received from Irene Browning.

In attendance David Lake (Footpath Officer), Rod Watson (Somerset County Council),

Jo Cox (Community Council of Somerset), Justin Roxburgh (Falcon Housing

Trust), Liz Smith (Clerk).

Justin suggested: 2 x 2-bed bungalows )

3 x 2-bed houses ) to rent

1 x 3 bed house )

2 x 3 bed houses for ownership

JR will look again at the sites and talk to the planners. He will return to the Council in 2 – 3 months with more definite proposals as to where the houses might best be sited. If the Council and village accept his proposal then he will make drawings. He said that the process appears long winded but it was better to be sure of the support of the planners and the village rather than face opposition at the planning stage.

JH expressed concern about turnover – is there anyway that occupation can be short term – a stepping stone for people before they own their own property? JR said there is no magic answer. DH asked if they were looking for a site that could then be expanded. JR said that if the need for further houses arose in a few years’ time, it would be better to spread them around the village to give a better social mix.

The Chairman thanked JR & Jo Cox for putting on the open day and attending the meeting.

Minutes of the meeting of 13^th September:

5b Feedback from meetings should read "…said that some of the residents of Huntham Close …"

1b ii Speed Limits SH had requested that a copy of SCC’s letter should be sent to Mr & Mrs Gage.

With the above amendments, the minutes were agreed to be a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Matters Arising

Footpaths

DL reported that the barbed wire across T25/15 has now been shielded.

The executive committee of TDBC had decided to hand back responsibility for the footpaths to SCC despite opposition from the majority of parish councils that had been consulted. DH said the matter would be raised again at a full meeting of the Council tomorrow night and said it would make a difference if representatives from parish councils attended. DL said that experience had shown that the County Council could not visit all footpaths with problems.

b. Highways

i. SH reported that the "Frog Lane" sign is now in position.

ii. Hedge trimming has now been done.

iii. SCC will add white lines at the bottom of Huntham Close and Church Close to their programme of works.

iv. Heavy traffic is causing part of the bank near the triangle at Woodhill Terrace to erode. The hedge bordering the property had been removed some time ago and there is nothing now to prevent erosion. Because the land is private property, the Council cannot take any action. The clerk was asked to advise the landowner accordingly.

c. Reeves Feast

It was proposed that Pam Merritt be elected to be the Parish Council’s representative on the Reeves Feast Committee. Proposed: CP, Seconded: SH, All in favour.

The clerk was asked to write to Ken Court thanking him for his many years of service.

Bottle Bank

After three fruitless phone calls, the clerk has now written to the Waste Services Manager at TDBC requesting that broken glass be cleared away behind the bottle banks in the Royal Oak car park.

SCC do not know yet, whether the recycling banks will become redundant not that individual households have green boxes.

 

Planning

Parking Bay at Woodhill Terrace: TDBC confirm that planning permission is not required as this is an unclassified road.

Crotchet’s Rest: Is in breach of planning condition and an application to amend the condition is awaited.

36/2004/017 Additional livestock unit at Slough Court.

TDBC advise permission has been granted.

36/2004/019 Conversion of two barns to form two storey dwelling and garage at Frog Lane Farm, Meare Green.

RH & JC had visited the site. A letter of objection from the owners of Frog Lane Farm was read out. The property is outside agreed development areas, and is contravention of various planning policies. There is a barn owl on the site. The Lane is not suitable for extra traffic.

There was some discussion: will the development add any value to the village? Will it open the way for further development? The Council had supported a similar application in Huntham Lane and should be consistent. The Chairman asked for a show of hands.

Supporting the application: 3, Opposed to the application: 1, Abstained: 3. The clerk was asked to write to TDBC saying that the Council has no objection to the proposal subject to reservations about the condition of the road and disturbing the barn owl.

Finance

The following cheques were passed for payment:

000446 Royal British Legion 50.00 Poppy wreath

000447 Village Hall 320.00 Donation

000448 Playing Fields 185.00 Donation

000449 E J Smith 427.52 Salary 415.43

Dustbin 12.09

000450 Somerset Cy Cl 1004.25 3 village signs

000451 Som & Dor Air Ambulance 25.00 s.137 donation

SH will lay the poppy wreath this year.

SH has approached the School to see if the children could become more involved in the ceremony.

Correspondence

1. Marmaduke Cradock Trust celebrating 100 years of the Castle Cary to Durston railway line. Clerk asked to reply saying that an article will appear in the Parish Magazine.

2. SCC – Rights of Way satisfaction survey – passed to DL to complete.

3. Waste Collection. JC queried an item in the Weekly Bulletin which said that the new recycling waste collection will add £8 to the rates but the government say they are funding it. Who is right? DH will enquire.

Annual Parish Council meeting with SCC at Oake Village Hall. JC & SH to attend.

TDBC draft licensing policy. The forthcoming meeting to be publicized. DH will attend.

Regional Spatial Strategy, to be circulated and go on the agenda for the next meeting.

RW said he had tried to contact First Group and the transport department concerning the new, unsatisfactory bus times.

TDBC Crime & disorder strategy. A list of 5 areas of concern: domestic violence, alcohol/drug crime, burglary, etc was sent to the Council to be placed in order of concern. Completed and returned.

Feedback from meetings

JC & ES had met John Attwood in the Burial Ground. He had agreed to carry out the following works: remove the step from the stile, apply weedkiller to the patch of land behind the Church Room, remove or treat stumps as appropriate, rotovate and then level this area, seed. The path from the Garden of Remembrance into the Burial Ground to be made level and safe. The post to be replaced.

No further grass clippings, hedge trimmings, etc to be placed on this piece of land. The clerk was asked to speak to Gerry Walls.

Matters for discussion

a. Bullplace has been re-fenced and made neater.

b. The Willows & Wetlands sign by Crossways Farm has been knocked down. One of the 4 rubberized signs by Bullplace Bridge is on the floor. The clerk to write to the Highways Agency.

c. The Chief Executive of TDBC, Penny James, will visit the village on Monday 8^th November for lunch with DH, the Chairman, Clerk and Mary Hembrow, followed by a tour of the village.

 

There being no further business, the meeting ended at 9.15pm.