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Present Julia Clewes (Chairman), Sue Hembrow, John Hembrow, David House, Ian Parker

& Robert Hembrow

David Lake (footpath officer), Cllr Nobby Clarke (Somerset County Council)

In attendance Liz Hembrow (Clerk),

Public Question Time There were no members of the public present.

Apologies were received from Irene Browning.

Declarations of Interest: None.

 

Minutes of the Previous Meeting

The minutes dated Monday 10^th October 2005 were agreed to be a correct record of that meeting and signed by the Chairman.

 

Matters Arising

Footpaths 25/23 Curload to Slough Lane: DL said that the supports of the bridge are sagging and DL has asked for that section of the footpath to be closed as the bridge is unsafe.

25/32 Hook Bridge beside the river: The first stile and fence are broken. The farmer has mended the fence; TDBC will mend the stile.

Phil Stone has written to TDBC about the proposed alterations to the Tree Warden Scheme, copy to DH. There is some duplication as the Parish Council and the tree warden get copies of the same correspondence. It was agreed that the clerk should write to TDBC saying that they should continue to insure the tree wardens, that the training courses should continue and that the tree warden should receive the correspondence, not the Parish Council.

Low cost housing JR has e-mailed: the delay caused by negotiations over the ransom strip have been concluded. He anticipates that groundworks will start in 2 – 3 weeks’ time. The Housing Association are at the stage of making offers of the homes and wish to run through the shortlist with the Council. A meeting was arranged for Wednesday 16^th at JC’s house. JC & JH to attend. No names of applicants can be revealed because of the Data Protection Act. All applications are made in confidence.

Burial Ground Ditch The Clerk read out a letter from Mr & Mrs Tipping setting out the agreement. The clerk was asked to reply confirming the agreement. para.3: confirm that the hedge will be planted on the ditch. para.6: topsoil from the New Village Hall is unlikely to be available as they will be using it for the bund.

Highways Somerset Highways switchboard arrangements mean that it is not possible to speak directly to a Highways Officer. Callers have to leave messages that are not always returned. NC said that other Parish Councils have made similar comments.

Salt Somerset Highways advise all parish councils that, due to financial constraints, only the major, ‘A’ roads in the county will be gritted this year, not the school bus routes as has happened in previous years. Therefore, the road from Thornfalcon to Stoke St Gregory will not be gritted.

Salt bags David Peake, Highway Service Manager advises that the bags were placed at the junction of Willey Road and Slough Lane was thought to be the most advantageous location. If there is a better location the Council let him know.

Salt box Has to be purchased & maintained by the Parish Council. SCC will install, fill and replenish them. The public to help themselves to salt.

It was agreed that the Clerk should write to the Highways Portfolio Holder at SCC saying that the Council deplores the change in policy regarding gritting. Salt boxes were not the solution as they would have to be placed in numerous locations around the village: Dark Lane, Slough Lane, the Square, etc.

JH asked if the drain in Huntham Lane had been attended to. It is on the list of drains to be cleared.

Youth An e-mail had been received asking about entertainment for youth in the village, regretting that the bench by the bus stop had been removed and asking for a shelter. A leaflet had been received showing shelters priced from £5,000. The Clerk had responded to the e-mail asking the young people concerned to attend the meeting and explain what they would like and how they would be prepared to help support it. As nobody had come to the meeting, it was agreed that nothing could be done for the time being.

War Memorial The trust had responded saying that applications could not be dealt with retrospectively.

Cooks Coaches Nick Hutt, HR Manager ahs written to say that he will draw the Council’s concerns to the attention of the drivers.

 

Planning

36/2003/011LB Alterations at Poplar Farm, Meare Green

36/2005/005 Extensions at 1 & 2 Woodhill Cottages

TDBC advise that certain amendments have been approved.

36/2005/020H Removal of hedgerow at land to the south of Millfield, Stathe

36/2005/021T Tree work to an ash tree at Frog Lane Barn

TDBC advise that the above applications have been approved.

36/2005/017 Retrospective application for change of use, conversion and alterations at Higher House Farm, Helland.

TDBC advise that the above application has been refused as the proposed alterations are contrary to policies S7, EC6 and EN4.

 

Finance

476 Royal British Legion 50.00 Donation

477 Somerset Air Ambulance 25.00 Donation

478 C P R E 25.00 Subscription

It was agreed that the above cheques should be passed for payment. Proposed: IP, seconded: RH, All in favour.

 

Correspondence

DH will attend the SALC meeting.

 

Feedback from Meetings

LAMP JC attended the LAMP Tourism Forum. She said that LAMP do a good job promoting Somerset. There is a new leaflet about Burrow Mump.

Matters for Discussion

Village Hall Work started on site today.

Clerk The Chairman had received a letter from the Clerk resigning with effect from 31^st December. The post has been advertised and several people have expressed an interest.

Letter from the Chairman of School Governors A letter was circulated with the minutes. There is concern about the pre-school playgroup, which is threatened with closure. The School will not be reconstituting. In future there will be three community governors and it is hoped that the Parish Council will have a role in choosing at least one of them. The School hopes to maintain close links with the Council and the Community.

Phone Box Has been vandalised. PC Ben Hicks has been to look at it. and BT have been informed. The box is rotten.

 

 

Date of Next Meeting: Monday 14^th November, 7.30pm in the SCHOOL

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