Present Julia Clewes (Chairman), Irene Browning, David House, Chris Pitman &

Ian Parker, Sue Hembrow, & Robert Hembrow.

Apologies were received from Trevor Williams & David Lake (Footpath Officer).

In attendance Liz Smith (Clerk).

One member of the public was present.

Public Question Time Dave Evans asked if there was any further news on the low cost housing. The Clerk reported that she had been in touch with Jo Cox, who had asked the Council to choose a convenient date for the meeting. The Calendar was consulted and it was decided that October 11^th, before the next meeting might be suitable, or any evening the week before. The Clerk was instructed to contact the Community Council.

The Clerk reported that she would be working with DE to collate information for the website but due to domestic difficulties neither of them had been able to meet last month.

Minutes of the meeting of 9^th August were agreed to be a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Matters Arising

Footpaths

Burial Ground. JH reported that a stile had been placed in the fence of the Burial Ground for the convenience of the Vicar, who could use the path between the Church and the Vicarage. Now that the Vicarage has passed into private ownership and the path is not a public right of way, he suggested that the step should be removed. It was agreed that this should beaded to the list of works for John Attwood to do.

T25/15. There is still barbed wire across the path behind Meare Green Farm. It has been reported to the Footpath Officer at TDBC again.

Lane End. The owner has refused to have Gates suitable for disabled access installed on this path, feeling that they are not satisfactorily stock proof. No further action to be taken.

b. Speed Limits

i. It was reported that a resident’s dog had been run over, adding to the concern about speeding through Woodhill. SCC have written to say that the County has an agreed programme of new speed limits for this financial year but will add Woodhill to the list for consideration in future programmes.

ii. The County has sent out a letter regarding their new speed limit policy (copies have been given to IB & TW) They are reviewing speed limits on major routes first, including the A361.

iii. A replacement 40mph sign for Meare Green has been ordered. The 30mph sign by Leamoor will be lowered.

c. Burst Sewage Pipe

A letter has been received from Wessex Water saying that 250m of the rising main will be replaced. If the gravity sewer becomes blocked again, it will be added to their routine jetting programme.

Community Beat Officer – PC Simmons sent her apologies and was unable to attend this meeting due to prior commitments.

i. JC had seen PC Simmons and reported a problem with children leaving litter around the bench by the Royal Oak. Children have been playing football in the road at busy times of the day. PC Simmons had spoken to the children and the problem seems to have ceased for the moment.

ii. The Police can take no action concerning aggressive dogs unless someone is actually bitten. PC Simmons suggested that the owner should be approached if the dog is intimidating.

iii. Michael Clewes has taken over as Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator for the Square.

e. Highways

i. Frog Lane. Somerset Highways have written to say that Frog Lane (from the Main Road past the Farm) will be resurfaced with high stone asphalt this financial year. The remainder will be repaired and surface dressed in the next financial year.

SH reported that the Frog Lane sign is on order.

ii. Slough Lane. The Clerk had spoken to the landowner who felt that having drawn the attention of the highways Authority to the problem, he did not wish to take further action. It was agreed that hedging plants might prevent further erosion and improve the look of the bank. JH & DH to speak to the owner and look at the price of hedging plants.

iii. Huntham Close. Would it be possible to have white stop lines painted at the bottom of Huntham Close? There is a problem with children and motorists sailing out into Huntham Lane without looking out for oncoming traffic. The Clerk was asked to write tothe Highways Authority and also to ask if the white lines at the bottom of Church Close could be repainted.

Wick Railway Bridge

Paul Radford of SCC has e-mailed DH to say there have been delays but Network Rail hope to have the new bridge deck in by Christmas and the road finally re-opened in January/February.

Burial Ground

A letter has been received from the PCC confirming the permanent loan of the strip of land behind the Church Room.

The Clerk was asked to contact G Walls and ask him to mow those graves that are level.

Planning

36/2004/009 Conversion of 3 barns into dwellings at Huntham Farm.

36/2004/016 Use of land as residential cartilage at The Barton, Woodhill.

TDBC advise that permission for the above has been granted.

36/2004/017 Erection of livestock building at Slough Court. This is a 3^rd building to go in between the two for which permission has already been granted. The Council has no objections.

36/2004/018LB A provisional date and time was arranged for a site visit.

Access at 16 Woodhill Terrace. The Clerk was asked to write to TDBC to ascertain whether permission was required for the parking space that had been recently formed in the garden of this property. If permission is required, has it been sought.

Crotchets Rest, Dark Lane. An e-mail from John Hardy was read out to the meeting. He is consulting with the Planning Officer. The Clerk was asked to write and ask him what progress was being made.

Appeal, 2 Meare Green The owner has appealed against the refusal of TDBC to grant permission for the new/wall fence. The Clerk was asked to write to the Planning Inspector reiterating their opinion that the fence is too high, unsightly and detrimental to the visual amenity of the area. The house has recently been painted blue and the Council wonders if the wall will be painted the same colour. They remain concerned about the visibility, not just for a vehicle leaving the property but vehicles driving along Meare Green who may not see a vehicle waiting to exit the property.

Finance

Payments:

000445 Moore Stephens 170.38 External Audit

It was proposed by JH, seconded IB that the above cheque be passed for payment.

Receipts

TDBC 130.00 Burial Ground Maintenance

Manning & Knight 30.00 Additional inscription on a memorial (E Chedzoy)

JC said that the Village Hall Management Committee was considering plans for renovating the present hall and asked, if planning permission was required, would the Council be prepared to meet the fee? It was agreed that they would as this has been done in the past.

Correspondence

8. LAMP Annual Parish Forum. DH unable to go. No other volunteers.

10. Somerset County Council Questionnaire on Passenger Transport Strategy. There is concern about the new bus timetables. Pupils at SCAT and Richard Huish College leave the village at 7.30am and if they have a late lecture, would not return until 6.40pm unless they had some other means of transport. The clerk was asked to reply to the questionnaire saying that the buses should be timed so that a pupil could reasonably leave their lesson and walk to the bus stop in time for the bus. The better provision of park and ride was also requested.

15. Air Ambulance. A donation of £25 to go on the agenda for the next meeting.

Feedback from meetings

a. RH said that he and JC had attended the annual meeting with Adrian Flook MP. The usual topics had been raised about rural policing, transport, etc. He had mentioned lottery funding and unauthorized travellers’ camp sites.

b. JH said that he had met Adrian Stables, Chairman of the School Governors, to discuss the possibility of building a new hall on the school field. The governors are amenable to this idea in principle. The school is a major user of the hall. He produced a sketch plan. SH (who declared an personal interest in the matter) said that the residents of Huntham Close are not in favour of this scheme.

6. Representative for the Reeves Feast Committee.

DH said that Ken Court was retiring from the Reeves Feast Committee due to ill health. There is one meeting a year and there is £30 pa to disburse. For the last two years some of the money has gone to needy parents who have two children going on a school trip. Hazel Hutchings was suggested and the clerk was asked to approach her.

Matters for discussion

SH asked if the donation to the Royal British Legion could go on the next agenda and a sum of £50 was agreed. The annual donations to the Village Hall and the Playing Field also to be included.

North Curry’s letter in connection with the Lower Tone/Parrett Management Strategy also to be discussed.

The Chairman asked if the clerk could contact TDBC again about the broken glass behind the bottle bank.

There being no further business, the meeting ended at 9.35pm.

Date of Next Meeting: Monday 11^th October in the Village Hall at 7.30pm.