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MINUTES of the MEETING of the PARISH COUNCIL held on Wednesday 31st January 2007, at the Market House commencing at 7.30pm.

THOSE PRESENT:- R.Powell (Chairman), C.Bell, M.Heaven, A.Campbell District Councillor, D.Reynolds, D.Parris, D.Wilkinson, G.Mountjoy, D.Campbell County Councillor, J.Hetherington, P.Palmer, A.Clarke, V.Budge Clerk, 6 parishioners and two police officers.

APOLOGIES. A.Terrell, D.Palmer, C.Price, P.Jackson.

CHAIRMANS NOTICES.
Mr. Powell asked the Parish Council to endorse the Community Plan proposals as presented at a previous meeting, later in the month, when he takes the proposals to the Parish Plan meeting.

CO-OPTION OF COUNCILLOR.
The Parish Council welcomed Sharon Clarke and Chris Bragg to the meeting, both had indicated an interest in becoming a councillor, and both gave a short presentation on their interests and reasons for wanting to be a councillor. The vacant position was offered to Mrs. Clarke, but she informed the council that she was prepared to wait until May, when she would stand for election. Mr. Bragg accepted the position and duly signed the declaration of acceptance of office. He indicated that he would be interested in village orientated matters.

POLICE MATTERS.
The Council was informed that an extra two special constables had been appointed, and details of the police deployment in the area was outlined. Problems relating to parking by the White Hart/Pinnacle, sale of alcohol to fewer than 18’s and horn blowing after 11.00pm were discussed.

Correspondence was received from Chief Superintendent Nikki Watson, which outlined details relating to research conducted in the community.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST.
Mr. P. Palmer declared an interest in planning application 06/04753/FUL.

MINUTES.
The minutes of the meeting held on the 3rd January 2007 had been circulated and were confirmed and signed as correct.

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES.

UNITARY AUTHORITY. Correspondence from the SCC and Conservatives had been circulated.

Mr. Powell reported that he had attended a District Council workshop and the majority had shown a preference for the two unitary option. An invitation to attend a meeting on the 22 March had been received and Messrs. Powell, Mountjoy and Hetherington had indicated that they would like to attend.

The Parish Council had been asked to respond to three questions:- what public services that are currently run by the SCC or SSDC would the Parish like to run and why? What existing CC or SSDC services would the council like to see delivered at a more local level and why? What existing CC or SSDC services would the Council like to have greater influence over and why? These questioned would be considered at the mid-month meeting.

HIGHWAY MATTERS. Copies of letters from Mr. Bugge to the Highway Authority, and the reply had been received. Messrs. Bugge & Waldron attended the meeting and were invited to address the meeting. Mr. Powell was asked to clarify his comments which had been published in the Western Gazette regarding heavy goods vehicles through Coat, and the parishioners also confirmed they would be undertaking the Neighbourhood Speed Watch scheme and probably undertaking a survey of the types of vehicle usage in the hamlet.

Details of road closures at Stoke sub Hamdon for one week starting the 19th February and for one day at Merriott on the 23rd February.

Further details had been received from the Highway Authority, Zurich Municipal and Mr. Hurst relating to the erection of three village name signs at Coat. The Council was happy for this project to proceed.

COMMUNITY OFFICE AND YOUTH CLUB – REPORTS . Mr. Powell reported that Carroe & Partners had been appointed to carry out the feasibility study, and that work had already commenced. A statement of need would be produced and the contractor would assess what could be done to provide a facility, if the Council was unable to take the project forward in planning terms, alternatives would have to be sought.

Mr. Powell reported that it was hoped to refurbish the Youth Centre and be able to re-open in the summer. The District Council were in charge of the recruitment of a full time worker. A project group had been formed to obtain a new centre to be erected at the Recreation ground by 2010. Mr. Campbell reported that some grant money may be available from Stanchester.

PRECINCT / CAR PARK IMPROVEMENTS. A lighting demonstration will take place on the 14th February at the Precinct commencing at 6.00pm. The offer of grant money had been accepted.

WATERLINKS. Several councillors had attended the meeting at Long Sutton. The project will contend for lottery money and will have prime TV time allocated to the project with viewers voting for the winner. It was felt that a professional PR team was required to present the project.

Mr. P. Palmer reported that Parrett Works will be included in the scheme, and a cycle track promoted from Cartgate to Langport.

MATTERS RAISED BY COUNCILLORS – STANDING ORDERS,
It was proposed by Roger Powell seconded by Patrick Palmer, and unanimously approved that the following addition is made to section 68 of the standing orders : for a maximum period of five minutes. This regulation also applies to the agenda item ‘Parishioner Participation’

This regulation now reads – At all meetings of the Council the chairman may at his discretion and at a convenient time in the transaction of business, adjourn the meeting so as to allow any members of the public to address the meeting in relation to the business to be transacted at that meeting, for a maximum period of five minutes. This regulation also applies to the agenda item ‘Parishioner Participation’.

PARISHIONER PARTICIPATION.
Mrs. Hulme-Atthis complained that a copy of the minutes/agenda were not available at the meeting for her. She mentioned the Freedom of Information Act and Gulf War Syndrome. She also asked if there would be an election and was also eager to impart information relating to the Youth Club refurbishment.

DISTRICT & COUNTY COUNCILLORS REPORT.
Mr. Campbell expressed a wish to discuss the Area Working Panel item later in the meeting.

Mrs. Campbell reported that a grant £12.5k had been allocated from SSDC plus £10k from the Market Towns project for the improvements to the play area. Mr. Powell thanked the District Councillors for their help and support and felt that the Parish Council would have a first class play area when the project was completed.

FINANCIAL MATTERS.
The undermentioned accounts were approved and passed for payment:-

Information Commissioner 35.00 Ist Office Equipment 61.48

K.M. Dike 1629.15 R.Kemp Solicitor 293.75

Inland Revenue 193.04 Wages 1548.76

Perf Rights Scy. 100.74 JH Lloyd 890.91

D.Smith 112.00 K.M. Dike 1523.40

Flex Martock 811.82 West Power Dist 13129.44

Powergen 480.67 Npower 482.71

The accounts for December were ratified by the Finance Chairman, Mr. Hetherington.

The Council duly appointed Mr. Bullen as the Internal Auditor for the year ending March 2007.

RECREATION COMMITTEE.
Safety Inspection reports had been received from the District Council and from Mr. Wilkinson. The Council discussed the problem with the dogs fouling at the field, and the Dog Warden was to be advised of the severity of the problem. It was suggested that perhaps the Council should ban dogs from the Recreation Ground completely. After discussion it was thought that fencing around the new play area should be included in the plan, and consideration would be given for the provision of temporary fencing.

The District Council solicitor had informed the clerk that in his opinion the voluntary registration of the Recreation Ground would be ‘a waste of money’, and that it was unnecessary. The Council was happy not to go ahead with this process providing the solicitor confirmed this point in writing.

The Clerk reported that Mr. Hebditch had verbally confirmed his agreement for the piping of the ditch and cutting of the hedge adjoining the play area, and written confirmation was now awaited.

Mr. Parris reported that the moss on the courts was again causing a problem, and the Tennis Club would be happy to deal with this problem providing the Council paid for the materials. This action was approved.

The Football Club had asked if they could use the PC tennis courts for practice training, Mr. Parris would discuss this request with the Tennis Club.

Mr. Parris reported that he had discussions with Yeovil Town FC and with the Cricket Club regarding the use of the top area of the field for training purposes and also the use of the pavilion. Work was being done by Yeovil Town FC groundsperson at present and progress would be discussed at the next committee meeting.

VILLAGE COMMITTEE.
The Council were advised of the problem with the ivy growing on the churchyard wall.

A complaint had been received from J. Sawney relating to the relocation of the recycling bins.

A request had been received from the Primary School to use the precinct area for a plant sale on the 19th May, the Council approved this request.

Mr. Mountjoy reported that the application had gone in for the Information Boards, and that there may be a possibility of a 4th board.

PLANNING COMMITTEE.
Consideration of planning applications received for submission of comments to the Planning Office:-

.06/04753/FUL Conversion of outbuilding to granny annexe

Hirst Cottage, 127 Middle Street, Bower Hinton.

( Mr. P. Palmer declared an interest & left the room during discussion)

06/04700/LBC Repair of existing outbuildings & conversion of one section to annexe

06/04698/FUL Stapleton Farm House, Stapleton, Martock.

06/04746/FUL Proposed extension & alterations

8 Matfurlong Close, Martock.

07/000080/FUL Erection of two storey side extension to dwelling

3 Gastons Lane, Bower Hinton

06/04583/FUL The erection of a MOT testing unit

Old School Farm Bower Hinton.

07/00176/TPO Application to fell a walnut tree shown as T7 of the Yeovil District (Martock No 1) TPO 1975

26 Church Close Martock.

Approved subject to the arborist’s approval.

07/00177/TPO Application to carry out tree surgery works to Ash tree shown as T1

14 Church Close Martock

Approved, subject to the arborist’s approval.

07/00335/FUL Erection of two flats together with parking

Land adjacent 52 Stapleton Close, Martock.

(Correspondence received from Mr. Hutchings)

07/00118/FUL The erection of a single storey extension to the rear of dwellinghouse

(Retrospective) Bakers Farm, Coat Martock.

07/00450/LBC Installation of gas condensing boiler

Sunnyside, The Green, East Street, Martock.

Advice of Appeal 06/03507/FUL Installation of external staircase to north elevation of

Dwellinghouse, 8 Barton Close, Bower Hinton.

SSDC NOTIFICATIONS OF DECISIONS.

Notifications of granted permission were received for the following applications:-

06/04152/FUL Alterations and the erection of an extension to rear of dwelling

06/04154/LBC Little Manor, Coat Road, Martock.

06/03981/COU The conversion of outbuilding to provide residential annexe

35 East Street, Martock.

06/04117/LBC Form a first floor ensuite shower room

98 Ringwell Hill, Bower Hinton, Martock.

06/04169/FUL Erection of a conservatory

5 Barton Close, Bower Hinton.

06/04213/FUL The erection of a shed for agricultural implements

Sparrows Works, Bower Hinton, Martock.06/04348/TPO

06/04348/TPO Application to carry out tree surgery works to Walnut Tree T7 of the

Yeovil District Council (Martock No. 1) Tree Preservation Order

26 Church Close Martock.

06/04043/FUL Proposed single storey extension and internal alterations to existing

06/04348/TPO Application to carry out tree surgery works to Walnut Tree T7 of the

Yeovil District Council (Martock No. 1) Tree Preservation Order

26 Church Close Martock.

06/04043/FUL Proposed single storey extension and internal alterations to existing

45, Moorlands Park, Martock

The Parish Council was advised that the appeal for application 06/01918/FUL – change of use and conversion of former jigsaw factory to 2 no. holiday lets, at Gastons Lane, Bower Hinton had been dismissed. Mr. Reynolds would ask the Planning Department if the jigsaw factory would be demolished.

PARISHIONER PARTICIPATION.
Mrs. Hulme Atthis commented on the dog fouling problem at the Recreation Ground and the problems relating to the Footpaths and explained that she was interested in obtaining one of the footpath maps produced in the parish some time ago.

CORRESPONDENCE.
SCC Area Working Panels. A letter had been received regarding how county council services can be delivered at a local level, and consideration would be given to how parish plans can be developed and delivered with the active help of the Parish Councils. An initial will be held on the 21st February at Ilchester Town Hall.

South Somerset Together Strategic Partnership . Details were received from the District Council regarding this organisation that brings together different organisations from the public and private sectors. Consideration is being given to widening the membership, with the aim to be better co-ordinated, and responsive to the needs and concerns of the local community.

Free Training Opportunities. Details were received of a course for people interested in training for community involvement activities.

URGENT MATTERS.
Mr. Heaven reported that a group was trying to establish a Martock Business Association. Invitations had been sent to 500 businesses in the area to attend a Breakfast Meeting in March.