Welcome To Martock Online

MINUTES of the MEETING of the PARISH COUNCIL held on Wednesday 13th June 2007, at the Market House commencing at 7.30pm.

THOSE PRESENT:- Roger Powell (Chairman), Christopher Bell, Sharon Clarke, Malcolm Heaven, Christopher Price, Andrew Clarke, David Parris, Patrick Palmer, James Hetherington, David Wilkinson, Ann Campbell District Councillor, Douglas Campbell County Councillor, Vera Budge Clerk, Alan Smith, Cindy Le Lohe and two parishioners.

APOLOGIES. P.Jackson, D.Reynolds, C.Bragg.

CHAIRMANS NOTICES.
Mr. Powell reported on Mr. Bragg’s recovery, and welcomed Mr. Smith and Mrs Le Lohe to the meeting as prospective councillors. It was decided that they would consider if they wished to be co-opted by the end on the meeting.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST. None.

MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting held on the 16th May 2007 had been circulated and were confirmed and signed as correct.

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES.
POLICE MATTERS. Mr. Bell reported that an under-age alcohol test-purchasing exercise had been carried out in the village; unfortunately both shops failed the exercise. Mr. Bell also reported a serious incident involving the theft of a post bike with royal mail. Mr. Campbell reported that the Speed Watch Officer stationed at Somerton had been moved, and Mr. Bell agreed to make enquiries regarding his replacement.

UNITARY AUTHORITY. A letter had been received from the District Council regarding the current position relating to the submissions to DCLG. Details of the petition website and the voting papers.

STANDARDS COMMITTEE. Mr. Powell had submitted the Council’s nominations.

MENDIP HOUSING. A letter was received expressing the concerns relating to affordable housing and their eagerness to start a debate with politicians, village representatives, voluntary groups and interested organisations to help solve the problem.

Mr. Powell had been discussing affordable housing provision in the district ward, and some small sites had been identified. Mr. Powell asked if the District Council Officer could be invited to the next meeting to discuss this item with the Council.

HIGHWAY MATTERS – The Council was advised that the A372 would be closed at Aller between 19.00 – 07.00 for five nights starting the 25th June.

MARTOCK COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP. Mr. Powell reported that he had circulated the Constitution and Terms of Reference to councillors, Mr. Clarke proposed and Mr.Heaven seconded the proposition to approve the documents as circulated, this was unanimously accepted.

MARTOCK SCHOOL. Headmaster M Coyne asked the Council to consider a donation towards the cost of a Theatre Group which would perform a play relating to inappropriate behaviour. It was agreed that a contribution of up to £250 would be made towards this project.

PARISHIONER PARTICIPATION.
Ladies from the Pavilion Playgroup expressed a wish to use the surplus fencing, plus additional to erect a 'compound ' at the front of the pavilion. This idea was approved but the funding of the additional sections would have to be found from grant aid etc. as the Council would not fund this idea.

The Fair had requested to visit the village on 24th June. A long discussion followed as the council was not wholly in favour of the hire of the recreation ground for this purpose. Details of the problems experienced last year were also mentioned. Mr. Parris felt that under no circumstances should any part of the pavilion be available for use by the Fair. Further enquiries were to be made and the final decision made by Messrs Powell, Parris and Hetherington.

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

D Little Ltd 834.25 Martock Gallery £40.00

BWBS (Water) 222.60 Zurich 419.15

The Finance Chairman asked all chairmen of committee to carefully monitor expenditure.

Copies of the Model Code of Conduct 2007 had been circulated to all councillors, and the Council duly adopted the regulations.

It was agreed that the advert to replace the clerk would be considered by Mr. Powell and Mr. Hetherington, it was hoped that the position would be filled by October, with the new clerk taking over completely in April 2008. The Council would like to work to towards Quality Status, and training would be provided to achieve this standard.

Mr. Hetherington reported that he had attended the LCAS seminar, and he suggested that he and Mr. Heaven investigate the criteria for procedures relating to development projects, and the play area project would be scrutinised.

Mr. Palmer asked the position relating to insurance cover at the allotments. It was understood that blanket liability cover was provided for all council property, but the situation relating to tenants would be raised.

RECREATION COMMITTEE.
Mr. Wilkinson reported on the Safety inspection report, three items required attention and a cost would be obtained for this work. Mr. Lloyd would be asked to permanently fix the litter bins into position, and also to provide a chain and lock for the Rose & Crown Gate., with spare keys for contractors etc.

It was reported that there was a problem with fly-tipping, Mr. Parris would investigate. There was a problem with the Aerial Runway, Hags Play were to be asked to rectify. Mr. Palmer suggested that the remedial work to the drainage was addressed as soon as possible.

A letter had been received from the Allotment Society, the Clerk was to reply.

VILLAGE COMMITTEE.
An interview date for the grounds person’s vacancy was arranged with Mr. Parris and Mr. Bell.

Mr. Powell updated the Council on the progress relating to the project for the alterations to the Market House. Some money had been granted from the Rural Renaissance and discussions were continuing with the Heritage Lottery.

Details of the new smoke free law, effective from 1st July 2007 had been received and were adopted by the Council, appropriate stickers and posters had been received for display in the Council’s premises.

Details of the District Wide Car Parking Strategy were received.

Mr. Price distributed copies of the Community Emergency Plan; this would be discussed at the next meeting.

PLANNING COMMITTEE.
Consideration of planning applications received for the submission of comments to the planning office:-07/02277/FUL Construction of single storey extension to rear of property to provide

3, Steppes Crescent, Martock.

SSDC Notifications of Decisions. Notification of granted permission was received for:-

07/01397/FUL The erection of a single storey side extension to dwellinghouse

26 Birch Road, Martock.

The Parish Council was advised that the following appeal had been allowed:-

06/03507/FUL The installation of an external staircase to north elevation of dwellinghouse

8 Barton Close, Bower Hinton, Martock.

The Council was advised that a pre-application planning meeting had been held to discuss the development of the Yandles garage site. Mr. Palmer also reported that the development of the Parrett Works site was also being considered by the District Council, as part of the Waterlinks project

Mr. Powell reported on the progress of the Information Boards, there were some errors on the proof and Mr. Bell agreed to take over the project

CORRESPONDENCE.
SSDC Council Based Lettings – The Parish Council were notified that the District Council were in the process of changing its lettings procedure from a points based system to a banding system. The aim is to give people applying more choice and will be more transparent and accountable.

Parrett Catchment Case Study. ADAS are seeking to recruit local residents to take part in a focus group about the local environment. A meeting will take place on the 11th July. Mr. Palmer expressed an interest, and Mr. Jackson was to be asked if he was interested.

CO-OPTION OF COUNCILLORS.
Cindy Le Lohe and Alan Smith both expressed an interest in standing for co-option to the Council

Mr. Heaven proposed and Mr. Parris seconded a proposition to co-opt both to the Parish Council, and was unanimously supported by the Council. The declarations of acceptance of office were duly completed.

THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS THE MEETING WAS DECLARED CLOSED.