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Minutes
of a meeting of the Parish Council held on 28th January 2009
at 7.30pm There were present Roger Powell Chairman Chris Bell, Patrick Palmer In attendance Ian Andrews Parish Clerk Two members of the public, PC Iain Selley (Martock Beat Manager),
PCSO Jason Helyar, and John Bailey the prospective Liberal Democrat
candidate for the County Council elections in June. 183/08 Apologies for absence Apologies for absence were received from Jenny Becker, Shaun Byrne and Andrew Clarke. 184/08 Chairman’s notices The Chairman welcomed Mr. John Bailey the prospective Liberal Democrat candidate for the County Council elections to be held on 4th June 2009. Mr. Bailey introduced himself and spoke about a public meeting entitled “Surviving the Credit Crunch” which would be held at Martock School on 20th March 2009 at 7.30pm. 185/08 Declarations of interest There were none. 186/08 Police matters PC Iain Selley, Martock Beat Manager, reported on the recently held meeting of the Local Action Team on 23rd January 2009. He commented that the crime statistics remain the same, but he was investigating various local incidents which occurred over the Christmas period. He spoke of his concern about the number of alleyways in Martock and the amount of litter in some streets. He continued by reporting on the work he was doing with Claire Cruwys and the Youth Centre. PCSO Jason Helyar reported that he was working closely with thirteen youngsters who had Acceptable Behaviour Contracts and with the agencies concerned. Chris Bell also reported on the recently held meeting of the Martock Local Action Team, explaining that it had been established under the SSDC Area North Safety Action Panel. Its membership comprised representatives from various agencies, including the police, SSDC, the Youth Centre, local Housing Associations and local businesses. He had summoned an emergency meeting of the group on 23rd January 2009 because of a reported rise in local crime. He commented on the work of Claire Cruwys and the Youth Centre, and the beneficial effect that this was having, informing members that a Junior Club had now been established on Thursday evenings. He suggested that the Parish Council should consider establishing a Citizens Award for young people of primary school age who had made a significant contribution to the community. PC Iain Selley again spoke of his concern over the number of alleyways in Martock and would be making a proposal for gating at night in some areas. He also undertook to look at the possibility of placing security cameras in hot spots. He dealt with questions from Parishioners regarding speeding traffic and reported that Somerset and Avon Police were considering dealing with some offences by the offenders undertaking community work to repay their crime, which would reduce the amount of paperwork required for court appearances. 187/08 Minutes The Minutes of the meeting held on 7th January 2009 were approved as being a correct record. 188/08 Matters arising from the Minutes There were none. 189/08 Confirmation of actions from previous Minutes Action 081029/2: Parking at Sparrows. The action had been dealt with by PCSO Jason Helyar Action 090107/1: County Chairman’s Award: The matter would be dealt with later in the agenda (see 193/08 below). Action 081126/2: The Chairman reported he had distributed the Q&A sheet for the Market House and was about to distribute a Q&A sheet for the Multi-Use Centre. Action 090107/2: Field to the west of the cricket ground: The Clerk reported he had spoken to the Enforcement Officer at SSDC who would inspect the site and report back to him. Action 090107/2: Parish Clerk (ongoing) Action 090107/3: Buses using Ashfield Park: The Clerk reported he had written to Mr. N Collins at SSDC and was awaiting a reply to his letter. Action 090107/3: Parish Clerk (ongoing) Action 090107/4: Martock website: The Chairman reported that arrangements were being made for a meeting with the webmaster and the Parish Clerk and himself. Action 090107/4: Parish Clerk/Chairman (ongoing) Action: 090107/5: 12 Gastons Lane: The Parish Clerk reported he had written to the SSDC Enforcement Officer and was awaiting his report. Action 090107/5: Parish Clerk (ongoing) Action 090107/6: Draft resolution to empower the Chairman of the Planning Committee to take action over non-controversial planning applications during the summer and winter breaks of Parish Council meetings. The action was still outstanding. Action 090107/6: Parish Clerk (ongoing) Action 090107/7: Proposed bye-law: The Parish Clerk reported that he had written to Mr. Ian Clarke at SSDC and was awaiting a reply. 190/08 Parishioner participation There was none. 191/08 Market House refurbishment The Chairman reported that the contractors were still making good progress. The building work was on schedule and should be completed by the end of February, after which there would be a period of six weeks for fitting out the building. He reminded members about the open day on 29th January 2009, when tours of the building would be arranged from 2:00pm and there would be an evening public meeting at Martock School to promote volunteering. He also said that Val Knight had kindly agreed to become the Volunteer Co-ordinator. The Chairman then reported that the Community Office would open for business on Tuesday 14th April 2009, and that during the subsequent month there would be a series of special events on the services provided, the programme for which would be widely distributed. This would culminate in an official opening ceremony on Friday 15th May, which would be by invitation only. 192/08 Proposed Multi-Use Centre The Chairman reported that he would distribute a question and answer sheet in the near future which would contain enough information for members to brief residents on the reason for and benefits of the project. The Steering Group would shortly receive the final report from the architect on the Design Appraisal, but it should be emphasised that it would be at least another year before the final design was agreed. He assured members there would be plenty of opportunities for the public to comment on the proposals. The overall project cost would be in the region of £4 million. The Steering group was currently tendering for an Options Appraisal for the sale and disposal of the buildings currently in use, with a major funding contribution for this coming from the Regional Development Agency and the County Council. The Chairman reported that the Christian Fellowship was still to give its final approval, which should be forthcoming within a month. In answer to a question on the situation if the Christian Fellowship decided not to participate and build their own property elsewhere, the Chairman said that an alternative option would be to join the Parish Hall with the Gospel Hall and to build a new Youth Centre on the Recreation Ground, as had originally been proposed. 193/08 Presentation to Martock Charity Shop by the Chairman of the County Council The Clerk reported that all arrangements were in hand for the Presentation to be made in the White Hart Hotel on Wednesday 4th February at 12.30pm. He was asked to send a programme of the arrangements to the Chairman of the Parish Council, Douglas Campbell and the Chairman of the County Council. Action 090128/1: Parish Clerk 194/08 District & County Councillors’ Reports Douglas Campbell confirmed that the County Council had made a grant to the Parish Council for the appraisal costs for the disposal of the Parish Hall, Gospel Hall and the Youth Centre. He reported on his attendance at a recently held meeting of the Standards Committee. Ann Campbell reported on the new system for allocation of social housing in Somerset, called “Choice Based Letting”. All five District Councils in Somerset were working together and prospective tenants could apply for a home within any area. She also reported that, due to a reorganisation at the day centre in Bearley House, the volunteers who provided lunches at the centre on a Thursday had resigned because of the new system in operation by South Somerset Homes. Patrick Palmer reported on the first meeting of the joint Area North Committee, aimed at full co-operation and integration with the County Council, although in fact few representatives had been able to attend. He further reported that Mr. Philip Horsington from Tintinhull Parish Council had been appointed to represent the Parish Councils. With regard to flood prevention, he said that South Somerset Homes
would clear their ditch at Stapleton Close and that Kim Sharpe
from the Highways Department of the County Council would arrange
for a survey to be carried out by CCTV in the drains in East Street.
In the event of any future problems regarding flooding, he urged
members and the public to contact Douglas Campbell, Ann Campbell
or himself. 1. The Chairman of the Committee, Christopher Price, presented the list of receipts and payment for January and the reconciliation sheet for December both of which were accepted by members. 2. The Chairman reported on a request for financial aid received from Yeovil & District Explorer Scouts. After consideration, members agreed to make a donation of £100 under the provisions of Section 137 of the Local Government Act 1974. 3. The Chairman of the Council thanked Richard Walsh for his work in approving the reconciliation sheets produced by the Parish Clerk and proposed that he should continue with this work. This was agreed by members.
1. Field to the west of the cricket ground: The Parish Clerk reported he was waiting to hear from the SSDC Enforcement Officer concerning the scrap metal and old cars dumped in the field. 2. Recreation Ground maintenance: The Committee Chairman, David Parris, agreed to draw up a proposed specification for the work and reported that this would reflect more detailed contracts with each of the the Recreation Ground user groups. Action 090128/2: David Parris 197/08 Village Committee 1. Traditional lighting for Church Street: The Chairman of the Committee, Chris Bell, reported he was hoping the new lighting would be in place in time for the reopening of the Market House. 2. Drains in Foldhill Lane: Patrick Palmer reported the drains would be examined with those in East Street. 3. Proposed bye law: The Parish Clerk reported he was waiting to hear from Ian Clarke at SSDC. He was asked to contact Mr. Clarke again over the matter. Action 090128/3: Parish Clerk 4. Parking in Church Street: The Committee Chairman suggested the parking restrictions in Church Street should be restored, and the Parish Clerk was asked to ascertain how this could be achieved. Action 090128/4: Parish Clerk 5. Green Wheelie Bins: The Parish Clerk reported that he had spoken to the Somerset Waste Partnership about the provision of three large green wheelie bins for use by the Council’s Groundsperson in the churchyard. However, SSDC were not issuing any such bins at the present time. Patrick Palmer agreed to follow up this matter. Action 090128/5: Patrick Palmer 6. Road lining in Bower Hinton: The Parish Clerk was asked to contact Kim Sharp regarding the replacement of road lines and parking restrictions in Bower Hinton. Action: 090128/6: Parish Clerk 198/08 Planning Committee The Chairman of the Committee, David Reynolds, reported that there were no planning applications to be considered. 1. 12 Gastons Lane: The Parish Clerk reported he had written and spoken to the SSDC Enforcement Officer and was waiting his report on the matter. At this point of the meeting, David Reynolds presented a new radio controlled clock for use in the Committee Room. Members thanked him for his generous gift. 199/08 Parishioner participation A member of the public asked about future meeting dates. The Parish Clerk reported he would arrange for the dates to be shown on the Martock website and for a notice to be displayed on the Parish Council’s notice board. Action: 090128/7: Parish Clerk 200/08 Correspondence The Parish Clerk reported receipt of a letter from a parishioner whose wife’s cremated remains had been buried in the Garden of Remembrance and who wished to erect an arbour in the Garden. The Parish Clerk reminded members that approval had been given for the erection of this arbour subject to a satisfactory design. Members agreed to the design as presented. 201/08 Notices and future business There were none. 202/08 Date of next meeting It was agreed to meet again on Wednesday 25th February 2009 at 7.30pm. There being no further business the Chairman declared the meeting
closed at 9.18pm.
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