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Minutes
of a meeting of the Parish Council held on 25th March 2009
at 7.30pm There were present Roger Powell Chairman Chris Bell Patrick Palmer In attendance Ian Andrews Parish Clerk PCSO Jason Helyar and seven members of the public. 225/08 Apologies for absence Apologies for absence were received from Andrew Clarke and David Parris. 226/08 Chairman’s notices There were none. 227/08 Declarations of interest Christopher Price declared an interest in respect of planning application 09/01059/FUL – Sparrow Works, Bower Hinton. 228/09 Resignation of Malcolm Heaven The Chairman reported on the resignation of Malcolm Heaven and proposed a vote of thanks for all his work whilst a member of the Parish Council. This was unanimously agreed. 229/08 Police matters PCSO Jason Helyar drew attention to the crime statistics a report of which had been tabled by Chris Bell. He reported on one incident in Bower Hinton to which the police had responded but he doubted whether the accusation could be substantiated. PCSO Helyar reported on the vehicles and trailers parked unlawfully in Foldhill Lane and that the owner had been rehoused in the Penmill area of Yeovil and had removed his vehicles and trailers. He further reported on a serious accident on the road into Martock from Stoke-sub-Hamdon in which a member of the Youth Parish Council had been injured. He announced that a road safety event would be held in Langport on 14th May 2009 for new drivers. He invited members of the Parish Council to join him on his patrol. At this point of the meeting, members agreed to consider planning application 09/00128/FUL. 230/08 Planning Committee (1) The Chairman of the Committee, David Reynolds, reported on the following planning application: 09/00128/FUL: Erection of a specialist dementia care home, together with associated vehicular and pedestrian access and landscaping – Notaro Home Ltd., land at Foldhill Lane, Martock. Following a considerable discussion over the application members resolved they were not prepared to accept any planning application outside the planning line unless there was a proven local need and that any application was to be within the local development frame. There were seven votes in favour of refusing this application with two abstentions. The Chairman declared the motion carried. 231/08 Minutes The Minutes of the meeting held on 25th February 2009 were approved as being a correct record. 232/08 Matters arising from the Minutes There were none. 233/08 Confirmation of actions from the previous Minutes Action: 090225/1: Buses using Ashfield Crescent: The Parish Clerk reported the receipt of a letter from a Mr. Nigel Collins SSDC Transport Strategy Officer informing his he was waiting for a report from First Avon & Somerset buses and Stagecoach Cooks Coaches. Action 090107/4: Martock website: The Parish Clerk reported he had arranged for a meeting with the web master, the Chairman of the Council and himself to discuss the website. Action: 090107/6: Resolution to empower the Chairman of the Planning Committee to deal with non-controversial planning applications during the summer and winter break of the Parish Council. This matter would be considered under agenda item 16.3. Action 090128/3: Proposed bye-law regarding cycling in the Precinct: The Parish Clerk reported on his meeting with Mr. Les Collett from SSDC and was awaiting to hear further him. Action 090128/4: Parking in Church Street: The Parish Clerk reported on the E-mail message he had received from the County Council’s Highways Department which advised the Parish Council the process to follow would be extremely lengthy. It was agreed not to pursue the matter further. Action 090128/5: Green wheelie bins for use in the churchyard: Patrick Palmer reported these were not at present available from South Somerset District Council. Action: 090225/2: Road white lining in Bower Hinton: The Parish Clerk reported the Somerset County Highways Department had informed him the work would be undertaken. Patrick Palmer agreed to follow this up and would report further at the next meeting of the Parish Council. Action: 090325/1: Patrick Palmer Action: 090128/7: Parish Council meeting dates: This matter would be considered under agenda item 17. Action: 090225/3: Area North staff to be on duty in the Community Office: The Chairman reported the Parish Clerk had met Madeline King-Oakley from SSDC to discuss the matter and arrangements were in hand. Action: 090225/4: Data Protection notice: The action was outstanding. Action: 090225/5: Volunteers for the Market House Community Office: The Chairman urged members to find further volunteers to assist in the Community Office. Action: 090225/7: Chairman’s Q & A paper: The Chairman reported a copy had been sent to all members. Action: 090225/8: Notice re volunteers in All Saints’ Church pew sheet: The action was outstanding. Action: 090225/9: Notices for display in the Market House Community Office: The action was outstanding. Action: 090225/10: Storage for Rugby Club generator: The Chairman reported that David Parris had agreed the matter with the Rugby Club. Action: 090225/11: Re-fixing of the signpost to the Recreation Ground in Water Street: The action was outstanding. Action: 090225/12: Article in the Leveller regarding dog fouling: The action was outstanding. Action: 090225/13 Seat near to the cricket pitch: The Chairman reported that David Parris had made the necessary arrangements with Mr. & Mrs. McInness. Patrick Palmer requested that a draft copy of the Minutes should be sent by E-mail to all members after a week of the meeting to enable actions on members to be carried out. The Parish Clerk reminded members that such draft Minutes could not be considered the authorised Minutes of the meeting and that he would endeavour to comply with the request. He also advised members that the Chairman of the Parish Council would have to approve the draft minutes, in the normal way, prior to circulation to members. 234/08 Parishioner participation Mr. Graham Middleton, the prospective Conservative candidate in the forthcoming County Council election introduced himself. 235/08 Market House refurbishment The Chairman reported the Parish Council had now taken back the ownership of the Market House from the contractors, Ellis & Co. and that everything was in order. Valerie Knight was organising volunteers to be available on the opening day – 14th April 2009. He further reported that with the Parish Clerk he was working to arrange for some service providers for be available during the first month of opening to inform the public of their work. He agreed to arrange for leaflets to be delivered throughout Martock announcing the opening of the Market House Community Office. Action: 090325/2: Chairman The Chairman reminded members the official opening of the Community Office would be on Friday 15th May 2009 at 12.30pm and that on 31st March he hoped as many members as possible would be able to assist with the fitting out of the Market House from 9.00am. 236/08 Proposed multi-use Community Facility The Chairman reported on the last meeting of the Steering Group at which it was announced that following the ballot of members of the Christian Fellowship, 75% of the members were in favour of proceeding with the project. The Chairman further reported that the Elders of the Christian Fellowship reported there were some senior members who needed to be persuaded to support the project. He reported the Christian Fellowship had agreed to make a commitment of £22,500.00 per annum toward the running costs. He reported the business plan would be redrafted and that it would be necessary for the agreement of all parties on a letter of intent to proceed. On the question of an exit strategy for any of the parties, the Chairman reported that the party leaving would need to find another party to purchase its share of the project. The Chairman reported on the need to hold a referendum in Martock to be assured of public support which he said should be from at least 50% of the residents. Such a result, the Chairman reported, would help generate funds from providers of grants. He further reported the Steering Group had agreed to distribute questionnaires to every house in Martock and to collect the completed forms. The Chairman agreed it was essential for the right question to be asked in the referendum and he would consult Mr. Ian Clark at SSDC over the wording. The Chairman agreed it would be necessary to hold a further public meeting or consultation event before ballot papers were collected. The Chairman hoped the referendum would be held at the end of May. The Chairman reminded members there were no sinking funds for either the Parish Hall or for the Youth Centre building and that in the event of not proceeding with the project considerable work would have to be undertaken on both buildings. The Chairman undertook that all funding would be agreed before the project commenced. 237/08 District & County Councillors’ Reports Douglas Campbell reported on the successful meeting recently held concerning the current economic problems. He further reported that the Audit Commission had made a four star award to Somerset County Council. Ann Campbell reported that SSDC had agreed to provide a member of the Area North staff to be available in the Market House Community Office for a six month trial period. Patrick Palmer agreed to write and thank Mr. Roger Meacher of SSDC for his assistance over the clearance of the ditch by the Church Allotments. He reported there was work still to be undertaken at Stapleton Cross but that all work had been completed in Foldhill Lane. Action: 090325/3: Patrick Palmer Patrick Palmer requested the Parish Clerk to write to Mr. Paul Tucker from Somerset County Council to thank him for arranging for the Hurst Bridge to be repainted. Action: 090325/4: Parish Clerk 238/08 Finance Committee 1. The Minutes of the meeting held on 11th March 2009 were approved
as being a correct record. 239/08 Recreation Committee 1. The Minutes of the meeting held on 11th March 2009 were approved
as being a correct record of the meeting. These changes would be reflected in the new lease which the Parish
Council would consider. This was agreed by members and it was further
agreed that a notice should be published in the Leveller. 240/08 Village Committee 1. The Minutes of the meeting held on 11th March were approved
as being a correct record. Action: 090325/5: Parish Clerk 241/08 Planning Committee (2) 1. The Committee Chairman, David Reynolds, reported on the two remaining applications: 09/00894/FUL: Erection of a conservatory – Mr. A. Parson, Milestones, Coat Road, Martock. Members agreed this application. 09/01059/FUL: Erection of a three bay implements shed and a three unit storage shed – Sparrow Works, Bower Hinton, Martock. Christopher Price declared an interest and left the meeting. Members agreed the application. The Chairman of the Committee reported that Mr. D. Ellis would be making an application concerning the land adjacent to Sparrow Works involving the formation of a vehicular and pedestrian access, the alteration of a footpath and gates, blocking up existing vehicular access and the change of use of land from agricultural to commercial. Members considered the matter but as an application had not been received it was agreed to consider the matter when an application had been received. 2. The Chairman of the Planning Committee proposed: In the event of a non-controversial planning application being received by the Parish Council for comment during the summer and winter breaks of the Parish Council meetings, the Chairman of the Planning Committee in consultation with the Parish Clerk would be empowered to act on behalf of the Parish Council and to report such action(s) to the next meeting of the Planning Committee or Parish Council which ever is the earlier. The motion was unanimously agreed by members. 242/08 Meeting dates for 2009/10 The Parish Clerk tabled a list of meeting dates which was agreed. 243/08 Parishioner participation There was none. 244/08 Correspondence The Parish Clerk reported he had not received any correspondence
for consideration, but the Chairman reported receipt of three letters
concerning the Parish Council precept for 2009/2010. He further
reported he had replied to each letter with information on the
precept and agreed to send a copy of the letter received from 245/08 Items of report or notice of business for a future meeting There was none. 246/08 It was agreed to meet again on Wednesday 29th April 2009 following the Annual Parish Meeting. It was resolved to exclude the press and public from the remainder of the meeting due to the confidential nature of the business to be discussed concerning staff salaries and the hours of work by a member of the staff. 247/08 Staff salaries The Parish Clerk reported that following arbitration it had been agreed the national scale of rates of pay should be increased by 0.3% over that which was agreed in November 2009. This was agreed by members. The Chairman recommended the contracts of employment for the Parish Clerk and the Youth Worker should be amended to take into account the rates of future pay as reported by the Somerset Association of Local Councils from whom information is received. This was agreed by members. The Parish Clerk recommended that the hours of work by the cleaner of the Market House should be increased from two to six each week. This was agreed by members. There being no further business the chairman declared the meeting
closed at 10.20pm.
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