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Minutes of a meeting of the Parish Council held on 29th July 2009 in the Parish Hall, Church Street, Martock, Somerset. There were present Roger Powell Chairman Jenny Becker Patrick Palmer In attendance Ian Andrews Parish Clerk Approximately 150 members of the public. The Chairman welcomed everyone and explained how he would manage the meeting. 73/09 Apologies for absence Apologies for absence were received from Douglas Campbell, Andrew Clarke, David Wilkinson and Ann Campbell. 74/09 Declarations of interest There were none. 75/09 Multi-Use Community Facility Philip Jackson made a personal statement which is attached to these Minutes as appendix 1. Patrick Palmer made a personal statement in which he suggested that an alternative to the MCF proposal might be for the Christian Fellowship to purchase and convert the former Methodist Church in North Street and for a new Youth Centre to be developed by converting the existing pavilion on the Recreation Ground, subject to a new sports pavilion being built in a more central position. The Chairman reported the receipt of a letter from a parishioner
who was unable to attend the meeting which asked a question about
whether there would be a further referendum on the MUCF proposals.
He replied that there was no intention to hold one at this stage.
There followed some statements by members of the Parish Council on the following motion: In partnership with Martock Youth Centre and Martock Christian Fellowship, the Parish Council resolves to take to the next stage the project for a Multi-Use Community Facility on Stoke Road Recreation Ground and for the disposal of the existing Parish Hall, Gospel Hall and Youth Centre. The motion was proposed by Roger Powell and seconded by Christopher Price. Richard Walsh proposed the following amendment: That there must be a majority of at least three members in favour of the substantive motion. The amendment was seconded by Jason Mann. Ten votes were cast in favour of the amendment and one vote against. The Chairman declared the amendment carried. The Chairman then put the substantive motion for consideration. Four votes were cast in favour of the motion and eight votes were cast against. The Chairman declared the motion had not been carried. The Chairman proposed that a way forward should be considered at the next meeting of the Parish Council. This was agreed by members. At this point of the meeting there was an adjournment to enable members of the public who were not staying for the rest of the meeting to leave the hall. 76/09 Chairman’s notices The Chairman reported on correspondence he had received concerning the Parish Council’s Minutes and agendas which would be discussed at a future meeting of the Parish Council. 77/09 Minutes The Minutes of the meeting held on 24th June 2009 were agreed as being a correct record. 78/09 Confirmation of actions from previous Minutes Action 090624/1: Fence and footpath at Hills Orchard: The action had been completed and SSDC had undertaken to fill the gaps in the fence by the end of August. Action 090128/3: Bye-law for the Precinct: The Clerk reported he was still awaiting a letter from Bakery Roy-Al with their support, to whom he had again written. Action 090128/3: Parish Clerk (ongoing) Action 090325/6: Rubbish bin for the skate park: The Clerk reported he was still waiting to hear from Mr. Gottleib of South Somerset District Council. Action 090325/6: Parish Clerk (ongoing) Action 090429/9: Advice on piping the ditch in the Recreation Ground: The action had been completed. Action 090527/2: Signage for Recreation Ground: The action was ongoing. Action 090527/2: David Parris & Richard Walsh (ongoing) Action 090527/3: Additional picnic table: The action was ongoing. Action 090527/3: David Parris (ongoing) Action 090527/4: Seat in south west corner of the Recreation Ground: The action was ongoing. Action 090527/4: David Parris (ongoing) Action 090527/6: Village Gateways: Chris Bell undertook to progress the action. Action 090527/6: Chris Bell (ongoing) Action: 090527/7: Calor Somerset Village of the Year: The action was ongoing. Action 090527/7: Val Knight, Jenny Becker and the Chairman (ongoing) Action: 090527/8: Parish Hall kitchen: The Chairman undertook to canvass Parish Hall users for suggested improvements. Action 090527/8: Chairman (ongoing) Action: 090624/2: Space for buses to turn: After discussion, it was agreed that, for buses which had to turn round in the centre of Martock and which were too large to circle the Market House, there was no acceptable alternative than for them to use Ashfield Park. The Parish Clerk was asked to write to the residents who had raised this issue and inform them of this decision. Action 090729/1: Parish Clerk Action: 090624/3: Perimeter Track: The action had been completed. David Parris reported he was waiting for a quotation from K. Dike for the necessary work. Action 090624/4: Play Area helicopter climbing frame: The action was ongoing. Action 090624/4: Chairman (ongoing) Action 090624/5: Check play equipment insurance: The action was ongoing. Action 090624/5: Parish Clerk (ongoing) Action 090624/6: Sample of proposed bollards around Pair Trees, Bower Hinton: The action was ongoing. Action 090624/6: Parish Clerk (ongoing) Action 090624/7: Fencing on North side of the churchyard: The action had been completed. 79/09 Parishioner participation In answer to a question concerning the availability of the upper room in the Market House, the Chairman confirmed it was available for hire but that it was also the Parish Clerk’s main workspace. The general rule now being followed was that only high priority bookings would be taken in the mornings when the Community Office is open, however bookings would be accepted in the afternoons, when the Parish Clerk could work downstairs, and in the evenings. 80/09 County & District Councillors’ Reports County Councillor John Bailey tabled his report. After discussion, John Bailey agreed to send his report by E-mail to all members before each meeting of the Parish Council. District Councillor Patrick Palmer reported he had been re-elected Chairman of Area North and Ann Campbell had been re-elected Vice Chairman of Area North. 81/09 Policy for Safeguarding and protection of Vulnerable Adults and Children The Chairman spoke to the draft policy document distributed to members and explained that, although it had arisen due to a funding application for the pavilion, there was a statutory requirement for the Parish Council to have such a policy. The policy not only covered members, employees and volunteers of the Parish Council but also users of Parish Council facilities. After discussion, the ChaiZrman agreed to circulate various amendments which had been suggested by the Youth Development Officer for approval. Action 090729/2: Chairman 82/09 Finance Committee 1. The Chairman of the Committee, Christopher Price, proposed acceptance of the list of receipts and payments for July. This was approved by members. The Chairman proposed acceptance of the June 2009 accounts which had been ratified by Richard Walsh. This was approved by members. 2. The Chairman proposed the adoption of the accounts for the year ended 31st March 2009, which had been subjected to internal audit, and their publication for public scrutiny. This was approved by members. 83/09 Village Committee 1. The Chairman of the Committee, Chris Bell, reported on the complaints he had received concerning an empty and now overgrown property in North Street. Patrick Palmer reported that South Somerset District Council would clear weeds and brambles growing over the wall of the house. He further reported that the owner had agreed to refurbish the outside of it before Christmas and that if this was not undertaken South Somerset District Council would follow up with whatever action it considered necessary. 2. The Chairman of the Committee reported that work to install the traditional lighting in Church Street should commence in eight weeks. The Clerk reported he was still waiting to hear from Somerset County Council legal department. 84/09 Planning Committee The Chairman of the Committee, David Reynolds, reported on the following planning applications: 09/02586/LBC & 09/02574/FUL: Installation of replacement gates – Mr. R. Deubert, 171 Goose Hill, Bower Hinton. Members agreed to recommend the application for approval. 09/02450/FUL: Erection of a conservatory – Mr. & Mrs. Dixon, 2 Old Market, Martock. Members agreed to recommend the application for approval. 09/02747/FUL: Erection of a two storey rear extension to dwelling – Mr. & Mrs. H. Fletcher, Thistles, Hurst, Martock. Members agreed to recommend the application for approval. 09/02101/FUL & 09/02102/LBC: General refurbishment due to fire damage, including new roof structure, form openings and construct internal walls and floors – Mr. M. Lucas, Amotechnical Ltd., Parrett Works, Martock. Members welcomed this application and recommended it for approval. 08/05127/FUL: Erection of an agricultural building for the housing of dairy cattle – Mr. P. Clarke, Madey Mill Farm, East Street, Martock. Members agreed to recommend the application for approval. 85/09 Parishioner participation There was none. 86/09 Correspondence There was none. 87/09 Date of next meeting It was agreed to meet again on Wednesday 26th August 2009 at 7.30pm. 88/09 Confidential business It was resolved to exclude the press and public from the remainder of the meeting due to the confidential mature of the business to be transacted. Finance Documents available in Word format can
be downloaded from below: |