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Minutes
of a meeting of the Parish Council held on 26th August 2009
at 7.30pm in the Market House,
David Parris Chairman Jenny Becke,r Patrick Palmer In attendance I.M. Andrews Parish Clerk PCSO Jason Helyar Approximately sixty members of the public In the absence of the Chairman of the Council, the Vice Chairman, David Parris, acted as Chairman of the meeting. 91/09 Apologies for absence Apologies for absence were received from Andrew Clarke, Jason Mann, Roger Powell and David Wilkinson. 92/09 Declarations of interest There were none. 93/09 Resignation of Christopher Price The Parish Clerk reported on the resignation of Christopher Price. The Chairman proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Price for all his work whilst a member of the Parish Council. This was unanimously agreed. The Parish Clerk was asked to write to Mr. Price thanking him for his work and was also asked to in future inform members immediately a member resigns from the Parish Council. Action 090826/1: Parish Clerk 94/09 Police matters Chris Bell, as Chairman of the Local Action Group, reported on the high levels of anti social behaviour in Martock during recent weeks. He reported on the arson attack in the Hills Orchard play area and of various incidents in the Precinct. He further reported that the Youth Worker, Mrs. Claire Cruwys, had had a projectile fired at her car window. The Chairman expressed his concern that the culprits of the anti social behaviour were not being punished. PCSO Jason Helyar reported on the rise of anti social behaviour during the summer holidays. He reported that eight youths had been arrested for various offences and that tougher action was being taken against culprits. He further reported that the police response had been poor due to lack of resources. After discussion, members considered that there should be greater police resources in Martock. Members expressed concern that the PCSO’s working hours were from 7.00am to 11.00pm and that enforcement was not part of his rôle, but members acknowledged PCSO Jason Helyar’s valuable work in Martock. After further discussion, the Parish Clerk was asked to write to the Chief Constable of the Avon & Somerset police requesting him to meet with three members of the Parish Council in order to discuss policing in Martock. Action 090826/2: Parish Clerk PCSO Jason Helyar expressed his hope for greater co-operation with Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinators in Martock in view of the apparent lack of invitations to some co-ordinators to attend a recently held meeting of co-ordinators held in Martock.
The Chairman of the Committee, David Reynolds, reported on the following planning application: 09/02705/FUL: Change of use of land from agricultural to a private gypsy and traveller site with the erection of a hay barn/tractor shed, stable and utility block, mobile home and touring caravan (part retrospective )(GR 346626/117933) – Mrs. K. Sanderson, land at Percombe Hill, Stoke Road, Martock. After considerable discussion with parishioner participation, members agreed to defer making a response until the Chairman of the Committee had received additional comments/reports from the SSDC Planning Officer, Mr. A. Gunn. 96/09 Minutes The Minutes of the meeting held on 29th July 2009 were agreed as being a correct record.
There were none. 98/09 Confirmation of actions from previous Minutes Action 090128/3: Bye-law for the Precinct: The Parish Clerk reported he was still awaiting a letter of support from Bakery Roy-Al and that he would call on the business to request such a letter. Action 090128/3: Parish Clerk (ongoing) Action 090325/6: Rubbish bin for the Skate Park: The Parish Clerk reported that despite writing on several occasions he was still waiting to hear from Mr. Gottleib of South Somerset District Council. Action 090325/6: Parish Clerk (ongoing) 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 picnic table had been ordered. Action 090527/4: Seat in SW corner of the Recreation Ground: The seat had been fixed. Action 090527/6: Village gateways. The action was ongoing. Action 090527/6: Chris Bell 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 Parish Clerk reported the Chairman of the Council had written to all user groups of the kitchen for suggested improvements. The Parish Clerk reminded user groups to return their completed forms by 11th September 2009. Action 090624/2: Spaces for buses to turn: The action was ongoing. Action 090729/1: Parish Clerk Action 090624/4: Play area helicopter climbing frame: The action was ongoing. Action 090624/4: the Chairman and David Parris (ongoing) Action 090624/5: Check play equipment insurance: The action was completed. Action 090624/6: Sample of proposed bollards around Pair Trees,
Bower Hinton. Action 090624/6: Parish Clerk (ongoing) Action 090729/2: Policy for the Protection of Vulnerable Adults & Children: The Parish Clerk reported that the Chairman had circulated amendments to the draft policy by E-mail on 10th August 2009. 99/100 Memorials in All Saints’ Churchyard The Parish Clerk reported on his correspondence with SSDC concerning funding for the restoration of some memorials in the churchyard. He reported there were thirty-seven listed memorials. He recommended that with Andrew Clarke he should meet with The Revd. David Gent, the vicar of All Saints’ to discuss the possibility of making an application to the Lottery for funding toward the cost of restoration of some of the memorials. Members agreed. 100/09 Parishioner participation In answer to a question over the availability for the hiring of the upper room in the Market House, the Chairman drew members’ attention to Minute 79/09 of the previous Minutes in which the Chairman of the Council had stated that only high priority bookings would be taken in the mornings when the Community Office was open and that the room was also the Parish Clerk’s main workspace. Patrick Palmer reported the receipt of a copy of a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Council from the Stanchester Quilters complaining over the availability of the upper room for their weekly meetings, when the Parish Clerk had used the room in which to work. He reported the group had now decided to meet elsewhere. Patrick Palmer also reported receipt of a letter from the Charity Shop complaining that they had been informed the upper room was only available after 4.00pm. The Parish Clerk confirmed this was not the case and that the room could be hired during an afternoon. After discussion members agreed that David Parris and Chris Bell would discuss the situation with the Parish Clerk as soon as possible. Action 090826/3: David Parris, Chris Bell & the Parish Clerk It was agreed that the Quilters’ group need not pay for five weeks rental of the upper room in the Market House. The Neighbourhood Co-ordinator for Hills Orchard spoke on the recent arson attack in the Hills Orchard Play area and the need for the Play area to be cordoned off. The Chairman reminded Patrick Palmer he had undertaken to speak to SSDC over the matter and the work had still not been completed. Patrick Palmer agreed the work had not been completed and would again speak to the relevant officer at SSDC to ensure the damaged play equipment was replaced and the area fenced off. Action 090826/4: Patrick Palmer 101/09 Community facility options The Chairman presented a report written by the Chairman of the Council concerning Community Facility Options. He suggested members should consider the matter and that a further debate should be held at the September meeting of the Parish Council. Patrick Palmer and Ann Campbell reminded members that SSDC had allocated £50,000 toward the cost of a Community hall which might now be spent of the refurbishment of the Parish Hall. In view of the urgency to assure SSDC the Parish Council would have a plan to refurbish the Parish Hall the Chairman suggested members should attend a Workshop to discuss the subject. It was agreed to arrange a date for a Workshop in mid September. 102/09 Policy for Safeguarding & Protection of Vulnerable Adults & Children. It was agreed this matter should be considered at the September meeting of the Parish Council. 103/09 District & County Councillors’ reports Ann Campbell reported on a meeting of the SSDC Area North Committee held earlier in the day at which the planning application for a specialist dementia care home in Foldhill Lane, Martock had been accepted by members. Mrs. Campbell also reported on the planning application for twenty dwellings on the site of Yandles Garage in North Street, Martock. This had been deferred by the Area North Committee to their next meeting to allow submission of revised plans to show the north side of the entrance to match the south side. Mrs. Campbell reported on Brierley House in which there was a delay for Martock residents to find a place due to Yarlington Homes redeveloping rooms as they became available into two room accommodation. Patrick Palmer also spoke on the planning application for a specialist dementia care home in Foldhill Lane and on the planning application for the redevelopment of the Yandles Garage site. John Bailey tabled his report already sent to members which is attached to these Minutes. 104/09 Planning Committee The Committee Chairman, David Reynolds, reported on the following planning applications: 09/03025/FUL: Erection of two business units – land adjacent 11, Oakland Drive, Martock. Members agreed to recommend the application for approval. 09/02102/FUL/LBC amended application: This gave further information on the detail of general refurbishment etc. – Amotechnical Ltd., Parrett Works, Martock. Members agreed to recommend the application for approval. Under the powers delegated to the Chairman to respond to planning applications when a meeting of the Planning Committee had not been held, the Chairman reported on the following applications: 09/01861/FUL amended application: Yandles Garage, North Street, Martock: Demolition of existing garage/workshop and adjacent dwelling and the erection of twenty dwellings, associated parking, landscaping, highways and associated works. The Chairman made the following response to SSDC: Martock Parish Council welcome the reduction to a total of 20 dwellings. The Parish Council still feel that the 2½ storey block should be lowered to 2 storeys and that the gabled end house on the left entrance from North Street should be of the same design as the house on the opposite side of the entrance. Members also do not wish to loose any shopping facilities at the North end of Martock. 09/02548/FUL: Recreation Ground, Stoke Road, Martock: Mr. R. Powell on behalf of Martock Parish Council: Installation of new multi-play equipment. The Committee Chairman reported that as the Parish Council was making the planning application as in the past, he had declined to make any comment. The Committee Chairman reported that Martock Rugby Club had withdrawn its planning application for the erection of new changing room facilities and that the planning application for a garage in front of the Old Doctor’s House, Water Street had been refused. The Committee Chairman also reported on the SSDC Consultation on the reduction in the threshold for affordable housing provision. It is proposed that the threshold will be lowered to the national indicative minimum in settlements of more that 3000 population or 0.5 hectares irrespective of the number of dwellings. 105/09 Finance Committee 1. It was agreed that Richard Walsh should become the Chairman
of the Finance Committee. 106/09 Recreation Committee 1. Report by GB Leisure & Sports Ltd: The Chairman of the Committee agreed to give further consideration to the Report with David Wilkinson and would make a report to the next meeting of the Parish Council. Action 090826/5: David Parris & David Wilkinson 2. The Chairman of the Committee reported on the recent vandalism on the Recreation Ground and was trying to obtain a response and help from the police. 107/09 Parishioner participation It was reported there were mats loose in the play area and that following the Fun Day, the Fire Brigade would purchase play equipment for the Youth Centre. 108/09 Correspondence The Parish Clerk reported receipt of the following items of correspondence: 1. A notice from Somerset County Council concerning the Chairman’s Award. He asked members to give consideration to this matter and that it would be discussed further at the meeting of the Parish Council in September. 2. A letter from James Divall, SSDC Community Play Officer in which he thanked the Parish Council for their donation toward the cost of the Fun Day and announced that the 2010 Fun Day should be held on 11th August 2010. 3. A letter from SSDC Area North concerning a workshop on Environmental Enforcement Information Evening on 22nd October 2009. 4. A letter from Keith Beattie, a trustee of the Martock Youth Centre which the Parish Clerk advised should be considered at the September meeting of the Parish Council. 109/09 Date of next meeting It was agreed to meet again on Wednesday 30th September 2009 at 7.30pm. 110/09 Confidential business 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 transacted.
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