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Minutes
of a meeting of the Parish Council held on 25th November 2009
at 7.30pm in the Market House, There were present Roger Powell Chairman Chris Bell, David Parris In attendance I.M. Andrews Parish Clerk Approximately twenty members of the public. 158/09 Apologies for absence Apologies for absence were received from Jenny Becker, Andrew
Clarke and 159/09 Declarations of interest There were none. 160/09 Vacancy on the Parish Council The Chairman welcomed Chris Griffiths as a new member of the Parish Council and the Parish Clerk confirmed Mr. Griffiths had signed a Declaration of Acceptance of Office. 161/09 Police matters In the absence of the police, Chris Bell reported on the theft of new play equipment from the Recreation Ground and David Reynolds reported on the recently held meeting of Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinators and the police. 162/09 Parishioner participation The following points were raised by members of the public: The planning application for a gipsy site at Percombe Hill. After discussion, it was agreed that the Parish Clerk would ascertain from the District Council their current position on this application. Action 091125/1: Parish Clerk The cost and purpose of the Perimeter Track on the Recreation Ground (comments deferred to 168/09). The 2010/2011 Precept and the annual accounts (comments deferred to 168/09). 163/09 Planning Committee The Committee Chairman, David Reynolds, reported on the following planning applications: 09/04390/FUL: Mr. & Mrs. I.J. Clark, 61, Bower Hinton, Martock – alterations
and the erection of extensions to dwelling house. Members agreed
to recommend the application for approval. 164/09 Minutes The Minutes of the meeting held on 28th October 2009 were agreed as being a correct record. 165/09 Confirmation of actions from previous Minutes Action 090128/3: Parish Clerk (ongoing) Action 090325/6: Rubbish bin for Skate Park: Members agreed to the purchase of a rubbish bin. Action 090325/6: Parish Clerk (ongoing) Action 090527/7: Calor Somerset Village of the year: The Chairman
reported the group of members had met and had considered facilities
in Martock as benchmarked against the Village of the Year entry
form. Arising from the analysis, the group considered that Martock
needed more facilities for the elderly, a central register for
volunteering, tourist signage and a Welcome Pack for new residents
available in the Community Office. It was suggested that these
needs be taken forward into the next update to the Local Community
Plan, which would be led by the Martock Community Partnership. Action 090930/5: David Parris (ongoing) Action 090930/6: Visitors’ Audit: Needs arising from the
Visitors’ Audit (improved signage and floral displays) had
been taken forward to the SSDC Market Towns Improvement Group.
Funding to initiate SSDC grants was proposed in the 2010/11 precept
(see 168/09 below). 166/09 Other matters arising from the Minutes There were none. 167/09 County & District Councillors’ reports John Bailey spoke to his report which had been circulated to members. He reported on the moratorium on all spending which might affect some County Council services. He undertook to check on the use of bus passes on buses for park and ride car parks. Patrick Palmer reported the Parish Council had been awarded £1000 from SSDC toward to cost of planting flowers/bushes in the Precinct. In the current economic climate, he warned that the amount of Rate Support Grant (RSG) received by the District Council would be less and that parish councils would have to fund their own schemes. 168/09 Finance Committee 1. The Committee Chairman, Richard Walsh, recommended approval
of the list of receipts and payments for November 2009, appended
as appendix 1. Members agreed the list. Members of the public raised the following issues: The need to reign in on expenditure in the current economic climate. The Chairman of the committee then proposed the budget estimates as presented, which would result in a 5% increase to the annual precept. After discussion the following amendments were proposed: Patrick Palmer proposed the deletion of £3000 toward to purchase of a new burial ground. Philip Jackson seconded the amendment. 10 members were in favour and two members were against. The Chairman declared the amendment carried. Philip Jackson proposed the deletion of £360 toward the cost of maintenance of the war memorial. David Wilkinson seconded the amendment. Seven members were in favour and one member was against. The Chairman declared the amendment carried. Philip Jackson proposed the deletion of £4500 toward the cost of window boxes and tourism signage. Patrick Palmer seconded the amendment. One member voted in favour and nine members voted against. The Chairman declared the amendment lost. Chris Bell proposed the deletion of £3000 for tourism signage. Jason Mann seconded the amendment. Eleven members voted in favour and no one against. The Chairman declared the amendment carried. Richard Walsh proposed the 2010/11 precept as amended, based on the virements required for the current year, which amounted to £215,860, an increase of 1%. He requested a recorded vote. The proposal was seconded by David Reynolds. The following members voted in favour of the amended motion: Chris Bell The Chairman declared the motion was carried unanimously. 5. It was agreed not to give financial assistance to the 1st Montacute Brownies and the Clerk was asked to write and suggest to the Brownie Leader that they should ask the Charity Shop in Martock for assistance. Action 091125/2: Parish Clerk 169/09 Recreation Committee 1. The Committee Chairman, David Parris, proposed the removal
of the trees behind the tennis courts. Members unanimously agreed
the proposal. Action 091125/3: David Parris. 170/09 Village Committee 1. The Committee Chairman, Chris Bell, reported on the workshop
held for members of the Parish Hall project. He reported that he
would meet with consultants regarding the kitchen and passageway
floors, the roof and the heating. He further reported that Dawn
Sharp had agreed to find a consultant to advise on the cooking
stove and heating cupboard in the kitchen. 171/09 Correspondence The Parish Clerk reported the receipt of a request to place a seat in the Garden of Remembrance in memory of the late Trevor Ford. Members approved the request. The Parish Clerk reported receipt of correspondence from the following: Mr. S. Esau, Raglan Housing Association, regarding Moorlands House
and informing the Parish Council that the necessary work will commence
during January. Action 091125/4: Patrick Palmer The Parish Clerk reminded members to respond to the letter regarding Ethical Standards Self Assessment Survey from SSDC. The Chairman of the Council reported receipt of correspondance from Somerset County Council in reply to his letter to David Taylor regarding youth service provision. No undertaking had been given that reductions would not be made. 172/07 Minute 152/09 conduct and recording of Parish meetings The Chairman reported receipt of a motion duly signed by three members of the Parish Council to rescind the decisions made in Minute 152/09. After discussion ten members voted against the motion and no one voted in favour of it. The Chairman declared the motion lost. The Parish Clerk was asked to draft the required amendments to the Parish Council’s current Standing Orders in accordance with the proposals on the conduct and recording of meetings approved at the last meeting. Action 091125/5: Parish Clerk 173/09 Memorials in Martock church yard The Parish Clerk reported on his meeting with Andrew Clarke and two representatives of All Saints Church PCC. After discussion, it was agreed that the Parish Clerk should ascertain the approximate cost of repair and refixing of memorials in the church yard with a view to applying to the National Lottery for funding. Action 091125/6: Parish Clerk 174/09 Parishioner participation The following further points were raised by members of the public Conduct of meetings and the need to make provision for and take
account of views expressed by members of the public. 175/09 Date of next meeting It was agreed to meet again on Wednesday 6th January 2010. 176/09 Exclusion of the public 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. There being no further business the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 10.05pm.
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