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Minutes
of a meeting of the Parish Council held on 24th February 2010
at 7.30pm There were present: Roger Powell Chairman Chris Bell David Parris In attendance I.M. Andrews Parish Clerk By invitation Miss Annunziata Rees-Mogg, Conservative Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for the Somerton and Frome constituency. The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and in particular welcomed Miss Annunziata Rees-Mogg and Mrs. Claire Cruwys. 201/09 Apologies for absence Apologies for absence were received from Jenny Becker, Douglas Campbell, Chris Griffiths, Jason Mann, David Wilkinson and Ann Campbell. 202/09 Declarations of interest There were none. 203/09 Introduction of Miss Annunziata Rees-Mogg The Chairman introduced Miss Annunziata Rees-Mogg, the Prospective Conservative Parliamentary candidate for the Somerton and Frome constituency. Miss Rees-Mogg reviewed the current situation both locally and nationally and answered questions from members of the Parish Council. In particular Miss Rees-Moog mentioned the A303, anti social behaviour, the Parish Council precept and the infrastructure in South Somerset. The Chairman thanked Miss Rees- Mogg for attending the meeting and for answering members’ questions. 204/09 Police matters The Chairman introduced PCSO Graham Phimister, the temporary replacement for PCSO Jason Helyar who was now based in Yeovil for six months. PCSO Phimister reported on his work in Martock and with the Youth Centre, to date and that he was aware of the structure of Martock. Chris Bell reported on anti social behaviour in Martock and in particular incidents outside the George public house and on activities within it. He reported on the lack of three notices regarding “No Cold Calling” on Martock signs which he undertook to report to the meeting of the Local Action Team on 25th February 2010. 205/09 Youth Centre Report At this point in the meeting, the Chairman called upon Mrs. Claire Cruwys the Youth Development Officer to report on the activities at the Youth Centre and apologised for omitting the item from the agenda of the meeting. Claire Cruwys reported on the work being undertaken with pupils at Stanchester, Martock and Ash Schools. She further reported on the work of the Youth Parish Council and that she had received several enquiries regarding the post of Saturday Youth Worker. Members thanked Claire Cruwys for all her work. 206/09 Parishioner participation Progress on new website: In answer to a question concerning the new website, the Chairman reported on the current position and the setting up of the new website. The Chairman emphasised that the work being undertaken was carried out by volunteers and that he hoped the new website would be ready at the end of March. Minutes on the website: The Parish Clerk was asked to ensure the Minutes of all meetings of the Parish Council were posted on the current website. Action 100224/1: Parish Clerk 207/09 Planning Committee The Committee Chairman, David Reynolds, reported on the approval of applications taken in consultation with the Parish Clerk, under delegated authority. 10/00031/FUL: Mr. D. Waggott, 21 Elizabeth Court, Lawson Close,
Martock. Erection of a conservatory. Members confirmed the recommendation for approval given by the Chairman for the above applications. The Committee Chairman reported on the following planning applications: 10/00567/OUT: Mr. D. Carpenter, 1 Highfield Terrace, Bower Hinton.
Erection of a detached dwelling. Members agreed to recommend the
application for approval. The Committee Chairman reported that planning application 09/02705/FUL for the change of use of land from agricultural to a private gipsy and traveller site with the erection of a haybarn/tractor shed, stable, utility block, mobile home and touring caravan at Percombe Hill, Stoke Road, Martock had been refused by South Somerset District Council. 208/09 Minutes The Minutes of the meeting held on 27th January 2010 were agreed as being a correct record. 209/09 Confirmation of actions from previous Minutes Action 090930/5: Signage for Recreation Ground: David Parris reported the action was still ongoing. Action 090930/5: David Parris (ongoing) Action 091125/3: Tennis Club lease: David Parris reported the action was still ongoing. Action 091125/3: David Parris (ongoing) Action 091124/4: Storage of salt for roads: The Parish Clerk reported the action was still ongoing. Action 091124/4: Parish Clerk (ongoing) Action 091125/6: Memorials in the church yard: The Parish Clerk reported the action would be ongoing for many months. It was agreed the action should not be carried forward but that, when there was a matter to be considered, the Parish Clerk would place it on the agenda for a meeting of the Parish Council. Action 100127/1: Photographic record of the Council’s assets: The action was ongoing. Action 100127/1: Jenny Becker (ongoing) Action 100127/2: Martock Rugby Club: David Parris reported he
had met with representatives from the Rugby Club. He further reported
the showers in the pavilion were now working adequately and that
the Rugby Club was content. Action 100127/3: Chris Bell (ongoing) Action 100127/4: Martockonline website: The Chairman reported the volunteers who would manage the website would be meeting on 2nd March 2010. 210/09 Other matters arising from the Minutes There were none. 211/09 County & District Councillors’ reports John Bailey spoke to his report which had been circulated to members. He reported that £1000 would be available from the Local Initiatives Budget toward the cost of the Saturday Youth Worker. He also spoke about the condition of the roads and fuel poverty amongst the elderly, both matters he was investigating. Patrick Palmer reported that South Somerset District Council would amalgamate some of its services with East Devon District Council and that the Chief Executive of East Devon District Council, Mark Williams, would be the Chief Executive of both councils. He further reported there would be a joint senior management structure. 212/09 Finance Committee The Chairman of the Committee, Richard Walsh, proposed the acceptance of the accounts for January 2010 which he had checked and which are attached to these Minutes. Members approved the accounts. Members approved the budget sheet for January 2010 which is attached to these Minutes. The Chairman of the Committee recommended approval of the list of receipt and payments for February 2010 which are attached to these Minutes. Members approved the list. In view of the dwindling number of people attending the CAB clinic in the Martock doctors’ surgery, the Chairman of the Committee proposed and David Reynolds seconded that the Parish Council should no longer continue to pay the cost of a CAB presence in Martock. This was agreed by members. Following discussion about tenders for the appointment of accountants to prepare the Parish Council’s annual accounts, it was agree to also invite Derek J Reid accountants of Martock to tender. Action 100224/2: Chairman of the Council 213/09 Recreation Committee 1. Boulders at the Recreation Ground car park: The Chairman of
the Committee, David Parris, reported he would investigate the
possibility of obtaining new boulders for the car park to replace
those which were broken. 2. Showers in the pavilion: The Chairman reported the matter had already been dealt with under Minute 209/09 action 100127/2. The Chairman of the Council asked the Parish Clerk to obtain a quotation for resurfacing work in the Recreation Ground car park and to ask Kim Dike for advice regarding the muddy state at the entrances of the play area. Action 100224/4: Parish Clerk 214/09 Village Committee 1. Village Gateways: The Chairman of the Committee, Chris Bell, reported that all the stones had been carved and the sites identified for placement. The Chairman further reported that he was awaiting approval from the County Highways Department for the positioning of the gateways. 2. Parish Hall: The Chairman of the Committee reported on work which had been carried out in the Parish Hall by a hirer without the authority of the Parish Council. After discussion, it was agreed that any hirer of a property owned by the Parish Council who wished to make alterations to the inside of any property should first seek the approval in writing of the Parish Council. 3. The Chairman of the Committee made a short presentation on the Community Justice Panel and Restorative Justice and reported on his involvement with the Community Justice Panel. The Chairman of the Council thanked Chris Bell for his interesting presentation. 215/09 Members’ Away Day The Chairman reminded members of their agreement to hold an Away Day to consider a long term strategy for the Parish Council. After discussion, it was agreed that the Chairman would consider the matter further and present a proposal to a future meeting of the Parish Council for an Away Day in the late summer. Action 100224/5: Chairman of the Council 216/09 Regulations and charges for the Martock Burial Ground The Parish Clerk tabled his paper updating the regulations and burial charges for the burial ground. The proposed regulations were accepted. The Parish Clerk was asked to ascertain the charges levied by other burial authorities and to liaise with the Chairman of the Finance Committee to amend the proposed charges if those proposed were considerably different from other authorities. Action 100224/6: Parish Clerk 217/09 Area North Parish Workshop It was agreed that the following members of the Parish Council would attend the workshop on 10th March 2010: Roger Powell, David Reynolds, Richard Walsh and Philip Jackson, the latter also representing the Rugby Club. 218/09 Meeting with the Highways Agency Richard Walsh reported that the meeting he and Patrick Palmer were to attend with the Highways Agency had been postponed and might now take place on 29th March 2010. 219/09 Signage in Martock The Chairman asked if the Parish Council was interested in joining in a SSDC project for a Shoppers’ Board which would set out businesses in Martock and be displayed in the Precinct. He reported that the Market Towns Investment Group would partially fund the project the cost of which would be approximately £1300. Members agreed to express an interest in this project and would await further information. It was agreed to ascertain whether businesses in Martock were interested in the project. Action 100224/7: Chairman of the Council 220/09 Newsletter The Chairman suggested that the Parish Council should publish an annual Newsletter. After consideration members agreed that the use of the Leveller was sufficient but that two pages should be used when the Parish Council’s annual report is published. At this point the Chairman was reminded that the second Parishioner Participation item had been omitted from the agenda. 221/09 Parishioner Participation The Chairman invited parishioners to ask any questions. Market House refurbishment: In answer to a question as to the overall cost of the Market House refurbishment the Chairman replied the cost was of the order of £350,000 of which the Parish Council paid under £50,000. The Chairman agreed to send the full accounts to Mr. N. Smith. Action 100224/8: Chairman of the Council Public toilet doors: In answer to a question concerning the state of the public toilet doors, the Chairman reported the Parish Council had been advised not to treat the doors and to let them weather and discolour naturally. Signs on lamp posts: In answer to a question relating to the signs on lamp posts, the Village Committee Chairman reported that some of the poles on which signs had been originally fixed had been taken away for aesthetic reasons and hence it was necessary to fix some signs onto the lamp posts themselves. 222/09 Correspondence The Chairman reported he had nominated the Market House Community Office project for a 2010 National Lottery Award in the categories of Best Heritage and Best Community project. Mrs. Val Knight, the original Volunteer Co-ordinator for the Community Office, had been cited as a human interest story. The Parish Clerk reported that Nippy Bus Ltd of Martock would receive a Service to the Community Award from the Chairman of the Somerset County Council. 223/09 Date of next meeting It was agreed to meet again on Wednesday 31st March 2010 at 7.30pm.
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