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Minutes
of a meeting of the Parish Council held on 31st March 2010
at 7.30pm There were present: Roger Powell Chairman Jenny Becker Patrick Palmer In attendance I.M. Andrews Parish Clerk The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and explained that there would be an additional Parishioner Participation item on the agenda following agenda item 14. 224/09 Apologies for absence Apologies for absence were received from Chris Griffiths and Jason Mann. 225/09 Declarations of interest David Reynolds declared an interest in agenda item 5.4 and Philip Jackson declared an interest in agenda item 11. 226/09 Police matters The Chairman welcomed PC Iain Selley to the meeting who was pleased to report that the number of complaints concerning rowdy behaviour in Martock had decreased and that the number of criminal incidents was also very low. He reported on the visit made by young people to Ashfield Young Offenders Institution in an effort to dissuade them from committing criminal offences and to make them aware of prison life. 227/09 Parishioner participation Hills Lane incomplete works: The Chairman confirmed that work was being undertaken by SSDC which had not yet been completed. Patrick Palmer agreed to make further enquiries concerning the work in progress and would arrange a site visit with Chris Cooper from SSDC to enable residents to discuss the matter. Action 100331/1: Patrick Palmer 228/09 Planning Committee The Committee Chairman David Reynolds and later the Committee Vice-Chairman Andrew Clarke, reported on the following planning applications: 1. To reconsider application 10/00567/OUT: Mr. D. Carpenter, 1 Highfield Terrace, Bower Hinton. Erection of a detached dwelling. Several members of the public spoke against the application which they considered would not be suitable at the end of a terrace of houses within a conservation area. After discussion Philip Jackson proposed and Richard Walsh seconded the recommendation for refusal of the application. This was agreed unanimously by members. Patrick Palmer agreed to notify residents near to the proposed site of the date of the meeting of Area North Committee at which the application would be considered. Action 100331/2: Patrick Palmer 10/00648/FUL: Mr. J. Harris, 54 North Street, Martock. Erection
of a building comprising garage/car port/log store. Members agreed
to recommend the application for approval. At this point of the meeting the Chairman of the Committee left the room. 10/00737/FUL: Mr. D. Reynolds, Goosehill House, Bower Hinton. Rebuilding of an outbuilding to the rear of the dwelling (retrospective) The Vice-Chairman of the Committee, Andrew Clarke, reported that in consultation with the Parish Clerk he had recommended approval of the application. Members agreed the action taken. The Chairman of the Committee rejoined the meeting. 229/09 Minutes The Minutes of the meeting held on 24th February 2010 were agreed as being a correct record. 230/09 Confirmation of actions from the previous Minutes Action 100224/1: Minutes on the website. The Parish Clerk reported
the action had been completed. Action 090930/5: David Parris (ongoing) Action 091125/3: Tennis Club lease. David Parris reported the lease was being prepared and should be received by 6th April 2010 Action 091125/3: David Parris (ongoing) Action 091124/4: Storage of salt for roads. The Parish Clerk reported
the action had been completed. Action 100127/3: Chris Bell (ongoing) Action 100224/2: Appointment of accountants.
The Chairman of the Council reported that the firm Derek J. Reid
had been invited but
in the event had declined to submit a tender to prepare the Parish
Council’s annual accounts. Action 100224/3: David Parris (ongoing) Action 100224/5: Members’ Away Day. The Chairman of the Council reported the matter was ongoing. Action 100224/5: Chairman of the Council (ongoing) Action 100224/6: Charges for Martock Cemetery: The Parish Clerk
reported the action had been completed. 231/09 Other matters arising from the Minutes There were none. 232/09 County & District Councillors’ reports. John Bailey spoke to his report which had already been circulated to members. He drew members’ attention to the review of procedures being undertaken by SSDC and SCC. Ann Campbell reported that the final amount of £2,000 for the third phase of the work being undertaken in the Precinct had been released by SSDC. Mrs. Campbell further reported the planning application made by Martock Christian Fellowship for change of use of Unit 2, Great Western Road had been withdrawn from consideration by the March Area North Committee due to an inaccuracy in the drawing/plan. Patrick Palmer reported that the South Somerset Local Strategic Partnership of major stakeholders in the area had received a national award for strategic partnerships. He further reported on a report being considered by SSDC concerning the distribution of salt for the use of parishes on roads and footpaths in the winter. He undertook to obtain a copy of the document concerning the liability of those householders who clear snow outside their homes. Action 100331/3: Patrick Palmer 233/09 Finance Committee 1. The Chairman of the Committee, Richard Walsh, proposed the acceptance of the accounts for February 2010, which he had checked and which are attached to these Minutes. Members approved the accounts. Members also approved the budget sheet for February 2010 which is attached to these Minutes. 2. The Chairman of the Committee recommended approval of the list of receipts and payments for March 2010 which is attached to the Minutes. Members approved the list. 3. The Chairman of the Committee tabled the Minutes of the meeting of the Finance Committee held on 24th March 2010. 4. Following an assessment of the tenders received, the Chairman of the Committee recommended the appointment of Albert Goodman & Co of Taunton as accountants for the Parish Council. Members agreed the appointment. 5. The Chairman of the Council tabled the Parish Council’s Asset Register and Risk Management Matrix which were accepted by members. It was agreed that both documents should be reviewed every six months. 6. Parish Council’s Insurance policy: The Chairman of the Committee recommended the acceptance of a quotation from Came & Co amounting to £6903.70 for the Parish Council’s insurance and that the Parish Council should enter into a three year long term agreement with Came & Co for a fixed rate premium. He further reported that the quotation received from Zurich Municipal had amounted to £9629.67. Members unanimously agreed with the recommendation. 7. Bankline: The Chairman of the Committee reported that Bankline had been set up and was in use for account balances and inter account transfers. He reported that he was waiting further advice before the payments facility could be used. 234/09 Recreation Committee Philip Jackson declared an interest in the following item but remained in the meeting. The Chairman of the Committee, David Parris, reported that with the Parish Clerk he was considering an alignment of user fees for the Recreation Ground and would report back at a future meeting. Action: 100331/4: David Parris & the Parish Clerk 235/09 Village Committee The Chairman of the Committee, Chris Bell reported on the following: 1. Parish Hall roof: A further quotation would be obtained but additional funding would be required for the work on both roofs. 2. Precinct Phases 3 and 4: The Chairman of the Committee reported that SSDC had allocated sufficient funding to carry out the Phase 2 work on traditional lighting in the entranceway and low level lighting on the pathway at the rear of the car park (subject to approval). He agreed to look into the possibility of reusing some of the metal seats removed from the Precinct courtyard. Action 100331/5: Chris Bell 3. Traditional lighting in Church Street/North Street: The Chairman of the Committee reported it was currently not possible to proceed with Phase 2 of the project for lighting from the Treasurer’s House to the Court House or Phase 3 for lighting from the Market House to the Precinct entrance due to the lack of funds. 4. Village Gateways: Andrew Clarke reported that he and John Bailey would visit the proposed sites for the new Martock signs with a representative from the SCC Highways department. He expected that SCC would agree the location of the proposed signs and undertook to inform members of the outcome of the meeting. 5. Floral displays: The Chairman of the Committee reported on the proposed enhanced and adventurous floral displays which would involve the Martock YPC as part of the “Grow It” project. He explained the Project involved young people visiting the nurseries to select plants for the horse trough for which they would be responsible. He also reported the need for an allotment to enable the young people to grow plants and vegetables. The Chairman of the Council agreed to write to Mr. Julian Zagni to ascertain whether he could help. Action 100331/6: Chairman of the Council 236/09 Saturday Youth Worker The Chairman of the Council reported that Mrs. Lynne Rider had been appointed subject to an enhanced check and an acceptable plan for the recruitment of volunteer helpers. 237/09 Correspondence The Parish Clerk reported receipt of: 1. A letter of appreciation from Mrs. Vera Budge following the death of her father. 2. An invitation to members to attend a SCC Somerset Economic Assessment stakeholder event on 12th April 2010. The Parish Clerk was asked to send the E-mail invitation to all members. Action: 100331/7: Parish Clerk 3. A request for financial assistance from Victim Support. After consideration, members declined to make a donation. 238/09 Parishioner participation There was none. 239/09 Date of next meeting It was agreed to meet again on Wednesday 28th April at 6.30pm for the Annual Parish Meeting and immediately afterwards for a meeting of the Parish Council. The Chairman of the Council reminded Committee Chairmen to forward a copy of their reports to the Parish Clerk in advance of the Annual Parish Meeting. Action: 100331/8: Committee Chairmen There being no further business the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 9.55pm.
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