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MARTOCK PARISH COUNCIL Minutes of a meeting of the Martock Parish Council held on Wednesday 26th October 2011 at 7.30pm in the Market House, Church Street, Martock, Somerset. There were present: Roger Powell Chairman Peter Barnard Patrick Palmer In attendance: I.M. Andrews Parish Clerk 91/11 Apologies for absence Apologies for absence were received from Jenny Becker, Chris Griffiths and Richard Walsh. 92/11 Declarations of interest Philip Jackson declared an interest in agenda item 14 (104/11). 93/11 Draft Martock Local Community Plan Christopher Price, as Chairman of M3CP, presented the draft 2012 Local Community Plan projects for consideration. He reported on the the consultation process, which had included a public workshop held in September 2010, a full community survey conducted between October and December 2010 and three focus groups in January, February and March 2011. He reminded members that the Plan was to cover the next five years and that there would be a public meeting on 10th November 2011 to endorse it. On behalf of the Parish Council, the Chairman thanked Mr. Price and members of the M3CP for all their hard work. In answer to questions regarding the cost of some projects the Chairman reminded members that projects would only go ahead if funds were available. The Chairman then drew members’ attention to Project 1 under Community Safety which was intended to address a key public concern that had come through during the consultation about the lack of police visibility in Martock. This project proposed the employment of a dedicated police officer for Martock. Chris Bell reported on the information he had received from Alan Bell, Neighbourhood Police Sergeant for Area North, South Somerset of Avon & Somerset Police, in which he had estimated costs between £110k and 155k for a three year contract and had also stated that it would not be possible for a PCSO or PC to be fully dedicated. There followed a discussion on the work of the Police Volunteers in the Information Centre and the links between the police and the Youth Centre in combating anti-social behaviour. Following this discussion it was agreed that the Chairman and Christopher Price would rewrite Project 1 concerning police visibility in Martock. At this point in the meeting the Chairman reminded Jenny Hulme-Atthis that her behaviour contravened Standing Order 14.3 and he invited a proposal from members. Chris Bell proposed and Peter Barnard seconded that Jenny Hulme-Atthis be excluded from the rest of the meeting. Eight members were in favour and there were no votes cast against the motion. The Chairman adjourned the meeting for five minutes to allow for Mrs Hulme-Atthis to be escorted from the buliding. After the meeting had reconvened there followed a further discussion concerning the proposed 2012 Local Community Plan. Philip Jackson proposed and Chris Bell seconded the endorsement of the proposed Plan. This was unanimously agreed by members. 94/11 Police matters The report received from Avon and Somerset Police was tabled and accepted by members. 95/11 Parishioner participation In answer to a question from a member of the public, the Chairman explained the rôle of the police volunteers. Mark Evans, the temporary Youth Development Officer, reported on the activities of the Youth Centre and that he would shortly be recruiting for a part time replacement Youth Development Officer. 96/11 Planning Committee The Chairman of the Planning Committee, David Paris, reported on the following planning applications: 1. 11/03835/FUL: Mr. & Mrs. R. Mitchell, Pound Cottage, Pound Lane, Martock. Extensions, alterations and loft conversion to dwelling house. Members agreed to recommend the application for approval. 2. 11/03975/CON: Mr. D. Ellis, Sparrow Works, Bower Hinton. Demolition of existing and the erection of a replacement shed for agricultural implements. Members agreed to recommend the application for approval. 3. 09/02705/FUL: To consider making any further comments to the Planning Inspectorate regarding the appeal relating to land at Percombe Hill, Stoke Road, Martock for change of use of land from agricultural to private gipsy and traveller site with the erection of a hay barn/tractor shed, stable, utility block, mobile home and touring caravan. After consideration members agreed that no further comment from the Parish Council was required. 4. The Parish Clerk reported the receipt from SSDC of formal notice to name a road in Bower Hinton running in a northerly direction off Middle Street as Hirst Court. 97/11 Minutes The Minutes of the meeting held on 28th September 2011 were approved as being a correct record. 98/11 Confirmation of actions from the previous Minutes Action 110928/1: Fly tipping on the Recreation Ground, Patrick Palmer to speak to Chris Cooper of SSDC. The action had been completed. Action 090930/5: Signage for Recreation Ground: The action was ongoing. Action 090930/5: Chris Griffiths (ongoing) Action 101027/7: Precinct raised borders: The Parish Clerk reported on his meeting with the Co-op, who had agreed to look into the matter, and that the action was still ongoing. Action 101027/7: Parish Clerk (ongoing) Action 110523/3: North Street pedestrian crossing. The action was ongoing. Action 110523/3: John Bailey (ongoing) Action 110629/5: Clean-up of Great Western Industrial Estate. In view of the apparent lack of interest by the Probation Service, it was agreed this action should be discarded. Action 110928/2: Development of Holly Tree Farm. The action had been completed. Action 110928/3: Bower Hinton residents. The action had been completed. Action 110928/4: Parish Hall users’ meeting. Peter Barnard reported that a meeting would be held in February 2012. The action had been completed. Action 110928/5: Recreation Ground Car Park. This matter would be considered under agenda item 14. Action 110928/6: Allotment site fence. The action had been completed. Action 110928/7: Outstanding account from Martock Rovers Football Club. The Chairman reported he had spoken to Mrs. Fisher who had assured him a cheque would be sent to settle the account. The Chairman suggested permitting Mrs. Fisher a further week after which time he would contact her again. The action was ongoing. Action 110928/7: Chairman of the Council 99/11 Other matters arising from the Minutes
100/11 County & District Councillors’ Reports John Bailey spoke to his report which had already been circulated to all members. He drew members’ attention to the request for double yellow lines around the bend in Stoke Road adjacent to the Recreation Ground entrance. The Parish Clerk was asked to write to the police to ascertain whether double yellow lines are required and to request patrols of this area when matches are being held on the Recreation Ground. Action 111026/1: Parish Clerk The Parish Clerk was also asked to enquire whether an addition crossing could be installed at the southern end of North Street. Action 111026/2: Parish Clerk Graham Middleton spoke to his report which had been circulated to all members. He spoke on the SSDC Playground Inspection service for which from April 2012 the Parish Council would have to pay. Patrick Palmer spoke on the support Martock Parish Council had received from SSDC and on the proposed reorganisation of Area North. 101/11 Finance Committee. 1. In the absence of the Chairman of the Finance Committee, the Chairman of the Council presented the accounts and the budget sheet for September 2011 all of which had been checked by the Chairman of the Finance Committee. Members unanimously agreed the adoption of the accounts and budget sheet. 2. It was agreed to consider agenda item 11.3 relating to the submission of invoices by contractors who are not registered for VAT at the next meeting of the Parish Council. 3. The Chairman announced that a a meeting of the Finance Committee would be held on 15th November 2011 to consider the 2112/13 precept. He asked the Chairmen of Committee to compile suggestions for expenditure in their areas, to include any proposals for HM Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations. 102/11 Village Committee The Chairman of the Committee, Chris Bell, reported: 1. Parish Hall: A User’s meeting would be convened in the New Year. 2. Winter planting of window boxes: He asked for time to consider the quotes received and would consult with the Parish Clerk which quotation to accept. Members agreed to this action. Action 111026/3: Chris Bell 103/11 Recreation Committee In the absence of the Chairman of the Committee, the Parish Clerk reported the receipt of a letter from the Community Health & Leisure Manager of SSDC informing the Parish Council that from April 2012 all play equipment inspections would be charged by SSDC. He further reported receipt of a report on the play equipment outlining remedial work, a copy of which he had sent to the Chairman of the Committee for action. Action 111026/4: Chris Griffiths 104/11 Recreation Ground car park extension The Chairman explained the problems over the current additional car parking space and that he had met with a representative of a company who had made certain proposals for an extension. The Chairman invited two members of the public to speak on the matter who spoke against the proposal. There followed a considerable discussion on the need for the car park to be extended. The Chairman reminded members that in exceptional circumstances cars may be parked on the grass provided the club requiring additional car parking space made an application to the Parish Council. After further debate it was agreed that the Parish Clerk should seek advice from SSDC on the proposal and whether it required planning permission. Action 111026/5: Parish Clerk 105/11 Distribution of Parish Council papers The Chairman reported on the current situation whereby all papers for meetings of the Parish Council, except the agenda, were sent to members electronically. He explained that under the provisions of current local government legislation, agendas for meetings had to be sent by post to members’ addresses. After consideration, members agreed that all papers for meetings with the exception of agendas would be sent to members electronically. If a member needed papers to be sent to him/her by post the Parish Clerk should be so informed. In the event of a member being unable to print off any of the papers, two sets of meeting papers would be available in the Information Centre. 106/11 Parishioner participation There was none. The Parish Clerk reported the receipt of the following items of correspondence: 1. Quotation from People Pump Ltd for the replacement of a non-return valve in the Pavilion’s existing water booster pump amounting to £342.40 + VAT. Members accepted the quotation. 2. Keeping South Somerset Orchards Alive. 3. Somerset County Council electoral divisions. 4. Mrs. Linda Batten thanking the Parish Council for her SCC Chairman’s Award for Service to the Community. Patrick Palmer reported that the Youth Centre had been awarded a Gold Star Award by SSDC. 108/11 Date of next meeting It was agreed to meet again on Wednesday 30th November 2011 at 7.30pm. There being no further business the Chairman declared
the meeting closed at 10.10pm. |