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Minutes
of a meeting of the Parish Council held on 24th November 2010
at 7.30pm There were present Roger Powell Chairman Jenny Becker Philip Jackson In attendance: I.M. Andrews Parish Clerk 101/10 Apologies for Absence Apologies for absence were received from Andy Rogers. 102/10 Declarations of interest The Chairman declared an interest in agenda item 5.1. 103/10 Vacancy on the Parish Council The Chairman reported at present there were three vacancies on the Parish Council. Mr. Stewart Briggs was interested in becoming a member and the Parish Clerk reported the receipt of a letter from a Mr. Peter Barnard expressing his interest. After discussion, it was proposed by Jenny Becker and seconded by Philip Jackson that both candidates should be invited to attend and address the next meeting of the Parish Council on 26th January 2011. This was unanimously agreed by members. Action 101124/1: Parish Clerk 104/10 Police matters PCSO Graham Phimister reported on incidents of criminal damage in Martock, three incidents of theft and ten incidents of anti-social behaviour. He further reported on two incidents of theft from Martock Primary School and that two males had been arrested on suspicion of stealing a motor bike. 105/10 Parishioner participation Christopher Price reported on the survey in Martock and surrounding areas being carried out by M3CP and tabled a paper with the results of those survey forms returned to date. He reported on the delivery of the survey forms and that some houses would have the forms redelivered as the original had been mislaid. Mr. Price concluded by informing the meeting that the survey had not been a cost to Council Taxpayers as the cost had been met by a grant from the Somerset Community Foundation and M3CP. The Chairman thanked Christopher Price for all his work with this matter. 106/10 Planning Committee At this point the Chairman of the Council vacated the chair and left the room. David Parris took the chair and reported on the following planning application: 10/03998/FUL: Mr. C. Bartlett. The erection of a detached house, detached carport and associated on site access/boundary provision. Land at junction of Foldhill Close and Bearley Road, Martock. Several members of the public spoke against the application on the grounds that it would not be in keeping and that there would be a loss of parking. After consideration, members decided not to recommend the application for approval on the grounds that the property would not be in keeping with the surrounding area, there would be a loss of car parking and the property would be “shoe horned” into the area. 107/10 Minutes The Minutes of the meeting held on 20th October 2010 were approved as being a correct record. At this point the Chairman of the Council returned to the meeting and resumed the Chair. 108/10 Confirmation of actions from previous Minutes Action 101020/1: SSDC draft Core Strategy: The Parish Clerk reported he had written to South Somerset District Council setting out the Parish Council’s comments. Action 100825/1: Development of gardens: Patrick Palmer reported he would make a full report at the next meeting of the Parish Council. The action was ongoing. Action 100825/1: Patrick Palmer (ongoing) Action 090930/5: Signage for Recreation Ground: The action was ongoing. Action 090930/5: Chris Griffiths (ongoing) Action 0901125/3: Tennis Club lease: The Chairman reported on
proposals from the Tennis Club to vary the times of their exclusive
access to the public courts which he had distributed to members
(a copy of which is attached to these minutes). Action 100630/4: Proposed coffee mornings in the Parish Hall: The Parish Clerk reported on the meeting held with Chris Bell, Jenny Becker and Mrs. Karen Hingley to arrange a monthly coffee morning in the Parish Hall at which there would be up to six stalls selling small items. He explained that the primary rôle of the project would be to enable people to meet socially once a month. After discussion, it was agreed the project should proceed and there would not be a charge for the use of the Parish Hall. Any surplus made from the venture would be put toward a Parish Hall fund. Action 100728/2: Letter to David Heath M.P: The action had been completed. Action 100728/4: Policies: The Parish Clerk reported that the action was ongoing. Action 100728/4: Parish Clerk (ongoing) Action 100929/4: Bracey Road play area: The Chairman reported the funding for this project was no longer under threat of being cut. He would now press SSDC for a start date. Action 100924/3: Parish Hall roof insulation: In the absence of Andy Rogers the action was ongoing. Action 100924/3: Andy Rogers/Chris Bell Action 101020/3: Plaque for the trough: Patrick Palmer agreed to progress this project. The Parish Council agreed that a bronze plaque with wording similar to that on the trough should be attached to the wall of the Market House. Action 101020/3: Patrick Palmer (ongoing) Action 100929/9: Planting in the Precinct border: The Parish Clerk reported the matter was ongoing. Action 100929/9: Parish Clerk (ongoing) Action 100929/12: Hire costs for facilities on the Recreation Ground: The action was ongoing. Action 100929/12: Chairman of the Council & Chris Griffiths (ongoing) Action 100929/16: Levelling ground on the recreation Ground to enable moving of the junior football pitch: It was agreed the item would be dealt with under agenda item 13.2. Action 100929/17: Housing Survey: The Chairman reported the action was ongoing. Action 100929/17: Chairman of the Council (ongoing) Action 100929/18: Staff attendance at meetings of the Parish Council: The Parish Clerk reported the action had been completed. Action 100929/19: Letter to Chairman of Kingsbury Parish Council: The Parish Clerk reported the action had been completed. Action 101020/4: SSDC Dog Warden: Ann Campbell reported the action had been completed. Action 101020/5: Recreation Ground car park: The item would be dealt with under agenda item 13.1. Action 101020/6: Curtains from the Market House: Philip Jackson reported the action had been completed. Action 101020/7: Precinct raised borders: The Parish Clerk reported the action was ongoing. Action 101027/7: Parish Clerk (ongoing) Action 101020/8: Pavilion Boiler Room: Chris Griffiths reported the action was ongoing. Action 101020/8: Chris Griffiths (ongoing) Action 101020/9: Rugby Club goal posts: The Parish Clerk reported the action was ongoing. Action 101020/9: Richard Walsh & Parish Clerk (ongoing) Action 101020/10: Grounds people: The Parish Clerk reported the action had been completed. Action 101020/11: Police Volunteers: The Parish Clerk reported the action had been completed. Action 101020/12: Somerset County Council’s Chairman’s Award: The Chairman reported the action had been completed. Action 101020/13: Visit by Mr. N. McWilliams. SCC Assistant Highways Service Manager: Patrick Palmer agreed to contact Mr. McWilliams concerning signs for Martock. Action: 101020/13: Patrick Palmer (ongoing) Action 101020/14: Martock Players: The Parish Clerk reported the action had been completed. 109/10 Other matters arising from the Minutes There were none. 110/10 County & District Councillors’ Reports John Bailey spoke to his report which had already been circulated. He informed members he would be away in the New Year and that Ann Campbell would deal with his work in his absence. Ann Campbell reported that SSDC would support Parish Councils to continue any services which may be discontinued by the County Council, but the rôle would not be of financial support. She reported the light columns had been erected in the Precinct which were waiting for further work. At this point, the Chairman reported that any balance of SSDC funding would be used for low level lighting in the car park. It was agreed the matter should be progressed when the current proposed lighting had been completed. Ann Campbell reported that Chelsea Norris, Chairperson of the Youth Parish Council, had won an award for Young Volunteer of the Year and the Chairman agreed to write and congratulate her on the award. Action 101124/2: Chairman of the Council Patrick Palmer reported that the SSDC Area North office in Kelways would shortly be closed making a saving of £60,000 per annum. 111/10 Finance Committee The Chairman of the Committee, Richard Walsh, recommended for acceptance 1. The accounts for October 2010. Members approved both documents. 3. Members noted the Internal Auditor’s
report of 12th November 2010. After discussion, it was agreed not to decide upon a precept for 2011/12 until the end of January 2011 following a further meeting of the Finance Committee, by which time the full effect of proposed cuts in expenditure by both South Somerset District Council and Somerset County Council would be known. The Chairman of the Council requested all members to consider the impact of any increase in the Parish Council’s precept on the Council Taxpayers in Martock. He further reported he had proposed that a meeting should be held with other parishes concerning the cost of youth work and the cost of other services which might be reduced. Action 101124/2: Chairman of the Council After discussion it was agreed to hold a meeting of the Finance Committee on Wednesday 12th January 2011 at 7.30pm. 112/10 Village Committee The Chairman of the Committee, Chris Bell, reported that work concerning the Parish Hall was ongoing. He reminded members that the Christmas tree would be erected outside the Market House on Sunday 5th December 2010 and called for volunteers to assist. 113/10 Recreation Committee The Chairman of the Committee, Chris Griffiths, recommended acceptance of the following quotations for work: 1. Extension of the Recreation Ground car
park: K.M. Dike Nurseries Ltd £1381.16 + VAT. Members agreed to the three quotations for work. In view of the time it was agreed to postpone discussion of agenda items 14 and 15. 114/10 Probation Trust young offenders working in Martock Andrew Clarke reported on the proposal for young offenders to work in the Great Western Industrial Estate to tidy the area. After discussion members agreed to the proposition and that the travelling cost of £15.00 per day would be paid. 115/10 Parishioner participation There was none. 116/10 Correspondence The Parish Clerk reported receipt of the following correspondence: 1. Somerset County Council concerning the Management of Public
Rights of Way in Somerset. Action 101124/3: David Parris 117/10 Date of next meeting It was agreed to meet again Wednesday 26th January 2011 at 7.30pm. There being no further business the Chairman declared the meeting
closed at 10.05pm.
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