DRAFT
ABBAS AND TEMPLECOMBE PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting held on the 10th March 2009
PRESENT Councillors I Speight (Chairman), R F B Saunders, C Hukins, I Middleton, G Wilson, G Foers
4 Parishioners, Apologies
were received from Mr William Wallace District/County Councillor.
Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and commenced the open session.
Jenny Silvester reported on behalf of the Sports and Social Club as follows: -
· As the Scout Group was not organising the Village Fete, this year, the Club were prepared to take it on. The fete would be held on the 4th July and would celebrate the 80th anniversary of the purchase of the first field, which makes up part of the Recreation Ground. The Scout Group would do the food and Mr William Wallace had been asked to officially open the fete. It was hoped to hold a Barn Dance, at the Social Club, in the evening.
· It was intended to hold Car Boot Sales, once a month. Clerk would check the current planning permission.
· Thales Underwater Systems had made enquiries to use the Club as a Social Club
· It was hoped to carry out the exterior painting during the summer.
Agenda item 14 B) Social Club was discussed as follows: -
·
1) Electric’s
check – update
Jenny confirmed that the
safety checks on the fire alarms had been carried out. They were awaiting PAT testing on the
electrical equipment. The report from
the electrician had not yet been received.
The outside light wires needed to be secured.
·
2) Installation
of heating – update
Copy of the accounts
supplied by G Parsons - £5,691.00, D W Rose - £800.00 and R C Creighton £740.00
were given to the Clerk. A grant of
£2,000.00 had been received from Mr William Wallace and the Parish Council had
made enquiries in respect of further grants but to date none were available, as
the work had already been carried out.
Chairman said that he felt the Parish Council would be prepared to make
a donation and Members would discuss the matter further.
·
3) Roofing
Insulation – bar area
G Wilson had made enquiries
at Wickes; materials 150mm /100mm thick were priced
at £486.00. Three lots of 100 mm thick
would give a deeper depth but come out at the same price, with labour the work
would cost approximately £700.00. It was
felt this work should, in principle, be met by the Parish Council and it may be
possible to obtain a grant.
Jenny reported that Lillian
and Gill were helping the Treasurer with the accounts and she would obtain a
Treasurer’s report for the next meeting.
R Saunders asked if a key
to the Social Club could be lodged with the Clerk so access could be gained in
an emergency.
1
APOLOGIES
FOR ABSENCE
2
MINUTES OF
THE MEETING HELD ON THE 10TH FEBRUARY 2009
It was proposed by C Hukins
and seconded by R Saunders that the draft Minutes, be agreed, as previously
circulated.
4
CORRESPONDENCE
1)
South Somerset District Council – Annual Parish Meeting
with
2) South Somerset District Council – Area East Community Forum meeting – 10th February. Notes were circulated amongst Members.
3) Community Justice Panel – Funding application for Community Justice Panel – Wincanton area. Chairman read out letter dated 13th February indicating the intention to set up a Community Justice Panel to cover the Wincanton area, similar to the one operating in Chard, Ilminster and Crewkerne. Funding would be needed and it was hoped to have a part-time co-ordinator based at the SSDC Offices in Wincanton. A steering group would need to be set up and volunteers required to train as Facilitators.
1) Determination of applications:-
Application No 08/05204/FUL – The erection of dwelling and garage and a replacement garage to serve Homestead – The Homestead 11 High Street Templecombe Somerset
Application No 08/00120/FUL –
Erection of two storey extension to property –
2)
Clerk reported that the Joint Area Committee – East
Meeting would take place on the 11th March at 9.30 am at the Council
Office, Churchfield, Wincanton,
Chairman informed Members that the following planning application was received after the preparation of the Agenda and it was agreed that it should be discussed at this meeting in view of the timescale given for replies.
3) Planning application no. 09/00560/FUL – Erection of a steel framed building over existing concrete yard to provide dry storage area – Thales Underwater Systems Troop Road Templecombe Somerset BA8 ODH. Members considered the application and raised no objections.
1)
To approve
accounts and sign cheques
Mr A Livsey – Upkeep of Railway Station – Oct 08 to March 09 225.00
Mr J Pratt – Groundsman hours – 8.2.09 – 7.3.09 28.12
Mrs T Chapman (Clerk) – Salary/Expenses March 09 305.69
2)
Treasurers’
Trust Account (Railway Station) – Continuation
Chairman reported that according to a letter dated the 28th July 1997, in connection with the Templecombe Station Promotion Group, addressed to the Council from a Mr Alan Eadle, it was stated that initial investment be invested in perpetuity together with interest and kept for use as a starter fund, should there ever be the need for another group to be set up to protect the Templecombe Station. As at the 31st December 2008 the account stood at £581.72. It was generally felt that this fund would be better used towards the upkeep of the Station, in particular towards repainting the footbridge. R Saunders would speak with Mr Ian Mathews, who was on the original committee, to seek his views, bearing in mind the letter dated 28th July 1997.
3)
Annual
Review of Rents
Sports and Social Club - £345.00, payment due 25th March – The next rent review was due in 2011.
Templars Tennis Club - £312.00. It was agreed not to make an increase.
Fair - £250.00. It was agreed not to make an increase.
4)
Other
None.
7
YOUTH PARISH
COUNCIL – UPDATE
Ella and Ben reported that
they had held two team building sessions and produced a diagram of ideas as
follows: -
· Vegetable networks – opportunity for people to sell there produce, possibly at the Social Club, and exchange gardening advice.
· Events for young people in the Village – music, art, drama
· Hold an open to all meeting to raise profile of Youth Parish Council and get more people on board, possibly with refreshments.
Councillor L Bennett joined the meeting at 8.00 pm.
Chairman thanked them for their report and offered the support of the Parish Council. It was suggested that posters could be put up and information could be included in the newsletter. Initially it was felt more people were needed before any projects could be progressed.
8
PARKING
Clerk reported that three
permits had been issued. E-mail had been
received from a resident of
Clerk reported that Vale Signs and Print had quoted £197.28 to fit two aluminium sign systems. Members were in agreement for the signs to be purchased and fitted.
9
HIGHWAY
MATTERS
1)
Bus Shelter
– High Street – update
Clerk reported that letters had been sent out, on the 13th February, to neighbouring properties indicating the proposed positioning of the shelter, as shown by the yellow markings on the pavement. Comments had been requested by the date of this meeting and no replies/comments had been received. A quotation for the ground works involved had been received from Crestmoor amounting to £1,066.86, excluding VAT.
G Foers agreed to obtain a quote for the structural calculations. Letters would be sent to the neighbouring properties indicting that as no comments were received it was intended to go ahead with the proposed shelter.
2)
Traffic Calming/HGV’s
Clerk reported that she had
spoken to Mr Scott Pollard and arranged for the return of the speedwatch
equipment. If this was not received
shortly she would chase matter up.
3)
Casterbridge
Hall – planter – update
G Wilson reported that he
estimated approximately £350.00 would be needed for plants and he circulated
details of the Papworth Rose/Damascus Rose.
He had spoken to Mr Tharby of Morrish Builders who indicated the
proposed bed belonged to Highways. They
had been asked to provide topsoil and G Wilson had asked for a donation towards
the cost of the plants. Members agreed
to go ahead with the planter.
4)
Other
Clerk was asked to chase up
the work required to the potholes.
A lot of the white lines in Village were in need of repainting. Highways had indicated that some would be carried out as part of their renewing programme but Clerk would ask for a full inspection to be carried out. It was also suggested that “Slow signs” would be beneficial on exiting the Village, after the Manor House.
Clerk had made enquiries of the planning department concerning the trees at Casterbridge Hall but had received no reply and would chase matter up again.
Clerk reported that details of the Big Tidy Up Scheme, commencing on the 24th March 2009, had been received. The Scouts would be approached to see if they would like to carry out another village litter pick up, as part of the Scheme.
10
FOOTPATHS
Footpath WN29/15 – off of
the High Street – Mr Peter Keenlyside – Footpath Officer reported to Clerk that
the brambles had been cut back and the steps cleared.
He also asked if a note could be put in the Parish Council newsletter, or Church one, as the owner of the land, at the end of Lily Lane, had reported that dog walkers were not keeping to the footpaths, dogs were off the lead and fouling was becoming a concern. Clerk would arrange to do this.
11
TREE
WARDEN’S REPORT
No report.
12
PROVISION OF
CEMETERY
Chairman read out e-mail dated 26th February, from Rev Hallett to the PCC, in response to a letter dated 25th February from Diocese of Bath and Wells to Rev Hallett. Members acknowledged that it would not be possible for the PCC to give the land, the subject of the Trust Deed, and after discussion felt that if there was any chance the land to the north could be used as a burial ground, with the existing Churchyard still being officially closed, may be the most positive way forward. It was appreciated that there is a possibility this course of action may restrict closure of the present Churchyard, but the Parish Council would be willing to undertake to take over the maintenance and pay for any expenses incurred i.e. applying for change of use on the land to the north and associated ground works and pay any necessary rent.
The option to apply for planning permission to see whether the land would be suitable for development, to establish a value, would be quite costly and it was considered access to the site not favourable i.e. by the School and over the trackway. Members were reminded that Highways had limited the number of dwellings that could be developed on the Rectory site due to the access from the site on to the highway. Members felt funds would be better spent on establishing burial space on the land to the north, it this was possible. Clerk would reply to Rev Hallett as per discussions and make enquiries of the Streetscene services – SSDC who had intimated that they had instructions that they would be cutting the grass Churchyard in the future.
13
NEWSLETTER/REVIEW
OF DELIVERY ARRANGEMENTS
C Brown had indicated to Clerk that he needed some photos of the bell ringers to go with the article written by Audrey Riley. Clerk had spoken with the Explorer’s group for an article. I Middleton would speak to Mr Mike Wilcox to see if he would be prepared to produce an article on the Church Clock.
Clerk had spoken to Mr Arlo Cuss concerning delivery of the newsletter and he would raise the matter at the next Church meeting.
14
RECREATION
GROUND MATTERS/CHILDRENS PLAY AREA
A)
Play Area
1) Weekly/Quarterly Play Area Inspection Reports – matters arising
Clerk had provided G Foers with diagrams of the platforms and he would confirm how many of each item would be needed to carry out replacement of the platforms.
Clerk reported that replacement crutch straps for the cradle swings could be purchased for £18.99 from Playdale, plus VAT/delivery. Replacement gullwing seesaw seats were available form G B Sports and Leisure for £23.10 plus VAT/delivery. Members were in agreement for the crutch straps and gullwing seesaw seats to be ordered, as reported.
G Foers also reported that he had fixed the spring cover on the pedestrian gate into the play area.
R Saunders reported that Gartells had supplied, free of charge, two bars and bolts for the tennis court gate.
2)
BMX Track
G Foers reported that he,
1)
Electric’s
check – update
Covered
in open session.
2)
Installation
of heating – update
Covered
in open session.
3)
Roofing
insulation – bar area
Covered
in open session.
It was noted that three
dogs had been reported for attacking another dog at Recreation Ground. Dog fouling was becoming a problem and it was
felt the Dog Warden should be asked to attend and the matter reported to PCSO
John Winfield.
15
Any other
business/items for Agenda for the next meeting on 14th April
2009/Annual Parish Meeting 2009
Chairman reported that he and I Middleton had attend the Somerset Safer Neighbourhood presentation in Yeovil. PCSO Fiona Wilson presented a presentation on Templecombe and the improvements carried out at the Recreation Ground.
The Driver Awareness Course took place on 17th February and was attended by 10 people.
It was agreed that the next meeting, being the Annual Parish Meeting followed by the usual monthly meeting, would commence at 7.00 pm.
Meeting closed at 9.15 pm
Signed……………………..Dated ……………