MINUTES OF LEIGH ON MENDIP PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY 24th OCTOBER 2005 at 7.30pm
Councillors present. Chairman John Wright, Chris Cudmore, Steve Anderson, Graham Harris, Ty Schlechter,
Councillor Gloria Cawood attended the meeting
Apologies - Paul Moore, Geoff Casey
Ms Lesley Rowan, Waste Management Office, Somerset Waste Partnership – information on proposed recycling policy. Ms Rowan did not attend the meeting, however there are two meetings scheduled for November for a representative of the Parish Council to attend.
The MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING of 19th September 2005 were accepted and signed.
MATTERS ARISING
Deeds – TS reported that these are still under consideration
Contract of Employment – now signed and completed.
Printer – this has been sold.
SCC Highways - Request for “Cattle Crossing” signs on Old Wells Road and letter to JD for work carried out to footpath. GC has not informed us if this has been done ACTION GC
Street Lighting – Gerald Jeanes is liaising with SCC Highways and Western Power regarding on-going problems. Relevant phone numbers are now on the notice boards and web site and parishioners are urged to report failures.
Halecombe Quarry footpath – concerns reported to the Quarry Manager, JA informed that the footpath would be cut back.
The meeting was held in abeyance for the following two items
VANDALISM
A Parishioner brought to the attention of the Parish Council an act of vandalism, which occurred recently at the Recreation Field. PCSO Paul Emery mentioned that this was one of several, which he was investigating. Concerns were raised that there was little activity in the village available for the younger element, such as Youth Clubs, although the cost of employing leaders was prohibitive and volunteers would be needed to run such activities.
Following discussions CC and TS
will put together a simple questionnaire for children and teenagers in the
village regarding their requirements. ACTION CC/TS
DISCUSSION – HIGHWAYS RELATED MATTER - PCSO Paul Emery
Paul reported that at the last Steering Committee Meeting concerns had been raised regarding the village/highways. He thanked the residents for contacting him regarding instances of nuisance and vandalism and these are being resolved, with some success.
Parking problems in the village are being resolved and his persistence is paying off, as there is now more room by the school with the removal of some illegally parked cars.
Gloria Cawood reported that parking, speeding, etc can be raised with the meeting with SCC Highways. Unfortunately no one on the Parish Council has been informed of this meeting, which has now been confirmed as 11th November, at 2.45 p.m. outside the school.
A meeting to discuss policy has
been arranged within the Parish Council, so that a representative from the PC
can attend the meeting with SCC Highways ACTION ALL
Neighbourhood Watch meeting. Of the six co-ordinators, only three attended a recent meeting. Paul felt that if this was more active then problems would be acted on more quickly.
The village has a new Beat Manager, Dean Hamilton, and villagers can check crime in the area, but the area code, FR134 covers a large area, and statistics are not available for Leigh on Mendip alone.
TS asked if his use of the new motorcycle had been productive. Paul informed the meeting that this was a useful means of transport for off-road problems, although he had only one reportable incident in the last month.
FINANCE
Financial statement – JW proposed acceptance and all agreed
04/05 Internal Auditor – SA
proposed that a voucher for Keith Cockroft be purchased for his work on the
internal audit. All agreed. ACTION JW
Sale of Printer – As previously advised, this has been sold for £10 and will be shown in next months finance statement.
Cemetery – Mowing Bill - Inv 36, 29.09 and 7.10; Chq 058 £100 issued.
LOCAL WORKS – CAMPAIGN FOR THE
SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES BILL
Following discussion all agreed
that this bill would be endorsed and returned. ACTION JA
PLANNING
LJH – Following a meeting at MDC Planning Department, due to local objections, it was agreed that the bund be moved approximately 20 metres further from neighbouring housing which was acceptable to residents.
Marigold Cottage, First floor rear extension – Approval
recommended but any local objections to be taken into consideration.
Oak Cottage – Application granted
LAND AT PARK HAYES
Awaiting amended paperwork from Solicitors, as this was incorrect when received.
ROADS AND FOOTPATHS
GC reported that some works are being carried out by highways, mainly drainage issues, which are now prioritised. Missing finger posts on order.
CC stated that MDC putting in new fingerposts on stiles.
REC FIELD REPORT
A grant is being sought for the play area surface to be replaced
MEETINGS ATTENDED
CC reported that he attended MDC Planning Meeting for LJH, as previously reported.
CC attended the Parish Forum – Guidance on roadside notices have been issued, and Improving Parish Meetings have been issued in the Parish Forum.
SA attended PCSO meeting, as previously reported.
Road Sweeping – CC reported that despite all the efforts of Liz and Derek Robinson in delivering leaflets to all residents, many cars were not moved and the road was not swept properly. It is particularly relevant at this time of the year due to leaves blocking drains and causing flooding. The Council are very grateful for the contribution that Liz and Derek make and hope that in future more effort will be made to facilitate this service.
CORRESPONDENCE – the following were circulated to Parish Councillors:-
Council Tax Consultation; HAP Meetings; Air Ambulance; MDC Standards Board Committee Meeting; SMP Playground Equipment; Community Council for Somerset, Rural Housing Project; G Jeanes, Street Lighting; RSS Workshops; Parishes Information Bulletin; SALC Items of Interest; A & S Police Circular from Ch. Supt. A Marsh; Somerset Strategic Partnership Meeting.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING –Monday 21ST November 2005 7.30pm in the Memorial Hall