DRAFT
MINUTES OF LEIGH ON MENDIP PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY 18TH JUNE 2007 AT 7.30 P.M.
IN THE MEMORIAL HALL
Councillors present. Chris Cudmore; Frank Higgins; Vicki Taylor;
Apologies: Ty Schlechter who will be late.
THE MINUTES OF THE MEETINGS of 2nd May and the Annual General Meeting of 21st May 2007 were accepted and signed.
Churchyard No information has been forthcoming as
to rules regarding the imposition of a Special Expenses Rate. ACTION CC
Lease The lease has been received and confirmation received that the solicitor for the Recreation Field must register the counter lease.
Registration of land Our solicitor FDC Law is dealing with the registration of the Memorial Hall land and the Recreation Field with the Land Registry.
Historic Environment Service Grant Application Historic Environment Service, SCC have been advised of support, with consideration of grants for local groups.
Footpaths The Ramblers Association representative called at the Parish Clerks house and confirmed that they will be using the stock remaining from the Access Walk. They propose repairing further footpaths, stiles etc in the parish.
Street Names Following discussions with local groups, Graham Harris will be informing the Parish Council of any road names which have not been designated to local roads.
Car Boot Sale There was supposed to be a car boot
sale on the 16th June, but as this was the day of the Fair, no-one
knew whether this had gone ahead. JA
has received further concerns which have been reported to Cathy Day at MDC but
so far has not received any follow up
ACTION JA
Clerks Contract of employment TS has returned this to JA. The full options will be e-mailed to councillors for discussion at next meeting. ACTION JA
Code of Conduct a new handbook and guide was handed to parish councillors.
Matters Arising Annual General Meeting, 21st May 2007
Mendip Housing Meeting this was being held by a private company and it was decided that there was no value in a representative attending the meeting.
The subject of affordable housing for people of the village was discussed. There has been a great deal of dissatisfaction with the manner in which the current housing was allocated; as it was felt that there were some in the village whose claims had been ignored and those from farther afield given preference. Any further affordable housing proposals should ensure that discussions regarding the S106 agreement should ensure a stronger parish preference, and that rented and part ownership schemes were included.
CC informed the District Councillors that if they wish to discuss anything with the Parish Council in the future, then contact the Parish Clerk to add it to the agenda.
TS joined the meeting at 7.50
CC explained to the proposed new parish councillors the duties of the parish council, basics of code of conduct, declaration of interests, etc.
A short resume of the characters of both proposed councillors was given to the meeting.
Chris Cudmore proposed a vote to co-opt both Rose Martin and Marsha Read as Parish Councillors to Leigh on Mendip Parish Council. This was carried unanimously.
Both Councillors signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office and the Declaration of Interest Forms passed to them for completion and return to the Parish Clerk.
TS declared an interest, as he is the Representative for the Memorial Hall
Sue Vaughan gave a presentation on the proposed extension to the Memorial Hall. Part of the requirement of grant application is that a financial contribution is required from the Parish Council of up to 25% of the cost, although around 10% would be a reasonable contribution. The Parish Precept would need to be increased to cover the cost of such a grant. The maximum cost of the work is approximately £40,000, including VAT and contingency charge plus professional fees.
It was suggested that the funds could be provided over two years, as this amount was almost equivalent to the total parish precept if provided in one stage. It was proposed that JA contact Peter Lacey to ascertain the legality of this, or whether we need to ring-fence this amount.
ACTION JA
The Parish Plan supported the continuing use of the Memorial Hall, and CC stated it would cost approx £20 per household for a band D property if the full amount is committed. However as the Parish also has some reserve capital a decision on the split of sourcing from precept and/or reserve can be made when next years budget is agreed. A suggestion was also made that in kind contributions, can also be used to reduce the costs.
VT proposed that we commit to10% of the cost of the project up to a limit of £4,000. Seconded by RM. Carried unanimously.
Following discussions it was agreed to write a letter of support to the Memorial Hall committee agreeing to commit 10% of the costs, up to a maximum of £4,000 towards the scheme.
Acceptance of Audit The audit has been presented to the internal auditor, checked and all appropriate sections completed. It was proposed that the audit be accepted. All agreed
Clerks Salary/Expenses Cheque No 503 agreed and signed
CEMETERY
Mowing Bill D Jarvis Invoice 26 for mowing 01.06 & 15.06.07, Cheque No 73 agreed and signed
Clerks Salary/Expenses Cheque No 074 agreed and signed.
JA advised that since no-one had come forward to take over the work as Cemetery Clerk, as from 18th June 2007, this has been taken over by the Parish Clerk.
Transfer of Funds JA proposed that £500 is transferred from the current account to the cemetery account to cover future costs of mowing etc. All agreed
PLANNING
The Hazels 114272/001 Demolish existing rear conservatory and erection of single storey rear extension Approved with Conditions
Ivy Cottage 108035/003 Conversion of extension of outbuilding to farm shop and ancillary accommodation. Approved with conditions.
Shermoyne -
109080/002 Erection of two storey extension. Following discussions, it was proposed that the decision is left
to the planning officer. All agreed.
ROAD SAFETY
FH informed the Council that a Village Meeting was to be
held on Wednesday 11th July and 7.30 p.m. in the Memorial Hall, to
define road safety problems in the village, including parking by the school and
accidents at the Townsend area.
PARISH PLAN
VT has been unable to arrange a final meeting and will
organise this before the next Parish Council meeting. An update will be provided at the next meeting ACTION VT
COMMUNITY ACTIVITY PROJECT UPDATE
Copies which were provided by Graham Harris will be copied and passed to MR and RM
CHANGES TO MDC HOUSING
This has been returned to the correspondence file in order that it can be discussed at the next Parish Council meeting.
MENDIP PLAY STRATEGY
VT felt that we should support the strategy and was happy with the proposals. All agreed
CALOR VILLAGE OF THE YEAR COMPETITION
JA
stated that there was a delay in the availability of application form and the
competition is now being run by CPRE.
JA will download an application form for completion. Closing date is 27th July. ACTION JA
NHS FOUNDATION TRUST APPLICATION
CC felt that we did not have the expertise to comment on the application and proposed that no observation should be made. All agreed
CC explained, for the benefit of the new Parish Councillors, the various activities on which Councillors represent the Parish. These are:
SALC; Quarries; Footpaths; Highways; Memorial Hall; Recreation
Field; PCSO; and School.
It was decided that the Representatives would be nominated at the next Parish Council meeting.
Hall TS reported that discussions at the last meeting discussed grant support from the Parish Council for the extension. A maintenance day had been held in June.
Village Fair, Dog Show 16.06.07. CC stated that it had been a very successful show and wished to thank the village for all the help in making it a very pleasant and rewarding day.
School VT reported that the school had their OFSTED last Wednesday 13th June. A further report will be made at the next meeting as to how successful the school was.
MEETINGS ATTENDED
Unitary Council and One Somerset Unitary Authority Organised by SCC.
Mendip & Central East Neighbourhood Forum Parish
Lengthsman Pilot Scheme. Details in
Correspondence File. VT explained that
this involves Parishes joining forces to employ a person full time to cover
various parishes. Support would also be available from County and
District. VT felt that we must express
our interest in going to another meeting, which is to be held in July,
depending on the interest from other Parish Councils. CC proposed that we
pursue this at the next meeting ACTION VT
Mendip Area Working Panel 28th August - CC
proposed that this is put on the agenda for next meeting so that a decision can
be made as to who will attend.
Correspondence Parishes Information Bulletin; Community Activity Project; SLCC Branch Meeting; Mendip PCSO Steering Group Meeting 30.05.07; e-mail from G Cawood re Ivy Cottage Planning Approval; Mendip Area Working Panel Minutes etc; SCC Parish and Town Council Unitary Authority Meetings; E-mail from Mendip Highways; Mendip Community Newsletter; A&S Policing Summary; The Local Column; Mendip Times; Glasdon News Sheet; Meeting; Thatch; Result of Postal Ballot for Standards Committee members; Community Council for Somerset Rural Roadshow;
Grove Shute Farm comments on appeal; Changes to MDC Common Housing Register.
Letter from JW thanks
Separate action
Copies of Standing Orders for discussion at July Parish Council
SCC Environment. Dir. Parish Lengthsman Pilot Scheme
Date of next meeting 16th July 2007