MINUTES OF LEIGH-ON-MENDIP ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
HELD ON FRIDAY 10 MAY 1991 IN THE MEMORIAL HALL.
Councillors present were J Davis, R Dixon, A Gould, Mrs H Park,
D Pattison & D Yelland. Apologies were accepted from D Turner.
Mr Yelland welcomed Parishioners on behalf of the Parish Council.
The last Annual Parish Meeting Minutes had been circulated.
Mr Yelland expressed disappointment that no representative from
the Recreation Field Management Committee was present to make a
report. He asked Mr Gould about the work to the Club House
partially funded by the PC. Although Mr Gould had not seen the
final job he understood that the Committee were happy with it.
It was suggested from the floor that the RFMC apply to MDC for a
grant, the PC had also suggested this on the 22 October 1990.
A report was presented by Mr Featherstone, Chairman of the
Memorial Hall Committee. The committee's aims were for the Hall
to survive as a village assett. In the short term they hoped to
improve the toilets and windows & upgrade the outside: in the
long term they would like to extend to provide a small meeting
room & storage area & to replace the asbestos roof. Of the Halls
income 33% came from the Under 5's, 33% from others & 34% from
new regular users, the aim was for regular income & outgoings to
balance. From 1/10/89 to 30/9/90 Income had exceeded outgoings
by about £290 & reserves stood at about £4500. Fund Raising had
generated £3159 & thanks were expressed to all concerned.
Mr Featherstone was questioned as to the need for new toilets -
he stated that this was due to the inadequate 'fall' of the
existing drains.
The use of the Hall for PC meetings was raised, it was agreed to
review this at the next PC meeting.
Mr Yelland thanked Mr Featherstone & congratulated him & his
Committee for their work. He questioned the rent charged but was
told this was in line with advice from the Village Hall Advisory
Service however the Committee were always ready to discuss the
matter with regular village clubs. Favourable comments on the
facilities had been passed by Mendip DC officials attending the
recent elections.
Mr R Dixon, Chairman of the Leigh Hale Combe Residents
Association reported that his group, whose membership is confined
to residents round Halecombe Quarry, had been involved in
opposition to Halecombe, Whatley & Merehead Quarries expansion
plans. They had liaised with environmental groups & the County &
District Councils. On behalf of the Residents Group he
congratulated the PC on their work on the quarry plans.
Mr D Yelland reported as Chairman of the Parish Council. He
personally thanked all his fellow councillors for their work as
PC reps & in particular Mr Davis for all his work concerning
quarries & Mr Pattison for his representation work. He commented
on the exceptional participation of residents at the PC meetings
and thanked Mr Merrick, SC Councillor, for his attendance at so
many meetings. The PC had heard from Mr Townend of SALC about
quarry matters, Mr Langridge from SCC on roads & Mr Cox from
Shire Counties Housing on Village Homes within the last year.
He felt that the most important function of the PC was Planning,
to make observations and try to achieve improvements that would
benefit the village. With regard to Halecombe Quarry of the 6
major observations made by the PC progress had been made on 2.
In his view the Bulls Green Link could have considerable
environmental costs for the Parish & bring it no benefit. On
other matters he felt that he & his colleagues were very
frustrated at the seeming inconsistencies in MDC's planning
policy.
Of the general complaints made about roads & footpaths some had
brought a swift response & some not. He did not think L-O-M had
a specific impact of the County Council's Education Policy but at
least Mr Merrick had heard what they had to say.
It was felt that the PC could not have prevented the closure of
the Post Office & Shop but he urged villagers to use the new PO.
FINANCE - the year had started with reserves of £1500 and ended
with double that. The Precept was set about 6 months before the
new financial year & allowances had been made for election expenses.
Of the PC's income he drew attention to the money that passed
through the PC's accounts:- the Watch-the-Box Scheme to combat
vadalism, for the past 2 years Mrs Lee had looked after the box.
A grant from the B T Environmental fund had been paid via the PC
to the Hall. The Burial Grant was an annual amount paid through
the PC to the Church.
In the last year no grant had been made to the Hall therefore
expenditure had been lower than expected. No grant had been
passed on to the Church who were waiting until their position
with regard to proposed death watch beetle treatment had been
finalised. The Precept for this financial year had been kept at
the same level as it was felt that Election costs could be
absorbed. Reserves of £1800 to £2000 were anticipated at the end
of next year.
31% of PC money went on administration,postage etc
48% was recycled within the village
2% went on external appeals.
Mr Yelland was questioned from the floor as to why he 'stood
down' as Chairman when quarry matters were discussed. He replied
that this was his personal choice as he did not want allegations
of bias to be made against him. However on quarry matters
he was always pleased to advise fellow councillors for the
benefit of the village.
AOB Mr Merrick told Councillors that he had ascertained that the
Restoration Bond spoken of in relation to Halecombe's Planning
Application was Index Linked.
There being no further buisiness the meeting was declared closed
& parishioners were invited to partake of refreshments.
21/05/91 jal.
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