MINUTES OF LEIGH-ON-MENDIP PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD ON 18 JANUARY 1999 IN THE SCHOOL.
Councillors present: J Davis, M Loten, D Pattison(Chairman),
J Wright, and P Moore and D Turner who arrived late.
The MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING were accepted as a true record
an signed.
MATTERS ARISING
[D TURNER & P MOORE arrived during this item]
All letters sent but few replies had been received to date.
The first stage report of the Barnclose/Cookswood Quarry
feasability study was on circulation - Barnclose appeared to be
the first choice for development.
REC FIELD LEASE - reply from Charity Commission recommending
using a solicitor.
Reply re GOVERNMENT FUNDING FOR COUNTY COUNCIL'S circulated.
CEMETERY REPORT- from M Mears.
NOTICEBOARD - needs to be put up. [M LOTEN declared an interest &
withdrew]. It was agreed to ask B Loten to put up the board, DT
proposed spending up to £50 on the job, PM seconded and all
agreed (to be paid from PC account). A plan showing the proposed
position will be given to Burial Clerk. (CLERK)
[M LOTEN rejoined the meeting.]
REGISTER - sheets produced at cost of £8, order given to the
Bindery, burgundy cover with gold lettering. Ready end of Jan.
PLANTING SCHEME - received from MDC. It was agreed to authorise
the purchase of plants - a mix of hawthorn, blackthorn, field
maple and hazel - 60 of each at 60p each + VAT from Barters
Wholesale, plus fertilizer. DT proposed purchase, DP seconded,
all agreed. MM had offered to collect plants. She will be asked
to organise the planting. (MM)
ML suggested that before applying for the Burial Grant, which it
was thought would be in May, a survey be done of the churchyard
to identify maintenance work needing to be done, all agreed. (MM)
RECREATION FIELD
The Clerk reported that she had tried to get quotes for the
preparation of a lease, Daniel & Crutwell had quoted £200 + VAT.
Faulkners had not got back to her. It was suggested she approach
SALC. Item to be discussed at February meeting. (CLERK)
Burns Night celebration on Monday 25 January.
_____________
DISCUSSION ON MANOR FARM DEVELOPMENT
Following the last meeting N Salmon (planner) had asked DP if he
could attend this meeting and discuss with Councillors and
parishioners ideas for the development of the farmyard, this had
been agreed and he had come with M Nielsen, owner, to put forward
ideas and listen to comments. The Clerk had invited the officer
at MDC but she was unable to attend.
NS explained that officers were recommending refusal of the
plans. He had drawn up amended plans - not yet submitted - and
arranged a site meeting with the District Councillor. The plans
PL1322/2/3/4 were discussed, from a PC viewpoint they had dealt
with most of their criticisms except the overdevelopment of the
site. He also had prepared, in outline, three alternative plans
for discussion to perhaphs pre-empt the appeal process.
Discussion took place on the alternatives: 1) to retain the
existing single storey building on the east of the yard and
convert it into 2x2bed units and build 3x2 storey houses on the
north side,5units.
2) Maintain 3x2storey houses to the north and build 2x2storey
units on the east side, 5 units.
3) Maintain 3x2storey units on the north side, convert existing
building to the east to one single storey dwelling, 4 units.
In all cases the unit to the north would be similar to that in
the existing planning application.
The applicant was not prepared to accept the conversion of
existing buildings only. The PC's views on conversion to light
industrial use was discussed but Councillors thought residential
use of this site was preferable.
After the discussion Councillors agreed that they would convey to
District Councillor Ward the following views on the 'plans'.
1) Whole development should have a lower roofline than Manor Farm
to maintain the proportion of the site.
2) Prefer conversion of existing buildings to residential.
3) Feel site unsuitable for commercial use.
4) Of options put forward the third had most support. (CLERK)
_____________
It was reported that the VDS had been adopted by Mendip as
Planning Guidance.
FINANCE
PRECEPT - a forecast of spending for the next financial year had
been prepared by DP, ML & Clerk. Discussion took place on amount
needed for 'special' projects, eg the Millenium, as well as the
usual grants given. DT proposed a Precept of £2750, DP seconded,
all agreed. Form will be returned to MDC. (CLERK)
CPRE sub not renewed.
VICTIM SUPPORT grant request. £10 given in 1994. DP proposed
£20, DT seconded, all agreed. Current a/c cheque 290 made out and
signed, S137 payment.
AUDIT BILL £100 + £17.50 VAT = £117.50.
DP proposed payment, DT seconded, all agreed. Current a/c cheque
291 made out and signed.
CLERK'S SALARY - to be claimed 4 times a year from now on.
Salary £283.14 + Expenses £29.89 = £313.03. (No telephone
costs claimed).PM proposed payment, ML seconded, all agreed. An
order for a crossed warrant from the PO Investment a/c was made
out and signed.
PHOTOCOPY BILL [DT declared & interest & took no part]
Somerset Computing Feb 1998-Jan 1999 £44.18 inc VAT. ML
proposed payment, JW seconded, all agreed. Current a/c cheque 292
made out and signed. [DT returned]
BURIAL CLERK'S SALARY from Cemetery a/c.
Salary - 11.25 hours @ £5.92 = £67.58
Expenses = £9.74
PM proposed payment, JD seconded, all agreed, Cheque no 1 signed.
(Action ML & CLERK)
ROADS & FOOTPATHS
Flooding on Pitten Street & a complaint about adverts for Wessex
Saddlery which have appeared on the roadside verges, and concern
at the obstruction of signs for the Bulls Green road will be
passed on. (CLERK)
Stile on F8/9 below Leigh Woods broken - mended once but step has
come off again. A schedule for path clearance will be prepared
and BL will be asked to undertake the work. (CLERK)
JD reported that the Milestone near LJH had been re-erected.
CHANTRY LANE CLOSURE to be re-determined - previous objection
letter will be re-issued. (CLERK)
WEB SITE sponsorship and sales brochure progressing. (DT)
QUARRY MATTERS
Approval of Scheme of Conditions at Cookswood passed by SCC.
The Clerk reported that the change in deadline for the Parish
Magazine would pose problems as it would frequently fall before
the Parish Council Meetings therefore any report would be
history. She advised that as the February & March meetings would
be just within the deadline this problem may be deferred until
later but it might be necessary to move meeting dates in the
future if Councillors wanted to up to date report to appear.
CORRESPONDENCE
The following were circulated: Rural Task Force papers; Clerk &
Council Direct Magazine; Planning information; Parish Council
Seminar Minutes & details for 9 Feb meeting (PM will attend);
Public Transport Newsletter no 5.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING - 15 February
15 March.
240199jal
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