BRADFORD ON TONE PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 16 JULY 2008
PRESENT
Mr K Mear (Chairman), Mr C Dinsdale OBE, Mr C Ellis, Mr P Haines, Mrs N Litchfield, Mr D Richards
Mr C Bishop (District Councillor)
2 members of the public
1. APOLOGIES
Mr D Venn
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
None
3. POLICE COMMUNITY SUPPORT OFFICER’S REPORT
PCSO Scott Windsor was unable to be present.
4. PRESENTATION BY ENGLISH COURTYARD DEVELOPMENTS LTD
This presentation had been postponed until the September meeting due to the uncertainly in the housing market.
5. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 21 MAY 2008
The draft minutes, having been circulated, were taken as read and signed as correct, subject to an amendment of minute 10.5 in the first line to read “Mr Ellis had said previously that where . . .” The proposer was Mr Dinsdale, seconded by Mr Haines.
6. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MEETING
6.1 Flooding at Tone Green, Bradford on Tone
A further email had been received from Mr Quick. He said that he was proposing to install a new double gully in the road opposite the council houses in the position where flood water collects at its deepest. A new 225 mm diameter pipe would be laid from the gully towards the Tone Green junction, across the road and then tie into the existing system. This was the area where Mr Quick had experienced most problems with debris and items getting into the system and causing blockages. This would be stage one and he hoped, budget permitting, to be able to lay a new pipe to increase capacity all the way to the outfall over the next few years.
6.2 Change of Use at Trefusis Lodge Farm, Tone Green, Bradford on Tone
Taunton Deane Planning Committee had agreed on 2 July to implement legal action against the owner of Trefusis Lodge Farm for carrying out alterations to the property without planning permission.
6.3 Residential Development at Cosy Nook, Bradford on Tone
Taunton Deane’s Enforcement Officer would be serving a Breach of Condition Notice on Mr and Mrs Webber Senior (who were dealing with their son’s affairs.) The outstanding matters on the properties that needed to be resolved were the surface of the drives and the relocation of the telegraph pole.
6.4 Access Only signs to Back Lane
In response to a further request the Highway Authority had said there were no official highway signs that could be used for this purpose. The only ‘Access Only’ sign was used with a weight or width restriction where a vehicle that needed legitimate access is allowed through the restricted road. The signs used for highway use came from the Statutory Instrument called The Traffic Signs Regulation and General Directions 2002.
6.5 Bradford on Tone Post Box
With the closure of Bradford on Tone Post Office the existing post box was inadequate to cope with the additional mail, both volume and size. Councillors agreed to ask Royal Mail to replace the existing post box with a larger one with a larger aperture which would accept A4 envelopes.
6.6 Damage to Bradford on Tone Parish Council Noticeboard
Two quotations had been received for the repair of the noticeboard which had been damaged when a car reversed into it. The quotations had been sent to the driver’s insurance company and it was hoped to receive agreement to repair the noticeboard in the near future.
6.7 Proposed Church Noticeboard
Following submission of the planning application by the Parish Council, Taunton Deane Planning Department had requested further plans and an additional £10 to comply with recent legislation. The Clerk said this was in hand.
6.8 Planning Permission for land to north west of Bradford Bridge, Bradford on Tone
Taunton Deane Planning Department confirmed that the Parish Council would let the current planning consent lapse on 5 August 2008.
7. SOMERSET LOCAL INITIATIVES BUDGET FOR SOMERSET COUNTY COUNCILLORS
A new Local Initiatives Budget had been launched for 2008/2009. The scheme provided an allocation of £15,000 per County Councillor to help deliver projects to benefit local communities within Somerset. Applications for funding needed to be with County Councillors by the middle of November. Councillors were asked to let the Clerk have any proposals for funding. An item would be placed on the September agenda.
8. WORLD’S END/HEATHERTON JUNCTION/A38/ACCIDENT STATISTICS
Following previous minutes Mr Mear presented some comments following his meeting with Jeremy Browne MP. A summary is attached as Appendix 1.
With the exception of Mr Dinsdale Councillors agreed with Mr Mear’s comments.
Mr Dinsdale said that the information provided on the yellow signs (not only adjacent to Heatherton junction) represented eight to ten years of incidents. The situation needed a full investigation by County Council experts. If they agreed to consider highway alterations at Heatherton the Parish Council would lend its full support.
Mr Mear wanted to ensure the Parish Council had done the best they could to prevent further accidents. He accepted this was one of a number of competing sites.
Mr Haines agreed with Mr Dinsdale/s comments. The Heatherton junction should not be treated in isolation. The yellow signs were useless and a distraction and he would rather see their costs spent on remodelling the roads.
Mr Ellis supported the need for a County Council review and said it was the job of the Parish Councillors to represent the interests of the residents of Bradford on Tone. Although they obviously expected Somerset County Council to prioritise overall road expenditures on the A38 and elsewhere in accordance with good highway engineering practice, it was totally legitimate for the Parish Council to make the best possible case for improvements at black spots in the Parish.
He recognised that recent developments at Cotford St Luke and Oake Golf Course together with proposed new developments in the area were all increasing the traffic and the risks at both A38 junctions. He did not think that the new yellow road signs represented the best use of limited funds. They were misleading in analysing the risks at the Worlds End junction because some statistics and signs related to one junction only (ie Worlds End) and other
signs showed statistics relating to lengths of road including several junctions and bends.
Mr Ellis also raised the possibility of a one way system through Bradford on Tone as part of a more comprehensive solution to the safety problems on the A38. Such a proposal could also benefit the village by providing the opportunity for better parking facilities, an enhanced village centre and safer access for pedestrians and cyclists.
Mr Mear was concerned that the Heatherton Park access had never been taken into consideration as a public highway.
After further discussion it was agreed to await a response from Jeremy Browne following his letter to the County Council after his meeting with Ken Mear. The matter would be discussed further at the September meeting.
9. APPOINTMENT OF RURAL PROJECT WORKER
Mr Nicholls had been employed through Somerset County Council and covered the County Council Divisions of Upper Tone and Lydeard. Mr Nicholls was to undertaken an audit of any current youth provision and ascertain the level of community support for and involvement with their young people. Councillors agreed to complete a questionnaire and invite Mr Nicholls to attend a future meeting.
10. TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF PUBLIC FOOTPATHS WG14/1, WG 3/4 AND WG 8/14
Due to the dangerous nature of the large cattle bridge crossing the River Tone, an emergency closure came into effect on 17 June 2008 and would remain in force for six months. The bridge had been added to the County Council’s Rights of Way maintenance programme, although they could not say when the footpath would be reopened. A plan showing the closure and alternative route had been publicised.
11. PUBLIC FOOTPATHS VEGETATION CLEARANCE SCHEDULE
Brian Buzzard, the Parish Path Liaison Officer, had received a clearance schedule from the County Council’s Rights of Way Department. This showed those footpaths which would be cut once, twice or three times during the growing season. Footpaths could be added or removed from the schedule over time.
12. PLANNING
12.1 Minutes
None.
12.2 Applications
12.2.1 Conversion of buildings with some new build to provide nine residential units and three commercial units (B1) with associated garaging, parking areas, gardens and courtyards at buildings to the rear of Hele Manor, Hele, as amended by plans received on 7 May 2008. Chairman and Councillors Colin Dinsdale and David Richards agreed no further visit required and no further comments, 21 May 2008.
12.2.2 Subdivision of dwelling into two semi-detached dwellings at Wyndhaven, Bradford on Tone. Chairman and Councillors Colin Dinsdale and David Richards agreed no objection, 21 May 2008.
12.2.3 Conversion of two barns and adjoining stables to three dwellings and garages at Mill House Equestrian Centre, Bradford on Tone – amended application. Chairman and Councillor David Richards agreed no need for further site visit and no further comments, 9 June 2008.
12.3 Decisions
12.3.1 Erection of replacement single storey extension to south east elevation, construction of dormer window to north east elevation and extension to garage at The Warren, Heatherton Park, Bradford on Tone. Permission granted 15 May 2008.
12.3.2 Ref 12.2.2 above – permission granted 19 June 2008.
13. FINANCE
13.1 Accounts for payment £
13.1.1 Clerk’s salary June/July 425.83
13.1.2 Clerk’s expenses June/July 27.51
13.1.3 Hire of Village Hall 21 May 2008 5.50
13.1.4 Somerset Playing Fields Association subscription 10.00
13.1.5 Moore Stephens – annual audit 141.00 (inc VAT £21)
13.1.6 TDBC - additional fee for planning application
For PCC noticeboard 10.00
13.2 Income
VAT repayment 49.02
13.3 Bank balances
After taking the above transactions into account, the Parish Council’s bank balances totalled £4,178.
13.4 Annual Audit of Accounts 2007/2008
The Clerk reported the audit had been satisfactorily completed.
14. CORRESPONDENCE
Taunton Deane Policy for Community Halls in Taunton Deane – copy passed to Mr Haines.
15. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
15.1 Tree by Village Hall
Mr Richards said the maintenance works would be carried out during September/October.
15.2 Bollards at Bradford Bridge
The replacement of the damaged wooden bollards was on a schedule of works for 2008/2009, but it was unclear as to precisely when it would happen.
15.3 Additional Gully near Three Elms, Bradford on Tone
The Clerk would remind Dennis Quick of his promise to install an additional gully along this section of road.
15.4 Bus Service in Bradford on Tone
Mr Bishop confirmed an additional bus service in Bradford on Tone. Following requests from residents for an improvement to the bus service due to the closure of the Post Office, the County Council confirmed that they had arranged for an additional return journey on service 9A into Taunton.
Mr Bishop had pressed for the extra bus service on behalf of the residents. It would operate every Wednesday from 23 July 2008. Mr Butler proposed a vote of thanks to Mr Bishop for his help in obtaining the additional bus service.
15.5 Clearance of Vegetation by Bradford Bridge
Councillors requested that vegetation, mud and stone be cleared on a regular basis to allow drainage of surface water down the hill to the bridge and into the river. Mr Quick would be asked to carry out maintenance works.
The meeting closed at 8.50 pm.
B164m
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