CREWKERNE TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of a meeting of the CREWKERNE TOWN COUNCIL held in the Council Chamber on Monday 24th October 2011 at 6.45 p.m.
PRESENT :
Cllrs. N. Sturtivant (Chairman), Mrs. S. Allman, M. Best, Mrs. T. Bond, Ms. J. Dawson,
Mrs. R. Jackson, R. Pailthorpe, Mrs. A. Singleton, Mrs. A. Stuart and Mrs. S. White.
In attendance: The Clerk Mrs. J. Warner, Cty. Cllr. J. Dyke, 2 members of the public and
1 member of the press.
124 OPEN FORUM
11/12
Mr Rousell raised concerns about youngsters using the car park of Waitrose as a racing circuit regularly in the evening.
125 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
11/12
Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs. Bond (unwell) and Miss. Hennessey (unwell).
126 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST in items on the agenda and to report members’ gifts and
11/12 hospitality
Cllr. Mrs. Singleton declared a personal and prejudicial interest item 8 – Planning applications 11/03841/FUL Hellings Farm Station Road Misterton (family member owns farm).
Cllr. Mrs. Stuart declared a personal interest item 5 – Police Matter (husband part of the local police team)
127 TO CONFIRM THE MINUTES OF THE TOWN COUNCIL MEETINGS
11/12
26th September 2011
It was AGREED that the Minutes of the meeting of Crewkerne Town Council held on the 26th September be APPROVED subject to:
Correction of the start time of meeting from 6.15pm to 6.45pm
128 POLICE MATTER
11/12 PCSO Michelle Haimes to report on a No Cold Calling Zone
PCSO Haimes responded to Mr Rousell’s concerns and advised on the police response.
PCSO Haimes reported that a No Cold Calling Zone was up and running in Martock and the police were ready to launch a Zone in Misterton, everything was in place for a start date. She said that zones could be set up to target areas to protect venerable people against bogus and rogue traders, and advised of a need to look at setting up a zone in Crewkerne. There were areas of the town where people had been targeted such as Park View and Southmead Crescent. She said that the police were working with Yarlington Housing Group on callers within social housing areas and she answered various questions from Councillors.
The Clerk was asked to put No Cold Calling Zone item with a full report on the Town Council agenda meeting on the 28th November for consideration.
129 CLERK’S PROGRESS REPORT
11/12 To receive a report
The Clerk’s report was noted.
She also reported on Minute 116a Finance – to approve accounts for payments. Payment
of £10,000 regarding the Recycling Centre had been deferred pending receipt of a detailed breakdown of costs. A response with very limited information had been received however the Clerk was instructed to remit the payment and was asked to ascertain from SCC clarification on the VAT element.
130 TO RECEIVE REPORTS FROM THE COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS
11/12
Cty. Cllr Dyke said he was pleased to announce that retired District Councillor Geoff Clarke had been awarded the SCC Chairman’s award for service to the community; he said the ceremony had been wonderful and Geoff was very much appreciative, he was presented with a tie and badge in honour of this achievement.
Cty. Cllr. Dyke also reported that Crewkerne Library was now closed on Mondays. He also advised there was staff re-structuring within County Hall and would report again when he had further details.
Dist. Cllr. Best reported that application 11/02224/FUL & 11/02209/LBC land adjoining 6 Bowditch Row, South Street had been approved at the SSDC Area West meeting.
131 PLANNING APPLICATIONS
11/12
The Chairman asked Cllr. Robin Pailthorpe, Chairman of the Planning and Highways Committee to lead the Planning agenda items.
Deferred Application
11/03309/FUL Change of use of 5 No. units from office suites (use class A2) to 5 No. residential flats.
1,2,4,5 & 6 The Barley Yard Crewkerne TA18 7BQ
RECOMMEND REFUSAL on the following grounds:
· No amenity space for dwellings
· The commercial units were particularly suitable for starter units and the Council would not wish to prevent employment and new business opportunities. There were other sites available for new dwellings e.g. the Maiden Beech and CLR keysites and other property conversions around the town.
· Lack of robust marketing (SSDC Planning Policy refers to this point)
Neighbouring Application
Cllr. Mrs. Singleton left the room at 7.21pm and returned at 7.23pm
11/03841/FUL The construction of an earth banked slurry lagoon on the land
at Hellings Farm Station Road Crewkerne TA18 8AJ
NO OBJECTION
132 SOMERSET ELECTORAL REVIEW
11/12 To comment on amendment proposals in the consultation period.
The report was noted.
After discussion it was AGREED to notify SCC that the Council supported the proposed changes to the Crewkerne Electoral Divisions in the South Somerset District Area, that the parishes of Wayford and West Crewkerne be included.
133 FINANCE
11/12
The Clerk confirmed that Cllr. Robin Pailthorpe had checked the accounts for payment list against the cheques and invoices prior to the meeting.
a) To approve accounts for payment as listed.
Accounts in the sum of £48,846.85 + VAT were approved
b) To report bank reconciliations for September have been completed.
It was noted that cash in hand and at the bank for September was £ 739,082.64
c) To receive the second quarter income and expenditure financial report
Noted
d) To report 2nd portion Precept has been received and transferred to the Lloyds Treasury Bond
The Clerk confirmed that the 2nd portion Precept had been transferred to the Lloyds Treasury Bond as agreed and added to the existing sum.
e) To consider quotes for Christmas light installation & dismantling over the festive period
After a lengthy discussion the Clerk was asked to contact South Petherton Parish Council
for a reference, as Knights had completed similar work there, and enquire about the number of
call outs. She was also asked to find out if there had been any call outs last year
over the festive period in Crewkerne, it was AGREED to accept the quotation from Knight Electrical in the sum of £3,800 + VAT on the following conditions:
1. If there were more than 5 chargeable call outs last year the Clerk was authorised to change to company A
2. Installation at least two weeks before lighting up event
3. Guaranteed completion 48 hours before the event
4. Does not exceed stated price for the installation
134 TO RECEIVE DRAFT COMMITTEE MINUTES:
11/12
a) Policy and Resources Committee meeting of 10th October
Noted
b) Planning and Highways Committee meeting held on 10th October
Noted
135 JOINT BURIAL COMMITTEE
11/12
To receive the minutes of the meeting on 4th October
Noted. The Committee would be asked whether another open day could be arranged at the Townsend Cemetery on the 4th June 2012 as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
136 QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER
11/12 To approve the latest edition
After discussion it was AGREED with a couple of minor amendments to approve the latest edition.
137 OUTSIDE BODIES
11/12 To receive reports
Crewkerne Voluntary Transport Service
Cllr. Mrs. Jackson reported that there would a meeting on Wednesday 26th October to discuss Mike Studley’s stepping down as the voluntary organiser as no one else had volunteered as yet. She reported that a serious decision would be required as only the SSCVA were potentially interested in taking over the service, they currently operate in Chard and Ilminster.
ABCD and the Heritage Centre
Cllr. Pailthorpe reported that he had attended recent committee meetings for both and said he would send his reports to the Clerk for distribution.
League of Friends
Cllr. Mrs. Bond reported that the AGM on Thursday 20th October was cancelled due to insufficient attendance as they could not form a quorum and had been re-arranged for the 10th November 2011. There was a need for more members.
Chubbs Almshouses
Cllr. Mrs. Bond advised that she would be taking over as Clerk for the Almshouses on the 1st January 2012 and would need to step down as the Council representative. This matter would be itemised for the next meeting.
138 TO RECEIVE ANY MATTERS OF REPORT
11/12
Temporary Road Closure
The Clerk reported that Cathole Bridge Road would be closed from 2nd November 2011 and is expected to last for 1 night between 23:30 and 05:30 hours to enable Network Rail to lift the level crossing for engineering work.
Arrangements for Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday
The Clerk reported she had received a letter from The Royal British Legion advising of the dates and arrangements for Poppy week, Armistice Day and Remembrance Day.
139 NEXT MEETING
11/12
Monday 28th November 2011 at 6.45pm in the Council Chambers
Signed: ………………….
Dated: …………………..
It was AGREED that in view of the confidential nature of the business about to be transacted it was advisable that the public and press be excluded and were instructed to withdraw.
140 CONFIDENTIAL SESSION – LEGAL MATTERS
11/12
The meeting closed at 8.30 pm.
Signed: ………………….
Dated: …………………..
jl/council/241011
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