Nether Stowey Parish Council
MINUTES OF NETHER STOWEY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD ON MONDAY 10th July 2006 AT 7.00pm
IN THE VILLAGE HALL
Present: Parish Councillors Carol Parsons (Chairman)
Darren Chilcott
Sarah Connolly
Rita Corbett
Alan Corkett
Lyn Forsey
Teresa Youe
In attendance:
District Councillor David Joslin
District Councillor Ken Dyer
County Councillor John Edney
Parish Council Clerk Ainslie Ensor
2 Parishioners
3250 Apologies
There were no apologies from parish Councillors.
Cllr Joslin gave apologies for District Councillor Mrs Cartwright who, he explained, had been in hospital and would be recovering for some time. The Chairman proposed that the Council send a card wishing her a speedy recovery and this was supported unanimously.
3251 Cllr Clark
The Clerk reported that he had that afternoon received a letter from Lorraine Clark resigning from the Parish Council with immediate effect. The Returning Officer had been informed and notices displayed advertising the resulting casual vacancy. If there was no request for an election the Parish Council would be able to fill the vacancy by co-option at its meeting in September.
The Chairman suggested that a letter be sent to Lorraine thanking her for her service to the Parish Council and the proposal was supported unanimously.
3252 Urgent Business
The Chairman proposed that in accordance with Standing Order 16 an additional item of urgent business, relating to the Nether Stowey Community Pavilion Project, be included after agenda item 4. The motion was approved.
3253 Minutes of the Parish Council Meetings held on 19 June 2006
Proposed by Cllr Corbett, seconded by Cllr Connolly the minutes of the meetings held on 19 June were approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman.
3254 Minutes of Annual Parish Meeting
Proposed by Cllr Chilcott, seconded by Cllr Forsey the minutes of the Annual Parish meeting held on 24 April 2006 were approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman.
3255 Calor Somerset Village of the Year Competition
The Chairman reported that Nether Stowey was the winner of Young People Category in the Somerset Calor Village of the Year Competition. In making the award the judges cited
(a) the two theatre groups in the village that actively encourage young people to become involved
(b) the recently formed pavilion committee which includes members from the youth and football clubs who contribute ideas for the new building and fundraising
(c) the Parish Council was commended for its work with the Falcon Housing Association towards extending the provision of affordable homes in the village
The Parish Council received a framed certificate and a cash prize of £75 and proposed by Cllr Parsons and seconded by Cllr Chilcott it was agreed that the this amount be awarded to the community pavilion project.
Proposed by the Chairman the Council recorded its congratulations and thanks to Teresa Youe who masterminded the village’s entry and to Audrey Sutherland and Chinks Grylls who, with Teresa, made the village’s presentations to the judges.
Cllr Joslin declared an interest in the following item as Chairman of Sedgemoor District Council’s Development Control Committee and left the meeting.
3256 Nether Stowey Community Pavilion Project
The Clerk reported that at its meeting on 5 July the pavilion project committee resolved to make the initial planning application for the new pavilion and requested that, as previously discussed, the application be made in the name of the Nether Stowey Parish Council to clearly demonstrate that the new building was for the whole community. The Parish Council was holding funds (£2925) for the project (the balance of grant approved on 13 March 2006 - minute 3195 plus the additional grant agreed in minute 3255 above).
The Chairman stated that she wished to take the opportunity to squash rumours relating to the pavilion project. The new building was for sporting and youth activities within the community and was not a replacement village hall. The village hall was built in memory of the men of the Parish who fell in the 1914-18 World War and should be respected as such.
Proposed by Cllr Chilcott, seconded by Cllr Connolly it was agreed that the planning application be made in the name of the Parish Council and the Clerk was authorised to sign the application on behalf of the Parish Council.
Cllr Joslin rejoined the meeting.
3257 Planning
(i) Ref No: 36/06/00013
Address: 24 Lime Street
Proposal: reduce spread of crown by 30% of one cedar tree
Response: Support – this is now a very large tree that now spreads right across the adjacent garden and is pushing down a stone wall. The application is supported by the neighbours.
(ii) Ref No: 36/06/00014
Address: Castle Hill House
Proposal: Reduce crown and spread of crown by 25%, remove one branch from one Ilex Oak tree, crown lift second Ilex Oak tree
Response: Support – proposed works are necessary maintenance
Proposed by Cllr Forsey, seconded by Cllr Chilcott, the above responses were approved.
The Clerk reported that the two planning applications detailed below, which were made by the Parish Council, were currently subject to public consultation.
(iii) Ref No: 36/06/00012
Address: The Clock Tower, St Mary Street
Proposal: installation of internal clockface platform
Comment: This is an application by the Parish Council for works recommended after a risk assessment and to comply with the working at height regulations. There will be no external works and the proposed internal works will not harm the historic nature of the clock tower.
(iv) Ref No: 36/06/00015
Address: Land to the south east of Woodcroft, South Lane
Proposal: Erection of seven dwellings, formation of parking and access
Comment: This is an application by the Parish Council for the erection of seven affordable homes for local people, to be erected by Falcon Rural Housing. This proposal is the result of several years work by the Parish Council, Community Council for Somerset and Falcon Rural Housing.
3258 Finance
Expenditure incurred since the Parish Council meeting of 19th June 2006
Payee / Amount / DetailsA Ensor / 676.01 / Salary June
C A Parsons / 150.00 / Chairman’s allowance 2006/7
Nether Stowey Village Hall / 525.00 / Annual maintenance grant – first tranche
Nether Stowey Cubs / 175.00 / Annual Grant
Nether Stowey Good Neighbours / 175.00 / Annual Grant
Nether Stowey Youth Club / 175.00 / Annual Grant
Stowey Bears / 175.00 / Annual Grant
Sedgemoor Citizens Advice Bureau / 50.00 / Annual Grant
Victim Support / 50.00 / Annual Grant
Dorset & Somerset Air
Ambulance Trust / 50.00 / Annual Grant
Chanin & Thomas / 300.00 / Office rent July / August
A J Standring / 150.00 / Internal Audit Fee 2005/6
G Bickers / 973.00 / £445 Village Mtce
£176 Playing Field Mtce
£88 Recharge Work
£264 Cemetery Mtce
Sedgemoor Community Transport / 81.90 / Mini Bus Hire June
EDF Energy Ltd / 5.83 / Clock tower electricity
HM Revenue & Customs / 416.40 / PAYE/NI Contributions
A E Ensor / 26.00 / Mileage £16.40 Postage £9.60
Sedgemoor District Council / 795.00 / Pavilion Grant (planning fee)
Silvanus Services Ltd / 141.00 / Millennium Wood Mtce
Nether Stowey Football Club / 175.00 / Annual Grant
Total / £5,265.14
Proposed by Cllr Chilcott, seconded by Cllr Forsey, the above expenditure was approved.
3259 Highways
Cllr Connolly stated that she had received a complaint regarding a blockage a footpath in South Lane. Cllr Corbett reported the outgrowth of brambles etc overhanging the road at the end of Mill Lane. The Clerk stated that these would be looked at during the Village Maintenance Committee’s Inspection Tour on 12 July.
3260 Reports
There were no reports
3261 District and County Council Liaison
Cllr Edney stated that he had received a complaint regarding the patch repairs in Banneson Road and asked if the Parish Council had any complaints. The Clerk stated that he felt the repairs were satisfactory and had been done very speedily. Cllr Edney reported that three of the smaller parishes in his division had come forward with proposals for grants from his community chest allocation.
Cllr Joslin explained why he had to leave the meeting during the item regarding the pavilion project (minute 3256) and earlier during the public session when the affordable housing scheme was discussed. As Chairman of Sedgemoor District Council’s Development Control Committee it was important that he remained impartial and therefore he could not take part in discussions about proposals that would come before the Development Control Committee for determination.
3262 Action List
The Clerk reported on action items from previous meetings. Open items were as follows:-
Minute / Subject / Action / Who / Status3014 / Planning Complaints / Monitor action by SDC / Clerk / Open
3028 / Clock Tower / Implement works – further report / Clerk / Open
3064 / Adopt a Road Scheme / Liaise with coordinator to start scheme / Clerk / Open
3114 / Cycle Racks / Application to AONB for grant – arrange installation / Clerk / Open
3116 / Maintenance / Approach SDC/ SCC Re Lengthsman / Clerk / Open
3163 / Trees on The Cross / Awaiting response from County Council / Clerk / Open
3133/3164 / Footpaths / Liaison with County ROW Team / Clerk / Open
3172 / On Street Parking / Give details of yellow / white lines requested to Highways / Clerk / Open
3184 / Finance / Clerk carrying out review of appropriate level of balances / Clerk / Open
3186 / A39 / Monitor position re St Mary Street junction / Clerk / Open
3196 / Insurance Review / Buildings valuation & report / Clerk / Open
3228 / Castle Street Toilets / Obtain further details of operating costs from SDC / Clerk / Open
3230 / Affordable Housing / Planning Application to be completed in name of Parish Council / Clerk / Open
3243 / Highways / Request no cycling signs Pooles Close/Audley Close FP & Palmers Path / Clerk / Open
3263 Correspondence
Correspondence received included:
From / SubjectA C Dacre Lacy / Dog Fouling In Butchers Lane & Rubbish
Age Partnership / Re Age Discrimination Legislation
Avon & Somerset Police / Annual Report 2005/6
Axbridge TC / Information On Their Web Site
British Nuclear Group / News Release BNG Announce £72m Profit
Cemetery Development Services / Re Groundwater And Cemeteries
J Conder / Letter Re Opposition To Planning Application 2 Audley Close
Over Stowey Pc / Minutes 19 June
Sedgemoor District Council / Letter Re Report On Memorial Safety In Cemeteries
Sedgemoor District Council / Planning Certificate 25 Theillay Close
Sedgemoor District Council / Report On Reconfiguration Of Mental Health Services
Sedgemoor District Council / Whats On In Sedgemoor July
SLCC / Notice Of National Conference
SLCC / The Clerk
Somerset County Council / Leaflet On Reporting A Problem On A Public Right Of Way
Somerset County Council / Information On New Community Development Team
3264 Forthcoming Events
· At the close of the Parish Council meeting - Cemetery Committee
· Wednesday 12th July - 10am Parish Council Office
Village Maintenance Committee
· Thursday 20th July
Getting the Message Across – Bridgwater House, 7pm to 9pm
· Thursday 21st September
Rights of Way Improvement Plan meeting – Bridgwater House 2pm - 4pm
(Clerk to attend)
The Clerk reminded Councillors that the Parish Council would be closed from 14th July to 4th September.
3265 Date of Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Parish Council will be in the Village Hall on Monday 11th September 2006 at 7pm.
The meeting closed at 8.05pm.
10 July 2006 / Page 5 of 5