MINUTES OF NETHER STOWEY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD ON MONDAY 11th FEBRUARY 2002 AT 7pm
IN THE VILLAGE HALL
Present: Parish Councillors Joyce Standring (chair)
Shirley Watters Mike Harris
Mark Fitzmaurice Gill Bennet
Melissa Webb Teresa Youe
In attendance:
District Councillor Ken Dyer
District Councillor Lillian Cartwright
District Councillor David Joslin
Parish Council Clerk Ainslie Ensor (arrived 7.30pm)
4 parishioners
Apologies: Parish Councillors Alan Corkett
Lorraine Clark
County Councillor John Edney
The meeting was closed and opened to the public.
Topics raised by attending public:
(i) Hedge round allotments requires cutting
(ii) A large stone washed down by flood waters under bridge over brook by Gullifords Garage needs removing
The Parish Council meeting was reconvened.
2521 Declarations of Interest
Cllr Standring declared an interest regarding agenda item 11(iv) (Highways – cobbled area, Castle Street)
2522 Approval of Minutes
Cllr. Harris proposed and Cllr. Watters seconded that the Minutes of the Parish Council meeting of 14 January 2002 be signed as a true record of the meeting.
2523 Resignation of Cllr Harris
The Chairman reported that Cllr Harris had informed her of his decision to resign as a Member of the Parish Council at the close of the Annual Parish Meeting on 9 April 2002. The Chairman thanked Cllr Harris for his commitment to and work for the Parish Council over the last 7 years, especially during his time as Vice Chairman. Other Members of the Council endorsed the Chairman’s sentiments and Cllr Harris responded to the comments made.
2524 Matters Arising
Minute 2508 Rats in the Village – no further sightings had been reported to the Council, the Chairman reminded the meeting that it was important that sightings be reported to the Parish Council in order that appropriate action could be taken.
Minute 2511 Countryside Agency – the information regarding the Agency’s grading of the Parish had not been received to date.
2525 Cemetery
Cllr Watters reported that she had spoken to the Cemetery Caretaker who had agreed to sort out the new compost bin on a once off basis. It was suggested that the Cemetery Committee meet with the Caretaker to discuss a long-term solution to the management of the compost bin.
2526 Reports
(i) Jubilee Celebrations – Cllr. Standring reported a donation of £18 from Mrs Duncan who had held a Body Shop Party. Further planning of events was ongoing.
(ii) Playing Field – Cllr. Standring reported that the RDA had offered a grant of £2434 (subject to conditions) towards the Playing Filed Millennium project.
(iii) Village Hall – Cllr Webb reported that the Hall Committee have recently purchased, from donations, 100 new, more comfortable, chairs for the hall. The last few months have been spent improving and updating the hall so that the entertainments License can be renewed. There has been some vandalism to the outside of the Hall, security lights have been tampered with, the disabled toilet roof has been climbed on and signs have been taken. The Police are aware of the damage and are including the Hall in their patrols to try and prevent further damage.
(iv) Hinkley Point – A newsletter had been received from BNFL regarding the forthcoming decommissioning of Hinkley A with the offer of a speaker to address the Council on this matter. It was agreed that the offer of a speaker be accepted and suggested that this be for the June meeting.
(v) Nether Stowey 2020 – Cllr Watters reported that 18 people attended the meeting on 24 January. A Steering Committee of 7 people was elected. The Group had discussed the Village Appraisal, which was seen as a vision for the local community for the next 10 to 20 years. 5 major topics of interest were identified: - (i) Leisure facilities for children and young people (ii) Local Community Life (iii) Environmental Nuisances (litter and dogs) (iv) Road Safety (parking & traffic issues) (v) Local Businesses and Services. The next meeting is on 5 March 2002.
(vi) Quantock Hills JAC – Cllr Standring reported on the meeting of the JAC held on 18 January 2002. Matters of interest included bridleway/highway access, which is to be discussed at a conference on 1 March when hopefully, National Guidance will be available. Deer Watch outlined problems of poaching / culling and requested that any observations regarding diminishing deer population be reported. It was reported that Goldfinch were to challenge the outcome of the Public Inquiry in the High Court. The Bicknoller Village Design Statement was circulated. This has been accepted by West Somerset DC and SCC. Friends of Coleridge had requested that the JAC support proposals by the National Trust to develop the garden of Coleridge Cottage to make a more significant focus for visitors to the site. The Quantock Greenway was launched in November 2001 with the launch of circular walks including one in Nether Stowey.
It was suggested that the Friends of Coleridge write to the Parish Council seeking its support. Whilst the Parish Council could not offer financial backing, it could lend its support in principle to the proposals. The question of the limited opening hours of Coleridge Cottage was raised which it was believed caused some ill feeling amongst traders and disappointed potential visitors who found it closed.
2527 Planning Applications
It was reported that copies of the following Planning Applications had been received from Sedgemoor District Council. These had been inspected by a group of Councillors and the following responses were approved.
(i) 36/01/00028 Castle Hill House – crown lift 1 Scots Pine – no objections
(ii) 36/02/00700 The Old Vicarage, 25 St Mary Street – fell 3 Birch trees and 2 Hornbeam Trees – no objections
The Chairman reported that she had received a letter from the intending purchasers of 25 Castle Street, who wish to apply for Planning Permission to change the premises into a guesthouse. It was suggested that they consult all their neighbours including those to the rear of the property.
2528 Liaison
Cllr Joslin reported that the District Council would be holding three meetings to inform Parish Councillors about the new Code of Conduct and urged all Councillors to attend one. He also outlined the proposed changes to the Planning system, which meant that 90% of planning applications would be delegated to Officers to determine. The proposals included a suggestion that the number of statutory consultees should be reduced, however, Sedgemoor had recommended that Parish Councils should be retained as a statutory consultee.
Cllr Cartwright commented that she was horrified by the Green Paper, which signalled the end of County Structure Plans and a move to Regional Plans. She echoed Cllr Joslin’s comments regarding the need to attend one of the meetings regarding the Code of Conduct. The first would be in Bridgwater on 21 February with another on 7 March at the Princess in Burnham on Sea.
2529 Highways
(i) Paving at The Cross – Cllr Standring reported that she had met with Lawrence Hackling and Tony Fairfax and pointed out to them that the paving slabs had risen dangerously. On commencement of repair work it had been found that there was a concrete base under the paving slabs and that the roots of the tree were growing above this and forcing the slabs to rise. The arborculturist had agreed that these roots could be cut back and this had been done. The slabs would be re-laid when the sand had settled.
(ii) Parking in South Lane – Cllr Standring reported that Tony Fairfax had informed her that gritting lorries had experienced delays of up to 15 / 20 minutes getting along South Lane due to parked vehicles. It was agreed that an item be included in the next Newsletter asking people to be considerate of other road users when parking their vehicles.
(iii) Resurfacing Castle Street – temporary repairs had been made to the potholes in Castle Street, which was to be resurfaced in the new financial year.
Cllr Standring, having declared an interest in the next item stood down and Cllr Fitzmaurice took the Chair.
(iv) Cobbled Area Castle Street – a Parishioner had raised the condition of the cobbled area adjacent to Castle Street (which is in private ownership). The Clerk reported that the problem appeared to be two fold (a) vehicles negotiating the road had damaged the boundary between the tarmac road and the cobbles and (b) this had been exacerbated when the stream overflowed as it had washed away material in this area. It was evident that what was needed was an appropriate long-term solution rather than an ad hoc repair. Although the cobbled area was a prominent part of the conservation area there were some areas of old rather unsightly concrete, accordingly the Clerk reported that he had approached both Sedgemoor DC and the County Council to see if they could advise on any funds that could be used for comprehensive enhancement scheme for this area. Cllr Cartwright remarked that from her memory, when the cobbles were re-laid many years ago it was paid for by the local authority not the adjacent landowners. It was agreed that the Clerk should continue to investigate the possibility of promoting an enhancement scheme and report back in due course.
Cllr Standring retook the Chair.
2530 Village Maintenance
(i) In view of the continuing problems with the septic tank arrangements, County Farms have decided to connect New Stowey farm to the mains sewer system. This will involve a sewer being laid across part of the playing field.
(ii) Fences along Palmers Path are broken and brambles are catching people using the path, Highways to be asked to request adjacent occupiers to tidy up their boundaries.
(iii) A tree came down and blocked stream leading to garden in Mount Road/Tanyards being flooded. Following liaison with Sedgemoor and County Council it was actioned within an hour
(iv) Occupant of a bungalow in Mount Road, adjacent to Palmers Path bridge wants to create a wildlife area. It was suggested that the Parish Council request the County Council to permit this.
(v) Reinstatement of Old Mill on hold for time being.
(vi) Pavements round the Cross have not been swept since December, Old Jail only being swept weekly.
(vii) Steps from car park to Library proving to be a problem for elderly people. Would the County Council be liable if there was an accident? County to be requested to install a suitable handrail.
2531 Correspondence
Correspondence received included:
(i) Somerset County Council – Quantock Hills JAC Agenda for meeting 18 Jan 2002
(ii) Somerset County Council – Your Somerset
(iii) Sedgemoor District Council – Crime & Disorder Audit Briefing Paper
(iv) NALC – Local Council Review
(v) Sedgemoor District Council – Planning Decisions 03/01/02 & 09/01/02
(vi) Sedgemoor District Council – Invitation to Nature Matters in Sedgemoor 21 Feb 2002
(vii) Over Stowey Parish Council – Minutes meeting of 17 Nov 2002
(viii) Somerset County Council – Social Services Guide
(ix) Somerset Hedge Group – hedge competition 2001-2002
(x) Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance – request for donation
(xi) J Tyndall – thank you card
(xii) Henley Oak – re Jubilee Celebration Pillar
(xiii) Quantock Hills JAC – Bicknoller Village Design Statement, Quantock Greenway, Countryside Agency Management/Partnership
(xiv) Hinkley Newsletter & Quarterly Report
(xv) I Liddell-Grainger MP – Countryside Agency Vital Villages
(xvi) Youth Club - re financial support
(xvii) Sedgemoor District Council – Bridgwater Parking Survey
With respect to (xiv) it was agreed that BNFL be invited to provide a speaker at a future meeting of the Parish Council to explain the decommissioning process.
With respect to (xvi) it was agreed that this matter be considered at the next meeting of the Parish Council.
2532 Finances and bills for payment
The following were presented for ratification, being payments for the previous month:
Payee / Amount / DetailsSedgemoor CVS / £21.90 / Dec trip
Gullifords Garage / £50.40 / Cemetery Petrol
7 Apr to 8 Dec 2001
J Standring / £13.73 / Mileage £8.73
Telephone £5
A E Ensor / £471.42 / Salary £348.04, Mileage £93.78
Postage£28.40, Parking £1.20
D. Newman / £12.00 / 2.0 hrs @ £6.00
A J Nicholls / £169.55 / Clock tower maintenance
SWEB / £15.54 / Clock tower electricity
Total / £754.54
Proposed by Cllr. Fitzmaurice and seconded by Cllr. Harris.
2533 Matters for Information
(i) Millennium Wood – to inform Sedgemoor District Council that planting is completed
(ii) The former Quantock Poultry Packers site in Stogursey Lane is now on the market. The sale particulars make reference to Goldfinch continuing to pursue permission for the additional houses.
(iii) Copy for the Easter Newsletter should be with the Clerk by 18 March.
2534 Date of Next Meeting
This will be held on Monday 11th March 2002 at 7pm.
The meeting closed at 8.50pm
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