The Annual Parish Meeting was held on Monday 11 April 2011 at the Village Hall at 7 pm.

PRESENT
Cllrs Humphreys (Chair), Cripps, England, Hallett, Rowswell, Sarker, Walshe, Mr P Robathan (District Councillor), Mrs A Larpent (County Councillor), Mr B Walker (prospective District Council candidate) and two parishioners.

APOLOGIES
Cllrs Hawkins & Wakely and Mr K Ronaldson (District Councillor).

MINUTES
The minutes of the previous Parish Meeting were read and signed as a true record.

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
In his report, Cllr Humphreys spoke of the financial savings to be made by the District and County Councils but said that service levels have been maintained to a reasonable standard. The County Council is no longer able to give financial support for the Lengthsman’s salary but the Parish Council will keep the scheme going.

The Cowleaze Meadow Project is almost complete, thanks to the work of the dedicated volunteers, and the official opening will take place next month. Gratitude was also expressed to the Parish Plan Team for the events they have organised over the year.

The Recreation Field Committee have also had a successful year and acquired significant grants for improving the play area. The Youth Group continues to play an important role in the community.

In conclusion, the Chairman thanked the District and County Councillors for their support, also the Neighbourhood Watch Team, PCSO Rachel Napper and all the organisations within the village which keep the community so very special.

PARISH PLAN
Sharon Humphreys sent a report on the year’s activities, including Tea at the Ritz, which was not a profit making event, and Paparazzi Night, the proceeds from which were split between the Playgroup and Village Hall. Events arranged for the coming year are the Fun Run on 11 September, Bonfire Party on 5 November and Christmas Market on 12 December. Support will be given to the Cowleaze Meadow Celebration in May and Afternoon Tea in the Square will be arranged on 25 June for Buttle Close residents and Shepton Seniors. Unfortunately, two gazebos were damaged by high winds on the day of the Fun Run, but these have been replaced. The Committee has also purchased white tablecloths. The Bank balance currently stands at £2,607.35. It was decided not to hold an event for the Royal Wedding but the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012 will be celebrated.

RECREATION FIELD
Cllr Walshe spoke of a good year and a very successful Whacky Olympics. An Auction of Promises may take place this year, and next year the Committee will work with the Parish Plan Team to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. The Committee is very grateful to Branstons for their most generous donation of £7,500 towards play equipment. The old hedge has been removed from the north and east boundaries and with help from Debbie Welch, the Tree Warden, a new hedge is being planted. Cllr Cripps will enquire about the trees promised by Western Power.

COWLEAZE PROJECT
Cllr Cripps reported that most of the original grant has now been spent and the contract work is almost complete. The Launch Event will take place on 21 May and there will be a barbecue with live music and maypole dancing by the school children.

LENGTHSMAN
David Ogilvie is settling in very well but the County Council has withdrawn funding for Lengthsman Schemes so the Parish Council will have to find extra funding.

FOOTPATHS
Cllr Cripps spoke of a reduction in the County Council budget and said the Warden for this area is Les Braunton.

RAMBLERS
Cllr Cripps reported a membership of approximately forty, eight of whom live in Shepton Beauchamp. A varied programme of walks is enjoyed, mainly in South Somerset but sometimes in Dorset or Devon. The AGM will take place next week at the Wyndham Arms, Kingsbury Episcopi.

TREE WARDEN
Debbie Welch sent a message that it had been a quiet year but she had helped with hedging work at the Recreation Field.

SCHOOL
Cllr Sarker reported that the federation process had gone through and is working extremely well and everyone is working to maintain the individual identity of each School whilst enjoying the benefits of a large school such as bulk buying and sharing of skills. New teacher, Tim Baker, has settled in very well and the introduction of Forest School is going well. A report on the school’s activities was received from Ann Everett.

PAR0CHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
Cllr Hawkins sent a report as Churchwarden. It was noted that the Church is closely associated with the School with regular weekly contact and assemblies. There is also a small youth group. Michael Hawkins had decided to stand down as Churchwarden after many years service. Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous member of the congregation, an internal clean of inaccessible areas had taken place. The PCC is grateful to the Parish Council for contributing to the cost of churchyard upkeep.

VILLAGE HALL
Sue Stone, Secretary of the Village Hall Committee, sent a report and thanked the Parish Council for their support of £500 towards general maintenance. The Committee meets monthly and the members are all trustees of the Village Hall, which is a registered charity. Decoration had been carried out on a voluntary basis by members of the Committee and additional chairs were purchased.

ST MICHAEL’S GUILD
Norma Hawkins spoke about the Guild, which meets on the second Friday of each month, with 25 members who enjoy outings and talks by various speakers.

SHEPTON SENIORS
Mrs Allen sent a report that the Club is 43 years old and has 25 members. Attendance at meetings is good and when the Village Hall is in use, the Club uses the Function Room at Buttle Close.

YOUTH GROUP
The Youth Group is thriving and meets every Wednesday.

PRE-SCHOOL
A report was received from Shelley Bacon, Supervisor. There are 23 children and visits to a local smokery and Barrington Court had been enjoyed. Runner beans, sunflowers and tomato plants are being grown by the children ready to plant out in the raised bed at Cowleaze Meadow. Holiday Club is now offered to 3 – 8 year olds.

GOLF SOCIETY
Paul England said the Society has played once a month from March – September. Membership has fallen over the years and anyone interested in joining is asked to phone 01460 241162.

CHARITIES
Cllr Rowswell reported the loss of a tenant of land at Merriott and the land had been revalued and a new tenant found. Income from investments had declined due to the state of the economy. Christmas gifts had been given to senior citizens and three education grants had been made.

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
Mary Clarke sent a report, noting a fairly quiet year with some anti-social behaviour by young people. Parishioners are reminded to report incidents and the non emergency number to ring after the event is 0845 4567000.

MATTERS RAISED BY PARISHIONERS
The residents of Buttle Close were concerned that the grass there had not been cut.

There being no further business, the Parish Meeting was declared closed.

Minutes of a meeting of the Parish Council which took place on Monday 11 April 2011, following the Annual Parish Meeting.

PRESENT
Cllrs Humphreys (Chair), Cripps, England, Hallett, Rowswell, Sarker, Walshe, Mr P Robathan (District Councillor), Mrs A Larpent (County Councillor), Mr B Walker (prospective District Council candidate) and two parishioners.

APOLOGIES
Cllrs Hawkins, Wakely, Mr K Ronaldson (District Councillor).

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Concern was expressed that the grass at Buttle Close had not been cut. Mr Robathan said that Yarlington Homes contracts this work to the District Council and he will make enquiries.
Mr P England enquired as to the source of funding for the Cowleaze Project and was advised that lottery funding to a maximum of £49,999 had been received and, so far, £44,000 of this had been used.
Cllr Hallett suggested publication of the accounts to show how the money had been spent.

MINUTES
The minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed and signed.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
No interests were declared.

DC REPORT
Mr Robathan said it had been a pleasure representing the parish during his term in office as a District Councillor and Cllr Humphreys thanked him for all he had done, and the enthusiasm he had shown, on the parish’s behalf.
Cllr Humphreys expressed disappointment that there is now a charge for taking refuse to the Crewkerne Waste Centre as he feels this will increase the fly tipping problem, but Mr Robathan said this was the only way the Centre could be kept open due to the financial situation. Mr Robathan said that South Petherton Library will stay open if sufficient funding can be raised and the County Council have promised a one-off payment of £5,000.

CC REPORT
Mrs Larpent introduced Barry Walker, who is standing in the District Council Election. She spoke of a source of funding established by Mr Francis Proud for men in Somerset aged 9 – 25 for education which they would otherwise be unable to afford. Mrs Larpent confirmed that County Council funding for the Lengthsman Scheme had been withdrawn but said the application for funding for part night light funding had been successful and she wondered if the parish wished to take part.

ACCOUNTS
Since the last meeting, cheques had been drawn for:

A cheque was drawn for the Diocese of Bath & Wells for rent of £25 for the School Play Area.

HIGHWAYS
Cllr Rowswell had witnessed a County Highways employee taking down a poster in the village.
A parishioner had commented on traffic congestion with lorries on Barrington Main.
A missing drain cover on Barrington Main and a pothole at the turning to Buttle Close will be reported.
Cllr Walshe enquired about white lining work but Mr Robathan said funds are not available for this.

POLICING
There had been no reported crimes in the village during March and parishioners are asked to remain vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour.

Mr Robathan added that Jon Watson, the Beat Manager, would be back on duty at the beginning of the following week.

COWLEAZE
Cllr Hallett suggested inviting local businesses to the Cowleaze Launch on 21 May.

RETIRING COUNCILLORS
Cllr Sarker said he had decided not to stand for re-election to the Council, due to work commitments, and an email had been received from Cllr Hawkins sending best wishes to the Council on his retirement.

The meeting closed at 9.05 pm and the Chairman thanked his fellow Councillors for all their help during his term in office.