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Minutes of a meting of the Parish Council, which took place on Monday 11 January 2010.

Cllrs Humphreys(Chair), Cripps, Hawkins, Rowswell, Sarker, Walshe, Mr P Robathan (District Councillor) and one parishioner.

Cllrs England, Hallett, Mr K Ronaldson (District Councillor) and Mrs A Larpent (County Councillor).

The minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed and signed.

No interests were declared.

Mr Rippon advised that there were 25 applicants for the post of Lengthsman and a meeting will take place on 14 January to draw up a shortlist. David Muir will be retiring at the end of March and his replacement will work with him for his last two weeks. Mr Rippon will be unable to continue in his role as co-ordinator as he will be moving to South Petherton shortly.

Mr Robathan spoke of the District Council’s potential merger with East Devon District Council and said it is likely that there will be a single Chief Executive from 1 April.

The Village Hall Booking Secretary wrote advising that the Hall hire fee to the Parish Council will be increased to £5 per hour with effect from 1 January 2010.

Cllr Humphreys reported that the Events Team are planning the following for 2010 – Fun Run, Easter and Christmas Markets, Bonfire Party, St Petrocs Fayre, an event for the Senior Citizens and there is a possibility of setting up a Cinema Club. They plan to give a donation to Shepton Beauchamp School Council towards books.

Cllr Cripps was pleased to report that the Cowleaze Meadow lottery application had been successful and that up to £49,999 will be available for the work planned, which has to be completed by March 2013. Cllr Cripps advised of a talk on ‘How to make your garden wildlife friendly’, which will take place in the Village Hall on 20 January.

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Cllr Walshe said another Whacky Olympics Fun Day is to take place at the Recreation Field in the Summer.

The District Council’s Area West Committee invited Parish Councillors to their meeting on 20 January at The Shrubbery Hotel, when school organisation proposals for Chard, Ilminster and Crewkerne will be discussed. Cllr Hawkins will represent the Parish Council at the meeting.

Cllr Humpheys had asked Mr Ronaldson why the roads in Somerset were still covered in snow and ice, yet those in Devon had been cleared. It was also noted that the road to South Petherton via Lambrook had been cleared but Barrington Main had not. Mr Ronaldson took the matter up with the Highway Authority and was told that gritters could not be re-routed as the task had now been passed to Central Government. Salt and grit was now having to be purchased at commercial prices and if the Parish Council would contribute towards this then something could possibly be done.

The Clerk will contact David Laws, MP, about the need to keep the village roads clear, mentioning especially the School and Buttle Close.
Cllr Rowswell wondered if a contingency plan could be put in place for such occasions, suggesting that a local farmer be employed to clear the roads, but there may be a problem with insurance.
Potholes in Lambrook Road and near Hurcott Farm (just outside the parish) will be reported.

The meeting closed at 8.35 pm.