Minutes of a meeting which took place on Monday 31 March 2008.

PRESENT Cllrs Humphreys (Chair), Cripps, Hallett, Hawkins, Wakely, Walshe, Messrs K Ronaldson & P Robathan (District Councillors), J Sharpe (County Councillor) and one parishioner.

APOLOGIES Cllrs England, Rowswell, Sarker.

The Councillors were saddened to hear that Cllr England’s husband, Robert (a former parish councillor), had passed away and they send their condolences to his family.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION A parishioner expressed concerns about the size of the proposed extension to Trinity Cottage, Littlefields Lane.

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

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST No interests were declared.

DC REPORT

Mr Ronaldson reported that Jeff Atkinson will be retiring from the position of Chief Executive of South Somerset Homes on 30 April and Mr Kay, their Development Director, will take over temporarily.

Mr Robathan was pleased to report that South Somerset District Council is the first Council in the South West to be awarded a Charter for Member Development.

CC REPORT

Mr Sharpe advised that the County Council had split Somerset into areas and that Shepton Beauchamp would be with South Petherton and Crewkerne, led by Mike Fear with Anthony Warren as superintendent.

Gloria Cawood will be invited to the May meeting to discuss the three tier education system and the future of rural schools. Cllr Humphreys spoke of the School’s recent Open Day, which was very well attended.

PLANNING

The Local Development Framework Core Strategy, which replaces the Local Plan, is being circulated and Cllr Hawkins will attend a meeting on the subject at Long Sutton Golf Club. He will let the Chairman know if he feels a separate meeting is required to discuss it.

An application was considered to alter and extend Trinity Cottage, Littlefields Lane, demolish the garage and alter the parking/turning areas. The councillors had no objections in principle to the dwelling being extended, but felt the mass and scale to be inappropriate for the locality.

Permission has been granted for the erection of extension and conversion of garage into study/office at Cornash, Lambrook Road. Permission has been refused for the following: Erection of new vicarage on land off Buttle Lane. Demolition of existing store and erection of single storey dwelling with garage on land to rear of Highfield, Lambrook Road.

Fordham Research sent a copy of their Strategic Housing Market Assessment Newsletter.

PARISH PLAN

Cllr Hallett asked if there are plans to update the list of village organisations and Cllr Walshe replied that this is in hand.

A copy of the Parish Plan Accounts was received, showing a bank balance of £2,713.53.
The Easter Market on 15 March was a great success despite the rain.
Future events include the Fun Run on Sunday 14 September, Bonfire Party on 8 November and Christmas Market on 6 December.
The Church Fete will be on 5 July together with St Petroc’s Fayre. The Parish Plan Committee will be working with the PCC.

Help will also be given to the Recreation Committee and items have been purchased for the Village Hall. A donation will be made to the Waterfield Project, probably in the form of a bench.

The Youth Club is very active with 18 members.

The Lease of the Water Meadow has been signed and passed to the project co-ordinator.

Cllr Cripps reported that a working party had cleared brambles at the Recreation Field.
Cllr Walshe is obtaining quotes for a spray-on finish for the shower walls.
Cllr Hawkins suggested entering the Western Gazette’s competition for a makeover for the Pavilion.
An ‘Its A Knock Out’ Competition is planned at the Recreation Field in the summer.

HIGHWAYS

Cllr Cripps suggested a pseudo lead planter to be positioned at the village pump and maintained by the Lengthman.

BT will be reminded about the branches which are resting on overhead wires in Great Lane. Electricity wires in The Shambles are at present covered by unsightly insulation.

FOOTPATHS

Cllr Cripps thanked Cllr Wakely for his help with clearing away brambles. The Clerk reported that the Community Dog Walk was not very well supported but the Dog Warden may organise another when the weather improves.

FLY TIPPING

A parishioner had reported to the District Council a big fly tipping problem and this has been dealt with.

ACCOUNTS

Cheques were drawn for:

There being no further business, the meeting was declared closed.