Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council, which took place on Wednesday 28 May 2008.

PRESENT Cllrs Humphreys (Chair), Cripps, England, Sarker, Walshe, Wakely, Mr K Ronaldson (District Councillor).

APOLOGIES Cllrs Hallett, Hawkins, Rowswell, Mr P Robathan (District Councillor). Cllr Sarker apologised for arriving late.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

The following were elected: Chairman – Cllr Humphreys Vice Chairman – Cllr Walshe Planning – Cllrs Rowswell, Sarker Allotments – Cllrs Cripps, Walshe Footpaths – Cllrs Cripps, Walshe Highways – Cllrs Hallett, Hawkins Charity Trustee – Cllr Rowswell Emergency Contacts – Cllrs Hawkins, Walshe Parish Environment Warden – Cllr England Representative on Cowleaze Project – Cllr Wakely Debbie Welch continues as Tree Warden.

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

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

No interests were declared.

DC REPORT

Mr Ronaldson had spoken to the Highway Authority about the slow progress of the road surfacing and Ian Morrison had explained the procedures to him. The District Council’s comprehensive performance assessment achieved ‘Good’ this time, which was an improvement on the previous comment ‘Fair’.

COUNTY COUNCIL

It is hoped that Gloria Cawood, Portfolio Holder for Education, and Judith Richardson, Head of Service for Education, will be able to come to the next meeting as the Governors of the School would like to change from the three tier to the two tier education system and the Parish Council wish to give their support.

PLANNING

Mr Ronaldson said the application to extend Trinity Cottage had been approved.

PARISH PLAN

The Leisure & Culture Group are giving a donation of £500 to the School. They are now organising the St Petroc’s Caribbean Picnic on 5 July from 5 – 8 pm following the Church Fete and proceeds will be split between the Parish Plan Committee and the Church. The Committee will also be helping at the It’s a Knock Out at the Recreation Field by running the bar and barbecue. Any profit from this event will be put towards revamping the children’s play area. Cllr Walshe reported that Base Leisure has carried out repairs to the Multi-use Games Area and quotes are being obtained for work in the pavilion. Clearance work is taking place at Cowleaze and Cllr Wakely offered to top the grass. The Chairman signed a letter authorising the opening of an account with the Co-op Bank for the Cowleaze Project.

HIGHWAYS

Mr Ronaldson will report blocked drains at Silver Springs. The Clerk will ask if the assessment of dog bins has been completed and whether it is possible to have another bin. Miss Pearce is happy to plant and water the pump trough and Cllr Humphreys will supply the compost.

FOOTPATHS

Cllr Walshe advised that nettles and brambles need trimming around the gate on the footpath to Barrington.

ACCOUNTS

A cheque was drawn for the Diocese of Bath & Wells for the £25 rent for the school play area.

The meeting closed at 8.55 pm.