Page 288
PRESENT Cllrs Humphreys (Chair), Cripps, England, Hallett, Hawkins, Rowswell, Walshe, Messrs P Robathan (District Councillor), J Sharpe (County Councillor) and one parishioner.

APOLOGIES Mr K Ronaldson (District Councillor)

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

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Cllr Rowswell declared an interest, as applicant, in a planning application to convert existing cottages to single dwelling and erect two new dwellings at Ferndale Cottage and Rose Cottage, Buttle Lane.

DC REPORT

Mr Robathan reported on the recent Area North Community Safety Event held at Long Sutton Golf Club. He said that the Waste Partnership is now the most capable in the country and the trial of plastic and cardboard collection is now complete but would be costly to carry out and would involve collection problems. Mr Robathan reminded the Parish Council that telephone votes are required for funding for Somerset Waterways Development Trust’s solar boat at Taunton and the extra floor for the David Hall at South Petherton.

CC REPORT

Mr Sharpe said the biggest County Council issue at present is the loss of funds invested in Icelandic Banks but assured the Parish Council that Council tax would be unaffected by it. He said the consultation on reorganisation of schools will begin in the New Year but no decision will be taken until after the County Council elections in June.

Cllr Cripps enquired as to the possibility of funding towards a soil survey and it was suggested he applies to Charlotte Jones of the District Council.

PLANNING

Cllr Rowswell declared an interest in the application to convert existing cottages to single dwelling and erect two new dwellings at Ferndale Cottage and Rose Cottage, Buttle Lane, and she left the room. The Parish Councillors had no objections to the application. Page 289
PARISH PLAN
Cllr Humphreys spoke of the awful weather on the evening of the bonfire and Fireworks Display but, thanks to the sponsors, a profit of £100 was made. The next event will be the Christmas Market on Saturday 6 December. The Committee would like to arrange an event for the older members of the community and would welcome suggestions. Cllr Cripps reported on the Cowleaze Project and said that Wessex Water had now replied but not given a complete assurance that the land is safe, so it is still felt necessary to have a survey carried out. The Parish Council is currently holding £3,009.84 on behalf of the Cowleaze Project (SSDC £350.00, County Councillor £500, Gardening Society £159.84, SCC Area Working Panel £2,000.00). The Playgroup has withdrawn its application for an Allotment as land is being made available at Cowleaze. Cllr Walshe spoke of the work of the Recreation Committee and said that a meeting had taken place with Adrian Moore and Les Collett, who advised that £12,500 District Council funding would be available in the year 2010/11 if the Recreation Committee can match it.

LENGTHMAN

The scheme is working well and parishioners are reminded to leave suggestions of work in the box provided at the Post Office.

HIGHWAYS

The Councillors were disappointed that the village has still not been included in the winter maintenance pre-salting programme and the Clerk will write to the Highway Authority as it was thought that every community was to have at least one pre-salted route to the main road network.

Kim Sharpe wrote thanking the Parish Council for signing up to the pilot scheme to assist drainage clearing and when the other four parishes have replied he will arrange for the plans to be despatched.

FOOTPATHS

A letter was received from South Somerset Bridleways Association about their programme to discover lost rights of way. Cllr Walshe said strimming is required near the gate at Drove Lane and the Lengthman will be asked to do this.

ACCOUNTS

Cheques were drawn for: Cowleaze Meadow Project – working float £200.00 M T Brown – re-stoning A Lethbridge’s grave 68.15 SSDC – grass cutting at Cowleaze 117.50

The meeting closed at 9.10 pm.