Page 285\\ Minutes of a meeting of the Parish Council, which took place on Monday 27 October 2008.

PRESENT Cllrs Walshe (Chair), Cripps, England, Hallett, Hawkins, Rowswell, Sarker, Wakely, Messrs K Ronaldson and P Robathan (District Councillors) and 13 parishioners.

APOLOGIES Cllr Humphreys

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

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Cllr Hawkins declared an interest, as applicant, in planning applications to: Erect living/workspace dwelling to replace existing store building and oil storage tank at Hawkins Bakery Erect five dwellings and convert existing building to form 2 dwellings at Hawkins Bakery.

DC REPORT

Mr Ronaldson confirmed that the spring bulbs have been ordered. He said that Queen Camel Parish Council would like to borrow the file on the MUGA as they are considering ordering one. In conjunction with the County Councillor, Mr Ronaldson spoke about the £2,000 local initiative budget and said that the Youth Leader would like furniture for the pavilion, including a multi-games table, pool table, etc.

Mr Robathan spoke of a new planning regime, from 1 October, based on impact rather than fixed rules. South Petherton Parish Council will host a meeting on the subject in due course. Joint Action Committees are now being established, with District and County Councillors meeting together in area committees. The Police are to change their control boundaries to match the District Council areas in South Somerset. The Innovation Centre in Yeovil opened last week, supported by the Rural Development Agency, to help small businesses.

PLANNING

Cllr Hawkins made a statement about his planning applications and then left the room until these had been discussed. He said the site had not been used as a bakery for over 10 years and that the scheme he had in mind would provide reasonable cost housing, specifically designed for young or elderly people, close to the village centre but out of sight. On leaving the room, he said that his wife or his agent would answer any queries. Page 286
The Clerk read two letters of objection from neighbours and the Chairman invited comments from the parishioners. Concerns raised included density of development, insufficient parking spaces, loss of a village business, loss of old bread ovens, overlooking of neighbours and possible drainage/flooding problems. The Parish Councillors decided to object to the application for 5 dwellings and conversion of building to 2 dwellings on the grounds of over development, but in principle agree to some development of the site. They also do not consider one parking space per unit to be sufficient in a rural village. As the application for living/workspace dwelling is linked to the other application, by way of caretaking, the Parish Councillors do not consider this to be applicable without the other application in place.

The Parish Council had no objections to an application to demolish existing open shed and erect building comprising office/store and replacement open shed at Shepton House but would expect it to be built entirely of natural stone. The Councillors had no concerns about access as deliveries are already made to this site and they feel there would be less traffic in the centre of the village. There were no objections to an application to convert and change the use of the former chapel from office and storage/distribution to dwelling house at Old Chapel. Middle Street.

Permission has been granted for the following: Tree surgery works to walnut tree at 19 Brimgrove Lane. Alterations to change colour of existing windows and doors at Duke of York Cottage. Erection of bungalow on land to rear of Highfield, Lambrook Road.

It was agreed that, as soon as future planning applications are received, they will be delivered to The Post Office to give Parish Councillors a chance to view them before the meeting.

PARISH PLAN

The next village event will be the Bonfire and Fireworks on 8 November by kind permission of Mr Dennis. Cllr Cripps reported that Wessex Water have not yet given assurance that the Cowleaze site is safe for public use, so a survey may be necessary.

LENGTHMAN

The Lengthman has replaced the sign above the pump.

HIGHWAYS

A letter was received from Kim Sharp inviting the Parish Council to partner Somerset Highways in a pilot scheme to assist the drainage clearing service. He will send a plan showing all known gullies and he would like the Parish Council to add any which are not shown.
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Potholes in Washcross Lane will be reported and a request will be made for a camera in the North Street drain to see if it is broken.

FOOTPATHS

Cllr Cripps reported that he has replaced two broken dog gates.

COMMUNITY SAFETY WORKSHOP

This will take place on Monday 17 November at Long Sutton Golf Club.

COUNCIL QUESTION TIME

This event will be held on 26 November from 6 – 8 pm at the District Council Offices, Yeovil, and will give the opportunity for local communities to ask questions about any of the services or projects run by the County or District Councils.

DATE OF DECEMBER MEETING

As the December meeting would fall within Christmas week, it was decided to bring it forward to 15 December if the Hall is available.

ACCOUNTS

Cheques were drawn for: Moore Stephens – external audit of accounts £141.00 Allianz – insurance for Fun Run 52.50

The meeting closed at 9.30 pm.