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Minutes of a meeting of the Parish Council, which took place on Monday 8 March 2010.

Cllrs Humphreys (Chair), Cripps, England, Hallett, Hawkins, Sarker, Wakely, Messrs P Robathan & K Ronaldson (District Councillors) and Mrs A Larpent (County Councillor).

Cllrs Rowswell, Walshe.

The minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed and signed.

No interests were declared.

Mr Ronaldson said a query had been raised by the owners of ‘Bobbins’ about the decision not to erect bollards near their property to protect it from large vehicles and a further meeting will take place with Colin Fletcher of Somerset Highways.
Mr Ronaldson quoted from a newsletter from Chief Superintendent Nikki Watson that the crime level is falling, with 1,054 fewer victims of crime compared to last year.
Mr Ronaldson said the overall rise in Council tax is less than 1% and that Marks & Spencers will be contributing £500,000 per annum towards the cost of kerbside collection of cardboard and plastic for the next three years, and will recycle the card into their packaging.

Mr Robathan added that this will increase the recycling figure to 60%. He said there are many different types of plastic and it will just be the bottles which will be collected.

Mrs Larpent advised that, since the severe weather conditions, the County Council has fixed 4,610 potholes. Silver Street, South Petherton, will be closed for three days from 19 April to enable tree felling and electricity work. A presentation by Ben Hamilton-Bailey will take place in the Blake Hall, South Petherton, on 8 April on redesigning public areas.

A cheque was drawn for the Clerk’s salary of £1,825.

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Cllr Hawkins reported on a meeting he had attended at The Shrubbery Hotel on the outcomes of the cluster workshops and noted that the Government is against further development in villages other than for small scale employment, community facilities or specific housing needs.

The District Council asked for clarification of the official name of the road which heads eastward from the junction with Middle Street. The Clerk was asked to reply that all of the properties fall within Washcross Lane, with the exception of the farm at the far end which is in Littlefields Lane in the parish of South Petherton.

Cllr Cripps reported that the dog bin at the Recreation Field needs replacing and the Clerk will ask the Street Scene Department if they have funding available for this.

Work will be commencing on the paths at Cowleaze at the end of this month.

Cllr Humphreys spoke of recent successful events held by the School and the PreSchool.

He was also pleased to see new business being generated in the village with the recent opening of the Beauty and Hairdressing Salon.

Arrangements are being made to move a shed at the Allotments to allow tractor access.

Cllr Cripps confirmed that he would be willing to act as co-ordinator for the Lengthsman Scheme.

Concern was expressed about stones falling into the road from a wall at Brimgrove Lane.

The condition of Lambrook Road between St Michael's Rise and Piece Lane was again discussed and brought to the attention of our County Councillor, A photograph of one particular section near Little Pipers was made available, the photograph was taken after the road had been “repaired”. Mrs Larpent was asked to take this matter up with the appropriate department.

Some footpath signs were reported missing and their reinstatement could be carried out by the Lengthsman.

The meeting closed at 9.20 pm.