Shepton Beauchamp

Cllrs Humphreys (Chair), Cripps, Hallett, Hawkins, Rowswell, Wakely, Walshe, Messrs P Robathan & K Ronaldson (District Councillors), Mesdames A Larpent (County Councillor), K Brooker (Head Teacher of Shepton Beauchamp Primary School), Messrs Adrian Moore (SSDC Play Officer), Peter Sanderson, ( Vice Chair of Lethbridge Memorial Recreation Committee) and PCSO Rachel Napper.

Cllrs England, Sarker.

Rachel Napper introduced herself as the new PCSO for the area, having been transferred from Stoke-sub-Hamdon where she had worked for three and a half years. Her contact details will be published in The Web with regular updates and crime reduction advice.

Rachel was informed of vandalism which had taken place at Cowleaze and Mr Robathan spoke of a recent scam by bogus Council Tax Collectors.

Karen Brooker, Head Teacher, was welcomed to the meeting to speak about the School and the possibility of federating with St Mary and St Peter’s (based at Ilton and Barrington) in order to work more closely together to make the best educational provision for children in the local community. The Parish Council is very pleased with the education provided and the variety of activities available and anyone is welcome to look around the School at any time.

The County Councillor added that the School is extremely successful and not under any threat.

The minutes if the previous meeting were confirmed and signed.

No interests were declared.

Mr Ronaldson reported that the kerbside collection of plastic bottles and cardboard has started in Yeovil and will be extended to rural areas by March. Mr Robathan advised of a reduction in the number of PCSOs and said that Rachel is now the only one in the South Petherton area.

Mr Robathan said the results of the percolation tests on land at Pendower are not yet available and Cllr Hawkins expressed surprise that work had gone ahead and the roof is now in position. The Clerk will query the fact that the work continued before the test results were available.

Mrs Larpent spoke of the financial cutbacks involving 200 voluntary redundancies at County Hall and said those PCSOs which are funded by the County Council are under review, as are bus subsidies.

The Rights of Way Team may have to be reduced in size.

It was confirmed that the broken bollards in Lambrook Road will be replaced.

Mr Robathan spoke of the consultation in respect of the Library Service.

Cheques were drawn for:

A planning application was considered for a detached dwelling with double garage at the junction of Lambrook Road/Drove Lane. The Parish Councillors had no objections to the dwelling but felt the proposed position of the garage was not aesthetically pleasing.

The District Council sent a copy of its Local Development Framework Draft Core Strategy, which will be circulated. Consultation Events will take place at The Blake Hall, South Petherton, on 4 November from 4 – 7 pm and at Tescos Car Park, Ilminster (SSDC Resource Bus), on 6 November from 9 am – 1 pm.

The Councillors are very pleased with the way Cowleaze is coming along and grateful to the volunteers who put in so much time there, but disappointed with the dog fouling which is taking place and the fact that the volunteers are having to clear it up. Dog owners are reminded of the health hazard this causes and it was suggested asking the school children to design posters deterring it, which Cllr Hawkins offered to print.

The next Parish Plan Event will be Bonfire Night, which will take place on 6 November, by kind permission of Mr Dennis.

Peter Sanderson, Vice Chair of the Recreation Committee, spoke about the plans to improve the facilities, the first phase to be the Children’s Play Area. This has been designed in conjunction with the school children and by working with Landscape Architects, Swan Paul. The scheme is ready to go out to tender and it is hoped to start the work early next year. The second phase will be in the area where the leylandii trees are and will consist of seating and play area with a wood theme.

Adrian Moore said the District Council has set aside £12,500, which the Recreation Committee will have to match fund, and it will be necessary to extend the length of the Lease. The grant will be paid to the Parish Council, who will buy the equipment, and the project will be managed and operated by the Recreation Committee, on behalf of the parish, with a sinking fund of Parish Council money.

The Recreation Committee will send a formal letter to the Parish Council, asking for agreement to this, and Mr Robathan will check with the District Council Solicitor that this is the correct procedure.

Adrian Moore suggested that no money is paid to the supplier until the work has been completed and he has inspected it.

It was noted that fruit trees have been planted on some allotments and it was agreed that when the allotment holders resign they will be asked to remove their trees.

The meeting closed at 10.15 pm.