Taunton, Somerset, England - Borough Ward of Neroche.
Parishes of Orchard Portman with Thurlbear,
Staple Fitzpaine, Bickenhall and Curland.


Neroche Parish Council Minutes.
8th November 2001

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF NEROCHE PARISH COUNCIL HELD IN THE COMMITTEE ROOM OF NEROCHE PARISH HALL ON THURSDAY 8TH NOVEMBER 2001 AT 7.45PM

746            ATTENDANCE AND APOLOGIES

Those present Mesdames Hood, Wood, Wheller, Messrs Garland, Parker, Salisbury and  Trood.  Apologies were received and accepted from Mesdames Baxter, Waterman, Brown and Mr Martin.

747            DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

            None

748            MINUTES OF LAST MEETING

Item 741 of the previous Minutes should have read that Mrs Wood would be notified but for simplicity the Council agreed the words “and Mrs Wood” should be deleted from the first line.

Following this amendment, the Minutes of the last meeting were accepted as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

749      Traffic and Highway Matters

No matters were raised in this connection

750             Travellers at Middleroom Drove

It was noted that the travellers had now moved on.

751            Blackdown Hills Rural Partnership and Ridge Route

            No matters were raised in this connection.  Subject to be kept under review.

752      South Hill Bridge strengthening works

It was noted that the start appeared to have been even further delayed since no works had yet commenced.

753            Damage by hedge cutter

It was noted that the claim had been made to Cornhill Insurance and that the Hedge-cutter’s cheque for £75, being the policy excess, had been received.  The Council noted the quote for the mirror in the sum of £135.74 plus VAT and instructed the Clerk to place the order and advise the Chairman when the mirror was received.

754            Queen’s jubilee celebrations

The Council determined to make provision for some expense in this connection in the budget discussions following.

755            Footpath matters

The Clerk reported that she had attended 3 out of 4 of the recent training sessions for Footpath Liaison Officers and was now at least familiar with the basic legislation involved. It was noted that TDBC had been advised that the Clerk was now the designated Footpath Liaison Officer and that all future correspondence be directed to the Clerk instead of the Councillors.

756      Foul water effluent discharge adjoining Bickenhall House (formerly Prospect Villa)

It was noted that some drainage repair works had now been undertaken and that the problem appeared to have been solved as a result of these works.

757      SALC

Mrs Hood reported that she had attended the morning session of the SALC meeting 29th September 2001 and heard Mr Sansom’s talk on involving young people in Parish Councils. Other matters discussed at the meeting included the new accounts and audit procedures (internal audit still being in the discussion stage) the new Code of Conduct and introduction of a Standards Committee.  It was noted that from 1st April 2002 all Councillors would be expected have training in their role as Councillor.

PLANNING REPORT

It was noted that the following new planning applications had been received since the last meeting.

758            Erection of two storey extension to the rear of 195 Thurlbear Road, Orchard Portman

759            Erection of timber framed lean-to at Greenway Farm, Thurlbear

760            Erection of pitched roof to the rear of Rock House, Curland

Councillors having received no adverse comments from parishioners and in accordance with Standing Orders, the Chairman had determined no extraordinary meeting was necessary and hence no comment was made by the Council in respect of the three applications above.

761            Change of use of Agricultural building to Class B8 (Storage and distribution) at Staple Farm, Staple Fitzpaine for Mr M Pope

The Council noted, with some Councillors expressing disappointment, that planning permission had been refused because the roads were deemed unsuitable for the traffic to be generated by this development.

FINANCIAL MATTERS

762      Budget for March 2002 to March 2003

The budget was discussed at length and various amendments agreed and the Precept was set at £2000 and the precept forms were duly completed and signed

(Clerk’s note - A copy of the agreed budget is attached to these Minutes for future reference)

763             Clerk’s salary and expenses

Clerk’s salary and expenses for September – November were approved and authorised.

764      New Bank Mandate

The Council noted the Bank had required yet further information that has been provided but that the Clerk was still awaiting confirmation from the bank that the new mandate was in place.

765            Request for donation from Victim Support (Somerset area scheme)

766            Request for donation from Somerset Counselling Centre (Taunton)

767            Request for donation from Relate to support a pilot Life Skills Course at Comprehensive Schools this Autumn Term

The Council discussed the various requests for donations and decided that although these organisations provide useful and beneficial services their specific value to the Council’s Parishioners was un-quantifiable and likely to be so low that a Section 137 donation would be unjustifiable. The Council therefore determined to make no donations in respect of the requests noted at items 765, 766 and 767

CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED SINCE LAST MEETING

768            Temporary Road Closure of Bickenhall Lane, West Hatch 

It was noted that a length of Bickenhall Lane was closed for resurfacing and this work is expected to be complete within the week.

769      Car boot sales at Taunton Race course

The Council noted the contents of the E-mail from John Williams date 18th October and determined no action was necessary

770            Remembrance Day Services 11th November 2001

771      TDBC letter 25th October “Communities against drugs funding”

The Council noted the contents of the two items of correspondence noted above and determined no action would be taken.

772      SCC Environment & Property Dept letter September 2001 – Maintenance of roads and pavements in Somerset

The Council noted that SCC estimate a 10 year programme of repair is required to remedy damage caused by last winter’s bad weather and that SCC is therefore prioritising repairs.  The Council noted that Underhill Lane, Staple Fitzpaine has been classified as a minor route with numerous defects that are to be signed until major repairs can be undertaken.  The Council also noted that information on other sites in this category was still being gathered but determined not to recommend any specific sites to SCC for consideration at this time.

MATTERS OF REPORT AND ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING

773      NALC + The Countryside Agency re The Quality Parish Initiative

774      SCC Environment & Property Dept letter 27th September 2001 – New arrangements for delivering highway services

775      W S Atkins – Road safety guide 2001/2002 – overview of services

776            Community Council for Somerset – Peter Lacey, Chief Executive leaving end October 2001. 

777      TD Council for Voluntary Service – All day event “Partners for the future” on the 19th November 2001.

778            Somerset West Police District Information Bulletin October 2001 – January 2002

            The Council noted the contents of the above correspondence and determined no action was necessary and that none of these items need be carried forward to the next meeting.

779            Visibility splay at Badger Street junction with Taunton/Staple Fitzpaine Road

It was reported and noted that no work had yet commenced but the Council determined no action was required at this time.

780      NEXT MEETING

The Council noted the next meeting was to be held on Thursday 10th January 2002 at 7.45pm.

There being no further business the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 8.45pm.

Mrs Y J Welch

Parish Clerk                                                                                                        31st December 2001

 

 

 

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