Taunton, Somerset, England - Borough Ward of
Neroche.
Parishes of Orchard Portman with Thurlbear,
Staple Fitzpaine, Bickenhall and Curland.
|
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF NEROCHE PARISH COUNCIL HELD IN THE COMMITTEE ROOM OF NEROCHE PARISH HALL ON THURSDAY 13TH SEPTEMBER 2001 AT 7.45PM Prior to the meeting there was a
minute of silence in sympathy for those people who died or were injured or bereaved by the
September 11th atrocities in America.
711 ATTENDANCE
AND APOLOGIES
Those
present Mesdames Hood, Brown, Messrs Ellis, Garland, Martin,
Salisbury, Trood and Parker. Mesdames
Baxter and Waterman arrived late. Apologies were received and accepted
from Mesdames Woods and Wheller. 712
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
None 713
MINUTES OF LAST MEETING The Minutes of the last meeting were accepted as a true record and signed by the Chairman. Mrs Baxter arrived late whilst the Chairman was signing the Minutes. MATTERS
ARISING FROM THE MINUTES 714
Traffic and Highway Matters The
Council had no additional concerns to raise at this time and
instructed the matter to be carried forward to the next meeting. 715
New gate to restrict access to Middleroom Drove It
was reported that the travellers had returned before the gate was
erected so the travellers were now kept in rather than out!
The Council instructed the Clerk to advise the Gypsy Liaison
Officer of the situation. 716 Somerset Helicopter Liaison Group
Mr
Salisbury reported that he had been unable to attend the 20th
July meeting but that he had received the Minutes and reported the
following matters from them to the Council.
(a)
The Group was officially formed and that the membership
included 2 Members of Parliament, some 140 members and 5 Parish
Councils.
(b)
One of the aims of the Group is to get information distributed (c) The Group also aims to liase with the Ministry of Defence 716 Somerset
Helicopter Liaison Group continued
Mr
Salisbury reported that nothing much was expected to happen now for 12
to 18 months until nearer the time when the additional helicopters
were due to arrive at Yeovilton. Mrs Waterman
arrived at this point in the proceedings. Mr
Salisbury reported that the Group intended to seek recognition of its
existence from the Secretary of State. (SALC
letter 16th July overlooked)
717 “Winterwell” and “Badger Street” Signs
The
Council noted the works had been completed and the invoice received.
Chairman reported that Mr Rowles had sent the Council a
‘thank you’ letter. 718 Blackdown Hills Rural Partnership and Ridge Route
The
Council noted list of guided walks was on file.
No additional matters reported. 719 South Hill Bridge strengthening work.
The
Council noted W S Atkins letter 12th July 2001 advising
that the Taunton/Staple Fitzpaine Road at Bulford is to be closed for
about 4 weeks for bridge strengthening works which are programmed to
start 1st October 2001.
Mr Ellis reported that, as a resident of Bulford, he had not
been notified of the intended road closure yet.
720
Old Portmanian Association
The Council noted that the compilers of the Parish Magazine had
advised that they were not able to print copy of ‘Resolution’
without permission from the Arch Deacon.
The Council expressed concern that they should be denied a
‘voice’ in the Parish Magazine but thought it was probably the
result of a ‘blanket ban’ by the Arch Deacon who had probably not
foreseen that the Council should have become involved in the matter.
It was noted that the rest of the Council’s instructions were
carried out. 721
Damage by hedge cutter to signpost, mirror and bridge at
Orchard Portman and also to crossroads sign at Whitty Crossroads (a) W S Atkins letter 31st July 2001 advising that hedgecutting was Atmos’ responsibility (b) W S Atkins letter 9th August advising they had investigated the damage to Longwater Bridge and have put it on their list for refurbishment/strengthening schemes for 2002/3 (c) Atmos Ltd’s letter 13th August 2001 which in essence each denied liability for the broken mirror because it had not been positioned on the highway with their consent. However, they further advised that the hedgecutter concerned had admitted liability and forwarded his contact details. 721 Damage by hedge cutter to signpost, mirror and bridge at
Orchard Portman and also to crossroads sign at Whitty Crossroads
continued The
Council noted that the Clerk had written to the hedgecutter concerned
claiming the cost of replacing the mirror (estimated to be £185) and
was awaiting a reply. Clerk
was instructed to pursue the matter with Mr Comer but if no
satisfactory response was received in a reasonable time then the Clerk
should claim against the Council’s insurance. 722 Neroche Parish Hall
The
Council noted that the Minutes of the last Hall Committee Meeting had
been received and were on file for reference if required. 723 Queen’s jubilee celebrations The
Council noted Somerset Lieutenancy letter 10th July 2001
and SALC ‘s note about the Queen’s Jubilee Celebrations and
determined to support any local celebrations but not to instigate
them. NEW MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION
AND ACTION AS NECESSARY
724 Footpath matters
(a) Mrs Hood reported that she had received various correspondence addressed to her as Footpath Liaison Officer (a post which does not exist!) presumably arising from her involvement in the millennium Footpath Project. Amongst this correspondence was a notice of a series of courses and workshops on legal and management issues related to public rights of way. After some discussion the Council delegated the duties of Footpath Liaison Officer to the Clerk who agreed to try to attend the first such meeting on Saturday 29th September 2001 and to report back at the next meeting. (b)
The Council noted TDBC Community Initiatives note dated 20th
August 2001 advising that there is a group of workers available for
footpath clearance at rates which may be less than a contractor would
charge but in view of the Council’s lack of funds it decided it
would prefer to ask for unpaid volunteers by advertising in the Parish
Magazine when such were needed. 725
Foul water effluent discharge adjoining Bickenhall House
(formerly Prospect Villa)
The
Council noted that foul water effluent was polluting and accumulating
in the ditch adjoining Bickenhall House and that any wet weather
seemed to cause it to overflow and run down the Lane and into the road
gullies. It was reported
that the accumulation in the ditch was the result of a blocked drain.
The Council noted that TDBC had been advised and were investigating
and decided to keep the matter under review.
726
Road safety measures at Smokey Bottom, Staple Fitzpaine The Council noted W S Atkins letter 14th August 2001 advising that chevrons and reflector posts and improved road markings were to be provided at the bad bend at Smokey Bottom and that these works should be completed by the end of October 2001. 727
Road safety measures to the B3170 Corfe Road
The
Council noted W S Atkins letter 6th August 2001 advising
that various road safety measures were to be provided on the B3170
Corfe Road coupled with speed limits and improved signage at
Shoreditch and a central traffic island at the junction of the road to
Orchard Portman and requesting any comments but felt no comment was
necessary. PLANNING REPORT
New planning applications
received
728
Change of use of Agricultural building to Class B8 (Storage and
distribution) at Staple Farm, Staple Fitzpaine for Mr M Pope 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 this application.
Planning decisions made
since last meeting – The Council
noted that Full permission had been granted in
respect of the following:-
729 Erection of a two storey extension to Orchard Portman Nursing
Home for Ashgrove Care Company Ltd 730
Erection of stone walls and construction of patio area at rear
and erection of entrance gates to front of Skidbrooke House,
Staple Fitzpaine for Dr and Mrs Michaels 731 Application for permission to fell two ash trees at Goddard’s
Farm, Staple Fitzpaine,
for Mr C Bean
Other planning matter
732
Appeal by Mr and Mrs Sibley re Elms Farm, Forest Drove,
Bickenhall
The
new hearing date had been set for11th September 2001 but it
was reported that the matter had been withdrawn. 733 Residential development at former builder’s yard, Shoreditch
for the Crown Estates
It was reported that this application had been refused Planning
Permission. 734
re Recent planning applications of a minor nature in adjoining
parishes The Council decided it did not wish to comment on minor planning applications that relate to other parishes and asked the Clerk to advise TDBC of their decision. 735
Minor amendment to planning permission for erection of double
garage at 240 Manor Cottage, Staple Fitzpaine, Taunton.
The Council noted minor amendment approval has been granted
regarding the external finish of the garages being changed to Tyrolean
render. FINANCIAL
MATTERS 736 Clerk’s salary and expenses for July – September The
Clerk’s salary and expenses together with the appropriate Inland
Revenue payment were approved and cheques signed. 737
Burial Ground Grants The
Council noted the grants had been received and that there was no
increase on last year. The Council approved and authorised cheques
distributing the grants as the breakdown received from TDBC indicated. 738 New Bank Mandate The
Council noted that the bank required further identification procedures
from Mr Ellis and the Clerk so the new mandate was still not in place.
Clerk confirmed that she had now completed the identification
procedure. Mr Ellis
promised to attend to the matter shortly. 739 Invoice for “Winterwell and Badger Street” signs The
Council noted that the invoice received for the works was less than
had originally been estimated and authorised payment as requested by
SCC. CORRESPONDENCE
RECEIVED SINCE LAST MEETING 740
TDBC Planning Policy Unit
The
Council noted the contents of TDBC letter 2nd August 2001
re Draft Guidance on implementing affordable housing for consultation
purposes but declined to comment. 741
SALC Mailing
The
Council noted the various contents of the SALC mailing. Mrs Hood and
Mrs Wood noted the proposed meeting on 29th September and
confirmed they would try to attend and report back to the Council at
the November meeting. The Council determined that no other items in
the mailing required comment or action by the Council.
MATTERS OF REPORT AND ITEMS
FOR NEXT MEETING
742
Audit Commission The
Council noted the Summary of proposed changes to audit procedures was
on file for reference and use by the Clerk. 743
Taunton Deane Council for Voluntary Service The
Council took note of the correspondence and decided to take no action
in this respect. 744
It was reported that the chevrons on the bad double bend on
the Taunton/Staple Fitzpaine Road just past the Badger Street junction
going towards Staple Fitzpaine were missing and that the posts
appeared to have been torn out and were lying in the hedge.
The Council determined this to be a public safety issue
requiring emergency action and instructed the Clerk to advise W S
Atkins as soon as possible. 745 NEXT MEETING to be held on Thursday 8th November 2001 at 7.45pm
|