The Annual Parish Meeting was held in the Chapel at 7.30pm PRESENT: Mr M. Baddeley, in the chair, Mr D. Parsons, Mr S. Burgess, Mrs R Clark, Mr R. Pearse & Mr G.Salter. IN ATTENDANCE: Mr Clark (newly elected Councillor for SCC), Mrs M Pearse, Parish Clerk. Plus eleven members of of the parish. APOLOGIES: Mr M Newport. THE MINUTES: Having been circulated were taken as read and signed as correct by the chairman. Proposed by Mr D Parsons. Seconded by Mrs R Clark. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT: A358 dualling gone quiet, not recommended by SWRA, over-ruled by Office of Deputy PM, currently no funding, but assured PC will be consulted. ODPM proposal for 13,000 new homes between Stoke St. Mary and Taunton challenged. SCC and TDBC also support no development this side of the motorway. SWRA will publish their recommendations at the end of the year. Check that t agrees with local views. SCC started to upgrade drainage system, need more done, keep nagging. Road surfaces got very bad. Highways engineer to visit in near future. Particularly bad along Greenway Corner. Policing - an issue regularly aired at PC meetings. received presentation from Sergeant last November - higher profile in village plus beat Bobby for at least 6 months - all hot air - no visits and Bobby stayed 2 months. Councillor Clark was requested to pursue this matter. Mrs G Baker and Mr D Fothergill had prepared the village entry for the Village f the Year competition, not placed this year. Thanks expressed for their efforts. The Parish Plan received magnificent response, Mr Freir and his team have put a lot of time and effort into the exercise. Thanks were also paid to the Clerk and also the Chapel for allowing it's use (the Village Hall currently being used on Wednesday nights). S.C.C REPORT: New Councillor. No report. TDBC REPORT: Unable to attend - no report. SCHOOL GOVERNOR'S REPORT: Mrs R Clark reported that there were about 200 pupils plus 28 on the waiting list for next year. The pool was currently receiving a new roof and makeover. The OFSTED report was satisfactory, there were more pupils using school transport and a grant had been received for encouraging cycling. The new car park plans had been drawn up, the Crown Estate having granted the piece of necessary land and support from the PC was sought for the planning Application. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME: Bad parking outside the Village Hall was again bought up, also builders working at Sly's Acre. Clerk reminded meeting that items for the agenda should be notified 3 days before the meeting, preferably written, not sneaky and verbal via a third person. VILLAGE HALL REPORT: Mr.S Burgess reported that a new committee had been formed, the funds were healthy, the floor had been sanded and coated with a strong layer of varnish, the stage had been refurbished and the curtains cleaned. The next meeting is on 19th May should anyone be interested in helping. PARISH PLAN Mr V Freir reported that grants had been obtained from Countryside Agency, TDBC, the Parish Council and the Millennium Committee. The Questionnaire was created in February and now being collated. 73% had been returned. All sorts of interesting facts were emerging from there being 2+ cars per household, to there being 2 more ladies than gents in the village. The whole process was taking over twice the time that the committee had expected. the next meeting is planned in the village hall for 24th June when refreshments will be provided.