Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held on Monday 11th July 2005 at 7.00 pm in the Community Centre.
1. Present
D Luxton (Chairman), B Collingridge (Vice-Chairman), R Matcham, C Cridland, P Langdon, P Parker, T Parker, T Hill, P Berman, B Whitman, B Wilson, Mesdames L Bedding and S Fairfax, and R N V Hewitt (Clerk)
2. Apologies
Apologies were received from H Farrington, Ms B Boyland, Mrs M Whitmarsh, Ms M Prior and CPSO Julian Morant.
3. Minutes
The Minutes of the meeting held on Monday 13th June having been circulated were agreed as a correct record.
4. Matters Arising
Allotments - John Hamilton and John Courtier were present at the meeting and asked to address the Parish Council in connection with the formation of a new Allotment Association. John Hamilton explained that he hoped that the newly formed association would help prevent allotments continuing to remain in poor condition for so long and also expressed some concern about the drift of weed seeds that this problem causes. John Hamilton went on to say that he hoped that the new association would give tenants a unified voice. A series of meetings had been held and he had now been elected as Chairman with Robert Bancroft elected as Secretary. The association wished to take on the administration of letting the allotments, chasing up problems, collecting rents and hoped that this, along with being on site, would avoid the problem of allotments falling into disrepair. It was hoped that a share of the rent would be passed back by the Parish Council to the association to grow a common pool of funds for allotment expenditure. The association wished to highlight the profile of the allotments and proposed the letting of half allotments in future. The installation of a new water meter was discussed and John Hamilton agreed that a surcharge on top of the rent was the best way of dealing with this new cost. They were trying to install some water butts at the far end of the allotments where the water supply was poor. Bryn Wilson suggested that a sub-committee be formed to meet with the association and report back to the Parish Council, this was seconded by Ralph Matcham. Brian Collingridge queried the legal position and Peter Berman suggested that the sub-committee come forward with a written report to be circulated with the agenda at a forthcoming Parish Council meeting. After some discussion a sub-committee was duly elected to comprise Bryn Wilson, Peter Parker, Colin Cridland, Peter Langdon and the Clerk. John Hamilton agreed to canvass the association members and put forward some suggested dates for a meeting.
Planning Enforcement Procedure – Peter Parker referred to the ongoing planning enforcement matters experienced recently in connection with The Manse site, Ford Road, and expressed concern about the time the whole process had taken (i.e. from the beginning of February to the end of April). Discussion followed on Stop Notices and as to why this had not been forthcoming at The Manse site. After some debate it was agreed that the Clerk would liaise with Peter Berman with a view to writing a letter to Taunton Deane Borough Council in order to highlight the issue and to see whether a representative would attend a subsequent Parish Council meeting in order to educate the Council on the relevant procedures and circumstances that would trigger a Stop Notice.
Kingsmead Community School Road Safety – The Clerk reported that he had received a copy of a letter from Somerset County Council and correspondence from Robert Bancroft, Chair of Kingsmead Site and Buildings Governors. The County Council had proposed that a meeting take place to discuss the various safety issues which had been raised by the Governors and it was agreed that the Parish Council should take part with the Chairman, Brian Collingridge and Bryn Wilson wishing to attend such a meeting. Bill Whitman suggested that the meeting should take place between 8.30 and 8.45 in the morning or 3.25 to 3.45 in the afternoon so that the traffic can be fully experienced! It was agreed that the Clerk would write back to Somerset County Council confirming the Parish Council's wish to attend. Peter Berman suggested that the signing to Wellington should direct traffic along the 'B' road through Milverton to reduce congestion in South Street.
Road Signs – The Clerk read an email from John Herrington at Taunton Deane Borough Council concerning the road naming signs in the Square area and it was agreed that the Clerk would respond that the Parish Council would like to see the roads named and that Taunton Deane should refer the matter to the Conservation Officer regarding the choice of signs, and that if she requires heritage style signs then perhaps Taunton Deane would then pay for them.
Community Centre Refuse Disposal – The Clerk reported he had received an email from Howard Lidiard on behalf of London House Management Limited again highlighting the issue of waste being left outside the property during the week near the forecourt of the Community Centre. It was agreed that this really was a matter for the Community Centre to deal with or Taunton Deane. It was agreed that the Clerk would reply on the basis that Mr Lidiard should contact Taunton Deane Borough Council.
Traffic Matters – The Clerk read an email from Dennis Quick responding to various items that had been reported following the last Parish Council meeting. It was agreed that the Clerk would remind Ian Titcombe about the removal of the old Wiveliscombe sign with a request that if this posed any difficulty the Parish Councillors would volunteer to do the work themselves. It was also agreed that the Clerk would suggest that the service information (below the Wiveliscombe sign) should be re-located when the new 30 mile an hour speed signs are erected near the new trading estate entrance. It was also suggested that the 'children at play' sign be erected in the Old Brewery Road as this was commonly used by children with skateboards etc.
Pavement Repairs, The Square – The Clerk read an email from Dennis Quick raising the difficulty of replacing aggregate footway slabs and it was agreed that repairs should be undertaken using existing slabs from the upper end of West Street and the pavement there to be tarmacced over.
5.planning
The Clerk reported that TDBC had approved the following applications:-
49/2005/025LB Ford Lodge, Ford, Wiveliscombe: Installation of new doors, concrete floor and internal openings
49/2005/026 1 Queens Terrace, Church Street, Wiveliscombe: Erection of store/playroom to rear
49/2004/042 The Old Hancock Brewery, Golden Hill, Wiveliscombe (Re-submission of scheme with some amendments): Partial demolition, partial new build, conversion and restoration
49/2005/030 Kingsmead Community School, Wiveliscombe: Demolition and relocation of existing temporary classrooms and siting of new temporary building for 45 weeks
Applications received:-
49/2005/036AGN Culverhead, Wiveliscombe: Erection of agricultural barn –No objection.
49/2005/034 Uphams Farm, Langley Cross, Wiveliscombe: Erection of sun room – Approved.
49/2005/035 The Paddocks, Ford Road, Wiveliscombe: Erection of extensions to dwelling and construction of garage/studio to replace existing garage – Brian Collingridge declared an interest in the application and left the room before it was discussed. The applicant presented an overview of what was proposed and the plans were studied in detail. Mrs Nation, one of the immediate neighbours, raised concerns about the new two storey garage affecting her light at her kitchen window which is very important to her as she has a visual disability. Apparently the new garage is to be erected 5 yards from the window and is not in the same position as the garage which was there previously, and it was noted that the original garage was only one storey. The Parish Council felt that a light assessment was required and it was agreed that this would be reported to Taunton Deane along with the comment that several neighbours had raised concerns.
49/2005/037 Hartswell House, Wiveliscombe (Reserved Matters): Erection of dwelling and garage with alterations to drive – No comment.
49/2005/038LB Hartswell House, Wiveliscombe: Demolition of Stables – It was not clear from the application whether it is proposed to demolish the whole of the stables and the Clerk was asked to query this. In the event that the application is to demolish the whole then the Parish Council are content to follow the guidance of the Conservation and Listed Building Officer.
49/2005/039 Nunnington Park, Wiveliscombe: Erection of single storey extension – The Parish Council looked at the application and a number of Councillors expressed concern that the adjoining barn which had now been converted to a dwelling would lose its view and possibly light would be affected as a result of the proposed extension.
The following applications were received post agenda:-
49/2005/041 19 Silver Street, Wiveliscombe: Conversion of barn to form studio annexe and formation of roof terrace – Comments were raised regarding the impact on Mrs Butcher's property, situated to the west of the site (no's 7 and 9 Silver Street).
49/2005/040 29 Plain Pond, Wiveliscombe: Erection of porch – No comments to make.
49/2005/042 Mill Barn, Jews Lane, Maundown, Wiveliscombe: The Parish Council have concerns about the impact on the character of the building but are content to rely on Taunton Deane Borough Council's own impact assessment.
6. Correspondence
Somerset Gateway – It was agreed that the Clerk would respond to this questionnaire confirming that the Parish Council did not own the venue and that any queries should be directed to the Community Centre Management Committee, c/o of their secretary, Barbara Lloyd, at Wyndhams Flats.
Cutthroat Lane – The Clerk reported that he had heard from the Chaplin family and that the wall repairs reported at the last Parish Council meeting had now been undertaken.
Marie Curie Cancer Care – The Clerk reported that he had received a request for funding and it was agreed that the Clerk should refer Marie Curie Cancer Care to the precept grant procedure.
7. PCSO'S REPORT
Unfortunately Julian Morant had made his apologies and was unable to attend the meeting.
8. Accounts
The most recent bank statement was endorsed as an original copy.
The following accounts were approved for payment:-
Moore Stephens Chartered Accountants £293.75
Wiveliscombe Community Centre £45.00
R M Taylor (Jubilee Gardens) £246.75
Allianz Cornhill 47.94
The expenditure of Jubilee Gardens was queried and it was agreed that the Clerk would bring a summary printout to the next Parish Council meeting. Brian Collingridge raised the issue of the Leylandi trees which had been removed at Wyndhams and reminded the Parish Council that Taunton Deane Borough Council had paid for half the cost of removing the trees and the fencing with the landowner paying the balance. The landowner had raised the issue of the cost of privacy panels and Brian Collingridge felt it would be helpful if the Parish Council would consider making a donation. After some discussion Bryn Wilson proposed that a donation was inappropriate as Taunton Deane should be able to fund this themselves, this was seconded by Ralph Matcham and the motion was carried.
9. Wiveliscombe Area Partnership Report
Brian Collingridge reported that the 30/40 mile an hour signs along Croft Way had been raised with Highways and that the 30 mile an hour sign would now be moved from near the trafficlights to adjacent the recreation ground top entrance. The fish and chip shop bollards had been erected, but it was noted that the bollards on the Church side of the road still had to be replaced and the parking for 20 minutes plaque re-located from the hatched area. The new bungalows to be erected adjacent the primary school were ongoing and it was hoped they would be completed by May 2006 at the latest and the culvert by the new entrance which had recently been discovered to be defective would be dealt with by highways in the next two months. Wiveliscombe Family Centre – Brian Collingridge reminded the Parish Council that a small group had been looking at the provision of facilities for 0 – 5 year olds in Wiveliscombe since 2001. More recently the County Council have now been forced by Government to take over the statutory responsibility for 0 – 5 year olds (previously met by voluntary bodies). As a result he was hopeful that some funding would be forthcoming in respect of constructing a new family centre, and it was hoped that at county level a decision might be made in the autumn. Ralph Matcham added that the 10 Parishes Family Support Group had received a grant in order to get some short term provision established in the town. Website – The Clerk reported he had received an email from Paul Cottington in connection with updating the website records and it was agreed that the website sub-committee would ensure that the Parish Council's entries were reviewed in due course.
10. Matters Of Report
Councillor Tony Hill reported that Jews Lane required attention and that a creeper was growing over the public toilets next to the White Hart garden. Bryn Wilson reported that during the recent heavy rains the water containment tanks at Lion D'Angers were unable to cope with the amount of water running into them, and that a one foot deep pool of water had collected outside the old Manse site and was unable to discharge due to the new boundary wall that had recently been erected, and difficulties continue outside Kingsmead where the Council had agreed earlier in the year that a relief hole would be put in the wall so that water could discharge into the nearby brook, and drains continue to block. It was agreed that the Clerk would chase these matters up. Bryn Wilson also reported that the Recreation Ground Committee had successfully raised £65,000 - £70,000 for a new play area and it was hoped this would be installed by September.
There being no other business the meeting closed at 8.55 pm.
