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MINUTES OF BROADWAY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE ANNUAL MEETING ON 11th MAY 2009 IN THE BELL INN, BROADWAY
1. Welcome by Chairman. The Chairman welcomed those present.
2. Present.
S. Painter Chairman F. Willmouth Vice Chairman P. Cameron A. Kennedy R. Liggins D Potter M Thurgood 3. Apologies. There were no apologies.
4. In Attendance: D. Nelson SCC, L. Vijeh SSDC, J. Martin PCSO, Clerk
5. Declaration of Interest. There were no declarations of interest.
6. Comment by Members of the Public.
a. Parking at Pound House. Two members of the public complained about the obstruction caused by cars parked in Hare Lane at Pound House. Councillor Kennedy stated that any inconvenience caused was infrequent but pointed out that he had checked on the legality with the PCSO.He also stated that he would continue to park there when necessary. The Chairman asked that he bear in mind the needs of other road users.
7. Agreement of Minutes of previous meetings.
The Minutes of the meeting on 20th April were agreed.
8. Planning Updates.
a. APPLICATION No. 09/00178/COU APPLICANT: Mr. D. Whiteway PROPOSAL: The use of land as a site for one mobile home (private gypsy and Traveller caravan site) (GR330468/115336) LOCATION: Land OS 4724 Hare Lane, Broadway, TA19 9LN
Over 35 members of the public had attended to listen to and participate in discussion of this item. Neither the applicant nor his agent were present. The Chairman outlined the proposal and invited members of the public to speak; he reminded them that the PC's decision could be based only on planning considerations. The points raised can be summarised: - Granting approval would set a precedent and would make it impossible to resist development of all the other vacant field sites in the district.
- Previous applications to put stables and a caravan on the site had been turned down and this application was, in essence, no different.
- The site was outside the Broadway Development Zone.
- There was plenty of provision locally on sites specially set up by SSDC and SCC for gypsies/travellers. In view of this, the applicant should be advised to seek a place on these sites.
- A similar application - for a mobile home at Vardens Farm - had recently been refused by SSDC partly because it was outside the Development Zone. Accordingly, it would be both inconsistent and unfair if this application was approved.
- The application was ambiguous. For example, it states that it is for a single mobile home but the Design and Access Statement clearly implies that there would be more than one pitch on the site.
- One member of the public and one Councillor reported on their positive experience of working closely with gypsies/travellers over several years.
After listening to these points, Councillor Vijeh, SSDC, advised that the strongest grounds for objecting to the proposal were that it was outside the Development Zone and that there were other official sites for gypsies/travellers in the district which, on the face of it, would meet the applicant's needs.
The Chairman asked Councillors for their views. Councillor Kennedy stated that he had listened carefully to all that had been said; nevertheless, he saw no compelling reason to oppose the application and proposed that the PC should recommend approval. This motion was not supported by the rest of the PC. Accordingly, it was agreed by a majority of 6 to 1 to object to the application. b. APPLICATION No.09/01473/FUL APPLICANT: Mr. A. Hill PROPOSAL: The erection of a sun room and a first floor extension to form bedroom and en-suite (GR332474/115491) LOCATION: 7 Elms Close, Broadway TA19 9RQ.
Councillors had studied the proposal. There were no objections.
c. APPLICATION No. 09/01187/FUL APPLICANT: Mr. J and Mrs. L Hull PROPOSAL: The erection of a single storey front extension, side/rear extension and a first floor rear extension (GR 332643/115453) LOCATION: 14 Lamparts Way, Broadway, TA19 9RY
Councillors had studied the proposal. There were no objections.
9. Correspondence for Information. It was agreed that the following should be circulated:
a. SSDC: Standards Committee meeting on 6th May 09. b. The Playing Field Newsletter Spring 2009. c. Somerset Community Safety Newsletter Spring 2009. d. Somerset Rural Youth Project: Newsletter Summer 2009 & moped loan scheme. e. SALC: Certificate in Local Council Administration June 2009. f. SALC: Clerks Training Events June 2009. g. SALC: South Area meeting 8th June 2009. h. RNAS Yeovilton: Details of the open day at Merryfield. i. Clerks & Councils Direct j. SCC Highways Group Environmental Maintenance Information Sheet (2009) k. SSDC letter on Joint Area Committees. l. Somerset Campaign for the Protection of Rural England: Calor Gas Village of the Year competition. m. South Somerset Association for Voluntary & Community Action: details of community groups not on database. NB: Items ‘h' to ‘n' had arrived too late to be included on the agenda but it was agreed that they were non-controversial and therefore should be added to the circulation pack.
10. Correspondence for Action
a. Somerset Playing Fields Association: Fields of the Year 2009. It was decided not to make an entry.
b. Life Education Wessex. The Chairman commented on his personal experience of the work done by Life Education Wessex. A donation of £100 was agreed.
c. Scouts. The 1st Ilton & Broadway Scouts were seeking a donation to fund the provision of shelving to store new equipment. Councillor Potter pointed out that a donation of £200 had been budgeted for. It was agreed to donate £200.
d. Grass verge maintenance. The Chairman explained the requirement to cut the entire width of the grass verge on both sides of Broadway Rd from the village hall to the church and at the junction with the A358. The Clerk was instructed to ask Taunton Deane Borough Council to quote for one cut in October.
11. HIGHWAYS
a. Hare Lane sign. Councillor Potter agreed to check that the new sign had been erected.
b. Pound Road speeding. Somerset Highways had agreed to put markings on the Horton side of the Pound Rd/Broadway Rd/Hare Lane junction. The Speedwatch volunteers had clocked several drivers crossing the junction in excess of 40mph so the PC now had evidence to support the concerns expressed regarding speeding in this area. It was pointed out that there was also a problem with speeding and driving without due care and attention at the Goose Lane/Broadway Road junction. The PCSO advised that Somerset Highways be invited to a site meeting to discuss what could be done to solve this problem. He also explained the procedure that was followed when drivers were caught speeding. He went on to give a summary of crime figures for Broadway and Horton, advised members of the public how to contact the PCSOs and asked for suggestions for a site where he could hold a ‘Beat Surgery' once a month.
c. Broadway Road potholes. Work to repair the potholes was expected to start during the school summer holidays.
12. STANDERWICK ORCHARD
The Clerk had written to SALC seeking advice on the draft licence for the maintenance of the traffic island. SALC had responded advising that they had asked for comment from their legal experts and urged the PC to ask its insurers for their views. Accordingly, the Clerk was instructed to send a copy of the draft licence to Allianz and ask what, if any, impact there would be on the current policy if the licence were taken up.
13. ENVIRONMENT RELATED MATTERS
a. Vardens Pond. Work had not yet begun. The Clerk was instructed to ask Ruddles Ltd for an update.
b. Play Area. · Routine visual inspection report. The results of the latest inspection were summarised by Councillor Wilmouth. The Clerk reported that he had asked Mr. Underhill to contact the Chairman to arrange a site visit to determine what work was required.
c. Asset Maintenance. · Councillor Wilmouth summarised the results of his recent visual inspection. It was agreed that the notice boards and public benches were in need of some ‘care and attention'. Accordingly, the Clerk was instructed to write to Hodson & Son asking them to inspect the notice boards and public benches and submit a costed recommendation for all care/maintenance work that they considered to be necessary or advisable. Councillor Thurgood urged that arrangements be made soon to erect the two remaining public access notice boards. It was agreed that the Chairman would ask P. A. Underhill to do this work. · Councillor Liggins pointed out that an early decision on any work required on the war memorial was required if it was to be ready for Remembrance Day. Accordingly, the Clerk was instructed to write to Stooks asking them to inspect the memorial and submit a costed recommendation for any work which they considered to be necessary/advisable and pointing out that the work would need to be completed well before Remembrance Day.
d. Footpaths. The Chairman agreed to contact SSDC and advise the location for the new/replacement gates/stiles.
14. FINANCE
a. Statement of Accounts. Copies of the current balances were handed to each Councillor. The figure for the amount remaining after payments was revised to take account of the donations agreed at Items 10b and 10c and a revised figure for the payment of a gratuity to Mrs. Horner, the former Clerk.
b. Payments. The following payments were agreed:
- Hire of Bell Inn.
- Gratuity for Mrs. Horner.
- Clerk's salary and expenses.
- Donations to Life Education Wessex and Scouts.
c. Gratuity. After a delay of nearly 12 months, the National Association of Local Councils had advised that payment of a gratuity to Mrs. Horner could be made now instead of waiting until she reached 60 years of age. Accordingly, it was agreed to make the payment; the Chairman agreed to invite Mrs. Horner to the next meeting to receive her cheque. The Clerk was instructed to send a copy of the NALC letter to Horton and Buckland St Mary PCs.
15. Report by County Councillor. Bearing in mind that he had already commented on previous Items as they occurred and his need to attend the Donyatt PC meeting, Councillor Nelson left at this point.
16. Report by District Councillor: Councillor Vijeh had already commented in some depth on Item 8a. Bearing this in mind and the lateness of the hour, she left at this point.
17. Any Other Business - for information only.
a. Items for the next meeting. - Suggs Lane.
- Reverting to short and long meetings.
18. Date, time and venue for next meeting. The next meeting will be held in the Bell Inn at 7:30pm on Monday 8th June 2009.
S. Painter G. S. Aspinall, Chair, Broadway Parish Council Clerk to Broadway Parish Council 8th June 2009
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