| Minutes of the Parish Council |
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Clerk
Christine Langford
Milestone House
Carter's Lane
East Chinnock
Somerset
Tel: 01935 862837
ecparishcouncilclerk@tiscali.co.uk
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Chairman
Jeremy Churchill
6 Portman Court
East Chinnock
Somerset
Tel: 01935 862515
Mobile: 07870 279344
JeremyChurchill8@GoogleMail.com
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Present:-
Chairman
Vice Chair
Councillors
County Councillor
District Councillor
Officer
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Cllr J Churchill
Mr A Sinclair
Mrs Merchant, Mrs P O'Donnell, Mr B Murdoch, Mr A Harris & Mr M Jones
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Mr R Pallister (part of the meeting)
Ms C Langford
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Minutes of the East Chinnock Parish Council meeting
held on Monday 7th March 2011 at 7.45pm in the Village Hall.
There were 5 parishioners present and PCSO Dave Lewis (part of the meeting).
Public Question Time;
- A parishioner raised the issue of people parking on the pavement and blocking access in College.
- The Chinnock Hollow Traffic Action Group wanted to know where the traffic calming signs were to be placed and a breakdown of the actual cost. Mr Pallister will ask Mrs Bakewell to get clarity from Colin Fletcher, Somerset County Council Highways (SCC) on works and cost.
225. Apologies for absence; Mrs Bakewell.
226. The issue of parked cars; it was agreed to take this item next.
There are issues with parked cars at Carter’s Lane junction with A30 and blocking the pavements on the A30 and in College. The PCSO left leaflets that could be left on cars parked inconsiderately. It was agreed that the PCSO write a Crewkerne Beat letter with a leaflet to be used as a warning. It was agreed to put this item on the April agenda to review progress and to invite a Road Traffic Unit officer to attend.
227. Declarations of Interest; Cllr Sinclair declared an interest in Item 10.
228. Minutes of the last meeting;
The minutes, that had previously been circulated to all Councillors, were signed by the Chairman as a true record of the February meeting.
229. Matters arising from the Minutes;
Post box provision in the village; a second collection had been promised. Clerk to chase this and to ask if a larger box could be provided.
230. District Councillor's report;
- Crewkerne HWRC is still under threat of closure but the Waste Partnership are looking at a charging policy (up to £2 per visit) with reduced opening hours. The decision will be taken on 25 March.
- SCC has cut the Community Safety Budget completely resulting in no funding this year for CSW.
- There will be no reduction in Community Policing Officers and the budget will be reinstated in 2012/13
231. County Councillor's report; none.
232. Chinnock Hollow traffic calming;
It was agreed that written confirmation of the works to be done and the cost must be supplied before a decision can be made. Mr Pallister and Mrs Bakewell to get this from SCC so that a decision can be made at the April meeting.
233. Parish Council elections;
It was confirmed that Cllrs O'Donnell, Jones and Murdoch would not be standing at the next elections. The clerk confirmed that the minimum number of councillors is 3 and maximum 7. Councillors were asked to make personal approaches to encourage residents to stand for the Parish Council. It was noted that the May meeting date would have to be moved back, if there was an election, to allow the 3 clear days notice required for the new councillors.
234. Clerk's report and correspondence;
- The pre-school have requested to use the recreation field; it was proposed and seconded that the pre-school could use the field for their fund raising fete on 11 June at no charge if there is no charge for village organisations to have a table. If village organisations are charged for a table then the pre-school will be charged £100 to use the field. All in favour. It was also agreed that any advertising must show that this is a pre-school fund-raising event and not a village event. The pre-school must show valid pubic liability insurance cover for the event. Clerk to write to the pre-school.
- It was noted that Chinnock Hollow will be closed for works week beginning 21 March.
- SCC has cut the library service budget. 23 libraries will continue to receive funding, including Yeovil and Crewkerne, but the opening hours will be reduced by 20%.
- SCC has cut the public transport service budget. Details of the changes are available on their website. It was noted that the Nippy Bus service will be cut.
- Carter’s Lane dog bin; it was noted that after the clerk raised this with SSDC this is now being emptied on a regular basis.
- Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Services draft corporate plan - the chairman is responding.
- SCC is reinstating the Speed Indicator Device in Fordhay. There will be 3 one-week sessions in 2011 at no charge to the Parish Council. This provision will be reviewed annually.
235. Finance;
- After a review of the clerk's home office costs it was proposed and agreed to increase the monthly contribution from the Parish Council to £8. Cllr Sinclair did not vote.
- A letter has been received from SALC informing the Parish Council that the clerk must be registered for PAYE. Councillors noted that the clerk has contacted HMRC and is registering the Parish Council as a new employer. It was noted that the clerk cannot be self employed (as the council has the right to hire and fire) and there are significant fines for non-compliance. It was agreed that Cllr Harris draft a letter to David Laws MP to query this policy.
- South Somerset strimmer project; it was noted that the cost has now been set at £100 per volunteer trained. It was agreed that due to this cost the parish will not now take part. Clerk to inform SSDC.
- Memorial clock; it was noted that volunteers from the church have fixed the clock. The Parish Council would like it noted that they appreciate the efforts of the volunteers and thank them for their time and expertise.
236. Payments;
The following payments were presented;
- Miss D C Langford; February salary + expenses; £171.60.
- SALC 2011/12 affiliation fee; £117.25.
Both payments were approved.
237. Planning Applications; none.
238. Planning Decisions;
10/05185/LBC Mr Murdoch, Sandhill Barton and 11/00235/FUL Mr Harris, 2 Church Villas have both been granted.
239. Community Speed Watch (CSW) report;
There had been 8 hours of recording in February, with 36 speeders reported. Several sessions had been cancelled due to the cold weather. The laser gun uses more battery power, especially in the cold weather, but Cllr Sinclair will try to use recharged batteries in the summer. He will be putting in a claim for batteries for both the gun and the recorder in April.
240. Parish Lengthsman Report;
- The drain at the top of College has been dug out with a digger.
- The Lengthsman is qualified for weekly inspections of the play area but not the annual inspection that SSDC do.
241. Potholes and General Maintenance Report;
- The holes in Green Lane have been reported to SCC and the faulty light at the bottom of Chinnock Hollow.
- It was noted that the A30 is subsiding again above the speed limit sign towards East Coker.
242. Provision of new notice board update;
The order has now been confirmed and should be delivered mid March. A working party will be required to install the new board and move the old board to Carters Lane.
243. Play Area Report;
The grass cutting roster has started. Cllr Harris to source a roller to roll the croquet area.
244. Rights of Way Report;
- Overhanging and dead trees at Bridge Farm end of Forge Lane area are being removed.
- Y8/11 (beyond Netherhay alongside Chinnock Brook); ditching work appears to have caused the sleeper bridge to fall into the brook and the path is impassable. This has been reported to SCC.
- Spring Holton Farm; permission has been given for a permissive path on Y8/16 (Crewkerne side of Broad Lane) to avoid walking through the chicken run. The definitive route is still available.
- Y8/27 (Stump Stone to Weston Farm); 2 bags of litter have been collected by volunteers.
245. Entertainments Committee report;
The AGM is on 11 March. Cllrs Jones and Murdoch will attend. Councillors were asked to make personal approaches to encourage residents to come forward and join this committee.
246. Village Newsletter;
- Clerk to remind the new editors to include a vote of thanks to Mrs Wellard in the April Chimes.
- It was proposed and agreed that a thank you gift be bought from the Chairman's discretionary fund for the retiring editor, up to the value of £36. Cllrs Jones and Harris to organise this.
247. Items of Report;
- The 2000-3 minutes have not been found. Clerk to ask Mr Halford again and to put a note in the minutes book stating that they are missing.
- A Croquet Club will be run on the Recreation Field this summer on Tuesday evenings and Sunday afternoons. Membership will be £10 for the season or £2 per session. It was noted that the club would need its own insurance.
- The Post Office outreach service contract was signed by the chairman.
248. Next Meeting; Monday 4th April 2011.
There being no further business the Chairman closed the meeting at 10.15pm.
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| Copies of Previous Minutes |
Complete Parish Council Minutes for 2008.pdf
Complete Parish Council Minutes for 2009.pdf
PC_Minutes_2010-January.pdf
PC_Minutes_2010-February.pdf
PC_Minutes_2010_March.pdf
PC_Minutes_2010_April.pdf
PC_Minutes_2010_May.pdf
PC_Minutes_2010_June.pdf
PC_Minutes_2010_July.pdf
PC_Minutes_2010_September.pdf
PC_Minutes_2010_October.pdf
PC_Minutes_2010_November.pdf
PC_Minutes_2010_December.pdf
PC Minutes 2011 - January.pdf
PC Minutes 2011 - February.pdf