PC Minutes November 20072013-10-14 23:18:06145
CREECH ST MICHAEL PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of a Meeting held at 7pm on Monday 12 November 2007 in the Lower Committee Room of the Village Hall.
Present: E Webb (Chairman), A Birch, A Bishop, K Cooper, S Cooper, D Durdan, R Jeanes, G Lucas, R Rooke (Parish Councillors) and T Habberfield (Clerk). Also in attendance were members of the public.
07/135: Chairman’s Welcome: The Chairman opened the meeting at 7pm.
07/136: Apologies: Apologies were received from Cllrs Carter and Farrow and their reasons for non-attendance accepted. Apologies were also received from TDCllr Leighton.
Public Speaking: It was reported that the struts to the steps down to the canal in Creech St Michael have been vandalised.
07/137: Co-option of New Parish Councillor: Mr Adrien Birch had expressed his wish to be co-opted on to the Parish Council. He said that he had moved to Creech St Michael from London and was keen to become fully involved in the community. It was proposed, seconded and unanimously agreed that Mr Birch be co-opted. The Declaration of Acceptance of Office was signed and Mr Birch read it out to the Council. He was given a Public Register of Members Interests form to return to the Clerk and a copy of the Code of Conduct.
07/138: Dillons Road – Street Lighting: The Chairman said: “at our July meeting we considered a petition signed by 10 households asking for the Parish Council’s support in providing street lighting to the first portion of Dillon’s Road between the road and the corner, and today we have a Petition against any form of street lighting at Dillon’s Road, signed by 19 households. Much has happened since our last meeting and our Clerk has distributed some research about modern street lighting and its effects, and this is available also to any members of the public who would like a copy.
You will remember that when this matter was discussed previously Parish Councillors were unable to reach consensus and we encouraged Dillons Road residents to have a meeting. This did not happen because of fears of bad feeling in the road but if they should change their minds, I am sure the Parish Council would be able to see its way to providing a room for this purpose. The resolution I am going to put forward tonight is that the Parish Council has considered all the representations it has received regarding street lighting at Dillons, and does not propose making a decision at this juncture.” This resolution was proposed, seconded and agreed by a vote of 8 with 1 abstention by Cllr Birch.
07/139: CSM Recreation Field: The Committee may be installing some cctv cameras with a sign on the pavilion.
07/140: Local Action Team: The paintball project reported last month is continuing successfully, and LAT members are to take some pensioners on a day out. The next LAT meeting at CSM will be on Wed 30 Jan 2008 at 7pm. A big publicity push will accompany the weekend event in 2008.
07/141: Correspondence requiring a decision:
Date
From
Subject
Decision
Mr P Sharpe,
Letter regarding highway safety on the road between Creech Heathfield and the Northend roundabout.
It was proposed, seconded and unanimously agreed to ask SCC for 30mph to be marked on the road
18.10.07
Letter signed by 5 Parishioners
Re. Footpath from Arundells Way to Crufts Meadow, Creech St Michael
This matter was discussed under M. 07/145 below.
01.11.07
Karen Hughes, TDBC
Letter concerning demand for allotments in the Parish.
A letter is to go to TDBC asking them to carry out a survey
07/142: Minutes –October meeting. It was proposed, seconded and agreed by a vote of 9 with 1 abstention by Cllr Birch that the Minutes be adopted as correct. The Chairman signed each page of the Minutes. The Clerk amended the September Minutes at 07/117 to “agreed by a vote of 5 with 4 abstentions to grant £200 to LAT for a paintball project” and the Chairman signed this amendment.
07/143: Matters Arising. Speedgun sessions have begun and 3 LAT members have volunteered to be marshals. SCC has applied for planning permission for the Park and Ride at Cambria Farm. Regarding Old School Cottage, the TDBC Enforcement Officer states that because no pp is required, TDBC is unable to insist that certain things are put in place i.e. access etc. However, he would contact the PC again when he has clarified whether the summer house requires pp and a query over the change of use of the parking space into the garden curtilage. A letter had been sent to T Burton querying why the planning department did not determine there would be no pp required sooner. TDBC have carried out an inspection of the trees behind West View, but the results of this have not been reported back.
TD Highways are to erect a sign in Adsborough to encourage HGVs coming from West Newton to turn right towards the A38. Regarding Coxes Hill, TD Highways state that an inspection has been carried out and the brambles that were sticking out into the footway have been removed (councillors replied that the path is still not clear) and that removal of the vegetation would make the bank unstable. Regarding the siting of the new dogbin near the school, the Dog Warden replied that the style of bin used ensures they emit no odour and the contents can not be accessed. SCC offered a Park and Ride presentation, but the village hall could not be hired in the timescale; however, this can be arranged later.
07/144: Accounts: It was also proposed, seconded & unanimously agreed that the following amounts be paid: CSM Parish Church grant for burial grounds-£670, Clerk’s salary-£411.31, PO Telephone-£54.65, G Willis (cleaning bus shelters)-£36, CSM Village Hall-£21, Moore Stephens (audit)-£158.62. First Bus Co complained through TDBC that the bus shelter at Adsborough is not clean, and the contractor stated that the Perspex will not clean up like glass. An inspection of the bus shelter had shown that it is in a bad state at present, but it was some weeks since it was cleaned. The shelters will be examined soon after their next clean. The Clerk will be on holiday between Christmas Eve and the day after New Year’s Day.
07/145: Proposed Safe Crossings. Cllrs Rooke and Lucas had met with P de Maria of SCC and 5 safe crossings had been identified as being required – 2 at Crufts Meadows and 3 at West View. It is unlikely that SCC will be able to fund this project in the foreseeable future, but the Clerk said that it may be possible to obtain a partial grant – costs are likely to average £1000 per crossing. It was proposed, seconded and unanimously agreed that the Parish Council may provide funding up to £6,000.
07/146: Footpaths and Pavements. TD Highways agree that major clearance work is required to the path near Merlyn's Copse and the motorway bridge, but due to the current financial restriction on the hedge and verge budget, no money is available to carry out this work. However, at the earliest opportunity in the next financial year, they will arrange for the path to be cleared. In the meantime, overhanging brambles have been cut back and they will continue to monitor the location for similar overhanging items. The PC have received a quotation for £165 from Durston Tree Surgeons to clear the verge and it was proposed, seconded and agreed by a vote of 8 with 1 abstention by Cllr Rooke that TDBC is to be strongly urged to do this work immediately, and if they still refuse then the PC will instruct Durston Tree Surgeons.
07/147: Appeals by Mr John Miller – Site at Theats Farm, Creech Heathfield. This refers to appeals to the Government Inspectorate against decisions by TDBC to issue Enforcement Notices against Mr Miller on the grounds that he had carried out work on a farm building at Theats Farm, had installed a new drive, and had a caravan which is being used as accommodation, all without planning permission. The Appellant is also seeking a Certificate of Lawfulness. It was agreed by a vote of 8 with 1 abstention by Mrs Webb to support TDBC in their Enforcement action because no planning permission had been given for the work.
07/148. Planning Applications received: The Chairman asked Councillors to state whether they had an interest in any of the planning applications and if so, was it a prejudicial interest?
Date
Ref
Application
Recommendation
03.10.07
14/2007/039
Erection of building to provide 8 additional cattery pens following demolition of existing storage building at Greystones Cattery, Ham Rd, CSM
Cllr Jeanes declared a personal interest and did not vote. It was proposed, seconded and agreed by a vote of 8 with 1 abstention to support the application.
08.10.07
14/2007/040LB
Installation of metal flue, Elderberry Cottage, rear of North End Farm, CSM
Cllr Birch declared a prejudicial interest and left the room. It was proposed, seconded and unanimously agreed to support this application provided LB regs are adhered to.
18.10.07
14/2007/041
Retention of stable sand tack room at Vicarage Lane, CSM
It was proposed, seconded and unanimously agreed to support this application, and furthermore the PC supports permanent pp being granted.
29.10.07
14/2007/045
Erection of double garage, garden store & double car port following demolition of existing garage at Hill Cottage, St Michael Rd, CSM
It was proposed, seconded and unanimously agreed to object to this application because: (1) The entrance/exit onto St Michael Road has poor visibility and is across a public pavement. A double garage could create considerable additional traffic and a safety hazard would be created–to other traffic and to pedestrians. (2) it was felt that such a large building is inappropriate for garaging and would be overdevelopment. (3) The next door property would lose light.
31.10.07
14/2007/043
Extension to stable block and construction of 40m x 20m arena at field OS no. 201 Hyde Lane, CSM
It was proposed, seconded and agreed by a vote of 8 with 1 abstention by Cllr Rooke to support this application.
31.10.07
14/2007/044
Erection of conservatory, Iona, Bull St, CSM
It was proposed, seconded and unanimously agreed to support this application.
07.11.07
14/2007/046
Construction of 2 dormer windows to the rear of Litton Dale, CSM
It was proposed, seconded and agreed by a vote of 6 -3 to support this application
07.11.07
14/2007/042
Replacement windows, provision of fire escape staircase & plant room, for office use at Creech Court, Creech Paper Mill, CSM
It was proposed, seconded and unanimously agreed to object because it was felt that the design of the proposed windows is not in keeping with the character of the building. There was no objection to the provision of a fire escape and plant room.
07/148(b) Other Planning Matters
Date
Ref
Matter
Comment
29.10.07
WAS/R58/PD25/1444
Appeals to the Planning Inspectorate by Redrow Homes and Persimmon Homes – site at Monkton Heathfield against non-determination of the Major Development Site, Monkton Heathfield, Taunton..
The PC did not elect to send in any representations
31.10.07
14/2007/037
Erection of 1st floor extension & conservatory at 83 West View, CSM
Permission granted
07/149: To receive County & District Councillors’ Reports. TDCllr Durdan said meetings to discuss the town centre and proposed inner relief road would be held on 22 November at TDBC, and on 5 Dec Deane Leisure are to present the Mend programme at the Brewhouse, aimed at getting kids healthy.
07/150: Matters of Report: Following SCC’s letter that the Pinch Point at Northend does not fall within criteria for action, Cllrs Rooke and Lucas carried out a traffic and pedestrian census at St Michaels Road, the results of which are:-
Date
Times
Vehicles
Cyclists
Pedestrians
Route
Comments
19.10.07
7.30-10am
340
3
7
Northend-CSM
School Hol
19.10.07
7.30-9.30am
486
15
CSM-Northend
School Hol
29.10.07
3-6pm
695
3
10
Northend-CSM
29.10.07
3-6pm
593
19
20
CSM-Northend
TOTALS
11.5hrs
2114
22
52
The Clerk was asked to report the following: The hedge opposite Broomhay at Ham requires cutting back. the PC may be asked to fund some daffodil bulbs for Ham in 2008; the stream running through Merlyn’s copse is congested where it leaves the culvert across the Cr Heathfield road; the extended zigzag “no parking” lines outside CSM primary School are causing serious congestion. The Clerk is to write to the residents of Rocketts Cottages whose bonfires were reported to be a problem. Work has started on phase 2 of the flood prevention scheme at Ham; black posts on the boundary of Olde Arundells, Hyde Lane are rotting and the Clerk was asked to write to the owner to see if they can be replaced or removed.
Adsborough: An Adsborough resident reported that the Maypole Landlord has had his hedges cut, and hedges on both sides of the lane by "The Maypole" have had cut by the landowners. A new "NO ENTRY" at the bottom of the slip road leading to the A38 has been fitted but the "NO ENTRY" sign on the right of the slip road leading off the A38 has been turned around. The "GIVE WAY" sign leading to the A38 from "The Maypole" is virtually hidden by hedge growth (these complaints have been reported to TD Highways).
Complaints had been received that the zebra crossing at Adsborough is dangerous to use because of excessive traffic speeds. A complaint was received from a resident about the dangers of turning right into Adsborough Lane from the A38 (Taunton side) and SCC stated they could do nothing apart from close that entrance, but the parishioners do not want this. A meeting is to be set up, when excessive speeds on the 3 lanes will also be discussed. A workshop is to take place on 19 November at Huntworth to discuss A38 problems & 2 parish councillors would attend with the Adsborough Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator. TDBC: D Greig is on holiday from 14 Nov – 19 Dec and TDBC are closed between Christmas and New Year
07/151: Matters to be brought forward to the next meeting: Footpaths and pavements, bus shelters.
The meeting closed at 9.45 pm. The next 2 meetings are to be held on Mon 3 December and Mon 7 January.
