Members

Attendance:

               Mr. A. Davies  Chairman 

               Mr. T. Reed   Vice Chairman

               Mr. R.F. Burrough

               Mr. G. Harvey

               Mrs. S.Prideaux

               Mr. A. Talbot-Williams

               Ms. J. Wright

               Mr. D. Nelson County Councillor

               Mrs. S. Steele   District Councillor

               Mr. M. King Clerk

Reports:

The Chairman made his report and thanked the councillors (parish, district and county, for all their efforts. He also thanked the Clerk who is standing down after this meeting.

The Chairman thanked the parishioners for keeping the village tidy and cutting the village green. He said there will be a need for more work in the village green area over the next year.

The Chairman hoped that in the future the matter of the telephone kiosk could be resolved.

The Chairman announced his intention of serving one more year as Chair if re-elected, but due to increasing commitments would then have to stand down.

Village Hall:

Mr. Harvey reported that the village hall had had a successful year with a number of fundraising events. He stated they had had a £1500 refund from Wessex Water. The new cooker had been installed and cost £1490. They had received grants of £1200 towards the cost. The new chairs had cost £600 with grants of £550 towards this cost.

Beercrocombe Village Trust:

The Trust has met four times during the last year and Mrs. Prideaux produced a detailed account of what had been spent.

Roads/Footpaths:

Mr. Burrough expressed concerns over the top dressing programme and the failure to fill the pot-holes prior to the dressing. He is to pursue this matter with Mr. Sharpe of Somerset Highways.

Mr. Burrough reported that fly tipping could be reported on the SSDC web site.

The footpaths are generally in a good condition and being walked regularly.  The most used paths have had regular maintenance by SSDC. Mr. Harvey is still looking after the footpath maintenance tool kit.

Neighbourhood Watch:

Mr. Reed reports that crime has been low in the village and there is a surgery on the third Tuesday in the month at Curry Mallet Post Office.

CPSO Upthank reminded people the need to report crimes to the Police and that sheds are again going to be vulnerable through the summer.

J.A.C.

Ms. Wright reported there had been two meetings and they continue to support the Beer and Curry Takeaway.

They have installed a dog bin in School Lane.

The Annual Parish Meeting held on 18th May 2009 at Curry Mallet Village Hall.

Attendance:

               Mr. A. Davies  Chairman 

               Mr. T. Reed   Vice Chairman

               Mr. R.F. Burrough

               Mr. G. Harvey

               Mrs. S.Prideaux

               Mr. A. Talbot-Williams

               Ms. J. Wright

               Mr. D. Nelson County Councillor

               Mrs. S. Steele   District Councillor

               Mr. M. King Clerk

Election of Officers:

The following were nominated, seconded and duly elected to the following positions un-apposed.

Chair: Mr. A. Davies

Vice Chair: Mr. R.F.Burrough

The following were nominated for the following responsibilities:

Neighbourhood Watch: Mr. A. Reed

Roads/Footpaths: Mr. R.F. Burrough

Planning: Mr. A. Talbot-Williams

J.A.C: Ms. J. Wright

Mr. M. Rastrick was invited to join the J.A.C.

DRAFT

Minutes of the Ordinary Parish Council Meeting of the Beercrocombe Parish Council held at Curry Mallet Village Hall on Monday 16th November 2009.

1268 ATTENDANCE AND APOLOGIES

Councillors: Mr. A Davies, Mr. R F Burrough, Mr. G Harvey, Mrs. S Prideaux, Mr. A Reed

Public:        Cllr. Steele (SSDC), PCSO Ross, and two parishioners

1269 DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS

There were no declarations of interests.

1270 MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING

Minutes of the Ordinary Parish Council Meeting held on 21st September 2009 were approved and signed. The minutes of the Annual Parish Council Meeting held in May had now been completed, and these will be formally approved at the next meeting once they had been circulated to all the Councillors.

1271 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

a) 1252 Management of Duchy hedge

The Duchy has authorized works to reduce the intruding trees to ground level and cut the hedge. This work is currently in progress. The Council was asked whether there were plans to extend this work along the main road into Curry Mallet, as the telephone wires are becoming entangled in the trees. The Chairman agreed to check with the tenant farmer the true extent of the work.

1272 PARISHIONERS' FORUM

The Council welcomed PCSO Ian Ross, who is now the permanent PCSO for the Parish, although Beth Unthank will also continue to cover the beat on a part time basis.

PCSO Ross reported that there has been no reported crime in Beercrocombe since the last meeting. His style of policing is very much 'out on the streets', and it is his intention to patrol the beat without drawing attention to himself so that he can catch any criminal activity in progress.

Mr Burrough mentioned that in the more isolated areas of the parish, a visible police presence would be welcome.

1273 PLANNING MATTERS

09/04113/FUL 

Erection of a first floor extension and single storey garden room at The Cottage, Broadmead Road.

 The Council had met to discuss the alterations to this Grade 2 listed building. The Council considered that the plans as presented were acceptable and had no objections to the application.

1274 MATTERS OF REPORT

a) Village Green and other improvements

Part of the works in Church Lane had been carried out. The owner of the Old School House had cut the hedge on the inside of the bend, and a Parish Council working party has tidied the verge thus making the road wider. However, the Highways department are unable to carry out the planned improvements to the road during this financial year, but it was expected that the work would be planned for Spring 2010.

b) Footpaths

Mr Davies reported that the steps going down into the old canal path on L5/14 have become overgrown and will require clearing at some point.

The signpost denoting the footpath to Halfway House is broken and is currently in the hedge. Mr Burrough will advise SSDC.

The gate, which is to be erected on footpath L5/14, has been provided by SSDC but has not yet been installed.

 c) Telephone Kiosk

Ms Wright confirmed that all the paperwork was now in order, and that ownership of the telephone kiosk would be transferred to the Parish Council once BT had received payment of £1.

The electricity cable needs to be uncovered before Western Power will disconnect the power, and Ms Wright is arranging for this to be done.

There are now 9 members of the ''Friends of the Telephone Kiosk' group, and Ms Wright handed the clerk £96.03 as their contribution to the disconnection costs as previously agreed.

PCSO Ross advised Ms Wright on the correct procedure for informing the emergency services that the telephone box was no longer in use.

The Chairman relayed the thanks of the Council to Ms Wright for her efforts in this project.

d) Highway matters

The Chairman has been monitoring a drain in Beer Street that was thought to be blocked. It has not since caused a problem. 

Mrs Prideaux reported that drains in Radigan Lane had not been cleared recently causing water to lie on the road. During periods of cold weather, this is a particular hazard as the water then freezes, making the road very slippery. The culvert underneath the railway bridge that is too small does not help the situation.

The Council considered that major works would need to be carried out to improve the situation. Cllr. Steele reported that 'Streetscene' had monies available for community projects, and suggested that the clerk contact Chris Cooper for further information.

It was agreed that Mr. Burrough would discuss the current situation with Kim Sharp, the Highways surveyor; to see what measures could be taken to alleviate the existing problems.

1275 VACANCY ON PARISH COUNCIL

Following the resignation of Mr Talbot-Williams, a vacancy exists on the Parish Council. In accordance with the correct procedure, notification of this vacancy has been displayed in the Parish. This notice gives parishioners the right to request an election. If no such request is received, the Parish Council can co-opt to fill the vacancy.

The Council agreed that following this notification period a notice inviting applications would be displayed. A closing date of 31st December is to be set.

This will enable the Council to conclude the matter at the next meeting.

1276 FINANCE MATTERS

a) Budget and precept for 2010/11

The Chairman and Clerk had met to discuss the budget for 2010/11.

There will be an overspend this financial year due to the overlap in the clerk's salary, whereby the previous clerk claimed six monthly in arrears and the new clerk is paid on a bi-monthly basis. There was also a delay in the audit fee for 2008/9 being paid, with payment not actually made until the current financial year.

However, the anticipated reserves remain quite healthy at approximately £1,700.

Anticipated expenditure for 2010/11 is as follows: -

Clerk's salary             £500

Insurance                    £375

SALC Subscription   £ 30

Audit Fees                   £ 58

Grass Cutting Grant  £ 60

A discussion took place regarding payment to the Village Hall. This has recently been maintained at £80, but Curry Mallet PC has recently increased its contribution to £250. Traditionally, Beercrocombe Parish Council has contributed 40% of the Curry Mallet total, and it was agreed that for 2010/11, Beercrocombe Parish Council would contribute £100 to the Village Hall.

A sum of £100 was also allocated in the budget for the maintenance of the telephone kiosk. This sum is to come from the £250 grant received from Cllr Nelson, which is earmarked for this purpose.

It is the Council's intention to keep the precept at the existing level of £1,040.

The Council resolved to adopt the budget as agreed and levy a precept of £1,040. This was proposed by Mr Burrough, and seconded by Mr Harvey.

b) Completion of External Audit.

Moore Stephens had now completed the external audit of the Annual Return. They noted that the precept figure had been understated by £10 so the return needs to be amended.

1277 FORMAL EXPENDITURE APPROVAL

The Council approved the following payments:-

Clerk's Salary         £250.02

Moore Stephens    £  57.50

Western Power      £165.66

BT                             £    1.00

Village Hall              £ 80.00.

1278 CORRESPONDENCE FOR INFORMATION

a) SSDC Cluster Workshops

The Council had received an invitation to a presentation on the South Somerset Local Development framework, but unfortunately this clashed with the Parish Council meeting. Further workshops are planned for each cluster of parishes in the area on the 26th November and 9th December, and it is hoped that a representative from the Parish Council will attend.

b) Ethical Standards Self Assessment Survey

All Councillors and Clerk have been asked to complete a survey on ethical standards. The survey is being coordinated by the Chairman of South Somerset Standards Committee and needs to be returned by 31st January 2010.

c) Flood Awareness Workshops 

SSDC are holding two Flood Awareness workshops. The purpose of the event is to offer guidance and advice to members of the public about how they might reduce the flood risk to their property. One event will be held in Wincanton in December and a further event will be held on January 20th in Yeovil. The clerk will arrange to display information regarding the Yeovil event on the Parish Notice board.

1267 MATTERS OF REPORT

Mr Burrough reported on the Environmental Enforcement Information event he had recently attended. With effect from April 2010, new powers will be devolved to District Councils to allow them to police more effectively the problem of dog fouling. An order similar to an ASBO may be placed upon the dog and owner if required.

Mr Burrough had complimented the District Council on their speed with which a fly tipping incident was cleared. Cllr. Steele commented that all cases of fly tipping should be dealt within a week of notification.

Cllr. Steele informed the meeting that Somerset County Council had pulled out of Pioneer Somerset, and as a result of this the Joint Area Committees (JAC) had been disbanded.

1268 DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Monday 18th January 2010 at 7.30pm

The meeting closed at 9.05pm