Minutes of Lympsham Parish Council Meeting, 17 December 2007

Councillors Present: Mr. J. Hinton (Chairman), Mr. B. Gooding, Mr. K. Hart, Mrs. E. Male & Mr. G. Tuttiett.
[Mrs K. Kelson was unable to accept co-option.]

Minutes were taken by the Clerk.

105/07 Apologies: Mrs. P. Guess (due to illness).

106/07 Minutes of Previous Meeting (19.11.07): were confirmed and signed.

107/07 Matters Arising / for report from previous meetings:

• Lympsham School: Building work started; possible finish after Easter.
• Lympsham Pre-school: Various funding initiatives – CD, cookery book & brick sponsorship.
• Parish Plan: Clerk reported that survey would be initiated in next few months.
• Highways report: Following K. Hart’s intervention, the planned roadwork outside the Boundaries along Lympsham Road was improved. Clerk had contacted Drainage Dept. re rhyne near Purving Row – G. Tuttiett contacted.
• Playground report: £500 promised by Lympsham Sports Club for new apparatus with a possibility of more funding; Clerk to apply to A. Ham, Sedgemoor & Nuttall Trust. Clerk distributed notes re Play & safety from recent conference.
• General Maintenance Issues: Notice board generously offered by local resident; Clerk to liase.
• Footpaths: Report received from Capt. R.G. Evans re footpaths. Dog fouling still an issue – Clerk to contact appropriate dept. for signs & advice.
• Manor Hall Report: Next meeting 16th. January; damp wall causing concern.
• Churchyard: Meeting to be arranged between Chairman, Clerk & Church representatives. Clerk & K. Hart still to look into archaeological issues.
• Grounds Maintenance: Nothing to report.
• Neighbourhood Watch: Awaiting results of article in Lympsham News.
• Village Events: Cricket Presentation Dinner, WI 70th. Anniversary evening, Church Coffee Morning & British Legion Bingo all very successful.
• Village History: Seeking quotes re cost – viability of sponsorship was mentioned.
• County / District Issues: Clerk explained that the heading ‘allowed’ input from a variety of representatives.
• Clerk: Clerk referred to recently attended SLCC Conference & Standards Board information. Still awaiting news from Wessex Water. Charitable donations discussed & following agreed:
£35 to Dave Prowton re Christmas lights (Proposed G. Tuttiett, Seconded Mrs. E. Male)
£25 to Sedgemoor CAB (Proposed Mrs. E. Male, Seconded K. Hart)
£25 to Age Concern (Proposed Mrs. E. Male, Seconded K. Hart)

108/07 Planning Applications:
683 Mr. G.M. Hoskin, Caretaker’s Cottage, West Road: alternative scheme. No observations.
684 Mr. J. Counsell, St. Christopher’s Church: Removal of 2 large limbs to south side of Wych Elm Tree. No observations.
685 Mr. J. Counsell, The Manor, Church Road: Felling & pollarding of various trees. No observations.

109/07 Correspondence of note: Previously circulated and noted. Plus letter distributed from S. Atkinson re: Change to delegation arrangements in relation to planning enforcement matters. Future of Post Office discussed: in the light of lack of information, would maintain a ‘watching brief’ & offer support when requested by Shop Committee. [B. Gooding left meeting at 8.55 p.m.]

110/07 Finance Report:
C/A: £3,077-84 (inc. payment of cheques itemised below) S/A: £9,173-68
Player-Mason A/C: £2,185-81 Petty Cash: £11-23

111/07 Cheques issued this meeting: 100712 Clerk’s Salary (plus office expenses & 1 new resident pack) £443-32;
100713 CPRE (membership) £30; 100714 Somerset Playing Fields Assoc. (membership) £10;
100715 J.K. Gardening (Grounds Maintenance) £105.

112/07 Precept Budget: It was agreed to keep the Precept at the current level. (Proposed G. Tuttiett, Seconded K. Hart)

113/07 Meeting Dates for 2008: Monday 21 January Wednesday 23 July
Monday 18 February
Monday 17 March Monday 15 September
Monday 21 April Monday 20 October
Wednesday 21 May Monday 17 November
Wednesday 18 June Monday 15 December

114/07 There being no further business, the Chairman wished everyone a Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year.

The meeting ended at 9.10 p.m.

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