Minutes of Lympsham Parish Council Meeting, 18 June 2008

Councillors Present: Mr. J. Hinton (Chairman), Mr. B. Gooding, Mrs. P. Guess, Mr. K. Hart, Mrs. E. Male & Mr. G. Tuttiett.
        Also attending: One parishioner.

Minutes were taken by the Clerk.

47/08      Apologies: Mr. A. Ham (County Councillor) & Mr. A. Gilling (District Councillor).

48/08      Minutes of Previous Meeting (21.5.08): were confirmed and signed.

49/08      Matters Arising / for report from previous meetings:

• Lympsham School: Nothing to report.
• Manor Hall Report: Nothing to report.

• Lympsham Pre-school: Following discussion, Clerk to instruct Taunton firm of solicitors re right of way issue & restrictions; also to seek clarification re rights, responsibilities & liabilities of custodian trustees in respect of insurance, etc. [Proposed by J. Hinton; seconded by B. Gooding – carried unanimously.]

• Highways report: Clerk confirmed SDC’s response that Purving Row culvert damage was being monitored; following a resident’s email, Clerk had alerted SDC to the poor visibility at junction Accommodation Road / Brean Road. Some potholes along Rectory Way had been filled in.

• Playground report: Gate sometimes left open; PC to review when annual ROSPA report received. The bell had been restored to the train thanks to R. Guess. Following positive reports re the matting surrounding the train, the Clerk to seek quotes re replacing the bark around other equipment; possible need to find extra funding; however bark to be ‘topped up’ as soon as possible.
• Grounds Maintenance: Noted that planning signs tended to remain after due dates.
• Footpaths: The Clerk reported that Capt. Evans was retiring from overseeing the footpaths: a letter of thanks to be sent; until someone else can be found, the Clerk would receive notice of problems & would contact possible volunteer to ‘keep an eye’ on a particular path. Brambles near the post-box / Play Area need pruning.

• General Maintenance Issues: Dog waste bins on order; Mrs. Guess was monitoring the pilot recycling scheme: any problem re collection of waste should be reported to SDC.
• Churchyard: Landowner actively seeking quotes.

• Neighbourhood Watch: Following a report from our PCSO it was noted that the initiative was proceeding well with several groups meeting in the near future. Report re burglary in West Road & theft of trailer in Eastertown.

• Village Events: Church Fete 28.6.08, School Fete 5.7.08, Open Gardens 13.7.08, British Legion Trip 15.7.08, W.I. Cream Tea at the Pavilion 16.7.08, Sale of Harvest Home tickets 16.7.08.
• County / District Issues: Nothing to report.
• Clerk: Items mentioned elsewhere.

50/08      Planning Applications: Clerk reminded PC that, following a communication from Planning, re previous application, it was necessary to state reasons for both support & rejection.
The Chairman declared an interest in the next item and handed over to the Vice Chair.
699 Mr. & Mrs. J. Hinton, Land to north & west of Ranscombe House, Slade Lane: Erection of dwelling: (K. Hart had visited the area) comments were received from the floor then, following J. Hinton’s leaving the room, the matter was discussed & the Clerk was instructed to report support for the proposed design, materials and landscaping that were in keeping with the local area.
J. Hinton returned to the Chair.
Notification of appeal re 690 Erection of bungalow on land to the south east of Heroncroft, South Road: Clerk confirmed that the PC’s original statement would be considered.

51/08      Stonebow Farm, Lympsham: Following discussions, Clerk to express interest re possibility of allotments, football pitch inc. surrounding amenity area (i.e. land to enhance the surroundings) or even a multi use games area.
                Also noted that part of the above might support affordable housing: Clerk to follow up.

52/08      Housing Needs Report: Clerk to contact officer re above item.

53/08      Members Community Grants: Following discussion Clerk to signal support for Speed warning signs & refer following suggestions to Councillor Ham: Play Area resurfacing; moving of bus stop, kerbing & shelter installation

54/08      Correspondence of note: Previously circulated and noted. Following letter of thanks from Cricket Club, the continuing progress of Juniors was appreciated.

55/08      Finance Report: C/A: -£151-64 (To be balanced out by deposit of £700 from SDC re train)
S/A: £7,296-20 Player-Mason A/C: £2,294-30          Petty Cash: £42-11

56/08      Cheques issued since last meeting: 100739 J.K. Gardening £105 (Gr. Maint.); 100740 SLCC £91 (Subscr.);
     100741 Premier Trophies £54-90 (Flower Show Plate).

57/08      Cheques issued this meeting: 100742 Wells Cathedral Stonemasons £568-70 (Repair of Memorial Cross);
         100743 J.K. Gardening £105 (Gr. Maint.); 100744 & 45 Clerk’s Pay & expenses £457-54.      
58/08      Items for Discussion / Report at next meeting: No further topics were suggested.

The meeting ended at 9.40 p.m.