Minutes of Lympsham Parish Council Meeting, 18 December 2006

Councillors Present: Capt. R .G. Evans (Chairman), Mr. B. Davis, Mr. B. Gooding, Mr. J. Hinton, Mrs. E. Male
& Mr. A. Ham (County Councillor).
Also two members of the public.

Minutes were taken by the Clerk.

116/06 Apologies: Mr. A. Gilling.

117/06 Minutes of Previous Meeting: were confirmed and signed.

118/06 To consider election of a new Councillor by co-option, and to determine by when the Declaration of Acceptance shall be completed: Clerk reported that the appropriate notices had been displayed with the result of one application from Mrs. P. Guess; the Chairman proposed Mrs. Guess be co-opted and was elected unanimously. (The Declaration of Acceptance to be signed at the start of the next meeting.)

119/06 Following the Clerk’s attendance at a meeting where the structure of local government was discussed, Mr. A. Ham briefed the meeting re proposal for Somerset to become a Unitary Authority; discussion followed with agreement to draft a letter of concerns re the proposal before the next meeting.

120/06 Youth Facilities: Ms. L. Phillips briefed the meeting re the setting up of a village youth club at present held fortnightly in the Pavilion; currently seeking funding assisted by G. Hancock, Head of Somerset Youth Service. The Chairman welcomed the initiative and expressed the PC’s willingness to assist when details are finalised. Ms. Phillips to approach Manor Hall
Committee. Clerk to e-mail A. Ham re Community Members Grant.

121/06 Matters Arising / for report from previous meetings
• Lympsham School: Clerk reported that the extension had received approval.
• Lympsham Pre-school: Chairman thanked Mr. Ham for chairing the ‘round table’ meetings and surveying the car parking area.
Parish Plan: Representative would be attending future meeting.
• Highways report: B. Gooding reported that bushes by speed limit sign along Lympsham Road had been trimmed; several patches of road along Rectory Way had been repaired.
• Playground report: Slide still awaiting maintenance and bark to be ordered.
• General Maintenance Issues: B. Gooding volunteered to get Memorial Corner flagstones cleaned. Mrs. E. Male mentioned road sign in rhine.
• Footpaths: Clerk to pass questionnaire to Chairman.
• Manor Hall Report: B. Davis reported that a cleaner had been employed.
• Memorial for Henry Counsell: Plans for floodlighting progressing; PC supported the idea of an additional visible memorial e.g. a plaque.
• Churchyard closure: The Chairman & Clerk reported on a recent site meeting with a local landowner; following favourable feedback, the Chairman and the Clerk will pursue various lines of enquiry.
• Grounds Maintenance: Clerk continuing to seek advice re specifications.
• Village Events: The Chairman mentioned the positive article in the Weston Mercury and thanked all involved in the celebration evening for Dave Gregory.
• Dates for meetings in 2007: the following dates were agreed:
Monday 15 January
Monday 19 February
Monday 19 March
Monday 23 April
Wednesday 9 May
Wednesday 20 June
Wednesday 18 July
Monday 17 September
Monday 15 October
Monday 19 November
Monday 17 December

122/06 Planning Applications: Resubmitted plan for Hobbs Boat Inn; SCC approval for School extension; amended plan
re 3 Bridgwater Road.

123/06 Correspondence of note: Previously circulated and noted. Mrs. E. Male to attend Coastal Parish Cluster on 30.1.07.
Women’s British Legion: request for funding of Christmas tree at Memorial Corner: £45 agreed.
Following discussion, £35 to be donated to D. Prowton re festive display.

124/06 Finance Report: C/A: £4,723-60 + cheques to be paid in totalling £235 = £4,958-60
S/A: £6,025-52 Player-Mason A/C: £2,108-72 Petty Cash: £143-68

125/06 Cheques issued since last meeting: 100848 B. Davis £21-66; 100849 D. Gregory £1,223; 100850 J.M. Coles Ltd. £42-22
(Play area paint); 100851 Clerk’s salary & office expenses £485-68.

126/06 Cheques issued this meeting: 100852 B. Davis £23-66.

127/06 Cheques to be paid in after this meeting: £235 re Retirement donations.

128/06 Precept Budget: Clerk presented discussion papers re current and future budgets plus various comparative figures;
Precept of £11,317-45 agreed for 2007-8 (Proposed by J. Hinton, seconded by B. Gooding: all agreed).

Items for discussion / Report at next meeting on 15th. January 2007: None at present.

The meeting ended at 9.25 p.m.