Minutes of Lympsham Parish Council Meeting, 20 October 2008

Councillors Present: Mr. J. Hinton (Chairman), Mr. B. Gooding, Mrs. P. Guess, & Mr. G. Tuttiett.

Minutes were taken by the Clerk.

78/08     Apologies: Mr. K. Hart, Mr. R. Jones & Mrs. E. Male. [Accepted]

79/08    Minutes of Previous Meeting (15.9.08): were confirmed and signed.

80/08    Matters Arising / for report from previous meetings:

• Lympsham School: Nothing to report.

• Manor Hall Report: Clerk mentioned items from report of last Manor Hall meeting; Mrs. Male thanked for attending.Youth Club had suggested items for purchase using last year’s grant; Clerk to arrange cheque.

• Lympsham Pre-school: SCC had granted planning permission; Clerk to attend next Committee meeting.

• Highways report: Notification of road closure re construction of safety barrier at Batch Bridge Wharfside 20th Oct. – 16th. Nov.); Clerk to report concern re road subsidence near Millfield Cottages; footpath cleared along A370.

• Playground report: Part 1 of resurfacing planned for November; B. Gooding sourcing bench / table; Mrs. Guess had regularly checked Play Area: benches require painting & border tidying.
• Grounds Maintenance: Clerk confirmed horse chestnut tree on Bridgwater Road would be removed at no cost to the Parish; Clerk checking on hedges & bridal way.
• Footpaths: Clerk to contact volunteer re supervision. G. Tuttiett requested second opinion re footbridge.

• General Maintenance Issues: No current issues.
• Churchyard: Moving slowly but ongoing; discussions with Highways re height of walls.

• Neighbourhood Watch: Message received from PCSO: Scheme up & running in Eastertown; survey in place for The Worthings. Need for someone to volunteer for Ferry Lane. Clerk to discuss date / venue for ‘surgery’ with PCSO.

• Village Events: Bonfire Night at Sports Club on 8th. November.
• Members Community Grants: Chairman thanked Councillors & Clerk for attending the meetings; disappointment expressed that PC would not receive funding for the bus stop / shelter project despite willingness to support the costs with precept. Clerk asked to seek alternative funding from A. Ham & other sources.
• Affordable Housing: Working Group met earlier in the day: a positive meeting with several sites suggested: will await investigations by SDC officials.
• Stonebow Farm: Response received.
• County / District Issues: Mrs. Male was thanked for her attendance at & report from the Coastal Parish Cluster Group meeting. SDC budget consultation received.
• Clerk: Following discussion re use of email, PC approved the distribution of minutes by email but the agenda would still be delivered by hand or post. Clerk had been informed by SDC that current ‘allotments’ in the parish are not ‘official’ or responsibility of PC; Clerk to enquire further as to other land that could be available. Awaiting response from original solicitor re Wessex Water issue; ‘new’ solicitor had given opinion re responsibilities & liabilities.

81/08    Planning Applications:
708 Mr. J. Payne, Worthy Cottage, Lympsham Road: Erection of two storey side extension & erection of rear
 single storey extension & conservatory – Supported as meets with Policy BE2 criteria.
                  
709 Mr. King, Walnut Farm, Eastertown: Erection of first floor side extension over existing garage
 – Supported as meets with Policy BE2 criteria.

82/08    Correspondence of note: Previously circulated and noted.

83/08    Finance Report:            C/A: £7,123-60                          S/A: £4,355-71
Player-Mason A/C: £2,326-91     Petty Cash: £48-09

84/08    Cheques issued since last meeting: 100760 Victim Support £25 (Donation); 100761 SDC £305-56
(Installation of dog bins); 100762 J.K. Gardening £105 (Gr. Maint.); 100763 H.M. Customs £168.20 (PAYE).

85/08    Cheques issued this meeting: 100764 Clerk’s Pay (Oct.) £357-54.
           
86/08    Items for Discussion / Report at next meeting: Draft Precept.

The meeting ended at 8.43 p.m.