Minutes of Lympsham Parish Council Meeting, 21 April 2008

Councillors Present: Mr. J. Hinton (Chairman), Mr. B. Gooding, Mrs. P. Guess, Mrs. E. Male & Mr. G. Tuttiett.
        Also attending: Mr. A. Gilling, Sgt. S. Lawrence & PCSO P. Dixon.
Minutes were taken by the Clerk.

25/08      Apologies: Mr. K. Hart & Mr. A. Ham.

26/08      Minutes of Previous Meeting (17.3.08): were confirmed and signed.

27/08      Matters Arising / for report from previous meetings:

• Lympsham School: New classroom to be ‘handed over’ during next two weeks.

• Lympsham Pre-school: Clerk to attend Committee meeting.
• Parish Plan: Awaiting report re questionnaire; comments that the questions were complicated & needed to be more relevant for the future.

• Highways report: Re drains by Tara & Blakeney plus others: had been cleared. Re possibility of moving bus stop and / or installing a shelter: Clerk to be invited to meeting of relevant depts; Clerk to contact again Highways re subsidence along Lympsham Road near A370; B. Gooding to check verge grass on West Road & remove road sign.

• Playground report: B. Gooding had removed damaged tree; train installed and favourable comments received; Clerk commended for successful outcome of project; new surface mats to be considered for future replacement areas.

• General Maintenance Issues: New notice board erected: Clerk to thank donor & display contact details.
• Footpaths: Notification had been received that local dog control orders had been included for consideration in area plan. Clerk instructed to pursue purchase & installation of dog waste bin at Copse Corner.
• Manor Hall Report: Thanks to Mrs. Male for attending: also attended by K. Hart (as Chair of Sports Club); J. Phipps (Chair / Sec.) had resigned; no week-end letting of Hall outside the village; the Youth Club had 20 members averaging 12 per week with the leader offering input with local events: this was viewed positively.
• Churchyard: Ongoing.
• Grounds Maintenance: Clerk reported that contract had been renewed.

• Neighbourhood Watch: New PCSO introduced; Sgt. Lawrence & PCSO Dixon explained PACT forum that would preface the Coastal Cluster meeting & asked for a key issue to be flagged from the village: Mrs. E. Male to attend. Meeting re extending Neighbourhood Watch to be held on 7th May in the Sports Pavilion  – Clerk to arrange. Discussion re vandalism.

• Village Events: New Chair of Sports Club; Livery Open Day on 10th May; Children’s Cricket to start on 15th May; Porter Boys at Pavilion 16th May; 16th July Cream Teas organised by W.I; agreed to donate a plate to be awarded annually at the British Legion Flower Show – B. Gooding to arrange purchase & engraving.
• Village History: No information.
• Provision of Defibrillator: Chair following up information.
• County / District Issues: A. Gilling briefed the PC on current issues; concern expressed that speeding up of delegation re planning could mean local democracy losing out.
• Post Office / Shop: No update.
• Cricket Club sight-screens: B. Gooding, Mrs. P. Guess & G. Tuttiet declared interests; PC agreed a grant of £500 towards project. (Proposed: J. Hinton; seconded: Mrs. E. Male).
• Clerk: Had attended ‘Audit & Accountancy Update & Sole Managing Trustee of Charity’ meeting.

28/08      Planning Applications:

695 Whitbread Group PLC, Hobbs Boat Inn – Display of 4 illuminated fascia signs: No observations with the exception of
        sign   B: the siting of sign B obstructs drivers' visibility and, being near a bus stop, presents a road safety hazard.
                [696 Mr. P. Brace, on land at Poplar Farm, Eastertown – Erection of 5 holiday units]: Not our Parish.
                697 Mr. & Mrs. G. Preston & Mr. & Mrs. S. Husbands, Land to south of The Old Vicarage, Rectory Way
                      – Erection of dwelling with integral garage, formation of access & footpath: Clarification re drainage to be sought.
               

29/08      Correspondence of note: Previously circulated and noted.

30/08      Finance Report: C/A: £2,954-42 (inc. payment of cheques itemised below)        S/A: £9,296-20
Player-Mason A/C: £2,185-81                                                          Petty Cash: £73-71
                Notices of appointment of date for examination of accounts had been displayed.

31/08      Cheques issued this meeting:        100729 J.K. Gardening £52-50 (Grounds Maintenance);
100730 Lympsham Manor Hall £35 (Hall hire)
                                                                                100731 Community Council for Somerset £25 (Renewal of sub.).

32/08      Items for Discussion / Report at next meeting: Clarification to be sought re availability of allotments; discussion re availability of village open space.

The meeting ended at 9.40 p.m.