Minutes of Lympsham Parish Council Meeting, 23 July 2008

Councillors Present: Mr. J. Hinton (Chairman), Mr. K. Hart, Mrs. E. Male, Mr. G. Tuttiett & Mr. R. Jones*.
Also attending: Mr. A. Gilling (District Councillor).

Minutes were taken by the Clerk.

59/08      Apologies: Mr. B. Gooding, Mrs. P. Guess, Mr. A. Ham (County Councillor) – accepted.

60/08      Declaration of Acceptance: *Completed by Mr. R. Jones following proposal for co-option by Chairman, seconded by  Mrs. Male, carried unanimously.

61/08      Minutes of Previous Meeting (18.6.08): were confirmed and signed.

62/08      Matters Arising / for report from previous meetings:

• Lympsham School: Nothing to report.
• Manor Hall Report: K. Hart attended last meeting; Chairmanship on rotational basis with ad hoc secretary.

• Lympsham Pre-school: Solicitor following up instructions; surveying inc. datum point last Friday.

• Highways report: Poor visibility at junction Accommodation Road / Brean Road still an issue – Highways Dept. contacting landowners. Clerk to pursue bus-stop / shelter issue.

• Playground report: Following annual safety report, Clerk to obtain quote for early refurbishment (liase with Chair); further quote to be sought re turfing of existing bark pits with a view to installing rubber matting. Mrs. Guess still checking Play Area.
• Grounds Maintenance: Concern re hedge along Lympsham Road by Boundaries: Clerk to ‘chase’; hedges on West Road are responsibility of landowners, County Highways deal with verges.
• Footpaths: PC requested Clerk to reiterate request re dog orders to Sedgemoor.

• General Maintenance Issues: New dog waste bins due soon with one in West Road to be fixed to old bus-stop.
• Churchyard: Impetus should be with PCC but, due to current situation, co-ordinator required; need for neighbours to be kept informed.

• Neighbourhood Watch: Many area groups setting up meetings; June – Oct. information bulletin distributed. Eventually signs to be erected: will require planning permission; Chair proposed that PC fund the signs, seconded by G. Tuttiett – all agreed. Still some areas not covered.

• Village Events: Very enjoyable British Legion trip to Exmouth; WI have been using area around the cricket field for croquet; WI cream tea was successful with hopes for another funded, future event. British Legion Flower Show on 2nd August; Harvest Home on 6th September. Discussion re advertised ‘party’ in local field.
  
  
• Members Community Grants: K. Hart & Clerk to attend next meeting organised by Councillor Ham.
  
  
• Affordable Housing: Awaiting information.
  
  
• Stonebow Farm: Awaiting information.
  
  
• County / District Issues: A. Gilling has gained the key priority area of ‘Housing’ in addition to his other duties. Discussion re housing survey & past experience: need to make process more attractive to providers i.e. Housing Associations. Nationwide project soon to be introduced: ‘Choice based letting’ – this may override connections with locality. Re cost saving: there are likely to be changes in staffing whereby administration may be drawn into contract within south-west to relieve front line officers. Discussion re additional problems of flood-plain issues. 
• Clerk: Responses to proposal for new flagpole indicated a lack of enthusiasm, therefore Clerk to seek Harvest Home Committee’s advice re its donation.

 
63/08      Planning Applications:
701 Mr. D. Cornish, Willow Brook, South Close: Erection of single storey extension to north elevation – Support.
702 Mr. & Mrs. P. Withers, Batch Business Park, Rectory Way: Retention of horticultural store shed & compost shelter
        (amended location description) – No observations.
703 Miss P. Greenwood, Hedge Rows, Eastertown: Erection of single storey side extension & part conversion of garage
        to form annexe accommodation – Support.
704 SCC: New 5-bay Elliott Pre-School Classroom at Lympsham C. of E. First School, Rectory Way – Support.

64/08      Correspondence of note: Previously circulated and noted.

65/08      Finance Report: C/A: £1,966-36 (After transfer from S/A) [Still awaiting £700 from SDC re train.];
S/A: £4,355-71; Player-Mason A/C: £2,299-85; Petty Cash: £17-51
[VAT control £1,405-53] N.B. Second instalment of Precept due by 30th September.

66/08      Cheques issued since last meeting: 100746 J.K. Gardening £105 (Gr. Maint.);
100747 Allianz Insurance plc £66-33 (further cover); 100748 Playsafety Ltd. £74-03 (Play Area report); 100749 Moore Stephens £158-62 (Audit).

67/08      Cheques issued this meeting: 100750 Clerk’s Pay & expenses £357-54; 100751 PAYE £120-48.
               
68/08      Items for Discussion / Report at next meeting: Sustainable Communities Act, Web-Site.

The meeting ended at 9.43 p.m.