October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
Annual Meeting 2008
UNCONFIRMED
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 20 October 2008 at Beckington Memorial Hall
Present: Mr R S Wilson – Chair, Mr C Rose – Vice Chair, Messrs P West, J Phillips, J Yerbury and D Wright, Mrs J Slay, Miss J Book – Clerk, Cllr M Ellis – SCC, One member of the public
1. Notice of Meeting – correctly posted
2. Apologies for absence: None
3. Public Participation
The member of public represented Frome Area Forum of Mendip Housing Ltd. He presented a proposal, signed by most of the residents of Lahs Place, requesting the Parish Council’s assistance in providing two garden refuse bins for the residents who live on a fixed income. The bins currently cost £29.00 each per annum. The Councillor’s were supportive of this proposal and Mr Wilson will contact MDC to find out further information. The final decision will be made at the November meeting.
4. Minutes of previous meeting held on 15 September 2008 These were agreed and signed as an accurate record of the meeting.
5. Matters arising from previous meeting
5.1 Rudge Water Cupboards – A satisfactory quote of £650 had been received by the Clerk who had authorised the contractor to go ahead with the works. Mr Wright presented before and after photos of the water cupboards and offered a draft inscription for the plaque. A notice saying the water is non potable also needs to be displayed. The water cupboards will be added to the Parish Council’s asset list. Mr Wilson acknowledged the financial support received from County Council Matthew Ellis and thanked him for his contribution.
5.2 Asset Record, Risk Register, NALC Financial Regulations – Mr Phillips has reviewed the NALC financial regulations and made a list of 16 actions that Beckington PC need to be aware of and as a result need to implement more formal systems of recording the information. A risk policy statement needs to be prepared which Mr Wilson agreed to put together. Mr Wilson thanked Mr Phillips for the in depth work he had carried out on this document. The Clerk made the Councillor’s aware that for the purposes of the Public Liability Insurance all assets need to be checked monthly and the inspection duly recorded. The amended NALC financial regulations were then formally proposed for adoption by Mr West and seconded by Mr Wright. Carried unanimously. The required systems will be implemented and reviewed over the next few months.
5.3 Bench at Woolpack – This has now been removed. Despite best endeavours, no further quotes have been obtained and it was proposed by Mr Yerbury and seconded by Mrs Slay to proceed with the quote. Arrangements will now be made to have the bench refurbished and a commemorative plaque made.
5.4 Minor Works Call Off Arrangement – Three quotes have now been received. Further enquiries will be made regarding whether they hold the correct license for spraying. Mr Wright proposed and Mr West seconded that the cheapest contractor would be accepted if the correct licenses were held otherwise the contract would go to the second cheapest if they hold the correct spraying licenses. Delegation to the Chaiman and Vice-chairman was agreed to appoint the minor works contractor to progress work before the next meeting if needed.
5.5 Footpaths – Sandy Lane, Warminster Road – These have now been cleared apart from a small section. Mr West will contact the land owner responsible.
5.6 Trench – Homefield Close – This has now been filled.
Mr Wilson welcomed Cllr Ellis to the meeting. Cllr Ellis reported that the speeding traffic situation at Standerwick is under review. He has £500 remaining in his budget for this year which he is keeping for emergencies and pointed out that he should receive further funding next year which would be available for any suitable projects. Mr Phillips enquired whether the loss of £25m reported recently in the Icelandic Banks would affect the precept next year. Cllr Ellis stated that this should be unaffected.
6. Parish Survey (LDF)
A consultation will be taking from 4 December 2008 until the end of January 2009 regarding the Rural Settlement Policy. Beckington has all of the four core facilities required under this policy namely – a school, shop, travel facilities to work and a meeting place, eg. Pub.
7. Correspondence
Email from resident – Mes Amis, Mendip District Council complaint letter. Such complaints are received and processed by the enforcement officer at MDC. The Parish Council are not involved in such complaints beyond noting that a complaint has been received from MDC in the minutes of that meeting. The method of investigation by MDC is a matter for them to adopt as required and it may or may not necessitate any contact with the complainant or the subject of the complaint. It would have been inappropriate for the Parish Council to make contact with Mes Amis. However, the Councillor’s were surprised to find that the District Council had not approached Mes Amis before forwarding details of the complaint to the Parish Council. Mr Wilson, in his capacity of Mendip District Councillor, has raised the matter with the Senior Enforcement Officer and asked him to review the present arrangements for referring matters to Parish Councils with the aim of only forwarding details of complaints to local Councils that are of substance and to be investigated further. The Clerk will reply to the resident.
South Somerset District Council – Devolution of Services Survey (to be addressed at the November meeting)
Council Question Time events across Somerset
Somerset’s Community Safety Newsletter
Town and Parish Standard
SLCC – Regional Conferences
SCC - Somerset Local Transport Plan 2 Summary
Email Cllr M Ellis - Follow up action from meeting in July
MDC - Parishes Information Bulletin
8. Accounts - Balance NatWest Reserve Account 30 September £14,609.85
8.1 Changing Bank – The Clerk presented the application form for HSBC for completion.
8.2 Election of Clerk as Responsible Financial Officer – A requirement of the NALC Financial Regulations is that the Parish Council appoints a Responsible Financial Officer. Mrs Slay proposed and Mr Phillips seconded that Joy Book, Clerk, should be appointed. Clerk accepted the responsibilities of this position.
8.3 Payment of Accounts
Cheque 382 T Baxter, Grasscutting, Sept 08 £117.50
Cheque 383 Clerk’s Salary & Expenses £167.28
Proposed Mr Rose Seconded Mrs Slay
9. Planning Applications
Planning reference: 084571/012 & 013 Proposal: Demolition of existing garden room and erection of single storey extension to form music room. Location: Rudge Hill House, Rudge. Applicant: Mr & Mrs S McKie. Application type: Listed Building & Full. A meeting was held at the site on Monday 20th October, attended by six members of the Parish Council. The adjacent neighbour was consulted and raised no objection, after a discussion and examination of the application Councillor Wilson left the meeting. The remaining five Parish Councillors, after further consideration recommended to Mendip District Council that they grant approval.
Planning consents, refusals and enforcements:-
Planning reference: 020622/009 Proposal: Conversion and extension of pool to form 1 number dwelling. Location: 28a Bath Road, Beckington. Applicant: Mr P Drayton. Application type: Full.
The Parish Council visited the site on 14th August and having given consideration to the application recommending approval of the application as shown on the drawings. Mendip District Council granted planning permission.
Planning reference: 118661/002 & /003 Proposal: Demolition of derelict farm buildings and erection of four cottages. Applicant: John Yerbury Developments Location: Tower Hill Farm, Mill Lane, Beckington. Application type: Full Planning & Conservation Area. Mendip District Council granted planning permission.
Planning reference: 103518/005 Proposal: Conversion of roof space above pool, store and office building into 2 self-catering holiday units, including insertion of dormer windows, rooflights and widows. Location: The Full Moon, Rudge. Applicant: The Full Moon at Rudge Ltd. Mendip District Council granted planning permission.
The Parish Council have received a letter from MDC giving details of a complaint that the converted barn in Stubbs lane, Beckington is being used for holiday rentals and for noisy parties including a stag weekend. MDC will write again when their investigation is complete.
10. Any Other Business - None
Meeting ended 9.15pm
Date & Venue of Next Meetings
17 November 2008 at 7.30pm at Beckington Village Hall, Clifford Suite
15 December 2008 at 7.30pm at Beckington Village Hall, Clifford Suite
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UNCONFIRMED
MINUTES OF
MEETING HELD 15 September 2008
At
Beckington Memorial Hall
Present: Mr R S Wilson – Chair, Mr C Rose – Vice Chair, Mr D Wright, Miss J Book – Clerk, One member of the public
1. Notice of Meeting – correctly posted
2. Apologies for absence: Cllr M Ellis – SCC, Messrs P West, J Phillips and J Yerbury
3. Public Participation
The member of public thanked the Councillor’s for visiting the site of the water cupboards, for supporting their renovation and successfully applying for funding from Cllr Ellis.
4. Minutes of previous meeting held on 18 August 2008 These were agreed and signed as an accurate record of the meeting.
5. Matters arising from previous meeting
5.1 Rudge Water Cupboards – Cllr M Ellis, SCC has agreed to fund £750 towards this project. Clerk will formally thank him on behalf of the Parish Council when in receipt of the cheque. The Parish Council’s role in this project is to act as a link to the residents and be paymaster. Only one estimate has been received for the cupboard doors and low retaining wall. The Councillor’s present felt that this is specialised work and it would be hard to source further quotes. It was agreed to accept this contractor, who has a known high standard of workmanship, once a firm and satisfactory quotation had been received. A plaque will be placed on the water cupboards detailing their history.
5.2 Asset Record, Risk Register, NALC Financial Regulations, Fidelity Guarantee – deferred to October’s meeting
5.3 Bench at Woolpack – awaiting second quote
5.4 Footpaths – no further action
5.5 Minor Works Call Off Arrangement – one reply has been received. Mr Wilson has made contact with T Baxter to see if he is interested in undertaking this work. No decision will be made until after the deadline at the end of September.
6. Parish Survey (LDF)
Mr Wilson had attended a meeting at Mendip regarding development of small towns and villages. Villages will be subdivided into different rural areas. ‘Remote’ rural which are self contained and ‘accessible’ rural areas which have stronger links to urban centres in terms of employment, services and leisure. Beckington would be considered ‘accessible’ which may lead to a greater share of houses being built. No figures have been produced yet and this is very much in the early stages of consultation. Mr Wilson has requested further investigation into the implications of these latest proposals and is monitoring any developments.
7. Correspondence
SCC - Temporary Closure of Footpath FR1/28 for 21 days starting 29.09.08
- Market Town Regeneration Fund Key facts
- Minutes of Mendip North East Division Meeting held on 15 July 2008
-; Grassroots Grants
- Housing Strategy Seminar Event 25 September 2008
Somerset Road Safety Partnership – Driver awareness courses
SALC - Annual report and accounts
MDC - Standards Committee agenda for meeting 16 September 2008
- Parishes Information Bulletin
Clerks & Councils Direct
Mendip Housing Annual Review
Mendip Community Newsletter
8. Accounts - Balance NatWest Reserve Account 27 August 08 £14,773.56
Cheque 378 Cancelled – No further premium required (Allianz)
Cheque 379 T Baxter, Grasscutting, July 08 £176.25
Cheque 380 Clerk’s Salary & Expenses £163.68
Cheque 381 N I J Ives – Footpath maintenance £74.00
Proposed Mr Rose Seconded Mr Wright
Allianz have approved the application for the new fidelity guarantee insurance limit of £13,500 and have confirmed that there is no extra premium to pay this year. Clerk to be formally elected as Responsible Financial Officer at the October meeting.
9. Planning Applications
Planning reference: 020622/009 Proposal: Conversion and extension of pool to form 1 number dwelling. Location: 28a Bath Road, Beckington. Applicant: Mr P Drayton. Application type: Full. MDC have approved this application.
MDC will be taking no further action regarding a complaint that Mes Amis are using the domestic garden in connection with the business as there is no evidence to support this.
10. Any Other Business
(i) Footpath from Sandy Lane to Farm Shop is overgrown. This is the landowner’s responsibility and the Clerk will contact them to request its clearance.
(ii) Goose Street east of A36 bypass towards Rudge – 150metres obstructed by overgrowth from embankment. Clerk to contact SCC, Highways.
(iii) Homefield Close – BT excavated trench 6 weeks ago which has not been reinstated. Clerk to contact SCC, Highways.
Meeting ended 8.05pm
Date & Venue of Next Meetings
20 October 2008 at 7.30pm at Beckington Village Hall, Clifford Suite
17 November 2008 at 7.30pm at Beckington Village Hall, Clifford Suite
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UNCONFIRMED
MINUTES OF
MEETING HELD 18 August 2008
At
Beckington Memorial Hall
Present: Mr R S Wilson – Chair, Mr C Rose – Vice Chair, Messrs D Wright, Mr P West, Mr J Phillips and Mr J Yerbury, Mrs J Slay, Miss J Book – Clerk, One member of the public
1. Notice of Meeting – correctly posted
2. Apologies for absence: Cllr M Ellis
3. Public Participation Covered under 5.1
4. Minutes of previous meeting held on 21 July 2008 These were agreed and signed as an accurate record of the meeting.
5. Matters arising from previous meeting
5.1 Rudge Water Cupboards – Member of public presented a quotation of £650 for the water cupboard by the layby in Rudge. Councillor’s will visit site Wednesday 20 August to assess the work involved and then make an informed decision on the level of support and involvement the Parish Council has with this project. A quotation for the other water cupboard and high pavement has yet to be obtained. Clerk mentioned that Cllr Ellis should be approached for funding. Various other funding sources were given.
5.2 Asset Record, Risk Register, NALC Financial Regulations, Fidelity Guarantee – The asset record and risk register are ongoing. Mr Phillips presented a breakdown of the NALC Financial Regulations that the Parish Council should be aware of with a view to adopting the procedures formally. The intent is that the final document will be presented and endorsed at the October meeting. The Clerk has completed the Fidelity Guarantee form and has been informed that as the pro rata premium is now under £25.00 it will probably be waived by the insurance company.
5.3 Bench at Woolpack – Resident is willing to pay for bench to be refurbished and a memorial plaque added. Mr Yerbury to obtain further quote(s) for the refurbishment work and remove the bench for storage in the meantime.
5.4 30mph Roundels and White Lines, Warminster Road/Goose Street – Highways have replied saying these seem to have been dropped off the schedule and will be done as soon as possible.
5.5 Footpaths – One resident in Mill Lane has replied saying they will cut down the nettles by their property.
5.6 Minor Works Call Off Arrangement – Mr Wilson raised the issue of public liability insurance for anyone doing work for the Parish Council. It was agreed that the individual or contractor must have their own insurance. Mr Wilson will put an advertisement in Network. Various footpaths around the village are overgrown and these will be attended to when the contractor is appointed and, where appropriate, funded by the Mendip DC annual footpath grant of £120 which Mr West will apply for.
6. Parish Survey (LDF)
A redrafted criterion for assessing any new housing proposals put forward under the LDF was circulated and discussed. The following final wording was agreed :
When considering a planning application for new housing proposals the Council will take into account the following issues:
1. The impact of the proposed development on the landscape setting of the area.
2. Any change caused by the proposed development to the character and open approaches of the villages, and any perceived urbanisation of the rural character of the area.
3. The impact of the proposed development on existing traffic conditions or the creation of additional traffic problems.
4. Any perceived diminishment of the amenity of existing neighbouring properties.
5. Any additional burden on existing community facilities.
The proposal that the Council adopt these criteria was proposed by Mrs Slay and seconded by Mr Wright. The motion was carried unanimously.
7. Correspondence
Victim Support - Funding request (no donation will be made)
Sources of funding - Regeneration Fund and Somerset Community Foundation
Wiltshire DC - Waste and Minerals Development Control Policies
Mendip DC - Parishes Information Bulletin
SALC - Cancelled event
Somerset Rural Youth - Newsletter
Somerset CC - Public Rights of Way Newsletter
8. Accounts - Balance NatWest Reserve Account 25 July 08 £15,204.74
Due to continuing problems with NatWest Mr Rose proposed and Mr Yerbury seconded that the Parish Council change bank. After discussion it was decided to open an account with HSBC.
Cheque 375 Clerk’s Salary & Expenses £168.28
Cheque 376 T Baxter, Grasscutting, July 08 £117.50
Cheque 377 Mr E Hopkins, Rudge Noticeboard £345.00
Cheque 378 Allianz, extra premium for Fidelity Guarantee TBC
Proposed Mr Rose Seconded Mrs Slay
9. Planning Applications
Planning reference: 020622/009 Proposal: Conversion and extension of pool to form 1 number dwelling. Location: 28a Bath Road, Beckington. Applicant: Mr P Drayton. Application type: Full. The Parish Council visited the site on 14th August and having given consideration to the application recommending approval of the application as shown on the drawings.
Planning consents, refusals and enforcements:- Planning reference: 114881/002 Proposal: Erection of 12 lighting columns. Location: Beckington Tennis Courts, Warminster Road, Beckington. Applicant: Mr J Yerbury. Application type: Full. Mendip District Council granted planning permission.
Planning reference: 113913/005 Location: Lot 5 Rudge Road. The Planning Inspectorate allowed the appeal by Messrs Ayres & Sherred against MDC. However costs were not awarded.
MDC are in receipt of a complaint that Mes Amis may possibly be using the domestic garden in connection with the business.
10. Any Other Business It has been noted that buses are stopping in the middle of the Frome Road as they are unable to pull over due to cars parking in the bus stop bay. The bus stops do not have the appropriate markings to make them no parking areas.
Meeting ended 8.45pm
Date & Venue of Next Meetings
15 September 2008 at 7.30pm at Beckington Village Hall, Clifford Suite
20 October 2008 at 7.30pm at Beckington Village Hall, Clifford Suite
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UNCONFIRMED
MINUTES OF
BECKINGTON ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
Monday 19 May 2008
At Beckington Memorial Hall
Apologies for Absence: Mr P West
Chairman Cllr Stan Wilson welcomed 5 people to the meeting. He then welcomed Mr Matthew Ellis, the new County Councillor and asked that a new agenda item be added after the District Councillor’s report for Mr Ellis to introduce himself. This was agreed.
The Minutes of the previous Annual Meeting held on 26 April 2007 were read and approved.
Chairman’s Report
Cllr Wilson commented that this was his first report since he had become Chairman in May of last year. He started by recording his thanks to his supporting Councillors and in particular welcoming the four new Councillors who joined the Council last year. Each and every one had brought their different experiences to the Council’s business and he appreciated their contribution.
The Annual Meeting, apart from being a legal requirement is an opportunity to review the work which has been carried out by the parish council over the past 12 months.
Planning Applications - One activity which keeps the parish council busy is responding to planning applications received from Mendip District Council. In the past 12 months there have been 44 planning applications. Although not all observations are acted upon by Mendip the parish council have, as a result of their comments, influenced the outcome in many instances.
Footpaths – The parish council have responded to Villagers’ complaints about footpath problems. The Parish footpaths are well used and problems need to be addressed quickly if they are not to become obstructed. Usually landowners respond to the Council’s concerns, for which they are grateful.
Streetlights - Four street lights have been upgraded and replaced with more efficient luminaries. This improvement is seen along Bath Road which was rather gloomy in places.
Warminster Road signage - Improvements to the signing and road markings to slow down the speed of traffic entering the Village have only been partially successful. The speed restriction signs have been moved to make them more conspicuous but the accompanying road markings have yet to be provided. The Village speedwatch scheme remains fairly inactive and until there is evidence of speeding traffic it will not be possible to convince the appropriate authorities to take further action.
Local Development Plan - Mendip District Council have commenced work on the Local Development Plan and the Parish Council have attended meetings to monitor how this is progressing. As a result, villagers’ views are being sought on where new houses could be located adjacent to the Village boundary. An information meeting had been arranged for Friday the 13th of June.
In the past year the parish council have tried to give more information about what they are doing for the Parish. Two pages appear in Network which give a summarised version of the monthly meeting minutes and pages on the Beckington website which gives contact details for all Councillors, the next meeting agenda and the last three sets of Parish Council minutes. Although the number of visitors to our pages is modest it suggests that the initiative is worthwhile.
A query was raised regarding the Parish Survey. Cllr Wilson explained the proposed housing requirement for Beckington and the format of the forthcoming meeting.
Mendip District Councillor’s Report
Cllr Wilson was re-elected last May to serve a third term on Mendip District Council as the Member for the new ward of Beckington & Selwood. As a consequent his report is slightly shorter due to the overlap of subjects dealt with.
Planning and Licensing matters – Cllr Wilson elected to be a member of both Mendip’s Planning and Licensing Boards. These regulatory boards perform important work and by being a member of both he can keep fully conversant with the procedures and their workings thereby enabling him to act in the best interests of Parishioners when the need occurs and to work closely with Beckington’s Planning Officer (Chris Rose).
Unitary Authority - An important decision about the future structure of Local Government in Somerset was taken in July last year. The Boundary Commission for England rejected the County Council’s proposal for a large Unitary Authority to replace the present two tier system.
He welcomed this decision since he believed that closer working between the various tiers of local government could be achieved without the restructuring costs and upheaval that would have been necessary to create a single authority based in Taunton. The argument for a Unitary Authority was, in his opinion, specious. The potential overlap and misunderstandings of responsibilities between the County and District Authorities cited as the reason for creating a Unitary Authority was, in his opinion, exaggerated and marginal and could be addressed by implementing enhanced two tier working whereby both Authorities work more effectively together to reduce costs and devolve service delivery to the most local level possible.
He could see no reason why this could not be possible. A good example of how all Authorities can work together for the benefit of tax payers is the formation of the Somerset Waste Partnership where all the Districts and the County have achieved savings by economies of scale and improved recycling rates throughout the County. The recycling rate for 2007/08 materials collected from our residents houses was 45% and if we look at all the waste that was recycled in Mendip by including the Household Waste Recycling Centres into the figures it shows that
Mendip residents recycle 52% of their rubbish. There is strong demand to add plastic bottle and cardboard recycling and trials for this have commenced in Mells, Chilcompton, Street and Wells.
The success of these will be evaluated to develop the most effective way of including these materials in our recycling service. If appropriate, this service could be implemented countywide, starting in around 18 months time from April 2009.
Finally, he returned to Mendip’s most important task over the next year or two the preparation of its replacement Development Plan – known as the Local Development Framework. Progress has been slow although behind the scenes staff recruitment has been undertaken to take this work forward. Consultation sessions have taken place in the five Towns and in late summer it is proposed to report back to the public to gain views on approaches that should be examined in more detail which could include initial development sites. For the larger Villages in Mendip this could be an important stage and it is for that reason that the Parish Council is organizing a Parish Survey to seek Villager’s views about where future development might take place. This will be valuable to both the Parish Council and Cllr Wilson when the time comes to comment on detailed proposals.
It was asked how the figure of 52% for recycling in this district compared to other districts. Cllr Wilson reported that this was higher.
Cllr Wilson introduced Cllr Ellis as the new County Councillor. Cllr Ellis explained he covers 12 parishes and is hoping to attend as many meetings as his other commitments allow. He commented that he is aware that highways is a contentious issue in his district and that he hoped to arrange a forum of his parishes where the Chief Executive and Mrs Davidson-Grant, Highways would be invited to attend to address any issues. Cllr Wilson enforced the point regarding Highways lack of speed to rectify problems. A Rudge resident stated that Cllr Ellis’ support in this area would be very favourably looked upon by other residents. Cllr Ellis said he welcomed any comments and the best method to contacted him was via email.
Parish Accounts
Mr J Southwell proposed and Mrs E Wright seconded that the Parish Accounts for 2007-2008 be accepted. This was carried unanimously. Queries were raised regarding what SALC and SLCC were. These were explained by Cllr Wilson and the Clerk.
Charity Accounts
Mrs R Millett proposed and Mrs P Wilson seconded that the Charity Accounts for 2007 be accepted. This was carried unanimously. Cllr Wilson ask Mr Phillips if he would prepare a short resume of the origins of the Charities and why they are worth retaining. Mr Phillips agreed to do this. Mr Phillips reported that five Charities dating back to 1560 were involved, two of which have subsequently been suspended. In the past, money was raised from warranties, land and rental income for bread, clothing and blankets.
Public Participation - None
The Chairman thanked those present for their attendance and the meeting closed at 7.35pm.
Signed: __________________________
Print name: __________________________
Date: __________________________