BRADFORD ON TONE PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 25 JANUARY 2012
PRESENT
Mr K Mear (Chairman), Mrs J Cape, Mr P Haines, Mr D Venn
Mr and Mrs Adams for their planning application (This item was brought forward at the meeting but is included with the planning minutes no 11.2.6)
1. APOLOGIES
Mr C Dinsdale OBE, Mr C Ellis, Mr T McMahon (County Councillor)
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Mr D Venn minute 12 – increase in road width near Bradford Bridge
3. CRIME UPDATE
No police representative was present but a crime report had been received. For the beat area which included Bradford on Tone between 23 November 2011 and 25 January 2012 there had been 24 reported incidents and 8 crimes. There had been one dwelling burglary in Hele. The Bradford on Tone Neighbourhood Watch had requested a ‘No Cold Calling Zone’ to be setup in the area. The constabulary were currently looking for a group of young people to assist the Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinators in delivering letters to residents explaining the scheme. This was a condition of the police funding scheme.
‘No cold calling zones’ were clearly defined areas indicated by signs which would be erected to enforce the message ‘No uninvited sales people.’ It needed all resident to respond positively for the scheme to be effective.
The Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator had also submitted a note to Councillors regarding this matter, seeking their full support, which they confirmed. Mr Haines suggested that such a scheme should be extended to cover telephone calls, post and emails.
4. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 23 NOVEMBER 2011
The draft minutes, having been circulated, were taken as read and signed as correct. This was subject to the following amendments.
(a) Minute 8 – in the last line delete ‘consider a contribution’ and substitute ‘reconsider the matter.’
(b) Minute 14.2.3 – in the last line delete ‘support proposal’ and substitute ‘not to oppose proposal.’
5. UPDATE ON ITEMS IN MINUTES
5.1 Public Footpath WG 3/17 and towpath by River Tone
Further to minute 4 of the 23 November meeting, the Clerk had prepared a notice to be put in the February magazine regarding problems with dogs experienced by the landowner and Taunton Fly Fishing Club. The notice had the agreement of the landowner, the local Public Paths Liaison Officer and the Parish Council. The notice also included an item about the continued dog fouling in the village. Councillors agreed to circulate copies of the notice to those residents who did not receive the magazine, especially those who owned dogs.
5.2 Flagpole on St Giles Church
The Parochial Church Council had received a quotation in the sum of £477 plus VAT, making a total of £596.25. It was suggested a second quotation be obtained. There was the possibility that the Parish Council could initially pay the cost so they could recoup the VAT. The PCC would reimburse the Parish Council less any contribution they would make. In the meantime it was agreed to defer making a decision until the March meeting, and the Clerk would find out from Peter Lacey the situation regarding the recovery of VAT in this instance.
5.3 Clearance of weeds around War Memorial
Councillors agreed to remove this item from future agendas.
6. PUBLIC FOOTPATH WG 14/1 AND DANGEROUS BRIDGE BRADFORD ON TONE/NYNEHEAD
The closure of this public right of way had been extended to 7 July 2012. Councillors were very concerned that apparently no action was being taken by the County Council to resolve the problems.
It was agreed to ask Brian Buzzard the local Public Paths Liaison Officer to write to the Rights of Way Officer at County Hall, saying how frustrated everyone was at the lack of action to reopen this once popular route.
7. PARISH PLAN – UPDATE
Councillors agreed to defer this matter and make a decision whether or not to go ahead at the March meeting.
8. FOOTWAY AT STONEYCROFT, BRADFORD ON TONE
Councillors were very pleased that this scheme had been completed. The Clerk had conveyed the Parish Council’s thanks to the Highway Authority and County Councillor Tony McMahon.
9. QUEEN’S DIAMOND JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS
Councillors noted that the Village Hall Committee were arranging some kind of celebration.
10. HIGHWAY MATTERS
10.1 Highway Drainage in Bradford on Tone
A resident had written to the Highway Authority complaining about the potholes and defects reported last year within a 300 metre length of Regents Street, and which had been covered up by a now failing surface dressing. The resurfacing had not alleviated the ponding water. Councillors agreed to write to the Highway Authority in support of the complainant’s letter.
11. PLANNING
11.1 Minutes of the meetings held on 20 and 29 November and 11 and 18 December 2011
The minutes, having been circulated, were taken as read and signed as correct. The proposer for 20 November and 18 December was Mrs Cape, seconded by Mr Mear. For 29 November and 11 December the proposer was Mr Haines, seconded by Mrs Cape.
11.2 Applications
11.2.1 Erection of two steel framed agricultural buildings for the production of cider at RJ Sheppy, Bradford on Tone. Parish council met 8 November 2011 and support the proposal.
11.2.2 Erection of detached garage at Brambles (formerly The Bungalow), Back Lane, Bradford on tone. Parish Council met 20 November 2011 and support the proposal.
11.2.3 Alterations to the external landscaping to include a timber decking area, children’s play area with boundary fence, pedestrian bridge and relocation of disabled parking bays at The Worlds End Public House, Heatherton Park, Bradford on Tone. Parish Council met 29 November 2011 and support the proposal.
11.2.4 Installation and operation of a solar photovoltaic array consisting of three rows with a total of 178 panels and associated equipment with a maximum array height of 2.6m and a maximum installed capacity of 50 kW at Gardeners Hall Farm. Parish Council met 11 December and decided not to oppose the proposal.
11.2.5 Outline application for the erection of a dwelling and shared garage in the garden of 1 Gardeners Close, Bradford on Tone. Councillors met on 18 December 2011 and object to the proposal for the following reasons.
(i) unable to define boundary adjacent to The Old School House
(ii) the land is higher than the existing buildings which surround it
The Parish Council made the observation that when planning permission was given for the original development was there a limit to the number of properties that could be built on site.
11.2.6 Erection of four bedroom dwelling at Plot 2, Gardeners Hall, Back Lane, Bradford on Tone (amended scheme to application 07/10/0016) refused. Resubmitted on 7.2.11. Parish Council met on 6.3.11 – had no objection. Permission granted 27.5.11. The Parish Council supported this latest application.
11.3 Decisions
11.3.1 See 11.2.4 above – permission granted 20.1.12
11.4 To consider and agree times and days for future planning site meetings
This item was deferred until the March meeting.
12. INCREASE IN ROAD WIDTH NEAR BRADFORD BRIDGE
A resident had written to the Highway Authority asking for an explanation why the width of the road near Bradford Bridge had been extended. A copy had been sent to the Parish Council, who had noted its contents.
13. FINANCE
13.1 To agree accounts for payment £
13.1.1 Clerk’s salary December/January 441.92
13.1.2 Clerk’s expenses December/January 32.74
13.1.3 Contribution towards purchase of new HP Laserjet
MP 175A printer/photocopier (minute 15.6 - 23.11.11)
(total cost £199.99) 50.00
13.1.4 Stationery – contribution towards toner cartridges for
printer/photocopier 60.00
13.1.5 Hire of Chant Room 23 November 2011 8.00
13.1.6 Society of Local Council Clerks - Annual membership
subscription 2012 72.00
13.1.7 Mr J Matthews – monitoring and updating website
August – December 2011 30.00
On the proposal of Mr Haines, seconded by Mrs Cape, it was unanimously agreed to pay these accounts.
13.2 Income
Interest 1 October to 31 December 2011 0.50
13.3 Bank Balance and Reconciliation Statement
After the above transactions had been taken into account the Parish Council’s bank balances totalled £5067.69.
14. CORRESPONDENCE NOTED
14.1 Cleaning bus shelter at Heatherton Park. Taunton Deane would clean the shelter but recharge the Parish Council. Mrs Cape offered to enquire informally of a resident who lived close the bus shelter if they would be interested in quoting for the periodic cleaning of the shelter.
14.2 Somerset County Council – community events to meet with parish councils to hear about what they are already doing within their community and to share some of the changes to be made by the County Council as budgets shrink
14.3 Somerset Electoral Review
14.4 NHS Somerset – Somerset Joint Strategic Needs Assessment 2011
The next meeting of the Parish Council (which will also include the Annual Parish Meeting) will be held on Wednesday 21 March 2012. Items for the agenda should be with the Clerk t least 14 days before the meeting.
The meeting closed at 9.05 pm.
B353m
5