STOGURSEY PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF STOGURSEY PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON
TUESDAY 9 SEPTEMBER 2014, IN THE VICTORY HALL STOGURSEY
ECHO-PORTRAIT OF A PENINSULAR:
S.Mabeley and C.Ferris from Theatre Manege gave an overview of their work on projects along the Somerset Coast in Watchet,
Minehead and Burnham-On-Sea. This illustrates the way communities work and what it is people value about them. They would like to do a ‘portrait of a peninsular’ to include Stogursey, Steart and Combwich. They are seeking £30k from the Community
Impact Mitigation (CIM) fund to fund their project and are looking for support from the parish council. This will be an agenda item for the next meeting. Action: Clerk
HINKLEY C UPDATE AND SOUTHERN-BUND (D.Eccles and C.Hemingsley)
D.Eccles was asked to attend the meeting following concerns made known to us by residents living in the vicinity of the southern bund who are totally opposed to works taking place south of the boundary fence as their understanding is that this area has been allocated for use by the community. Mr Eccles explained that the bund, potentially 20 – 35 metres high whose purpose will be to shield residents from noise and visual intrusion is roughly where the boundary fence is and that works associated with the construction of the emergency access rd and the bridge over Bum Brook, will necessitate temporary access onto ground south of the fence. He said the Main Site Forum on 22.10.14 would include a workshop specifically aimed at giving the community the opportunity to review plans and make suggestions on the southern bund to feed into proposed plans.
PUBLIC FORUM:
1.
A parishioner said she was confused by the Hinkley Point C CIM questionnaire in last month’s parish magazine, and in particular, the terminology and the transition between the 2012 and 2014 questionnaires. An explanation was given.
2.
Council was asked if WSC is carrying out any monitoring to ensure site conditions are being met under Site Prep
Works. Cllr Goss said there is a 24-hour hotline to report potential infringements.
POLICE REPORT (PC David Masters):
Over the past month, nine calls were made to the Police; 1 public order issue, 3 thefts, 1 criminal damage, 1 drug related
(resolved) and 3 non-crime issues. Cllr Searle mentioned the criminal damage to the bench by the tennis court. PC Masters suggested that if the bench is going to be replaced that it is re-sited.
PRESENT:
Cllr Allan Searle (Chairman), Cllr Chris Ford (Vice-Chairman), Cllr Val Boxall, Cllr Geoff Coles, Cllr Rob Dibble, Cllr Lesley
Flash, Cllr Sue Goss, Cllr Susan Jones, Cllr Barbara Oates, County Cllr Hugh Davies, Dist Cllr Chris Morgan, Aly Prowse
(Clerk), PC David Masters, 5 members of the public.
The Chairman requested that when giving reports, they are kept as brief as possible, only relaying key and relevant issues.
91/14 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:
Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Ian Elenor.
92/14 MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 12.8.14:
The minutes of the meeting held on 12.8.14 were AGREED and signed by the Chairman.
93/14 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:
There were no declarations of interest.
94/14 COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT (Cllr Hugh Davies):
1.
Health and Wellbeing Budget – Cllr Davies warned that he is running out of his £5k allocated budget.
2.
Compensation for road works in Stogursey lane – If no response from Highways within a week, Cllr Davies will take it higher.
3.
WSC District Railway – A Cabinet member is being investigated over this matter. Once evidence is received, it will be submitted to the Standard’s Panel.
4.
WSC has been successful overturning SCC to secure 12 affordable houses on the Old Croft House site in Williton.
5.
The Washford roundabout will commence in October. Watchet and Williton traders will be affected.
6.
The Bus Committee is dealing with transport at County level. The new service from Porlock to Bridgwater Hospital via the villages will run for an initial 6 months.
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95/14 DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT:
Cllr Morgan:
1.
Cllr Morgan joined all councillors in sending condolences to Erwin Rhode’s family.
2.
The CIM application for the Burgage Rd Play Area will be presented to Full Council on 17.9.14.
3.
Engage West Somerset has £10k to lend support to groups making CIM submissions.
4.
The annual satisfaction survey results for Planning is well down this year falling from 95% to 63%.
Cllr Goss:
The WSC Local Plan group met on 9.9.14 to put together draft changes to the Plan. The Plan proposes an increase in permitted development by 10% over the local plan period. Stogursey parish has 660 dwellings, therefore 66 houses would be permitted over the next 18 years, limited to 30% every 5 years. The group will report back after November, followed by a consultation in late spring and a public examination in late summer.
Cllr Morgan left the meeting at 8.20pm
96/14 REVIEW OF ACTION LIST (By exception):
Item 4 – Commemorative WW1 Tree – Cllr Searle has approached Lady Gass who will give it some thought.
Item 5 – Cllr Oates has circulated the draft Emergency Plan for comment; agenda item for the next meeting.
Item 9 – Members of the public are able to observe the Full Council meeting on 17.9.14, which starts at 4.30pm.
Item 13 – Farrington Hill Lane & Doggetts – Cllr Dibble will speak to Alyn Jones at the Transport Forum.
97/14 EDF HINKLEY POINT C:
This was covered under D.Eccle’s presentation.
98/14 HINKLEY C COMMUNITY IMPACT MITIGATION (CIM) UPDATE:
1.
Feasibility Study
A.Goodchild will review the Feasibility Study and convert it into a tender document. The draft will be sent to us for comment hopefully within a week. We will then discuss it with some of the groups within the parish. Action: SPC
2.
Burgage Rd Play Area (BRPA) a.
Cllr Ford has received the agreement from SouthWest One to manage the installation of the play equipment at a cost of £4k. He asked for approval to go ahead with the agreement once the CIM application has been approved. This was AGREED as proposed by Cllr Goss and seconded by Cllr Coles. Action: Clerk b.
The Clerk received a call from a resident advising that dogs are being taken into the play area and that children are going into the play area late at night. Cllr Searle said signs would be erected advising that dogs are not permitted into the area (as well as the new safety signs) shortly. The decision has been made not to lock the play area up at night as it is feared that the children will only try and climb over the fence. c.
The annual inspection report has been received. The issue identified within the report is being addressed.
3.
Stogursey Conservation Area
There is nothing to report on the Stogursey Conservation project.
4.
Hamlet Environment Enhancement
Cllr Flash had previously circulated her report of the meeting held on 20.8.14. The meeting was well attended and those present were generally receptive to the concept. A survey is required of the field we have been offered to confirm the price is fair. This will cost circa £300. Enquiries have been made to fund this from an external source.
However is this fails, it was AGREED that the parish council would pay for the survey, as proposed by Cllr Ford and seconded by Cllr Boxall. Cllr Jones said an area of wild flower planting could take place on the large grass verge just beyond the phone box in Stolford. Cllr Coles also suggested that since no one officially owns either The
Drove or Benhole Lane that we apply to make them community assets. This was AGREED as proposed by Cllr
Dibble and seconded by Cllr Oates. Action: Clerk.
5.
Miscellaneous Projects
Project proposal by J.Stone – Jackie had a meeting with A.Cockcroft from EDF who is supportive of her proposal.
He suggested an application for funds should be from the generic CIM pot rather that Stogursey’s fund.
6.
Quantock AONB Funding Opportunity
It was suggested we could ‘tap into’ these funds at a later date, particularly for woodlands and orchards.
99/14 SCC HEALTH & WELLBEING BUDGET:
Cllr Ford suggested supporting the School’s breakfast club. Cllr Davies said he had given them £500 for an oven last year. If anyone has any further suggestions, please advise the Clerk by the end of September. Action: All
Cllr Davies left the meeting at 8.40pm
100/14 NOMINATION FOR 2014 CHAIRMAN’S AWARD:
Cllr Ford proposed Cllr Flash, particularly for her work on the Oral History Project. Cllr Flash declined. However, she then suggested A.Knowles and T.Miller for their efforts with the Oral History Project. This was AGREED and the nominations will be submitted. Action: Clerk
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101/14 STOGURSEY WEBSITE:
The training is on 20.9.14 at The Engine Room, Bridgwater, 10.00 am – 3.30 pm.
102/14 PHONE MAST:
Cllr Dibble has received only one reply from his enquiries. Cllr Ford has read a recent article that said the Government is trying to put pressure on companies to improve rural mobile reception, but there is a reluctance due to the cost involved and lack of money to be made. Companies appear to be more interested in selling mobile booster packs.
Cllr Dibble will invite the company who responded to a meeting once the Village Hall Committee has been consulted.
Action: Cllrs Dibble and Ford
103/14 MEETING REPORTS
1.
Parish Length-man, 5.9.14 (Cllr Jones)
The briefing note from A.Cockcroft will be circulated and includes that the team are considering ways to manage the weeds in the village kerbs by spraying 4 times per annum; the visibility splay at the Stolford junction has helped improve road safety; hanging baskets have finished; Greenslades are looking at the Himalayan Balsam problem which the parish is struggling with; work on drainage and flood prevention will be gradually increased to prepare for the autumn and winter. Finally, Alex Ramsey who had been due to walk the C182 to consider the flooding situation was not at the meeting, so we await his findings.
2.
Castle St Flood Scheme (Cllr Searle)
Contractors were on site on 8.9.14 to mark out the pond area. Agreements are in the process of being signed by both landowners and the parish council regarding agreed twice yearly maintenance and an insurance indemnity with SCC to give protection should any accidents or incidents occur as a result of the Scheme.
3.
CIM Meeting 8.9.14 (Cllr Searle)
This was a useful meeting and councillors felt we had made progress with the proposed feasibility study.
4.
Stolford Meeting with Natural England (Cllr Jones)
Cllr Jones held a meeting with S.Clarke from Natural England. A sign will be produced explaining the features of the Common and this area in general, highlighting local activities such as the mud horse fisherman.
5.
Stolford Church (Cllr Jones)
A discussion was held with Revd Nicky Morgan regarding the installation of a water supply at the Church. If this is housed in a separate building, permission is not required from the Diocese, so it is likely this will be the selected option. Also, there is no existing Stolford representative on the PCC. Cllr Jones will take on this role.
104/14 FORTHCOMING MEETINGS:
11.9.14 – Transport Forum
16.9.14 – Quantock Panel
17.9.14 – Environment Agency - Community meeting to discuss Stolford Flood Defences
27.9.14 – SALC AGM
8.10.14 – Steart Marshes Forum
22.10.14 – Main Site Neighbourhood Forum
105/14 CORRESPONDENCE:
1.
Japanese students from University College London, asking for contact names for permission to take soil samples from Steart & Stolford re studies in connection with the Tsunami in Japan during 2011. The Clerk has responded.
2.
From Highways - SCC will deal with the Farringdon Hill Horse crossing flooding problems.
3.
From PPS – Advising regulators have completed initial generic design assessment for Hitachi; GE’s UK advanced
Boiling Water reactor (UK ABR).
4.
From A.Summers (WSC) – Seeking views on new Council’s Community Asset Transfer Policy. No Comments.
5.
From Avon & Somerset Constabulary – Free smart driving awareness programme, 2-hour course available.
6.
From S.Littler – Ready to proceed with the stile replacements on the Two Castles Trails.
7.
To S.Webster (SCC) – Nominating Cllrs Elenor, Dibble and Coles as volunteer watercourse inspectors (also some
Castle St residents volunteered).
8.
To J.Stone – Feedback on her CIM project proposal.
106/14 ENHANCEMENTS:
Cllr Searle and volunteers will soon need to plant up the boxes on The Gravel. Money will need to be spent on bulbs, compost & feed. It was AGREED that up to £100 could be spent, as proposed by Cllr Ford and seconded by Cllr
Boxall. Cllr Oates has sorted out bulbs for the Shurton planter that she tends.
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107/14 HIGHWAYS (Cllr Searle): a) The previously reported pothole outside of Rose Cottage, Stolford has been reported again as it is dangerous. b) Highways has made a good job repairing the road outside of Culver St Farm, Burton. c) Farringdon Hill Lane – Cllr Coles has swept the debris away from the drains; J.Chedgey will be asked if he could strim the nettles at the bottom of the lane. Action: Cllr Searle. It is hoped that a certain amount of ongoing maintenance will be carried out by users of the lane e.g. horse riders. S.Littler has offered to provide secateurs and gloves for this purpose. This will be included in the parish magazine report. Action: Clerk d) Cllr Dibble asked if councillors could report problems on the road in their right as councillors, to the Highway’s internet reporting website. Cllr Searle advised there is a formal mechanism in place for correspondence to and from the parish council i.e. via the Clerk, and that this should be observed. There is however, nothing stopping councillors reporting as residents.
108/14 PLANNING UPDATE (Cllr Flash):
1.
Applications Received and Comments Sent:
3/32/14/004. Housing Development on land adjoining 16 Castle St – No objections to development as such, but reservations about flooding, appearance, aesthetic impact, landscaping and parking. A letter had also been received from a resident re potential impact of lack of maintenance to groundwater and stream to properties and whether the culvert could cope with the volume of extra water.
3/32/14/013 Hinkley B Outage parking – No objections, but request conditions for traffic impact and mitigation including cycle path and traffic plan.
2.
Decisions Received:
3/32/14/008 The Old Dairy, Stolford Farm, Stolford - GRANTED
3/32/14/009 The Granary, Idson Barton, Stolford - GRANTED
3/32/14/012 Knighton Farm, Knighton – GRANTED
109/14 FINANCE (The Clerk):
The following payments were AGREED:
L.Flash [SOHP hard drive, £89.99]; GetMapping [Parish On Line renewal, £33.60]; Play Inspection Company [Annual
Inspection of BRPA, £71.94]; Clerk’s Salary [£419.77, plus £26.49 office expenses]; S.Foster [mow & strim closed churchyard, 13.8.14 and 1.9.14, £370]; A cheque for £300 was received from SCC re work carried out by M.Nurton at
Farringdon Hill Lane.
110/14 PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY – PRoW (Cllr Jones):
WL23/95 – Wire across path – complete.
Missing handrails at the steps by the Castle – still outstanding. Cllr Jones will contact SCC again.
Cllr Dibble advised a sign is missing on the Hinkley fencing on the western site boundary. Cllr Jones will deal.
111/14 GROUPS AND PANELS:
The Youth Club has started up again after the summer holidays; not too many children attending possibly due to the stricter rules and regulations in place; the Village Hall and Youth Club are drawing up a contract which when signed will help to regularise funding issues; Cllr Jones will stand down from her role at the Youth Club.
112/14 DATE AND TIME OF THE NEXT MEETING:
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 14 October 2014, at 7.15pm (Public Forum) followed by the main meeting at
7.30pm in The Victory Hall, Stogursey.
The meeting ended at 9.25pm
Signed: …..……………………………………………..
(Chairman)
Date: …………………………………………………
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