RUISHTON AND THORN FALCON PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 6 MARCH 2002 COMMENCING AT 7.30 PM Present: Apologies: Coun. Marshall (Chairman), Anderdon, Dickinson, House, Lowe, Rexworthy, Shattock, Small, Squier*, Watson (County Councillor), 4 Parishioners and Mary Growtage (Clerk) Coun. Jelks Coun. Bulgin* and Mullins arrived at 7.35 pm 03/02.01 PLANNING APPLICATIONS Application 40/2002/00 1 was deferred until the next meeting. 31/2000/OO8LB - ALTERATIONS TO WAGON SHED TO FORM ADDITIONAL LIVING ACCOMMODATION AT POTMANS, LOWER HENLADE. The Chief Planning Officer has no objection to this amended proposal which alters the staircase to a simple dog-leg in Douglas fir to match the frame. The Clerk reported that TDBC had granted permission on the following planning applications: 31/2001/014 - ERECTION OF DWELLING ON LAND TO THE REAR OF THE RANGE, GRAVELANDS LANE, as amended. 31/2002/001 - ERECTION OF DETACHED DWELLING AND GARAGE Al LAND ADJOINING THE FALCON HOTEL, HENLADE. 31/2002/002- CONSTRUCTION OF COMMUNAL CAR PARKING AREAS ADJACENT TO NOS. 2 & 35 CORONATION CLOSE, RUISHTON. 40/2001/003 - CHANGE OF USE FROM AGRICULTURE LAND TO ADDITIONAL CAR PARKING AT THORNFALCON SERVICE STATION, THORNEALCON. 03/02.02 MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING The minutes of the meeting held on 6 February 2002 having been circulated, were taken as read. There is an amendment to be made to 02/02.10 and so the minutes Will be agreed at the next meeting.
03/02.03 MOTORSPORTS ON LAND ADJACENT TO THE MS This matter was raised under Parishioners Question Time and was then discussed at length by the Parish Council. The Planning Enforcement Officer (TD) confirms the report made at the last meeting (02/02.06). The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 part 4 Class B The use of any land for any purpose for not more than 28 days in total in any calendar year, of which not more than 14 days in total may be for the purposes referred to in paragraph B2, and the provision on the land of any movable structure for the purpose of the permitted use. B2 states - The purposes mentioned in class B are - (a) the holding of a market (b) motor car and motorcycle racing including trials of speed and practising for these activities. Should the land owner wish to use his land for this purpose more than stated above, then planning permission will have to be obtained and it is unlikely that this would be granted as the Highway Authority would have objections on the issue of safety. Parishioners were urged to keep a diary of dates and times when this land is used for this purpose. 03/02.04 CLERK S REPORT STANDARDS COMMITTEE -Mr Rogers of West Hatch PC is the Parish Council member on this committee. PLAQUE FOR TREE IN THE OLD SCHOOL GARDEN. The Clerk was asked to get this and the commemorative plaque celebrating 50 years of peace for the shrub bed outside Dinhams ordered as soon as possible. 03/02.05 REPORT ON MEETING REGARDING THE A303 (MM) The Chairman reported that he had written to the Gazette suggesting that the Ilminster to Honiton road be upgraded to a dual carriageway in order to take the strain off the A358. As a result of this letter he had been asked to attend a meeting at Buckland St Mary together with all the other parishes along this stretch of the A303. Our County Councillor was also present at this meeting.
This matter was discussed at length including the suggested routes for by passing Henlade and making a new motorway junction, none of which are carved in stone. The Chairman now awaits a letter from Buckland St Mary PC., in the mean time it was agreed to support the dualing of the A303. 03/02.06 REPORT ON DEVOLVED PLANN!NG MEETING (MM) The Chairman attended a the meeting of the Strategic Planning and Transportation Review Panel regarding certain changes to the scheme. 1.That where no objections or adverse comments are received on an application and the Planning Officer wishes to grant permission such an application be determined under the Borough Council s delegated powers immediately after the 21 day period for representations has expired with the agreement of the chair of the Parish Council. 2. Where any objections or adverse comments are received on an application or where the recommendation of the P0 is one of refusal these applications will remain to be determined by the Parish Councils. 3. That North Curry take on the responsibility of notifying neighbours and displaying notices in connection with the applications submitted under the scheme. 4. That the scheme in its new form be adopted for a period until the completion of the Best Value Review in 2003/04. The Chairman made it clear that Parish Councils will still be able to comment on applications. 03/02.07 YOUTH FORUM To date the Chairman has not heard from any of the Youth in the village following the meeting in January. Coun. Lowe had found out the cost of shelters which are in the region of 4k. It is believed there maybe some finding from the Police Authority to help towards the cost. Enquiries had been made by Coun. Squier of any redundant bus shelters that could be purchased for this purpose. There was only been one complaint to the Chairman of noise since the last meeting and the Police had eventually arrived to deal with the matter.
03/02.08 GOLDEN JUBILEE COMMEMORATIVE CHILDREN S GIFT This was discussed but a final decision was left for the next meeting. It is understood that the school are presenting mugs to it s pupils only. 03/02.09 CORRESPONDENCE A358 BLACKBROOK ROUNDABOUT - With an average of 10 accidents per year a this site WS Atkins propose to carry out the following: Lay anti-skid surfacing on the A358 approaches from Taunton and Henlade. Improve the advanced warning signing approach to the roundabout. Refresh white lining, with lane directional arrows and guiding lanes onto the roundabout.install wicker fencing on the approach to the give way line, as has been successfully used at other locations within the county, including the roundabout adjacent to the Focus store on Toneway. The scheme is being jointly funded with Taunton Deane Borough Council. It is intended to implement these works imminently to improve safety at this junction. PARISH INITIATIVE GRANTS 2002/03 - This money is now available from Taunton Deane but in order to make awards to as many parishes as possible there will be a ceiling of 50% or 300 which ever is the greater per grant as the total budget for 2002/03 is only 1500. WESSEX WATER - We are informed that the sewerage pumping station update is now complete at Barton Lane, Ruishton and the large increase in pumping capacity will prevent any further surcharge of the public system in Cheats Road. PROPOSE CYCLE TRACK, RUISHTON TO HANKRIDGE - WS Atkins have been commissioned to carry out a feasibility Study which is due to be completed by the end of this month. At the same time the Cycling Office (Alex Sully) is talking to Sustains to make sure that they work together to deliver the best possible scheme. GRANTS FOR PARISH PLAY AREAS - Taunton Deane has an annual grant fund to which Parish Councils can apply for 85% funding. Applications should be in by 25 March and assessments will be made by the end of May. In the first instance the grant money is for children s play areas, but if there is sufficient demand, provision for teenagers will be considered. ACCIDENT IN RECREATION FIELD - Cornhill Insurance now require sight of documentation relating to the inspection and maintenance of the playing field and confirmation from councillors of the inspection routine for the playing field.
BBC SOMERSET SOUND - Our Chairman is standing as Village Correspondent for the Parish, to tell them about local news etc. PARKING, CHEATS ROAD - A letter has been received from Mr and Mrs regarding the parking of vehicles adjacent to Hartnells making it difficult for them to enter/leave their property. A copy of their letter has been forwarded to PC Smith for him to deal with on our behalf. BUS STOP OUTSIDE FORGET ME NOTS - The above letter also included complaints about buses stopping outside their property. The Clerk had written to First National, who sent a copy of their reply to the letter they received from Mr and Mrs Mitchell. Stating that they issued a staff notice last year, which has now been reissued, asking drivers not to drop passengers off near their driveway. It also advised them that when passengers get on, to tell them that they have been requested by the owners not to pick up passengers at their driveway. The letter pointed out that passengers were only the company s responsibility when they were on the bus. RUISHTON VILLAGE HALL - A letter has been received asking all users of the hall to leave the hall tidy with chairs not stacked in the clearway in the cupboard as it must be kept clear for emergency access in the darkness to the electricity and water controls. 03/02.10 ACCOUNTS The following were passed for payment: Priory Glass 6.60 Glass repair Thorn notice board Vale Labels 15.00 Newsletter D.Duke 10.55 Domain name hosting M. Marshall 200.00 Chairman s allowance M. Growtage 3563.00 Clerk s salary (SCP19-40hpm) RUISHTON SCHOOL ROSE PROJECT - Coun. Dickinson gave a brief outline of the aims of this project and some examples of costs involved, together with some details of funding. On completion of the report Coun. Dickinson declared an interest. Councillors felt they would like a more detailed report and it was suggested that members should meet on site before making a decision as to whether or not the Parish Council would be prepared to help financially. Coun. Dickinson was asked to liaise with the Clerk regarding a site visit.
03/02.09 COUNTY COUNCILLOR S REPORT Coun. Watson spoke on the proposed Park and Ride and Cambria Farm, there will be consultation on this in the Spring, going for planning consent in the Autumn. Mr Jeremy Callard (SCC) is willing to attend a closed meeting to discuss this and other issues affecting the A358. The Chairman made it known that he is against a closed meeting. 03/02.10 DISTRICT COUNCILLORS REPORTS Coun. Squier will speak to Mr Jeremy Callard re the above issue. He has received a quote for the ditch at the end of the Recreation Field to be cleared by the DLO., the cost being 340. It was agreed that this should go on the next agenda and that the Clerk obtain a second quote. Coun. Bulgin spoke on the Green Paper from the DTLR, in particular Paragraph 5.33, Page 37 which proposes to reduce the number of statutory consultees. It is noted that Parish Councils are not included in this and the point should be made in our response to the paper. THE MEETING CLOSED AT 9.45 PM THE NEXT MEETING WILL BE HELD ON 3 APRIL 2002 THE NEXT POLICE SURGERY WILL BE HELD ON 1ST MAY 2002