Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 10 th December 2018 At 7pm, Merriott Village Hall Present: Cllr Iain Hall (Chair) Cllr Grant Wright Cllr Caro Paine Cllr Jim Shorting (Vice Chair) Cllr Steve Ashton Cllr Michael Burnham Cllr Dave Aslett In attendance Julie Chant (Clerk), Paul Maxwell (SSDC), Ric Pallister (part of meeting) and five members of the public 18/134 Public Open Session Cllr Hall welcomed everyone present to the meeting. Those present to speak about items other than those on the agenda were invited to address the Council. One member of the public wished to inform the Councillors of a proposed alteration to his property in Church Street, which was not yet at the planning application stage. Other members of the public had attended as they had planning applications listed on the Agenda. 18/135 Apologies for absence Cllr Adam Dance sent apologies to the Clerk, which were received after the meeting date. 18/136 Code of Conduct and Declarations of Interests There were no declarations 18/137 Minutes of the meeting held on 12 th November 2012 The minutes were accepted as a true and accurate record, and signed by the Chair. Proposed Cllr Shorting Seconded Cllr Aslett All approved 18/138 Matters Arising from Minutes There were no matters arising which were not already on the Agenda. Cllr Jim Shorting noted that the planning application appeal from Mr Foot had not been included on the Agenda, as requested at the last meeting. Cllr Paul Maxwell, confirmed that an appeal had been lodged, but the decision was not yet known. 18/139 Report from County Councillor County Councillor was not present 18/140 Report from District Councillor Cllr Paul Maxwell confirmed that the outline planning application for 50 houses in Church Street Merriott had been approved by the Regulation Committee despite Area West supporting refusal of the application. He and Cllr Hall had spoken at the meeting and were very disappointed with both the outcome and the poor quality of debate from the committee members. Cllr Ric Pallister, who had voted in favour of the scheme, agreed to attend the Parish Council meeting, so Councillors agreed to move on with the Agenda until his arrival. Cllr Maxwell had also appeared on the local ITV news with regard to the cuts to the precautionary winter gritting. Those who had seen the interview agreed it had been very good and hoped there would be a follow up.
18/141. Planning including applications currently in circulation/determinations a) 18/03452/HOU Mr. & Mrs. Hamlin 72 Lower Street Merriott demolition of existing rear single storey extension an erection of new two storey and single storey rear extension No objections raised b) 18/02130/FUL and 18/01131/LBC Mr. & Mrs. D Williams and D Edwards Banbury Farm, 55 Lower Street Merriott loft conversion and internal modifications to main house, remedial works, external joinery and PV panels to outbuildings permitted with conditions c) 18/03048/HOU Mr & Mrs Maynard, 57, Lower Street, Merriott- alteration and erection of two storey side extension and single storey extension. Permitted with conditions d) 17/04228/DPO Mr Adrian Coots Moorlands Farm, Moorlands Road, Merriott, Somerset, TA16 5NF, Application to vary S106 agreement dated 27 March 2013 between South Somerset District Council and Clipper Development Partners LLP to offer 2 dwellings on a basis of discount from open market value instead of 1 x rent and 1 x shared ownership Permitted e) 18/03485/HOU Mr & Mrs Vose 32 Church Street, Merriott, TA16 5PS-The erection of a single storey front extension to dwelling house to form dining room Cllrs had some reservations about the Conversation Officers report and noted her recommended refusal. Cllrs had no other comment to make. f)18/02644/ful and 18/02645/LBC Mrs Amanda Bell Eggwood House, Eggwood Hill, Merriott, TA16 5QN - Refurbishment of existing Grade 2 listed property to include a self-contained annex. Use of the outside space within the curtilage of Eggwood House, to be used as a day service provision for adults with additional needs including new access, track and parking. Erection of 2 polytunnels, a composting toilet and two temporary structures (one log cabin in the field and a cob/log house in the wood) for use by the day service. - Cllrs expressed concerns about alterations to a listed building and losing a long expanse of hedgerow to accommodate new access. As listed building and highways issues are not part of their remit, the Cllrs had no other comments to make. All agreed. g) To determine the Council position re development at Church Street Merriott Cllrs deferred this item until Cllr Ric Pallisters arrival. On his arrival Cllr Pallister was invited to address the Council and explained the situation regarding the guidelines and restraints placed on the Regulation Committee. There was concern that the Regulation Committee had to pass a certain percentage of applications, or run the risk of having government intervention. He felt that as the land was not being used for community use and was a sustainable site it was appropriate that outline planning permission had been approved. It was considered sustainable under their guide lines as the village could carry an additional 50 houses. Councillors challenged him on the quality of debate at the meeting and the poor knowledge of some of the committee members. Cllr Hall was very dismayed that some of the members had no knowledge of the number of objections received, and had did not appear to have read the paperwork prior to the meeting. Cllr Maxwell was also very disappointed that he had used planning policies to support his objections, but these had been over ruled by the Regulation Committee. Cllr Pallister confirmed that members of the Regulation committee had no additional training and he did feel that some of the debate had been poor. He did, however, stress that the site was considered sustainable, the planning officer had recommended approval and the site met the NPPF2 guidance. There were further discussions about the impact on the village and what action the Councillors could take to express their concerns.
It was agreed that the Councillors would contact the leader of SSDC to discuss the matter and then decide on any appropriate course of action. 18/142; Finance and Procedure a. To agree invoices for payment Voucher Payee Details VAT Total Payment incl VAT Budget Line 341 MJ Stenner repair to damaged paint 350.00 Pavilion repairs 342 ARB Services Grass cutting 155.00 Rec maintenance 343 Village Hall room hire 12.00 Room Hire 344 Martin Paull mowing 40.00 burial ground 345 Jess Searle cleaning pavilion 61.69 Pavilion Contract 346 Julie Chant Salary 373.60 Julie Chant Admin expenses 8.14 347 Iain Hall Expenses 1.05 145.45 Cllr Exps/Rec/admin 348 HAGS Play Rec maintenance 2.00 12.00 349 R Keylock Accounts 10.80 64.80 Account fees Total VAT to reclaim 13.85 TOTAL 1,222.68 All approved b) To note payments received RECEIPTS 1st to 30th November 2018 Receipt no Date Name Payment for Amount Budget line 187 09.11.18 Stones - Masons Mitchell 20.00 Burial Ground 188 09.11.18 Stones - Masons Edney 20.00 Burial ground 189 09.11.18 Merriott Youth FC Pitch and pavilion 230.00 Pitch and Pavilion 190 12.11.18 Merriott Rovers FC Pitch and pavilion 190.00 Pitch and Pavilion 191 25.10.18 Yoga Pavilion 80.00 Pavilion 192 23.11.18 J Shorting/repaid error rec 94.20 rec 193 5.11.18 Preston Dancers pavilion 10.00 pavilion Noted TOTAL 644.20 c. To note any updates to the Risk Register (standing item)
None d. To consider draft budget and Bank reconciliation: Noted. There was a brief discussion about new headings and allocation of budgets for 2019-20. All agreed 18/143 Recreation Ground/Pavilion a. To receive the November report Cllr Aslett confirmed that inspections are still being done b. To received updates on: i) Extend pavilion veranda to ramp as per less able report recommendation: This still needs to be discussed and quotes obtained. ii) Refurbish shelter: This requires further discussion and costing iii) Water main: Cllr Shorting has been in discussion with the contractor and they have decided that at start date of 2 nd January 2019 would be acceptable, as the contractor has been delayed on other work. Once this stage is complete there would be a wait of around 10 days before Wessex Water can connect the new main. iv) Actions re ROSPA Report: Some of the smaller issues have been dealt with and the play equipment supplier is going to arrange safety improvements to the top of the slide. v) Solar panels for the pavilion: Cllrs have seen a report, but as a longer discussion is needed this will be an Agenda item for January Action: Clerk to ensure Solar panels are separate Agenda item for January Action: Extending veranda, refurbishment of shelter and actions on play report to be discussed again at January meeting. 18/144: Highways and Footpaths. a. To receive update on heritage road signs refurbishment. Nothing more to add at this stage, as new quotes are required b. To discuss the winter gritting cutbacks. Already discussed earlier in the meeting c. Parish Paths Consultation. Due to time restraints and the amount of reading required, it was agreed that the Clerk would read the paperwork and assist Cllr Wright. d. Parish ranger Scheme. Nothing new to add. e. To receive SID update Cllr Wright felt that there was no prospect of this happening at present. f. To receive SIS update: There was nothing new to add, and Cllr Dance had not attended the meeting, so there was no update from him. 18/145Amenities: a) To discuss the replacement notice board
Cllr Shorting had started gathering prices for various sizes and understood that there was a 6 week wait after placing an order. Cllrs agreed to add notice board to the January Agenda to allow more time to consider what was required. Clerk to add to January Agenda b) To consider accessibility compliant website. Cllr Shorting had read the paperwork from NALC and it was felt that more time was required to explore the options and likely costs. Clerk to add to January Agenda. 18/146 Clapperhay Community Land. a) To receive update on completion of the land registration. Cllr Hall understood that the Solicitors were still trying to get a response from the other sides. The would not be any additional charge from the Solicitor. Cllr Hall agreed to phone the solicitors for an update. b) To receive an update on community land planting, access improvements etc. The Councillors had been busy with other issues, and it was suggested that Cllr Hall and Cllr Ashton consider which apple trees should be ordered. 18/147 Correspondence received. a) Christmas tree recycling: The Clerk had confirmed that the Parish Council would be happy for trees to be left at the recreation ground for collection. b) Road closure A notice confirming the closure of Broadway for one day on 20 th December had been placed on the notice board and on social media. 18/148: The next meeting will take place on Monday 14 th January 2019 at 7. 00p.m in the Blake Room, Merriott Village Hall, Merriott. The meeting closed at 9.25p.m.