DUNSTER PARISH COUNCIL MEETING 12 TH JUNE P.M. TITHE BARN, DUNSTER MINUTES

Transcription

1 DUNSTER PARISH COUNCIL MEETING 12 TH JUNE P.M. TITHE BARN, DUNSTER MINUTES Present: D Challoner, C Oliver, G Ebbern, C Ell, G Lamacraft, A Vicary, G Dibble, G Witherford, A Webber Members of the Public P: Cllr C Lawrence (SCC) Apologies: None Minutes of last meeting: Signed as a correct record Declarations of Interest: No new Dispensations: Resignation: K Sully. Cllr Sully s resignation letter was circulated. The Council agreed that a gift and a small gathering to thank Cllr Sully for his dedication, commitment and hard work for the 38 years he has served on the Parish Council would be appropriate. C Ell will make a list of people who have served with K Sully over the years to attend. Suggestions and costing for a gift will be put forward at the next meeting. Casual Vacancies: There are now 2 Casual Vacancies. D Challoner has been approached by a couple currently living locally and will be getting married and living in Dunster in July. Clerk will contact with the relevant forms for completion and also confirm whether it is permissible for a married couple to be serving on the same Parish Council. Reports: Cllr Lawrence stated that she was very pleased to be re-elected. She has stood down from her post as Chair to SCC but has been asked to stay on in the Cabinet with responsibility for Health and Well Being in Somerset. This involves and promotes helping people, especially young people and families, to think about their lifestyle and the impact on their health and well-being. Regarding the situation at the Marsh Farm development, Cllr Lawrence has struggled to get any response from H Vittery ( Highways) regarding the road and pavement. It is hoped that everything will be finalised and done as agreed. There are a lot of parked cars on the corner, which is causing an obstruction. This will be monitored when the development is completed. It may be appropriate to request double yellow lines and also to ensure the Give Way signs and road markings are all clearly marked and visible. A Vicary has spoken to B Kitching ( WSDC) regarding the works and B Kitching also stated that he would endeavour to speak to H Vittery. To date, no-one has heard anything back from B Kitching or H Vittery. National Trust There is no report from NT, but D Challoner has become aware of many unfounded rumours circulating the Village in connection with The Mill Tearooms extension. No decisions can be made until a formal planning application submitted and the correct procedures followed at that point. Matter Arising: Dunster Steep Toilets. The new locks arrived on 5 th June and 7 out of 9 toilets now have coin-operated door locks fitted. There has been an issue where 2 elderly ladies have become stuck in the toilets, possibly due to the locks being stiff. Both were released but the emergency procedures have been reviewed and extra contact numbers will be displayed. The Lunchbox have now been given the master key to release the door locks. The locks have been thoroughly checked and found to be in full working order. D Challoner has collected the first amount of money, which came to The automatic door closers still need to be fitted, as they currently are remaining open, so preventing people from needing to pay. D Challoner will be chasing this up with G A Sully. A complaint was received via WSDC that the disabled toilet needed attention to one of the support arms, and that there were insufficient toilet rolls. D Challoner will inspect the reported broken arm. 1

2 There will be more notices displayed regarding having to charge for the toilets and also displaying contact details where necessary. Dunster PC has received the renewal contract from SSE for the electricity supply, which is higher than the previous year. D Challoner will provide the Clerk with meter readings and Clerk will shop around to see if there are any cheaper contracts. The electricity costs should reduce due to less hand-driers, lights being turned off at night and only operating on sensors. J & W Cleaners are not supplying enough toilet rolls and D Challoner has had to purchase additional rolls. A price has been obtained to buy them commercially and should reduce the costs down to approximately (from ). D Challoner has composed a letter to send to all non-residential businesses to request a donation towards the running of the toilets ( per business, in line with the increase in the precept paid by local residents). The letter was circulated and agreed by every-one to be sent. Legionella Course- D Challoner is still looking in to the training course and relevant costs. Retail Unit G A Sully and Sons will have cleared the room by the end of June, as per their quotation. G Lamacraft and D Challoner will work on the plans for the change of use to a retail unit. Clerk to obtain Planning Application forms and Building Regs forms for completion. Notice Board: Leo Davey has been suggested as a local artist to be approached to provide the artwork for the new Notice Board. G Lamacraft and G Dibble will speak to Leo Davey. Time Team have also produced a map of Dunster and C Ell will approach T Taylor to see whether it would be possible to use/ purchase the artwork from them. Higher Marsh Farm: See notes in Cllr Lawrence s report. BT Phone Box: Dunster Parish Council have now received the paperwork to purchase the Bremis Road telephone Box for 1.00 from BT. G Ebbern proposed, seconded by C Ell that the purchase should go ahead. This was unanimously agreed and D Challoner signed the contract. Unsafe Tree in Playing Field: This will be removed by A Vicary. Matter closed Yew trees Old Cemetery: Still no date has been given to carry out the work. A Vicary will chase this up. West Close Yellow Lines: These should now be painted in the next 2 months. One query has been raised by a resident in West Close, regarding whether the lines will be erased to provide at least 1 car parking space and still allow for free flow of traffic. He is contacting Highways Dept for further clarification. It was noted that the parking grid outside Dunster First School, will now be mandatory No Parking rather than advisory. Defibrillator: To date there is no further progress, as DPC is waiting for further funding to be available when DPC will apply for free funding. Land at the Ball: A letter was sent to K Sully and a request for a cheque for the Land Registry Fee has been requested. Clerk will send this. West Street Pavement-East side: There will be a meeting with Cllr Lawrence, G Lamacraft and Highways on to discuss this. Adoption of the pavement on the West side is West Street is also being considered. 2

3 Packhorse Bridge: D Challoner, A Vicary and Bert Leach from the Environment Agency met on Mr Leach confirmed that works are being finalised on the shingle ridge. He has also confirmed that the installation of gabions will go ahead, he is currently needing to obtain a little more funding. Longer term plans being considered are possibly installing an electric supply at Loxhole Bridge, so that a door can be operated to open to prevent potential flooding. Levelling Graves in Cemetery There are approximately 35 graves which need to be levelled. The soil will need to be removed from the Cemetery and a sensible place, to keep costs down, would be in the site of the new cemetery. G Witherford will speak to D Williams as to whether he is able to do this. Clerk will contact P Disney and A Binding in order to obtain a quote. This is likely to be well over to carry out these works, and 3 quotes must be obtained. Clerk to provide G Witherford with a list of burials in the last 12 months, in order that those graves are left to settle. Clerk-Home Working Allowance In line with NALC guidance, an allowance is to be paid to the Clerk for working from home. This will be per month. Proposed by C Oliver, seconded by A Webber and was unanimously agreed. Village of the year 2017 C Oliver has been co-ordinating this and was pleased to confirm that Dunster has been long-listed from over 400 Villages. An agent from Village of the Year will be visiting on and will be meeting with members of Dunster Parish Council as well as individuals and representatives from the Village. Projector Grant from ENP David Wyborn has contacted the Clerk to confirm that there is still some grant money available to purchase a projector, in order to view plans etc, at Council meetings. It was unanimously agreed to purchase a projector and submit the application for the grant from ENP. Recommended projector is Clerk will confirm the grant is still available before purchasing. Matter closed. Bus Timetables: This is the responsibility of SCC and they have been asked to update the bus timetables in and around Dunster. D Challoner updates the timetable at the Marsh bus shelter. Matter closed. Fly-Tipping: WSDC have confirmed that this has now been removed. Matter closed Grass Cutting A and B roads: It was pointed out that the grass-cutting has now been done, but it was very untidy prior to the May Bank Holidays and it would be preferable to get the grass cut earlier in the year. G Witherford pointed out that Wessex Water had recently carried out a repair at Dunster Steep and the trench they made, has now sunk considerably and is a possible hazard to pedestrians. Clerk to contact Wessex Water to rectify. Accounts Update: Internal Audit report points raised. Clarification was needed whether DPC is to pay the PAYE/NI for the Clerk. G Witherford proposed, seconded by A Webber and unanimously agreed that DPC would pay the Tax and NI due to HMRC associated with the Clerk s salary. Photographs need to be taken of DPC assets. Clerk will do this over the next 4-6 weeks. A Policy on grants given needs to be drawn up. The Finance Committee will do this at the next meeting 3

4 Sub-committees need to be follow statutory guidance and Clerk will review the guidance and draw up before the next meeting. Expenditure in May 2017 detailed below G Ebbern Exmoor Flag D Stanyon Re-imbursement of ink cartridge Water2Business Allotments water charges B Howe Internal Audit J & W Cleaning Cleaning DS Toilets AON Insurance K Sully refund of interment charges M Ellis Refund of allotments charge G A Sully Stand-pipe at allotments D Williams Cemetery April D Williams Cemetery May Initial Additional hand-drier G A Sully Repairs to tap on Allotment G A Sully Repairs to deer fence J & W Cleaning May cleaning and toilet rolls Re-imbursement of stamps, Home working D Stanyon allowance and travel costs D Stanyon Clerks wages May 2017 Expenditure was proposed by G Ebbern, seconded by G Witherford and unanimously agreed. Nat West Bank G Ebbern as Vice Chair needs to be added as a signatory and K Sully needs to be removed following his resignation. This was proposed by A Vicary, seconded by C Oliver and unanimously agreed. Planning: Dunster Parish Council was extremely disappointed in the decision made to reject the planning application at appeal, at 3-5 Park Street, Dunster. Butlers Cottage, 14 High Street, Dunster. Listed Building consent. 6 The Courtyard, Castle Hill, Dunster Listed Building Consent for the proposed installation of aluminium frame secondary glazing to all existing windows. Earlham, St George s St, Dunster Works to trees in conservation area. Re-shape mimosa tree. Items on report: A Webber reported that the School Wild Garden was very overgrown at the corner of the school playing field and that it was untidy. C Ell will speak to P Hoyland. G Witherford. A Vicary normally receives a grant of to cover petrol and repairs to his machinery for works that he carries out on behalf of Dunster Parish Council. Clerk will arrange payment. Unanimously agreed. 4

5 The new gate (hung by ENP) to the allotments off Hangers Way needs attention as it does not close properly. Clerk to contact ENP. Bench in West Street. The bench was destroyed by a vehicle in West Street and a new one has now been purchased for incl VAT. It was discussed whether to make an insurance claim, as the Insurance excess is It was proposed by G Dibble, seconded by G Ebbern, unanimously agreed that DPC meets the cost of the replacement bench and does not claim from the Insurance Company for the balance of A Vicary presented DPC with a delivery note for for delivery of hanging baskets. It was agreed at the Dunster Parish Council February meeting 2017, that the Village Society would order and purchase the hanging baskets direct without DPC having any involvement. However, the supplier (Bristol City Council) can only supply Statutory organisations. 20 hanging baskets were ordered for the village and 6 ordered by individuals. It was proposed that the Village Society and the individuals re-imburse Dunster Parish Council. The Clerk raised a couple of points which do not comply with statutory guidance. One being the items purchased did not comply with Standing Orders and secondly, that Dunster Parish Council cannot purchase items on behalf of another organisation, regardless of whether that organisation re-imburses Dunster Parish Council. The Clerk will seek further advice and report back next meeting. G Dibble reported that the land between No 9 and 12 West Close is very overgrown. It was agreed that Magna Housing needs to be approached. G Dibble reported that grass cutting in Dunster Cemetery is taking place, sometimes on a Sunday. G Witherford will request that D Williams varies the times when the Cemetery is cut. C Ell reported that Grist Mill Cottage, 35 West Street has recently been sold and that there appears to have been an access point constructed between the garage and the house, as well as internal works being carried out inside the property. Clerk to write to ENP. There is also a large van parking on the virtual path, on double yellow lines, blocking any pedestrian access. Clerk to write to highways. D Challoner reported that he had heard that Dunster Tourism Forum is looking to approach DPC to take over the Dunster.org website and manage it for DPC. DPC will wait for formal contact on this matter. D Challoner reported that Dunster Marsh Playing Field have been rejected by Veolia for their support for a MUGA. D Challoner requested that DPC write to The Village Society and thank them for the grant of towards the shed for Buttercross Community Orchard. Meeting closed at p.m. 5