Lydford on Fosse Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday 12th February 2014 at 1830hrs in the Parish Hall. MINUTES

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1 Lydford on Fosse Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday 12th February 2014 at 1830hrs in the Parish Hall. MINUTES 1. Apologies for absence:- Apologies had been received from Cllr Woollcombe-Adams and PCSO Guy Dury 2. Present:- Councillors Sillence, Nash, Evans, Fielding, Long, Purcell and the Clerk 3. In attendance:- Mrs L Mitchell, Mr & Mrs J Yerbury, Mr and Mrs R Oborne, Mrs L Payne Agent for Mr & Mrs Gifford, Mr P Barnes, Mrs A Duckworth, Mr M Richardson, Mr & Mrs C Gifford, Mr and Mrs P Tidman, Mr and Mrs R Eames, Mr A Trebilcock, Mr M Vearnacombe, Mr S Barnes, Mrs J Cooper, Mr R Berry, Mr K Emsley 4. Confirmation that a quorum is present:- It was confirmed that a quorum was present. 5. Declaration of Interest:- Chairman declared an interest in item 10, in particular the planning application /FUL, and declared he would leave the meeting when this item was to be discussed. 6. The Localism Act Standards and Code of Conduct: Section 3 No requests for dispensation were made. Public Participation Session Several people had requested an opportunity to address Members. As their requests were in respect of planning applications, the Chairman's decision was that it was more appropriate that they should be able to speak whilst the applications were being discussed by Members. 7. Minutes of previous meetings The Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 8th January 2014 were approved as a true and accurate record and the Chairman signed them as such. 8. Policing/Neighbourhood Watch Due to the absence of PCSO Dury, the new Neighbourhood Watch Co-Ordinator, Mrs Lynne Mitchell, read the report provided by by the PCSO. The Beat surgery is due on 23rd February at 1245 to 1345hrs. Mrs Mitchell then went on to say that the previous Co-ordinator had had cards for each household with local and emergency contacts. Mrs Mitchell said she would like to renew these cards with updated information and asked for funding from the Parish Council toward the cost of replacing and upgrading the cards. The Chairman asked for a vote from Members and support was given unanimously. Mrs Mitchell says the expected cost is around 50 and more information will be available at the next meeting. She also said that she is now registered with Farmwatch. 9. Finance These are the payees this month:- Rental for the Parish Hall Salary for the Clerk for January Mileage for the Clerk Receive details of receipts this month. There were no known receipts at the time of preparation of this Agenda. Minutes Page 97 February 2014

2 Internal audit items The Vice Chairman said that she had examined the reconciliation documents and everything was in order. VAT Reclaiming The Clerk reported that she has submitted a reclaim form for the VAT paid between January and December The sum claimed is Review of Clerk's hours and salary The Clerk stated that due to lack of time this month, this item has not been progressed, however, she is hoping that there will be more information next month budget The Clerk gave a brief summary on the position to date. Precept The Clerk reported that the form supplied by Mendip District Council had been completed and submitted. Payment is expected during the first week of April. 10. Planning Planning Application No:- 2013/2082 Change of use of land for the storage of caravan. Toy Farm, Lydford on Fosse, Somerton, Somerset, TA11 7HA. Mr S Barnes. A resident addressed Members and explained that he had approached the applicant some time ago regarding the position of eight caravans and no action had been taken to move the caravans. He said that the applicant had approximately a further 30 caravans, so wondered why these eight caravans could not be parked with the others. There was some disagreement about the length of time that the caravans have been in the particular area. After a lengthy discussion about the number, position and screening of the caravans, the Chairman asked for a vote. Members resolved unanimously to support the application but conditionally that a screen should be constructed, or grown, around the area as shown on the application drawing. The Clerk was instructed to inform the Planning Officer at MDC of Members' resolve, including identification of the recommended position for screen on a named application drawing. Planning Application No:- 2013/2396/OTS. Erection of one four bedroom dwelling and garage Land Off Fairplace West Lydford. Mr Gifford. Ms L Payne, the agent for applicant, addressed Members and said that her understanding was that MDC's only concern regarding the development of this site was the increase in vehicular movement, therefore the applicants have restricted the development to one dwelling. She then went on to explain that the site is on the MDC Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) map for possible future development. After a short discussion regarding the access, the street scene etc, the Chairman asked for a vote. Members resolved unanimously to support this applica - tion. The Clerk was instructed to inform MDC of Members' resolve. Planning Application No:- 2013/2612/FUL Proposed two storey dwelling, detached car port and formation of new vehicular access Old Rectory Cottage High Street West Lydford Somerton TA11 7DQ. Mr Tidman As the Chairman had declared an interest in this item he left the meeting before any discussions could take place. The Vice Chairman then chaired the meeting. Members were concerned about the size of the proposed dwelling in relation to the size of the plot. The Vice Chairman asked for a vote and the Members resolved unanimously to recommend refusal of this application as the building was considered overlarge for the plot. The Clerk was instructed to inform MDC of Mem - bers' resolve and to include the observation regarding the size of dwelling as against the plot size. Minutes Page 98 February 2014

3 The Chairman was asked to rejoin the meeting, which he did and returned to chair the rest of the meeting. Planning Application No:- 2013/2468/HSE Raising of chimney height and new flue liner associated with the introduction of a freestanding wood burning stove to drawing room fireplace. Higher House, High Street, West Lydford. Ms S Buxton and Mr M St Giles. Planning Application No:- 2013/2469/LBC Raising of chimney height and new flue liner associated with the introduction of a freestanding wood burning stove to drawing room fireplace. Higher House, High Street, West Lydford. Ms S Buxton and Mr M St Giles. Planning Application No:- 2013/1753 Erection of a dwelling. Land West of Church Lane, East Lydford, Somerset TA11 7HD. Mr and Mrs J Yerbury. SSDC - Andrew Hopkins Planning Application Cllr Evans gave a resume of the planning appeal which has now gone to the Planning Inspectorate in Bristol. However, he expressed his disappointment that the Inspector would be making his decision purely from the existing documents and will not be taking any additional information. Mead Lane Bridge and churchyard footbridge Receive information on progress from the Chairman and/or the Vice Chairman. Discuss the actions to be taken. After an in-depth discussion the Vice Chairman sought agreement that she should approach Somerset County Council, SCC, to confirm that a footbridge was needed and not a vehicular bridge. The Chairman then asked for a vote and Members resolved unanimously that the Vice Chairman should pursue the footbridge with SCC. The Chairman confirmed that the existing bridge should not be removed as the owner was unknown but could come forward in the future and establish ownership of the bridge. The Chairman also asked the Clerk to write to Suttles and thank them for the work they have done and to explain that no further action would be taken by the Parish Council at this time. Letter from Ms S Buxton and Mr M St Giles regarding planning matters The Chairman said that he had met with Ms Buxton and Mr St Giles and had shown them the Gov - ernment Document which details guidelines that all Local Authorities should follow when considering planning applications. He stated further that the guidelines are being used by the Parish Council and will be for any future applications. One Member recommended that the correspondents have an official response and the Chairman instructed the Clerk to write a letter to them. from SALC regarding the NPPF The Chairman said that if the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) submitted by MDC was adopted it would be easier to comply with the recommendations in the Government's guidelines, this document recommended the building of 23 dwellings in the Parish in the next seven years. The Vice Chairman asked if the seven years are a rolling seven years and the Chairman said if the 23 houses were agreed in the first seven years then no more would be required. He asked that a copy of the guidelines be put in the Members' correspondence folder to remind Members of the details. He then went on to say that he would revisit the SHLAA map and land availability and would report back to Members. 11. St Mary's Church, East Lydford, The Chairman asked Members whether they had all seen the Minutes of the recent meeting held in the church, all confirmed they had, he then confirmed that his understanding that there was a right of way was incorrect and asked Members to take note. He explained that the owner would like to see the church become a commercial development and it seemed that the planners would Minutes Page 99 February 2014

4 also support this possibility. However, because a notice had been served on the owner, there were repairs to be done to ensure the churchyard was safe for visitors, and until those repairs had been completed the padlock would remain on the gate. One resident stated that he was concerned that he could not visit the churchyard to maintain the graves of his relatives. However, one of the Parochial Church Council who was in the audience and he explained that arrangements could be made to unlock the gate but any visitors who entered the churchyard did so at their own risk. The resident who does the gardening in the churchyard asked if he could have a key and the Chairman referred him to the church representative. 12. Visitors to West Lydford church area The Chairman said that a list of volunteers was needed to monitor the area around the weir in West Lydford as had been done at the end of the summer period last year. It was agreed that the Clerk should liaise with the Parochial Church Council representatives and an item would be pro - duced for the Parish Magazine asking for volunteers. 13. Grass Cutting of the Sports Club field The Clerk reported that of the three requests for quotes for grass cutting, only two had been received and that the lower price had been accepted. The company which will undertake the work is the present company, Shepton Mallet Landscapes. The Clerk reported that she had written to both companies which had responded. 14. War Memorial Group The Clerk said that the group were now in a position to submit an application for a grant for the replacement of the railings and also the inscribing of the lettering. It is hoped that a further grant will be available to help with the cost of setting up the proposed exhibition in the Parish Hall. Further information will be available at the next meeting. 15. Highway, Roads, Signs and Footways The Chairman said that his notice that pedestrians were again unable to walk safely past the Clearway Motorhome site on the A37. He said he had been in contact with PCSO Dury and had asked him to visit the company. The Vice Chairman said would it be appropriate to ring 101 each time it was seen that the footway was obstructed. The Chairman asked that a letter be written to both MDC and the Police regarding the safety of this area. The Vice Chairman and one of the residents mentioned that there were two areas on the highways where rainwater was collecting and could cause a danger, the Clerk was asked to inform the high - ways department of these concerns. 16. Community Speedwatch Two members of the Speedwatch team reported that no sessions had taken place this month due to the inclement weather. However, it is hoped that they would be out monitoring soon. They re - ported also that a new site was being considered and information about this may be available next month. The Clerk agreed to write an article for inclusion in the Parish Magazine. 17. Localism Act No update was available as the Member with responsibility for the Localism Act was absent. 18. Local Plan One of the Members confirmed that MDC has now submitted the Local Plan. 19. Winter grit bins The siting of the bins is still awaiting action by the SCC Highways Department. 20. Footpaths Two Members confirmed that the officer from SCC is very keen to undertake work on the stiles and footpaths within the Parish, however, the weather is delaying the work. The Chairman said that it had been noticed that a section of footpath at Mead Lane was slipping into the river and that the landowner was aware. Minutes Page 100 February 2014

5 21. Finger Posts The Clerk reported that the same SCC officer had also said that he would refurbish/repair five finger posts within the Parish and when more information was available it would be reported to Members. 22. Reports from the Clerk The clerk had no report. 23. Correspondence The Clerk gave a brief summary of the documents which will be in the correspondence folder for Members' review. 24. Matters of Report and Items for next meeting The conditions on the A37 near Ash View Farm Clearway Motorhome site concerns re safety of pedestrians Mead Lane query as to whether a finger post is missing Possible hydro-electric scheme and possible impact on village 25. Confirm date of the next meeting. Ordinary meetings 12th March and 9th April Minutes Page 101 February 2014