BROOMFIELD PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting
Tuesday 22 February 2011
7.30 pm Broomfield Village Hall
Present: Peter Hall (Chairman), Jamie Bachelor, Alicia Aras, Ann Manders (Clerk), Cllr Anne Fraser.
1. Apologies for absence: James Odgers, Caroline Pearson.
2. Declaration of members’ interests on agenda items: Jamie Bachelor expressed an interest as a neighbour with regard to planning application number: 10/11/00001.
3. To approve the Minutes of the Meeting of 30 November: these had been previously circulated and were unanimously approved. Peter Hall signed a copy as a true record.
4. Matters arising from the Minutes: it was confirmed that Alicia Aras had returned her Register of Interest form to the Clerk. Peter Hall reported that the new gate on Broomfield Hill was now in position and read out a letter from Tim Russell of the AONB service who had contributed to its cost. A decision would need to made on whether or not to keep this locked and it was agreed to discuss this again at the next meeting when James Odgers was present.
5. Public comments on agenda items: none.
6. Planning applications:
10/11/00001 Hedgerow, 4 Globe Cottages, Merridge. Erection of extension to outbuilding. It was confirmed that, following circulation of these plans, the Clerk had returned ‘no comment’ reply to Sedgemoor Planning Department. A decision on the application was still outstanding.
10/11/00002 Fairfield House, Broomfield. Erection of two storey extension. The plans were available for inspection at the meeting and, in addition, Peter Hall had brought a photograph to help demonstrate where the extension would be in relation to the current building. The meeting considered any impact the proposed application would have on the local area and the suitability of the design. The Clerk was asked to return a ‘no comment’ reply to Sedgemoor Planning Department.
7. Village Hall update: Alicia Aras reported that there were shortly to be fewer members on the Village Hall Committee. An advert had been placed in the Link Up magazine asking for new volunteers, it was hoped that some ‘new blood’ might inject some much needed enthusiasm and community spirit. At the present time it was looking as though the very popular Big Breakfast may be cancelled this year. Jamie Bachelor offered to ask his neighbours if they would be willing to volunteer.
8. Update of progress on change of conditions of use of Village Hall car park: the issue of insurance for the car park was discussed. The Village Hall Committee had reported that they did not have appropriate insurance cover, however it was felt that the public liability cover held by the Parish Council would suffice. The Village Hall Secretary will liaise with the Parish Council to make bookings. The Clerk agreed to compose a draft set of rental terms and conditions to be sent to those using the field.
9. Finance:
- Payments for the quarter:
a) £11.20 to Peter Hall in respect of website costs for the year. Approved and signed by Peter Hall and Jamie Bachelor.
b) £66.00 Village Hall rent for the year. Approved and signed by Peter Hall and Jamie Bachelor.
c) £411.25 G D White for grass cutting on the common land and the new gate. Approved and signed by Peter Hall and Jamie Bachelor.
- Quarterly financial report: the Clerk presented this to the meeting, a copy is attached to the Minutes. The Clerk reported that she had now completed a VAT126 form with a total sum of £237.37 being re-claimed for the past three years.
10. Cluster Meeting Update: the next meeting will be held on 15 March which Alicia Aras was hoping to attend and will give an update at the next meeting. Alicia reported that a planning application for a 40 acre solar panel electricity generating station at Fiddington was expected and that this be something that the Parish Council would wish to comment on in the future.
11. Weather Update and Roads: the period of cold weather during December and the problems it had caused were discussed. The Clerk reported that the Highways Department had referred some Parishioners to her as a distributor of grit in the parish, she offered to arrange for the collection of the 20 bags of grit from Dunball next winter if they were offered again by Sedgemoor, the distribution of which will be discussed again nearer the time.
Jamie Bachelor reported that he was increasingly concerned by the number of cars leaving the road on Buncombe Hill and wondered whether warning signs/barriers should be installed. Peter Hall raised the issue that Buncombe Hill was not currently on the ‘treated’ highway network during icy weather even though this is a very busy route linking the Quantock Hills with Taunton. Anne Fraser suggested that both issues should be raised at the PACT meeting which is held prior to the Cluster Meeting. Alicia Aras to action.
12. Diamond Jubilee: Peter Hall reported that celebrations held to celebrate the Golden Jubilee in 2002 had been organised by a joint committee comprised of the Parish Council, Village Hall and Church, he wondered whether something similar could be done again for the Diamond Jubilee in 2012. Alicia Aras was asked to raise the issue with the Village Hall Committee and Peter Hall will put it on the agenda for the Annual Parish Meeting.
13. Urgent matters for report only: Peter Hall reminded the meeting of the forthcoming Parish Council elections. The Clerk had received nomination forms and these were distributed to those Parish Councillors present at the meeting, with others to be forward to Caroline Pearson and James Odgers. The forms needed to be completed and returned no later than 4th April. An election notice will be placed on the Parish noticeboard and Peter Hall will also advertise on the website.
Alicia Aras reported that the local postman, Mr Bob Taylor, had been asked to take forced retirement later this year following his 65th birthday. The Parish Council agreed to write to the Post Office in support of the postman if he felt it would be useful.
Peter Hall reported that the Quantock Orienteers will be holding a junior training date on Broomfield Hill on 5th March.
16. Items for the next meeting: none.
17. Date of next meeting: the dates of the meetings had been set for 2011, however Peter Hall reported that the date for the AGM will need to be moved forward due to election rules. A new date will be confirmed. The other dates are to remain the same with the Annual Parish Meeting being held on 24th May and other meetings on 6th September and 22nd November.
The meeting closed at 8.40 pm.
NOTE:
Date of next meeting set for 12 May 2011.
