BROOMFIELD PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting
Thursday 12 May 2011
Broomfield Village Hall, Following the AGM
Present: Peter Hall, Alicia Aras, James Odgers, Carol Pearson, Ann Manders (Clerk). Two members of the public.
- Apologies for absence: Jamie Bachelor, Anne Fraser.
- Declaration of members’ interests on agenda items: Peter Hall declared an interest in planning application 10/11/00003.
- To approve the minutes of the meeting of 22 February 2011: these had been previously circulated and were approved unanimously and were signed as a true record by Peter Hall.
- Matters arising from the minutes: the locking of the new gate on Broomfield Hill Common was discussed. It was agreed to fit a combination lock if possible – James Odgers to arrange and ensure all parties informed. The Clerk was reminded to draft rental agreement terms for the Village Hall car park. The postman, Bob Taylor, had recently had a tribunal hearing, the results of this were not yet known.
- Public comments on agenda items: none.
- Planning application updates:
- 10/11/00001 Hedgerow, 4 Globe Cottages, Merridge. Erection of extension to outbuildings – approved.
- 10/11/00002 Fairfield House, Broomfield. Erection of two storey extension – approved.
- 10/11/00003 Land at Cobbs Cross Farm, Goathurst Hill, Broomfield. Erection of 12 000 bird free range egg production unit. Outstanding.
- Village Hall – update: it was reported that the Committee are currently without a Chair, there were two new members, however one has subsequently left. The Committee will be holding a tea and jazz event on 3 July, it is hoped that this will be a forerunner event for the Diamond Jubilee next year.
- Finance:Payments for the quarter:SALC £35.47;AON Ltd (insurance) £339.14;
Broomfield PCC grant £150;
Peter Hall, reimbursement for car park lock £14.98.
All payments were unanimously agreed and cheques for signed by Peter Hall and Carol Pearson. The Parish Council are now registered for PAYE and a monthly standing order has been set up with regard to the payment required.
- Cluster Meeting update: Alicia Aras gave an update. Discussions are continuing regarding the new power station at Hinkley Point. The problems with signage and gritting at Buncombe Hill have been discussed. The AONB budget has been cut and they are looking for more volunteers. The Cluster Group wish to hold their meetings in other locations and Alicia will invite them to Broomfield in the future.
- Gritting of Buncombe Hill: it was reported that there is to be a general review of road gritting in the area by the Highways Department. The Clerk was asked to contact John Edney as Broomfield’s County Councillor and ask for his support in requesting that Buncombe Hill be added to the gritting network.
- Nomination of Parish Council representative to the Quantock Hills JAC: Peter Hall offered to stand for this role and the Parish Council agreed unanimously to nominate him for election. The Clerk was asked to circulate any further correspondence relating to this matter and return the appropriate forms accordingly having consulted Parish Council members.
- Maintenance of Broomfield Commons: it was reported that a member of the public, not resident in Broomfield, had contacted the Clerk initially regarding the collection of fallen wood on Broomfield Common. Peter Hall had subsequently spoken to him. Following this conversation Peter Hall had spent some time researching the history of the maintenance of the common land (report attached to the Minutes). There appear to be no ‘common’ rights allowing for the collection of fallen wood from the common, although two parishioners currently do so. It was agreed to take advice from County regarding the removal of potentially dangerous trees. It was also agreed not to allow people from outside of the parish to take wood. Peter Hall will draft a letter to the member of the public for the Clerk to sign and send. The situation will continue to be monitored.
- Urgent matters for report only: 4 June Junior Orienteer Event on Broomfield Hill Common; 12 June open day at Stream Farm; 3 July Quantock Beast race starting at Fyne Court. James Odgers queried the arrival of the large signs outside Fyne Court, it was noted that there had been no contact with the National Trust, however it was understood that the cottage had now been let to long term tenants.
- Public forum: nothing to report.
- Items for next meeting: nothing to report.
- Date of next meeting: 6 September 2011.
