BROOMFIELD PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting
Tuesday 30 November 2010
7.30 pm Broomfield Village Hall
Present: Peter Hall (Chairman), Jamie Bachelor, Caroline Pearson, Alicia Aras, Ann Manders (Clerk), Cllr Anne Fraser, one member of the public.
1. Apologies for absence: James Odgers.
2. Appointment of Clerk: all agreed that Ann Manders should be appointed as the new Clerk. The Chairman and Clerk signed the Clerk’s Contract of Employment.
3. Acceptance of Office Forms: Acceptance of Office Forms were signed for Peter Hall and Alicia Aras. The Clerk asked Alicia Aras to complete a Register of Interests form and return it to her asap.
4. Declaration of members’ interests on agenda items: none.
5. To approve the Minutes of the Meeting of 10 September: these had been previously circulated and were unanimously approved. Peter Hall signed a copy as a true record.
13. Boundary Commission Update: Cllr Anne Fraser asked if she could speak early on this matter, this was agreed. She gave a brief update on the Boundary Commission review confirming that Broomfield would be moved to the North Petherton Ward for the May elections next year. She described her role as one of ‘go between’ between Broomfield Parish Council and Sedgemoor District Council and outlined her activities, including her involvement with the Hinkley C proposal. She told the meeting that the North Petherton has three Councillors, all representing the Ward equally. Peter Hall asked if the Cluster Meeting group would now change, Cllr Fraser said that this would need to be reviewed and considered that the Moors Cluster may not be appropriate. Cllr Fraser offered to regularly attend Broomfield Parish Council meetings and asked to be informed of the dates of the meetings.
6. Matters arising from the Minutes: none.
7. Public comments on agenda items: none.
8. Planning application updates:
10/10/00011 – Renewal of planning permission 10/05/00005 for the formation of two dwellings from the already existing dwelling and ancillary accommodation, Ducks Pool House, Broomfield – Granted.
10/10/00012 – Renewal of planning permission 10/05/00004 for the erection of single storey extension to south elevation and porch to east elevation, Ducks Pool Farm, Broomfield – Granted.
10/10/00013 – Erection of sunroom, Arch Barn, Quarry Springs, Goathurst Hill, Goathurst – withdrawn.
10/10/00014 – Erection of sunroom, Arch Barn, Quarry Springs, Goathurst Hill, Goathurst (Listed building consent) – withdrawn.
9. Village Hall update: Alicia Aras reported that Soups and Puds had been a success, a new servery had been used outside leaving more room inside the hall. A profit of £400 had been made. Choir and art classes were on-going.
10. Update of progress on change of conditions of use of Village Hall car park: Peter Hall read out a letter from the National Trust. They have agreed that the car park field may be used for car parking of any kind and for any other events without individual permission providing that the proceeds benefited the parish. They reserved the right to withdraw this permission at any time. Peter Hall had received two requests from Fyne Court to use the field as overflow car parking, it was agreed to charge £10 for half a day and £20 for a full day, Peter will liaise with them. The gate into the field was discussed and it was suggested that this may need replacing. Peter Hall will write to the Secretary of the Village Hall Committee informing her that the Hall could now allow the field to be used for events.
11. Update on progress on new gate for Broomfield Hill Common: James Odgers had been dealing with this and in his absence Peter Hall reported that the new gate was now in place in the form of a barrier inside the old gate. There will be a charge of approximately £250. It will need to be decided whether or not to keep this gate locked.
12. Finance:
– Payments for the quarter: a payment of £235 was made to Martin King in respect of the upkeep of the Village Hall car park field, signed by Peter Hall and Jamie Bachelor. A payment of £88.24 was made to Mary Rousseau in respect of her final Clerk’s wages, signed by Peter Hall and Jamie Bachelor. It was agreed by all that Ann Manders (Clerk) should be paid an amount of £83.44 by monthly standing order in respect of her wages, Peter Hall will organise this.
- Quarterly financial report: this had been previously circulated and showed a current balance of £2730.27, a copy is attached to the Minutes.
- Approval of 2011/2012 budget and precept: Peter Hall and the Clerk had produced a budget for next year and this had been previously circulated. Peter Hall reluctantly proposed an increase of £300 to cover the loss of John Edney’s Community Fund, which had previously been used for small projects in the Parish. There was also concern that next year’s election could cost the parish a minimum of £150, a precept of £2700 was therefore unanimously agreed.
13. See Above
14. Urgent matters for report only: the forthcoming Council cuts were discussed, including the effect that this would have on the local road network. Anne Fraser spoke of the possibility of a Parish Lengthsman Scheme, whereby parishes would pay into a fund to have the roads repaired on a local basis. It was generally felt that this would not be an option without substantial increases to the precept. Following this discussion Anne Fraser thanked the meeting and left.
Alicia Aras reported that she had been informed of a Parishioner’s intention to take a vehicle onto Broomfield Common for the purpose of collecting wood. The meeting was told that Parishioners have a right to take a limited amount of wood each year but not to take vehicles onto the common. It was agreed not to take any action at this time but to continue to monitor the situation.
Peter Hall reported that he had received an invitation to attend a SDC Budget Briefing on 9 December, no one was available to attend.
16. Items for the next meeting: it was thought that Highways would be an issue. Alicia Aras reported that she would attend the next Quantock Cluster Meeting and report back.
17. Date of next meeting: it was agreed to set the dates of the meetings for the whole of 2011. Peter Hall will e-mail round some dates to the other Councillors and Clerk.
The meeting closed at 8.35 pm.
