BROOMFIELD PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting
Tuesday 6 September 2011
Broomfield Village Hall 7.30 pm
Present: Peter Hall (Chairman), Alicia Aras, James Odgers, Carol Pearson, Jamie Bachelor, Cllr Anne Fraser, Ann Manders (Clerk). Three members of the public.
1) Apologies for absence – there were no apologies.
2) Declaration of members’ interests on agenda items – Peter Hall declared an interest in Planning Application No:10/11/00003.
3) To approve the minutes of the meeting of 12 May 2011 – these had been previously circulated, were unanimously agreed as a true record and signed by the Chairman.
4) Matters arising from the minutes – James Odgers was asked for an update on the combination lock for Broomfield Hill Common, he offered to check on the progress of this item. It was reported that Bob Taylor, the postman, had now retired. The Clerk was asked to write again to John Edney regarding the gritting of Buncombe Hill. Peter Hall reported that he was not elected onto the QHJAC.
5) Public comments on agenda items – none.
6) Planning application updates:
- 10/11/00003Land at Cobbs Cross Farm, Goathurst Hill,Broomfield. Erection of 12 000 bird free range egg production unit. Permission granted.
- 10/11/00008Barn at Owls Hill Farm. Change of use and conversion of barn to dwelling. Erection of garage and formation of access. Update only. The applicant was present at the meeting and asked if the Parish Council had commented on this application or if they new why there had been a delay in the decision. It was confirmed that no comments had been made on this application by the Parish Council. Cllr Anne Fraser offered to check the progress with the Planning Department on behalf of the applicant.
- 10/11/00009Barn at Ivyton Farm, Cushuish Lane. Change of use and conversion of barn to dwelling. Permission granted.
7) Village Hall – it was reported that the recent tea party had been a great success with about 130 people attending on a beautiful sunny day. A recent article had been placed in the Link-Up magazine asking for suggestions for future events but there had, so far, been a limited response. A Harvest Supper is planned for the autumn and also a pumpkin event. Alicia Aras has resigned from the Village Hall Committee and there is currently a vacancy for a new member. Jamie Batchelor offered his help at future events.
8) Finance- Payments for the quarter were agreed as follows: Sedgemoor District Council, election costs £90; Moore Stephens, audit fee £60. The Clerk confirmed that the audit for the previous year was now complete.
9) Cluster Meeting update – the previous Cluster Meeting had been held at Broomfield Village Hall. The main items discussed had been Hinkley Point, associated infra-structure, traffic on the A39 and local policing. Preliminary works had been agreed for the Hinkley Point site and a sum of money had been set aside to reinstate the site should planning permission not ultimately be granted. Sedgemoor District Council is carrying out a separate assessment on the likely traffic implications for the Bridgwater area and the need for a northern bypass. Cllr Fraser gave an update on these points. A police representative had not been present at the Cluster Meeting but concerns had been raised regarding a decreased level of cover.
10) Maintenance of Broomfield Commons – Alicia Aras reported that she and the Clerk had met with Steve Scrivens theCountyArboriculturalist. They had spent some time walking through the Broomfield Common woodland. Steve Scrivens main concern is the safety of trees adjoining the highway, he had suggested that the risk of a tree falling on a person as they passed under a tree on the common land was negligible. With regards to maintenance he suggested that a policy of non intervention in the woodland was an acceptable and a form of maintenance in itself. Steve Scrivens also suggested that it may be helpful to have a formal ten year Management Plan, this could simply be a statement of non-intervention. Steve Scrivens suggested contacting the AONB for further advice. Peter Hall reported that he had e-mailed Tim Russell at the AONB regarding this matter and will report back at the next meeting.
11) Maintenance of the Village Hall car park – Peter Hall reported that he had agreed more regular grass cutting of the car park in return from a financial contribution from the Village Hall. In practice, however, this arrangement was not working particularly well and Peter proposed that the Village Hall took over the maintenance of the car park in exchange for an annual grant from the Parish Council for its upkeep. This was agreed in principal and will be raised at the next Village Hall Committee meeting. Peter Hall also reported that the gates and posts into the car park needed replacing. The Clerk was asked to obtain a couple of quotations for this work.
12) Broomfield Jubilee Party – Peter Hall reported that there will be a initial meeting to discuss this occasion on Thursday 15 September at7.30 pm in the Village Hall. All are welcome. Peter Hall asked if the Parish Council would consider giving a grant towards this occasion and no objections were raised against this.
13) Urgent matters for report only – Alicia Aras reported that she had received a report of debris blocking the Owl Street path (BW4/18), the land owner was present at the meeting and agreed to clear this. A further report of electrical rubbish on Restricted Byway BW4/28 had been received, Alicia Aras will investigate. Alicia also reported that she had witnessed two motorcyclists using the Restricted Byway through Broomfield Common, she had warned them that they were acting illegally, took their registration numbers and had reported the incident to the police. Carol Pearson reported that all currently remained quiet atRooksCastle.
14) Public forum – nothing to report.
15) Items for next meeting – Car Park gates.
16) Date of next meeting –22 November 2011.
The meeting closed at 8.25 pm.
