Wheddon Cross and Cutcombe community website, Exmoor National Park, Somerset, UK

Cutcombe Parish Council

Meeting of Cutcombe Parish Council to be held on Wednesday 6th August 2008 at 7.30 pm (or as soon thereafter as public questions and statements are concluded) at the Moorland Hall

Questions and statements from parishioners will be taken at 7.30 pm prompt, before the parish council meeting begins, for a maximum of 15 minutes.

AGENDA
1    Apologies for absence
2    Declarations of interest
3    Planning Applications
4.1      Planning Applications:
6/8/08/107 Cutcombe Market, Wheddon Cross: Outline application for the erection of two blocks of business buildings (B1) of 418 and
241.5 sq m with associated access, works and car parking
6/8/08/108 Cutcombe Market, Wheddon Cross: Outline application for the erection of a business building (B1) of 450 sq m and associated access, works and car parking
6/8/08/109 Cutcombe Market, Wheddon Cross: Redevelopment of Cutcombe market to include replacement market building of 649 sq m and caonopy of 110 sq m, pens, access road, parking and related works. Erection of 24 no. residential units including car parking, access roads and garaging. Conversion and extension of site office to create 1 no. residential unit and curtilage.

Minutes of the Meeting held at 7.30pm on Wednesday 6th August 2008 at the Moorland Hall

Councillors Roger Webber, Linda Atkins, Eric Clarbull, Maria Davies,John Davis, Tim Gardner and Susie Sanders were present as were County Councillor John Edwards and four parishioners.
Public question time was extended due to the nature and complexity of the applications to be discussed.
116.1 There were no apologies for absence.
116.2 Cllr Gardner expressed a prejudicial interest as he owns a business opposite to, and lives opposite to, the proposed development. He left the meeting. Cllr Webber expressed a personal interest as he has a small shareholding (less than 1%) in Exmoor Farmers Ltd. Cllrs Davies and Clarbull expressed a personal interest as they can see the market from
their respective homes. Cllr Sanders expressed a personal interest as a user of the market.
116.3 116.3.1 6/8/08/107 Cutcombe Market, Wheddon Cross: Outline application for the erection of two blocks of business buildings (B1) of 418 and 241.5 sq m with associated access, works and car parking
116.3.2 6/8/08/108 Cutcombe Market, Wheddon Cross: Outline application for the erection of a business building (B1) of 450 sq m and associated access, works and car parking
116.3.3 6/8/08/109 Cutcombe Market, Wheddon Cross: Redevelopment of Cutcombe market to include replacement market building of 649 sq m and caonopy of 110 sq m, pens, access road, parking and related works. Erection of 24 no. residential units including car parking, access roads and garaging. Conversion and extension of site office to create 1 no. residential unit and curtilage.

As the three applications are linked a general debate and discussion ensued and the following points were raised:

Viability of the market and its future

1. Is the number of houses being proposed driven by the amount of money needed to upgrade the market rather than by local needs: the financial information given in the design and access statement is sketchy: has the cost estimate been independently arrived at and what sources were used to establish the figures quoted?
2. Could not (and should not) the market support itself if it is a viable business? Have other possible ways of financing the upgrade of the market been fully investigated?

3. Do we have the infrastructure on Exmoor to support the increased traffic (if any?) to make the market pay? Will it be a viable business after this development or is it possible that it could close in the near future leaving the housing development but no market? Have any investigations been made into its viability after the upgrade?
4. Why does the proposed new market have a Sale Room and a Sale Ring? What will the Sale Room be used for?
5. Is there enough lorry parking on the market site?
Housing

6. With regard to the low cost affordable housing: there are equal number of shared and rented houses: would this be the case in the final development?
7. Why are there no affordable, low cost, houses for sale?
8. Why have two additional houses been added to the scheme since the pre-application drawings were exhibited?
9. Will the shared ownership houses and the rented ones be affordable by
local people?
10. Concern was expressed that the houses over garages (which garages may not belong to the occupant of the houses above) would not be a practical proposition.
11. Six properties are to be built with fireplaces (one of these being a rented house): why have not all of the houses been designed with workable fireplaces: why have false chimneys? What factors have determined the choice of heating? Have sustainable energy sources and integrated home energy systems been thoroughly investigated?
12. Tenure and demand: clarification to be requested from ENPA officers to discuss tenure and demand for the houses.
13. Concern was expressed that the number of houses proposed is too great and would upset the balance of the village.
14. With regard to the affordable housing: there appear to be no garden sheds or buildings which would be useful for the self-employed to store tools, a small trailer, etc. This point was raised at the pre-application meeting but does not appear to have been addressed.
15. Are the proposed gardens for the affordable homes (30’ x 10’) large enough for the occupants to have a vegetable patch? Would it be possible to have larger gardens and less houses thus leading to a reduction in the carbon footprint of the development?

Highways and parking issues

16. With regard to the metre of footway near the crossroads: could Council meet with Highways to explain how this will work in practice, and give more details of the anti-skid surface, its colour, composition, type and usefulness also to confirm that the road into the housing development will be an adopted road.
17. Is there adequate parking at the market site for livestock trailers (this point was raised at the pre-submission meeting).
18. Council does not want to see any cars parked on the road, are the proposed car parking arrangements adequate?
19. A parking area is on the right of the access road (into the market) which means that cars leaving this area have to pull out onto the access road: would this lead to congestion on busy days? In addition, Council would not like to see any overflow parking from the housing in the village car park

Landscaping
20. Tree planting: the plans show too many trees which may interfere with traffic movements and car parking in the market area and the commercial site east and generally clutter the site overall and block sun and light.
21. Council would prefer to see the commercial and market buildings kept to a minimum functional height to give the best possible views for all.
22. Concern was expressed with regard to the hedge on the edge of the commercial site east: who owns it and will maintain it (site line shown in middle of hedges) and also who will own and maintain the hedges around
the housing?

Business Units
23. With regard to the two blocks of business buildings, have indications been given that these will be taken up: perceived need?
24. Can a guarantee be given that the proposed two blocks of business buildings (6/8/08/107) will be built as well as the houses: the two developments must be linked, one should not happen without the other: jobs will be needed for the occupants of the new houses.
25. Commercial site west: real concerns were raised with regard to the height of this building, could it be lower?
26. Council would like to have an input into reserved matters relating to these applications.

It was agreed that there could be benefits in meeting with ENPA officers and Highways: such meetings to be set up as soon as practicable before Council gives its full and final comments with regard to these applications, hence no vote was taken at this meeting. There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.50 pm. The next meeting of Cutcombe Parish Council will take place on Tuesday 19th August at 7.30 pm in the Moorland Hall.

Meeting of Cutcombe Parish Council to be held on Tuesday 19th August 2008 at 7.30 pm (or as soon thereafter as public questions and statements are concluded) at the Moorland Hall

Questions and statements from parishioners will be taken at 7.30 pm prompt, before the parish council meeting begins, for a maximum of 15 minutes.

AGENDA
1    Apologies for absence
2    Declarations of interest
3    To approve the minutes of the meetings held on 15th July 2008 and 6th August and any matters arising.
4    Planning Applications and related business
4.1      Planning Applications
4.2      To note ENP decisions on previous applications
4.3      Any other planning matters
5    To consider highways and transport matters, and related items
        5.1    Luckwell Bridge: update on the Triangle Improvement Scheme
and Presentation by Peter Radford, Somerset County’s Bridge Manager.
        5.2    Any other highways matters
6   Update on Recycling Bins & Kerbside Collections
7    Update of Council’s Risk Assessment
8    Finance
8.1    Quarterly report of the Finance Working Party.
8.2    To note the external auditor’s report on the accounts 2007/08
8.3    To consider and, if approved pay, the invoice from Moore Stephens in the sum of £334.88 for auditing the annual accounts
8.4                To consider and, if approved, pay, expenses for Sally Webber in relation to the Snowdrop Valley Park and Ride Scheme 2008 in the sum of £48.16
9    Correspondence and meetings
9.1      Clerk’s report on correspondence received
9.2      Clerk’s report on meetings attended
9.3      Councillors’ reports on correspondence received
9.4      Councillors’ reports on meetings attended
10 Items for the next Agenda

Minutes of the Meeting held at 7.30pm on Tuesday 19th August 2008 at the Moorland Hall

Councillors Roger Webber, Linda Atkins, Eric Clarbull, Maria Davies,
John Davis, Susie Sanders and Tim Gardner were present as were County Councillor John Edwards, WPCSO Sue Hurley, PC Mark Curran, Peter Radford (Somerset County’s Bridge Manager) and six parishioners.
Before the opening of the meeting WPCSO Sue Hurley introduced PC Mark Curran who is now our local beat officer and is new to the area.
117.1 There were no apologies for absence.
117.2 There were no declarations of interest.
117.3 The minutes of the meeting held on 15th July 2008 were approved and signed by the Chairman as a true record. Matters Arising: 115.12: Asset Register: the Clerk reported her research into the basis of the figures and Council resolved to make no changes to the figures agreed in July 2007, there being no additions or deletions over the past year. The minutes of the meeting held on 6th August 2008 were approved and signed by the Chairman as a true record.
117.4 117.4.1 Planning Applications: none for discussion.
            117.4.2.1 The Clerk reported a response from ENPA re the extension of Snifwells which relates to the implementation of a 1989 permission.
            117.4.2.2 Planning Reports: 6/8/08/101: construction of a local needs affordable dwelling and garage (Mr & Mrs J Davis, site adjacent to Carrick, Higher Park Lane): granted; 6/8/08/102: Raleigh Manor, demolition of existing double garage and erection of new double garage and storerooms: granted; 6/8/08/103: conversion of The Chapel, Wheddon Cross to two bedroom local needs dwelling: withdrawn; 6/8/07/111: Reserved Matters details for the construction of a local needs affordable dwelling and garage (Mrs D Brace, site adjacent to Carrick, Higher Park Lane): granted.
117.5 117.5.1 Luckwell Bridge: Peter Radford gave an informative presentation regarding the bridge, past present and future: the Clerk requested a copy for Parish records. Concern was expressed about not putting in a continency plan in case the bridge should fail and the Clerk was asked to convey this concern to County. Triangle Improvement Scheme:
Cllr Sanders reported that she now had the noticeboard quotes and work at The Triangle would commence shortly.
            117.5.2 The Clerk was requested to contact Highways regarding questions about the quality of the recent resurfacing in Cutcombe and the covering up of a stop cock cover near The Firs.
117.6 Cllr Atkins reported on her communications to date with WSDC who are looking into options surrounding rubbish collections from Putham residents. A letter from Worzells regarding rubbish collection problems was also reported to Council.

117.7 After a short debate it was resolved to update the July 2007 Risk Assessment document with regard to points 1, 4, 5, 8, 9, 13 and 14.
117.8 117.8.1 The Finance Working Party had met with the Responsible Finance Officer at the end of the second quarter of the current financial year and were satisfied with the record keeping and procedures in place.
            117.8.2 The report of the External Auditor on the 2007/08 accounts
was noted.
            117.8.3 It was resolved to pay the invoice from Moore Stephens in the sum of £334.88 for auditing the annual accounts. Council wished it be noted that it felt the charge to be excessive given the size of the Parish.
            117.8.4 It was resolved to pay the sum of £48.16 to Mrs Sally Parish being expenses incurred in relation to the Snowdrop Valley Park and Ride Scheme 2008.
117.9 117.9.1 The Clerk had circulated a list of correspondence received prior to the meeting, which items were noted including: WSDC asking for support re the banning of helium balloon releases; the Parish and Town Council Communications Survey 2008; Homefinder Somerset Update.
            117.9.2 The Clerk reported that she had attended a meeting to start organizing the Snowdrop Valley Park and Ride Scheme 2009 which will run from 31st January to 22nd February. It was resolved to again appoint Mrs Sally Parish to co-ordinate the scheme. The Clerk was asked to draw up an agreement with Mrs Parish for Council’s consideration and to investigate PAYE options and Employer’s Insurance.
            117.9.3 Cllr Gardner reported that a formal agreement had now been made for the retention of the Wheddon Cross Post Office, subject to a new 6 week consultation. It is possible that the current opening hours will be extended.
            117.9.4 Cllrs Webber and Clarbull had attended the Snowdrop Valley 2009 meeting; Cllr Davis reported on a meeting of the Standards Board which he had attended on 12th August. Cllr Webber reported that the Working Party to look into a bid to the Local Initiatives Budget had met and three schemes were considered. It was resolved to support the Working Party in preparing a bid for funding the Drama Group and a Rebound Wall in the Recreation Ground.

The next meeting of Cutcombe Parish Council will take place on Monday
1st September (Cutcombe Market Planning Applications only) and then on Tuesday 16th September, both at 7.30 pm in the Moorland Hall.
There being no other business the meeting closed at 10 pm.

Members are reminded that the Council has a general duty to consider the following matters in the exercise of any of its functions: Equal Opportunities (race, gender, sexual orientation, marital status and any disability), Crime and Disorder, Health and Safety, and Human Rights.

Marlene P Allinson Parish Clerk

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