Cutcombe Parish Council

Meeting of Cutcombe Parish Council to be held on Thursday 15th November 2007 at 6.30 pm (or as soon thereafter as public questions and statements are concluded) at the Moorland Hall
Please note new date

AGENDA

1.      To consider the Finance Working Party’s proposals and agree a draft budget for 2008/09.

2.      Resolution to exclude the public and press from the meeting: “In view of the confidential nature of the business about to be transacted, it is advisable in the public interest that the press and public be excluded from this part of the meeting and that they are requested to withdraw” (discussion of contracts and financial matters in relation to Item 3).

3.      Snowdrop Valley Park and Ride Scheme 2008

Minutes of the Extraordinary Meeting held at 6.30pm on Thursday 15th November 2007 at the Moorland Hall
Councillors Roger Webber, Linda Atkins, Eric Clarbull, Tim Gardner and Susie Sanders were present as was County Councillor John Edwards and one parishioner.

104.1  An apology of absence from Cllr Maria Davies was accepted.
104.2  Cllr Gardner declared a prejudicial interest in Agenda item 3 (Snowdrop Valley Park and Ride Scheme 2008) and withdrew from the room for the debate except when asked to return by the Chairman in order to answer relevant questions.
104.3  Council considered the Finance Working Party’s proposals for a draft budget for 2008/09 and agreed to bring any amendments or suggestions for additions to the December meeting at which the
budget will be set.
104.4  Council resolved to exclude the press and the public from the meeting for the debate on the Snowdrop Valley Park and Ride Scheme 2008 (Agenda Item 3). Mrs Sally Parish remained in the room in order to report on Item 3 as she has been employed by the Parish Council in order to look into the 2008 scheme. There were no other members of the Press or Public present.
104.5  Snowdrop Valley Park and Ride Scheme: this item was held in confidential session.

The next meeting of Cutcombe Parish Council will take place on Tuesday 20th November at 7.30 pm in the Moorland Hall.

There being no other business the meeting closed at 20.45 pm.

Meeting of Cutcombe Parish Council to be held on Tuesday 20th November 2007 at 7.30 pm (or as soon thereafter as public questions and statements are concluded) at the Moorland Hall

AGENDA

4       Planning Applications and related business
4.1       Consideration of Planning Applications
            6/8/07/114 Cutcombe C of E First School, Wheddon Cross: proposed extension for pre-school use to include toilets
4.2       To note ENP decisions on previous applications
4.3       Other relevant matters
5       To consider highways and transport matters and related items
            5.1       The Luckwell Bridge Triangle Improvement Scheme
            5.2       Update on widening of the car park entrance, Rest & Be Thankful Inn, to accommodate low floor buses on the Exford route        
6       Update on Snowdrop Valley Park and Ride Scheme
7       To consider the appointment of a Parish Paths Liaison Officer
8       Exmoor Association of Parish Councils
9       Finance
            9.1  Half-yearly report of the Internal Auditor
            9.2 To consider and, if approved, pay an invoice in the sum of £40 from the internal auditor Colin Stevenson for the financial year 2007/08
            9.3  To consider and, if approved, pay an invoice in the sum of £24.50 for room hire for PC meetings and an invoice in the sum of £10.50 for a Highways Meeting relating to proposed roadworks at Luckwell Bridge, both  from the Moorland Hall & Recreation Ground
            9.4  To consider and, if approved, pay an invoice from SALC in the sum of £185 for Clerk’s training (Certificate in Local Council Administration) (75% bursary cheque for £138.75 has been received towards this expenditure)
            9.5 To consider and if approved pay an invoice from Eric Clarbull for £65 for painting out graffiti at the bus shelter*
            9.6 To consider and if approved pay an invoice from Minehead Glass for £213.38 for 2 panes of replacement glass at the bus shelter*
            Items marked * to be claimed from Insurance less £125 excess and £31.78 reclaimable VAT
            9.7 To consider and, if approved, resolve to pay, the Clerk’s expenses incurred while studying for the Certificate in Local Council Administration up to a maximum to be agreed
            9.8 To consider and, if approved, resolve to rejoin the Society of Local Council Clerks (annual fee £61)
10     Correspondence and meetings
10.1    Clerk’s report on correspondence received
10.2    Clerk’s report on meetings attended
10.3    Councillors’ reports on correspondence received
10.4    Councillors’ reports on meetings attended
11     Items for the next Agenda

  
Minutes of  the  Meeting held at 7.30pm on Tuesday 20th November 2007 at the Moorland Hall
Councillors Roger Webber, Linda Atkins, Eric Clarbull, Maria Davies, John Davis, Tim Gardner and Susie Sanders were present as were three parishioners and County Councillor John Edwards
105.1  There were no apologies for absence.
105.2  Cllrs Webber and Clarbull declared a prejudicial interest in item 4.1 as members of the Ellsworth Foundation Board of Governors (Cutcombe First School): they left the room for the discussion and the vote on this item; Cllr Clarbull declared a prejudicial interest in item 9.5 as he had carried out the work invoiced.
105.3  The minutes of the meeting held on 16th October were approved and signed by the Chairman as a true record. There were no matters arising. The minutes of the meeting held on 15th November were approved and signed by the Chairman as a true record. There were no matters arising.
105.4  105.4.1 Planning Application 6/8/07/114 Cutcombe C of E First School, Wheddon Cross, Proposed Extension for Pre-School use to include toilets. One letter of support from a near neighbour had been received and was read out to Council by the Clerk. After a debate Council resolved unanimously to support this application.
            105.4.2 6/8/07/103: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 & 8 Bouverie Close, Wheddon Cross: erection of individual wind turbines & solar panels to each dwelling: refused; 6/8/07/110: Oaktrow Farm, Timberscombe, erection of agricultural building for livestock and storage: granted; 6/8/07/112: Site adjacent to Carrick, Cutcombe: stationing of a mobile home for a temporary period of 18 months in connection with construction of a local needs affordable dwelling: granted with conditions.
            105.4.3 There were no other relevant planning matters for discussion.
 105.5 105.5.1 Luckwell Bridge Improvement Scheme: Cllr Sanders reported that she had arranged a meeting for 27th November with Highways Officials and other Councillors to discuss and was preparing a bid to the Local Area Board for funding. The matter of traffic slowing signs at Luckwell Bridge will also be raised at this meeting.
            105.5.2 The Clerk had been in touch with John Perrett re widening of the car park opening at The Rest & Be Thankful Inn: all parties involved to be consulted; work expected to commence December 07, line markings for car parking to be made after R&Be’s extension completed.
105.6    Snowdrop Valley Park and Ride Scheme 2008: By a resolution of Council this item was taken in confidential session and the press and public were temporarily excluded from the meeting with the exception of Mrs Sally Parish who presented a report on behalf of the Council.
105.7  An item requesting anyone interested in becoming a Parish Paths Liaison Officer had been inserted in the December parish magazine: such a post would help in ensuring that all paths in the Parish are kept clear. Somerset County Council has handed over responsibility for paths to the Exmoor National Park Authority who have in excess of 1,000 km of paths to look after.
105.8  Cllr Webber led a short discussion on the role of the Exmoor Association of Parish Councils and urged Councillors to attend the next meeting on 3rd December, the purpose of which will be to explore a way forward for the Association so that it can better represent the communities of Exmoor.
105.9  105.9.1 The Clerk read out a report from Mr Colin Stevenson, internal auditor, in respect of his half-yearly audit of the PC accounts.
            105.9.2 Council resolved to pay an invoice for £40 from Mr Colin Stevenson, internal auditor, re financial year 2007/08.
            105.9.3 Council resolved to pay an invoice for £24.50 and another for £10.50 in respect of room hire at the Moorland Hall for meetings.
            105.9.4 Council resolved to pay an invoice from SALC for £185 in respect of the Clerk’s training for the Certificate in Local Council Admin.
            10.5.9.5 Council resolved to pay an invoice for £65 from Eric Clarbull for painting out graffiti at the bus shelter.
            105.9.6 Council resolved to pay an invoice from Minehead Glass for £213.38 for replacement glass at the bus shelter.
            105.9.7 Council resolved to pay the Clerk’s expenses incurred in studying for the Certificate in Local Council Administration up to a maximum of £150. Any items so purchased would be the property of Cutcombe Parish Council.
            105.9.8 Council resolved to renew its membership to the Society of Local Council Clerks.
105.10 105.10.1 The Clerk had circulated a list of correspondence received prior to the meeting including: notice of Exmoor Archaeology Forum (1/12/07); West Somerset Area Working Board: grant application deadline 19/12/07; letter from Paul Hawkins re Rights of Way Work; leaflet on the New Horizons project; West Area meeting of SALC (6/12/07); letter from Ian Liddell-Grainger, MP.
            105.10.2 The Clerk reported that she had attended a day’s training session for the Certificate in Local Council Administration and an evening training session in relation to the new Model Code of Conduct.
            105.10.3 Council did not have any further correspondence to report.
            105.10.4 Cllr Atkins reported on the Dulverton Patients Group leaving party for Dr Burton. Cllr Webber & Co Cllr Edwards:  Exmoor Panel Meeting (08/11): Lengthsman project discussed and mobile skateboard: Cllr Davis to gauge possible interest and location for Cutcombe and report back to Council.

The next meeting of Cutcombe Parish Council will take place on Tuesday 11th December at 7.30 pm in the Moorland Hall.

There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.45 pm.