Present: - Mr Rogers (Chairman); Mrs Kingston; Messrs Holt, Hounsell, Knight and Townson.

Apologies: - Mr Lintern.

In Attendance: - Councillor J Williams (TDBC), WPC Butt (Avon & Somerset Police), and Mr Crossley (Clerk).

The following declarations were made: -

(Minute 715) Response from NALC - Mrs Kingston

(Minute 718) Give way markings, Station Road - Mrs Kingston

(Minute 720) Business Park, alleged contamination – Mrs Kingston and Mr Townson

The minutes of the meetings held on the 14 November and the 5 and 12 December were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman

715 Response from NALC (minute 695)

Advice had been received from NALC that a local authority cannot sue for defamation in respect of its governing or administrative reputation and it was a personal matter for an individual if they considered they had been defamed

RESOLVED: - That no further action be taken

(Note: Mrs Kingston did not take part in this discussion or vote)

716 Queen’s Golden Jubilee (minute 697)

The Council gave further consideration to its involvement in events celebrating the Golden Jubilee. Various packages of information had now been received to help in the organisation of celebrations.

In the intervening period there had been no meeting of the Parochial Church Council at which suggestions could be discussed, but it was understood likely that a special united service would be held on the Sunday of the Jubilee weekend.

There was a consensus of view that an event based around a village fete/BBQ/ bonfire on Monday 3 June (which was expected to become the Golden Jubilee Summer Party Day) would be an appropriate focus for village activity if the Church, School and other groups such as the Women’s Institute and the Senior Citizen’s Club would be willing to be involved

On the question of a more permanent memorial it was suggested that new entrance signs to the village might be an appropriate contribution

RESOLVED: - 1) That the Chairman be authorised to discuss the proposal for an event on 3 June with the Head Teacher of the local school and representatives of other interested organisations

2) That enquiries be made by the Clerk about the availability of grants to meet the cost of village signs

3) That the opportunity for villagers borne on Accession Day (6 February1952) to attend a royal garden party be publicised.

717 Quality Parish Councils (minute 701)

Members gave further consideration to a series of proposals and questions contained in the Consultation Paper and to proposals for the reform of the financial regime for parishes contained in a further White Paper, "Strong Local Leadership – Quality Public Services", an extract of which had been circulated amongst members.

Members remained concerned that small rural parishes could become overwhelmed by the detail in the requirements, and there was support for the view expressed by Councillor Williams that extending the full rigours of the Code of Conduct to parish level was a step too far.

RESOLVED: - That the proposals be kept under review and a further report be brought forward if the Government take the proposals further.

718 Give Way Markings, Station Road (minute 701)

The Clerk reported that after further discussions with the police the County Council had decided on the grounds of overall road safety to proceed with Option 2. The Chairman reported that he understood the white lining would be delayed until after some reinstatement works had been done to the carriageway

RESOLVED: - That County Councillor Watson be asked to pursue clarification of the reasons for the decision.

(Note: Mrs Kingston did not take part in this discussion or vote)

719 Noisy Motor Bikes (minute 702)

Members discussed with WPC Butt problems with noisy trial bikes using fields and lanes, often at weekends. Numbers of these bikes were often brought to the area by trailer, and when in local fields sometimes appeared to be used with the consent of the landowner.

WPC Butt explained that whilst there were Road Traffic Regulations in place about noisy silencers, these only applied whilst a vehicle was on the highway. Any other noise problem had to be dealt with under environmental health legislation. If modified trial bikes were causing a nuisance on local lanes and the police were immediately informed, they would try and attend to deal with the incident. Because of the large number of bike thefts that did take place, the police would also consider attending to carry out checks to make sure none had been stolen when trial bikes were being ridden on private property.

RESOLVED: - That WPC Butt be thanked for attending the meeting

720 Business Park – Alleged Contamination (minute 708)

The Clerk reported that Taunton Deane Environmental Health, following a site visit in late December, had confirmed that there was no asbestos containing material visible on the site, although there was some asbestos cement sheeting present on a shed in a field to the north-east of the site but this represented virtually no risk to residents in its current location. The Planning Department would be pursuing compliance with the landscaping condition, which required the work to be done during the current planting season, of which some two and a half months remained

Councillor Williams informed members of the arrangements made by Taunton Deane for the disposal of asbestos sheeting

RESOLVED: - That the position be noted.

(Note: The Chairman permitted Mrs Kingston and Mr Townson to give a personal explanation of their involvement although they took no part in the vote on this matter)

The Clerk reported that Mr Dominy had resigned with effect from 15 November, and Mr Marks with effect from 11 December. An election had been requisitioned in respect of the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr Dominy, and the closing date for nominations was 11 January. Notice had been given of the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr Marks, and it was understood that the last date for requisitioning an election was also 11 January.

RESOLVED: - 1) That letters be sent to Mr Dominy and Mr Marks placing on record the thanks and appreciation of the Council for the time and commitment to the Parish which both have shown over many years service on the Council

2) That the position regarding elections be noted

3) That Mr Hounsell be appointed to the vacant post of Vice Chairman of the Council

4) That Mr Hounsell be appointed to the vacant post on the Planning Committee

5) That for the time being no appointment be made to attend footpath liaison meetings and the matter be left with the Chairman should the need to attend meetings arise

The Clerk advised that it would be advisable to clarify various procedural issues in relation to the Planning Committee given that present practice was open to some misunderstanding

RESOLVED: - 1) That there be delegated to the Planning Committee power to deal with any development control matter which is not referred to the full Council under Standing Order 25

2) That the committee comprise 4 members, and that in addition to the existing membership of the Chairman, Vice Chairman, and Mr Holt, Mr Townson be appointed to the Committee

3) That the quorum for the Committee be set at 3

4) That meetings be called by the chairman and that in addition to taking brief minutes he submit a report on the proceedings of the committee to the next ordinary meeting of the Council

5) That these arrangements supersede those set out in minute 496 of 10 November1999.

The Clerk reported that in due course it would be advisable to review the Council’s standing orders, which appeared not to have been reviewed for some time, but that it was urgently necessary to clarify Standing Order 6 which set a quorum of 4 for Council meetings, which was in conflict with the Local Government Act 1972 which set the number at 3.

RESOLVED: - That Standing Order 6 is amended to provide that 3 Members shall constitute a quorum

TDBC had now organised training on the new code and were asking all parishes to be represented at one of the sessions that was being proposed

RESOLVED: - That the Chairman and Clerk be nominated to attend, and that Mrs Kingston be nominated for any additional place that can be made available.

The Clerk submitted a Statement of Account showing £53.23 in the Current Account and £2734.20 in the Business Reserve Account, and sought authority to pay expenses of £39.38.

He also reported that following his appointment and the resignation of 2 members who were signatories to the accounts it would be necessary to complete new mandates

RESOLVED: - 1) That the Council continue with its banking arrangements with NatWest Bank for a Current Account and a Business Reserve Account

2) That the Clerk, Mr P N Crossley be nominated as correspondent for the accounts

3) That the Chairman, Vice Chairman and Mr Lintern be nominated as authorised signatories

4) That the Bank be authorised to take instructions from any 2 of the authorised signatories.

5) That the Clerk be authorised to provide any further information required by the Bank

6) That payment of expenses of £39.38 be approved.

726 Correspondence

(1) Notification of TDBC Housing Survey

(2) Meeting of Somerset CC Forum for Parish and Town Councils on 7 June 2002

(3) Somerset CC Waste Management Workshop – 9 January 2002 (attended by Chairman)

(4) Review of Role of TDBC Parish Liaison Officer – the Clerk reported that after consulting with the Chairman he had responded supporting the retention of the post. Councillor Williams also indicated that he would be strongly resisting abolition of the post.

(5) Temporary closure of a length of Oldway Lane, North Curry for 1 week from 15 January 2002 to facilitate works by Wessex Water

Complaints had been made about the speed of vehicles being driven through the village, particularly from the southern end, and given that it was now understood that the criteria governing the imposition of speed limits had now changed the Highways Agency would be asked to review the position with a view to moving the speed restrictions closer to the A358.

No information had been received as to when further speed limits would be introduced in Station Road and County Councillor Watson would be asked to obtain a timetable for its introduction and then monitor progress.

Obstruction was still causing a problem in Station Road and discussions would continue with the Highway Agency

Avon and Somerset Police have a mobile unit to deal with speeding traffic, which might be available to deal with particular problems if a persistent problem remained

TDBC would shortly be attending to footpath maintenance as part of its rolling programme.

The meeting closed at 9.04pm.

Note: The next meeting will be on 12 March 2002.

William F Rogers

Chairman