• PRESENT: Cllrs P Mackay (in the Chair), E Chilcott, J Hamblyn and R Fraser.
  • ALSO PRESENT: 7 members of the public
  • APOLOGIES: received from Cllr Westmaas (holiday) and DCllr Kingham (previous engagement)
  • MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING: were confirmed and signed.
  • DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON AGENDA ITEMS: none declared.
  • HIGHWAYS: It was noted that Langlands Lane had been marked. Cllrs felt that loose stones and potholes were a considerable problem and many, in need of attention, had not been marked. Clerk was instructed to ask SCC what they are going to do, to stress that more work than that marked is needed and that work further along the lane towards the last houses is required.
  • PLANNING:
    • 14/04/00008 Erection of replacement conservatory at Little Trees - Permission has been granted.
  • FINANCE:
    • Cheques for signature - Chq.529 J A Marshall (Clerk's pay and expenses) £273.27; Chq.530 A Dunster (Village maintenance) £80.00; Chq.530 Edington Parish Council (half share of hire of hall for police surgery) £4.00.
    • Amenity Grant - Clerk reported that the form for this had been received. There was a query as to whether the Churchyard grant could be included under cemeteries.
  • SALC: all papers in circulation.
  • HOUSING NEEDS SURVEY: Agreed that this be on the next agenda. Everyone to give consideration as to the best way forward.
  • SDC LOCAL PLAN: latest document in circulation.
  • PARISH WARDENS SCHEME: Clerk to confirm when this is to start properly as there has only been one reported sighting of a warden in the village.
  • COMMUNITY EMERGENCY PLAN: still in circulation.
  • PROVISION OF SEAT IN BUS SHELTER: Cllr Mackay thought the supports for this still remained on three sides and that it might be a simple matter to provide a bench seat. He would look at it prior to the next meeting.
  • JUBILEE STONE DAMAGE: Clerk had contacted over half a dozen different firms with only a small measure of success. It was agreed that the quote from Wells Cathedral Stonemasons for resetting the stone should be accepted and that AJS memorials should provide a new plaque with the lettering corrected and the plaque coated.
  • WAR MEMORIAL: Clerk had received an update from Wells Cathedral Stonemasons. The finial stone would cost in the region of £300 to repair (£800 having been allowed for). Work is progressing after an initial problem with scaffolding and overhead cables.
  • COMMUNITY COUNCIL: all papers in circulation.
  • SDC INFO/CIRCULATION, ETC: all papers in circulation.
  • LAMP: Village Tourism - Copied to councillors. Cllr Chilcott reported on Rights of Way meetings and a delay in obtaining the footpath maps.
  • CPRE: all items in circulation.
  • THE NEW TOMORROW - CONFERENCE AT TAUNTON RACECOURSE: Copied to all councillors.
  • RIGHTS OF WAY/FOOTPATHS:
    • Footpath Diversion BW6/7 (in part) - This seemed to be dragging on.
    • Letter re Footpath Survey - noted that it was agreed that 6/6 divergence from map should be sorted one way or the other.
    • School Footpath - Cllr Mackay had spoken to Carol Bond who had apologised for overlooking the maintenance of this. It would be seen to.
  • POLDEN HILLS PARISH CLUSTER GROUP: meeting - Tuesday 15th June 2004 at Woolavington. Clerk and Cllr Chilcott hoped to attend.
  • RURAL FOCUS - Newsletter for rural decision-makers in circulation.
  • INFORMATION, CIRCULATION, DISTRIBUTION: incl. The Playing Field; What's Happening in Sedgemoor; Policing Plan Summary 2004/05; Clerks and councils Direct;
  • ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING: CATTS Grant; Parish Wardens; Housing Needs Survey; School footpath; Jubilee stone; war memorial; Community Emergency Plan. (It was noted that the Parish Plot contract would now run until 2007 and that topping is to take place now.)
  • DATE OF NEXT MEETING: 13th July 2004