PRESENT: Cllrs P Mackay (in the Chair), E Chilcott, J Hamblyn, R Westmaas and R Fraser.
ALSO PRESENT: 12 members of the public CCllr Huxtable and DCllr Kingham

APOLOGIES: None received.
ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN: Cllr Chilcott proposed Cllr Westmaas. Seconded by Cllr Hamblyn. Carried. Cllr Westmaas signed his declaration of acceptance of office as chairman, took the Chair and thanked Cllr Mackay for his many years of work on behalf of the community. The village was extremely lucky to have benefited from the wisdom, energy and care Cllr Mackay had shown during his years as Chairman. Cllr Mackay said he would be very glad to help Cllr Westmaas in his new role.
ELECTION OF VICE CHAIRMAN: Cllr Chilcott proposed Cllr Mackay. Seconded by Cllr Fraser. Carried.
MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING: were confirmed and signed.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON AGENDA ITEMS - Cllr Chilcott declared a personal interest in the planning application at Polmark as she is related to the applicants.
HIGHWAYS - New arrangements for Highway Services are being put in place by SCC. The Clerk also reported on the latest information regarding last month's complaints, which had now been dealt with.
COUNTY COUNCILLOR: CCllr Huxtable commented on the two applications for certificates of lawful use. He outlined the situation with the major review of peat workings and CLUEDS. Bigger and more lorries would be almost inevitable. Some activities are believed to be new and help is needed to establish the true situation. He also asked for help with traffic surveys.
PLANNING:

Appeal - Erection of detached dwelling and garage partly on site of existing garage and utility and formation of new access to serve Polmark on land west of Polmark, Manor Road - Cllr Chilcott had declared an interest. It was felt there was nothing more to add. Clerk to ask for copy of SDC submission and to back it up. Council to request to be kept informed.
Local Plan (Revised Deposit Draft) 1991-2011 - in circulation.
14/04/00008 - Erection of replacement conservatory to NE elevation at Little Trees, 21 Manor Road - This conservatory is situated to the W not the NE. Council agreed to support it provided the information received regarding the siting is correct.
14/04/00004 - loft conversion at 8 Hector Road (went to committee on 4^th May) - no information as yet.
14/04/00002 - Erection of dwelling and garage on land to the East of 12 Manor Road - outline permission granted by SDC.
14/04/00009/CJM - Erection of two storey extension to East elevation and single storey extension to North elevation partly on site of existing (to be demolished) at 9 King William Road - Council agreed to support this application provided obscure glass is stipulated for both now and in the future in overlooking windows.
Certificate of Lawfulness re Eclipse Peat Works, Ashcott Road, Meare - Everyone was asked to consider whether they might have any useful information relating to this application and the next one. Photographs or any form of positive proof would be most helpful. One member of the public had undertaken work at the Ashcott Road site in recent years. Woodworking and engineering was then being carried out on the site but not peat production which was being carried on over the road.
Certificate of lawfulness re land at Burtle Road, Westhay, Meare - see above.
Sedgemoor Landscape Assessment and Countryside Design Summary 2003 - had just been received and would be circulated.

FINANCE:

Donation request from CATTS Club - A letter outlining the intention to start a Breakfast Club and requesting funds was considered. It was understood that parents are charged at a rate of Ł3/hour per child but that children from other schools are also allowed to use the facility. The School charges the club for the hire of the hall. After discussion it was agreed to defer a decision pending further information to be obtained by the Clerk: how many and which other villages contribute; what is the catchment area of the school; how many children attend in total; how many from other school attend; how many children from Catcott village attend; what fund raising is done.
Audit notice - Clerk reported that this had been received and the necessary notices were on display on the noticeboard.
Accounts for 2003/2004 - had been copied to all councillors prior to the meeting. These were considered and approved. The Audit form was completed with the Statement of Assurance being gone through point by point.
Handyman - Mr Dunster has submitted a quote of Ł80 per time for the coming year, including The Standards and Tarry path. This was approved by the Council. It was noted that nobody else had been prepared to undertake the work.
Cheques for signature - were approved as follows:- Chq.526 Lower Brue Drainage Board (Drainage Rates on Parish Plot) Ł14.05; Chq.527 Allianz Cornhill (Insurance) Ł333.17; Chq.528 J A Marshall (Clerk's salary and expenses) Ł280.53. The Clerk informed the Council that it had been asked that the report given at the Annual Parish Meeting on behalf of St. Peter's should be considered as a request for a grant towards Churchyard maintenance. This was agreed. In view of the large increase in cost of maintenance the Council deferred a decision in order that an up to date cashflow can be provided to enable the Council to accurately assess the likely affect of such an increase on its own funds.

SALC: Items received are being circulated.
JUBILEE STONE - DAMAGE: Clerk reported that she had heard from four firms but had no specific quotes as yet. Several firms had been on holiday and were intending to look at the stone shortly.
COMMUNITY COUNCIL CORRESPONDENCE/CIRCULARS: items are bing circulated.
SDC INFO/CIRCULATION, ETC: In circulation.
LAMP: A new letter had just been received inviting attendance at the neighbouring cluster group's meeting. Cllr Chilcott hoped to attend. Correspondence regarding Special Recognition status had also been received and was generally supported.
RIGHTS OF WAY/FOOTPATHS: It was noted that whilst SCC had agreed to maintain the school footpath it was in need of attention again. It was agreed that Cllr Mackay should contact the SCC representative responsible.
ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING: SDC Local Plan; Parish Wardens; Housing Needs; Community Emergency Plan; Provision of a seat in bus shelter. Cllr Westmaas gave his apologies as he will be unable to attend the next meeting.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING: 8^th June 2004.