2 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST - There were none.

3 APPROVAL OF LAST MONTH’S MINUTES
The Minutes were approved and signed by the Chairman as a true and accurate record of last month’s meeting.

4 QUESTIONS/COMMENTS FROM PARISHIONERS  - There were none.

5 COUNTY/DISTRICT COUNCILLOR
Mr Hobhouse apologised for not yet arranging the speed check but said it was in hand.

Mr Lewis reported that the Manager of McDonalds was Martin Bolt and that both he and Justin Crawford were due to meet with him on Tuesday, 8^th April at 11am directly after the enforcement officer has seen him. Mr Tuck asked if we had established who had responsibility for the lorry park. Mr Lewis confirmed this was to be discussed at the meeting. Mrs Goodland said the white lines need repainting at the entrance/exit of the site. Mr Lewis confirmed this would be their responsibility rather than Highways.

6 HIGHWAYS
The Clerk reported a response from Highways regarding the yellow backing boards for the 30mph speed signs. Colin Fletcher has agreed to arrange this for the High Street. He has also reported the unlit 30mph sign near the Pipers property. With regard to the sign on the A359 Cary Road he was unwilling to go to the expense of getting this lit and was awaiting a response from the police. Mr Tuck said that all the signs on the A359 from Frome to Yeovil were illuminated and had backing boards and didn’t see why Sparkford should lose out. Mr Crawford asked if all Councillors were in agreement with this and they proposed the Clerk should contact Highways again to follow this up.

Larry Piper reported that although Highways had removed most of the rubble they had left when illuminating the speed signs they had left the large boulder in the ditch. The Clerk was requested to contact Highways about this.

Mr Crawford said there is a website www.fixmystreet.com where you could report potholes, fly tipping etc. This is then sent on to whichever Council is responsible. This is a good way of keeping the pressure on. Mr Tuck asked if it was worth reporting in the Parish Newsletter and everyone agreed.

a) Flooding/Drainage
Mr Yeates asked when the jetting was going to be carried out. The Clerk said this work had been put back to April/May but was still on Highways’ list.

b) McDonalds’ Crossing
Following on from the discussion last month the Clerk requested that this item be brought up at the meeting with McDonalds and they be requested to install a pedestrian footpath. Mr Tuck said from a Health & Safety point of view they have to make sure the public are safe. Mr Bourke asked if Highways should have commented on this at the time of the planning application. Mr Crawford said they would not have had the power to impose restraints on McDonalds. Mr Tuck said the usage of the Store and the Post Office had increased as when they originally opened the Post Office was still at the junction of Church Road. Mr Hobhouse said they probably didn’t have any reason to put in public access at the time. It was agreed that Mr Lewis and Mr Crawford would bring up this issue at the meeting.

7 LOCAL PLAN/VILLAGE DESIGN - There was nothing to report.

8 CRIME/NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
Mr Westcott reported that this month had been moderately quiet. Jason Smith had a tractor stolen, which is one of several that have disappeared in the area. Also suspicious people were reported looking for a site in the area and they have been seen in the field by the Playing Field. Mr Bourke said he had received a telephone call from Mrs Belton of Ainstey Drive on Sunday evening saying she had seen three suspicious people in the field and they were looking at the water supply opposite her house. Mr Piper reported a white transit van with three males using his drive to turn around at 6.30am. He has the registration number of the vehicle. Mr Hobhouse reported that three men in a white van were going round farmyards looking to steal things but to beware as they were thought to be dangerous. Mr Crawford asked if the top gate to the field was locked. It was confirmed that the gate had a chain around it but wasn’t actually padlocked. Although it was a public right of way because there is a stile next to the gate it was agreed the gate could be locked. Mr Crawford agreed to contact Robin Bell to discuss this.

Mr Crawford asked Larry Piper to let Thelma know the registration number of the white transit van. Mr Lewis mentioned that there was a security firm based near him and if there was an emergency he was sure they would assist.

The Clerk read out a note from Thelma saying things had been quiet and reported that Thelma had delivered all the PO closure letters to the residents of the village. The Clerk though that Thelma deserved a vote of thanks for all her help. Thelma also asked if there was any news on the cycle and Mr Hobhouse confirmed he had this in hand.

9 PLANNING DECISIONS
08/00947/FUL & 08/00951/LBC
These applications to change the use of garage to recreation room, erection of garage, store and greenhouse at Little Weston House were approved.

Mrs Goodland said she and her neighbours had received letters from SSDC informing them that the owners of the caravan park were going to appeal. Mr Crawford confirmed that he had written reiterating our original comments/objections.

10 PLANNING APPLICATIONS - None had been received.

11 MATTERS ARISING
a) Change of date for SSDC Annual Parish Meeting
This meeting was now being held on 30^th April at 6.00pm in the Council Offices in Wincanton. The meeting would be followed by another to discuss the Local Development Framework which has superseded the Local Plan. Mr Crawford had all the paperwork relating to this and he will look through and make notes. It is very important to check building lines and land use classification.

b) Proposed Post Office closure
The Clerk confirmed letters had been written on behalf of the Parish Council opposing the closure and that a photo shoot had taken place that morning at the Sparkford Post Office with a photographer from the Western Gazette taking photos of residents protesting at the proposed closure. Mr Lewis said it had been a freelance photographer and that photos would be available. Mr Crawford confirmed he had also posted a petition which had nearly 1,200 signatures.

The Clerk reported she had spoken with the Postmaster at Queen Camel about holding a weekly session in Sparkford. Unfortunately his main employee was leaving in September to return to Australia and he didn’t think he would be able to take this on. The Clerk had agreed to contact him again once a decision on the closure had been taken. She mentioned it would also be a possibility of asking the Postmaster at Castle Cary if he would be willing to take this on.

c) Change of police geographical area name
It was agreed that the name South Somerset Rural was more appropriate than Somerton Sector.

d) Parish Insurance
The Clerk said she had received an email from a company called Came & Company who, in conjunction with Norwich Union Parish Council Insurance, was offering extremely good rates and better cover than we currently had. She would be in receipt of a new schedule and premium at the next meeting and it would be discussed further.

e) Old Coal Yard
There was no further information on this matter at present.

f) Broadband provision in the village
Mr Tuck reported that broadband provision in the village was absolutely abominable especially in the evenings and could the Parish do something to help. Mr Bourke asked if this was something the PC should get involved with but Mr Lewis confirmed that the Parish Council would be doing it for the benefit of the community so it would be justified.

Mr Crawford asked Councillors if we should contact BT. Mr Tuck said Sparkford had always suffered with a lack of telephone lines and that we should put a bit of pressure on them. Mr Crawford said it might be worth contacting local businesses to see what provision they had. Mr Bourke said we should obtain evidence from villagers before contacting BT. Mr Lewis agreed and said we should contact Haynes and that one of his tenants has put in a fibre optic cable. The Clerk suggested putting an item in the Parish Newsletter and this was agreed.

g) Code of Conduct
It was confirmed that we had adopted Item 12 (a).

h) Annual Parish Meeting
It was agreed to hold the Annual Parish Meeting prior to the next Parish Council Meeting on Monday, 5^th May. The APM would commence at 7.30pm.

12 PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS
a) Clerk’s Salary & Expenses
The Clerk’s salary of £142.65 and expenses of £8.50 were approved.

b) Approval of Annual Accounts 2007/08
The Councillors approved the Annual Accounts 2007/08. This will be published at the Annual Parish Meeting on 5^th May 2008.

13 CORRESPONDENCE
The Clerk had received an email from the Queen Camel Youth Support Team Leader about play events to be held in Queen Camel from 11^th to 15^th August. The Clerk will forward these details to both Mr Tuck and Mr Bourke and contact the Youth Support Team Leader asking to be kept informed.

14 ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Mrs Goodland asked the Clerk to contact her on her old email address at Porter Dodson as her home computer had a virus.

Mr Piper asked if we had received any feedback from Haynes following our meeting and the village event. Mr Crawford said he had heard no news.

16 QUESTIONS/COMMENTS FROM COUNCILLORS
Mr Lewis reminded members of the Parish Council that the first day of the new waste and recycling arrangements start on Friday. The Clerk has put copies of the dates on both noticeboards and will place them in the Parish Newsletter also.

17 ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDA
Mr Tuck asked that an item to discuss HGV’s accessing Mill Farm.