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
Mr Yeates asked when the drains were going to be cleared. Mr Crawford said this would be discussed under Item 6.

5 COUNTY/DISTRICT COUNCILLOR
The County and District Councillors were not present.

a) Flooding in Church Road
Mr Tuck presented a survey of the gullies in Church Road. Out of 28 gullies from the village hall up to Konkers two were clear, 10 were fully blocked and the rest need attention. Behind Konkers there is a severe problem and two new gullies may be needed. Mr Tuck had also found a report issued by Roger Meecham in February 2006 that identified a variety of problems that were the responsibility of both Somerset County Council and South Somerset District Council. After two years these problems still have not been sorted out.

Mr Tuck suggested inviting the Highways Portfolio Holder to a Parish Council meeting so we could present him with all the evidence.
Mr Crawford thanked Mr Tuck for his work and said it is an important piece of evidence and it is wrong that nothing has been done about it. This information must be sent to Highways. All Councillors agreed with this and the Clerk will send both the survey of gullies in Church Road and the Roger Meecham report to Highways with copies to both Mr Lewis and Mr Hobhouse.
The Clerk was also requested to contact Mr Marshall to thank him for his comments and telling him what we are doing about the matter.

Mr Piper reported that Highways had repaired a large pothole outside the entrance to their property in the High Road but they threw all the old tarmac on the verge instead of taking it away with them. They also threw a large piece of concrete into the verge when they completed the lighting works to the 30mph speed limit signs. Is this considered to be fly tipping? Mr Bourke suggested we contact Highways to thank them for repairing the pothole but would have preferred it if they had taken the rubbish away. All Councillors agreed and the Clerk will contact Highways about this matter.

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

8 CRIME/NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
Mr Westcott reported that we were having a very quiet period at the moment. He also mentioned that he had no contact with Thelma Mead since Christmas. Mr Bourke reported that she had been in the village last week.

Mr Crawford reported that there had been some strange fly tipping in the Copse recently – a large bag of clothes, a huge cardboard box that a freezer may have come in and a bag of lino off cuts and household waste (which contained a Rimpton newsletter). All these things can be recycled either in the black bin or by taking them to a recycling centre.

9 PLANNING DECISIONS
a) 07/01506/FUL – The Old Coal Yard
Mr Crawford said that all Councillors had received a copy of the appeal and are now aware of the decision by the Inspector. This is a great pity as the District Council voted 14 to 1 against the application. Mr Crawford said it was particularly disappointing as this was a site we had identified for industrial use. Mr Crawford said he would attempt to find out about the Section 106 agreement and how these contributions would help improve local facilities.

10 PLANNING APPLICATIONS
There were none.

11 MATTERS ARISING
There were none.

12 PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS
a) Clerk’s Salary & Expenses
The Clerk’s salary of £106.99 and expenses of £27.98 were approved.

13 CORRESPONDENCE
a) Parish Flood Fair
An invitation had been received to the above event which was taking place on 21^st and 22^nd February.

b) Area East Forum
An invitation had been received to the above event which takes place on 27^th February at 6pm at Queen Camel Village Hall. Mr Crawford and Mr Bourke will probably attend this event and will let the Clerk know.

c) SSDC Annual Parish Meeting
An invitation had been received to the above event which takes place on 19^th March at 7pm in the Council Offices at Wincanton. Any Councillors who are able to attend should contact the Clerk.

14 ANY OTHER BUSINESS
a) Strategic Housing Market Assessment
Councillors had received information about the above event taking place on 14^th February but none will be able to attend.

b) Spring Bulb Planting 2008/9
Councillors had received information about the spring bulb planting and the Clerk had received a reply from Mr & Mrs Tuck on behalf of the Sparkford Scouts who would like to take part. The Clerk will contact SSDC and give them Mr Tuck’s contact details. A discussion ensued regarding appropriate places for the planting to take place and Mr Tuck said he would walk around the village and locate safe planting areas.

c) Mr Tuck reported he had received a complaint from Mrs Edwards regarding the crossing at McDonalds and pointing out how dangerous it was being just off the junction and with the continuous lorry parking. To cross safely you have to go further down the footpath and go through the hedge. It was agreed we would contact Highways and ask them to attend a site visit with a view to relocation the crossing to make it safer for pedestrians.

Mr Crawford had been contacted by Mr Marsh who had asked for some information to be given to the Parish Council. This concerns the offer of land by Mrs Slader to the Church to use as a car park. Mr Crawford passed around photos and plans. He also said the Church are looking into the legal side of the offer and there would have to be an access through the car park into the rest of the field. Also the question of more land to use as a burial ground was raised. Although the Parish Council does not have a statutory requirement to find land for this it would be seen as lacking in it’s obligations it did not assist the Church. The possibility of asking Mrs Slader for an extra piece of land behind the chestnut tree may solve the problem. Mr Tuck asked when this extra ground would be needed. Mr Crawford said Mr Marsh thinks it will be within 10 years. The Church will probably need planning consent for change of use from agricultural land to a car park.

Mr Crawford asked Councillors who would be attending the Code of Conduct meeting on Tuesday, 12^th February in Wincanton. It was agreed that Mr Bourke, Mrs Goodland, Mrs Piper and Mr Piper would attend. Mr Crawford confirmed he would pick everyone up at around 6.30pm.

15 QUESTIONS/COMMENTS FROM PARISHIONERS
There were none.

16 QUESTIONS/COMMENTS FROM COUNCILLORS
There were none.

17 ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDA
It was agreed that the Flooding/Drainage item would appear under Item 6.

18 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Monday, 3^rd March 2008.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.00pm.
KB/05.02.08