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ASHCOTT PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Full Meeting Held on 20th January 2020 at 7pm in Ashcott Village Hall
Present: Mrs J Lawrence (Chair), Mr I Bagg, Miss E Smith, Mr R Linham, Mr J Vallender, Mr A Wans. County Councillor D Huxtable. Mrs V Young (Clerk)
1) Apologies – Mr A Howe had sent his apologies which were approved.
2) Declarations of Interest – None
3) Democratic Half Hour - Flooding was reported at the top of Station Road. Pedwell Hill had been extremely icy from the junction with Pedwell Lane to the junction at the bottom of the hill. The Station Road 30mph sign needed to be put back up. There had been complaints about the general state of Norman’s Lane and it was missing one no entry sign onto the A39.
There was some discussion regarding the Community Council for Somerset and inviting the village agent to attend the parish at one of the regular events to introduce themselves. They were to be asked to send a suitable advertisement of their services for inclusion in the Whats-On.
There had been issues with the parking at Ham Wall causing the police to have no alternative but to close the road. The RSPB were to be written to requesting again that they steward the traffic so that it does not become gridlocked.
The plastic chevrons/bollards at the top of Hemstitch Hill needed reinstating
4) Councillors reports - A written report had been forwarded electronically to the Parish Council from the County Councillor. It was reported that an additional SID site pole would be allowable at a cost of £200. The clerk was to contact the traffic management team at the County Council with regard to the matter. Additionally traffic management were to be reminded about the query regarding the advisory blue HGV sign at the top of Pedwell Hill and also an advisory ‘no HGV’ sign for the High Street.
The District Councillor was unable to attend but had been involved in monitoring on going matters in Ashcott which were pertinent to the District Council.
6) Previous Action Points
Defibrillator Training – This was being arranged. Most likely date was Sunday 15th March.
Mobile Post Office – The Parish Council were waiting to hear back from the Post Office as to the result of discussions with another potential operator for a mobile post office.
The Batch – Spring bulbs had been planted. Steve Hellard had completed the registration of The Batch. It was proposed and unanimously agreed that Ian Bagg go ahead with investigating quotes for two further stone containers.
SIDS (Speed Indicator Devices) – Steve Pickford and John Vallender had been on the operator training with regards to working on the roadside to enable them to move the SID devices. It was unanimously agreed to ask for a quote for two additional batteries. The proposed site on the map from the County Council did not show the proposed site in the correct place. This was corrected at the meeting and a copy showing the correct location was to be sent to the County Council Traffic Management Team
The Pound – It was agreed that now the matters with registering The Batch were concluding the same process should be followed for The Pound. The Parish Council had been advised to start by looking at the evidence that existed first.
7) Planning Applications for Consideration
01/19/00029 – Full Planning Permission
48 Bath Road, Ashcott – Proposed demolition of a redundant residential building comprising of a private swimming pool and the erection of a detached terraced block of 3 dwellings with parking, access and turning.
01/19/00030 – Listed Building Consent – alterations
48 Bath Road,, Ashcott – Proposed demolition of a redundant residential building comprising of a private swimming pool and the erection of a detached terraced block of 3 dwellings with parking, access and turning.
The comments for these two applications were the same as by virtue of overdevelopment it was felt that the development was harmful to the listed building involved.
The Parish Council unanimously voted to object to these applications in their current form. The development would make for over development of the area with the 3 dwellings and urbanisation of the rural scene. There were significant highway concerns regarding the fact that there was no room for the pavement shown on the A39 unless the wall is knocked down. The pedestrian access out onto the main road as shown on the plans also seemed extremely dangerous.
There were no objections in principle to the development but this was felt to be overdevelopment and not sympathetic with the existing and it additionally resulted in very small gardens. Concern was raised over materials and it was felt that matching stone would be a better material.
It was felt that if the plans were resubmitted with 2 dwellings rather than 3 and matching stone and not render that the council might be mindful to accept the plans.
The highways and access concern as to be re-iterated in comments to the planning officer as this application is in addition to another application which already increases traffic. Additionally with the access arrangement it was felt that there was nowhere suitable for delivery vehicles to stop/park other than on the road which is a busy A road.
The Parish Council would, however, welcome a revised application which successfully addressed these concerns.
8) Planning Applications Decided 01/19/00028 – Land at Junction of High Street and West Street, Ashcott – Variation of condition 2 of 01/18/00009 - to install staircase from first floor level to loft space to allow for conversion of loft to habitable accommodation – Granted.
9) Correspondence/Updates Various items of correspondence were brought to the attention of the Parish Council including the following;. The Batch Registration – complete providing there were no objections from the County Council SIDS – correspondence per above regarding the 3rd post and additionally from the supplier regarding the opportunity of free additional mounting bars and locking pins providing they were collected. Illegal festival site – matters ongoing at the District Council. The abandoned caravan which had been reported had been removed. Norman’s Lane – Orchards. - Some concern had been raised regarding the felling of some trees. The matter had been passed on to the District Council. Pavements on the A39 – Highways had asked the relevant landowners to tidy the hedges. PPE-The Mole Valley Farmers quote had been accepted as instructed and the safety equipment for SID volunteers had arrived and was being distributed. Bank signatory form – ongoing as the clerk was now informed that the form given out had been the wrong one and a new one required completing. SALC training dates- This item was discussed. The clerk was to see if places were available on the courses of interest. Website – progress regarding the accessibility regulations was mentioned. This was ongoing. There was a ‘Tree conference’ on 12th February. Ian Bagg had agreed to attend.
10) Approval of the minutes - The minutes of the meetings of 16th December 2019 were approved as a true record with minor amendment.
11) Financial - Items for Payment.
The following payments were authorised
Clerk Wages and Expenses/mvf re ppe for SID volunteers - £713.90
Somerset County Council - £200.00
A precept of £16,965 was proposed by Ian Bagg, Seconded by John Vallender and agreed unanimously based on the forecast of expenditure shown in appendix 1.
12) Items of Report/Business for next meeting
The date of the next meeting was 17th February 2020. Flooding on the A39/A361 at the Pipers Junction was to be notified to highways.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.15pm
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