Agenda for the AGM, May and Minutes for August, September, November, December 2005, January, February, March, April, June, July,  October, November, December 2006, January, February, March, April, June, November, December 2007, January, February & March 2008

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You are summoned to the Annual General Meeting of Cannington Parish Council at 7.00pm on
Tuesday 13^th May 2008 in Cannington Village Hall.

The public session will commence at 7.00pm and continue for a maximum of 30 minutes. Members of the public are invited to remain and observe the proceedings of the Council meeting proper.

AGENDA

1/05/08          Election of Chairman & Signing of Office

2/05/08          Election of Vice Chairman

3/05/08          Election of Posts of Responsibilities

4/05/08          Apologies for Absence

5/05/08          Minutes of the Last Meeting
The minutes of the last meeting held on Tuesday 8^th April 2008 in Cannington Village Hall.

6/05/08          Matters Arising. Please see Appendix (A)

7/05/08          Police Matters
(1)               Police report.                          (2)       Incidents Reported.
(3)       Community Speedwatch.         (4)       P.A.C.T.

8/05/08          Highways Matters
We have received a letter from Andrew Turner (Highway Service Manager) notifying us the change in organisation of the area. We now have a Mr. Tony Fairfax as our Highways Superintendent.

Highways have also notifies us that the Highways network, A and B routes (including visibility splays and junctions) will be cut during: 6^th May – 27^th May. Special sites (e.g. holiday routes, Glastonbury Festival site) will be cut 28^th – 2^nd June. C and unclassified roads to be cut 3^rd June – 28^th July. A and B routes will provisionally, depending on growing conditions, be cut 29^th July – 18^th August. And lastly environmentally protected sites are to be cut usually at the end of the growing season if required.

9/05/08          Jubilee Gardens
Chairman to report

10/05/08        Playing Field
Chairman to report

11/05/08        Cemetery
Chairman to report

12/05/08        Village Hall
Cllr. Greenslade to report

13/05/08        Cannington Village Centre
Cllr. Mrs Laird to report

14/05/08        Affordable Housing
Cllr. Child to report

15/05/08        Village Brook
Chairman to report.

16/05/08        Allotments
Clerk to report

17/05/08        Cannington Tourism
Cllr. Mrs. S. Allen to report

18/05/08        Report on Hinkley Point
Chairman to report from the meeting he attended at Clifford Hall

19/05/08        Bus Shelters in the village
To discuss the replacement of the shelter in Brook Street

20/05/08        The Cossington Concert Trust
We have received a request from the above for a contribution to their fund which encourages the musical talents of young people. The Clerk has further details.

21/05/08        Cannington Front Garden Competition
We have received a request for a grant of at least £100 (as they have received for many years). This will cover the prize money and perhaps the judge’s costs.

22/05/08        Duck Race
We have received a request from Cannington Primary School PTA to hold the annual Duck Race in Jubilee Gardens on Friday 20^th June 2008. We have also received notification of road closure (Brook Street) by S.D.C. from 5.30 till 9.00pm

23/05/08        Community Council for Somerset
We have received a request to subscribe to the above for next year at a cost of £25 per year. The Community Council are a charity which believes in confident and sustainable rural communities. They will offer, support, an information service and links to networks. The Clerk has further details.

24/05/08        SALC
The North Area meeting will take place at Fiddington Village Hall on Thursday 12^th June 2008 at 7.30pm. The Clerk has further details.

25/05/08        Cannington Picture
Whilst Cannington College were cleaning out their store rooms they found an old framed picture relating to the village. They have donated this to the village and the Clerk will show it at the meeting.

26/05/08        Sedgemoor Citizens Advice Bureau & Volunteer Centre Sedgemoor AGM
We have been invited to attend the above on Friday 4^th July at 12 noon at Victoria Park Community Centre. After the meeting there will be an opportunity to talk to the directors and advisers about the work of the Citizens Advice Bureau and the Volunteer Centre. A copy of the Citizens Advice Bureau and Volunteer Centre Sedgemoor Annual Reports will be available at the meeting or subsequently by request. RSVP by Friday, June 27^th 2008. The Clerk has the details.

27/05/08        WI Tree planting in Jubilee Gardens
The WI has asked to use Jubilee Gardens on Saturday 21^st June 2008 in the afternoon to celebrate 85^th anniversary of the Cannington branch. They will plant a Mountain Ash tree to commemorate the event.

 28/05.08         County Councillors Grant Fund
Cllr. J. Edney has written to us with a grant of £1000 allocated to Cannington. The money must be spent on projects that benefit the whole community and would therefore not otherwise happen.

28/05/08        Planning Matters Please see appendix (B) (Cllr. Child)

29/05/08        Financial Matters

(1)                                      The Clerk will present the accounts for 2007/8 (See appendix c)

(2)                   Payments due - Cheques to be signed, if approved; cheque stubs and invoices to be initialled.

(3)       Monthly Financial Monitor The monthly statement will be circulated(3) (3)                   Monthly Financial Monitor The monthly statement will be circulated at the meeting

30/05/08        Documents Received for Councillors’ perusal

                        ‘THATCH’. The rural Community Magazine for Somerset – Spring 2008 (A well edited magazine giving wide ranging articles from “How Winsham’s Jubilee Hall was transformed into a thriving Internet Café” to “The importance of Parish Councils” – An Exmoor View. 

                        Sedgemoor Area Working Party – Agenda and Minutes of meeting (22^nd May 2008 in Ashcott Village Hall)

31/05/08        Any items for next months Agenda

David Hatherley - Clerk to the Parish Council –6^th May 2008

MINUTES of a meeting of Cannington Parish Council held on
Tuesday, 11^th March 2008, in Cannington Village Hall.

 Present:
Cllr. Sutton (Vice Chairman), Cllrs. Mrs. Laird, Mrs. S. Allen, C. D. Allen, Child, Davey, Edwards, Gibson, & Greenslade

Cllr. Sutton chaired the meeting

Three members of the public were in attendance.
During the Public Session, the following topic was voiced: - Nil

1/03/08          Apologies for Absence.
Cllr. M. Locke and District Councillors: Joslyn and Edney (Attending the Quantock Cluster meeting)

2/03/08          Minutes of the Last Meeting.
The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 10^th February 2008 in Cannington Village Hall were signed as a true record.

3/03/08          Matters Arising.
The Black poplar tree in Jubilee gardens was voiced as a concern as a large branch had been blown down in the resent winds. The Clerk reported that he had obtained two quotes for the work to crown the tree but unfortunately the College had failed to submit one. After discussion it was agreed to give the contract to Yates of Taunton, who where given the job on their reputation and the importance of the tree in which to undertake the work.  This was noted that this was not the lowest quote.

4/03/08          Police Matters.

(1)               Police report.
There was no police present at the meeting.

(2)       Incidents Reported.
Nil

(3)               Community Speedwatch.

Cllr. Gibson reported that he had tried to obtain help from residents in the village but as yet to no avail. The Clerk to write to the Primary school to ask parents if they would be prepared to help. Action Clerk
The Clerk was instructed to write to the police voicing the Council’s disappointment at their lack of acknowledgement of the Councils letter last month. Action Clerk

5/03/08          Highways Matters.
The Clerk reported back from the meeting he attended with Lawrence Hackling of Somerset Highways. He had promised to put the list; the Clerk had given him, on his list of work and or to look at for the next financial year. It was noted that the single white line had been completed at the corner of Bowling Green/Mill Lane and that the “School” sign had been raised in Jubilee Gardens.
Cllr. Gibson offered to remove a fallen tree at the top of Rodway Hill. The Council agreed.

6/03/08          Jubilee Gardens.
It was noted that the seat in Jubilee Gardens was loose and that the Clerk would look into it in order to get it fixed. Action Clerk

7/03/08          Playing Field.
Cllrs Greenslade left the room during the discussion about the awarding of a contract for the Playing Fields maintenance.
Two quotes had been received from the three sent out. The Council took the lowest quote of £2713.00 excluding VAT for the year. This turned out to be Greenslade Grounds Maintenance. Therefore Greenslade Grounds Maintenance was awarded the contract.
Cllr. Greenslade returned and reported that two members of the public were unable to speak during the Public session and it was felt that they should be given an opportunity to do so. Therefore the meeting was suspended and they where invited to speak.
They voiced their concern about the proposed high/low wire rope course at Crockers.
The meeting was reopened
Cllr. Allen reported that the pavilion had been left in a better state this month. The Clerk said that he and the Chairman had pencilled in a date for a meeting with all the clubs that use the facilities for the end of the season to air its use, cleanliness and monies for next season.

8/03/08          Cemetery.
After discussion it was felt that there was no need to raise the Councils cemetery rates for the forthcoming financial year.

9/03/08          Village Hall.
Cllr. Greenslade reported that there was little to report but that there was to be meeting next Monday (17/03/08).

10/03/08        Cannington Village Centre.
Cllr. Mrs Laird reported that there was little to report and that a meeting was to be held later in the month.

11/03/08        Cannington College Liaison Meeting
The notes of the meeting (Wednesday 20^th February 2008) had been circulated to the members and to Cannington College. It was decided not to support the College’s request for an award for Student community awareness.

 12/03/08        Affordable Housing
Cllr. Child said there was little to report at this stage but the situation was being monitored.

13/03/08        Village Brook
The Clerk read out the email he had received from James Yarham from the Environment Agency in which he said that the weed growth in Southbrook could be dealt with at the end of the summer. That the culvert under the A39 was clear and that the monitoring of the height of the water at the Friendly Spirit should have been fixed by now but he will look into the situation and report back to the Council.

14/03/08        Allotments
The Clerk reported that he had sent two letters of termination of Tenancy to Allotment holders and that one had paid immediately and apologised for the lateness of payment. The other did not. Therefore he had reallocated the plot to J. Thompson of the Almshouses, being the next Cannington resident on the list. He reported that a sum of £480.00 had been received this year.

15/03/08        Cannington Tourism
Cllr. Mrs. S. Allen reported that there is a problem with the style at the Blackmore Farm Walk but Chris East is reporting back to her about the situation. She distributed the photo she has taken of the information board at Dampiet Street, Bridgwater and discussion took place over material and style.

Cllr. L. Laird had attended a meeting with Cllr. Child, “Western Somerset Local Action Group” She reported there may be a chance of funding for tourism for Cannington and she is willing to be a member of the project but asked for travelling expenses. This was unanimously agreed.

16/03/08        Report on Hinkley Point
Cllr. Allen reported back from the meeting he had attended at Cannington College on 22^nd February 2008. Topics discussed included the storage of low level waste, notices on the coastal path to explain what to do in the event of the siren going off and the shipment of low level waste skips being transported to America. He reported that both reactors have been running continuously since May and June 2007.

17/03/08        Bus Shelters in the village
The Chairmen reported on the two quotes and designs for bus shelters to replace the one in Brook Street. It was estimated that a sum of around £3,500 would cover the work including pulling the old one down. Discussion took place over the need for  a shelter but it was agreed to leave a decision until the next meeting when all had had an opportunity to digest the information. Cllr. Child asked for a sub-committee to be formed to look into the shelter but there was little support for this idea.

18/03/08        Flood Fair
The Clerk reported back from the meeting he and the Chairman had attended in North Petherton

19/03/08        Sedgemoor Charter
The Clerk reported back from the meeting he the Chairman and Cllr. Child had attended in Bridgwater House. The Charter had been signed and is to be kept in the Parish’s lockable safe with the Clerk.

20/03/08        Parish Clerk
The letter that the Personnel sub-committee was read out stating the Council was pleased with the Clerks work and the post to be made permanent.

21/03/08        Clerk’s new address
The Clerks new address was noted and he reported that he hoped that BT could transfer the phone line to Brymore School.

22/03/08        Planning Matters
The revised plans for Brymore were noted as was the situation at “Crockers”. Cllr. Child informed the Council that the Swang Farm Planning Application had been delegated to the Planning Department. The Committee accepted the recommendations from the sub-committee.

23/03/08        Financial Matters

(1)              Payments Due. – The cheques were signed together with the initialling of the cheque stubs and invoices.

(2)              Monthly Financial Monitor. The monthly statement was circulated.                          

24/03/08        Documents Received for Councillors’ perusal
The Clerk read the documents out and Cllr. Allen took the brochure “Enjoy England”

25/03/08        Any items for next months Agenda
The WI has asked to plant a tree.

The meeting closed at 20.37

MINUTES of a meeting of Cannington Parish Council held on
Tuesday, 12^th February 2008, in Cannington Village Hall.

Present:
Cllr. Locke (Chairman), Cllrs. Mrs. Laird, Mrs. S. Allen, C. D. Allen, Child, Davey, Edwards, Gibson, Greenslade & Sutton
District Councillors Edney, Dyer and 5 members of the public.

During the Public Session, the following topic was voiced:

·         An update was given about the proposed new plans at Cannington Cold Store at Spaxton (Ashford) and thanks was given for the support from the Council and the many residents of the village.

1/02/08          Apologies for Absence.
Nil

2/02/08          Minutes of the Last Meeting.
The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 8^th January 2008 in Cannington Village Hall were signed as a true record.

3/02/08          Matters Arising.

/1        Disappointment was voiced about the record keeping of work outstanding and the Clerk was instructed to keep more detailed and comprehensive records. Action Clerk

/2        The Clerk was instructed to get a second quote for work to be done on the Black Popular tree as well as approaching the College to see if they would be interested in undertaking the work. Action Clerk

/3        The Clerk was instructed to write a letter to SDC and a copy to the Chief Executive about the time taken for them to respond to letters that had been written to them concerning the Silver Birch trees in Lonsdale Road. Action Clerk

/4        Cllr. Child updated the Council on the European Working Party and informed the Council that Somerset had passed the first hurdle re projects and finance.

/5        The Clerks three months probationary period was over and therefore the Chairman asked for a meeting of the Personnel Committee to determine his future. Action Chairman

4/02/08          Police Matters.

(1)               Police report.
There was no police present at the meeting but it was noted that the next meeting of the “Beat Surgeries” in the Village Hall was to be held on 14^th February 2008 and the Chairman asked if a Councillor could attend the event. Cllr. Mrs Laird volunteered and was thanked for her services.

(2)       Incidents Reported.
Nil

(3)               Community Speedwatch.

Cllr. Gibson reported that he and two others will be monitoring on 18^th and 19^th February 2008 but voiced his disappointment that Rodway Hill could not be monitored due to a lack of police presence. The Clerk was instructed to write to the police Traffic Office to seek assistance on this matter. Action Clerk

5/02/08          Highways Matters.
The Clerk reported that he has a meeting the next day with Andrew Turner and Lawence Hackling of Somerset Highways and asked if the following concerns could be given to him.

1.                   Dropped kerbs at the bottom of Rodway hill/Fore Street/War memorial

2.                   Possible relief road to Hinkley Point

3.                   White lining of Bowling Green and Mill Lane corner

4.                   Jubilee Gardens/Brook street kerb edge

5.                   The Clerk would also approach Ian Greenslade to tidy up the bank on the right hand side of Rodway Hill as one ascends Action Clerk

6/02/08          Jubilee Gardens.
The Chairman reported back from the meeting held Wednesday 6^th February 2007 at 2.00pm

7/02/08          Playing Field.
As yet the Parish has had no replies from the letters that went out to three firms to ask them to tender for the new contract to maintain the Playing Field as from 1^st April 2008. They have until the end of the month to respond.

The Chairman was most disappointed in the state that the pavilion was left in at the weekend and it was decided to invite all the clubs that use the facilities to a meeting at the close of the season so that this and other matters can be corrected for the future. Action Clerk

Disappointment was also voiced that someone had been driving a vehicle up the bank and thus damaging it.

8/02/08          Cemetery.
The Chairman reported that the cemetery was in a better state than his last visit re litter. The Clerk reported that work on the wall will start in mid March after the weather improves.

9/02/08          Village Hall.
Cllr. Greenslade reported that the pre-school will be leaving the premises and moving to the Primary School after Easter thus leaving the Hall free during the day for future hire. This in turn will free up the Committee room for future use.

10/02/08        Cannington Village Centre.
Cllr. Mrs Laird to reported that they are slowly moving forward and that they are working towards a basic layout that will be required for a new Village Hall and that preliminary drawings were about to start.

11/02/08        Cannington College Liaison Meeting
The new date is fixed for Wednesday 20^th February 2008 at the College at 4.30pm. The venue will be the Committee rooms but to meet in the Reception.

12/02/08        Affordable Housing
Cllr. Child reported that he was to attend a meeting tomorrow with Duncan Harvey and SDC at Taunton and would report back at the next meeting.

13/02/08        Village Brook
Cllr. Sutton reported that the weir had been surfaced cleaned but much silt was still there and the Clerk reported that the measuring device of the depth of water at the Friendly Spirit Inn had still not been fixed in place. He will contact the Environment Agency again. Action Clerk

14/02/08        Allotments
The Clerk reported that reminder letters had been sent to six tenants concerning their lack of payment. Two had now paid but four where still outstanding. The Council recommended that he writes letters terminating their tenancy to allow others on the waiting list an opportunity to have an allotment. Action Clerk. Cllr Gibson asked if he and the Clerk can walk the allotments in the near future. Tuesday 19^th February 2008 at 9.00am was agreed.

15/02/08        Cannington Tourism
Cllr. Mrs. S. Allen reported that the walks leaflets were going extremely well and the Clerk reported that the walks should be on the village web site within the next few weeks. Cllr. Mrs S. Allen agreed to bring to the next meeting photos of the plaques she had seen in Bridgwater; this might help on the Jubilee Gardens project. Action Cllr. S. Allen

16/02/08        Car parking in the village
Discussion took place regarding the present situation as to parking in the village and to look at problem areas where parking is at a premium and or the parking is causing a hazard. The following observations were made:

1.                   The dangers of parking on the bottom of Rodway Hill and the need for double yellow lines. The Clerk will raise this matter with the Highways when he sees them tomorrow. Action Clerk

2.                   The Council looked at the possibilities of a herring bone type of parking, for residents only, on part of the Bowling Green. This would free up parking in Mill Lane and Bowling Green for other vehicles. The Clerk agreed to find out the possibilities of this plan with the Highways tomorrow at his meeting with them. Action Clerk

Cllr Dyer stated this land was owned by S.D.C. but they had no money available at present to help.

17/02/08        Report on Hinkley Point
Cllr. Allen reported that British Energy were actively looking at a new build at the Hinkley site together with three other sites to be completed by 2016. The Hinkley Liaison Group will now meet three times a year rather that two as they have done. The next meeting will be 22^nd February 2008 at Cannington College. Both reactors were still running on the “B” station now for 248 and 232 days respectively.

Cllr. Edney left the meeting

18/02/08        Bus Shelters in the village
The Chairmen reported on the state of both shelters and said that the High Street one needed decorating and that the down pipe was missing. Concern was voiced that some of the damage could be due to the fact that the college students were left unsupervised after college has finished. It was agreed to raise this matter at the College meeting next week.

The state of the shelter on the County Bridge gave the most concern and it was agreed to look into the cost of replacement. The Clerk agreed to undertake this. Action Clerk

19/02/08        Audit and Accounting Update
SALC is a holding a one morning course at Eddington for “Audit and Accounting update 2008 with Managing and Accounting as Sole Managing Trustee”. The Clerk has applied to attend this course at a cost of £15.00 to the Parish. The Council was in agreement.

20/02/08        Sedgemoor Area Working Party

A meeting will be held on 28^th February 2008 at King Alfred’s School, Highbridge at 7.00pm. Agenda items include: Project update, Application for funding, Community Engagement and a Public Question Time. It was noted that the Clerk has further details.

Cllr Dyer left the meeting

21/02/08        Planning Matters.

1.                     Cllr. Child reported back from the sub committee to the Council and their recommendation stood.

2.                     Cllr. Child read a statement that he had prepared concerning the need for dropped kerbs at the bottom of Rodway Hill as stated above (5/02/08/1)

3.                     Cllr. Child read a statement that he had prepared concerning the need for a possible relief road for the village when a new proposed Hinkley point “C” was to be built. The main concern is that Cannington would not be able to voice its concern greatly as the planning application was not in the Cannington parish. It was agreed to write to SDC and a copy to J. Edney initially to voice our thoughts. Action Clerk

22/02/08        Financial Matters

(1)              Payments Due. – The cheques were signed together with the initialling of the cheque stubs and invoices. It was noted that there was a late cheque not on the agenda from EDF Energy for £23.15

(2)       Monthly Financial Monitor. The monthly statement was circulated.

(3)       Audit Commission. It was noted that Moore Stephens have been appointed as our external auditors for the next five years.

23/02/08        Documents Received for Councillors’ perus

                        Thatch (The Rural Community Magazine for Somerset – Winter 2007) Cllr. L. Laird took this copy
                        Clerks & Councils Direct (Independent magazine serving Local Councils in England and Wales
                        Public Transport Timetable for the Sedgemoor Area
                        “The Playing Field” Somerset Playing Fields Association Newsletter
                        Somerset Local Access Forum Annual Newsletter

24/02/08        Any items for next months Agenda

The Chairman stated that he will unfortunately not be able to attend the next monthly meeting of the Parish Council and that the Vice Chairman (W. Sutton) will Chair the meeting.

February 2008

January 2008

December 2007

November 2007

June 2007

April 2007

March 2007

February 2007

January 2007

December 2006

November 2006

October 2006

July 2006

June 2006

April 2006

March 2006

February 2006

January 2006

December 2005

November 2005

September 2005

August 2005