MARK PARISH COUNCIL
A Meeting of Mark Parish Council was held in the Village Hall, Mark on Tuesday, 7th July 2015 at 7.30 p.m.
Present:- Councillors N. van der Bijl (Chairman), D. Champion, Mrs E. Corkish, Mrs S. Flack, G. Francis, Mrs A. Hanlon and W. Human with the Clerk.
Apology for absence received from Councillor Mrs J. Weekes, District Councillor P. Costello and County Councillor D. Huxtable.
17. Declarations of Interest
Councillors Mrs E. Corkish and Mrs S. Flack declared personal interests in matters relating to Mark Village Hall. Councillor Francis declared a personal interest in issues relating to National Grid as a shareholder. Councillor Mrs S. Flack declared a personal interest in issues relating to Mark Cricket Club as a Committee Member and Councillors Mrs S. Flack and G. Francis declared personal interests in Mark Community Land Trust Ltd as members of the organisation.
18. Minutes
The Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 19th May 2015 were confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.
19. Report of the Police
PCSO Matt Shaw outlined crime statistics in the area and answered questions relating to speeding vehicles, neighbourhood watch, farm watch and community speedwatch.
20. Play Area
The Clerk reported the work to provide new wet pour safety surfacing under the roundabout had been completed and the grant of £2,966 had been claimed. The play area had been entered in the 2015 SPFA Field of the Year Competition. It was agreed to request Gary Bickers to cut the play area hedge.
21. Finance
a) Balance of Accounts
It was reported that the balance of accounts at 1st June were as follows - Current £7,822.09, Reserve £16,934.04.
b) Mark Church Clock
It was agreed to enter into a three year new service agreement with Smith of Derby in the total sum of £480 + VAT.
c) Authorisation for Payment
It was agreed that the following payments be made:-
000798 GB Sport & Leisure UK Ltd wet pour surfacing £4,416.00
000799 GWB Services grass cutting £995.00
000800 Mark Neighbourhood Watch grant £100.00
000801 Parish Clerk expenses £331.42
000802 Smith of Derby service agreement £576.00
22. School Parking/Mark Cricket Club New Ground Development
Members considered an update on this matter. The MP was seeking a meeting with the County Council’s Chief Executive and representatives of the Cricket Club to discuss a mutually agreeable solution to the access rights issue. A Meeting between relevant parties had taken place to discuss issues relating to the recently extended Zig Zag markings. It was agreed to support Option 1 for Zig Zags from Syringa to 1 The Croft, enforceable by a traffic regulation order between the hours of 0800 to 0900 and 1500 to 1600 Monday to Friday.
23. Public Areas Portfolio
a) Highway Matters
A number of highway defects had recently been rectified. Members were requested to e-mail the Clerk with details of highway defects for reporting to County Highways. It was agreed to report a pothole at Vicarage Road. It was also agreed to remind County Highways to correct the road markings at the Vole Road/Pill Road junction and to check the repair work carried out to the damaged railings at Yarrow Road. Councillor Champion undertook to investigate possible work to the surface of the pull in at Jubilee Green. It was agreed to purchase a seat to commemorate the centenary of World War I following agreement of the wording of the plaque and to investigate a problem of subsidence. It was agreed to give publicity to a forthcoming road closure at Dutch Road. Reference was made to a recent accident at the Mark Causeway bend but it was recognised that traffic calming work in the vicinity would not be practical. It was understood that work on improving the water flow in the rhyne in the Northwick Road area had been completed. The Meeting were also advised as to the reasons Community Speedwatch had been suspended. It was agreed to record a vote of thanks to Mike Schollar in respect of his work relating to Community Speedwatch.
b) Public Rights of Way
Councillor Francis reported upon the County Council’s “Adopt a Path” scheme and Councillor Champion reported upon the surfaces of Green Drove and Coombe Drove.
c) Village Hall /Football Pitch Area
There were no issues to raise in connection with the Village Hall/Football Pitch area.
24. Planning Portfolio
The following applications were considered:-
022 Installation of external staircase to first floor above garage, The Willows, Mark Causeway – G. Willis – recommend permission;
023 Demolition of barn, erection of building comprising two bedroom dwelling for holiday let and formation of access, Crooked Ham, Vole Road – Thornton & Cox – recommend refusal;
025 Erection of outbuilding to the side of The Pines, Mark Causeway- Mrs J. Cox – recommend permission;
026 Removal of specified hedgerows, south of Yardwell Road, Mark – R. Puddy – no observations.
It was agreed to request an update from the Enforcement Officer upon a planning contravention at Trevenna Cottage.
25. Special Projects - National Grid
Councillor Mrs Corkish reported upon issues relating to a response to National Grid regarding tree planting at Ashtrees and to the possible colour of T-pylons. It was agreed to request further details from Paul Sobczyk, Sedgemoor District Council on the colours to enable a response to be made. It was also agreed to record a vote of thanks to Councillor Mrs Corkish in respect of her work relating to National Grid.
26. Web-site Portfolio
The Clerk reported that Councillor Mrs Weekes had invited ideas for the further development of the web-site. It was suggested that details of Mark Community Land Trust Ltd be included on the web-site.
27. Mark Cemetery
It was agreed to thank Gary Bickers for cutting the Cemetery hedge.
28. Next Meeting
It was agreed that the next Meeting be held in the Village Hall on 8th September 2015 at 7.30 p.m.
The Meeting closed at 9.45 p.m. Chairman
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