MINUTES OF MARK PARISH
COUNCIL MEETING
- Tuesday 6th September 2016
MARK PARISH COUNCIL
A Meeting of Mark Parish Council was held in the Village Hall, Mark on Tuesday, 6th September 2016 at 7.30 p.m.
Present:- Councillors N. van der Bijl (Chairman), Mrs A. Hanlon, W. Human (from 7.50 p.m.) and Mrs J. Weekes with the Clerk and County Councillor D. Huxtable.
Apology for absence received from Councillors D. Champion, Mrs E. Corkish, Mrs S. Flack and G. Francis.
24. Declarations of Interest
Councillor Mrs J. Weekes declared a personal interest in matters relating to Mark Village Hall.
25. Minutes
The Minutes of the Meetings of the Council held on 5th July and 23rd August 2016 were confirmed and signed by the Chairman as correct records.
26. Report of the County Councillor
County Councillor Huxtable reported upon safety issues in the vicinity of the Perry Road/Blackford Road junction where children have to wait for/dismount school transport on a narrow verge with restricted visibility outside the 30 mph speed limit. He felt it unlikely that an extension to the speed limit would be possible as it would not meet appropriate criteria and it might not be effective solution to the problem. It was understood that Gary Warren, Somerset Highways, had undertaken to visit the site to see if safety improvements could be made and Councillor Huxtable undertook to take the matter up with him. Issues relating to the resurfacing of the Causeway were also discussed together with remedial work to minor roads extensively used during the road closures.
27. Mark Community Land Trust
The Council received an update of the current position regarding the work of the Mark Community Land Trust.
28. Finance
a) Balance of Accounts
It was reported that the balance of accounts at 1st August were as follows - Current £303.57, Reserve £25,968.01.
b) Authorisation for Payment
It was agreed that the following payment be made:-
000827 Parish Clerk expenses £261.61
29. Public Areas Portfolio
a) Highway Matters
It was agreed to report specified highway defects and defective or obscured signs. It was noted that the resurfacing work at Mark Causeway was nearing completion and that yellow hatching had been reinstated in the vicinity of the school, reduced in length as previously agreed. There was no further update regarding the discussions with other parish councils concerning HGV movements in the area.
Mike Schollar had indicate a wish to retire as Mark Community Speedwatch Co-ordinator. It was agreed that every endeavour be made to ensure that the local Community Speedwatch was able to continue. The Chairman was investigating possible use of Community Payback personnel to clear litter and other work in the village. The District Council’s Landscape Officer had inspected a horse chestnut tree at Jubilee Green and had found it contained the early signs of bleeding canker. It was agreed to closely monitor the condition of this tree. Councillor Champion was investigating the possibility of flailing the brambles alongside the river.
b) Play Area
The Chairman agreed to contact a local person to see if he would be prepared to paint the metal swings in the play area. It was hoped that the Parish Council would be represented at the Somerset Playing Fields’ Association’s Presentation Evening on 13th September to receive an award for the play area.
c) Public Rights of Way
No issues were raised regarding the public rights of way.
d) Parish Cemetery
No issues were raised regarding the cemetery.
e) Village Hall /Football Pitch Area
Arrangements were made for free NHS Health checks to take place in the Village Hall on the morning of 4th October 2016 together with appropriate publicity. Reference was also made to an increase in dog fouling on the football pitch area.
18. Planning Portfolio
There were no new planning applications to consider.
19. Web-site Portfolio/Superfast Broadband
Councillor Mrs Weekes reported upon possible arrangements for refreshing the web-site and it was noted that a member of the Community Land Trust had agreed to post information on that organisation on the web-site and had received the necessary training. It was felt that Councillor Mrs Weekes should be reimbursed the cost of upgrading her software to receive superfast broadband to assist with maintaining the web-site.
Councillor Human reported upon attendance at a Faster Broadband Fair held at Draycott Village Hall on 1st September 2016 and outlined details of how superfast broadband might be further developed in Mark where not currently available. The holding of a “Getting up to Speed” event in Mark Village Hall would also be explored.
20. National Grid
Action taken since the last Meeting in endorsing Badgworth’s statement to the MP regarding community benefits in connection with the Hinkley C Connection Scheme was approved and confirmed.
21. Next Meeting
It was agreed that the next Meeting be held in the Village Hall on 1st November 2016 at 7.30 p.m.