MARK PARISH COUNCIL
A Meeting of Mark Parish Council was held in the Village Hall, Mark on Tuesday, 7th November 2017 at 7.30 p.m.
Present:- Councillors N. van der Bijl (Chairman), Mrs E. Corkish, Mrs S. Flack, G. Francis, Mrs J. Horn, W. Human and Mrs J. Weekes with the Clerk.
Apology for absence received from Councillor Mrs A. Hanlon and County Councillor D. Huxtable.
34. Disclosures of Interest
Councillors Mrs E. Corkish, Mrs S. Flack, Mrs J. Horn and Mrs J. Weekes declared personal interests in matters relating to Mark Village Hall and Councillor van der Bijl declared an interest in Mark Bowling Club.
35. Minutes
The Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 5th September 2017 were confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.
36. Finance
a) Balance of Accounts
It was reported that the balance of accounts at 29th September were as follows - Current £9,159.48, Reserve £31,645.81.
b) Authorisation for Payment
It was agreed that the following payment be made:-
DD SDC dog waste bin servicing £167.23
000847 GWB Services Ltd maintenance work & grass cutting £1,345.00
000848 Grant Thornton audit fee £120.00
c) Bank Reconciliation
A bank reconciliation for the period 1st April to 30th September 2017 was checked against the original bank statements and signed by the members who did not sign cheques as part of the Council’s internal controls.
d) 2016/17 Audit of Accounts
The External Auditors, Grant Thornton, had completed the 2016/17 Audit of Accounts and had concluded that on the basis of their review of the annual return, in their opinion the information in the annual return was in accordance with proper practices and no matters had come to their attention which gave cause for concern that relevant legislative and regulatory requirements had not been met. The internal auditor also had no matters to draw to the attention of members.
37. Public Areas Portfolio
a) Highway Matters
It was agreed to report a highway defect and damaged nameplate at Northwick Road. County Councillor Huxtable had provided a written report on a number of outstanding highway issues in Mark. Councillor Human had raised the issue of children waiting for the school bus in the Perry Road area of Blackford Road with the County Highways Portfolio Holder. It was agreed to press for “wig wag” lights and a 20 mph zone in the vicinity of Mark First School and a 20 mph zone between the two chicanes in Blackford Road/Church Street and the Chairman undertook to pursue these matters with the County Council. It was noted that the subsiding pavement near Jubilee Green would be reinstated prior to 31st March 2018 and a chevron would be requested at Locksbroad.
With regard to bus service 67 between Burnham on Sea and Wells, it was noted that a new operator would take over from Crosville and Councillors Mrs Corkish and Francis would attend a meeting to discuss the future of the service on 29th November. Councillor Francis would further investigate possible arrangements for certain fingerpost signs to be refurbished and he also reported upon the current position regarding recruitment of volunteers willing to undertake speed checks for a new Community Speedwatch Scheme in Mark. Enquiry would be made into a high number of quarry lorries passing through Mark on their way to Hinkley Point.
b) Play Area
It was noted that the Play Area had received a highly commended certificate in the 2017 SPFA Field of the Year Awards. The springer had been repaired but further non-urgent maintenance work had been identified in the recent safety inspection. It was agreed to check if the report received related to the 2017 inspection.
c) Public Rights of Way
Councillor Francis reported that the County Council would be carrying out work on a footpath near the Solar Farm.
d) Village Hall /Football Pitch Area
Members considered the current position regarding the proposed lease for the Bowling Club. The MCA were also investigating possible provision of outdoor gym equipment for adults.
e) 2018 Village Clean up Event
It was agreed to organise a Village Clean-up event on Saturday, 17th February 2018, possibly also involving Community Payback personnel.
38. Planning Portfolio
The following planning applications were considered:-
030 Erection of extension and installation of a raised deck, 20 Merryfield, – L. Blewett – recommend permission;
031 Erection of dwelling and formation of access to Church Street, Ashdene, Churchlands – Miss A. Cameron – recommend permission;
033 Change of use of land to Use Class B8 and siting of 15 storage containers, Rookery Farm Creamery, Northwick Road – Mr & Mrs C. Petheram – recommend permission.
39. Affordable Housing Portfolio
Councillor Mrs Horn reported that regular liaison was taking place with the South West Housing Society. The project plan for the next 2 months was preparation of the site and installation of the haul road from The Causeway. It was agreed to set up a separate E-mail address for all correspondence relating to this project and this be publicised on the web-site and in the parish magazine. It was also agreed to request the Housing Society to erect “No Site Traffic” notices at appropriate road junctions to prevent use of Northwick Road and to deter any parking of cars in the Jubilee Green area.
40. Web-site Portfolio
Councillor Mrs Weekes reported that a meeting was being held with Future Dog IT Solutions to consider enhancements to the web-site.
41. Truespeed
It was agreed to contact Graham Kerslake, Director of Sales, Truespeed to seek an update on their plans to deliver services in Mark.
42. Next Meeting
It was agreed that the next Meeting be held in the Village Hall on 2nd January 2018 at 7.30 p.m.
The Meeting closed at 8.55 p.m. Chairman
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