MARK PARISH COUNCIL
A Meeting of Mark Parish Council was held in the Church Hall, Mark on Tuesday, 4th September 2018 at 6.30 p.m.
Present:- Councillor N. van der Bijl (Chairman), Councillors Mrs E. Corkish, Mrs S. Flack, G. Francis, Mrs A. Hanlon, Mrs J. Horn and W. Human with the Clerk.
Apology for absence received from Councillor Mrs J. Weekes.
21. Declarations of Interest
Councillors Mrs E. Corkish, Mrs S. Flack and Mrs J. Horn declared personal interests in matters relating to Mark Village Hall.
22. Minutes
The Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 3rd July 2018 were confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.
23. Finance
a) Balance of Accounts
It was reported that the balance of accounts at 1st August were as follows - Current £3,921.53, Reserve £31,281.52.
b) Bank Reconciliation
A bank reconciliation for the period 1st April to 30th June 2018 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.
c) Authorisation for Payment
The following payments were made since the last Meeting:-
000862 GB Sport & Leisure play equipment repairs £354.00 (cheque stopped (lost in post))
000863 East Huntspill PC share in SID £878.43
000864 Burnham W’out PC share in SID accessories £243.14
It was agreed that the following payments be made:-
000865 GB Sport & Leisure replacement cheque £354.00
000866 GWB Services grass cutting £788.00
000867 Parish Clerk expenses & Sundry payments £275.21
24. Public Areas Portfolio
a) Highway Matters
It was noted that all recent highway defects and fly-tipping deposits had been reported to appropriate authorities. It was agreed to report drainage problems in Church Street and Northwick Road. The subsided area opposite the White Horse Inn had been repaired during July. There had been no recent updates from the County Council on possible safety improvements in the vicinity of Mark First School nor on a possible extension of the 30-mph limit at Blackford Road and other measures in the Church Street area. Information had been recently been received on usage of Bus Service 67.
Councillor Francis gave an update on sponsorship received for the refurbishment of historic finger post signs and work was now underway on the signs at Harp Road, Perry Road, Locksbroad and Kingsway. He also reported that a meeting between representatives of Mark, Burnham Without and East Huntspill would take place to clarify issues on the operation of the shared SID. It was agreed to decline a request received from West Huntspill Parish Council take part in this joint venture as it would significantly reduce the number of occasions the SID would be available for operation in each parish.
HGV’s were still taking a shortcut along roads in Mark and the Chairman undertook to contact firms regularly seen using village roads to seek their agreement to use approved freight routes.
b) Play Area
Councillors Francis and Human agreed to attend the SPFA AGM/Presentation Evening on 13th September. It was agreed to seek a quotation from GB Sport and Leisure to repair areas of wet pour in the play area.
c) Public Rights of Way
Councillor Francis reported that the County Council had not carried any recent work on footpaths in the parish. It was agreed to investigate the possibility of the Parish Council taking the lead on organising the maintenance of the local public rights of way.
d) Village Hall /Football Pitch Area
Reference was made to the recent break in and damage caused to the Village Hall. The South Western Ambulance Service had advised that the defibrillator at the Village Hall needed to be replaced later in the year. It was agreed to explore a more central location in the centre of the village and also a site for a second defibrillator in the Mark Causeway area. The total cost was likely to be approximately £2,800 and provision would need to be made in the draft 2019/20 Estimates.
25. Planning Portfolio
The following planning applications was considered:-
022 Alterations and conversion of milking shed to living accommodation to be used as ancillary accommodation to dwelling and erection of extensions, Primrose Farm, Vole Road, Mark – Mr & Mrs Johnson – recommend permission.
Members had no issues to raise in connection with a consultation by the District Council into recent revisions to the Sedgemoor District Local Plan.
26. Northwick Road Project Liaison Group
Councillor Mrs Horn presented an update on the log of issues raised through the Liaison Group together with an update on progress with the development which was due for completion on 13th September. It was agreed to endeavour to seek confirmation that the people allocated each of the units of accommodation met the appropriate criteria.
27. Web-site Portfolio/Superfast Broadband
Councillor Mrs Weekes had circulated recent web-site statistics. It was understood that the delivery of Superfast Broadband would be completed during October. Councillor Mrs Horn was endeavouring to contact Truespeed to ensure that a pavement was properly reinstated to avoid a trip hazard.
28. Cemetery
Councillor Mrs Corkish reported that the grass surface was cracked following the recent hot and dry weather.
29. Next Meeting
It was agreed that the next Meeting be held on 6th November 2018 at 6.30 p.m.
The Meeting closed at 7.50 p.m. Chairman