MARK PARISH COUNCIL
A Meeting of Mark Parish Council was held in the Church Hall, Vicarage Road, Mark on Tuesday, 3rd November 2020 at 7.00 p.m.
Present:- Councillor G. Francis (Vice-Chairman in the Chair) Councillors D. Champion, Mrs E. Corkish, W. Human, J. Spencer and Mrs J. Weekes with the Clerk.
Apology for absence received from Councillor S. Emary.
90. Declarations of Interest
Councillors Mrs E. Corkish and Mrs J. Weekes declared a personal interest in matters relating to Mark Village Hall and Councillor Champion declared an interest in planning application 034.
91. Minutes
The Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 1st September 2020 were confirmed and signed by the Presiding Chairman as a correct record.
92. National Grid
Gillian Burnell and a colleague from National Grid were in attendance to update Members on progress being made with the construction of the haul roads, plans for installing the T pylons, provision of a welfare cabin to the south of the Causeway, erection of a bat barn, tree planting and the demolition of Ashtrees. The availability of grants for local charities was also outlined. They undertook to supply information for the parish website and magazine and also upon their intentions for two properties which they had recently purchased. A parishioner would also be invited to submit detailed questions direct to National Grid for a response.
93. Vacancy
It was agreed to defer the co-option of a person to serve on the Parish Council to fill the casual vacancy caused by the resignation of Mrs J. Horn until the next Meeting.
94. Finance
a) Balance of Accounts
It was reported that the balance of accounts at 1st October were as follows - Current £20,111.10, Reserve £36,769.89.
b) Authorisation for Payment
It was agreed that the following payments be made:-
DD SDC payroll £937.50
000913 GWB Services grass and hedge cutting £1,124.25
000914 Parish Clerk expenses & sundry payments £300.78
000915 Smith of Derby public clock restoration £18,570.23
c) Bank Reconciliation
A bank reconciliation as at 30th September 2020 was checked with the original bank statements and signed by the Members who did not sign cheques as part of the Council’s financial controls
d) Estimates 2021/22
The Council considered the Estimates for 2021/22. It was agreed that the Estimates be approved and the precept for 2021/22 be £17.600.
95. Planning Portfolio
The following new planning applications were considered with permission being recommended in each case:-
033 Erection of extension and other alterations, Wedmore House, Sedgemoor Manor School, Blackford Road, Mark – Priory Group.
034 Erection of agricultural workers dwelling, south of Rookery Farm, Northwick Road, Mark – C.S & J.M. Petheram.
It was agreed to confirm recommendations made in connection with the following applications since the last Meeting:-
029 Variation of condition to allow the repositioning of the pavilion, west of Vole Road, Mark – Mark Cricket Club. permission.
030 Conversion of garage to living accommodation and erection of detached garage and new boundary wall at Gables, The Causeway, Mark – N. Loney permission.
031 Formation of two concrete yard areas on farmyard, Lilac Farm, Harp Road, Mark – M. Wall. permission.
035 Erection of replacement agricultural building, Nut Tree Farm, Vole Road, Mark – Carnell & Partners. permission.
037 Erection of stable building, Southwick House, Southwick Road, Mark – C. Larkin. permission.
038 Certificate of Lawfulness for use of land as a caravan park and caravan storage, Dutch Court Farm, Dutch Road, Mark – Mr & Mrs J. Harris. permission.
039 Erection of an agricultural building to the east of Green Drove, Mark – G. Puddy. conditional permission.
040 Change of use of land to additional domestic garden and erection of garage, The Old Hay Barn, Green Drove, Mark – G. Puddy. refusal.
041 Erection of detached garage and workshop, Pudar, Southwick Road, Mark – L. Cutler. permission.
96. Public Areas Portfolio
a) Highway Matters
Subsidence at Littlemoor Road and the need to refurbish the 30 mph signs and white lines would be reported along with blocked highway drains in Church Street. There were no new fly-tipping deposits to report. There had been no update from the County Council on completion of the signage at Blackford Road to enable the extension of the speed limit to be enforced nor upon the proposed highway safety scheme at Mark First School. The District Council had carried out work to a tree near the garages at Northwick Road.
Councillor Francis was applying for a grant towards the cost of 6 SIDs for use in Mark, Burnham Without and East Huntspill. Discussions were taking place with appropriate Councils regarding future funding of the 67 Bus Service. It was agreed to inform the County Council and other appropriate Councils that this Parish Council were prepared to retain their contribution at least £1,750 per year.
b) Play Area
It was noted that the wooden picnic benches were being refurbished and that Mark had won the Somerset Playing Fields’ Association Play Area of the Year Competition for 2020.
c) Public Rights of Way
It was noted that AX23/15 at The Wall had been cleared. Gary Bickers would be requested to adjust the gate fixings on the path to the south of Littlemoor Road.
d) Village Hall /Football Pitch Area
It was noted that the Mark Community Association were investigating improvements to the football pitch area including refurbishing the goalmouth which required remedial action.
97. Web-site Portfolio
Councillor Mrs Weekes reported upon statistics relating to visits to the web-site during October. A number of photographs had recently been loaded onto the web-site.
98. Next Meeting
It was agreed that the next Meeting be held on 5th January 2021 starting at 7.00 p.m.
The Meeting closed at 8.10 p.m. Chairman
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