MARK PARISH COUNCIL
A Meeting of Mark Parish Council was held in the Church Hall, Vicarage Lane, Mark on Tuesday, 2nd November 2021 at 7.00 p.m.
Present:- Councillor S. Emary (Chairman) Councillors D. Champion, Mrs E. Corkish, G. Francis, W. Human, J. Spencer and Mrs J. Weekes with County Councillor D. Huxtable (until 7.25 p.m.) and the Clerk.
Apology for absence received from Councillor D. Sellers.
30. Declarations of Interest
Councillor Mrs E. Corkish and Mrs J. Weekes declared personal interests in matters relating to the Village Hall and Councillor Francis declared an interest in National Grid.
31. Minutes
The Minutes of the Meeting held on 7th September 2021 were confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.
32. Report of the County Councillor
County Councillor Huxtable reported upon issues relating to Covid and highways. The County Council had agreed to arrange for a speed survey to be undertaken along Blackford Road. Issues relating to highway safety in the vicinity of Mark First School and village gateway schemes were also discussed.
33. Finance
a) Balance of Accounts
It was reported that the balance of accounts at 1st October were as follows - Current £13,405.49, Reserve £28,504.93.
b) Authorisation for Payment
It was agreed that the following payments be authorised:-
DD SDC salary recharge £975.00
000939 GWB Services grass cutting £630.40
000940 Coram Construction Training course fee £264.00
000941 Mark Community Ass’n grant £6,500.00
c) Bank Reconciliation
A bank reconciliation as at 30th September 2021 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.
34. Planning Portfolio
It was agreed to confirm a recommendation of permission made in respect of the following application -
028 Erection of agricultural building, Rookery Farm Creamery, Northwick Road, Mark – CS & JM Petheram.
The following new applications were considered -
003 Installation of three replacement first floor windows, Upper Southwick Farm, Southwick Road, Mark – Mrs I. Perry – recommend permission.
029 Demolition of outbuildings and erection of replacement farmhouse, Glebe Farm, Harp Road, Mark – M. Kidner – recommend conditional permission.
031 Erection of replacement dwelling, The Homestead, Northwick Road, Mark – W. Howard – defer for further consideration by Members.
Councillor Human undertook to contact National Grid regarding the condition of buildings at Wainbridge Farm.
35. Public Areas Portfolio
a) Highway Matters
It was agreed to report highway defects at the junction of Northwick Road and Vole Road. A Working Party comprising the Chairman, Vice Chairman and Councillor Mrs Corkish would be formed to give detailed consideration to issues relating to parking in the vicinity of Mark First School. It was noted that a directional sign to the Bowls Club had been adjusted. Councillor Mrs Corkish would be taking part in a Zoom Meeting regarding bus services on 3rd November. A request for an additional dog waste bin to be located at Littlemoor Road would be considered with the Estimates for 2022/23.
Councillor Francis gave an update regarding the acquisition of more advanced SIDs for use in Mark, Burnham Without and East Huntspill. The new poles required for these SIDs had still not been installed by the County Council in Mark. Two SIDs would also be purchased by the Parish Council for installation at the eastern end of Blackford Road financed by donations from an appeal in memory of the late Lorraine Barrow.
b) Play Area
It was noted that GB Sport & Leisure had undertaken their annual inspection of the play equipment and that the report was awaited.
c) Public Rights of Way
Members reported upon work carried out by National Grid to help clear AX23/15 and a need for further work.
d) Village Hall /Football Pitch Area
Councillor Mrs Weekes reported that the Village Hall was being well used and a discussion took place regarding use of the football pitch by a junior football club this season.
36. Web-site Portfolio
Councillor Mrs Weekes had circulated statistics relating to the web-site.
37. Next Meeting
It was agreed that the next Meeting be held on 14th December 2021 starting at 7.00 p.m.
The Meeting closed at 8.15 p.m. Chairman
Note
Prior to the Meeting, Emma Watts gave an update on the work of a group which she had formed with a view to improving road safety for everyone in the village. The campaign would be “25 Stay Alive” to encourage motorists to voluntarily restrict their speed to 25 mph.
There would be three priorities – media/social media publicity to support the “25 Stay Alive” campaign, provision of village gateways on the main approaches to the village and an approach to local businesses to persuade them to avoid the passage of HGVs along Mark Causeway at school drop off and collection times when the road was congested with parked cars.
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