MARK PARISH COUNCIL
A Meeting of Mark Parish Council was held via Zoom on Tuesday, 4th May 2021 at 7.00 p.m.
Present:- Councillor S. Emary (Chairman) Councillors D. Champion, Mrs E. Corkish, G. Francis, W. Human, D. Sellers, J. Spencer and Mrs J. Weekes with the Clerk.
1. Election of Chairman
Proposed Councillor Mrs Corkish, seconded Councillor Spencer and unanimously agreed that Councillor S. Emary be elected Chairman for 2021/22. The Chairman would sign a declaration of acceptance of office.
2. Election of Vice-Chairman
Proposed by Councillor Mrs Corkish, seconded by Councillor Spencer and unanimously agreed that Councillor Francis be elected Vice-Chairman for 2021/22.
3. Declarations of Interest
Councillors Mrs E. Corkish and Mrs J. Weekes declared personal interests in matters relating to the Village Hall.
4. Minutes
The Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 2nd March 2021 were confirmed and would be signed by the Chairman as a correct record.
5. 2020/21 Financial Statement
The financial statement for 2020/21 was formally approved.
6. Annual Governance Statement
The Council agreed the Annual Governance Statement for 2020/21 as required by the External Auditors.
7. 2020/21 Accounting Statement
The 2020/21 Accounting Statement required by the External Auditors was formally approved.
8. Review of Insurance Cover
The Council reviewed their insurance cover and added cover for the proposed new SIDs.
9. Finance
a) Balance of Accounts
It was reported that the balance of accounts at 1st April were as follows - Current £4,252.99, Reserve £26,771.32.
b) Authorisation for Payment
It was agreed that the following payments be confirmed:-
000924 GWB Services maintenance work £519.25
DD SDC salary recharge £1,068.74
000925 Smith of Derby public clock servicing £634.80
000926 GWB Services grass cutting £231.00
000927 Zurich Municipal insurance premium £543.83
000928 Burnham Without PC SID security clamps £130.00
000929 Parish Clerk expenses & sundry payments £549.31
10. Planning Portfolio
It was agreed to confirm recommendations of permission in respect of the following applications:-
20/023 Change of use of land to domestic and erection of replacement garage, 6 The City, Mark – I. Jones.
004 Change of use of agricultural buildings to three dwellings and associated works, Totney Farm, Blackford Road, Mark – A. Comer.
11. Public Areas Portfolio
a) Highway Matters
A number of specified road defects would be reported to County Highways.
No action had been forthcoming from the County Council regarding completion of the signage following the extension of the 30 mph speed limit at Blackford Road, nor upon the agreed schedule of proposed improvements to road signs, road markings and a 20 mph zone in Blackford Road/Church Street with a view to increasing road safety in the village. No further information had been received regarding the provision of 20 mph zones outside all schools including private schools nor upon the future funding of bus service 67. It was agreed to raise the lack of action in dealing with these matters with senior staff/Members at County Hall. An appropriate design for a village gateway on the western approach to Blackford had been agreed and this would be paid for by Wedmore Parish Council.
Councillor Francis gave an update regarding the acquisition of 9 more advanced SIDs for use in Mark, Burnham Without and East Huntspill. Approval was currently awaited from County Highways for new sites for poles for these SIDs in Watchfield and Mark and a Memorandum of Understanding was being completed.
b) Play Area
Minor maintenance work had taken place to the benches and paint on the slide and a new notice had been fixed to the play area gate. Complaints had been received regarding dogs in the play area and this would be monitored.
c) Public Rights of Way
Councillor Sellers reported upon possible clearance work by the County Council to AX23/15 and Councillor Human reported upon negotiations with National Grid to allow access along a bridleway across the haul road when work was not taking place. Mr Bickers had adjusted the mechanism on the gate on the footpath to the south of Littlemoor Road to ensure that it closed more efficiently.
d) Village Hall /Football Pitch Area
Councillor Human reported that he had been approached by a parishioner regarding an issue caused by model aircraft being flown on the football pitch area. This area fell within the remit of the Mark Community Association and Councillor Human would attend their next Meeting when the issue would be raised.
e) Wainbridge Farm
Councillor Human agreed to contact National Grid to ascertain their intentions for this property which was falling into disrepair.
12. Web-site Portfolio
Councillor Mrs Weekes reported upon statistics relating to visits to the web-site during April.
13. Next Meeting
It was agreed that the next Meeting be held on 6th July 2021 starting at 7.00 p.m.
The Meeting closed at 8.00 p.m. Chairman
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