MARK PARISH COUNCIL
A Meeting of Mark Parish Council was held via Zoom on Tuesday, 2nd March 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 and County Councillor D. Huxtable until 7.30 p.m.
The Chairman welcomed Councillor Sellers to his first Meeting of the Council.
108. Declarations of Interest
Councillors Mrs E. Corkish and Mrs J. Weekes declared personal interests in matters relating to the Village Hall.
109. Minutes
The Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 5th January 2021 were confirmed and would be signed by the Chairman as a correct record.
110. Report of the County Councillor
County Councillor Huxtable reported upon a decision of the County Council to provide 20 mph zones outside all schools including private schools. He also reported that future funding of bus service 67 was still to be determined and outlined work recently carried out to provide a village gateway on the western approach to Blackford.
Councillor Huxtable remained present during discussion of a schedule of proposed improvements to road signs, road markings and a 20 mph zone in Blackford Road/Church Street compiled by a number of Members with a view to increasing road safety in the village. A copy of the schedule is appended to the signed copy of these minutes. It was agreed that all Members give detailed consideration to the proposals prior to formal submission to County Highways with a copy to Councillor Huxtable.
111. Finance
a) Balance of Accounts
It was reported that the balance of accounts at 1st February were as follows - Current £7,387.87, Reserve £26,770.87.
b) Authorisation for Payment
It was agreed that the following payments be confirmed:-
DD SDC salary recharge £937.50
000921 Mark Cricket Club grant £1,000.00
000922 SCC 67 bus service contribution £1,750.00
000923 Parish Clerk expenses & sundry payments £350.63
112. Planning Portfolio
It was agreed to recommend permission in respect of the following application:-
002 Reserved matters for the erection of a dwelling and garage adjoining Larches, The Causeway, Mark – Mr & Mrs R. May.
113. Public Areas Portfolio
a) Highway Matters
A number of road defects and fly-tipping deposits had recently been reported to the appropriate authorities.
Councillor Francis reported that a grant of £20,000 had been approved by National Grid towards the cost 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. Community Speedwatch checks were also recommencing.
b) Play Area
It was agreed that minor maintenance work be carried out to the benches and paint on the slide and quotations be obtained for a new notice for the play area gate.
c) Public Rights of Way
It was agreed that Councillor Sellers take over the Public Rights of Way Portfolio with Councillor Francis concentrating on Highways/Road Safety. Councillors Sellers and Francis had carried out maintenance work to repair a bridge and remove brambles along a footpath. Mr Bickers had recently replaced a post on the gate on the footpath to the south of Littlemoor Road. It was agreed that a mechanism be provided to ensure that this gate closed more efficiently.
d) Village Hall /Football Pitch Area
It was noted that the Mark Community Association were arranging to replace the goalposts.
e) Church Street Parish Noticeboard
It was agreed to make arrangements for the posts on the noticeboard outside the Village Stores to be revarnished.
f) Parish Magazine
The Chairman requested Portfolio Holders to provide regular updates on their Portfolios for inclusion in the Parish Magazine.
114. Web-site Portfolio
Councillor Mrs Weekes reported upon statistics relating to visits to the web-site during February. A “What’s New” feature had recently been added and ideas for future improvements were sought.
115. Next Meeting
It was agreed that the next Meeting be held on 4th May 2021 starting at 7.00 p.m.
The Meeting closed at 8.10 p.m. Chairman
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