MARK PARISH COUNCIL
A Meeting of Mark Parish Council was held in the Church Hall, Vicarage Road, Mark on Tuesday, 6th September 2022 at 7.00 p.m.
Present:- Councillors D. Kehoe (Chairman), D. Champion, S. Emary, G. Francis, W. Human and Mrs J. Weekes with County Councillor H. Munt and the Clerk.
Apology for absence received from Councillor C. Taylor
25. Declarations of Interest
Councillor Mrs J. Weekes declared a personal interest in matters relating to Mark Village Hall.
26. Minutes
The Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 5th July 2022 were confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.
27. Report of the County Councillor
County Councillor Munt reported upon the current position regarding the work to form a Unitary Council for Somerset. A consultation had recently commenced on the function and form of Local Community Networks and Members were encouraged to take part. A Council Tax Support Scheme consultation would soon open.
28. Finance
a) Balance of Accounts
It was reported that the balance of accounts at 1st August were as follows - Current £7,721.36, Reserve £30,403.21.
b) Authorisation for Payment
It was agreed that the following payments be made
DD Sedgemoor DC payroll £999.99
000960 GWB Services grass & hedge cutting £1,751.04
000961 SALC affiliation fee £390.70
000962 Parish Clerk expenses & sundry payment reimbursement £434.63
000963 Somerset County Council SID post £200.00
c) Bank Reconciliation
A bank reconciliation as at 30th June 2022 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.
29. Planning Portfolio
It was agreed to confirm recommendations of permission made since the last Meeting in respect of 022 (extension to caravan park, Dutch Court Farm), 024 (variation of design, Old Hay Barn) and 025 (replacement farmhouse, Glebe Farm, Harp Road), 026 (conversion of barn to holiday let, Magnolia House) and 027 (variation of materials, building at Rose Farm).
30. Public Areas Portfolio
a) Highway Matters
County Highways had been requested to assist in overcoming an issue of a hedge encroaching onto the highway at The Causeway. Previously reported defects at Harp Road and Northwick Road were awaiting repair by County Highways and it was agreed to request an update.
b) Play Area
The play area had been awarded a highly commended certificate in the 2022 Somerset Playing Fields Association’s Field of the Year Competition.
c) Public Rights of Way
Work had taken place at The Wall (AX23/15) to clear much of the vegetation. County Councillor Munt was thanked for contacting Chris East, County Rights of Way Officer. It was agreed to monitor the situation.
d) Village Hall
Councillor Mrs Weekes reported that CCTV was about to be installed on the Village Hall. It was reported that there had been instances of boy racers in the car park.
31. Public Clock
It was reported that the striking mechanism on the clock had now been repaired.
32. Parish Website
Councillor Mrs Weekes reported that she had run out of pages for new material on the web-site. Some old material would be deleted to see if it would free up space. IONOS could offer larger capacity but it might involve a rebuild to transfer existing material. IONOS would be requested for more information and also to see if material could be read on mobile phones. An appeal would be made to see if there were any local web designers who could assist and if necessary, a small Working Group be formed to give detailed consideration to the matter and agree the best way forward.
33. Royal British Legion (Mark)
Mark Royal British Legion had recently purchased two benches to commemorate local military casualties in the First and Second World Wars. One bench would be placed in Mark Churchyard and the second would replace the bench at the bus stop on the B3139 opposite the Southwick Road junction.
The area around the bus stop had been cleared and arrangements would be made for the old bench to be removed and the new bench to be installed. The Parish Council had been requested to add this area to its maintenance programme and to add a three-sided wall around the new bench to protect it. It was agreed to maintain this area in future years but to request the views of County Highways regarding the proposed wall.
34. Next Meeting
It was agreed that the next Meeting be held on 1st November 2022 starting at 7.00 p.m.
The Meeting closed at 7.50 p.m.
Chairman
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