Present: Cllr. E J Derrick (Chairman)

Cllr. Mrs. E V Latchem (Vice-chairman)

Mr. McInnes asked if the Council could do something about the extensive litter problem in the village - he pointed out that footpaths are now being used for dumping not only garden waste but also kitchen waste. He asked if the PC could ask an officer from the B&NES Waste Disposal Department to visit the village and eventually use publicity based around the B&NES composting services to eliminate the problem. Clerk to write to Mr. Howell.

1. Minutes of a Council meeting held on 26th January 2004

These minutes, which had been previously circulated, were taken as read agreed a true record and signed by the Chairman. There were no matters arising.

2. To co-op a member to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Cllr. R Witt

Two candidates had put their names forward and a simple election was held in accordance with LGA 1972, Sch 12, para 39. The election showed that members voted eleven votes for Susan Lee and three votes for Julie Wait.

The Chairman declared Susan Lee co-opted and asked the Clerk to prepare the necessary acceptance documents for her to sign.

The Clerk was asked to write to Ms. Wait thanking her for her interest and asking her to apply again if a vacancy arises.

3. Correspondence

a). DTI and Defra - Partnerships in rolling out broadband in rural communities

Agreed to leave on the table as broadband was readily available in the parish.

b). Charity Commission Annual Return

Clerk reported receipt but a small problem existed in that, this year, the Commission has insisted that birth dates of all Trustees are needed on the return. The Clerk said that he did not keep that information so it was agreed that the attendance file should be re-circulated for members to write on their DOB.

c). Mr. and Mrs. Diederich - Street lighting in Carlingcott

The letter in the form of a petition was dealt with at the Annual Parish Meeting.

d). Community Action - invitation to join

The invitation was declined.

e). B&NES - Colliers Way

Letter explaining that this path, known to this Council as the Cycleway was now under construction along both railway lines out of Radstock. The path can be accessed from our southernmost boundary.

f). Parish Church of St. John's

Letter from the Churchwardens informing this Council that a professional company would make the alleged unsafe trees in the Churchyard safe. Noted with satisfaction.

g). FDC Law

Two well overdue invoices have been received for work on the football club lease and licence. The work was abandoned some two years ago when the football club dropped their scheme for a pavilion. A member asked if the football club had any legal standing with the Council and the Clerk said that the old lease was still in force. The two invoices totalling £626.76 (inclusive of VAT) were agreed for payment from this year's contingency budget.

h). Linda Humphries, New Buildings

Letter asking if the Council could do anything to get the wirescape removed from her area. She had noticed that other areas of the village had been mentioned in the PDS for action - why not add New Buildings? Agreed to consider if or when the PDS was revised.

4. Accounts

The following accounts were presented by the RFO and accepted for payment: -

Fosseway Press £335.50, 106.06, 61.56 and 335.50; M J Whittock (salary and expenses) 1401.44 and 1420.63; Inland Revenue 552.71 and 552.48; Southwood Waste management 126.90; J Beck 1.50; SWEB 11.43; Rev H Bonsey 2; FDC Law 636.76; Lee Holmes 62.76; 1^st Peasedown St John Scout Group 121.50; R Garrett 60; Peter Davies 171.20; Chris Lilley Catering 352.50; BT 35.25 and 139.96; A F Denning 205.04; Norton Garden Machinery 292.83 and Local Council Review 69.

5. Minutes of Planning Committee meetings held on 9th February and 8th March 2004

Cllr. Derrick presented these minutes. He was asked by a member to update the meeting with reference to the illegal car sales taking place at 25 Ashgrove. He was able to report a letter from the new Enforcement Officer to the owners of the land asking them to cease trading or submit a planning application within 21 days. Noted.

All other decisions were endorsed.

6. Minutes of Environment Committee meetings held on 9th February and 8th March 2004

Cllr. Butt presented these minutes. He was able to update Council on the progress so far with the planting on the roundabouts. He and the Clerk had met with a member of B&NES Parks Department and five new beds have been mapped out and a price has been requested for their installation to be done by B&NES workers. Clerk will now formally write to Mr. Brook, the Networks Manager at B&NES, telling him of our plans and asking his permission to start. All other comments and decisions were endorsed.

7. Minutes of a Magazine Committee meeting held on 15th March 2004

Cllr. Mrs. Thomas presented these minutes. She drew attention to the fact that the April edition was printed and circulated one week early to suit the Easter programme at the Churches. She also asked that all members make a serious attempt to supply passport-sized photographs for the Newsletter.

Chairman of Council congratulated the Editor and Chairman on yet another very well laid out Newsletter.

8. Reports

There were none as all delegates had given comprehensive reports at the Annual Parish Meeting.

9. Motions

a). Chairman of Council proposed: -

"that this Council proceeds with all haste towards gaining accreditation as a Quality Council by the following means

a). the Clerk submits his Portfolio for marking immediately

b). Council agrees that the Council Web Site contains all the elements required to pass its Quality Council test therefore it should not be put out to any commercial firm for revision or adaptation

c). the £1,000 earmarked in the 2004/2005 budget for work on the Web Site be used to pay the extended hours already worked by the Clerk on his Portfolio and to cover the expected work needed to be done by the Clerk and Council on the accreditation dossier for Quality Council."

Cllr. R W G Butt seconded the proposal.

Chairman said that he felt that the motion was self-explanatory and was necessary to clear up loose ends that needed to be formally agreed by Council so that all members could now get behind an imminent application for Quality.

The Chairman put the proposal and it was passed unanimously.

b). Cllr. R W G Butt proposed: -

"that this Council approves the setting up of a Transport Issues Working Party of the Environment Committee, without any delegated authority, under the Chairmanship of the Chairman of the Environment Committee and that any recommendations it makes are to be put to the Full Council for discussion and any subsequent implementation."

Cllr. Mrs. F M Butt seconded the motion.

Cllr. Butt gave a brief explanation of the possible membership of the Party. He said that from the Council he had asked Cllr. Mrs Thomas to join him together with eight members of the public, an officer from B&NES Highways and PC Shaun Roberts. He could see the Party having to meet three or four times.

The Chairman put the proposal and it was passed unanimously.

10. Any other business, being a preview of correspondence received since the publication of this agenda

The Clerk introduce a letter from B&NES, which asks if a survey can be done by the Clerk that will map all green spaces in the village. The Clerk has been asked to signify not only PC owned green spaces but also all other areas owned and run by other voluntary and commercial organisations. Contact names are also required. A presentation will be given at the Parishes Liaison Meeting on Wednesday next. The Clerk will endeavour to attend and attempt to provide the information, which is required by 7^th May.

11. Dates of next meetings

5^th April - Planning Committee 26^th April - Transport Issues Working Party

10^th May - committees as required: 17^th May - Magazine and other committees as required

24^th May - ANNUAL MEETING OF THE COUNCIL.

Meeting closed at 9.30 p.m.