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Present:Cllrs Mrs M Button*, Mrs F Butt, A Spiller, M Roy, G Matthews

Cllr J Rich (SO43)

Public Session None

1. Apologies were received from Cllr Mrs R Rich & Mr F Day
2. The minutes of the Environment Committee meeting held on 17 July 2006.

These minutes, which had been previously circulated were taken as read, agreed as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

3. Clerks Report

• The tree in the cemetery is an ongoing issue and the clerk has met with the senior arboriculturalist who felt that the canopy of the tree should be raised further, the northern side of the tree trimmed and the whole crown then balanced. Three quotes have been obtained for this work and they are all within the region of £450 / £480.
• Refuse collection – the clerk has contacted the refuse / recycling department regarding the new methods of refuse collection to ask if a representative would like to come to a council meeting to explain the system to the council. The department is reluctant to send someone out as the decision has already been finalised – the councillors are to check on the type of vehicle used to collect the green wheelie bins to see if it the same one that collects the bagged refuse.

• The clerks presented the committee with some printouts to facilitate planning for capital projects for 2007 / 2008

• A letter has been received from Chris Weedon of the Forest of Avon, stating that he would like to visit the village to acquaint himself with the area. The councillors thought this an excellent idea and he is to attend the parish council meeting to be held on 16 October 2006.
• A letter has been received from Ms Sian Hancock referring to 61 Eckweek Road. This is the property of Mr Box and he has built a low wall around the property. It is the opinion of the parish council and the residents of Eckweek Gardens that this estate should remain an open plan estate. Unfortunately the documents confirming this have been mislaid. Somer Housing Trust, however, have taken this sentiment on board and whilst allowing the wall to stay at present, when the bungalow is sold the wall will have to be removed.

• The council has had sight of the swept path map for vehicles delivering to the proposed new supermarket at Ashgrove. It appears from the map that the vehicles will enter from the Bath end of the village but will exit via the Red Post end. This appears to contravene the rules laid down by the Parking Manager Ms D Miley, who is preventing the vehicles who deliver to the Radstock Cooperative from entering the village. They have to exit via the Bath end.

• The clerk has written to the Planning Officer Andy Ross asking him to liase with Ms Miley because articulated vehicles should not being going through the village at all.

1. To consider the capital projects for 2007 / 2008

The committee considered some ideas for improvements for the next financial year and have asked the clerks to contact B&NES to ask how much they would charge for weeding the beds twice during the season.

Relocation of some of the planters was discussed, also the possibility of bolting them down as several were upended resulting in the plants dying and empty pots for the remainder of the summer.

The main areas for relocation are from Orchard Way into estates off the main road,

and the one at Red Post, as these seem to be vandalised most, also the ridge at Ashgrove as there a two planters there at present.

It was felt that a planter in Carlingcott would be beneficial for the community.

The committee would like an officer from B&NES parks and gardens to speak to them regarding the cutting of grass on roundabouts as the parish council has to pay for this to be done. Cllr Butt suggested that we look at what Salisbury is doing and ask who is responsible for the grass cutting in the city.

2. Items for inclusion if a future agenda

Capital projects for 2007 / 2008

Invite a representative from the recycling department to speak on composting etc.,

The meeting closed at 20.05.