Present:

Steve Holmes - Chairman
Deborah Westmancoat Treasurer
Andy Hall
Caroline Selway
Carol Hobson
Alan Stoodley - Secretary

Apologies:

Gareth O'Rourke - Vice Chairman
Alan Wedderkopp
Nick Graves
Alwyn Lindley


The apologies were accepted, the previous minutes were reviewed and agreed.

Matters arising:
Planning Application for New Housing at Haines hill:

The planning proposals for new buildings at Haines Hill were discussed.  The plans of the proposed development were shown to the 
meeting and the following concerns were raised:

1. Development in this area will increase the volume of traffic exiting onto Trull Road.
2. Access for emergency vehicles would be very restricted.
3. The proposed parking arrangements appeared to fall short of that which would be a fully satisfactory arrangement.
4. Security aspects with regard access to the area via the dark lane route caused concern.
5. It was considered that it would be inappropriate to build in the back garden of a classic Victorian Building.
6. The development would not be in keeping with the area.
7. Wildlife implications would need to be considered the presence of Bats and other animals for example. 

The Association supported the concerns expressed above and asked that all concerned parties should write to Tim Burton of the Planning 
Applications Office citing the above objections/concerns.

The Planning Application reference is 382004/547.

Hedge Planting at Haines Park:

The hedge planting at the above location is schedule for the 15th January.  There is 100 metre strip of land to be planted which will 
require 4 trees per metre. The ground is to be prepared by Taunton Deane staff, they will also provide a fence to protect the trees while 
they establish.

The trees are being purchased by the Association ( at a cost of £240) but volunteers are required to help plant the 400 trees in question 
please.  All are welcome to help, any contribution will be valued. In particular it was thought that the involvement of younger people would be 
very beneficial.  Councillor John Meikle has offered to help in the morning and Mayor Jean Allgrove in the afternoon.

Please help even if you can spare only a small amount of time. .

Community Audit:

Subsequent to Andy's presentation at the AGM regarding a Community Audit he suggested that perhaps circulation of a simple 
questionnaire to the residents of the local community may well help in identifying their concerns and ways in which the Association can 
address them. 

Andy produced a proformer with a number of possible topics for a questionnaire and it was agreed that all should take the information 
away for consideration pending further discussion at the next meeting. Generally the first reactions to the initiative were very favourable.

Hartrow Close:
 
No progress to date. The issue revolves around the concerns expressed that trees may be blocking light., but the understanding of those 
present was that there is 'no right to light'. 
Debbie agreed to have a look when she is passing the area and feed back to the group a summary of the extent of the problem. 

Vision for Taunton Presentation:

Steve advised the meeting that the date for this presentation has needed to be revised . He will advise the new date in due course.
   
Spring and Summer Events:

The Spring and Summer events of last year were discussed and it was reiterated that they had been a great successes. In light of this it was 
agreed that the events should take place again this year if possible on a larger scale.

The dates for the events were provisionally proposed as follows:
Easter event 26th March 2005
Summer Event 10th December. 2005

Ideas for these events will be welcome please.  Steve will discuss ideas with Gareth and formulate a rota allocating tasks to individuals in 
due course.

AOB: 
Crossing on Trull Rd.

It is hopeful the crossing will be opened in April.


Princess Margaret's Planning Application:

Clarification is still being sought regarding further revisions to the Planning Application for the above site. It seems that the Social 
Housing will be segregated from the other housing but that there is now a proposal to relocate the position of two cottages which are to 
be built.  The Planning Application is being resubmitted..

Web Site: 

Steve asked for any ideas to be passed to him please on how to enhance the Associations Web site or with regard any information which 
it is considered should be included on it.

Finances:

The Association has approximately £840 of assets available but Steve pointed out that considerable expenditure is imminent i.e. £240 for 
trees,  £100 for the Web site and the expenses that the Easter and Summer events will incur.

Any ideas for fund raising activities would be very welcome please. Ideas to any of the committee.

One suggestion raised at the meeting was the production of a local calendar. This was thought to be a good idea but due to time scales 
could only be implemented at the earliest for the 2006/2007 calendar year.


Parking Middleway and Churchill Way:  

This was considered to be a serious concern. The parking allowed in both areas causes danger.

However this is a fact not acknowledged by the Police or Somerset Highways who insist that the parking arrangements meet all legal 
requirements.

The parking arrangements were however considered by the Association to be irresponsible and the potential for accidents obvious.

Steve advised that there may also be a legal reason why the parking arrangements should not be in place.

Steve and Alan to engage in further discussions with the authorities involved to see if a sensible compromise can be reached.

There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.30 PM.


Date of next 10th January 2005 8pm