Present:

Steve Holmes (Chairman)
Alan Wedderkopp
Rob Kirby
Pat Ogden
Peter Dix – Haines Hill Residents Committee Chairman
Anne Bird – St Georges
Hilary Allen – St Georges
Carol Hobson
Eileen White
Gordon Delmar
Mike and Mary Cook
Enid Cowies
John  Mekile
Shaun Dale

Apologies:

Alwyn Lindsey
John Dawson
Jennifer Smith

The apologies were accepted and the minutes agreed subject to some minor name amendments.

 

Newsletter:
Anne Bird and Hilary Allen from St. Georges came with a suggestion / proposal that the Church and the Association could produce a newsletter jointly which would contain both Church News and Community News.  The production of the Newsletter was discussed. It was agreed that it is a very valuable item, keeping the community aware of things that are happening in the area and also making them aware of the activities of the Association.

The frequency of production for “Across the Way” is 3 times a year (Christmas, Easter and September) whilst the Associations own newsletter is quarterly. In addition to this the parochial boundaries differ from that of the association and it was felt that this would not fit well along with the fact that “Across the Way is A3 folded size and the Associations is A4 size would mean that the Associations would become swamped and possibly lost.   Finally it was decided that according to the constitution of the Association it must remain Non Sectarian and that to combine our newsletters would inevitable lead to the Association becoming recognised as being “of St Georges Church”.   The Association does and is happy to continue to support St. Georges in some of the activities that it organises.  The exchange of information for inclusion in each others newsletter was suggested and agreed and Carol said that she was happy to be the contact for this.

 

Parking Issues:

The parking issues in the area continue to be a very emotive subject and the problem seems to be spreading.

Mr Peter Dix of the Haines Hill Residents Group gave an account on how they have laboured hard to achieve a resolution to the heavy and unsafe commuter problem in Haines Hill and have had several promises only to be let down at the last minute after much discussion it was accepted that resolution of the issue is not going to be easy. The Association has achieved improvements on the grounds of safety but the way forward from here is clearly going to be difficult but Steven felt that the time had come to end the piecemeal approach and deal with the area as a whole.

It was considered that a holistic approach is needed but with tailored ‘area by area’ basis. The committee was made aware that the TDBC / SCC were meeting with Highways in June to discuss the issues in the area.

Options such as residents parking may bring improvements but it was thought that this would not be a total resolution to the problem.  It was suggested that Stephen Martin Scott should be invited to the next meeting to further discuss the meeting with Highways and for the committee to discuss the way forward.  Steven is to contact Stephen Martin-Scott to invite him along.

 

Planning Issues:  

Rear Garden Development Trull Rd - Planning permission is being sought to build a 3 bedroom house in the rear garden of a premises on Trull Rd. This has raised concerns regarding the safety of the access onto Trull Rd. Steve is to seek an official view regarding this, in particular there is a fear that this may set a precedent.
 
Old Red Cross building - The building on the old Red Cross site has not been carried out in line with the planning permission. Reviewed planning permission is being applied for.

Farm at Sherford Brook – Enforcement notices are out for the removal of the new building and cessation of the Car Valeting Business and a notice of appeal has been received.

A.O.B.

Notice Board – The ideal site is considered to be near Sherford Bridge, a price is now required.  Steve Asked Carol to come back to him with a price before the next meeting.

Wellingtonia at Batts Park

Resident Shaun Dale addressed the meeting concerning the new Wellingtonia. 
Shaun wants to be reassured that Taunton Deane has correctly interpreted the terms of the DoE settlement in our favour. I.E.

Is the tree of appropriate size?

Is it planted in soil or on top of the stump, how can it be in line with the other Wellingtonias when it is not placed axially in the centre of the stump as the settlement specified it should be.
 
Why has no stump grinding taken place?
Shaun also wanted to write to DoE/Defra to ask whether there can be a route towards streamlining of resolution of disputes in future.

I.E. How to ensure that all terms and conditions are covered for the future.

Shaun believes that TDBC have been overly lenient to the resident. In the end she didn't have to pay a thing, the taxpayers of TDBC paid for the tree. Hence she has no loyalty to its future health. He has in mind the other Wellingtonia trees in Batts Park but also is carrying a "more general torch" for these issues. He is unhappy that we should have spent 5 years campaigning for such a part solution.  The committee agreed that Shaun and Rob should deal with this together and keep the committee informed.

Correspondence:
Are Working Groups – Rob has agreed to attend this in Steve’s place.

Churchill Way Parking Concerns – Residents have distributed a handout expressing there parking concerns. Sadly they expressed a feeling that the Association and ward councilors were ‘negative and hostile’ during their attendance at a recent meeting. Whilst respecting their opinion the Association was slightly disappointed as we felt we and our ward councilors were actually supportive with regard (and indeed shared) there concerns. A lot has been achieved in this area and as per earlier in these minutes we will continue to chip away at this problem.

Greenfest - This has been cancelled.

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

Date of next meeting:  Tuesday 3rd July 7.30pm Wilton Church Hall