Please follow this link to see the September agenda



Gwilym Wren
Clerk to Milverton Parish Council

Milverton Parish Council

Report of Meeting held on 7^th August 2017

The meeting opened on a sombre note with a minutes silence for former Chairman, Geoffrey Godbert who has recently passed away.

Under planning Councillors discussed a proposal to build four houses near Olands. Although this size of development meets the Parish Council's aspirations for how the village ought to grow concerns were expressed that the site was outside the village boundary and too close to the Listed Olands House.

Councillors approved the erection of a tree house at The Stables under its delegated agreement with TDBC.

Cllr Wren reported that TDBC had agreed to sell the Creedwell access ransom strip to Notaro for a fraction of its full value. Under the agreement Notaro could build 20 houses and would pay an extra sum for every house built after that. Councillors were very unhappy abut this turn of events not least because it allows Notaro to avoid the normal Affordable Housing requirements and Community Infrastructure Levy payments. Milverton will therefore gain nothing from the development except years of disruption on narrow roads and streets as construction takes place and increased pressure on the village infrastructure in the future. There was a very strong feeling that TDBC had decided to wash its hands of a troublesome issue and leave the community to deal with it.

Madam Chairman reported the latest situation over the surgery. As well as responding to the consultation the Parish Council proposed writing to NHS England expressing concern about the whole situation and how it was being managed.

The Somerset Partnership who now run the Lister House practice had invited the Parish Council to assemble a group of 10 to help evaluate the responses to the consultation. Councillors agreed that this was a step forward and Madam Chairman was asked to accept and invite a representative sample of parishioners to take part.

Regarding the toilets in Fore Street, Mr Cotton reported that there had been two blockages recently which had required the toilets to be closed. Cotford staff had had been very quick to deal with them but he wanted to meet them to establish a formal procedure for dealing with problems particularly outside normal working hours.

Councillors expressed concern at the continuing absence of Councillor Cutler from the meetings. Despite being contacted he had not attended meetings for several months but had not resigned either. As he had been absent for nearly six months Councillors agreed to take steps to co-opt a new member at the September meeting.

Madam Chairman reported that the Personnel Committee had started the process of recruiting a Deputy Clerk and would present a Job Description, Person Specification and timetable to the September meeting.

The Clerk reported that Michael Branfield had carried out weeding in the Jubilee Gardens and done an excellent job.

Councillors were concerned to hear that the seasonal embargo on bonfires on the allotments had been broken and that one plot holder had burnt his shed down. The Clerk will investigate.

Mrs Hoyle reported that a Village Litter Pick had been arranged for 4^th September. TDBC vehicles will pick up rubbish etc from the roadside. There was concern that this was short notice during a holiday period and that details were sketchy so she will ask for a postponement.

In July the Council spent £2200 on salaries, cleaning toilets, gardening and grass cutting.

Gwilym Wren

Clerk to Milverton Parish Council

Follow this link for the Agenda for the August meeting

https://docs.google.com/document/d/16Zq5-qd_UVHHwLfg9mgMZBSGCofXmMW9mKuwDiuve2o/edit?usp=sharing

Report on Meeting of Milverton Parish Council 3^rd July 2017

The main item for discussion was the consultation on the proposed Telecommunications Mast alongside the footpath that runs from Wood Street to Quaking House. Several residents were in attendance and expressed a variety of concerns. Councillors noted that it was just a consultation on a prior approval and agreed that the village did need an improved mobile signal. However they expressed concern about the proposed site for the following reasons:

1. The proposed access is via Public Footpath WG7/25 but there is no indication that the SCC Footpath department has been consulted. Therefore its views need to be taken account of before this application is approved.
2. There are several residential properties with children within 200m. Councillors noted that any school within 200m has to be taken account of and feels this should also extend to residential properties.
3. Councillors accept that there is little landscape impact looking from south to north but feel that the mast would be a prominent feature when viewed from the east.
4. Councillors heard from several residents who owned or have rights (passage and services) over the proposed access route. Councillors felt that the applicant needed to clarify his requirements and obtain the necessary consents before using this route for construction and maintenance.

Under matters to report concern was raised that the school had reached capacity and three new children who had recently moved to the village could not be offered places. Cllr James Hunt from SCC said that he had not heard that report but promised to investigate.

The Chairman reported that the much anticipated consultation over the future of Milverton Surgery was scheduled to start on 10^th July although the documents had not yet been finalised.

Councillors discussed the increasing workload on the Council, and the Clerk especially, with the continued and threatened cascade of services. There was also a question of risk over the reliance on one individual and the need to undertake appropriate succession planning. It was therefore agreed that steps would be taken to recruit a Deputy Clerk to assist Gwilym Wren.

Under Roads Councillors were pleased that the various areas that needed cutting back were on the SCC schedule.

The Clerk reported that he had not been able to find a contractor to weed the Jubilee Gardens and would ask Michael Branfield to assist.

There was also a lengthy discussion about the recent joint meeting between the Amenity Committee and the Recreation Ground Committee. The main outcome had been that the Recreation Ground Committee was unwilling to operate the toilets or undertake fundraising to support them and so had decided to close them when the current arrangement with the Parish Council ceased on 31^st July. Councillors expressed concerns that the future operation of the Recreation Ground is not on a sustainable footing and the Amenity Committee will seek a further meeting to offer support.

In June the Council spent £2100 on toilet cleaning, salaries, PAYE and insurance.

Gwilym Wren

Clerk to Milverton Parish Council

4^th July 2017

Milverton Parish Council

Report of June Meeting held on 5^th June 2017

Councillors were joined by ten parishioners and Mr Bryn Kitching of the TDBC Planning Department.

The meeting started with a Public Question about the overgrown state of the footpath across the Creedwell Orchard site. This will be passed to SCC for resolution.

Under Planning Councillors approved the erection of a Barbeque Lodge at a property off Houndsmoor Lane, supported the change of use of a building at Bickley Farm and made detailed comments about a proposed new property in Butts Way.

Several parishioners attended the meeting following the initial consultation about a telecommunications mast near the footpath leading from Wood Street to Quaking House. Whilst welcoming the chance to have enhanced mobile phone reception concerns were raised about visual impact, proximity to properties, access and radiation. Councillors will seek information about why this site was chosen and query whether there might be alternatives which are not quite so close to the village.

Due to a number of queries raised by the Councils auditor it was not possible to sign the audit off at this meeting. A separate meeting will be organised later in the month. The monthly Finance report will be presented at this later meeting.

Following the TDBC Planning Committees rejection of the Non Material Amendment at Creedwell Councillors resolved to write the the Leader of TDBC requesting that Notaro be required to trigger the access option immediately instead of waiting until late July. The letter was also to suggest a meeting to discuss how the site might be more appropriately developed.

The Clerk reported a successful meeting with Dennis Quick of SCC Highways. Many road related issues had been raised and would be dealt with.

The Clerk reported receipt of three letters relating to traffic issues around the shop especially when deliveries were being made. There is a feeling that the prevention of parking on the bus stop and rationalising the school bus pick ups would help and the Council is to pursue this with SCC.

The Clerk reported that he had asked TDBC for help with maintaining the Jubilee Gardens over the summer but despite initial agreement nothing further had been heard. He would now look for other contractors.

The Crime report included two instances of Anti Social Behaviour, two domestics and a missing person (who had been quickly found).

The meeting closed at 9:10pm.

MILVERTON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

5th June 2017

7.00pm in the Victoria Rooms Fore Street

PLEASE NOTE NEW REGULAR TIME

FINAL AGENDA

Questions from the Public

Members of the public are welcome to attend and address the Parish Council to provide

information and raise matters of concern.

1. Apologies

Members will be expected to provide reasons for absence. Members are reminded that

absence for 6 consecutive meetings without approval could lead to disqualification.

2. Declarations of Interest

The Code of Conduct requires that Members disclose interests of a personal, prejudicial and

pecuniary nature that may be pertinent to tonight's business. A prejudicial or pecuniary interest

will require the member to leave the room during the discussion of the relevant item.

In cases of uncertainty members are recommended to consult the Clerk.

3. Minutes and Matters arising from minutes

The Minutes of the meeting held on 4th April 2016 have been circulated with the summons to

this meeting.

4. Planning

4.1 For Parish Council Decision

4.1.1 23/17/0005 Erection of Timber Framed Barbeque Lodge to the side of Rosebank Garden, Rosebank Road, Milverton

4.2 For Parish Council Comment

4.2.1 23/17/0012 Change of Use of Ancillary Domestic Storage Building to Holiday let at Bickley Farm, Luckham Bridge Road, Milverton

4.3 Erection of 1no Single Storey Dwelling with associated works on land off Butts Way, Milverton

5.3 Proposed Telecommunications Site at Lees Farm, Milverton, Somerset, TA4 1QZ

5.4 Other Planning Matters

The Clerk will propose Thursday 30th June 2017 as the date for the next planning meeting with a 6pm start..

6. Finance

6.1 Monthly Report

The Council will consider the monthly report and approve payments for Salaries and PAYE.

6.2 Grant Application for £199 from Aging Well Exercise Class

6.3 Annual Audit

The Clerk will present the Accounts for 2016/17 and seek resolutions approving them and the content of the Audit Annual return.

7. Matters to Report

8. Creedwell

The Clerk will provide a report.

9. Roads and Footpaths

9.1 Footpath Monthly Report

9.2 Roads Monthly Report

The Clerk will report on the recent meeting with SCC Highways

9.3 Parking and Traffic Management at the Shop

10. Jubilee Gardens

The Clerk will report on the gardening contract and the ongoing dog fouling problem..

11. Crime

Members will receive and comment on the monthly crime report.

12. Allotments

13. Correspondence

A list will be circulated during the meeting and members may request copies from the Clerk.

Milverton Parish Council Report

May 2017

Milverton Parish Council held its Annual Meeting on 8^th May in the Victoria Rooms.

The meeting opened with election of the Chairman for the coming year. Dr Julie Richardson was re-elected unopposed and thanked members for their confidence. Dr Russell Jenkins was then re-elected as Vice Chairman.

Under Matters Arising the Clerk reported that Bill Hannaford had kindly replaced the Jubilee Gardens sign. Members were very grateful and a letter of thanks will be sent.

The Council will meet with Dennis Quick of SCCC Highways on 11^th May to look at various issues in the village. These will include the road surfaces and potholes, blocked gulleys, several dangerous trees, encroaching vegetation in Butts Way and traffic safety near the shop and at England's Corner. The Clerk will report back to the Council in June.

The Clerk reported that the toilets in Fore Street had been transferred to the Council on 4^th April and all appeared to be going well. The Council was having on-going discussions with the Recreation Ground Committee about sustainable funding options.

Cllr Wren reported that the decision on the Non Material Amendment to the 1979 Planning Permission at Creedwell Orchard would be taken by the Planning Committee on 24^th May. As a result the Leader of the Council had agreed to extend the purchase option period by 8 weeks despite a vote against by the Corporate Scrutiny Committee. The Council is to write seeking clarification on this.

Madam Chairman said there was no more news about the consultation on the future of the surgery as all public activity had ceased during the pre-Election period.

Mrs Pine the Council's Footpath Officer reported on going discussions about the steps on the path from the Orchard towards the Court between SCC and the landowner.

Due to unforeseen circumstances the Council's contracted gardener is unable to maintain the Jubilee Gardens over the summer. The Clerk is to ask TDBC to step in and keep them tidy.

Councillors were concerned about the number of Milverton incidents reported by PCSO Louise Fyne and hoped this was not the start of a trend.

In April the Council spent £1427 on salaries, toilet cleaning, and grass cutting. So far £472.50 of the £510 due has been collected in Allotment rents.

Gwilym Wren

Clerk to Milverton Parish Council

14^th May 2017