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Monday, 6 February 2012

Notes on February meeting

The Parish Council opened with question time about the proposals to reduce the No 25 bus service.


An application to build an extension at 15 Woodbarton was approved with conditions.


Councillors discussed the TDBC response to objections from Parish Councils. Cllr Wren explained that a Parish Council objection on its own was not sufficient to trigger the proposal going to the Planning Committee. TDBC normally require 4 other objections or concerns raised by the local Councillor.


The Clerk reported the Parish Councils involvement in the TDBC Core Strategy Examination in Public. A Position Statement was submitted raising concerns about 

  • the impact of induced traffic on the narrow B3187 and
  • the type and size of houses in village.
Councillors were reminded of the Action Group meeting on the 15th February to discuss the village response to the anticipated Notaro application for Creedwell. 

Proposals for a Neighbourhood Plan were discussed and the Parish Council will seek advice from TDBC before opening up the process to the village as a whole.

The Council has received many reports of dog fouling on the path to the school, in Fore Street and in the Jubilee Gardens. Councillors were asked to be be vigilant and be prepared to challenge people who fail to control or clean up after their dogs.

The monthly crime report contained the following incidents:
  • A car which had been left parked overnight in Creedwell Orchard car park in Milverton had one of it’s tyres slashed.
  • A number of garage down pipes had been damaged of the garages in Creedwell Orchard car park.
  • On the same evening in Preston Bowyer, an attempt was made to force entry to a garage. Then at a second property a van on their drive had it’s window smashed and items moved, then entry was forced to their garage by removing roof tiles and felt, nothing was stolen.
  • I was updated this week by the environmental health department that they successfully prosecuted a Wiveliscombe man for fly tipping on the side of the B3187 and he received a £500 fine.
  • Three young Milverton residents have been spoken to about anti social behaviour in the village and their parents informed. They will receive a formal written warning letter.
  • Over night thefts of gardening items, and electrical tools is still occurring in the rural areas surrounding Wiveliscombe. Mostly from sheds and garages located at the end of people’s back gardens. 

The Council received complaints about parking in junctions and vehicles speeding through the village.


Councillors agreed to the placing of a planter at the entrance to Woodbarton to celebrate the Queens Diamond Jubilee.


Councillors heard that the Wellington Restorative Justice project was running down because funding had been withdrawn.


The Chairman gave a report on SCC's Local Choice initiative which sought to delegate various services to lower councils. Unfortunately, no funding was available and so Councillors were concerned as to  how long they could continue without putting severe pressure on local precepts.

February Agenda

AGENDA
Questions from the Public
  1. Apologies
  2. Minutes
  3. Declarations of Interest and Matters Arising from minutes
  4. Planning
a) Applications for Parish Council Decision (See Below)
b) Applications for Parish Council Comment (See Below)
c) TDBC Core Strategy: Examination in Public
d) Other Planning Matters
  1. Creedwell
  2. Neighbourhood Plan
  3. Parish Polls
  4. Dog Mess
  5. Crime
  6. Roads
  7. Footpaths
  8. Correspondence
a) For Information
b) For action/Resolution
  1. Finance
  2. Matters to Report
  • Planning for Play - Mrs Renfree 

Sunday, 27 November 2011

Agenda for Milverton Parish Council on Monday, 5th December 2011 at 7.30pm


AGENDA
Questions from the Public
  1. Apologies
  2. Minutes
  3. Declarations of Interest and Matters Arising from minutes
  4. Planning
a) Applications for Parish Council Decision (See Below)
b) Applications for Parish Council Comment (See Below)
c) Other Planning Matters
  1. Creedwell
  2. Crime
  3. Roads
a) Parking – SCC Site Visit (Held over from November)
b) Grit Bins
  1. Footpaths
  2. Request for Funding into Research of Milverton Deer Park
  3. Allotments
  4. Correspondence
a) For Information
b) For action/Resolution
  1. Finance
a) October Report
b) November Report
c) Estimates 2012/13
  1. Matters to Report





TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT
PLANNING APPLICATIONSPLANNING APPLICATIONS
TOWN & COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1990


For Comment By the Parish Council

  1. 23/11/0036/LBAPPLICATION FOR THE RE-ROOFING AND INSULATION OF LOCKYERS, FORE STREET, MILVERTON

  1. 23/11/0044/T NOTIICATION TO FELL ONE MIMOSA TREE AND TO CARRY OUT MANAGEMENT WORKS TO ONE POPLAR TREE AND ONE BAY WITHIN MILVERTON CONSERVATION AREA AT LOCKYERS, FORE STREET, MILVERTON


Notes from Milverton Parish Councol November Meeting

Planning
NOTIFICATION TO FELL ONE LEYLANDII CYPRESS TREE WITHIN MILVERTON CONSERVATION AREA ART APRIL COTTAGE, SAND STREET, MILVERTON
The Parish Council supported the application.

INSTALLATION OF 12 PHOTO VOLTAIC PANELS ON SOUTH FACING ROOF OF HAVEN HOUSE, FORE STREET, MILVERTON
Having declared an interest the Clerk introduced the item left the room.
The Parish Council would prefer the panels to be sited symmetrically but supports the application in principle.

95.1.3 23/11/0038LB REPLACEMENT OF TIMBER WINDOWS TO DOUBLE GLAZED TIMBER WINDOWS TO ALL ELEVATIONS (FRONT AND REAR) TO SAME PATTERN AS EXISTING AT THE OLD GEORGE, FORE STREET, MILVERTON, (AMENDED SCHEME TO 23/11/0024) 
The Parish Council supported the application.

INTERNAL ALTERATIONS TO ATTIC ROOM WITH INSULATION OF ROOF AT KINGSLAND, NORTH STREET, MILVERTON
The Parish Council has no comment to make.

Other Planning Matters
Mrs Lumby asked why TDBC had passed the new gateway at Lower Lovelynch using officer delegated authority in the face of a Parish Council objection? The Clerk was asked to write to the Chief Planning officer seeking an explanation and clarification of the policy position when a Parish Council objected to a proposal..

Constituency Boundary Changes
The Clerk set out the basic proposals that, to equalise electorates numbers Wiveliscombe, Milverton and Bishops Lydeard would move in to the Bridgwater constituency.
Noting that the consultation concluded in early December it was agreed to ask the Clerk to obtain the views of Wiveliscombe and Bishop's Lydeard and have a fuller debate at the November meeting.
Wiveliscombe have responded and are opposed.
Bishops Lydeard and Cothelstone Parish Council discussed the Constituency Boundary changes at the October meeting. It was clear from the discussion that the Parish Council feels that Bishops Lydeard should remain in Taunton Constituency because of local links and local identity. It feels it is easy to make a case based on proximity to Taunton and the fact that people locally shop, work and use leisure facilities in Taunton and have few links with Bridgwater. It feels it is more difficult to find a solution to the problem of getting the right number of voters in each constituency and so need to come up with an answer to that.
If anyone can come up with a solution to the numbers problem, it would clearly be of huge benefit if we all promoted the same scheme. Failing that, I suggest each Parish Council objects in their own way using their own words while drawing attention to the consistent message against the change coming from the other Parish Councils in the area.
It was agreed to continue to liaise with Bishop's Lydeard and Wiveliscombe and, subject to those discussions write to the Boundary Commission opposing the change and making the following pointsYoung peoples faith in the electoral process will not be improved if this process is just seen as a numbers game instead of community/locality approach

  • Milverton has no local links at all with Bridgwater 
  • There will be a lack of knowledge of the local area from a Bridgwater based MP leading to lack of interest and awareness of local issues. The communities are not served by the same local papers for example.
  •  There is a huge physical disconnection and detachment between the electorate and a remote political representative 25 mile away. Our current one is only 7 miles away.
  • Poor public transport means vulnerable and elderley residents will find it very difficult and time consuming (change in Taunton) to get to Bridgwater meaning the MP will have to schedule more surgeries across a much wider area. Inevitably this will mean a reduction in democratic accountability
  • We will lose the District Council/Local MP connection which currently reinforces accountability and democracy. An absentee MP wont have much influence! 
  •  This is likely to impact on the local County Councillor who is already facing the prospect of a much larger ward.
  • How will the numbers game work if there is a large population influx? For example Hinkley Point will encourage significant temporary inward immigration over the next 10 years. 

Salt Bins 
Bins requested for Woodbarton (wheely) and Turnpike but residents cannot agree a location. It was decided to order 2 bins anyway with a default position at England's Corner. 
The Clerk was asked to order two bins . 
 
Feedback from Creedwell public meeting
  • The Clerk presented the feedback from the 105 who were present. They produced 343 individual comments and observations. The most concerned:
  • No development on the Creedwell field (64)
  • Up to 20 houses (15)
  • Concerns about Traffic (48)
  • Concerns about parking (31)
  • Damage to buildings (through increased traffic) (29)

Tuesday, 18 October 2011

Milverton Parish Council Press Release: Creedwell Meeting

D Day Looms for Milverton


120 villagers attended a public meeting in Milverton last night to hear the latest situation on the development of Creedwell Orchard.

Parish Council Chairman, Jenny Hoyle, explained that, following informal meetings with Taunton Deane Borough Council and the Parish Council, S Notaro of Bridgwater intended to bring forward a planning application for houses on this contentious site. As a result the Parish Council wanted to know the feeling in the village towards a housing development in this location and therefore had called two public meetings.


This first meeting was to outline the current situation and answer questions. The second has been called for next Tuesday, the 25th October, at 7.30pm in the Victoria Rooms when the Parish Council will receive the views of the village.


Recognising that not everybody will be able to attend the meetings or be comfortable speaking in public, the Parish Council is also happy to receive views and representations by phone letter or email to the Clerk, Gwilym Wren.


Mrs Hoyle said “It was tremendous to see so many people here tonight and I hope they discuss this with their friend and neighbours. This is a really crucial time for our village and it is essential that everyone who has an opinion on a housing development at Creedwell, whether for or against, contributes to the debate.”



Word count 226


Notes for Editors

   1.

      The History of the Dispute
          *

            In July 1981 trenches were dug a field adjacent to Creedwell Orchard, Milverton ostensibly to start a housing development before the consent expired. Taunton Deane officials examined the site and concluded that the works did not match the approved plans and informed the developer that the planning permission expired on 7th August.
          *

            In November 2006 Bach Homes of Swindon applied to Taunton Deane for a Certificate of Lawfulness that the development at Creedwell Orchard had been started before planning permission expired. They, however, omitted to submit evidence from the Taunton Deane files about the siting and expiry of the permission.
          *

            Following several months of deliberation Taunton Deane’s Senior Solicitor concluded that on ‘the balance of probabilities a sufficient “start” was made to the development………to have kept the permission alive’.
          *

            Members of the Save Milverton Action Group carried out an extensive search of the Taunton Deane files and uncovered documentary proof that both the works carried out in 1981 and the application for the Certificate to legalise the works were based on a plan that had not received planning consent. Correspondence was also uncovered that proved Taunton Deane had informed the applicant in 1981 that his planning consent had expired.
          *

            This correspondence was submitted to Taunton Deane as new evidence and the Council agreed to review the Certificate.
          *

            In May 2009 Taunton Deane completed the review and concluded that despite that fact that the wrong map had been used and the trenches did not match the planning consent that these were not grounds to revoke the certificate.
          *

            A judicial review process was initiated by the Action Group but concluded that Taunton Deane was within its rights to exercise its 'discretion' not to revoke.
          *

            Further examination of the development plans revealed that the trenches were further away from the permitted location than had been initially realised. This information was submitted to Taunton Deane. However, the Deane solicitor again exercised her 'discretion' and declined to revoke the Certificate.
          *

            Bach Homes no longer has an interest in the site and it has reverted to the landowners, S Notaro.
   2.

      For further information or details please contact the Clerk to Milverton Parish Council, Gwilym Wren, Haven House, Fore Street, Milverton, Tel 01823 400657. Mobile 07876 146110. Email gwilwren@aol.com

Monday, 3 October 2011

Milverton Parish Council Meeting 3rd October 2011

At tonights meeting members agreed to support the call by the Taunton & District Civic Society for a review of the Government's draft National Planning Policy Framework.

Members also expressed concern about the proposed Constituency Boundary changes, moving Milverton into Bridgwater, and agreed to contact the other affected parishes (Wiveliscombe and Bishops Lydeard) before considering their response in detail at the November meeting.

Councillors noted that Notaro were keen to press ahead with the development at Creedwell. Details of two Public Meetings were publicised to give parishioners the chance to understand the proposals and form a village view. The meetings will take place on 17th and 25th October and will be held in the Victoria Rooms at 7.30pm. It is likely that Notaro will hold an exhibition of its proposals soon after the second meeting.

Councillors discussed the proposal to purchase some land for a Play Area and noted that TDBC had invited a formal offer.  Councillors resolved to make a formal offer and the Clerk was asked to identify funding and seek a valuation to bring to a special meeting of the Parish Council on 11th October. This meeting will approve the final bid figure.

Councillors will undertake a site visist to the Courtfields Allotments on 5th November.

Sunday, 25 September 2011

Milverton Parish Council Agenda 3rd October 2011

AGENDA
Questions from the Public
  1. Apologies
  2. Minutes
  3. Declarations of Interest and Matters Arising from minutes
  4. Planning
a) Applications for Parish Council Decision (See Below)
b) Applications for Parish Council Comment (See Below)
c) Other Planning Matters
  1. Constituency Boundary Changes
  2. Creedwell
    a) Development
    b) Play Area
  3. Crime
  4. Roads
  5. Footpaths
  6. Correspondence
a) For Information
b) For action/Resolution
  1. Finance
  2. Matters to Report








TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT
PLANNING APPLICATIONSPLANNING APPLICATIONS
TOWN & COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1990


For Decision By The Parish Council

  1. 23/11/0035 INSTALLATION OF WINDOW TO NORTH EAST ELEVATION AT FORT COTTAGE, ST MICHAELS HILL, MILVERTON

For Comment By the Parish Council

  1. 23/11/0035CA INSTALLATION OF WINDOW TO NORTH EAST ELEVATION AT FORT COTTAGE, ST MICHAELS HILL, MILVERTON
  1. 23/11/0034T APPLICATION TO CARRY OUT MANAGEMENT WORK TO ONE GINKO TREE INCLUDED IN THE TAUNTON DEANE BOROUGH (MILVERTON No 1) TREE PRESERVATION ORDER 1992 ON LAND ADJACENT TO STONE COTTAGE, SILVER STREET, MILVERTON
  2. 23/11/0037T NOTIFICATION TO FELL ONE FIELD MAPLE WITHIN MILVERTON CONSERVATION AREA AT 7 WOODBARTON, MILVERTON
  3. PROPOSAL TO SITE 12 PHOTO VOLTAIC PANELS ON SOUTH FACING ROOF OF HAVEN HOUSE, FORE STREET, MILVERTON