Milverton Parish Council's Draft Response to the TDBC Site Allocation and Development Management Plan: Issues and Options Consultation held on 18th February 2013.

The Parish Council has produced a draft response to the above consultation which are on the website here

There are two files. The first is a covering response that sets out the context of the consultation together with the Parish Councils general comments. The second in the form of a Table is a detailed response to the 5 specific sites identified.

Parish Councillors will discuss this reponse at the next meeting on 4th March in the Victoria Rooms. The meeting is open to the public and comments are welcomed either before or at the meeting.

Please send written comments to the Clerk at gwilwren@aol.com or to Haven House Fore Street Milverton Taunton TA4 1JU 

Details of the Consultation are on the TDBC website here

EXTRAORDINARY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

TUESDAY 19th February 2013

7.00pm in the Victoria Rooms Fore Street

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. TDBC: Future Development Public Consultation
   See TDBC Consultation here

Councillors will discuss the Public Exhibition and formulate the Council's comments.

Milverton Parish Council

27^th January 2013

PARISH COUNCIL MEETING 4th February 2013

7.30pm in the Victoria Rooms Fore Street

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 7^th January have been circulated with the summons to this meeting. Members will be asked to consider them for accuracy and if satisfied pass a resolution of approval that they be signed by the Chairman as a true and accurate record.

4. Planning

Taunton Deane has passed on planning applications for the Parish Council to consider.

a) TOWN & COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1990

Planning Applications for Parish Council Comment

1. 23/12/0006/T Notification to Fell One Walnut Tree Within Milverton Conservation Area at Quaker Cottage, Wood Street, Milverton

Councillors will be invited to make comments on this application

2. 23/13/0005/T Notification to Fell One Birch Tree and to Carry Out Management Work to One beech Tree within Milverton Conservation Area at Courtledge, Sand Street, Milverton

Councillors will be invited to make comments on this application

3. 23/13/0001/LB Various Internal Alterations at Spring Grove House, Spring Grove, Milverton

This is included for information only.

b) Neighbourhood Planning

The Chairman will provide a report on progress and will include a discussion about the consultation on TDBC's Site Allocations and Development Management Plan Issues and Options which include consultations on the Village Boundary and the Site Allocations and Development Management Policies Plan.

c)Land at Olands

The owner has invited the Parish Council to suggest potential uses for this land. Representative of the School Governors will be present for this item.

d) Other Planning Matters

The Clerk will provide a report about other general planning matters including a S106 funds update and suggest 23^rd February as the date for the next site visit.

5. Creedwell

The Chairman will provide a verbal update.

6. Easement across Burgage Viewing Area Update

The Clerk will provide a verbal report.

7. Co-Option of Replacement for Mr Cottrell

Following Mr Cottrell's resignation from the Council members will decide who to co-opt to replace him. Interested candidates have been asked to attend the meeting. Councillors will decide who to invite.

9. Crime

The Police Report for January will be presented.

10. Roads and Footpaths

a) Monthly Report

Mrs Lumby will report on the footpaths.

There will be an update on the Turnpike path. The applicant has formally asked the Council for comments.

b) Monthly Road Report

Members will raise issues of concern.

11. Milverton Storm Culvert

The Clerk will provide a verbal report on ownership and maintenance responsibility for this vital facility.

12. Correspondence

a) For Information

b) For action/Resolution

13. Finance

The monthly report will request payments for Salaries, PAYE, a pair of secateurs and SLCC subs.

14. Matters to Report

Members are invited to report matters of interest and raise matters for future consideration by the Council.

PLANNING SITE VISIT

The Planning Site Visit will take place on Saturday 2^nd February at 9.00am. Meet outside Milverton Stores.

Agenda

9am Meet at Milverton Stores

9.05 Courtledge

9.15 Quaker Cottage

Milverton Parish Council Meeting 7^th January 2013

Milverton Parish Councillors attended another marathon meeting last week discussing a range of topics from speeding traffic to a proposed solar farm.

The meeting was attended by 14 residents several of whom opened the meeting with questions. Concern was raised about the general state of the village particularly in the face of reduced weed clearance from Somerset County Council.

One of the meetings key items was to set the precept for 2013/14. In order to meet the requirements of the new Standards regime Councillors had to be given a 'dispensation' from the Clerk. This is because they are householders in the parish and are therefore deemed to have a personal interest in the level of Council Tax that is set. The 'dispensation' allowed them to discuss and vote on it. In the end Councillors voted to retain the same amount of Council Tax for next year at £12650. The Council will also receive a small grant from TDBC related to Business Rates.

Under planning Councillors had no objection to the change of use of the annex at Cobbleside.

Cllr Wren drew the Council's attention to the changes in transport arrangements for the proposed Solar Farm at Grange Fram. Instead of routing through Bradford on Tone the applicant was proposing to route all his lorries through Milverton. After due consideration Councillors decided to revoke their previous comments and object to the application which was due to go to the Planning Committee the following Wednesday the 9^th. (NB it was passed by the Committee but most of the traffic will now be routed through Nynehaed although 3 transformers will come through Milverton. Cllr Wren has sought a meeting to discuss how this will be done but is still waiting for the applicant to get in touch.).

The Clerk reported that he had approached the two unsuccessful candidates at the last election to see if they would be happy to be co-opted to replace Mr Cottrell. Unfortunately neither now had the time so Councillors were asked to come up with some alternative suggestions.

The electricity supply to the Preston Bowyer phone box has now been disconnected and a small sub-committee was set up to arrange its removal and re-siting.

Much of the meeting was taken up discussing road issues. Two residents from Butts Way who were new to the village asked what could be done to control excessive speeds in the lower part of Butts Way? The 20mph speed limit is routinely ignored and both agreed that an accident was almost certain. Representatives of Milverton Speed Watch were also in attendance and they will discuss with the Police whether a patrol in the narrow section could be operated safely. The Parish Clerk will also contact Somerset CC to see if a Speed Indicator Device could be deployed as well.

Another resident raised the issues of the permanent stream of water crossing the Wellington Road on the edge of the village. The drain is blocked which is making the water flow across the road. It is getting worse and will be a real hazard in very cold weather. The Clerk will talk to SCC again to see what can be done.

The Clerk was asked to contact TDBC about the storm culvert under the village to try and get an internal inspection done.

The meeting finally concluded at 10.40pm.

PARISH COUCIL MEETING

7^th JANUARY 2013 AGENDA

7.30pm in the Victoria Rooms Fore Street

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 3^rd December were circulated with the summons to this meeting. Members will be asked to consider them for accuracy and if satisfied pass a resolution of approval that they be signed by the Chairman as a true and accurate record.

4. Planning

Taunton Deane has passed on three applications for the Parish Council to consider.

a) TOWN & COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1990

Planning Applications for Parish Council Comment

1. 23/12/0039/T Notification to fell one Rowan tree within Milverton Conservation Area at Old Thornwell, Milverton

Councillors will be invited to make comments on this application

2. 223/12/0038 Change of use from ancillary accommodation to separate dwelling at Cobbleside Annex, North Street, Milverton

Councillors will be invited to make comments on this application

3. 23/12/0037/LB Internal alterations to utility room and cellar at Brendon, North Street, Milverton

This is included for information only.

c) Neighbourhood Plan

The Chairman will provide a report on progress.

d)Land at Olands

The owner has invited the Parish Council to suggest potential uses for this land.

e) Other Planning Matters

The Clerk will provide a report about other general planning matters and suggest a date for the next site visit.

5. Creedwell

The Chairman will provide a verbal update.

6. Easement across Burgage Viewing Area Update

The Clerk will provide a verbal report.

7. Village Archive

Councillors will discuss the proposal to add Parish Council documents to the archive.

8. Co-Option of Replacement for Mr Cottrell

Following Mr Cottrell's resignation from the Council members will decide who to co-opt to replace him.

9. Preston Bowyer Phone Box

The purchase from BT is now complete and Councillors need to agree how to proceed including appointing a sub committee to look at potential relocation and disconnection of services.

10. Crime

The Police Report for December will be presented.

11. Roads and Footpaths

a) Monthly Report

Mrs Lumby will report on the footpaths.

Mr Phelps will provide an update on the Turnpike path.

c) Monthly Road Report

Members will raise issues of concern.

12. Milverton Storm Culvert

The Clerk will provide a verbal report on ownership and maintenance responsibility for this vital facility.

13. Correspondence

a) For Information

b) For action/Resolution

• Invitation to Youth Drop in Surgery
• Letter re Orchard Project

14. Finance

a) Monthly report

This months report will request payments for Salaries, PAYE, the new Wheely grit bin, stationery and PCC grant.

b) Precept for 2013/14

The Clerk will discuss the estimated budget and make a final decision on the Precept for next year.

15. Matters to Report

Members are invited to report matters of interest and raise matters of concern for future consideration by the Council.

Milverton Parish Council Meeting
3rd December 2012

In a packed agenda Councillors covered a wide range of topics at Milverton Parish Council's December meeting.


The planned presentation by Lumicity of the Solar farm had been cancelled on Friday so the meeting started with public questions. A member of the public raised the subject of the 1m wide storm drain that runs for over half a mile under the village. Apparently it is the responsibility of Taunton Deane Borough Council (TDBC) and given the recent heavy rainfall there was concern that its condition was not being checked regularly. The Parish Clerk was asked to investigate.

Members welcomed the news that the Village Archive was being set up in the church. Members asked that security arrangements be checked before any Council material was offered.

In Planning Councillors approved an extension to a barn at Baghay.
They also discussed the large solar farm at Grange Farm Nynehead that was within the Milverton Parish boundary. Councillors expressed support for 'green energy' but were disappointed at the general attitude of the developers particularly the lack of local consultation with local people and the apparent failure to grasp that 15m long articulated lorries could not use the bridge over the Tone at Bradford. Concern was also raised at the loss of Grade 2 farmland.

Councillors were interested to hear that the Creedwell Village Green application was now being referred to a public inquiry. Somerset County Council (SCC) had indicated that budget cuts meant that there may be a wait of some years before this could be heard.

The Parish Council has now completed the purchase of the Preston Bowyer phone box and will be taking steps to disconnect the electricity supply. It is then likely to be removed for storage while a ling term location is agreed.

Under the Crime report PCSO Louise Fyne asked for information about the abandoned caravan at Houndsmoor. She also confirmed that the No Cold Calling Zone had been set up in Rosebank Road and asked if there were any other areas of the village that might benefit from this approach.

Roads figured prominently in the evening's discussions. Councillors had a very successful tour of the village with SCC Highways and were able to spot many problems and issues that will be dealt with. However, there was a great deal of concern expressed about the SCC policy decision not to clear gulleys at the top of hills. The idea is to prioritise the limited funds to the areas where the water accumulates. Councillors felt this was short sighted and asked SCC Councillor McMahon to look into it and report back.
There were various accounts of the recent heavy rain and how serious flooding tom properties had only just been avoided. There was praise for TDBC staff who provided sand bags for Sand Street within 2 hours of being asked.

Under footpaths there was a lot of discussion about the closure of access to the field behind Turnpike. A local resident has already written to the farmer stating his intention to apply to SCC for a definitive right of way. As this process may take many years Councillors agreed to open discussions to see if a permissive right of access could be negotiated.

Under correspondence Councillors were saddened to receive the resignation of Barry Cottrell who had been on the Council since May 2011. The Clerk was asked to check whether the candidates who missed out on election at that time would be interested in being coopted.

Councillors also discussed the new Code of Conduct and the level of  personal information that was likely to be made available publicly. Contact will be made with the Taunton Deane Monitoring Officer to seek guidance.

PARISH COUCIL MEETING

DECEMBER 2012 AGENDA

The meeting will be preceded at 7.00pm by a presentation about the proposed Solar Farm at Grange Farm.

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 5^th November were circulated with the summons to this meeting. Members will be asked to consider them for accuracy and if satisfied pass a resolution of approval that they be signed by the Chairman as a true and accurate record.

4. Planning

Taunton Deane has passed on three applications for the Parish Council to consider.

a) TOWN & COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1990

Planning Applications for Parish Council Decision

1.23/12/0033 ERECTION OF EXTENSION TO THE SIDE AT BAGHAY FARM, MILVERTON

This is an application for the Parish Council to decide on under the terms of the Delegated Planning Agreement with TDBC. The Planning report has been circulated and the resolution before the Council will be to support the Planning Officers recommendation.

b) TOWN & COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1990

Planning Applications for Parish Council Comment

2. 23/12/0032 INSTALLATION OF 19,640 No. GROUND MOUNTED PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR PANELS TO PROVIDE A 5MW INSTALLATION WITH POWER INVERTER SYSTEMS, TRANSFORMER STATIONS, SUB-STATIONS, SECURITY FENCING AND ACCESS GATES IN A FIELD NORTH OF GRANGE FARM, NYNEHEAD

PLANNING OFFICER COMMENTS: Need to assess impact on ecology, flood risk etc

Councillors will be invited to make comments on this application. NB The Clerk has been in contact with the applicant requesting a formal presentation which has yet to be agreed.

3. 27/12/0023 ERECTION OF NEW CATTLE ACCOMMODATION BUILDING WITH BELOW

GROUND SLURRY STORAGE CELLAR, CONSTRUCTION OF SILAGE CLAMPS, FEED STORE, ATTENUATION POND, HIGHWAY ACCESS AND FARM DRIVE, DIVERSION OF PUBLIC FOOTPATH AND ASSOCIATED LANDSCAPING AT BLAGROVES FARM, HILLCOMMON

Councillors will be invited to make comments on this application

c) Neighbourhood Plan

The Chairman will provide a report on progress.

d) Other Planning Matters

The Clerk will provide a report and suggest a date for the next planning site visit.

5. Creedwell

The Chairman will provide a verbal update.

6. Easement across Burgage Viewing Area Update

The Clerk will provide a verbal report, request comments on the Draft Heads of Terms and, if acceptable, request a resolution to adopt them.

7. Appointment to Personnel Sub Committee

Following Mrs Hoyles appointment as Vice Chairman there is a vacancy on this committee. It would be helpful if members could please pass nominations to the Clerk before the meeting.

8. Preston Bowyer Phone Box

The purchase from BT is now complete and Councillors need to agree how to proceed including appointing a sub committee to look at potential relocation and disconnection of services.

9. Crime

The Police Report for November will be presented.

10. Roads and Footpaths

a) Monthly Report

Mrs Lumby will report on the footpaths.

Mr Phelps will provide an update on the Turnpike path.

c) Monthly Road Report and Village Inspection

The Chairman will report on the village inspection held on 15^tNovember.

11. Correspondence

a) For Information

• Hinkley Point Monthly Update from EDF.
• War memorials Trust Bulletin

b) For action/Resolution

• Letter from a Mr Richards requesting information about a Colonel Sandford.
• Letter from Mr Clifford surrendering his allotment.

12. The New Code of Conduct

Following the introduction of the Code several members have expressed concerns about the level of personal information required and its degree of availability to public scrutiny. This item is for discussion and clarification only.

At present 3 members have not submitted a Code of Conduct declaration form and will need to do so at this meeting.

13. Finance

a) Monthly report

This months report will request payments for Salaries, PAYE, Legal fees, grasscutting and PCC grant with an indicative total of £1300.

b) Q2 Financial Report

The Clerk will report on progress against budget as at 30^th September. NB This item was held over from November due to lack of time.

c) Estimates for 2013/14

The Clerk will provide an estimated budget for discussion prior to a final decision on next years budget and the Precept at the January meeting.

14. Matters to Report

Members are invited to report matters of interest and raise matters of concern for future consideration by the Council.