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
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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)
