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.

Milverton Parish Council Meeting
5th November 2012

Councillors discussed a variety of issues.
The meeting opened with Public Questions. The first was about the damage being caused to the fabric of the village by large articulated lorries. Discussions have taken place with operators who have agreed to use smaller lorries for deliveries in the village but there is an increasing problem of larger lorries being guided by sat-navs. The Parish Council will be contacting Somerset County Council to see what can be done.

The second question was whether superfast broadband was dud to come to Milverton. The Council will ask Somerset County Council.

Most Councillors have received training about the new Code of Conduct. However, there was a lot of concern expressed about the level of disclosure of information to the public. It was agreed to discuss the matter more fully at the December meeting.

The Council considered a planning application to install nearly 20,000 solar panels on 26 acres in the south east of the Parish. After some discussion Councillors did not feel well enough informed about the subject and agreed to ask the developer to give the parish a presentation. In particular Councillors are seeking more clarity on access routes for construction, loss of prime agricultural land, wildlife, the amount of power to be generated and the low level of local consultation. The 13th and 20th of November are to be offered as possible dates.

Councillors had a long debate about the merits of a Neighbourhood Plan. The Chairman reported from a recent workshop which had set out clearly the huge commitment required by those involved. The general consensus was that this needed careful thought and evaluation of what the village wanted to achieve before committing to proceed. The Council sub Committee will meet in the next few weeks to scope out a way forward.

Councillors resolved to send the Queen a copy of the Milverton Jubilee Photo Book from the Royal Manor of Milverton to mark Her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee.

Mrs Hoyle, the vice Chairman reported that the Runnington housing planning appeal had finally been concluded. On behalf of the village she thanked Mr Howard Davies for his contributions about the history of the area.

Councillors discussed the notices that had asked people not to walk by the Hillfarrance Brook to the west of the village. Mr Phelps and the Clerk had met the farmer who had said he no longer wanted people to walk along his fields. Since this was a popular walk several parishioners are investigating the possibility of getting the route made into an official registered footpath by the County Council.

Councillors discussed the Somerset County Council proposal for Community Wardens shared between 4 parishes. Apart from the concerns about the County abdicating its responsibilities Councillors felt that such an arrangement would inevitably create a direct employment situation and not a contractual one as claimed by the County Council literature. As this would increase the Parish Council overhead and on-costs significantly Councillors felt that the best way forward would be to recruit volunteers.

Councillors were please to hear that the local Highways manager was prepared to join the village tour of inspection to look at road drainage, potholes and overgrowing vegetation. The tour will take place on 15th November.

Councillors agreed to a request to buy a wheely grit bin for Turnpike.

The Chairman is to accept an invitation to join the Board of the Wiveliscombe Area Partnership.

The next meeting of Milverton Parish Council will take place at 7.30pm on Monday, 5^th November 2012 at 7.30pm in the Victoria Rooms, Milverton.

This meeting is open to the public.

AGENDA

Questions from the Public

1. Apologies
2. Declarations of Interest
3. Minutes and Matters Arising from minutes
4. Planning

a) Planning Applications for Parish Council Decision (See below)

b) Planning Applications for Parish Council Comment (See below)

c) Neighbourhood Plan

d) Other Planning Matters

5. Creedwell
6. Easement across Burgage Viewing Area Update
7. Jubilee Photo Book for the Queen
8. Crime
9. Roads and Footpaths

a) Monthly Report

b) Turnpike Footpaths

c) Village Inspection

d) Community Warden Scheme

10. Correspondence

a) For Information

b) For action/Resolution

11. Finance
12. Matters to Report

TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT

PLANNING APPLICATIONS

TOWN & COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1990

For Decision of the Parish Council

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

2. 23/12/0028 ERECTION OF A SINGLE STOREY REAR EXTENSION AT No 1 POLICE COTTAGE SILVER STREET, MILVERTON

For Comment By the Parish Council

3. 23/12/0029/LB ERECTION OF A SINGLE STOREY REAR EXTENSION AT No 1 POLICE COTTAGE SILVER STREET, MILVERTON

For Comment By the Parish Council

4. 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

LANGFORD BUDVILLE

5. 21/12/0018 RESERVED MATTERS APPLICATION FOR 'APPEARANCE' AND 'SCALE' WITH REGARDS TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SITE FOR A GARDEN CENTRE PURSUANT TO OUTLINE APPLICATION 21/09/0019 AT LAND EAST OF MILVERTON ROAD, WELLINGTON.

Milverton Parish Council meeting
1st October 2012

Mrs Jenny Hoyle was elected Vice Chairman following the resignation of Trevor Phelps.

Several residents asked questions about the state of the roads, gutters and pavements in the village. Councillors replied that they had already agreed to undertake a tour of inspection in mid October to draw up a list of concerns for discussion with Taunton Deane and Somerset County Council. They confirmed that a representative of Somerset Highways would be invited to join them.

In relation to Creedwell the Chairman reported  that the Taunton Deane Planning Committee had agreed to vary the road widening obligations subject to a discussion with the Parish Council about how this might be legally effected.

The Police Report contained a request for Rosebank Road to be classed a No Cold Calling Zone. Councillors agreed to support this suggestion. The Police will now carry out a consultation exercise before a final decision is made.

Councillors debated the notices in Turnpike that asked people to stop walking down by the Hillfarrance Brook. Although not a footpath the area has been used for informal access for some time, however, there have been recent reports of riders on horses and quad bikes which may have prompted the landowner to impose these restrictions. Councillors resolved to seek police advice about how off road vehicles could be controlled and also ask for a meeting with the landowner.

Councillors received an invitation to the Re-Opening of the Victoria Rooms on 26th October.

The broken bench on Preston Hill has received a temporary repair but would probably need replacing next year. It was suggested that if replaced it should be repositioned to face the countryside to the south rather than the B3227 to the north.

The next meeting of Milverton Parish Council will take place at 7.30pm on Monday, 1^st October 2012 at 7.30pm in the Victoria Rooms, Milverton.

This meeting is open to the public.

AGENDA

Questions from the Public

1. Election of Vice Chairman
2. Apologies
3. Declarations of Interest
4. Minutes and Matters Arising from minutes
5. Planning

a) Neighbourhood Plan

b) Other Planning Matters

6. Creedwell
7. Easement across Burgage Viewing Area
8. Crime
9. Roads and Footpaths

a) Monthly Report

b) Paths for Communities

c) Village Inspection

10. Correspondence

a) For Information

b) For action/Resolution

11. Finance
12. Matters to Report

Milverton Parish Council Meeting 3rd September 2012

Brief Report

The Planning Report has been posted separately on this Blog.

Cllr McMahon (SCC) reported that the County Council highways had restricted the access routes to the proposed 41 acre solar farm in Halse.  He had asked that the impact on construction traffic on Milverton be taken into account.

The S52 amendment relating to Creedwell access is now going to TDBC Planning Committee on 26th September.

The Village Green consultation period has closed and submissions are being studied by the County Council. They will decide whether to resolve the matter themselves or request that it goes to Public Inquiry.

The monthly crime report covered diverse subjects as theft, anti social behaviour, family arguments, burglary and loss of fish.

In attempt to solve the parking problems near the Globe and at Englands Corner the Council sought residents views about increasing double yellow lines. Eight people replied with a range of views.
After some debate, which included members of the audience, Councillors voted on the following resolution:

'To remove the white hatching outside Bartletts in Fore Street and install double yellow lines, from the west end of the hatching, westwards to the entrance of Creedwell Orchard.
To replace the single white line with double yellow lines at the eastern end of North Street. The yellow lines to extend into Silver Street as far as the Give Way sign.'

This was passed by a vote of 6:2.

A village resident has written to the  Council about the state of some of the grass banks in the village. They are the responsibility of the TDBC or private owners. The Council will make a tour of the village and consider what action to take.

The Chairman reported that Mr Phelps had tendered his resignation as Vice Chairman and therefore an election would be held at the next meeting.

The meeting closed at 9.10pm.

TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT

MILVERTON PARISH COUNCIL PLANNING REPORT

SEPTEMBER 2012

For Comment By the Parish Council

1. 23/12/0022/LB INSTALLATION OF WINDOWS TO THE ROOF OF THE SOUTH ELEVATION, A CONSERVATION WINDOW TO THE WEST ELEVATION, THE REDUCTION OF DOORWAY OPENING TO FORM A WINDOW TO THE WEST ELEVATION, AND BLOCKING OF WINDOW TO THE WEST ELEVATION AT THE STABLES, MILVERTON
   The Parish Council had no comment to make.

2. 23/12/0024/HR NOTIFICATION TO REMOVE AND REINSTATE 40 METRES OF HEDGEROW AT 8 DIFFERENT CROSSING POINTS BETWEEN SPRING GROVE RESERVOIR (MILVERTON PARISH) AND RAMSEY RESERVOIR (LANGFORD BUDVILLE PARISH) 
   The Parish Council had no comment to make.

3. REPLACEMENT OF WINDOWS AND DOORS AND ENLARGEMENT OF WINDOW OPENING TO THE EAST ELEVATION TO FORM A DOORWAY AT PRESTON FARM, PRESTON BOWYER MILVERTON (RETENTION OF WORKS ALREADY UNDERTAKEN) 
   The Parish Council understands that this application refers to the need for consent to stain the window frames as opposed to painting them.
   The Parish Council also understands that TDBC has no view in relation to the colour of the paint merely that it requires paint above woodstain, so for example brown paint would be acceptable.
   The Parish Council supports the application and wishes to express its grave concern that planning legislation is being used inappropriately to control minor matters of a cosmetic nature.

Milverton Parish Council

3^rd September 2012

The next meeting of Milverton Parish Council will take place at 7.30pm on Monday, 3^rd September 2012 at 7.30pm in the Creedwell Community Rooms, Milverton. (Please note change from normal venue).

This meeting is open to the public.

Yours faithfully

Gwilym Wren

Clerk to the Parish Council

AGENDA

Questions from the Public

1. Apologies
2. Declarations of Interest
3. Minutes and Matters Arising from minutes
4. Planning

a) Applications for Parish Council Comment (See below)

b) Neighbourhood Plan

c) Other Planning Matters

5. Creedwell
6. Milverton Historic Maps
7. Crime

a) Monthly Report

b) CCTV

8. Roads

a) Monthly Report

b) Village Parking

9. Footpaths

a) Monthly Report

b) Bridleways

c) Volunteering

10. Correspondence

a) For Information

b) For action/Resolution

11. Finance
12. Matters to Report

TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT

PLANNING APPLICATIONS

TOWN & COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1990

For Comment By the Parish Council

1. 23/12/0022/LB INSTALLATION OF WINDOWS TO THE ROOF OF THE SOUTH ELEVATION, A CONSERVATION WINDOW TO THE WEST ELEVATION, THE REDUCTION OF DOORWAY OPENING TO FORM A WINDOW TO THE WEST ELEVATIONM, AND BLOCKINMG OF WINDOW TO THE WEST ELEVATION AT THE STABLES, MILVERTON

2. 23/12/0024/HR NOTIFICATION TO REMOVE AND REINSTATE 40 METRES OF HEDGEROW AT 8 DIFFERENT CROSSING POINTS BETWEEN SPRING GROVE RESERVOIR (MILVERTON PARISH) AND RAMSEY RESERVOIR (LANGFORD BUDVILLE PARISH)

NB THE WORKS ARE ESSENTIAL AS PART OF THE TAUNTON CLEAN AND CLEAR RE-HABILITATION PROJECT. THIS IS FOR INFORMATION AND TDBC DOES NOT INTEND TO OBJECT TO THESE WORKS.

3. REPLACEMENT OF WINDOWS AND DOORS AND ENLARGEMENT OF WINDOW OPENING TO THE EAST ELEVATION TO FORM A DOORWAY AT PRESTON FARM, PRESTON BOWYER MILVERTON (RETENTION OF WORKS ALREADY UNDERTAKEN)

Parking in Fore Street and lower North Street

The Parish Council is consulting residents about increasing paring restrictions in Fore Street and North Street.

ON STREET PARKING NEAR THE GLOBE AND ENGLANDS CORNER (JUNCTION OF SILVER STREET, NORTH STREET AND TURNPIKE)

As you may know the Parish Council has been looking at ways to improve on street parking arrangements near the Globe and England's Corner for some time. The goal has been to balance the needs of residents without off street parking with the need to maintain traffic flow particularly for buses.

The recent initiative to place hatching on the road outside Bartletts has not been successful and, if anything has encouraged parking on the narrow part of the road. The Parish Council has therefore had a meeting with Somerset Highways to look at alternative solutions and the only way forward seems to be to restrict parking completely along the sections of road from Little Bartletts towards Creedwell Orchard (see map).

At the lower end of North Street a single white advisory line was painted some years ago with the hope that motorists would not park too close to the junction. Unfortunately this has only been intermittently successful and often buses find great difficult in manoeuvring around the corner with Station Road. If this situation continues there is a chance that the bus service will be removed from the village and use the bypass instead. Again, the Parish Council has discussed this with Somerset Highways and the only solution would be for parking restrictions from a point opposite Cardscroft down to the Silver Street junction (see map).

However, before the Council formally contacts Somerset Highways to increase parking restrictions in the village it would like your views. If you have any thoughts about these proposals or maybe have alternative suggestions the Parish Council would like to hear from you. The Council will make its decision at its next meeting on 3^rd September so if you wish your view to be taken account please contact the Clerk, Gwilym Wren in writing by midday on the 3^rd at the address above or by email to gwilwren@aol.com . The meeting is open to the public and you are welcome to hear the debate..

Yours sincerely

Gwilym Wren

Clerk to Milverton Parish Council

To see the full map right click on it and select View Image.