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.