The Annual Meeting of Milverton Parish Council was

held on Monday 13^th May 2013 in the Victoria Rooms

Before the meeting started the Chairman paid tribute to Shelagh Blackmore for her considerable and energetic contribution to village life over many years.

Elections

 

Mr Jenkins was unanimously elected Chairman for the coming year.

 

Mrs Hoyle was unanimously re-elected Vice Chairman for the coming year. 

Plannng 

The  Council approved a planning application for new signs at the School gates.

Councillors objected to the felling of a Horse Chestnut tree in the Conservation Area at Felton Hall.  They noted that the applicant had not stated that the tree was unsafe and that the site had already lost several standard trees as part of the renovation of Felton Hall. They also noted that several birch saplings had been planted inappropriately along the north boundary. They felt that the tree was a prominent feature in easterly views from the churchyard and Parsonage Lane which gave it considerable amenity value in the Conservation Area.

This view is supported by the 2007 review of the Conservation Area which notes (Para 7.2) that Hedges and trees make an important contribution at the heart of the Conservation Area and that 'Parsonage Lane has the feel of a country road despite being at the centre of the village'.

Councillors felt that the removal of the last full grown tree in this location would open the north east end of Parsonage Lane creating unexpectedly wide open views and increased light in an area that was noted for its enclosed feel and as a result create an adverse impact impact on the amenity and townscape of the this part of the Conservation Area.

Councillors were not convinced that the promised replacement would be able to restore the loss of amenity and damage to the Conservation Area within a reasonable time and that the change would be, to all intents and purposes, permanent.

Councillors were firmly of the view that tree surgery should be considered as the principal management option in this case.

Amenity Committee

The Council has eestablished an Amenity Committee to be responsible for the development and on-going management of amenities around the parish. The Committee is intended to be responsible and to be able to take executive action in matters relating to day to day management and development of the facilities concerned, and only referring up to full council matters of finance or requiring full council approval.

In order to meet the requirements of due process and transparency the committee should meet publicly bi-monthly in order to transact business and that formal notices should be posted inviting the public to attend and comment. The committee will be bound by the normal code of conduct of the full council. Meetings will be minuted and reported to the main Parish Council Meetings.

A list of areas of responsibility could include

1. Play areas
2. Picnic Areas and recreation areas
3. Jubilee benches and viewing areas and the like
4. Wildlife Reserves
5. Permissive Access land and areas and the agreements, contracts or leases related to them
6. Sports and Games facilities
7. Other similar items.

Specific Exclusions should include areas where there is a legislative component, for example; Footpaths, and Rights of Way, Graveyards and Cemeteries, etc.

Milverton Parish Crime Report 8th April-13th May
There have been 8 crimes reported

• Failure to keep dog under control-Milverton-Under Investigation.
• Theft from a Motor Vehicle-North St Milverton. Purse stolen from within
  after rear window broken- Under Investigation as possible CCTV evidence.
• Criminal Damage to a gate West Bagborough-Reclassified as a no
  crime-damage caused by horse.
• Theft of wood from outside premises in Milverton- All lines of enquiry
  carried out and Crime Prevention Advice given to help safeguard
  property.
• Malicious Communications- Lydeard St Lawrence- Under Investigation.
• Violence against the person Triscombe- Vehicle driven at cyclists and
  Verbal abuse directed towards them- Under Investigation.
• Theft of a wheelie bin-Milverton-reported to Taunton Deane Borough
  Council.

Grants

Councillors considered a request for £175 towards the cost of a display cabinet for the Village Archive.which was passed unanimously.

Matters to report

• The Chairman reported that the Courtfield phone box was in need of upgrading and that the green area in the car park was in need of tidying.
  He also noted that the hospital proposal for Wiveliscombe had been re-submitted.

• Mr Phelps said he had examined the Preston phone box and it was concreted in so would be difficult to move.
• Mrs Renfree reported that the Village Shop had reached that final of a national competition as Best Small Independent Store.
  She also reported that the Milverton United Charities had donated £200 to the Taunton Food Bank.

• Mr Hendy reported that the lights were permanently on in Parsonage Lane.
• Mrs Hoyle reported that the Affordable Houses in Butts Way were almost finished and tenants were being sought.
• Mr Gauntlett reported that the road to Nynehead was badly damaged between Bickley and Baghay. This would be added to the Dennis Quick list.
• Mr Cotten reported that a BT Openreach operative had indicated that the Milverton exchange was being surveyed for Superfast Broadband.
• Mrs Lumby agreed to circulate the Schools Friday Flyer in future.