Report on Milverton Parish Council Meeting 7^th April 2014

The meeting was preceded by an interesting talk by Ms Liz Fothergill on behalf of Taunton Citizens Advice Bureau. Operating as a local charity under a national 'umbrella' CAB provides a valuable service across the area giving free and confidential advice on a range of topics including benefits, debt, housing, employment, tax, education, consumer matters, health and the law. Although there are a few paid staff the backbone of the organisation is a team of 105 volunteers who give up a day a week to help others. It is funded through donations although 60% comes from local authorities. It is estimated that the value of the advice given over a year exceeds £700,000. Last year 55 Milverton residents were helped.

Councillors were most impressed by Ms Fothergill's succinct and informative presentation and after a few questions thanked her with a round of applause.

Creedwell

The Chairman set out how the Parish Council intends to respond to the application to build 70 houses on land near Creedwell Orchard.

Since the application was only recently registered and the Exhibition only held over the weekend the Parish Council felt it would be too early to form a firm view at tonight's meeting. Therefore it had been agreed that the matter would come to an extra Parish Council meeting on 28^th April. This will be held in the Victoria Rooms at 7.30pm. Although TDBC has stated that the period for public comment will close on 25^th April it has agreed that it will receive Parish Council comments up until 5^th May.

Councillors acknowledged that holding their meeting after public comment had closed was not ideal but with the Annual Parish meeting scheduled for 16^th April followed by Easter they felt they had little choice. The Annual Parish Meeting will however include Creedwell on the agenda and will be an opportunity for residents to discuss the application and ask questions in an open forum.
For residents who missed the Exhibition and cannot attend the meeting the Parish Council will be holding a 'drop in' session to look at the plans in the Victoria Rooms Reading Room on 17th April between 2pm and 4pm.

Planning Applications

The Parish Council approved an application for an extension at 45 Creedwell Orchard.

Recreation Ground Play Area Refurbishment

Grant applications have been submitted to Viridor and TDBC. The outcome is awaited.

Milverton Public Toilets

Following the offer of a 'dowry' payment to ease the closure of the toilets Councillors agreed to pursue the acquisition of the buildings subject to acceptable terms and conditions. TDBC has offered to keep the toilets open temporarily in return for some of the 'dowry' payment on a 'pro rata' basis. Councillors agreed to accept this offer until 1^st July by which time they hoped that the terms and conditions for a transfer would have been agreed.

This matter will also be on the agenda of the Annual Parish Meeting and residents will be asked for their views on increasing the village precept in order to keep the toilets in Fore Street and at the Recreation Ground open.

Milverton Website

There will be a meeting to take this forward on Wednesday 9^th April at 7pm.

Other issues

The Parish Council has agreed to join CPRE.

The Council was asked to consider replacing the bin that went missing after the St Michaels Rooms were sold.

The Council received notice that the Taunton Deane Triathlon will be coming through the village again on Sunday 18^th April. On that day a one way system will operate around the centre of the village between 10am and 4pm. This will take traffic from Wellington to Taunton up St Michaels Hill and down North Street. Traffic travelling from Taunton to Wellington will only be able to go along Silver Street and Fore Street.

Gwilym Wren

Clerk to Milverton Parish Council

8^th April 2014