Milverton Parish Council

Report of Meeting 6^th October 2014

The meeting was preceded by a minutes silence in memory of former Parish Councillor Tony Vail OBE.

The Parish Council was not impressed by Taunton Deane's proposed Asset Transfer Policy and had responded to the consultation accordingly. The Clerk was commended for the response.

Councillors discussed a consultation from The Harlequin Group which is proposing to apply for planning permission to install a 25m High Lattice Tower Mobile Phone mast and base station on land Adjacent to Rivers Wood, Dyers Farm, Milverton. This is part of the Government’s Mobile Infrastructure Project (MIP), a public funded initiative to remove ‘not-spots’ in rural areas where voice and data mobile phone coverage is currently non-existent. The MIP project is state funded as it is to correct a market failure in the supply of mobile coverage.

Councillors noted that the site was outside the boundary in Fitzhead parish and that that the application was to be forwarded to planners shortly. Rather than comment on an incomplete application Councillors agreed to await the formal consultation before commenting. However, Cllr Wren, who had also received the consultation, did agree to ask what the anticipated coverage would be and whether it would boost signals inside old buildings with thick stone walls.

The Vice Chairman Mrs Jenny Hoyle was delighted to announce that 5 out of the 6 new items of play equipment had been installed by Wicksteed and it was hoped to complete the job by half term. She anticipates an official launch in conjunction with the School and other involved organisations like Viridor and the Recreation Ground committee. Cllr Wren undertook to ask the Mayor of Taunton Deane, Dave Durden.

The Chairman announced that the planning committee would not be deciding the Creedwell application on 15th October because there were still some technical issues to be resolved. The next possible date was the 5^th November.

PCSO Louise Fyne reported that she and Police Constable had joined the Speed Watch team in Wood Street. Several speeding drivers had been stopped an spoken to. Repeat offenders will receive follow up action and potentially prosecution.

Councillors reported noisy motorcycles in the village and on the by pass. PCSO Fyne will pass this information to traffic colleagues.

Councillors discussed a complaint that the kissing gate on the footpath between Wood St and High St was preventing mobility scooters and buggies from using the path. SCC has been consulted and confirmed that because of the length of time the gate has been in situ there are no disability law issues. That said, Councillors will visit the path next month to decide on the best course of action.

SCC is conducting a trial into reducing street lighting and the Parish Council is interested in seeing what could be done in Milverton. In particular residents in Sand St, Fore St and Silver St are subjected to bright lights and the Council will approach SCC to see if this can be reduced or better directed.

Councillors received a report from the Victoria Rooms committee that it was very supportive of an event to honour Beth French's achievement of swimming from Cornwall to the Isles of Scilly. The Council will now press ahead with this. At present the idea will be to unveil a plaque and photograph at a small ceremony.

Councillors received a letter of complaint about two overnight events at the Herb Farm on consecutive weekends in September. It was reported that music was audible in the village throughout each night until 6am which was regarded as unacceptable. The Council will be following this up with the Police and Environmental Health.

Councillors approved cheques for salaries, PAYE and gardening. The total expenditure this month was £643.14.

Before the end of the meeting the Clerk reported that several Councillors had indicated their intention to step down at the election next May. He explained that if Milverton wished to retain its Quality Council status there would have to be an election. He therefore asked all members to seek out likely candidates. He would be happy to meet interested parties for a confidential discussion if that would help.

Finally, the meeting was attended by Mr Jodie Norris, Milverton's Community first responder. He explained his role in quickly answering life threatening emergencies before an ambulance or paramedic could arrive. As part of his job he will set up a village scheme and he will also look after the village defibrillator when it is installed.