Report of the Annual Meeting of Milverton Parish Council on 11^th May 2015

Dr Russell Jenkins was appointed as Chairman for the coming year with Mrs Jenny Hoyle being appointed Vice Chairman.

The Chairman welcomed three new members, Mrs Mickey Pine, Dr Julie Richardson and Mr Philip Chambers. He expressed disappointment that there had been insufficient interest to prompt an election and councillors discussed the best way of filling the single vacancy. In the end a short list was compiled and these people will be approached individually in priority order. It is hoped that an appointment can be made before the next meeting on 1^st June.

Under matters arising members expressed their continuing frustration that TDBC was refusing to replace its litter bin which had disappeared from St Michaels Hill. The Clerk reported that he was meeting a brick wall as TDBC maintained (in the face of no evidence) that the bin belonged to the Parish Council. He said he would escalate the matter.

There were continuing complaints about the failure of Open Reach to connect the whole of the village to Superfast Broadband. The latest excuse is that they need to negotiate a wayleave with Western Power. Councillors were exasperated at this particularly as the exchange had been enabled a year ago and any tenure issues should have been addressed then. There is still no news as to when the remaining 50% of the village will be connected.

On the subject of BT, Mrs Lumby reported on the latest twist in the saga of the faulty land lines. Over 20 people in Milverton and Fitzhead had been experiencing call disruption for months and, despite multiple complaints, had received little sympathy from BT. Eventually BT acknowledged that the fault was in the exchange and the piece of equipment was replaced. However, now BT is writing to customers who are seeking compensation saying that it has classed the fault as being beyond its control meaning that no compensation is due. Councillors were staggered at this cavalier attitude from such a high profile company that controls most of the UK telecommunications infrastructure.

Under planning Councillors approved extensions to Tanners (23/15/0010) and Ivy Cottage (23/15/0008). Comments were made about the windows to the Annex at Cobbleside (23/15/0009).

Councillors were concerned to hear that the Listed gateway to the school at Olands had been damaged by a lorry. Hopes were expressed that SCC would initiate repairs quickly.

Under Creedwell there was still no news about when TDBC's Planning Committee would discuss it. There was considerable concern that SCC was seeking to avoid commenting by using an out of date and inadequate traffic survey as an excuse. Interestingly it had suggested that if the Parish Council commissioned (and paid for) its own survey they would consider it! Under the circumstances Councillors felt they had little option but to agree and voted funds to investigate scope a survey.

PC Jo Jeffrey was in attendance and reported three crimes and assault, criminal damage to a car and possession of cannabis.

Under roads the Clerk reminded Councillors that the Triathlon would be coming through Milverton on 17^th May and that a one way system would be in operation.

The Clerk reported the latest financial offer to support the transfer of the toilets. TDBC was to continue to run them until the legal transfer of ownership was effected. At that point TDBC would give the Parish Council the balance of the running costs for the year and a capital lump sum of £10000. These figures would be 'ring fenced' for the provision of public toilets.

In April the Parish Council spent £2357 on salaries, gardening, emptying dog bins and a grant to the Recreation Ground.