Milverton Parish Council

Report of Meeting 4^th July 2016

The meeting opened with a question about the future of Milverton Surgery and the statement that had been recently issued by the partners at the Lister House Surgery. The gist was that many of the GP partners were coming up to retirement but had been unable to recruit new ones so the management of the practice was being transferred to the Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust from 1^st August. In relation to the Milverton Surgery the statement said

“In the short term, Somerset Partnership is planning to continue patient services at that site. However, we have been informed that the building’s owners intend to sell the Milverton surgery. The Trust will work with NHS England, staff at the surgery and the local community as to how services can be delivered in an appropriate setting. However, one option is that all services will be delivered from Wiveliscombe with improved transport being provided to support access. Local people will be consulted before there is any change to current arrangements.”

This prompted a lively discussion which revolved around the fact that these changes had obviously been in discussion for some time but this was the first time that they had been made public. It was also claimed that the Patient Liaison Group who were supposed to be the interface between the NHS and the patients it serves had been sworn to secrecy.

Councillors were not at all happy with the lack of consultation and the impending date for the change which implied a fait accompli and the apparent absence of any accountability. The Chair Dr Julie Richardson was authorised to contact both the Lister House partners and the Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust to find out in detail what was going on and what the plan for the continuation of NHS services to Milverton was.

Before the meeting commenced the Amenity Committee had met with the Council's solicitor, Ms Alison McVay, to be briefed on the contract terms for transferring the Fore Street toilets. Several issues were raised which did not accord with the Agreed heads of Terms and so Ms McVay was asked to respond to TDBC and ask for the changes to be made. It was agreed that the Amenity Committee would meet again on 11^th July.

Under planning Councillors considered an application to split 26 Creedwell into two and build a garage with a flat over at the front. Whilst welcoming the development of small and medium dwellings in the village Councillors nevertheless expressed concern at the parking provision.

The Police report mentioned trespass in the school grounds and crowds of youths at the recreation Ground as well as sheep rustling and rural break-ins. The public are requested to phone in details of suspicious incidents or activities to 101.

The Clerk reported that he was continuing to press SCC to get a better measurement of speeds in Wood Street. The current locations for the Speed Indicator Devices (SIDs) do not give a sufficiently clear view up the road and therefore cannot accurately assess the speed motorists drive at. It has been suggested that a loop be installed and the Clerk is current pursuing this option.

Councillors received a request for a £200 grant towards the new floor of the Victoria Rooms. However, given that the full cost was likely to exceed £10000 they unanimously agreed to offer £500.

Councillors were told that the Electoral Commission was holding a consultation on new boundaries which would be open until 5^th September.

In June the Council spent £2000 on salaries (inc. PAYE), insurance, room hire, grasscutting and gardening.