MILVERTON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

3rd April 2017

7.00pm in the Victoria Rooms Fore Street

PLEASE NOTE NEW REGULAR TIME

Questions from the Public.

Members of the public are welcome to attend and address the Parish Council to provide information and raise matters of concern.

1. Apologies

Members will be expected to provide reasons for absence. Members are reminded that absence for 6 consecutive meetings without approval could lead to disqualification.

2. Declarations of Interest

The Code of Conduct requires that Members disclose interests of a personal, prejudicial and pecuniary nature that may be pertinent to tonight's business. A prejudicial or pecuniary interest will require the member to leave the room during the discussion of the relevant item. In cases of uncertainty members are recommended to consult the Clerk.   

3. Minutes and Matters Arising from minutes

The Minutes of the meeting held on 6th March 2017 have been circulated. Members will be asked to consider them for accuracy and if satisfied pass a resolution of approval that they be signed by the Chairman as a true and accurate record.

The Actions from the last meeting will be considered unless elsewhere on the agenda.

4. Planning        

4.1 For Parish Council Decision

4.1.1 23/17/0002 Erection of Single Storey Extension to the Side of 50 Creedwell Orchard, Milverton

4.2 For Parish Council Comment

23/17/0007/T Notification to fell three willow trees within Milverton Conservation Area at the Old School Sand Street, Milverton

4.3 Other Planning Matters

The Clerk will propose 4th May 2017 as the date for the next planning meeting with a 6pm start..

5.  Parking and Traffic Management at the School

6. Finance Monthly Report

The Council will consider the monthly report and approve payments for Salaries and PAYE.

7. Matters to Report

8. Creedwell

The Vice Chairman will provide a report.

9. Roads and Footpaths

9.1 Footpath Monthly Report

9.2 Roads Monthly Report

9.3 Speed Watch

There is a proposal to start a Group in Preston Bowyer but it will need its own speed ‘gun’ and the Council will be asked for assistance.

10. Jubilee Gardens

The Clerk will report on the proposal to install a pergola frame.

11. Milverton Surgery

Madam Chairman will provide an update

12. Crime

Members will receive and comment on the monthly crime report.

13.  Public Toilets

The Clerk will report on the current position on the acquisition of the Fore St toilets.

14. Allotments

15. Correspondence

A list will be circulated during the meeting and members may request copies from the Clerk.

Milverton Parish Council

Report of Meeting held 6^th March 2017

Nine members of the public joined Councillors for the meeting which was opened by a question about traffic management problems that were being experienced at the school. Councillors agreed to discuss the matter in depth at their April meeting.

The Clerk reported that a protected yew tree had been damaged in the Churchyard by grave digging operations. The TDBC Tree Officer was aware and had offered advice.

Councillors then discussed the recent decision of the Recreation Ground Committee not to fund the cleaning of the toilets there. The Chairman and Treasurer of the Committee were present and were able to give Councillors some background information relating to the decision. The basic position is that the Recreation Ground only has a limited income and cannot afford to pay an extra £1200 a year to clean the toilets. Whilst Committee members feel obliged to help the Cricket Club with repairs and maintenance of the Clubhouse they do not believe that public toilets are needed. They were pressed on this by Councillors but said that their decision had been almost unanimous with only one member disagreeing.

After some further discussion Councillors felt that a Parish Council meeting was not the time or place to resolve this matter. Councillors felt that the toilets had to stay open and therefore agreed to cover the cost of the Recreation Ground toilets from parish funds for six months from 1^st February 2017. It was also agreed that there would be a meeting between the Parish Council and the Committee to try and resolve this situation.

The Clerk reported that Notaro had asked for a Non Material Amendment to the planning consent granted in 1979. This was ostensibly to bring road widths up to 21^st century standards. Whilst there was no consultation process it was agreed that the Parish Council would write to TDBC to seek reassurance

about the process and what would and would not be considered.

The Clerk reported that the tree felling and cutting back work in the Jubilee Gardens had been successfully completed. Councillors felt that an excellent job had been done resulting in a significant improvement.

Under matters to report dog mess again featured prominently with the Churchyard and Jubilee Gardens being specifically mentioned.

In February the Council spent £1974 on salaries, PAYE, toilet cleaning (£538) and works in the Jubilee Gardens (£540).

Gwilym Wren

Clerk to Milverton Parish Council