Milverton Parish Council

Report of Meeting held 2^nd October 2017

The meeting opened with an introductory presentation from the new Village Agent, Gaby Bellamy. She explained that the key purpose of a Village Agent was to support people to live free and independent lives. She currently takes referrals from GPs, attends village events and other sources. As her work is people based she principally works through home visits. She works full time with her salary covered by Somerset NHS Partnership and the Somerset Community Council. She also helps Community Groups as they frequently provide opportunities for the people she assists.

Several Councillors were very unhappy about reports that the 2019 District Council elections could be postponed to allow the merger between TDBC and West Somerset more time to take place. Councillors felt this was an abuse of democracy and Madam Chairman will write to the Communities Secretary of State to express the Councils concern.

Councillor Cotton reported the latest meeting with the Somerset NHS Partnership over the future of the Milverton surgery. The meeting had been useful and many questions had been answered. There will be another meeting on 16^th October to discuss the results of the recent consultation.

The Clerk reported that Councillor Cutler had resigned and the process of finding a replacement needed to be started. A notice will be displayed advertising the vacancy and if enough parishioners request it an election will be held. If not the Council will co-opt a new Councillor.

The Clerk reported that he had investigated the unauthorised fire on the allotments and written to those concerned asking that the plots be thoroughly cleaned. One plot holder had complied with the request and the other had not. He would be writing again to this person and serving notice to quit. He also noted that there were some other scruffy looking plots which he would be keeping an eye on.

Under Matters to report Councillors raised a variety of issues including the timetable at the redundant Fore Street bus stop; post being collected from the Post Office box before the scheduled time; miscanthus being shed from loads passing through the village and blocking the drains. Councillors were pleased that several gulleys had been cleared but said there were still several to do.

The Council spent £1900 in September on toilet cleaning, salaries and PAYE, grass cutting and advertising for the Deputy Clerk.

Gwilym Wren

Clerk to Milverton Parish Council

11^th October 2017