Elections 2011

This is the first notice that Parish Council Elections will take place on 5th May.

With Localism high on the Government's agenda the next few years are likely to be interesting, challenging and rewarding.

The Parish Council is always looking for keen, enthusiastic 'new blood' so if you can spare a few hours a month to help serve your community why not put yourself up for Election?

If you are interested please contact the Clerk, Gwilym Wren on 01823 400657  or email gwilwren@aol.com

Wiveliscombe Library

I have been asked to post this message on behalf of those fighting to keep the Wivey Library and we will post more information as and when it is available.

"My name is Denise Reynolds and I am writing to you on behalf of the Friends of Wiveliscombe Library.  There has been a lot of focus in our town on saving our library but certainly part of our campaign statement is that we serve the surrounding 10Parishes area.  I'm wondering if it would be possible for me to email bulletins and announcements about meetings and events regarding the proposed closure of the library for you to post on the message boards directly in your community so people can be alerted without having to come into Wivey.  It would be great if anyone in your villages would like to become a part of the communication network to help spread the word in your individual communities.  

Anyone who wants to see what's been happening can log onto FriendsOfWiveliscombeLibrary.co.uk.  There they will find news and can also add their contact information if they would like to become a member.

Thank you for your help and support,

Denise"

Milverton Parish Council January Meeting

In their first meeting of 2011 Councillors discussed the following topics.

Creedwell

The Action Group's Judicial Review process continues with an Oral hearing set for early February. TDBC are still considering the Parish Council request for a reconsideration of the Certificate of Lawfulness.

Roads

Councillors discussed the recent severe weather and whether the Parish was as prepared as it could have been. SCC had offered the facility to collect bags of road salt but this was not taken up as the Parish Council had no transport or place to store it. Distribution would also have been difficult.

Four areas had reported problems through not having any salt or grit Baghay, Nynehead Road, Wiveliscombe Road and Woodbarton. Councillors agreed to offer to collect bags of salt for delivery to residents in the outlying areas on the understanding that someone would be prepared to store them securely.

Councillors agreed to look into the provision of a grit bin for Woodbarton. The bin outside the Victoria Rooms will be moved to the nearby toilets as this will be more convenient for Creedwell.

The Clerk was asked to check the existing grit bins and request replenishment from SCC as necessary.

Councillors were disappointed by the negative response of SCC to their request for permanent Speed Watch signs.

Councillors noted that SCC relied on residents who had requested a Disabled Parking Bay to inform them when they were no longer needed and wondered how this worked if the person was deceased. Councillors will be seeking clarification.

Footpaths

The bad weather has contributed to the collapse of a wall alongside a path between Turnpike and Herons Lane which has now been closed until it is made safe.

The footpath between the Orchard and the top of High Street is now in a very poor condition and an urgent meeting is being sought with SCC.

Thanks were offered to Mrs Hennah for leading a very successful village walk on 2^nd January.

Village Toilets

Councillors were very concerned that TDBC was considering closing the toilets in Fore Street and at the Recreation Ground. They are both very well used facilities and would be a significant loss to the community, tourists and workmen.

It was noted that the pipes in the Fore Street toilets had burst on Christmas Eve and they had been locked since then.

The Parish Council will be asking TDBC what the situation. is.

Precept for 2011/12

Councillors set the Precept for next year which is unchanged at £11500.

Libraries

Councillors will circulate the petition to retain the Wiveliscombe Library and the mobile Library service.

A Message about Libraries from SCC

On Wed 15th December) Somerset County Council launched a consultation on the future shape of the Somerset Library network and has proposed that funding for libraries be reduced by 25%. The Public Consultation document on the County Council website at www.somerset.gov.uk/libraries explains the proposals for achieving this.  
In January 2011 there will be ‘library consultation roadshows’ in centres around the county and you and your communities would be very welcome to attend these.  The local meetings in our area will take place as follows : 

10 January, 2011, 5pm to 8pm : Danesfield School, North Road, Williton TA4 4SW
 
11 January, 5pm to 8pm : Courtfields School, Mantle Street, Wellington, TA21 8SW
 
The results of the consultation will be reported to the County Council's Cabinet meeting on 2 February 2011. The Cabinet will recommend a course of action for agreement at the meeting of the full County Council on 16 February 2011.
As individuals, you are invited also to complete a questionnaire and this can be done by

• accessing the County Council website.  Please follow the link to the consultation survey www.somerset.gov.uk/libraries
• completing the online survey in a library, using the Free Web Sites service which is available on library computers.  If you have not used this service before and would like assistance, please speak to a member of library staff.
• completing a printed version of the questionnaire in a library

with best wishes
Phil Nichols
Libraries & Information Manager
Somerset County Council : Heritage & Libraries
office phone : 01935 429614
mobile : 07919 540822

January 2011 Agenda

AGENDA

Questions from the Public

1. Apologies
2. Minutes
3. Declarations of Interest and Matters Arising from minutes
4. Ms S Wheeler, Chief Executive of SCC has been invited.
5. Planning

a) Applications for Parish Council Comment (See Below)

b) Other Planning Matters

6. Creedwell
7. Crime
8. Roads

a) Severe Weather

b) Monthly Report

9. Footpaths
10. CiLCA Drafts

a) Standing Orders

b) Complaints Procedure

c) Grants Policy

11. Correspondence

a) For Information

b) For action/Resolution

12. Finance

a) Precept 2011/12

b) December Report

13. Matters to Report

Milverton Parish Council December Meeting

This evening the Parish Council received an update on the Affordable Housing proposal in Butts Way from Sam Southern of Falcon Housing.
The project has been delayed by funding difficulties caused by a change of Government and the Comprehensive Spending Review. All other aspects have been agreed and it is hoped that the funding can be confirmed in the New Year.

The Parish Council passed the following Planning Applications

• 23/10/0018 CHANGE OF USE OF AGRICULTURAL FORAGE STORE BARN TO STABLING AND FORAGE BARN AT SCREEDY FARM, MILVERTON

• 23/10/0019 ERECTION OF SINGLE STOREY EXTENSION TO SIDE AND REPLACEMENT OF CONSERVATORY TO REAR AT FOXES HOLLOW WOOD STREET MILVERTON

The Chairman reported two complaints in relation to on street parking and it was agreed that a short note be placed in the January Parish Magazine reminding residents that on street parking was available to all, subject to the usual courtesies of not parking long term or causing obstructions.

In respect of the Preston Farm footpath diversion Councillors were informed of the liklihood of two objections  which would ineveitably lead to an expensive Public Inquiry.

Councillors considered a request from the Community Speedwatch for permanent signs and agreed to consult SCC.

Councillors also discussed the latest letter from SCC detailing the cuts that are to be made. Those around road drainage and bus services caused the most concern. It was agreed to write to SCC seeking more clarification about the detail and how SCC expected parishes to contribute.

The date for the Annual Parish Meeting was agreed at 13th April 2010.

Agenda for December Meeting

AGENDA

1. Questions from the Public
2. Apologies
3. Minutes
4. Declarations of Interest and Matters Arising from minutes
5. Update on Courtfields Affordable Housing from Sam Sothern, Falcon Housing
6. Planning

a) Applications for Parish Council Decision (See Below)

b) Applications for Parish Council Comment (See Below)

c) Other Planning Matters

7. Creedwell
8. Crime
9. Roads

a) Monthly Report

b) Parking

10. Footpaths
11. S 106 Preston Farm
12. Allotments Meeting
13. CiLCA Drafts

a) Standing Order

b) Complaints Procedure

c) Grants Policy

14. Correspondence

a) For Information

b) For action/Resolution

15. Finance

a) Estimates 2011/12

b) December Report

16. Matters to Report

PLANNING APPLICATIONS

TOWN & COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1990

DECEMBER 2010

For Decision By The Parish Council

1. 23/10/0018 CHANGE OF USE OF AGRICULTURAL FORAGE STORE BARN TO STABLING AND FORAGE BARN AT SCREEDY FARM, MILVERTON

Recommended Decision: Conditional Approval

The proposal is considered not to have a detrimental impact upon visual or residential amenity and is therefore considered acceptable and, accordingly, does not conflict with Taunton Deane Local Plan Policies S1 (General Requirements) and S2 (Design).

2. 23/10/0019 ERECTION OF SINGLE STOREY EXTENSION TO SIDE AND REPLACEMENT OF CONSERVATORY TO REAR AT FOXES HOLLOW WOOD STREET MILVERTON

Recommended Decision: Conditional Approval

The proposed development would harm neither visual nor residential amenity, nor would it be damaging to the character of the main dwelling. Accordingly, the proposal does not conflict with Taunton Deane Local Plan Policies S1 (General Requirements), S2 Design) and H17 (Extensions to Dwellings)

For Comment By The Parish Council

3. 23/10/00 ERECTION OF EXTENSION LINKING DWELLING WITH THE COACH HOUSE. REFURBISHMENT OF COACH HOUSE TO FORM ANCILLARY ACCOMMODATION. ERECTION OF A BALCONY TO NORTH ELEVATION AND SOLAR SLATES TO SOUTH ROOF. FORMATION OF AN ARCHED GATEWAY IN WEST GARDEN WALL GIVING ACCESS INTO MILL LANE AT THE OLD QUAKER HOUSE NORTH STREET MILVERTON

4. 23/10/0021T NOTIFICATION TO CARRY OUT MANAGEMNT WORKS TO ONE SORBUS TREE AND ONE BAY TREE WITHIN MILVERTON CONSERVATION AREA AT OLD THORNWELL, FORE STREET, FORE STREET MILVERTON

NOTIFICATION TO BE ASSESSED ON SITE