Madam Chairman reported that she and the Vice Chairman had recently attended a Chairmanship course organised by SALC and she thought it an opportune moment to refresh the protocols surrounding Parish Council meetings.
The meeting is for Councillors and apart from the (unminuted) public question at the start only they should speak.
Questions or statements from the public should only be taken in the the meeting starts if there is a specific point upon which a member of the public has specialist knowledge.
Planning
A planning site visit took place on 9th June which was attended by Madam Chairman, Mrs Burton, Mrs McHardy, Mr Phelps, Mr Gauntlett, Mr Ainsworth-Smith and the Clerk.
For Decision By The Parish Council
23/11/0011 ERECTION OF TWO WOODEN GATES AT SNUG VIEW, SILVER STREET, MILVERTON
Councillors approved the application subject to the conditions set out in the Planning Officer Report.
23/11/0007 ERECTION OF FRONT GATES AND PEDESTRIAN ACCESS AND PAVING OF DRIVEWAY AT PEEL HOUSE, SILVER STREET, MILVERTON
Councillors approved the application subject to the conditions set out in the Planning Officer Report.
23/22/0012 ERECTION OF A TWO STOREY EXTENSION AND CONSTRUCTION OF DORMER WINDOW AT DAVY'S CLOSE, BUTTS WAY, MILVERTON
Councillors approved the application subject to the conditions set out in the Planning Officer Report.
For Comment By The Parish Council
23/11/0016T NOTIFICATION TO RAISE THE CANOPY OF A COPPER BEECH TREE WITHIN THE MILVERTON CONSERVATION AREA AT FORT COTTAGE, ST MICHAELS HILL, MILVERTON
Councillors had no objection to the proposal but asked that the work be carried out in the autumn.
26.2.2 23/11/0001 APPROVAL OF RESERVED MATTERS FOR THE ERECTION OF DWELLING TO SUPPORT PHEASANT REARING ENTERPRISE AT THE OLD QUARRY, FORD BRIDGE, MILVERTON (AS PER APPLICATION 23/07/0045)
Councillors had no objection to the proposal.
Somerset Strategic Housing Land Assessment
Madam Chairman and Cllr Wren then lead a discussion on the
The Current Local Plan
The Emerging Core Strategy
Strategic Housing Assessment and its implications
A Neighbourhood Plan for Milverton
The current Local Plan is still relevant but gradually policies are being phased out. The latest version of the Emerging Core Strategy sets out which ones are still current, which are obsolete and which are superseded.
The Emerging Core Strategy was being considered by TDBC on 15th June with a view to it being sent for a final public consultation in July and August. Subject to minor amendments the final version would be considered by a Government Inspector at and Examination in Public in the spring. It would be up to the Inspector to call for evidence.
The Strategic Housing Assessment sets out 2 areas in the village that could be used for residential development from the mid 2020s; they are the Creedwell site (15 units) and land between the Wiveliscombe Road and High Street (30 units). The Assessment is intended to give TDBC an idea of potentially development land beyond the life of the Core Strategy. However, the existence of these recommendations has caused considerable concern to neighbouring residents.
In the context Cllr Wren recommended that the Parish refresh its Parish Plan and adding sections with a view to developing it into a Neighbourhood Plan in due course when the Localism Bill was passed. However, he warned that it would need a good number of volunteers to help push it forward.
Madam Chairman summed up the discussion saying that the village needed a 'neighbourhood plan' to go forward with so as to be able to take advantage (or be ready for) any detailed proposals that arose out of the Core Strategy. If the Parish's submission was good enough then representatives
might be called to give evidence to the inspector.
It was agreed that the Parish Council would lead a process to refresh the Parish Plan. Cllr Wren agreed to set out some headings to allow work to start. Councillors Jenkins, Cottrell, Hannaford and Hendy all offered to assist.
Crime
The Clerk read PC Jo Jeffreys report for Milverton and North Deane Beat
19/5 Malicious communications offence in Milverton
31/5 Criminal Damage to a fence in Bagborough
One neighbour dispute, informally resolved.
Roads
The Clerk read a letter from Mr Coombes of Wood Street which he had sent to the Highways Department suggesting improvements to speed limits on Wood Street and the Wiveliscombe Road.
The Clerk reported a 5 day road closure between Raleghs Cross and Elworthy from 20th June.
Cllr McMahon reported that SCC Highways had a small pot of money for minor highway improvements (eg signage, parking improvements, one way systems etc.)and invited the Parish Council to send him proposals before 27th June.
Various suggestions were aired and it was agreed that they would be forwarded to him by the deadline.
Footpaths
Monthly Report
As time was pressing Mrs Lumby deferred her monthly report and indicted that there were no pressing issues apart from the Creedwell footpath that was becoming choked with nettles.
Allocation of Footpaths
Mrs Lumby is seeking volunteers to manage individual footpaths. Volunteers need to be registered with SCC. She acknowledged that they may need to be categorised according to how much they were prepared to do for example those who just inspect and those who would be prepared to undertake repairs and maintenance.
She reported that SCC had offered to donate a strimmer to allow parishes to carry out their own clearance. Training and PPE would be provided. Mrs Lumby would advertise this opportunity in the Parish magazine.
She also reported that there would be a meeting on 15th to discuss the best way to use the Kingsmead volunteers.
Millennium Benches
Mrs Lumby said that she hoped that the Kingsmead students would be prepared to help clear the benches and if all went well this could possible become an annual task.
