Milverton Parish Council Meeting
5th November 2012

Councillors discussed a variety of issues.
The meeting opened with Public Questions. The first was about the damage being caused to the fabric of the village by large articulated lorries. Discussions have taken place with operators who have agreed to use smaller lorries for deliveries in the village but there is an increasing problem of larger lorries being guided by sat-navs. The Parish Council will be contacting Somerset County Council to see what can be done.

The second question was whether superfast broadband was dud to come to Milverton. The Council will ask Somerset County Council.

Most Councillors have received training about the new Code of Conduct. However, there was a lot of concern expressed about the level of disclosure of information to the public. It was agreed to discuss the matter more fully at the December meeting.

The Council considered a planning application to install nearly 20,000 solar panels on 26 acres in the south east of the Parish. After some discussion Councillors did not feel well enough informed about the subject and agreed to ask the developer to give the parish a presentation. In particular Councillors are seeking more clarity on access routes for construction, loss of prime agricultural land, wildlife, the amount of power to be generated and the low level of local consultation. The 13th and 20th of November are to be offered as possible dates.

Councillors had a long debate about the merits of a Neighbourhood Plan. The Chairman reported from a recent workshop which had set out clearly the huge commitment required by those involved. The general consensus was that this needed careful thought and evaluation of what the village wanted to achieve before committing to proceed. The Council sub Committee will meet in the next few weeks to scope out a way forward.

Councillors resolved to send the Queen a copy of the Milverton Jubilee Photo Book from the Royal Manor of Milverton to mark Her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee.

Mrs Hoyle, the vice Chairman reported that the Runnington housing planning appeal had finally been concluded. On behalf of the village she thanked Mr Howard Davies for his contributions about the history of the area.

Councillors discussed the notices that had asked people not to walk by the Hillfarrance Brook to the west of the village. Mr Phelps and the Clerk had met the farmer who had said he no longer wanted people to walk along his fields. Since this was a popular walk several parishioners are investigating the possibility of getting the route made into an official registered footpath by the County Council.

Councillors discussed the Somerset County Council proposal for Community Wardens shared between 4 parishes. Apart from the concerns about the County abdicating its responsibilities Councillors felt that such an arrangement would inevitably create a direct employment situation and not a contractual one as claimed by the County Council literature. As this would increase the Parish Council overhead and on-costs significantly Councillors felt that the best way forward would be to recruit volunteers.

Councillors were please to hear that the local Highways manager was prepared to join the village tour of inspection to look at road drainage, potholes and overgrowing vegetation. The tour will take place on 15th November.

Councillors agreed to a request to buy a wheely grit bin for Turnpike.

The Chairman is to accept an invitation to join the Board of the Wiveliscombe Area Partnership.

The next meeting of Milverton Parish Council will take place at 7.30pm on Monday, 5^th November 2012 at 7.30pm in the Victoria Rooms, Milverton.

This meeting is open to the public.

AGENDA

Questions from the Public

1. Apologies
2. Declarations of Interest
3. Minutes and Matters Arising from minutes
4. Planning

a) Planning Applications for Parish Council Decision (See below)

b) Planning Applications for Parish Council Comment (See below)

c) Neighbourhood Plan

d) Other Planning Matters

5. Creedwell
6. Easement across Burgage Viewing Area Update
7. Jubilee Photo Book for the Queen
8. Crime
9. Roads and Footpaths

a) Monthly Report

b) Turnpike Footpaths

c) Village Inspection

d) Community Warden Scheme

10. Correspondence

a) For Information

b) For action/Resolution

11. Finance
12. Matters to Report

TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT

PLANNING APPLICATIONS

TOWN & COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1990

For Decision of the Parish Council

1.23/12/0033 ERECTION OF EXTENSION TO THE SIDE AT BAGHAY FARM, MILVERTON

2. 23/12/0028 ERECTION OF A SINGLE STOREY REAR EXTENSION AT No 1 POLICE COTTAGE SILVER STREET, MILVERTON

For Comment By the Parish Council

3. 23/12/0029/LB ERECTION OF A SINGLE STOREY REAR EXTENSION AT No 1 POLICE COTTAGE SILVER STREET, MILVERTON

For Comment By the Parish Council

4. 23/12/0032 INSTALLATION OF 19,640 No. GROUND MOUNTED PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR PANELS TO PROVIDE A 5MW INSTALLATION WITH POWER INVERTER SYSTEMS, TRANSFORMER STATIONS, SUB-STATIONS, SECURITY FENCING AND ACCESS GATES IN A FIELD NORTH OF GRANGE FARM, NYNEHEAD

PLANNING OFFICER COMMENTS: Need to assess impact on ecology, flood risk etc

LANGFORD BUDVILLE

5. 21/12/0018 RESERVED MATTERS APPLICATION FOR 'APPEARANCE' AND 'SCALE' WITH REGARDS TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SITE FOR A GARDEN CENTRE PURSUANT TO OUTLINE APPLICATION 21/09/0019 AT LAND EAST OF MILVERTON ROAD, WELLINGTON.

Milverton Parish Council meeting
1st October 2012

Mrs Jenny Hoyle was elected Vice Chairman following the resignation of Trevor Phelps.

Several residents asked questions about the state of the roads, gutters and pavements in the village. Councillors replied that they had already agreed to undertake a tour of inspection in mid October to draw up a list of concerns for discussion with Taunton Deane and Somerset County Council. They confirmed that a representative of Somerset Highways would be invited to join them.

In relation to Creedwell the Chairman reported  that the Taunton Deane Planning Committee had agreed to vary the road widening obligations subject to a discussion with the Parish Council about how this might be legally effected.

The Police Report contained a request for Rosebank Road to be classed a No Cold Calling Zone. Councillors agreed to support this suggestion. The Police will now carry out a consultation exercise before a final decision is made.

Councillors debated the notices in Turnpike that asked people to stop walking down by the Hillfarrance Brook. Although not a footpath the area has been used for informal access for some time, however, there have been recent reports of riders on horses and quad bikes which may have prompted the landowner to impose these restrictions. Councillors resolved to seek police advice about how off road vehicles could be controlled and also ask for a meeting with the landowner.

Councillors received an invitation to the Re-Opening of the Victoria Rooms on 26th October.

The broken bench on Preston Hill has received a temporary repair but would probably need replacing next year. It was suggested that if replaced it should be repositioned to face the countryside to the south rather than the B3227 to the north.

The next meeting of Milverton Parish Council will take place at 7.30pm on Monday, 1^st October 2012 at 7.30pm in the Victoria Rooms, Milverton.

This meeting is open to the public.

AGENDA

Questions from the Public

1. Election of Vice Chairman
2. Apologies
3. Declarations of Interest
4. Minutes and Matters Arising from minutes
5. Planning

a) Neighbourhood Plan

b) Other Planning Matters

6. Creedwell
7. Easement across Burgage Viewing Area
8. Crime
9. Roads and Footpaths

a) Monthly Report

b) Paths for Communities

c) Village Inspection

10. Correspondence

a) For Information

b) For action/Resolution

11. Finance
12. Matters to Report

Milverton Parish Council Meeting 3rd September 2012

Brief Report

The Planning Report has been posted separately on this Blog.

Cllr McMahon (SCC) reported that the County Council highways had restricted the access routes to the proposed 41 acre solar farm in Halse.  He had asked that the impact on construction traffic on Milverton be taken into account.

The S52 amendment relating to Creedwell access is now going to TDBC Planning Committee on 26th September.

The Village Green consultation period has closed and submissions are being studied by the County Council. They will decide whether to resolve the matter themselves or request that it goes to Public Inquiry.

The monthly crime report covered diverse subjects as theft, anti social behaviour, family arguments, burglary and loss of fish.

In attempt to solve the parking problems near the Globe and at Englands Corner the Council sought residents views about increasing double yellow lines. Eight people replied with a range of views.
After some debate, which included members of the audience, Councillors voted on the following resolution:

'To remove the white hatching outside Bartletts in Fore Street and install double yellow lines, from the west end of the hatching, westwards to the entrance of Creedwell Orchard.
To replace the single white line with double yellow lines at the eastern end of North Street. The yellow lines to extend into Silver Street as far as the Give Way sign.'

This was passed by a vote of 6:2.

A village resident has written to the  Council about the state of some of the grass banks in the village. They are the responsibility of the TDBC or private owners. The Council will make a tour of the village and consider what action to take.

The Chairman reported that Mr Phelps had tendered his resignation as Vice Chairman and therefore an election would be held at the next meeting.

The meeting closed at 9.10pm.

TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT

MILVERTON PARISH COUNCIL PLANNING REPORT

SEPTEMBER 2012

For Comment By the Parish Council

1. 23/12/0022/LB INSTALLATION OF WINDOWS TO THE ROOF OF THE SOUTH ELEVATION, A CONSERVATION WINDOW TO THE WEST ELEVATION, THE REDUCTION OF DOORWAY OPENING TO FORM A WINDOW TO THE WEST ELEVATION, AND BLOCKING OF WINDOW TO THE WEST ELEVATION AT THE STABLES, MILVERTON
   The Parish Council had no comment to make.

2. 23/12/0024/HR NOTIFICATION TO REMOVE AND REINSTATE 40 METRES OF HEDGEROW AT 8 DIFFERENT CROSSING POINTS BETWEEN SPRING GROVE RESERVOIR (MILVERTON PARISH) AND RAMSEY RESERVOIR (LANGFORD BUDVILLE PARISH) 
   The Parish Council had no comment to make.

3. REPLACEMENT OF WINDOWS AND DOORS AND ENLARGEMENT OF WINDOW OPENING TO THE EAST ELEVATION TO FORM A DOORWAY AT PRESTON FARM, PRESTON BOWYER MILVERTON (RETENTION OF WORKS ALREADY UNDERTAKEN) 
   The Parish Council understands that this application refers to the need for consent to stain the window frames as opposed to painting them.
   The Parish Council also understands that TDBC has no view in relation to the colour of the paint merely that it requires paint above woodstain, so for example brown paint would be acceptable.
   The Parish Council supports the application and wishes to express its grave concern that planning legislation is being used inappropriately to control minor matters of a cosmetic nature.

Milverton Parish Council

3^rd September 2012

The next meeting of Milverton Parish Council will take place at 7.30pm on Monday, 3^rd September 2012 at 7.30pm in the Creedwell Community Rooms, Milverton. (Please note change from normal venue).

This meeting is open to the public.

Yours faithfully

Gwilym Wren

Clerk to the Parish Council

AGENDA

Questions from the Public

1. Apologies
2. Declarations of Interest
3. Minutes and Matters Arising from minutes
4. Planning

a) Applications for Parish Council Comment (See below)

b) Neighbourhood Plan

c) Other Planning Matters

5. Creedwell
6. Milverton Historic Maps
7. Crime

a) Monthly Report

b) CCTV

8. Roads

a) Monthly Report

b) Village Parking

9. Footpaths

a) Monthly Report

b) Bridleways

c) Volunteering

10. Correspondence

a) For Information

b) For action/Resolution

11. Finance
12. Matters to Report

TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT

PLANNING APPLICATIONS

TOWN & COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1990

For Comment By the Parish Council

1. 23/12/0022/LB INSTALLATION OF WINDOWS TO THE ROOF OF THE SOUTH ELEVATION, A CONSERVATION WINDOW TO THE WEST ELEVATION, THE REDUCTION OF DOORWAY OPENING TO FORM A WINDOW TO THE WEST ELEVATIONM, AND BLOCKINMG OF WINDOW TO THE WEST ELEVATION AT THE STABLES, MILVERTON

2. 23/12/0024/HR NOTIFICATION TO REMOVE AND REINSTATE 40 METRES OF HEDGEROW AT 8 DIFFERENT CROSSING POINTS BETWEEN SPRING GROVE RESERVOIR (MILVERTON PARISH) AND RAMSEY RESERVOIR (LANGFORD BUDVILLE PARISH)

NB THE WORKS ARE ESSENTIAL AS PART OF THE TAUNTON CLEAN AND CLEAR RE-HABILITATION PROJECT. THIS IS FOR INFORMATION AND TDBC DOES NOT INTEND TO OBJECT TO THESE WORKS.

3. REPLACEMENT OF WINDOWS AND DOORS AND ENLARGEMENT OF WINDOW OPENING TO THE EAST ELEVATION TO FORM A DOORWAY AT PRESTON FARM, PRESTON BOWYER MILVERTON (RETENTION OF WORKS ALREADY UNDERTAKEN)