County Hall

PP C302

Taunton, Somerset
TA1 4DY 29th October 2014

CONSULTATION ON REVIEW OF SUBSIDISED LOCAL BUS SERVICES AND DEMAND RESPONSIVE TRANSPORT

Due to a continuing reduction in the amount of funding the Government provides the Council to run local services, and to manage competing demands for services that the Council is legally obliged to provide; Somerset County Council needs to review its allocation of funds for supported bus services. We are now seeking your views on potential changes to these services.

We are changing the way we provide Demand Responsive Transport in Somerset and will be routing the vehicles into areas where, due to previous withdrawals of conventional public transport, there is currently no timetabled public transport provision.

As a general principle it is our view that demand responsive services should be retained but as a routed services to provide access for rural communities with particular regard to the needs of our elderly population and people with disabilities along with those who may not have access to a car.

Increasingly difficult choices will need to be made about where we provide support in the future. Routes have been identified by the Council for possible reductions in financial support due to:

• Availability of services on other days of the week or proximity of alternative services;
• Low passenger use;
• Possible Commercial replacement.

We are also proposing that some services will operate at a reduced frequency rather than our support being entirely withdrawn, to retain the ability for people to make journeys by public transport.

The affected services are listed at the website mentioned below and include No 10 – Langley Marsh – Wellington (First). SCC would like to consult with as many Somerset groups and residents as possible and we would be grateful for your views on these proposed changes before a final decision is taken by the Council in 2015.

If you would like to complete our online survey please go to the following website for full details:

www.somerset.gov.uk/bussurvey

Deadline for responses is 29th December 2014

Yours sincerely

John Perrett/Jane Newell

Service Managers - Transporting Somerset/Highways & Transport Commissioning

Milverton Parish Council Monthly report

November 2014

The Council met on 3^rd November

Under Planning Councillors support applications for a swimming pool at Bickley and rendering works to a house in North Street.

The Chairman reported no progress on getting the Creedwell planning application to the TDBC Planning Committee. There appear to be many unanswered questions about how the site will be drained and further detailed information from the applicant was awaited. However, it appeared that one issue had been resolved in that Notaro had accepted that the development would be subject to a Community Infrastructure Levy payment of approximately £1.4m.

The Clerk reported that the company proposing to install a mobile phone mast north of the village had been unable to secure a site but was continuing to search. This meant that there would be an unspecified delay in providing improved mobile phone reception.

The Clerk also reported that he has been in contact with TDBC about the scale of the works at Lancaster House. He was expecting a reply from the Enforcement Officer which he would pass on.

In view of the possibility of the Vicarage coach house being used for the archive the Clerk was asked in investigate whether or not it was Listed.

Members gave the Vice Chairman Mrs Hoyle a Formal Vote of Thanks for her sterling work in delivering the new play area at the Recreation Ground. The installation is now complete and was formally opened by the Mayor Cllr Dave Durdan on 21^st October. The Clerk reported a donation from Milverton WI towards the project and will pay the final invoice when he receives the promised funds from TDBC.

Councillors were concerned that crime within the Parish seemed to be at increased levels with reports of burglaries and criminal damage being made by the Police.

Councillors discussed the kissing gate between High Street and Wood Street. There is pressure to have it removed to accommodate motorised and children's buggies. The Chairman observed that the kissing gate was no longer consistent with the principle of widening access for all. However, he acknowledged that the last time the gate was removed it had to be replaced because because of cycle use. As a result any change ought to be accompanied by a Risk Assessment. The Council therefore resolved to ask SCC to deliver a solution that increased accessibility for users but without increasing the risk of using the path.

Councillors have been discussing the potential options for reducing street lighting in Milverton which is very bright and intrusive in places. Following informal soundings there appeared to be some support for a reduction and Councillors agreed to follow this up with a formal survey of residents away from the main roads.

Councillor received a report that the Editor of the Parish Magazine was moving and a replacement being sought.

Milverton Parish Council

26^th October 2014

PARISH COUNCIL MEETING 3^rd November 2014

7.30pm in the Victoria Rooms Fore Street

AGENDA

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 6^th October have been circulated with the summons to this meeting. 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

a) Applications for Parish Council Comment

i)23/14/0030 CHANGE OF USE OF PART OF AGRICULTURAL BARN TO SWIMMING POOL AND ASSOCIATED FACILITIES FOR ANCILLARY USE OF BICKLEY FARM MILVERTON

ii) 23/14/0031LB APPLICATION OF LIME RENDER TO STONE WALL ON WEST ELEVATION AT OLIVERS NORTH STREET MILVERTON

b) Proposed Installation of a 25m High Lattice Tower Mobile Phone Base at Lands Adjacent to Rivers Wood, Dyers Farm, Milverton

c) Other Planning Matters

The Clerk will provide a report about other general planning matters and suggest a date for the next site visit.

5. Recreation Ground Play Area

Mrs Hoyle will report on progress.

6. Creedwell

The Chairman will provide a report on the present situation.

7. Crime

Members will receive and comment on the monthly crime report.

8. Roads and Footpaths

a) Monthly Footpath Report

Mrs Lumby will report on the footpaths including 7/34 between High Street and Wood Street

b) Monthly Road Report

The Clerk will report and members will raise other issues of concern.

9. Street Light reductions
10. Honouring Beth French
11. Correspondence
12. Finance

The monthly report will request authorisation for payments relating to Gardening, Audit, Salaries and PAYE.

13. Matters to Report

Members are invited to report matters of interest and raise matters of concern for future consideration by the Council, including items from the following external bodies:

Twinning; Victoria Rooms; Milverton United Charities; SALC; Traffic Working Party; Youth Project; Milverton Trust; Milverton Action Group and 10 Parishes.

Milverton Parish Council

Press Notice

Milverton Play Area Officially Opened!!

The Mayor of Taunton Deane, Cllr Dave Durdan formally opened Milverton's refurbished Play Area at the Recreation Ground in Butts Way on 21st October 2014. This was the final act of a huge collaborative fund raising effort between the Parish Council and the Recreation Ground Committee which raised over £50,000 including a £29000 grant from Viridor Credits.

The opening took place in brilliant sunshine and was attended by over 30 people parishioners and representatives of funding bodies. The guest list also included six pupils from Milverton School who were only too eager to join the Mayor in road testing the equipment! (See photo)

Project leader and Vice Chairman of the Parish Council, Mrs Jenny Hoyle said “We are hugely grateful to our funders, particularly Viridor Credits, without whom we would not have been able to create this fantastic facility for children of all ages.”

Chairman of the Recreation Ground Committee, Mike Sheppard said “We are delighted that our partnership with the Parish Council has delivered a wonderful, 21^st century playground that will really enthuse and engage village children.”

Notes for Editors

1. The Milverton Recreation Ground Play Area was last upgraded in 1990 and discussions on how to modernise it started in 2012. The catalyst was a sum of £10500 Section 106 payment attached to a local development that was earmarked for Improving Facilities for Children. This together with financial pledges from the Parish Council and the Recreation Ground committee provided the basis of successful bids to Viridor Credits and Taunton Deane Borough Council.
2. The full list of equipment is

• Flexi swing with basket seat
  
• Crow's Nest
• Flying Saucer
• Cockerel Rock n Roll
• Sidewinder and
• Maxx Zone

3. The full list of contributors is as follows:

Viridor Credits £29181

S 106 funds £10500

Taunton Deane Borough Council £5000

Milverton Parish Council £3000

Milverton Recreation Ground Committee £2918

Total £51499

The total cost of the equipment and installation is £47000. The remainder of the grant money will be used to install benches and erect safety fencing.

4. For further information or images for use please contact the Parish Clerk Gwilym Wren on 01823 400657 gwilwren@aol.com

Milverton Parish Council

Report of Meeting 6^th October 2014

The meeting was preceded by a minutes silence in memory of former Parish Councillor Tony Vail OBE.

The Parish Council was not impressed by Taunton Deane's proposed Asset Transfer Policy and had responded to the consultation accordingly. The Clerk was commended for the response.

Councillors discussed a consultation from The Harlequin Group which is proposing to apply for planning permission to install a 25m High Lattice Tower Mobile Phone mast and base station on land Adjacent to Rivers Wood, Dyers Farm, Milverton. This is part of the Government’s Mobile Infrastructure Project (MIP), a public funded initiative to remove ‘not-spots’ in rural areas where voice and data mobile phone coverage is currently non-existent. The MIP project is state funded as it is to correct a market failure in the supply of mobile coverage.

Councillors noted that the site was outside the boundary in Fitzhead parish and that that the application was to be forwarded to planners shortly. Rather than comment on an incomplete application Councillors agreed to await the formal consultation before commenting. However, Cllr Wren, who had also received the consultation, did agree to ask what the anticipated coverage would be and whether it would boost signals inside old buildings with thick stone walls.

The Vice Chairman Mrs Jenny Hoyle was delighted to announce that 5 out of the 6 new items of play equipment had been installed by Wicksteed and it was hoped to complete the job by half term. She anticipates an official launch in conjunction with the School and other involved organisations like Viridor and the Recreation Ground committee. Cllr Wren undertook to ask the Mayor of Taunton Deane, Dave Durden.

The Chairman announced that the planning committee would not be deciding the Creedwell application on 15th October because there were still some technical issues to be resolved. The next possible date was the 5^th November.

PCSO Louise Fyne reported that she and Police Constable had joined the Speed Watch team in Wood Street. Several speeding drivers had been stopped an spoken to. Repeat offenders will receive follow up action and potentially prosecution.

Councillors reported noisy motorcycles in the village and on the by pass. PCSO Fyne will pass this information to traffic colleagues.

Councillors discussed a complaint that the kissing gate on the footpath between Wood St and High St was preventing mobility scooters and buggies from using the path. SCC has been consulted and confirmed that because of the length of time the gate has been in situ there are no disability law issues. That said, Councillors will visit the path next month to decide on the best course of action.

SCC is conducting a trial into reducing street lighting and the Parish Council is interested in seeing what could be done in Milverton. In particular residents in Sand St, Fore St and Silver St are subjected to bright lights and the Council will approach SCC to see if this can be reduced or better directed.

Councillors received a report from the Victoria Rooms committee that it was very supportive of an event to honour Beth French's achievement of swimming from Cornwall to the Isles of Scilly. The Council will now press ahead with this. At present the idea will be to unveil a plaque and photograph at a small ceremony.

Councillors received a letter of complaint about two overnight events at the Herb Farm on consecutive weekends in September. It was reported that music was audible in the village throughout each night until 6am which was regarded as unacceptable. The Council will be following this up with the Police and Environmental Health.

Councillors approved cheques for salaries, PAYE and gardening. The total expenditure this month was £643.14.

Before the end of the meeting the Clerk reported that several Councillors had indicated their intention to step down at the election next May. He explained that if Milverton wished to retain its Quality Council status there would have to be an election. He therefore asked all members to seek out likely candidates. He would be happy to meet interested parties for a confidential discussion if that would help.

Finally, the meeting was attended by Mr Jodie Norris, Milverton's Community first responder. He explained his role in quickly answering life threatening emergencies before an ambulance or paramedic could arrive. As part of his job he will set up a village scheme and he will also look after the village defibrillator when it is installed.

MILVERTON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING 

6^th October 2014

7.30pm in the Victoria Rooms Fore Street

AGENDA

The meeting will be preceded by a minutes silence in memory of former Parish Councillor, Tony Vail OBE who died recently.

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 1^st September have been circulated with the summons to this meeting. 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

a) Applications for Parish Council Comment

23/14/0027/T APPLICATION TO CARRY OUT MANAGEMENT WORK TO ONE HORSE CHESTNUT TREE INCLUDED IN TAUNTON DEANE BOROUGH (MILVERTON No2) TREE PRESERVATION ORDER 1997 AT BARN ELMS, HOUNDSMOOR, MILVERTON

b) Proposed Installation of a 25m High Lattice Tower Mobile Phone Base at Lands Adjacent to Rivers Wood, Dyers Farm, Milverton

c) Other Planning Matters

The Clerk will provide a report about other general planning matters and suggest a date for the next site visit.

5. Recreation Ground Play Area

Mrs Hoyle will report on progress.

6. Creedwell

The Chairman will provide a report on the present situation.

7. Crime

Members will receive and comment on the monthly crime report.

8. Roads and Footpaths

a) Monthly Footpath Report

Mrs Lumby will report on the footpaths including 7/34 between High Street and Wood Street

b) Monthly Road Report

The Clerk will report and members will raise other issues of concern including the visibility at the Butts Way/Sand St junction.

9. Street Light reductions
10. Honouring Beth French
11. Milverton Allotments

The Clerk provide a report on various matters.

12. Correspondence
13. Finance

The monthly report will request authorisation for payments relating to Gardening, Audit, Salaries and PAYE.

14. Matters to Report

Members are invited to report matters of interest and raise matters of concern for future consideration by the Council, including items from the following external bodies:

Twinning; Victoria Rooms; Milverton United Charities; SALC; Traffic Working Party; Youth Project; Milverton Trust; Milverton Action Group and 10 Parishes.

Milverton Parish Council Report on Meeting September 2014

A somewhat depleted Parish Council met on 1^st September.

Planning

Approval was approved under delegated powers for a garage in Houndsmoor. Councillors voted 7-0.

Councillors raised no objection to works to a tree off Sand Street in the Conservation Area.

Cllr Wren reported that the negotiations over the Pubic Toilets had been delayed because TDBC did not have an Asset Transfer policy. This had now been belatedly written and was out for consultation.

Noting that the closure and disposal of Public Toilets had become a fiasco Councillors discussed the proposed policy. The general conclusion was that it was too restrictive if TDBC expected Parish Councils to take on services associated with these buildings. The Chairman and the Clerk will provide a full response before the deadline.

In respect of Creedwell the Clerk reported that it was not on the Planning committee agenda for 3^rd September and the next available date was the 24^th. Councillors agreed to hold a separate meeting beforehand to discuss how it would approach the meeting if the Creedwell proposal came forward. Accordingly an extra meeting was agreed for Monday 8^th September.

The Chairman reported that there was still a lot of toing and froing regarding drainage and archaeology and this would hinder the writing of the Planning Officers report.

The Crime report had only one Milverton mention – criminal damage to a mobility scooter.

Councillors voiced various concerns about the state of roads and hedges in Butts Way, Houndsmoor and Sand Street. The Clerk has contacted SCC and the issues are being dealt with.

The Chairman reported that he had attended a PCC meeting and discussed the potential closure of the churchyard and what would happen thereafter. He was concerned that the matter now had a degree of urgency because there would be a long and complex legal process to close the existing churchyard and also a similar lengthy process to establish a new burial ground. Consideration also needs to be given to the ongoing management and maintenance of the closed churchyard and who would be responsible for that.

The Clerk confirmed that he has written to Beth French who had been delighted to accept the offer of a ceremony to recognise her achievement of swimming from Cornwall to the Isles of Scilly. The Chairman had liaised with the Victoria Rooms Committee would now be discussing this on the 9th of September.

The Parish Council will be seeking tenders for various works at the Courtfield Allotments, principally a water supply and a notice board.

The Parish Council spent £880 in August on salaries, audit and gardening. A grant of £3875 was received from TDBC for ground maintenance.

Finally Councillors acknowledged what an exceptional event Howard Davies's funeral had been. With over 200 people attending, including King Arthur Uthur Pendragon and 6 druids it had been a fantastic occasion and gave a fitting send off to a true village character. The Council will be writing to the Vicar on behalf of the community to thank her for her contribution to making it happen.