Milverton Parish Council Report

Meeting held on 2^nd March 2015

14 members of the public attended the March meeting of Milverton Parish Council to participate in the discussion on Taunton Deane's Preferred Sites consultation. Considerable concern was expressed about the prospect of 20 new house in Butts Way because of increased traffic and impacts on the landscape and street scene. Councillors agreed that these impacts would be significant and resolved to reiterate their original comments that Milverton is not suitable for large scale development. Given the village's topography, street layout, traffic flows, landscape setting and designation as an Outstanding Heritage Settlement, small developments of 4-6 houses grouped around the village would be the most suitable method of expanding the housing stock and delivering the right mix of housing to meet the needs of a community that wishes to grow organically whilst retaining its character.

Councillors also discussed the prospect of a small development at Olands. They acknowledged that this was not in the consultation but were aware that the landowner was making a case for inclusion. It was agreed to make a reference to this to check what input the Parish Council might have in the event of this site being included at a later date.

Cllr Wren reported that Taunton Deane Borough Council (TDBC) had recently voted a further £80,000 from reserves to help the transition of public toilets to Parish Councils. He was not aware of how this would be effected but will keep the Council informed.

The Clerk reported that TDBC was steadfastly refusing to replace its broken litter bin on St Michaels Hill. He said he would try again but there had not even been an acknowledgement that the bin belonged to TDBC. Councillors were very unhappy and pointed out that Milverton Council tax payments went to a central pool that provided bins (and toilets) in Taunton but that Parishes were expected to fend for themselves. This double taxation on rural communities is a very vexed question which is being looked at by TDBC at the moment.

Under Creedwell the Chairman reported that the application had been removed from the last Planning Committee agenda at the last minute and looked like being delayed indefinitely. The application had been submitted almost a year ago and Councillors were very unhappy that it seemed to be no closer to resolution. The Chairman said he would write to TDBC to ask why an application that was so obviously under prepared had been allowed to run along for so long.

The Crime report showed a few minor altercations and one incident of failing to keep a dog under control.

Cllr Roger Cotton reported that he had met the electrical contractor and had agreed with the Victoria Rooms where the Community Defibrillator would be housed. He was hopeful that it would be installed fairly soon. Councillors thanked him for his efforts in delivering this asset to the village.

Councillors had visited the Preston Bowyer phone box and its proposed new location at the school. Cllr Robert Hendy had agreed to lead the project to organise its careful removal, refurbishing and remounting.

Councillors approved a grant request for £200 from the Milverton Trust to set up the new Village website. It was anticipated that the Trust would be able to give a demonstration in mid March. Apparently it will be similar to the new Wiveliscombe site and Councillors were invited to have a look to get an impression of how Milverton's will be.

Councillors continued to be frustrated by the slow roll out of Superfast Broadband in the village. The telephone exchange was upgraded in April 2014 and half the village now had access. However, the other half is still on the slower system with no definite date of when that will improve. Councillors simply could not understand why Open Reach, using public money were being allowed to leave a job half finished. Cllr Wren said he would raise the matter again with the County Council but there seemed to be little sense of urgency there.

Councillors were given advance notice that the Election would be called on 16^th March. Several have indicated their intention to stand down, the Council is therefore on the look out for prospective candidates, because an election will ensure it retains its Quality Council status.

The Council spent £554 on salaries and expense in February.

Under matters to report the Clerk was asked to report fly tipping near the old tip, a new road entrance on the Wiveliscombe road and uncovered miscantus trucks showering the village with debris which is blocking drains.

The next meeting, which will be the last before the election, will be held on Monday 13^th April in the Victoria Rooms at 7.30pm. The Annual Parish Meeting will be held on Wednesday 15^th April in the Victoria Rooms at 7pm.

PARISH COUNCIL MEETING 2^nd March 2015

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 2^nd February 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

4.1 Parish Council Comment

23/15/0001/T NOTIFICATION TO FELL ONE BIRCH TREE WITHIN MILVERTON CONSERVATION AREA AT BEACON VIEW, FORE STREET, MILVERTON

4.2 TDBC SITE ALLOCATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT PLANS (SADMP) 2015

TDBC has put this document out for consultation until 16^th March. Councillors are invited to discuss the contents with a view to making a formal response.

5. Creedwell

The Chairman will provide a report on the present situation.

6. Crime

Members will receive and comment on the monthly crime report.

7. Roads and Footpaths

a) Monthly Footpath Report

Mrs Lumby will report on the footpaths.

b) Roads

8. Street Light reductions
9. Community Defibrillator

Mr Cotton will give an update

10. Parish Magazine
11. Preston Bowyer Phone Box

The Clerk will give an update.

12. Milverton Website

Mr Hendy will give an update

13. Mobile Phone Coverage

Mrs Hoyle will report a proposal from Vodaphone to improve local coverage.

14. Milverton Street Fair 2015

The Council has received a request from the Milverton Trust to use the Jubilee Gardens for the Street Fair.

15. Correspondence
16. Finance

The monthly report will request payments for Salaries, PAYE, and gardening

17. 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.

Following the announcement by TDBC that the decision on the Creedwell application had been postponed at the applicants request, the Parish Council has not received any further information about when it is likely to come forward to the Planning Committee.

Following a request by the applicant TDBC withdrew the application from the Planning Committee agenda for 25th February 2015

Milverton Parish Council

THERE WILL BE A

SPECIAL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING ON

18^th February 2015

7.00pm 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. Planning

For Parish Council Comment

a) 23/14/0014 ERECTION OF 70 NO. DWELLINGS WITH ASSOCIATED WORKS ON LAND AT CREEDWELL ORCHARD, MILVERTON

The Parish Council will formulate its position in relation to the TDBC Planning Officers Report. The application will go to the Planning Committee on 25^th February 2015.

Milverton Parish Council

Report of Meeting held 2^nd February 2015

The meeting was dominated by concerns and representations over Taunton Deane's latest consultation over the Local Plan. This is the latest iteration of the Site Allocation and Development Management Plan which is open for comments until 26^th February.

Fifteen residents attended the meeting to express their concerns about the proposed allocation of 20 new homes in Butts Way. The principal comments related to increased traffic on a narrow and dangerous lane, loss of amenity and loss of farmland.

Responding to these points the Parish Council chairman Dr Russell Jenkins said that the Parish Council had been an active participant in the process since 2011 and had made comments on 17 sites around the village. The result of all that consultation was that this site was now the only one under consideration in Milverton. He restated the Parish Councils published position that this site could possibly accommodate 5 units as infill, but was not a suitable location for 20 houses. He also reiterated the Councils previously expressed concern about the inconsistent application of the selection process.

Taunton Deane Cllr Gwilym Wren explained the context of the consultation. Taunton Deane has to plan to accommodate many thousands of new homes but also maintain a 5 years supply of developable sites. This combination of factors meant that TDBC was constantly refreshing its Local Plan site allocations so it could meet these Government targets. As far as rural villages were concerned Milverton was one of 5 that had to contribute 500 houses to the process, however, there are few reasonable sites in the village which had led to this one being promoted.

It was agreed that the Parish Council would refresh its previous consultation and bring it to a special Parish Council meeting on 18^th February (7pm in the Victoria Rooms) for finalising.

The Council also heard that the Creedwell application was due to be heard by the Planning Committee on 25^th February and no further delays were anticipated. The Parish Council also agreed that the meeting on the 18^th would also be used to consider the Planning Officers report and formulate its response.

In other business the resident who raised the overgrown bridge near the sawmills was delighted with the work done by the EuCAN Milverton Conservation Volunteers to clear it and reveal the masonry. He asked whether SCC Highways could be persuaded to do a similar job on the road bridge? The Clerk promised to investigate.

Councillors also received a question about the slow and erratic nature of Superfast Broadband roll out in the village. Councillors Wren agreed and said that he had been lobbying to get the situation resolved. He said that the whole of Milverton was due to be connected but was very concerned about Fitzhead which was outside the connection project despite being on the Milverton exchange. He would continue to press SCC which was backing the project.

The Clerk reported that SCC was due to install 8 LED street lights in the village before the end of March. Locations would include Butts Way, Burgage, High Street, Creedwell Close, Rosebank Road and St Michaels Hill.

Cllr Roger Cotton confirmed that the arrangements for installing a Community Defibrillator were now well advanced. The cost of the cabinet was £640 and he had received a quote £450 + VAT for the electrical installation. Councillors agreed to these costs and are looking forward to seeing it in place.

Councillors received a brief report from the Milverton Trust on the progress with a new village website. They noted that negotiations with a provider were advanced. It was agreed that the Council would receive a demonstration of the chosen site and its functionality in due course. They also agreed that the Council would provide representatives to the Steering Group.

The Parish Council spent £682.19 in January. This included salaries, grasscutting and the cost of framing the Beth French certificate.

Under matters to report Cllr Eileen McHardy pointed out that the recycling signs were still in the car park by the surgery although the facility was long gone. However, people were still dumping rubbish down there so she asked for the signs to be removed.

Cllr Gill Lumby reported that a protected tree in the field behind Creedwell had been blown over and asked what steps would be taken to replace it.

Cllr Jenny Hoyle felt that a village tidy up was long overdue. The date of 18^th April was chosen. As previous events had been coordinated with the Police the Clerk was asked to contact PCSO Louise Fyne.

Councillors agreed that the Annual Parish Meeting would take place on 15^th April at 7pm in Victoria Rooms.

MILVERTON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

2^nd February 2015

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 1^st December 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

4.1 Parish Council Comment

a) 23/14/0040 REPLACEMENT OF EXTERNAL PIPEWORK AND INTERNAL ALTERATIONS AT THE LODGE, WOOD STREET, MILVERTON

Minor changes to external pipework.

b) 23/14/0041 VARIATION OF CONDITION NO 2(APPROVED PLANS) OF APPLICATION 23/12/0010 AT ROSEBANK GARDENS, ROSEBANK ROAD, MILVERTON

Amendment of approved plans to add second bedroom.

2. TDBC SITE ALLOCATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT PLANS (SADMP) 2015

TDBC has put this document out for consultation until 26^th February. Councillors are invited to discuss the contents with a view to making a formal response.

5. Creedwell

The Chairman will provide a report on the present situation.

6. Crime

Members will receive and comment on the monthly crime report.

7. Roads and Footpaths

a) Monthly Footpath Report

Mrs Lumby will report on the footpaths.

b) Roads

8. Street Light reductions
9. Community Defibrillator

Mr Cotton will give an update

10. Parish Magazine
11. Preston Bowyer Phone Box

The Clerk will give an update.

12. Milverton Website

Mr Phelps will give an update

13. Correspondence
14. Finance

The monthly report will request payments for Salaries, PAYE, and gardening

15. 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 of Meeting Held on 5^th January 2015

The January meeting was held as usual in the Victoria Rooms at 7.30pm.

Councillors discussed and agreed actions on 8 substantive items ranging from planning applications to setting the precept for 2015/6.

Under Planning Councillors passed an application for an extension to a property in High Street on a vote 5:2 with 3 abstentions.

Councillors also supported an application to fell 12 trees at a property in Silver Street and an amendment to plans for a development at Bickley.

Councillors were informed that the latest version of Taunton Deane's Strategic Housing Availability Assessment was available for comment until February. Councillors were urged to have a look at it and come prepared to discuss the implications for Milverton at the February meeting.

Under Creedwell there was no new progress reported. However, since the meeting it has become clear that TDBC wishes to take the application to the Planning Committee on 28^th January if the last few outstanding items have been resolved.

Under Crime Councillors received a brief report with fortunately only two incidents. Councillors noted that PCSO Louise Fyne had a new mobile phone number 07889 659476.

Under Footpaths Councillors heard that SCC was consulting over a new Rights of Way Improvement Plan. On the footpath network itself there are still problems with the electric fence across Path 7/5 near Bickley and a damaged stile on 7/43 west of Auton Dowells.

Under Roads Councillors were very pleased to hear that SCC was going to install Speed Indicator Devices in two new location – Butts Way and Wood Street. There has been a lot of concern about vehicle speeds in these two 20mph sections. This this will help provide some hard evidence to back up the local Speed Watch and help the Police target enforcement efforts.

Following the incident in late November where the village quickly became gridlocked Councillors debated how best to prevent a repeat. They acknowledged that the Parish Council has very little power in situations like this which was the responsibility of the County Council. Unfortunately experience showed that the County Council was routinely dismissive of traffic concerns citing sufficient capacity to take existing traffic flow as well as accommodate probable increases. However, the reality is that whilst the B3187 runs smoothly for much of the time, a small increase in demand over a short period can disrupt the flow and very quickly lead to a blockage that stops it completely. In particular LGVs moving from to and from Wellington often disrupt the flow and create bunches of vehicles which enter the village and cause problems. The Parish Council view is that these instances of excess flow are becoming more frequent and will be seeking a meeting with SCCs traffic engineering department to see what can be done.

Councillors heard that Silver Street and Fore Street were to be closed on 28^th January for manhole repairs. The diversion would be up St Michaels Hill and North St. The weight restriction will be suspended and there will be parking restrictions in force.

Additionally the Luckham Bridge road to Nynehead would be closed for 5 days from 2^nd February for drainage works.

The Parish Council is keen to explore options in relation to reducing street lighting. However, it is becoming clear that SCC is already embarking on a programme of change to less intrusive lighting as in Preston Bowyer. Therefore before undertaking an attitude survey Councillors asked the Clerk to establish what the SCC strategy was for street lighting in Milverton.

Councillor Roger Cotton reported that he had agreed a location for the Community Defibrillator with the Victoria Rooms. The Parish Council will be paying for the box and installation.

The Clerk will be arranging a meeting with the school to discuss the re-location of the Preston Bowyer phone box. The Clerk will check with TDBC to see if there are any planning issues.

Councillors discussed the Precept for 2015/16. There was considerable concern about future liabilities that might descend on the Parish the most immediate being the responsibility for the public toilets. However, Councillors were sensitive to the issue of an increase and therefore agreed to freeze Precept and use reserves to cover any unforeseen costs in the next year.

In matters to report Councillors were told that parked vans and a horsebox were causing difficulties for through vehicles in Houndsmoor Lane. The Clerk will ask PCSO Fyne to have a look and talk to the owners if appropriate.

In Public Question time Councillors were asked if the entrance to the village by the sawmills could be tidied up. Mr Phelps said that the Milverton Conservation Volunteers would have a look and he would report back to the next meeting.

The Clerk reminded Councillors that several new candidates would be needed to secure an election. Milverton is currently a Quality Parish Council but would lose that status and associated powers if there was no need for an election.