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.

MILVERTON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING 

5^th January 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

1. For Parish Council Decision

a) 23/14/0036 ERECTION OF 2 STOREY EXTENSION TO REAR OF SUNNY DENE HIGH STREET MILVERTON

2. For Parish Council Comment

a) 23/14/0034 VARIATION OF CONDITION No2 OF APPLICATION 23/14/0018 (FOR THE REMOVAL OF THE FIRST FLOOR AND REPLACEMENT OF DOORS WITH WINDOWS TO APPROVED HOLIDAY LET) AT BICKLEY FARM MILVERTON

b) 23/14/0038T NOTIFICATION TO FELL 12 WESTERM RED CEDAR TREES WITHIN MILVERTON CONSERVATION AREA AT SILVER COTTAGE, SILVER STREET, MILVERTON

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

1. Speed Indicator Devices in Butts Way and Wood Street
2. Village Road Resilience

What options are there to improve traffic flow and prevent traffic gridlock?

1. Monthly Road Report

8. Street Light reductions

The Chairman will report on progress with planning the survey

9. Community Defibrillator
10. Parish Magazine
11. Preston Bowyer Phone Box

The Clerk will present a Project Plan for consideration.

12. Milverton Website

Mr Hendy will report on the latest Milverton Trust meeting.

13. Correspondence
14. Finance

a) Monthly report

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

b) Estimates and Precept 2015/16

Councillors will debate and set a Precept for 2015/16

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 Honours Beth French

On 19th December the Parish Council hosted an event to mark Beth French's tremendous achievement of being the first person to swim to the Scilly Isles from Cornwall.

In front of 25 guests Ms French unveiled a Commemorative Certificate in the Victoria Rooms.

Milverton Parish Council Report

December 2014

Roads dominated this months meeting.

Councillors received reports of the excessive traffic through the village on the evening of 28^th November. The build up followed a serious collision which closed the A38 Taunton to Wellington road causing drivers to seek alternative routes.

Traffic travelling through Milverton on the B3187 is effectively reduced to a single lane by the narrow streets. The road system in Milverton can just about cope with normal traffic flows but reaches capacity quickly, there are no east-west alternatives so traffic can quickly back up. On this occasion traffic was flowing heavily from both directions and came to a standstill in Fore Street when a large timber lorry travelling east could not get past the queue of vehicles travelling west. The situation was resolved by the Parish Council Chairman, Russell Jenkins and Clerk Gwilym Wren acting to stop vehicles entering each end of the village thereby allowing allowing vehicles to filter around the blockage by using Parsonage Lane, North Street and St Michaels Hill. One consequence of this event was significant damage to the raised pavement on Fore St which is a major component of the street scene in the Conservation Area.

Whilst acknowledging that this event had been triggered by a major incident, Councillors were extremely concerned at how quickly the traffic had built up and become gridlocked. This is a particular worry in the light of the proposed housing at Creedwell and the calls for a relief road in Wellington. Both these schemes will increase traffic flow through Milverton and reduce the current road capacity making similar incidents much more frequent.

The Council was reminded that SCC had promised a weight limit on the B3187 once the Silk Mills road bridge was completed. Other Councillors wondered whether this was time to consider a one way system.

Since this incident two mobile homes travelling through the village following Sat Nav instructions have also become stuck, causing structural damage to a house in Silver Street.

The Council has been made aware of instances of inconsiderate parking where care have been left across front doors and garden gates and causing an obstruction. Problems become acute when wheelchair access is required. The Police are aware and are happy to respond to calls and talk to vehicle owners.

The Clerk reported on-going discussions with SCC about siting Speed Indicators Devices (SID) in Butts Way and Wood Street. These are the post mounted boxes that show drivers speed. They also record the number and speed of vehicles passing over a given period. It is hoped that these will provide hard evidence to back up residents who regularly complain of excessive speed on these roads.

Councillors received a report that footpath 7/5 had been obstructed by an electric fence. Although the tenant had tubed a small section with plastic, the fence could not be unhitched and therefore SCC was to be asked to follow it up.

Councillors again discussed the possibility of reducing street lighting either through removal, re-direction or dimming. They agreed to survey the whole village and not just those street and roads away from the B3187.

Councillors also discussed the latest TDBC offer in respect of the toilets. TDBC made it clear that neither toilet would stay open beyond 31^st March 2015. It was prepared to offer the Parish Council a full repairing and insuring lease of the Fore Street toilets. This means that TDBC retains ownership but that the Parish is responsible for all costs. The Clerk advised that this offer was loaded with liabilities and no particular benefits and Councillors agreed. The Clerk proposed a counter offer where TDBC retains ownership and structural responsibility but offers the Parish Council a licence to operate it whilst negotiations for a freehold transfer to the Parish Council take place. Councillors, were happier with this and asked the Clerk to respond to TDBC accordingly.

In respect of the toilets at the Recreation Ground TDBC could find no evidence that it owned or had any responsibility for running them. Accordingly support would cease unilaterally on 31^st March 2015. Given the recent refurbishment of the Play Area Councillors regarded this as a major concern and will be discussing options with the Recreation Ground Committee.

There were no planning applications to consider this month but the Council did discuss the Creedwell application. It appears that the delays in taking it to the Planning Committee are in part because the applicant has been unable to agree drainage and attenuation details with TDBC. The next available Committee date is 7^th January but with Christmas in between it now seems unlikely that that date will be met.

Under crime the issue of fraud and forgery figured heavily as there have been a few instances reported in the area particularly targeting elderly people. Banks and the Police are offering guidance and if anyone is worried they should ring the Police on 101. The Chairman was thanked for printing the local leaflets that had been distributed with the Parish Magazine.

The Clerk announced that the School had accepted the offer to site the Preston Bowyer phone box. A meeting would be set up between the Council and the School to agree a site and a plan for the re-location. The Council will retain ownership of the box and be responsible for the relocation and other expenses.

The Clerk was asked to thank Ray Arthur for kindly repairing the dog bin.

PARISH COUNCIL MEETING 1^st December 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

THERE ARE NO PLANNING APPLICATIONS THIS MONTH

The Clerk will provide a report about other general planning matters including the TDBC response in relation to the wall at Lancaster House and suggest a date for the next site visit.

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

1. Speed Indicator Devices in Butts Way and Wood Street
2. Monthly Road Report

8. Street Light reductions

Councillors will be asked to approve the survey process

9. Honouring Beth French

Councillors will be asked to approve the arrangements

10. Parish Magazine
11. Preston Bowyer Phone Box

The Clerk will report on the progress of negotiations with the school.

12. Milverton Website

Mr Hendy will report on the latest Milverton Trust meeting and what support the Trust is offering to the Milverton info website.

13. Correspondence
14. Finance

a) Monthly report

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

b) Estimates and Precept 2015/16

The Clerk will introduce the Estimates for 2015/16

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.

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