Report on Milverton Parish Council Meeting 4th December 2017

The first item on the agenda was the Co-option of Mr Jodie Norris to replace Mr Deryck Cutler.

The Council then received a very interesting presentation from Amanda Johnson of the Somerset Rural Youth Partnership (SYRP). Amanda is the ambassador for the Youth Investment Fund. This is a 3 year project aimed t engaging young people in rural communities. There are four strands Community Engagement, Activity Days, School Programmes and Volunteer led Youth Clubs. and at the moment twenty projects are underway in Somerset. Services can be offered from local halls or they have access to a large vehicle which can accommodate smaller groups. She asked whether the Parish Council would support the establishment of a youth club project in Milverton and in general Councillors felt it was a good initiative which ought to be supported. The Clerk was asked to set up a scoping meeting between the Parish Council and the Project and also include the Victoria Rooms as a potential venue.

Under planning Councillors approved an extension to Thornes Orchard in High Street and had no objection to the removal of an overgrown Christmas Tree at the Old Quaker House.

At a previous meeting Councillors had discussed the possibility of developing a Neighbourhood Plan. The Clerk reported that the current funding round was about to close and as Councillors felt that they needed some information about housing demand it was agreed not to apply at this stage. Instead it was agreed to undertake a Housing Needs survey so that they could understand the level of demand that needed to be met. TDBC Cllr Gwil Wren reported that Taunton Deane could supply a survey for about £1800 and the Somerset Community Council also provided them. The Clerk was asked to get formal quotes from both organisations and instruct the lowest bidder.

In November the Council spent £2386 on Salaries, PAYE, grass cutting, toilet cleaning a grant to the PCC and a poppy wreath.
The Clerk reported that to the end of September the Council had spent £10202 of its £24735 budget (41%) and indications were that there would be a 10% under spend which was dud to lower than expected gardening and footpath costs. This would need to be factored into the decision on the 2018/19 Precept which would be made at the next meeting. He circulated estimates for a balanced budget for 2018/19.

Under roads Councillors expressed concern at the large section of hedgerow which had been removed from the roadside at the Point to Point course. The Clerk reported that he had asked TDBC about it and there was no record of consent being sought so the Tree Officer would investigate. Cllr Mrs Burton praised SCC for its prompt action in clearing mud from High Street. Cllr Ainsworth Smith reported a speeding van in North Street.

Madam Chairman reported that the Somerset Partnership NHS Trust (SomPar) has applied to NHS England to close the surgery in Milverton. In mitigation they are proposing to have an arrangement with Wivey Link over transport and also offer some services (blood tests, flu jabs etc) and occasional group sessions from the Creedwell Community Rooms. Councillors expressed concerns about the suitability of the Community Rooms for this and Madam Chairman agreed to write further to the Chairman of SomPar.

Councillors noted an increase in crime and reflected that the Police had not attended a Parish Council meeting for some months.

Cllr Hendy reported a very encouraging meeting to launch the Emergency Plan. Thirty two parishioners had attended and there had been thirty three offers of help and support received. These offers varied from offers of four wheel drive vehicles and accommodation through to sewing and sign writing.

Finally Councillors debated a grant request from the Love Musgrove MRI Scanner appeal and agreed to offer £200.  

Parish Council Meeting 4th December 2017

Please click here to see the agenda for the December meeting.

Milverton Parish Council
Report of Meeting Held on 6th November 2017

Councillors were pleased to hear that the new planter had been installed outside the Fore Street toilets and had been planted with daffodils and tulips by the Gardening Club. Mr Hutchinson of the Club would also like to improve the small area behind the noticeboards and asked if the Parish Council could seek the permission of TDBC to re-locate the salt bin into the car park.

Madam Chairman reported the outcome of the Somerset Partnership consultation into the future of the surgery. Regrettably the Partnership was going to ask NHS England for permission to close the Milverton Branch. This was mainly because the Wiveliscombe Surgery had been set up to deal with an 8000 patient practice meaning that the Milverton branch represented an over capacity which the NHS was not prepared to fund. Added to this was the fact that the previous GP partners wanted to sell the building. However the Partnership was exploring ways to assist transport and also deliver some services such as minor clinics and prescription collection in Milverton. Noting that there was a continuing desire to deliver some services in Milverton, the Parish Council resolved to contact the former GP partners to ascertain their plans for the future of the building.

Under planning Councillors approved an application for extensions at Marconnelle, Spring Grove subject to appropriate provision being made for roosting bats. They were also supportive of Listed Building applications at Cardscroft and Mansell House. Councillors were also informed that a planning application for four houses in High Street that was refused earlier this year was being appealed. Councillors reviewed their original reasons for objection and will send a short update sheet to the Planning Inspector.

Cllr Mrs Hoyle reported that the Government was offering more money to help communities draw up Neighbourhood Plans. Although this has been considered in Milverton in the past she felt that as there were several small scale applications coming forward around the village, it might be time to re-consider. After some discussion about the pros and cons of Neighbourhood Planning it was agreed to discuss the matter in greater depth at the next meeting. In parallel Councillors asked TDBC Councillor Gwil Wren to see if TDBC would conduct a Housing Needs Assessment in the parish.

Cllr Mrs Hoyle reported that there had been a serious car accident on the bypass with the vehicle colliding with a large rock on the roundabout. She wondered whether SCC should be asked to remove it. On balance Councillors felt that there was no obvious way to reduce the risk of speeding drivers to themselves and other road users. If the rock had not been there the vehicle would either have hit a tree or gone straight across into oncoming traffic or over a 4m drop into the garden beyond.

Following the resignation of Mr Cutler as a Councillor the Parish Council put out a call for a volunteer to be co-opted onto the Council. Mr Jodie Norris attended the meeting and offered to be co-opted. He gave a short presentation about why he was interested in the role and what he could bring to the Parish Council. After a short question and answer session Councillors unanimously agreed to co-opt Mr Norris to the Parish Council at the December meeting.

The Parish Council spend £1699 in October on TDBC Planning Officers, salaries, PAYE, grasscutting, the new planter and toilet cleaning.

NOVEMBER PARISH COUNCIL AGENDA

Please click here to see the agenda for the November Parish Council meeting.

Milverton Parish Council

Report of Meeting held 2^nd October 2017

The meeting opened with an introductory presentation from the new Village Agent, Gaby Bellamy. She explained that the key purpose of a Village Agent was to support people to live free and independent lives. She currently takes referrals from GPs, attends village events and other sources. As her work is people based she principally works through home visits. She works full time with her salary covered by Somerset NHS Partnership and the Somerset Community Council. She also helps Community Groups as they frequently provide opportunities for the people she assists.

Several Councillors were very unhappy about reports that the 2019 District Council elections could be postponed to allow the merger between TDBC and West Somerset more time to take place. Councillors felt this was an abuse of democracy and Madam Chairman will write to the Communities Secretary of State to express the Councils concern.

Councillor Cotton reported the latest meeting with the Somerset NHS Partnership over the future of the Milverton surgery. The meeting had been useful and many questions had been answered. There will be another meeting on 16^th October to discuss the results of the recent consultation.

The Clerk reported that Councillor Cutler had resigned and the process of finding a replacement needed to be started. A notice will be displayed advertising the vacancy and if enough parishioners request it an election will be held. If not the Council will co-opt a new Councillor.

The Clerk reported that he had investigated the unauthorised fire on the allotments and written to those concerned asking that the plots be thoroughly cleaned. One plot holder had complied with the request and the other had not. He would be writing again to this person and serving notice to quit. He also noted that there were some other scruffy looking plots which he would be keeping an eye on.

Under Matters to report Councillors raised a variety of issues including the timetable at the redundant Fore Street bus stop; post being collected from the Post Office box before the scheduled time; miscanthus being shed from loads passing through the village and blocking the drains. Councillors were pleased that several gulleys had been cleared but said there were still several to do.

The Council spent £1900 in September on toilet cleaning, salaries and PAYE, grass cutting and advertising for the Deputy Clerk.

Gwilym Wren

Clerk to Milverton Parish Council

11^th October 2017

Please click on the link for the October agenda

Milverton Parish Council Agenda October 2017

Milverton Parish Council Report

September 2017

Milverton Parish Council met in the Victoria Rooms at 7pm on 4^th September.

The meeting opened with a public question about the safety of trees on the SCC Olands site. The Clerk will investigate.

Councillors expressed serious concern about reports that cyclists were speeding into the village down the road from Wellington especially as there had been some near misses. It was noted that Milverton was on the route of the Taunton Triathlon and there were suggestions that the faster cyclists may be in training for next years event. The Clerk will contact SCC as Highway Authority, TDBC as the licensors and the organisers.

Councillors also heard from the Chair of School Governors that the school was experiencing issues with parking and traffic movement on the school site. These were being exacerbated by perceptions that the crossing at the bottom of Butts Way was dangerous leading more parents to drive to school. He asked whether the Parish Council would be prepared to help look for solutions such as an unmanned crossing? Councillors asked whether a volunteer 'lollipop' rota would help but were told that there were issues of training and insurance which made it difficult. Councillors agreed to contact SCC about the issue as they felt a solution might also help with the issue of speeding in the vicinity.

Madam Chairman, Dr Julie Richardson, reported that a Group had been formed to help Somerset Partnership with its deliberations around the consultation on the future of the surgery. The first meeting had taken place on 21st August when a lot of questions had been raised. The Partnership had agreed to answer them at the next meeting which would be on 11th September.

Cllr Hendy introduced the Parish Emergency Plan and commended it to the Council. It was warmly welcomed and following a notice in the Parish Magazine there will be a village meeting to promote it more widely and seek volunteers to assist with its implementation when needed.

Madam Chairman reported on the process to recruit a Deputy Clerk. Councillors were happy to delegate responsibility to the Personnel Committee who hope to be able to recommend a suitable appointment at the November meeting. An advert will be placed in the Parish Magazine and local papers towards the end of September. Interviews will be towards the end of October.

Several allotment holders were present and asked that the problem of unauthorised fires be dealt with individually rather than by general letters which did not seem to make a difference. The problem of random visitors and unauthorised persons was also raised and the Council will investigate how best to keep the gate shut and deter children and dog walkers.

Councillors also received reports of bank trimmings left on the road by TDBC in Wood Street and various blocked gulleys. The Clerk was asked to get these resolved.

In August the Council spent £1200 on salaries, toilet cleaning, and the annual audit.

The Council also received a presentation from Jenner Property Services about their plans to re-develop three buildings at Week Moor Farm.

The meeting closed at 9:30pm.

Gwilym Wren

Clerk to Milverton Parish Council