Tuesday, 30 January 2018
Milverton Parish Council
Report on Meeting Held on 8th January 2018
The meeting opened with Madam Chairman, Dr Julie Richardson, welcoming Mrs Lorna Thorne as Deputy Clerk.
The main focus of the meeting was to agree the Precept for 2018/19. Councillors reflected on the continued cuts to local authorities and the uncertainty of future funding from the new merged District Council which is likely to be created on 1st April 2019. Given that the main objective of the merger is to save money and reduce budget gaps Councillors were very concerned that more services would be 'cascaded' down and present grant levels reduced. Additionally, the Council wants to commission a Housing Needs survey to help inform future local planning, redevelop the Fore Street toilets and have money available for local grants. After some discussion the Council agreed unanimously to increase the Precept by £5000 to £25000.
Under planning Councillors supported the erection of an agricultural building at Weekmoor Farm and supported the removal of a mobile home at Wilscombe Wood Cottage.
The Clerk reported that he is pursuing quotes for the Housing Needs analysis for the village from TDBC and the Somerset Community Council. It is hoped that this can be carried out in the next 3-4 months.
Councillors expressed their dismay at the decision to close the surgery and are considering ways of marking this unfortunate event.
The Clerk reported that TDBC did not consider that the removed section of hedge at Burn Hill was sufficiently developed or diverse to merit protection. The road boundary will now be marked by a fence with several single trees. He also reported that TDBC will be re-marking the white lines in the Fore Street car park.
Councillors were disappointed that Somerset County Council (SCC) will be terminating Speed Indicator Device programme at the end of March. Currently there are three village roads in the programme - Wellington Road near the school, Butts Way and Wood Street. SCC is offering to run a paid for service if enough Parish and Town Councils subscribe or it will support Councils to purchase and operate their own equipment. The Clerk will ask about the paid for service but Councillors consider the costs of training, equipment and software associated with running a parish scheme to be prohibitively high.
The Clerk also reported that he had been in correspondence with the Triathlon Race Director about speeding cyclists in the village. Whilst the Director has some control over the event there is little that can be done at other times. She did however offer to share the Risk Assessment and consider any suggestions coming from the Parish.
The Parish Council spent £1458 in December on toilet cleaning, salaries, grass cutting, room hire and donations.
Tuesday, 2 January 2018
Tuesday, 12 December 2017
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.
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.
Thursday, 30 November 2017
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.
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.
Wednesday, 1 November 2017
NOVEMBER PARISH COUNCIL AGENDA
Please click here to see the agenda for the November Parish Council meeting.
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