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Images of Chedzoy Parish

2015/12/18
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 15th December 2015.

Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held on the 15th December 2015 in the village Hall, at 7.30pm.

1. Apologies: Cllrs. Brian Gale and Ray Triggol.

Present: Cllrs. Martin Allen (Chairman), Martin Baker, Patricia Lennard, Katrina Maxwell.  Also Cllr. David Hall (SCC) and Cllr. Liz Perry (SDC).

Members of the public: Richard Woodward.

2. Minutes of the previous meeting of 17th November 2015 were taken as read, approved and signed.

3. Matters arising from the minutes.
  •  Visit to flood defences and pumping station. The Clerk John Rowland had kindly agreed to take a party of interested villagers on the tour on Saturday 23d January 2016 and he said he was looking for 12/14 people. Cllrs Martin Allen and Pat Lennard said they would like to go, with others expressing an interest. The Clerk was asked to put a notice up advertising for anyone interested to let him know as soon as possible.
  • Health and Wellbeing Budget 2015. Cllr David Hall sais defibrillator training would not be suitable, and that the idea of setting up a scheme to transport the needy of the village to Doctors appointments would necessarily involve a whole lot of administration. He went on to say that he thought a scheme involving several 'Levels' villages in a 'Man shed' group, encouraging the lonely and senior men in a DIY/Fraternal meetup over coffee/tea would be appropriate. A discussion took place and it was left that David would get some further details to the Clerk. David added that this [man shed] was not intended to be sexist in any way, and that a similar proposal for the Ladies would also be considered.
  • Pig Lane signage. The Clerk reported that the SCC signage dept. (Richard Newby) had advised they could not supply the sign reading 'Residential and Agricultural vehicles only' on the Playing Field sign, but it was open to the Parish Council to erect its own and meet the cost. A discussion ensued during which the view was taken that the Parish Council should avoid the possibility of contravening any by-laws in the matter. It was thought that the congestion immediately outside the home of Helen and Francis Hunt had improved of late. It was also thought difficult for the Parish Council to specifically deny access to any vehicle along what is a public road and right of way. It was agreed to leave matters as they stand.
  • Landline and Broadband Problems. The Chairman (Martin Allen) reported on a letter of complaint he had sent to BT Customer Correspondence Centre Durham, in which he outlined the dire state of both broadband and landline connectivity to the village. He suggested to BT that they could be in breach of their responsibilities under the Sale of Goods Act and goes on to say that the general frustration felt by many villagers was such that it seems highly likely a petition could be arranged and presented to the local MP Ian Liddle-Grainger. David Hall said he had heard from Paul Coles BT’s Regional Director of Customer Service that a meeting would be arranged early in the new year when Martin Allen, David Hall and Paul Coles could get together to examine options.
  • Local Plan Review 2011/32. Martin Allen reported on a letter he had sent to SDC’s Planners, following his review of the 200 page consultation document – Review Stage 1. He conveyed to them that he felt the plan had been carefully crafted and was positive and refreshing in nature. He looked forward to the revisiting of the settlement hierarchy and the reclassifying of Chedzoy in the Tier 4 category set against the previous “unsustainable” one.
4. Somerset County Council report. David Hall reported the following:
  • Huntworth road improvements. These had now started with some initial traffic gridlock. He mentioned that 24 hour working would be prohibitively expensive, and that EDF had satisfied the Government that the road improvements they are instigating would be sufficient to mitigate the increase in traffic attributable to Hinkley itself. They could not be held responsible for any underlying historic “'Bridgwater' road and traffic problems.
  • Hinkley Point. There were no developments re; the FID as yet, but there remains a lot of optimism here.
  • The Low Carbon Innovative Centre is is due to open in January 2016, situated at Bristol Road.
  • Business Rate de-Centralisation. With the expected 'Big Lift' in the local economy, any benefit from this would probably come in the medium to longer term. David reminded the meeting that Hinkley Point represented the biggest construction site in Europe, situated within the boundary of the poorest of local government areas (West Somerset) with almost all the physical impact being felt in another area (Sedgemoor).
  • Devolution Debate. John Osman, Leader of SCC was leading negotiations designed to hand back power and responsibilities to the Regions.
  • Flooding. There is still no agreement on interim funding but negotiations are now imminent,
5. Sedgemoor District Council report. Cllr Mrs Liz Perry held a question and answer session.
  • She said the redevelopment of the Northgate site in Bridgwater was under consultation, and no decisions have yet been made. Cllr Hall said the site was SCC/SDC co-owned and he felt there was a strong requirement for the site to be self-funding as far as possible.
6. Planning. No new proposals.

7. Correspondence.
  • Bus Shelter tree trimming. The Clerk reported he had given the requested consent for the necessary tree trimming around the power lines to take place.
  • Dredging Matters. The 'Stream' dredging briefing winter 2015/16. The Clerk said he had sent a paper copy to each councillor, and displayed a copy on the notice board, for information purposes.
  • New barriers to close roads. The Clerk reported on an email from John Osman, Leader SCC saying he was delighted that this idea of closing off roads in the event of serious flooding had been suggested by local people and had now been taken forward.
  • 'Could you help a teenager in 2016?' The Clerk outlined an email from the Fostering and Adoption Recruitment Service asking for people to consider giving children, particularly teenagers a home. He added that his own personal experience of being a foster carer was fulfilling and enlightening.
  • SID (Speed Indicator Device) Installation dates 2016. These are due at the Higher Road site in the weeks commencing 11th April and 29th August 2016.
  • New Register of Electors. The Clerk has received this together with the fairly strict rules and advice as to what he is allowed to do with it.
  • Civil Contingencies Unit- Emergency contact required. The Clerk reminded the meeting that we still have not appointed a suitable person here- for coordination purposes in the unlikely event of civil emergencies. Cllr Katrine Maxwell kindly agreed to borrow the letter and give some thought to the matter.
8. Matters arising from the correspondence. None.

9. Finance (including setting the Precept for 2016/17).

Balances with all cheques having been cleared:

Lloyds Bank current account £3598.34
Lloyds Bank deposit account £2.48
Cambridge Building Society Easy Access account £12192.69

Building Society interest at 0.5% per annum is due on 31st December and should amount to approximately £60.00

3 cheques weresigned by 2 councillors.

Number Payee Amount For
493 Mrs L. Friend £10.00 Internal audit fee. Replacement for cheque No. 466
494 Mr C.N Fry £152.47 December net salary
495 Mr C.N Fry £ 208.13 Expenses to date

Setting the Precept for 2016/17.

The Clerk presented his estimated total council expenditure for the financial year 2016/17 which amounted to £6799.00. He reminded the meeting that the only source of income open to the Council was the Precept which is levied annually on the Council Tax payers of the village. He added that he felt the Parish Council should feel proud of the tight control it kept on its financial matters. He said a Precept of £5000.00 (total) would lead to a severe depletion of Reserves, which would in turn lead to an even greater increase in the Precept levy in future years. Following a serious discussion, the Councillors agreed to request a total Precept of £6000 with the anticipated shortfall of £799 being met from Reserves.

Proposed by Cllr Lennard and seconded by Cllr Baker – all agreed.

The Clerk to advise Sedgemoor appropriately.

10. Any other business, including date of next meeting.
  • 'Vehicle battery thefts delay rubbish collections'. The Clerk said thefts of heavy duty batteries from refuse vehicles had caused delays in refuse collections in parts of Sedgemoor, South Somerset and Taunton Deane Council areas.
Date of next meeting Tuesday 19th January 2016.

There being no other business the meeting was declared closed at 9.10pm.
       



 





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