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Images of Chedzoy Parish

2016/03/03
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 23rd February 2016.

Minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council held on Tuesday 23rd February 2016  in the Village Hall at 7.30 pm.

1. Apologies: Cllrs. Brian Gale, Terry Oxman and Mrs Liz Perry (SDC}

Present: Cllrs. Martin Allen (Chairman), Martin Baker, Patricia Lennard, Katrina Maxwell, Ray Triggol and Cllr. David Hall (SCC).

Members of the public: Richard Woodward and Rodney Young.

2. Minutes of the previous meeting of 19th January 2016 were taken as read, approved and signed.

3. Matters arising from the minutes.
  • Visit to flood defences and pumping station. Martin Allen (Chairman) said the tour was very interesting and he found the sight of the “Spillage bank” just outside of Langport was quite amazing to see. Pat Lennard and Chris Fry (Clerk), who also attended, found the centuries of history surrounding the flood prevention measures on the Somerset Levels fascinating. An appropriate note of thanks has been sent to John Rowland of the Environment Agency.
  • Health and Wellbeing Budget 2015 - “Manshed” talk. David Hall attended the launch of the “Levels Manshed” Group and contacted the Clerk to say they had offered to come and speak to a meeting of the Parish Council. This to be arranged in due course.
  • Landline and Broadband Problems. Martin Allen confirmed that all the data collected had been sent to Paul Coles of BT who had confirmed to him that he had sent it to the appropriate department. We await a response.
  • Clean for the Queen. Clerk requested the meeting agree the best way forward here, adding that he felt litter in general is not a big problem in the village. Following a discussion, it was decided to ask Don Johnson to kindly put a request in the next edition of “Chedzoy News”  that all villagers make the effort to clean up around their own properties as a general push to achieve an improvement. The” Clean up” weekend is the 4th – 6th March. Any clearing up at the bus shelter garden would be covered by the caretaker. David Hall said Bawdrip was taking part and his area was the main A39 and he appealed for volunteers to help on the morning of Saturday 5th March.
  • Footpath obstruction at Parchey. The Clerk reported no response received from George Montague despite having left two answerphone messages. He will persist and report to the next meeting.
4. Somerset County Council report. David Hall reported as follows.
  • Clean for the Queen. Clean up on A39 already covered above.
  • Health and Wellbeing Budget. David was pleased to advise he had been successful in obtaining £1000 of funding for the Chedzoy Playing Field Assn. to enable them to clear and level off the outfield at Pig Lane.
  • The SCC budget. This was approved last week and there would be a resultant 1.99% increase in the Council Tax levy, required as a result of the withdrawal of the Central Government Support Grant, together with a further 2% increase to fund adult social care and a special 1.4% to fund the Somerset Rivers Authority flood defence work- making a total increase of 5.39% in the SCC levy through the Council Tax for 2016/17.
  • Flood defence work. This continues with the widening of the Sowey River and remedial work at Dunball.
  • Broadband. The phase 2 letting contact due to be put out to tender in the spring. Phase 1 (not covering Chedzoy) is ahead of schedule with Muchelney the latest village to go Superfast.
  • SCC Highways. SCC Highways are looking for partners to jointly maintain the finger posts throughout the county.
  • Hinkley Point. There is still no FID made here but EDF are “preparing for mobilisation”
5. Sedgemoor District Council report. None.

6. Planning. No new proposals.

7. Correspondence.
  • Avon and Somerset Constabulary. In the first of a series of HMIC PEEL (Policing Effectiveness, Efficiency and Legitimacy) reports released today, Avon and Somerset has been commended for keeping local communities safe and reducing crime. The overall judgement was “good” for Avon and Somerset.
  • Somerset Local Authorities’ Civil Contingencies Unit. An acknowledgement has been received from Leslie Knight in respect of Rodney Young’s kind offer to be Chedzoy’s agent.
  • Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner Election. Election to take place on 5th May 2016 with Sue Mountstevens again being a candidate.
  • Sedgemoor Local Plan Stage 1 Consultation. An acknowledgement has been received of Martin Allen’s comments, from Nick Tait Service Manager- Policy Strategy and Development at SDC.
8. Matters arising from the correspondence. None.

9. Finance.

Balances with all cheques having been cleared:

Lloyds Bank current account £2936.13
Lloyds Bank deposit account £2.48
Cambridge Building Society Easy Access account £12252.99

4 cheques signed by 2 councillors.
Number Payee Amount For
499 Mr C.N Fry £152.47 February net salary
500 Mr C.N Fry £104.11 Expenses to date
501 OUEM £40.00 Allotment rent
502 Diane Malley £58.00 Payroll services

The Clerk said Lloyds Bank were proceeding to redesignate Parish Council accounts from “Business” accounts to “Treasurers” accounts in order to avoid them attracting bank charges.

10. Any other business including date of next meeting.
  • Water leak at allotments. Martin Baker reported that both the new taps were leaking via the flexible hoses installed last year to conform with regulations. The water bill in January was higher than expected. Pete Dodge had kindly shut the water supply off. The Clerk was asked to get Mr Preece the plumber back to sort this and approach Wessex Water to request a refund in view of the circumstances.
  • 'Manhole' damage in Chedzoy Lane near West End Farm. Martin Baker reported a serious pothole problem and the Clerk was asked to report it appropriately.
Date of next meeting: Tuesday 5th April 2016.

There being no other business the meeting was declared closed at 8.10pm.




 





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