The Annual Parish Meeting was held in
the Village Hall on Wednesday 22nd May 2017, at approximately 7.30pm,
following the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council.
1. Apologies: None.
2. Present: Cllrs. Martin
Allen, Martin Baker, Brian Gale, Pat Lennard, Katrina Maxwell and Terry
Oxman.
Also present: Cllr.
David Hall (SCC), Derek Alder and Liz Perry (SDC)
Members of the Public: Messrs.
Richard Woodward and Rodney Young.
3. Minutes of the previous Annual
Parish Meeting of 18th May 2016 were read, approved and signed.
4. Chairman’s annual report.
Martin Allen reported as follows:
As with last year, nothing of huge moment has happened in the last 12
months, and the normal round of parochial matters have been well
recorded in the PC minutes, the Chedzoy News and the Polden Post. A
good deal of time has been spent on dealing with the problems over
Broadband, but at least we have an interim solution, and the promise of
a more comprehensive upgrade to a fibre system (by GigaClear) in the
not too distant future.
Having said that, after a period of five years of comparative inertia,
as an Unsustainable Settlement, we are about to enter the second phase
of the Sedgemoor Local Plan, which has gone to the Secretary of State
for approval, and is expected to be approved for implementation by next
spring. Under this new plan, Chedzoy has now been designated as one of
eleven Tier 4 Sustainable Settlements, and it is likely that this will
become the case.
Furthermore, we are embarking on this new chapter for Chedzoy in the
context of an imminent General Election, the gathering pace of Hinkley
C, and the wider effects of whatever Brexit may bring. All these things
bring a new sense of energy and urgency to sorting things out, and
facing up to the procrastination that always plagues important national
decisions. Whatever the outcome of these things, we are all affected,
including Chedzoy.
As for parochial matters, we remain financially sound and stable,
thanks to Chris Fry’s good offices, and we continue to comply with all
the various legal and contractual requirements as a Parish Council. All
accounts have been presented and audited as required. Chedzoy Parish
Council continues to support the Playing Field and Churchyard
maintenance, and repairs to the Battle of Sedgemoor display board are
now in hand.
Our thanks must go to Don Johnson for his stalwart work in producing
Chedzoy News, and repairing the notice board so beautifully, and my
personal thanks to Rodney Young, particularly for all the legwork he
put in delivering all the Broadband flyers to everyone in the village,
and for looking after the Village Hall so well. Our thanks also to
Amanda Triggol for the Pop-In, and all the others who work so
selflessly for Chedzoy.
In conclusion I re-iterate that we are entering a new chapter in local
development that may require a more pro-active input from Chedzoy, and
many other small communities like us, in local affairs. Our opinions
are important, and we must make sure that they are heard. The Chedzoy
Action Plan, produced when John Weeks was Chairman of the Parish
Council in 2009, is still remarkably fresh and relevant, but we should
now give serious thought to any revisions.
5. Somerset County Council Report. David
Hall reported as follows:
- Hinkley Point. Things
are now moving ahead at a pace and the site is changing all the time.
- Road Improvements. A lot
of these are triggered by the Hinkley Project, but also by the strength
of the local economy. The current Bristol Road workings are ahead of
schedule and two-way traffic will be shortly restored.There are more
substantial roadworks ahead.
- Broadband. We have
experienced some frustration but Phase 1 has now completed. Chedzoy’s
interim solution is providing some satisfaction.
- Political situation. The
County Council is becoming more accountable and sustainable. The
retention of 100% of local business rates is in the pipeline, although
details are vague. With regard to the Somerset Rivers Authority,
legislation to make it an independent precepting authority is still
awaited.
- SCC elections. The Leader
John Osman’s demise at the hands of the electorate was surprising. The
new Leader is David Fothergill with David Hall retaining Deputy
Leader’s position. The make-up of the new council: - 35 Conservatives
12 Liberal Democrats, 2 Greens. 3 Labour and 3 Independents.
- Short Mat Bowls. Bawdrip
Parish Council has a permanent lack of storage space, but David will
approach Bridgwater Without PC.
6. Sedgemoor District Council Report. Derek
Alder reported as follows:-
- SDC Annual meeting. This
was held recently and Mike Cresswell was elected as new Chairman, with
Paul Herbert as Vice-Chairman (both these men are from Bridgwater and
Woolavington respectively). All portfolios are staying the same.
- Council Housing. 21
council homes have been completed in the last year – at West Huntspill
and Burnham. All these homes are designed to be easily converted for
disabled tenants. Other sites, such as at the old Withy Cutter public
house in Sydenham, Monmouth Street and the old Cattle Market are in the
pipeline. Additionally, there are plans for five new hotels in the
Bridgwater area.
- With regard to the Northgate
development, the car park will be rebuilt as soon as the new
school is completed.
7. Matters brought forward from the
last Annual Parish Meeting. None.
8. Questions from the floor. None.
There being no other business the
meeting was declared closed at 8.20 pm.