Skip to main navigation
Skip to main content
Skip to Search
Images of Chedzoy Parish

2018/10/22
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Monday 15th October 2018.

Minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council, held on Monday 15th October 2018, in the Village Hall at 7.30pm.


1. Apologies: Cllrs Katrina Maxwell and Terry Oxman, also David Hall (Somerset County Council (SCC)).

Present: Cllrs. Martin Allen (Chairman), Martin Baker (Vice-chairman), Brian Gale, Pat Lennard and Ray Triggol, also Cllrs Derek Alder and Liz Perry (Sedgemoor District Council (SDC)).

Also present: the Clerk, together with one member of the public.

2. Minutes of the previous meeting of 17th September 2018 were taken as read, approved and signed.

3. Matters arising from the minutes.
  • Adopt a Kiosk.  The Clerk said he had received an email from the lady who had expressed an interest in this project but saying she had decided not to take part. However, there is another lady who originally responded to our appeal for ideas, and the Clerk was asked to contact her and enquire if she is still interested.
  • Fingerpost Restoration. The Clerk reported SCC had replied to his (requesting guidance), to say volunteers from the Parishes were being sought to be trained by SCC, following which they would be allowed to inspect and carry out superficial restoration to the fingerposts (eg cleaning and painting). Any more substantial renovation would be carried out by qualified contractors, funded be the Parish Council.

    No volunteers had come forward and the Chairman said he would look into the possibility of a basic clean-up of the local fingerpost.

4. Somerset County Council report. None.

5. Sedgemoor District Council report. Cllr Alder reported as follows:
  • SDC loan to Eastover Hotel. In view of the rumours and misinformation around, Derek wished to point out that the loan recently agreed for the completion of the project was on commercial terms and agreed over a fixed period. SDC are not allowed to borrow to pay for services. The loan mentioned does not involve taking funds from other service funding.

  • Small grant aid for local projects and small business loans. He said there are limited funds available for grants and small loans for small businesses.

  • Projected new Transport Road Scheme (up to 2050). SDC were being given more responsibility here, and 11000 new homes are required to be created/built in Sedgemoor by 2050.

  • Former Cattle Market. Development is progressing with 129 new homes planned, the first 20/30 of which will be of modular construction.

  • Single occupancy accommodation. There are 470 young people in Sedgemoor requiring accommodation and currently on the waiting list.

  • Former Cellophane site. The pods are to accommodate EDF employees and after 10 years they will 'go back'.

  • The former 'Odeon' cinema shops, Penel Orlieu. Derek said that, after a great deal of investigative work, Sedgemoor served notice on the owners only to be told the property had been sold on for £1, to unknown owners.

  • SDC Local Plan (up to 2032). The Chairman said the consultation period ended on 10th October 2018.

6. Planning.

Reference: 18/18/00006.
Type: Full Planning Permission.
Proposal: Erection of a single storey extension to NE elevation.
Location: The Shires, West End Cottages, Chedzoy Lane Bridgwater TA7 8QS.
Applicant: Mr Horrobin.

The Clerk displayed a full set of paper plans which were examined by the councillors. This is for a dining room extension and there are no comments from neighbours. It appears to be slightly larger than that which would be allowed under “Permitted Development”. The property is in flood zone 1.

The Chairman called for a vote and the councillors voted unanimously to support the application.

The Clerk to advise the SDC Planning Department appropriately.

7. Correspondence.
  • Village Agent Scheme funding. The Clerk reported that the Community Council foe Somerset (CCS)  were celebrating having successfully secured a third round of Big Lottery Funding for the Somerset Village Agent Scheme, which will fund the scheme for a further 3 years. The SCC also contribute to this.

    After a discussion, Cllr Pat Lennard offered to invite Vanda Squire to a future PC meeting to give a talk.

  • NALC Star Council Awards. The National Association of Local Councils Awards are the only awards in England to recognise the achievements of the local council sector. On 14th September the judging panel selected this year’s finalists and Watchet town council are among them.

    The Public are invited to vote for the winner at:

    www.nalc.gov.uk/news/entry/1084-nalc-announces-star-council-awards-finalist-vote-for-your-council-of-the-year

  • Scam Mail. Royal Mail are appealing for the help of the public in raising awareness of scam mail in local communities. Scam mail includes bogus competitions and fake prize draws – usually origination from overseas and the Royal Mail never knowingly delivers it. Should you be concerned please call the Royal Mail helpline on 0800 0113 446 or email scam.mail@royalmail.com

  • Council for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) Somerset 'Affordable Housing to Keep our Countryside Alive'- event. Thursday 25th October 2018 Glastonbury Town Hall 2.00pm to 5.00pm. To book, email: admin@cpresomerset.org.uk

  • 'Let Communities Decide'. The Parish Council have been asked to support the anti-fracking movement. Some time ago Chedzoy Parish Council indicated its support  and now there is a move to allow exploratory drilling  under 'Permitted Development'. Following a discussion it was felt appropriate for the Chairman to complete a petition on the Parish Council’s behalf.

  • Affordable Housing. The Clerk reported he had received a response to his email of 7th August to Esther Carter, advising her of the Parish Council’s decision not to progress in this field. The reply from Nick Draper (Housing Development Officer Housing Health and Wellbeing) in which he clarified that under the emerging Local Plan any development in a Tier 4 settlement requires a local lettings policy to be applied for the duration that any new development exists (in perpetuity).

    A full discussion took place and the Clerk was asked to reply to the email stating further consideration had been given, but the Parish Council felt it did not warrant it to change its mind. It is felt that very careful consultation and consideration and discussion had been had on the subject and in all the circumstances there is no change in the Council’s position.
8. Matters arising from the correspondence. None.

9. Finance.

Balances after allowing for all payments made:

Lloyds Bank current account £5361.91
Lloyds Bank deposit account £2.48
Cambridge Building Society Easy Access Account £12318.53


Two cheques were signed as follows:

Number Amount Payee For
619 £152.67 Mr C.N Fry October net salary
620 £58.63 Mr C.N Fry Expenses


The second tranche of the 2018/2019 Precept amounting to £3748.00 has been received.

A new online service for reclaiming VAT has been set up.

10. Any Other Business, including the date of the next meeting.
  • Hedgerows. A complaint has been received about the state of the hedges, particularly in Ward Lane, following the recent trimming by landowners. It was agreed a very poor job had been done, with all the mess just being left to obstruct the roadway.

    After a discussion the Clerk was asked to write to the offending landowners about the problem.

  • 'Tell us your views on Health and Care'. A series of County wide events are being held to hear local peoples’ views on Health and Care in Somerset and explore how it could change in the future. Go to  www.fitformyfuture.org.uk

  • Bulk Buy Fuel. In an eattempt to alleviate the hardship caused by householders having to pay for oil central heating fuel 'up front', and bearing in mind the last several years of minimal pay increases and the freezing of some in-work benefits, a scheme is available for interest free loans of up to £500.00 repayable over six months. Posters are on display. Call 01823 461099 email enquiries@wrcic.org.uk or visit www.wessexresolutions.org.uk

  • Innovation in Local Services – talk. County Councillor Tessa Munt has arranged an evening talk by Adam Persson and Neil Bloomfield of Martock Parish Council on Monday 22nd October at 7.00 for 7.30pm, in the clubroom of the Swan, Wedmore, BS28 4EQ.

    This non-political event is open to all Councillors and Clerks in Mendip and Sedgemoor districts. Martock PC has become known for providing innovative local services, including Community Policing.

    No need to book but the organiser can be reached at: Tessa-in-touch@gmail.com

  • Recycling. The following points should be noted:

    a/ Missed or incomplete collections are due mainly to staff shortages, particularly of drivers.

    b/ Recycle inserts are available for insertion in new residents’ welcome packs (not applicable, in the case of Chedzoy).

    c/ Christmas collection details are on display.
  • 'Sedgemoor in the Pink for Breast Cancer Care'. Staff members and councillors at SDC raised over £370 on Friday 12th October in support of Breast Cancer Care.

  • Dog Dirt. A request was made for a dog litter bin. After a discussion, it was decided that the associated expense could not be justified. It was felt that dog owners should bag it and take it home.

  • Local Plan Proposed Main Modifications. The Chairman wished to record his thanks to Andy Reading of SDC for providing him with these modifications which will continue to be most useful in the future.
Date of next meeting: Monday 19th November 2018 in the village hall at 7.30 pm.

There being no other business the meeting was declared closed at 8.55pm.









 





View of Chedzoy Parish