2019/05/28
Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on Monday 20th May 2019, at approximately 7.55pm
The
Annual Parish Meeting was held in the Village Hall on Monday 20th May
2019, following the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council.
The meeting commenced at 7.55 pm.
Present: Cllrs Marion Dethier, Brian Gale, Simon Howes (Chairman), Patricia Lennard, Katrina Maxwell and Rodney Young.
Also present: Cllrs David Hall (Somerset County Council (SCC)) and Anthony Betty (Sedgemoor District Council (SDC)).
In attendance: The Clerk (Chris Fry) and seven members of the public.
1. Apologies. None.
2. Minutes of the previous Annual Parish Meeting of 9th May 2018 were read, approved and signed.
3. Chairman’s annual report.
Looking back over the last year, the Brexit debacle seems to have dominated almost every aspect of national news, and now threatens to carry us into an uncertain future. Whatever the rights and wrongs of the situation may be, at a local level, we still have to get on with our lives and business, in spite of all the rancour, inertia and indecision.
In the 2018 Chairman's Report, I identified several areas that merited special mention. I take this opportunity to refer to them again, in the light of present circumstances, conscious of the fact that there is still unfinished business. There are also significant changes afoot. Chedzoy Parish Council will need to be well informed and decisive.
7. Matters brought forward from the last Annual Parish Meeting. None
8. Questions from the floor.
There being no other business, the meeting was declared closed at 8.20pm.
The meeting commenced at 7.55 pm.
Present: Cllrs Marion Dethier, Brian Gale, Simon Howes (Chairman), Patricia Lennard, Katrina Maxwell and Rodney Young.
Also present: Cllrs David Hall (Somerset County Council (SCC)) and Anthony Betty (Sedgemoor District Council (SDC)).
In attendance: The Clerk (Chris Fry) and seven members of the public.
1. Apologies. None.
2. Minutes of the previous Annual Parish Meeting of 9th May 2018 were read, approved and signed.
3. Chairman’s annual report.
Looking back over the last year, the Brexit debacle seems to have dominated almost every aspect of national news, and now threatens to carry us into an uncertain future. Whatever the rights and wrongs of the situation may be, at a local level, we still have to get on with our lives and business, in spite of all the rancour, inertia and indecision.
In the 2018 Chairman's Report, I identified several areas that merited special mention. I take this opportunity to refer to them again, in the light of present circumstances, conscious of the fact that there is still unfinished business. There are also significant changes afoot. Chedzoy Parish Council will need to be well informed and decisive.
- Broadband. I am disappointed to
tell you that we are no further forward regarding the provision of
Fibre Broadband in Chedzoy. Giggaclear have yet to deliver, and are now
at loggerheads with Connecting Devon and Somerset over breach of the
contract. I'm afraid we have to persevere, frustrating though it is,
and let CDS resolve the issue.
- Sedgemoor Local Plan, 2011-2032. The
Local Plan was finally adopted in February. It sets out the policy
framework for future development in Sedgemoor. Under the newly created
tiered settlement hierarchy, Chedzoy is the lowest at tier 4. Small
scale infill, in keeping with the character of Chedzoy, merits care and
empathy.
- Chedzoy Parish Council. I am
pleased to report that we shall welcome some new faces to the PC. It is
important that that we have some new expertise on the PC to take us
through the next four years. I shall be stepping down as chairman, but
I shall be happy to contribute with any help that may be necessary,
during the initial overlap period.
- Chedzoy Community. The enthusiasm, commitment, energy, skill and good old fashioned friendship in Chedzoy, is just amazing. The number of activities and events organised for the benefit of everyone in the villag e, and many charities, is wonderful and also very humbling. This is a remarkable village, and it is the people who make it.
- He thanked
the councillors for their help and commitment and thanked the outgoing
Chairman (Martin Allen).
- Budget. The financial
challenge goes on with central government support funding being cut. He
was able to say that it is to be hoped no further significant cuts are
in the pipeline. This too goes on and it continues to take up so much
government time that it is very difficult to obtain decisions on day to
day matters.
- The Local Elections. These results
have brought about many changes to the makeup of councils throughout
the West.
- Unitary Authority. Discussions need
to continue taking place. There are many savings to be made.
- Roadworks. These continue with the
Cross Rifles roundabout works to soon start. Those at Bristol
Road/Wylds Road will bring significant improvements to traffic flow in
the longer run.
- Giggaclear. The current state
of play here is very disappointing, particularly in Chedzoy who are
still waiting for effective broadband speeds. The immediate future
looks bleak and alternative projects will be difficult to arrange. One
good thing is the funding has been ring fenced and David is contact
with Paul Coles of BT and a meeting will be arranged when appropriate.
In answer to Simon Howes question, David Hall outlined the position to date.
Connecting Devon and Somerset was set up to cover areas which the commercial roll out hadn’t covered. Chedzoy was originally to be included in the commercial operation but because of the long distance the parish is from the enabled junction box (outside Mole Valley Farmers) – 1.9 km, it wasn’t, so Chedzoy was included in the ill-fated Phase 2. There were also problems with the capacity of the pipework which made it difficult to connect even landlines at one time. Although Giggaclear passed due diligence it seems they 'bit off more than they could chew'. There are alternatives which will be explored with BT (who own EE).
7. Matters brought forward from the last Annual Parish Meeting. None
8. Questions from the floor.
- Fingerpost
restoration. It was reported the fingerpost at
Cross Tree in the village was last restored some ten years ago and was
now again in a sorry state. The Clerk was asked to contact SCC Heritage
section to enquire if any assistance and guidance was available. In the
meantime he would have a word with the volunteer who agreed to clean it
up, to improve matters. This will be included on the agenda of the next
meeting.
- Litterpick. With many other nearby villages
organising litter picking events it was suggested Chedzoy should do the
same. The best time is in the early spring and SDC Clean Surroundings
are happy to supply the necessary equipment and collect the resultant
bags of rubbish afterwards. The matter will be added to the agenda of
the next PC meeting.
- Heritage Plaques. These commemorate the fact that Thomas Hardy once resided in the village, later emigrating to Australia where he founded the Hardy wine company. Another plaque commemorates the milk churn method of collecting milk which was used before bulk tanks and tankers came about. The Clerk offered to have a ward with the current residents of Court Farm house to see if erection can be agree
There being no other business, the meeting was declared closed at 8.20pm.
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