2019/06/20
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Monday 17th June 2019.
Minutes
of the meeting of the Parish Council, held on Monday 17th June 2019 in
the Village Hall at 7.30pm.
1. Present. Cllrs Brian Gale, Simon Howes (Chairman), Patricia Lennard, Katrina Maxwell and Rodney Young. Cllr Marion Dethier arrived at 7.45pm.
New Cllrs Nicholas Griffiths and John Paige appointed, and joined the committee at 8.00pm.
Also present: Cllrs Anthony Betty and Liz Perry (Sedgemoor District Council (SDC)).
In attendance: The Clerk (Chris Fry) and 3 members of the public.
Apologies: Cllr David Hall (SCC).
2. Minutes of the previous meeting of 20th May 2019 and those of the special planning meeting of 28th June 2019 were both taken as read, approved and signed.
3. Matters arising from the minutes. None.
4. Somerset County Council report. None.
5. Sedgemoor District Council report.
Anthony Betty reported that Peter Clayton had been elected Chairman and Alan Bradford as Vice Chairman, together with the re-election of Duncan McGinty as Leader of SDC.
Liz Perry confirmed that due to her recent appointment to the Sedgemoor planning committee she may not be able to comment on certain aspects of live planning applications.
6. Planning.
Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (As amended).
Reference: 18/19/00003/CM.
Proposal: Alterations and conversion of existing attached garage to habitable accommodation and erection of two storey extension to rear (north) elevation.
Location: 5 West End Court, Chedzoy Lane, Chedzoy, Bridgwater TA7 8QS.
Applicant: Mr and Mrs Crocker.
The Chairman opened the meeting up to allow public participation in the full discussion which took place. This represents an extension to an existing dwelling and all relevant flood proofing/resilience techniques are being incorporated ie the use of flood resilient materials as indicated within the flood performance guidelines, eg appropriate quality face bricks, double glazed upvc windows and doors to be installed ensuring adequate sealing around the frames. All fittings (electrical appliance, gas ovens) to be placed on plinths as high as possible above floor level. Electrical wall sockets to be placed as high as possible etc. Consideration will be given to the topography of the site specifically the surface gradient of the paved area to ensure the water drains away from the building.
Following the discussion a vote was called for and all councillors present voted in favour of supporting the application.
Action - The following comments were conveyed to SDC Planners:
'The Parish Council of Chedzoy supports the above application and has no observations to offer'.
7. Correspondence.
9. Finance.
Balances after allowing for all payments made.
Four cheques were issued as follows:-
A new Lloyds Bank mandate is being completed to update the signing authority for the bank accounts, with any two of either the Chairman, Vice Chairman and Clerk to be authorised.
A request for grant aid to Sedgemoor CAB was agreed in the sum of £50.00 as this was in the current budget.
The necessary 2018/2019 Accounting documentation and Statement of Public Notice of Rights have been advertised thereby clearing the way for the external audit to proceed.
Action – The Clerk to action as above.
10. Any Other Business, including the date of next meeting.
Date of next meeting Monday 15th July 2019 in the village hall at 7.30pm.
There being no other business, the meeting was declared closed at 8.40pm.
1. Present. Cllrs Brian Gale, Simon Howes (Chairman), Patricia Lennard, Katrina Maxwell and Rodney Young. Cllr Marion Dethier arrived at 7.45pm.
New Cllrs Nicholas Griffiths and John Paige appointed, and joined the committee at 8.00pm.
Also present: Cllrs Anthony Betty and Liz Perry (Sedgemoor District Council (SDC)).
In attendance: The Clerk (Chris Fry) and 3 members of the public.
Apologies: Cllr David Hall (SCC).
2. Minutes of the previous meeting of 20th May 2019 and those of the special planning meeting of 28th June 2019 were both taken as read, approved and signed.
3. Matters arising from the minutes. None.
4. Somerset County Council report. None.
5. Sedgemoor District Council report.
Anthony Betty reported that Peter Clayton had been elected Chairman and Alan Bradford as Vice Chairman, together with the re-election of Duncan McGinty as Leader of SDC.
Liz Perry confirmed that due to her recent appointment to the Sedgemoor planning committee she may not be able to comment on certain aspects of live planning applications.
6. Planning.
Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (As amended).
Reference: 18/19/00003/CM.
Proposal: Alterations and conversion of existing attached garage to habitable accommodation and erection of two storey extension to rear (north) elevation.
Location: 5 West End Court, Chedzoy Lane, Chedzoy, Bridgwater TA7 8QS.
Applicant: Mr and Mrs Crocker.
The Chairman opened the meeting up to allow public participation in the full discussion which took place. This represents an extension to an existing dwelling and all relevant flood proofing/resilience techniques are being incorporated ie the use of flood resilient materials as indicated within the flood performance guidelines, eg appropriate quality face bricks, double glazed upvc windows and doors to be installed ensuring adequate sealing around the frames. All fittings (electrical appliance, gas ovens) to be placed on plinths as high as possible above floor level. Electrical wall sockets to be placed as high as possible etc. Consideration will be given to the topography of the site specifically the surface gradient of the paved area to ensure the water drains away from the building.
Following the discussion a vote was called for and all councillors present voted in favour of supporting the application.
Action - The following comments were conveyed to SDC Planners:
'The Parish Council of Chedzoy supports the above application and has no observations to offer'.
7. Correspondence.
- National
Grid – Hinkley Point new High Voltage powerlines. The Clerk reported on
a telephone call he received from a lady in the National Grid Community
Relations team advising that the power line to Bristol (which just
touches on the Chedzoy parish boundary), will be the subject of two new
pylons (not in Chedzoy), to be added in the New Year, with the whole
line requiring rewiring later on.
She offered to arrange for someone from that department to attend a Parish Council meeting in the autumn to explain the situation fully to councillors.
Action - The Clerk was asked to take up this offer.
- Rural Housing Week briefing. The Clerk reported he had been advised that Rural Housing Week was taking place in early July and SDC had offered to hold briefing sessions for Town/Parish councillors interested in attending. However, a further email has been received advising the sessions had been cancelled because of a lack of demand. No further action is intended unless SDC initiate this.
9. Finance.
Balances after allowing for all payments made.
| Lloyds Bank Current Account | £4663.31 |
| Lloyds Bank Deposit Account | £2.48 |
| Cambridge Building Society Easy Access Account | £12341.19 |
Four cheques were issued as follows:-
| Number | Amount | For | Payee |
| 647 | £100.00 | Sedgemoor District Council | Uncontested election fee |
| 648 | £152.47 | Mr CN Fry | June net salary |
| 649 | £53.33 | Mr CN Fry | Expenses |
| 650 | £ 50.00 | Citizens Advice Bureau | Donation |
A new Lloyds Bank mandate is being completed to update the signing authority for the bank accounts, with any two of either the Chairman, Vice Chairman and Clerk to be authorised.
A request for grant aid to Sedgemoor CAB was agreed in the sum of £50.00 as this was in the current budget.
The necessary 2018/2019 Accounting documentation and Statement of Public Notice of Rights have been advertised thereby clearing the way for the external audit to proceed.
Action – The Clerk to action as above.
10. Any Other Business, including the date of next meeting.
- Broadband
Rollout delay. Simon Howes
updated the meeting following a telephone call from David Hall (SCC),
who is pressing for the meeting with Paul Coles (BT) to explore
alternative solutions should Gigaclear continue to experience
difficulties and possibly pull out as “Phase 3 Provider”. This would
leave Chedzoy continuing to suffer unacceptable broadband services as a
result of circumstances beyond our control. He emphasised the need to
press for clarity and to investigate full details of the technical
restrictions and of potential any costings involved to overcome the
problems. The parish council would then be in a position to evaluate
any potential alternative action once full details are available and
understood.
Action – Simon Howes will report back if a meeting with BT can be arranged.
- Co-option to fill Parish Council Vacancies.
Katherine Maxwell tendered her resignation (mentioning time pressures) from the Pariah Council, in writing to the Clerk, thereby leaving two vacancies on the council.
John Paige was proposed by Simon Howes and seconded by Marion Dethier.
Nick Griffiths was proposed by Katrina Maxwell and seconded by Rodney Young.
There were no other nominations and it was unanimously agreed to accept the above two new members to the Parish Council, and they will now complete their Acceptance of Office and Register of Members Financial Interest forms.
Action – The Clerk to complete necessary papers and notifications.
- Men’s Shed Open Day. The Clerk read
extracts from an email about the Somerset Levels and Moors Shed
(SLaMS), a Men’s Shed first established in Burrowbridge after the
disastrous floods of 2014 and now relocated to Bridgwater. SLaMS
provides a
social and workshop facility for men (and women) predominantly in later
life who for a variety of reasons – ill-health, loss of a partner,
retirement or redundancy – are at risk of social isolation.
In order to reach out to this demographic group, an Open Day is being held on Wednesday 26th June 2019 at The Council Workshop, Canal View, Old Taunton Road Bridgwater TA6 3NS.
This has been noted and no further action is intended.
- Community
SpeedWatch. The Clerk read an email from AutoSpeedWatch concerning an
automated system of managing local traffic speeds.
Noted and no further action at this time.
- Councillor
Training. 'Councillor Essentials' training seminars at various
locations were offered to the new councillors.
- V-E Day
Celebrations – 75th Anniversary 2020. Next year (2020)
marks the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day and fairly
elaborate celebratory events are expected to be made to take place over
the weekend of 8th-10th May 2020, with SSAFA (the Armed Forces Charity)
co-ordinating matters.
Action - The Clerk was asked to refer the email to the Village Hall committee.
- Village
Agent – Vanda Squire. The Clerk has emailed Vanda to invite her to a
council meeting to talk to members about her role as Village Agent for
Chedzoy.
Action – update at next meeting.
- Glebe
House Planning Application no 18/19/00001/DT. The application
goes before the SDC Planning Committee on Tuesday 25th June 2019. The
“objectors” to it are holding a meeting in the village hall on
Wednesday 19th June at 7.30 pm to select a spokesperson from their
ranks to speak for three minutes in opposition. The Parish Council are
also entitled to send a speaker and Rodney Young kindly agreed to the
task.
Action - The Clerk will advise SDC of the names of both speakers, following that meeting, later on in the week.
- Heritage Plaques – Court Farm House and
Court Farm Cottage. In response to an enquiry from the Chairman,
the Clerk confirmed that both householders would be approached in due
course.
Action – The Clerk to approach both for their permission.
- Poor Water
Pressure. Rodney Young raised this ongoing problem and suggested it
might be a good idea to report the matter to Wessex Water and request
they test the pressure at various times of day. This is particularly
relevant now Chedzoy has been re-designated as a “Tier 4 Settlement”.
Action - The Clerk was asked to make the request.
Date of next meeting Monday 15th July 2019 in the village hall at 7.30pm.
There being no other business, the meeting was declared closed at 8.40pm.
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