/ Parish Council / Minutes / 10th May 2021
CREECH ST MICHAEL PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES for the Meeting of Creech St Michael Parish Council (CSMPC) held in the Village Chown Hall on Tuesday 8th June 2021 at 7:00pm
Present:
Cllr Steve Greenhalgh - Chair |
SG |
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Cllr Neil Davidson |
ND |
Cllr Simon Hutchings - Vice Chair |
SH |
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Cllr Jon Peilow |
JP |
Cllr Brenda Brighton |
BB |
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Cllr Annabelle Peters from Minute 115 |
AP |
Cllr Peter Brown |
PB |
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Cllr Paul Tucker |
PT |
Cllr Charlie Cudlip |
CC |
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Also Present:
Cllr David Fothergill, Somerset County Council (SCC)
Cllr
Norman Cavill Somerset
West
& Taunton District Council (SW&T)
and PCllr West Monkton
Parish Council
(WMPC)
Cllr David Durham – SW&T
The Clerk – CSMPC
Meeting
started at
7.03pm
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Chair’s welcome |
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SG welcomed all and Chaired the meeting |
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To receive any apologies for absence and approve reasons given |
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Cllr Yamina Guest – work commitments - accepted |
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Declarations of Interests not already recorded |
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None |
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Appointment of members to council/committees
SH proposed | PT seconded | all voted in favour Declaration of Acceptance form completed- AP joins the meeting as Cllr from this point. 2. Second Vacancy. A notice has been posted that unless ten electors for the Parish give notice in writing by 4pm on 25th June 2021 to the Returning Officer, West Somerset House, Killick Way, Williton TA4 4QA, requesting that an election be held, the Parish Council will, at a Meeting to be held no sooner than Monday 5th July 2021 at 7pm fill the vacancy by the co-option of a new Councillor. In order to comply with the PC decision (see Oct 2019 mtg item 19/187) it is anticipated a decision will not be made before the September 2021 mtg). Anyone interested in becoming a PCllr should speak to the Clerk soonest. |
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To receive County and District Councillors’ Reports |
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1.Discussion between PCllrs, District Cllrs and County Councillor on the two bids submitted to the Secretary of State for a Unitary Council in Somerset. [SW&T= Stronger Somerset | SCC = One Somerset]. PCllr (SG) asked the District Councillors if money on the resident poll, Stronger Somerset ran, was a waste of public funds. Cllr Cavill shared the results of the poll. Cllr Fothergill relayed Secretary of State has said poll won’t influence the Government’s decision, due in next 2-3 weeks. There can be a Judicial Review on process, but not the decision. Vesting date for any Unitary model – April 1 2023. Possible elections in 2022 for District and County Councils.
2. Cllr Norman Cavill spoke on behalf of neighbouring West Monkton Parsih Council (WMPC) with a proposal to form a Local Community Network (LCN) in response to the One Somerset model. LCNs would be in place by April 2023. An LCN needs around a 25K population/ 20K voters. WMPC has reached out to other parishes around Taunton that share similar issues, like flooding, new housing and infrastructure. WMPC’s invitation included other local parishes, whose response so far are; yes from Kingston St Mary, Norton Fitzwarren and Cheddon Fitzpaine. Yet to hear back from Bishops Lydeard, Staplegrove, and CSMPC. (Agenda item to follow)
3.SCC councillor report - DF shared Coronavirus infection rates: As at 28th May the number of confirmed Covid cases in Somerset was 20,455 (up from 20,272 on 30th April) and the number of Covid-attributed deaths 800 (796). The rate per 100,000 stands at 5.5 for Somerset with Mendip at 5.2, Sedgemoor at 8.9, South Somerset 3.6 and SW&T at 5.2. The number of total deaths across the County is currently 8% below the 5-year average and the latest R-value for Somerset is between 0.8 and 1.1. Despite significant progress and even those who have had both jabs it is vitally important to remember, to observe Hands-Face-Space and to Ventilate indoor areas at all times. Road map out of lockdown: The final stage out of lockdown due on (or after) 21st June is subject to Government assessment on four key criteria:
By
this date the Government hopes to be in a position to remove all
legal limits on social contact and to reopen remaining premises,
including nightclubs. The easing of restrictions on large events,
performances and life events such as weddings will also be subject
to the analysis of the outcomes from certain pilot
events. |
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Minutes – to approve the Minutes of the meeting held on 10 May 2021 |
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(These had been previously circulated to PCllrs) The minutes of the 10 May 2021 mtg were agreed. The minutes were then authorised to be signed and dated by the Chair as an accurate record of the meeting. Proposed by ND | Seconded SH | 8 in favour AP abstained
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Matters arising from the Minutes of the meeting held on 10 May 2021 |
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The former Clerk (retired) reported via email: No Changes from May – apart from: 21/62 Coombe. Highways have proposed new signage 21/83
Parish Council Admin. Records now archived in Somerset Record
Office. |
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Planning 1. Planning applications. The following applications were considered.
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It was noted that notification to the Clerk had been received from the SW&T Planning Department late this afternoon informing that an Appeal has been submitted with the Planning Inspectorate for Planning Application 14/20/0053 Conversion of garage with raising of roof and insertion of first floor for use as a home office and ancillary accommodation at Barnoaks, Worthy Lane, Creech St Michael. |
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2. Monkton Heathfield Urban Extension 2 Panel – information was shared ahead of the meeting in the Clerk’s report. |
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The
panel met with Andrew Penna from Persimmon on 27 May. He expected
Permission’s planning application to be submitted to SW&T in
August. The MH2 group recommends that the Parish Council: 1. Welcomes and supports the proposals put forward by SCC for a package of signs and lines measures which will help address the traffic safety issues in the village identified in the RGP report and wishes to work in partnership with SCC to assist their speedy implementation, whilst continuing to press for more substantial investment in works to deal with safety issues for pedestrians using the footway over the canal and river bridge and provision of safe crossing points on St Michael Road. 2. Delegates to the MH2 group authority to negotiate detailed implementation of these proposals as implementation proceeds. 3. Having considered the options for the treatment of Hyde Lane wishes to ensure that the village, as proposed in the Neighbourhood Plan, should be a 20-mph zone and that this should apply to Hyde Lane from a gateway near the motorway bridge, recognising that this may result in the removal of the flashing 20 outside the school. 4. Wishes to include two SID devices to be installed near the centre of the village as part of the process, using £4000 from funds allocated to gateways and using the balance to enhance gateways being provided by SCC if thought necessary.
SG proposed but requested one amendment to the proposal- to include one SIDS, rather than two SH seconded | 8 in favour AP abstained Action- Clerk to write to SCC Highways with the CSMPC proposal.
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Finance Lloyds Bank (Bank Charges 10 4 21 to 9 5 21) £7.00 Utilitia (Pavilion Gas 28 3 21-30 4 21) £3.90 EDF (Pavilion Electricity) £46.00 EDF (Rec Park Garage Electricity) £34.00
B
Howe (Int Audit Fees 20/21) £328.00
Cllrs questioned if the Insurance was a five-year plan, as listed 2021-2022. Action – Clerk to check with previous clerk if it is five years or not. SG
questioned the EDF REC Park electricity fees. This is due to a
flat rate standing charge costs of approx £ 28 on each of the
Pavilion and Garage supplies. Unfortunately, these cannot be
combined as one supply. 3. Invoices paid under emergency arrangements - none 4.
Monies received and banked since the last meeting S Altria (Refund of Petty Cash Imprest) £100.00. 5. Internal Audit - No issues identified 6. Electricity supply to the Former Engine shed, Rec Park- renewed
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Local Community Networks – Local Government Re-Organisation in Somerset: Options for CSMPC.
In
response to a letter sent by WMPC (see item 116.2) regarding the
Local Government Reorganisation (Unitary bid) the Cllrs discussed
the best options for CSMPC regarding the proposed LCNs. Favouring
an inclusion of neighbouring parishes of Ruishton, Henlade and
Stoke St Mary, they would consider meeting with these parishes to
discuss further. It was agreed more information was needed
including what would happen to the CIL funds, were there any
proposed boundary changes or electoral wards? |
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Canal
Panel |
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2. Update Rights of Way- gate covered in 21.116 to email SCC – Cllr DF Cllrs also raised need for overgrown areas to be trimmed- It was agreed that once the Lengthsman had the legal training in place he would be asked to do this. PB advised a local group had offered to help maintain the area. Cllrs agreed to take up this offer. |
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Recreation
Park Panel 2. Nigel Cridge’s previous co-option onto the Rec Park Panel was discussed, and the Cllrs agreed to un-co-opt Nigel solely because of a possible “conflict of interest” as Nigel is now our Parish employed Village Lengthsman. 3. Manhole cover over tank, has been temporarily fixed by Lengthsman. Action – new manhole cover 5-10 tonnes to be ordered and fitted 4. Three “no glass” signs have been ordered, 2-3 week lead time. 5. Vendors - The Ice cream seller had not responded to emails and is now operating from outside the park, on the road. (Ref 21/102.3) The CSMPC agreed to charge £5k p.a. for the 50 weeks or £25 as a daily rate. Coffee Blue have started their trial to sell refreshments. Action – Clerk to advertise the opportunity to sell ice cream, with a guaranteed pitch at Party in the Park event, via Facebook. 6. Locking/Unlocking – CSMPC agreed for the toilets to be reopened following Covid guidance, and spray cleaner is to be made available for use. All park gates are locked at 9pm. PCSO informed of ongoing issues after closing. 7. Additional benches - SG confirmed the two seats around the path were installed today. Action: Clerk to email resident who suggested the extra seating and let them know this has been completed. |
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Highways Drains are collapsing in Mill Lane – It was confirmed Wessex Water are looking into this. |
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Footpaths - Report shared ahead of meeting. Footpath T32/7 (just before the canal tunnel under the M5) - locked gate in West Monkton Parish. However, neither Parish can identify landowner All Cllrs agreed to pay £7 Land Registry fee to identify owner, Clerk to then contact. Action – to find out owner and contact to remedy Hedge alongside the Langaller Lane footpath toward M5 bridge. Overgrowth needs trimming as it’s a narrow path adjacent to a 60 mph road. SG has already contacted SCC to arrange this T10/23 (end of path at junction with Hyde Lane) broken dog bin opposite School. Public Health risk. Action Clerk to contact SCC again (SA previously reported) to get replaced T10/25 (Canal towpath) new dog bin is full. Clerk confirmed this is on now on a twice weekly collection schedule. |
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Website - Meeting is arranged with PB, CC and the Clerk on 14 June. @creechstmichael.net emails have been created for all Cllrs Action - Clerk to create a *how to* guide to help Cllrs set install these on their devices. |
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Correspondence - none |
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New Matters to be carried forward- none |
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Personnel Sub-committee – no update |
Meeting
ENDED at
21.47
Ros Moreton, Clerk to CSM Parish Council | Email clerk@creechstmichael.net
The next Creech St Michael (CSM) Parish Council meetings are on:
Monday 5 July at 7pm in the CSM Village Chown Hall
Monday 2 August at 7pm in the CSM Village Chown Hall
*As the Covid rollback rules still apply, the meeting whilst open to the public may have to be limited depending on demand if a large number wish to attend. Alternatively, an issue can be raised at the PC by emailing the Clerk before Thursday 1 July, 5pm and the Clerk will then put the question to the Parish Council at the meeting and feedback any response. A further option is to appoint a representative where a number of residents wish to raise the same point.
Public Notes: Please note that meetings may be recorded by CSM. You should be aware that the Council is a Data Controller under the Data Protection Act 2018. Data collected during the recording will be retained in accordance with the Council’s policy. Therefore, unless you are advised otherwise, by attending the Council Mtg and/or speaking during Public Question Time you are consenting to being recorded and to the possible use of the sound recording for access via the website or for training purposes. If you have any queries regarding this, please contact the Clerk.