/ Parish Council / Minutes / 10th May 2021

Cllr Steve Greenhalgh - Chair

SG

Cllr Neil Davidson

ND

Cllr Simon Hutchings - Vice Chair 

SH

Cllr Jon Peilow

JP

Cllr Brenda Brighton

BB

Cllr Annabelle Peters from Minute 115

AP

Cllr Peter Brown

PB

Cllr Paul Tucker

PT

Cllr Charlie Cudlip

CC

Chair’s welcome

SG welcomed all and Chaired the meeting

To receive any apologies for absence and approve reasons given

Cllr Yamina Guest – work commitments - accepted

Declarations of Interests not already recorded

None

Appointment of members to council/committees

1. New Cllr co-opted Annabelle Peters (AP)

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 25^th 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 5^th 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.

To receive County and District Councillors’ Reports

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) 21^st June is subject to Government assessment on four key criteria:

• the vaccine deployment programme continues successfully

• evidence shows vaccines are sufficiently effective in reducing hospitalisations and deaths in those vaccinated

• infection rates do not risk a surge in hospitalisations which would put unsustainable pressure on the NHS

• the assessment of the risks is not fundamentally changed by new variants

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.
Somerset Coronavirus Support Helpline: A single phone number continues to be available for anyone in Somerset who needs Coronavirus-related support. 0300 790 6275, is open seven days a week from 8am to 6pm.
Vaccination programme roll-out: Somerset has one of the highest vaccination rates in the country with the latest figures showing 324,147 having received at least their first vaccination or 77.5% of the 16+ population. 246,983 (53.3%) have received their second dose. Take up rates of both doses is very high: 80+ (95.8%), 75-79 (100%), 70-74 (97.7%), 65-69 (86.2%), 60-64 (73.0%), 55-59 (50.4%) and 50-54 (47.4).
One Somerset: An announcement on the future of local government in Somerset is expected from the Government in late June/ early July. For more information visit:  www.onesomerset.org.uk
Extra investment into Public Health: Somerset County Council is allocating an additional £10m to embed public health across all areas of council services. The major investment will include £2m to support Somerset communities – helping address anxiety and those with mild mental health issues. £2m expanding Somerset’s expert health protection programme including controlling outbreaks, managing testing, providing localised contact tracing, and supporting businesses and communities. Some funding will be invested in research and work to improve local understanding of Covid and the changing needs of the Somerset. A further £500,000 will be made available for town and parish councils to help them reconnect with their communities by safely reopening facilities like halls, rooms and other sites with good prevention control measures in place.
Summer activities for Years 11: Somerset students heading from Year 11 into Year 12 will have access to a wide range of free exciting educational opportunities this summer. There is a mixture of virtual and face-to-face events and activities to choose from taking place across the county including Kilve Court, Charterhouse, and other key venues across Somerset. These will include team-building exercises and physical activities such as climbing and low-ropes, as well as wellbeing and ‘ready to study’ sessions. Registration is now live via: www.somersetworks.vfairs.com
Donate a toothbrush: National Smile Month (which runs to 17^th June) is the world’s largest and longest-running campaign to promote better oral health.  It aims to promote key tips and advice, helping keep everyone’s smile healthy. This year Somerset County Council is encouraging people to think about adding a toothbrush and toothpaste when they donate food to their local Foodbanks. Poor oral health is largely preventable and good habits of brushing twice a day should be taught from when a baby’s first tooth shows through.
New School for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities: Construction has finished on Polden Bower School, a brand new £23m Somerset County Council-funded state-of-the-art school in Bridgwater which is clearly visible from the M5. The project is part of a wider SCC’s programme to boost provision for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) in the county and caters for 160 students aged 4-16 with complex needs. Primary aged children are due to start on site in June, with older children following in July so that they get the accustomed to their new environment before the start of the new school year in September 2021.
Winter Gritting Summary: In the 2020/21 winter season SCC’s fleet of 23 gritters were needed on 66 occasions when freezing temperatures were forecast, treating around 900 miles of road each time to help prevent ice forming. This included additional gritting to ensure safe passage to vaccination and testing sites. The team covered 70,200 miles, a significant increase from previous years when they covered 44,000 miles in 2019/20 and 32,800 miles in 2018/19. The lowest road temperature was recorded at -6.1 degrees in the Mendip Hills on 10^th

In response to the Public Health message around oral health SG relayed that people are finding it hard to join a registered NHS dentist- only offered private (paid for) care. DF responded that individuals could report this to SCC Public Health, to look into.

CC reported the Canal carpark footpath issue (item 122.2) and asked for DF’s advice.
Action – CSMPC forward emails to DF at SCC

Minutes – to approve the Minutes of the meeting held on 10 May 2021

(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

Matters arising from the Minutes of the meeting held on 10 May 2021

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.
Final Year Accounts- former Clerk will send papers to external auditors shortly.

Planning

1. Planning applications. The following applications were considered.

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.

2. Monkton Heathfield Urban Extension 2 Panel – information was shared ahead of the meeting in the Clerk’s report.

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.

Traffic Calming in CSMPC- The panel met with SCC Highways on 19 May to discuss transport proposals in the village to improve road safety. Focus is in particular on St Michael Rd and Hyde Lane, as identified in the Neighbourhood Plan. SCC were in support of the proposals (from the CSMPC commissioned RGP traffic report) and have since responded, detailing the areas they could address. PB shared the panel’s recommendations:

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.

Finance 
1. Routine Payments
Since the May Mtg (schedule circulated); The new and previous Clerks, Caretaker’s and Parish Lengthsmans Wages and HMRC payments
Clerks May/Pt June Exps £113.33

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

2. Payments to be authorised – additional payments

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.
Payments authorised: Proposed SH proposed| JP seconded | 8 in favour AP abstained.

3. Invoices paid under emergency arrangements - none

4. Monies received and banked since the last meeting
SW Lottery (Proceeds May) £10.00,

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

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?
Action- Clerk to respond to WMPC that CSMPC would be interested to learn more and would be pleased to attend any future meetings they proposed.

Canal Panel
1. Anti-social behaviour in car park. Discussion about Angling Club using the Canal Car Park on match days and residents reporting the car park and tow path have been used in absence of a toilet. This has been reported to the Angling Club previously and again in May pointing out that this is illegal.
Action: Clerk to write to the Angling Club again and ask them to provide a solution and include the Canal Trust, as owner of the tow path.
Discussion about visitor cars being locked in the car park, after the closing times (as displayed). Cllrs discussed what was best practice to record car details if drivers tried to exit and damaged CSMPC property on exit.

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.

Recreation Park Panel
1. JP – proposed Andy Gunstone to join Rec Park panel SH- seconded. 7 in favour | BB/AP abstained

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.

Highways

Drains are collapsing in Mill Lane – It was confirmed Wessex Water are looking into this.

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.

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.

Correspondence - none

New Matters to be carried forward- none

Personnel Sub-committee – no update