CREECH
ST MICHAEL PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES
for
the Meeting of Creech St Michael Parish Council
to
be held in the Village Chown Hall on
Monday
4th
October 2021 at 7:00pm
Present:
Cllr
Annabelle Peters – Chair
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AP
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Cllr
Neil Davidson
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ND
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Cllr
Simon Hutchings - Vice Chair left and returned during minute
208
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SH
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Cllr
Charlie Cudlip
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CC
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Cllr
Yamina Guest from minute 198. Also left and returned
during minute 210
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YG
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Cllr
Margaret Gover
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MG
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Cllr
Brenda Brighton from minute 197
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BB
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Cllr
Sarah Elliott
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SE
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Cllr
Paul Tucker left and returned during
minute 209
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PT
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Also
Present: County
Cllr David Fothergill Somerset County Council (SCC) and the CSM PC
Clerk.
Meeting
started at
7:00pm
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Chair’s
welcome
AP
welcomed all and chaired the meeting
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To
receive any apologies for absence
Cllr
Guest – at work will arrive a bit later.
Cllr
Brown sent his apologies as on leave.
Proposed
by PT | Seconded by ND | all in favour – apologies
accepted
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Declarations
of Interests. Declarations of Individual Members
ND
– confirmed a conflict of interest - as has pecuniary interest
in the Canal car park and Worthy Lane.
ND,
PT and CC confirmed a conflict of interest for planning
application: 14/21/0016
SH-
confirmed a conflict of interest – as he is related to an
employee
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Vacancies
on the Parish Council
There are currently two Parish Councillor vacancies.
Anyone
interested in becoming a PCllr is asked to contact the Clerk for
further information.
Cllrs
agreed and voted on co-opting Brenda Brighton
Proposed
by SH | Seconded by CC | all in favour
The
new Cllr BB signed the Cllr Declaration of Acceptance form and
joined the Cllrs for the rest of the meeting.
The
Chair informed the PC that a parishioner had applied for the other
Cllr casual vacancy, but was unable to attend that evening. The
application had been circulated to all members apart from newly
co-opted Cllr BB. It was acknowledged that the applicant had PC
experience and Cllrs agreed to override the minute 178.2 (Sept
2021) that a Cllr must attend one meeting first, before being
co-opted. This proposal would allow the PC to co-opt at the
November meeting, rather than the December meeting. This was taken
to a vote.
Proposed
by SH | Seconded by ND | 7 in favour, 1 abstained
Action:
Clerk to notify SW&T of co-opted Cllr Brighton and submit
Declaration of Acceptance form.
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To
receive County and District Councillors’ Reports
SCC
Cllr Fothergill gave a verbal report, [please see appendix 1]
Action
– Cllr Fothergill asked the Clerk to help publicise the Youth
Parliament through CSM’s social media.
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Minutes
– Cllrs agreed the Minutes of the meeting held on 6
September 2021
were an accurate record. (These
had previously been circulated to Cllrs) The minutes of the 6
September 2021 meeting were agreed. It was noted by the Clerk that
minute 178.2; the probation period of 1 month for new co-opted
Cllrs, was not a legal resolution. The minutes were then
authorised to be signed and dated by the Chair as an accurate
record of the meeting.
Proposed
by SH | Seconded by SE | 7 in favour, 2 abstained as not present
at the earlier meeting.
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Matters
arising- from
the Minutes of the meeting held on 6 September 2021 [Clerk’s
report]
The
Clerk’s report had previously been circulated to the PCllrs.
1.Regarding
the Village Hall sign that a resident had asked about in the last
meeting. Cllr Fothergill agreed to take another look. ND to also
have a look and clear overgrown branches, as it might be that the
sign is behind some tree branches that obscure it rather than
needing an additional sign.
2.Clerk
and SE, still to research the risks to the PC and extend
insurance, if possible,
for the Ham Village Flood Group
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Parish
Councillor responsibilities and Committees, Panels and Working
groups - Cllrs
agreed any updates to PC terms of reference for the individual
committees, panels and working groups will be discussed at the
November PC meeting.
Action:
Clerk to include Cllr responsibilities, committees, panels and
working groups as an agenda item to be agreed in November’s PC
meeting.
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Local
Community Networks (LCNs) – Cllrs
agreed the
Planning,
Developments & Transport panel to report back with
recommendations after attending the Parish and Town Council
Conference (7 October).
Action:
Clerk to include LCNs as an agenda item for November’s PC
meeting.
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Planning
1.Cllrs
considered
the following applications and made observations.
Ref
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Date
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Application
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Comments
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14/21/0016
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06/09/2021
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Conversion
of garage roof space into ancillary accommodation with
formation of entrance steps at The Well House, Vicarage Lane,
Creech St Michael
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To
SUPPORT
with a comment to SW&T planners to secure compliance with
the building materials specification on the planning
application form and drawing 2199/06 B through a planning
condition.
Proposed
by SH | Seconded by AP | 6 in favour
CC
PT and ND abstained as conflict of interest
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14/21/0032
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10/09/2014
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Erection
of a detached 3 bay timber garage with first floor storage area
at Salts Farm, Creech Heathfield Road, Creech St Michael
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To
SUPPORT
with a comment to SWT planners to secure compliance with the
building materials specification on the planning application
form and drawing A1-02 through a planning condition.
Proposed
by ND| Seconded by PT | all in favour
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Action:
Clerk to inform SW&T Planning of the PC’s decisions.
2.
Cllrs agreed to write to SW&T about the enforcement timescale
for South West Cranes to leave the Mill Lane site, now that their
retrospective planning had been refused. The PC were concerned
that the usual 3 months could be extended to one year.
Proposed
by SH | Seconded by AP | all in favour
Action:
SE to find out the realistic timeframe that South West Cranes
would be expected to leave the site.
Action:
Planning, Developments and Transport to draft a letter to be sent
on behalf of the PC to Somerset West and Taunton to ensure the
timescale for South West Cranes to leave the site is enforced.
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Finance
1.To
approve the monthly payments
Payments
to be authorised
[amount in £ including VAT]
S
Altria
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External
Audit – sign off
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L
Online
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47.27
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SALC
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How
to Budget Effectively (Clerk)
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L
Online
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25.00
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SALC
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Being
a Successful Chairman (AP)
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L
Online
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25.00
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SALC
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Councillor
Essentials (SE)
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L
Online
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25.00
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Routine
Payments-
Routine Payments-
since the September mtg (schedule circulated); wages and expenses
for the Clerk, Caretaker and Parish Lengthsman and HMRC payments.
[amount in £ including VAT]
EDF
(Engine Shed Electricity)
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L
DD
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40.00
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EDF
(Pavilion Electricity)
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L
DD
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46.00
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Utilia
Pavilion gas
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L
DD
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4.03
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3D
Security Rec Park lock up
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L
Online
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552.00
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CSM
Village Hall Aug Lettings
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L
Online
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57.00
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K
Signs - Canal car park winter closing
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L
Online
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48.00
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PKF
Littlejohn (Ext Audit)
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L
Online
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360.00
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Tesco
mobile
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L
Debit Card
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10.00
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Lloyds
Bank Charges (10 Aug - 9 Sept 2021)
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L
Online
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7.00
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Monies
received and banked since the last meeting
SW
Lottery
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Proceeds
September
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£12.50
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SW&T
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2nd
half of Precept
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£2,8992.5
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Payments
were agreed by the PC and signed by the Chair
Proposed
by ND | Seconded by CC | 8 in favour, 1 abstained
Action:
Clerk to make authorised payments
2.Annual
Audit - Cllrs
noted the report from PKF Littlejohn the PC External Auditors
(already
circulated) Cllrs discussed their disappointment that the former
Clerk had not met the deadline for a second year. The Clerk
confirmed that the Audit Notices and Annual Governance Statement
had been published as the auditors had instructed.
3.Interim
Audit – Cllrs
agreed that the Clerk could arrange an interim audit to check the
PC’s documents and working practices.
Proposed
by CC | Seconded by PT | all in favour
Action:
Clerk to arrange an Interim Audit
4.PC
payment card –
Cllrs agreed that the Clerk can apply for a new payment card in
name of the Clerk, rather than the Chair (see minute 2021/184.4.4)
with limits, safety measures and audit checks as agreed by the PC
and monitored by the Finance Committee. Cllrs requested the Clerk
apply for a higher limit of £2,000 so that online purchases would
be easier, where invoices were not an option.
Proposed
by SE | Seconded by MG | 8 in favour 1 abstained
Action:
Clerk to apply for PC payment card with £2,000 transaction limit
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Worthy
Lane - Cllrs
discussed and agreed against a budget request from residents for
signage on Worthy Lane to warn vehicles to slow down in the area.
It was agreed that Worthy Lane is a private road and parish money
couldn’t be spent on a private road.
Proposed
by CC| Seconded by PT | 8 in favour, 1 abstained
Action:
Clerk to write to Worthy Lane residents that their request for
signage on Worthy Lane had been denied, with an explanation of why
public funds couldn’t be used for private land.
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Somerset
Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP)
1.Cllrs
agreed to
write to the local MP (Rebecca Pow) and County Councillor (Cllr
Fothergill) asking for support for the BSIP.
Proposed
by BB | Seconded by SH | all in favour
Action:
Clerk to write to local MP (Rebecca Pow) and County Councillor
(Cllr Fothergill) to ask they support the Somerset
Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP)
2.Cllrs
agreed to request BSIP support Demand Responsive Transport (Buses
With No Timetables)
Proposed
by SE| Seconded by YG | all in favour
Action:
Clerk to contact the BSIP and request Demand
Responsive Transport (Buses With No Timetables) are included in
their proposals (SE)
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Rec
Park
1.The
Rec Park Panel summarised an update (already circulated in the
Clerk’s Report) that they were working through the repairs
needed to the play equipment, advised in the annual inspection
Some
parts can be mended in house, the panel will order other
replacement parts. The money in the Rec Park budget will cover
equipment replacements/repairs.
2.
Cllrs agreed a budget of up to £1,000 for the Rec Park to buy
equipment for the maintenance of the park and other areas across
the Parish, by purchasing an electric leaf blower, strimmer and
batteries.
Proposed
by AP | Seconded by CC | all in favour
Action:
Rec Park to buy
electric
leaf blower, strimmer and batteries up to the value of £1,000 max
3.
Cllrs agreed the purchase of additional locks by the Rec Park
Panel – already agreed minute 152.2 (PC 22.7.21)
Proposed
by AP | Seconded by CC | all in favour
Action:
SH to buy the locks for the Rec Park
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Panel
and Working Group reports –.
Cllrs
agreed for panels to give a brief update if available next month
(November)
Planning,
Developments & Transport Panel - PB
Canal
Panel- ND
Locking
is now at 6pm for the Autumn/Winter period, with updated signs to
show this. The
access gate which is currently located across the PROW is to be
relocated so that it does not impede the PROW at all.
Youth
Panel- ND
Rec
Park Panel- YG
Footpaths/
Rights of Way –
The
PC thanked the
Parish Footpath Volunteers for their report
PIP
working group
Comms
and Website working group - Clerk
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Correspondence
Cllrs agreed to support the A358 Parish Councils’ Informal
Group’s mitigation proposals and respond to Peter Gregory
(chairman) by the 15 October and request to be kept updated.
Proposed
by AP | Seconded by SH | all in favour
Action:
Clerk to respond to the A358 Parish Councils’ Informal Group by
15 October 2021.
Cllrs
agreed to take the £100 compensation offered by the bank for
delaying the new clerk access through a bank admin error to the
CSM bank account.
Action:
Clerk to confirm with the bank that the £100 compensation will be
accepted
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New
Matters to be carried forward
Community
Speedwatch
- CC updated the PC about meeting the local PCSO and how to
support the community to set up
Community
Speedwatch teams in the Parish. AP asked this include Ham. CC is
happy to lead on this. YG asked that schools and Scouts/Guides are
invited to get involved to raise speed awareness.
Action:
Clerk to add Community Speedwatch as an agenda item for the
November PC meeting.
Parish
Council dates - to
agree the dates for the PC monthly meetings and Committee
Meetings 2021-2022 and discuss the date for the Annual Parish
Meeting [1 March-1 June 2022]
To
discuss the date for the Annual Meeting of the Council- taking
into account possible elections in 2022. [14 days following the
day on which the new councillors elected take office]
Action:
Clerk to circulate the dates for 2021-2022 committee and PC
meetings and add to November’s agenda.
Public
meeting ended at 20:40
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Council
to decide to exclude Public and Press for these items
Meeting
ended at 9:16pm
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Ros
Moreton, CSM PC Clerk 07708680797
Email clerk@creechstmichael.net
The
next Creech St Michael (CSM) Parish Council meetings are on:
Monday
1 November at 7pm in
the CSM Village Chown Hall
Monday
6 December at 7pm in
the CSM Village Chown Hall
Appendix
1 REPORTS
SOMERSET
COUNTY COUNCIL
BRIEFING
SHEET FOR PARISH AND TOWN COUNCILS
OCTOBER
2021
Coronavirus
infection rates:
As of 30th
September, the number of confirmed Covid cases in Somerset was 42,800
(26.6% up from 33,812 on 29th
August) and the number of Covid-attributed deaths 839. The rate per
100,000 stands at 320.2 (459.1) for Somerset with Mendip at 379.8
(358.2), Sedgemoor at 292.3 (673.0), South Somerset 298.2 (410.5) and
SW&T at 321.7 (417.1). The number of total deaths across the
County is currently 15% below the 5-year average and the latest
R-value for Somerset is between 0.7 and 0.9.
Infection
rates in Somerset continue to be high. It is therefore important even
for those who have had both jabs to remember to observe Social
Distancing and to Ventilate indoor areas at all times.
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
programmes roll-out:
Somerset
continues to have
one of the highest vaccination rates in the country with the latest
figures showing over 95% of the adult population having had one dose
of vaccine and 90.2% having had both doses. Work is now focusing on
Children aged 12-15 years old via the school’s immunization service
and the third booster jab which is due 6 months after the second.
Local
Government Reorganisation:
Following the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local
Government (MHCLG) decision to support the move to a single Unitary
Council across Somerset the transition programme, lead teams and
governance structure have been agreed by the five current Councils.
On 17th
September the Councils responded to the Governments request to look
at possible ward boundary changes with a maximum of 85 Unitary
Councillors being elected. Whilst a number of options were presented
it was almost universally felt that these gave sub-optimal outcomes
at such an important stage. A cross-party and cross-authority request
was therefore also submitted requesting more time, more flexibility
in the warding parameters and involvement of the Local Govt Boundary
Commission ahead of a Unitary election. It is still expected that
statutory orders will be laid before Parliament in the late Autumn
and a vesting date of the new authority as April 2023.
Somerset
LGR Conference: The
first Town, Parish and City conference focussing on Local Government
Re-organisation in Somerset is due to take place on 7th
October with over 100 different Councils already signed up to attend.
The one-day conference will give Councils the opportunity to hear
first-hand the transition programme and input their own thought on
how the move to a Unitary structure could develop.
Somerset
Youth Parliament:
Somerset’s Youth Parliament is seeking nominations from young
people aged 11 to 18 wishing to become a Member of Youth Parliament
(MYP). Nationally, over 300 elected representatives work with central
and local government to make sure young people’s voices are heard.
Supported by Somerset County Council, Somerset MYPs campaign on a
range of issues, advise, represent, give grants and are consulted by
decision makers. 11- to 18-year-olds who live in or attend school or
college in Somerset can put themselves forward to be the county’s
next MYPs. To do this, they should complete a short online form
available here www.somerset.gov.uk/myp by
Friday 5 November. Elections and voting will take place in December
2021 with newly elected MYPs taking up office on 1 March 2022 and
serving a two-year term.
Young
People’s views on climate change:
11 to 18-year-olds in Somerset are invited to attend two virtual
events in October to help shape Somerset County Council’s Climate
Emergency Strategy. Somerset Youth Parliament is running two free
sessions via Zoom on Monday 11 and Monday 18 October, 6.15pm to 8pm,
to learn more about the county’s plans, listen to key speakers
including Rebecca Pow MP (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at
the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) and have an
opportunity to ask questions and contribute their own thoughts and
ideas.
To book a place at one of the virtual events email Kate Darlington
at: kdarlington@somerset.gov.uk
Applications
for school places 2022:
Foe all children moving from primary to secondary school, or middle
to upper school, in September 2022 applications for secondary school
places opened on 13th September 2021 and must be submitted before
Sunday 31 October 2021. All children starting school for the first
time in September 2022, as well as those moving between infant and
junior or first and middle school applications must be submitted
between Monday 27 September 2021 and Saturday 15 January 2022.
www.somerset.gov.uk/admissions
National
Award (1):
SCC has won a prestigious national award in recognition of its
ground-breaking work in supporting the set-up microbusinesses.
Leading local government publication the
MJ
awarded Somerset an achievement
award in
the Delivering
Better Outcomes category,
for its Community Micro-enterprise project. This supports
Micro-providers who then provide help and support on the ground in
local communities for people who need it.
National
Award (2):
Ann
Adams, Service Manager at Somerset County Council’s Support
Services for Education (SSE), was a finalist in the outstanding lead
governance professional category at the National Governance
Association’s (NGA) Outstanding Governance Awards 2021.The category
recognises individuals leading and managing governance across several
schools.