Present

A Dakowski (Chair)

R Cotton

M Burton

M Dinning

R Burton

S Potts

P Chambers

P L Young

Action By

Public Questions

None

1.

Apologies for Absence

Received from Cllrs P J Young, J Argles, G Lumby and T Phelps and SWT District Councillor G Wren

2.

Declarations of Interest

• None to report

3.

Minutes of the meeting held on 7th and 22nd June 2021

The previously circulated Minutes of the Ordinary and Extraordinary meetings were approved.

4.

Actions from previous meeting

• A quote for hedge -cutting had been obtained and forwarded to a householder at Butts Way

5.

Planning

5.1 Planning Update

No matters to report

5.2 Consideration of Planning Applications under delegated authority

• None

5.2 Consideration of Planning Applications for comments to SWT

The Council had visited Kingsland to review the application re outbuilding works and found the removal of existing building had already taken place, consequently it was resolved to advise SWT that no comments could be made on these works, and as it concerns the curtilage of a Listed Building, the position should be referred to the Heritage Department or Enforcement.

It was resolved to register the Council’s support for the planning application at Pen Craig (trees)

6.

Finance

6.1 2021/22 Accounts

The Clerk presented a summary of the current cash position.

6.2 Bank Reconciliation

As the financial records were with the internal auditor, no bank reconciliation had been prepared

6.3 Schedule of Cheques

Cheques to be paid were noted as being approved:

• T Payne                     Clerk Fee - Jun 2021  
• Richard Branfield      Weeding - JG                         £252.00  
• HMRC                       PAYE/NIC deductions           £351.23  
• SWT                          Dog bins 1/4 - 30/6/21              £561.60

6.4 2020/21 Accounts

The accounts, approved at the meeting on 22 June were presented for review, without further comment.

7.

Projects

7.1 Toilet Block Refurbishment – Monthly report

Cllr R Cotton reported that a new draft specification was being prepared. Proposed works by Croft, at a cost of £2,000, would cover preparation of the following:

i) Drawings for revised layout

ii) Tender specification

iii) invitation to tender

iv) Construction Design and Management regulations

v)  Planning and Monitor of pre-construction phase

The proposal from the Amenity Committee was that the cost of £2,000 be committed to enable the potential financial situation to be assessed. After discussion, it was proposed that the decision be deferred to the August meeting. Following a tied vote, the Chair made her casting vote for a deferral.  

7.2 Jubilee Gardens National Lottery Grant Monies

Chair reported that she was to meet with the representative of the Garden Club on 6 July to discuss designs. Work would include the lifting of a tree’s canopy and repairs to fencing. It was still intended to spend to grant monies by the 31 August deadline.

8.

Allotments

8.1 Monthly report

Chair reported on two enquiries for allotments form residents outside of the village. Under the allotment agreements, these are to be considered by the full Council. After discussion it was agreed to offer an allotment to a resident of Langford Budville and to defer the decision from a Wellington resident on grounds that Wellington has its own allotments, and allow for additional advertising of plots being available to Milverton residents.

Progress on the rainwater harvesting project was delayed due to holidays  until the end of August.

It was proposed to replace the gate post to allow the gate to be rehung to eliminate the effect of the strong spring.

There have been  complaints about dog mess; Subsequent requests for users to pick up and reminders to close the gate have been put on the Facebook page and additional signage to be displayed.

Holders of unworked plots are to be written to.

9

Parish Council website

Clerk reported that he had been provided with access to update the website this should be edited and populated with relevant and required documents over  the next few weeks

10

Village Communication

Clerk reported that the setting up of a Village Communication group was ongoing

11

Roads and Footpaths

11.1 Footpaths

Cllr A Dakowski reported that finger posts missing on WG7/21 and WG7/48, as well as the state of steps  on WG7/24 had been reported to SWT

Richard Branfield has cut all the paths on his contract.

 11.2 Roads

Cllr S Potts reported on a number of issues:

• Pothole in Butts Way - now repaired overgrown hedge in Butts Way.

• Huntash Lane - water leak now dry but to be revisited
• Suggested improvement for speed signage in Wood St passed to Highways
• Consideration of disabled parking pay in Fore St passed to Highways
• Road works took place  by Wessex Water in Mill Lane
• Leaves covering yellow lines in North ST reported to Highways
• Signage hidden in undergrowth along the school side of Butts Way. Owners to be notified to cut back
• SIDs: Visits have taken place by Kate Brown of Highways and Dan Cox Avon & Somerset Police Road Safety Division to review potential sites. The result  was 5 sites in Milverton and 1 in Preston Bowyer.
• Report received by the Council of an issue re parking in High Street, resulting in damage to property and threats to a homeowner. PCSO L Fyne has been informed.

Cllr P L Young noted an issue raised in North Street re cones being put out to enable works vehicles access to a property. PCSO L Fyne has been informed.

13

Matters of Report

13.1 Road closure

The closure of the B3187 (between Milverton and Wellington) for 33 days from 26 July to 27 August for drainage works was noted.

14

Date of next meeting

The next meeting was confirmed for Monday 2nd August, at the Victoria Rooms. Protocols and arrangements to be assessed in the light of any easing of Covid restrictions.

The meeting closed at 8.50pm