Public time –
MINUTES of the COMBE ST. NICHOLAS PARISH COUNCIL Meeting
Held in the Village Hall on Monday 24th October 2022 at 7.30pm
PARISH COUNCILLORS Mr. Ed Cockburn, Chairman
Rev. Deborah Perreau, Mrs Cressida Govier-Drake, Mrs. Di Hine, Miss Sue Pargeter.
Mrs Louise Simmons,
Dr. Colin Ryall, Messrs. Ian Croucher, Ian Stonex, Ian Whitehead,
Also Mrs. Jenny Kenton and Mr. Martin Wale (District Councillors) and 2 members of the public.
Mrs. Anne Hunt – Clerk,
Apologies – Mr John Gilbert,
52/2022 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST –
53/2022 COUNTY & DISTRICT COUNCILLORS REPORT
Jenny Kenton (District Co.) recent updating of computer communication/website to new Authority did not go quite as well as hoped – email contacts may have changed. Highways winter services being arranged, 23 gritters and 900,000 miles of road. Asking for help from farmers when necessary. Warm Hubs centres for this winter if necessary – funds to be given by SSDC before 31/3/2023.
Ed. C – support available up to £1000 for community premises – apply via David Crispfield, SSDC.
Martin Wale (District Co.) Attended the latest LGN meeting (Local Govt. Network) Val Keitch is running the local LGN but no statutory ideas –responsibility for planning and licensing not been decided yet. Planning section still discussing the phosphates problem but are aiming towards plans for a formula. Area West was supposed to have a report about the relief road for Chard (A358) but still being renegotiated and they will pass it over next year to the new Council. A new Local Plan will also have to be forthcoming. The regeneration scheme in Chard has more-or-less done all it can. The steep pavement on north side in front of shops will be removed.
Di. H – Farmers do not usually have snow ploughs so can only give limited assistance.
54/2022 MINUTES
The Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 26th September 2022 were approved as a true record and signed
55/2022 UPDATE FOLLOWING FLOODING EVENT OF 2021
Owners of Pudleigh Mill is carrying out considerable amount of works, with advice from Roy Hayes, of FWAG to build a lagoon to assist with excess water storage.
Consent now received to commence work on the leat/stream at Burnside, Court Mill Lane from SCC (Flooding Dept.)
An application has been put in for some funds for flooding equipment.
56/2022 COMMUNITY RESILIENCE PLAN
Rob Grimmond gave information about items to be discussed at the public meeting taking place on Monday 7th November as part of the Plan to engage the Community to help ourselves when/if an emergency arises, e.g., heavy snowfall, flooding etc. Identify resources and help we have in the
community – 4x4s, nurses. Skills, equipment, etc. Quite a big exercise to get everything together, and make the public aware of what we are trying to do. Various locations that could be opened in a emergency and what equipment would be required. Some funds available from SCC/ SSDC
Emma Giffard of Somerset Prepared/Flooding dept will also be attending and will be talking about Riparian responsibilities and land owners’ responsibilities. After discussion it was agreed to provide cheese and wine, plus teas if required.
Provision of sandbags was discussed re different types and possible filling.
Warm Hubs – where residents could meet if funds to heat own home not sufficient in view of current high living costs. Jacket potatoes, soup, etc. could be provided – Village Hall, Methodist Church? Grant available.
57/2022 PLANNING
- Re Enforcement Planning. SSDC Enforcement Officer has reported that the owners at Whiteway have been given notice that a retrospective planning application will be required. As no reply has been received, further contact to be made to the Enforcement Officer to ascertain exactly which items will need planning.
58/2022 THE LAWNS
Following a meeting of some Councillors at The Lawns, it was queried whether the wooden surround serves any purpose to actually keep the safer surfacing in position, as these tiles are actually stuck down.
After discussion it was decided to just remove the old wood left, but not replace it. A check list of points to be given to Councillors Di Hine and Louise Simmons who will visually check the equipment each month.
Quote received and accepted to trim the beech tree in accordance with the tree inspection report received recently.
59/2022 HIGHWAYS
The Speed Indicator Devices (SIDs) have been delivered and Councillors Ian Croucher, Ed Cockburn and Ian Whitehead will be installing them shortly.
Work has been carried out recently clearing drainage pipes around the village centre, and some work has been identified as needing repair by Highways Dept.
Loose manhole cover reported at the bottom of Rackstile.
60/2022 COMBE WOOD REC.FIELD
Quote received and agreed to trim the hedges
61/2022 COMMUNITY MINI-BUS
To obtain the licence and run the scheme as a Community project the Parish Council would need to be the figurehead. The hiring costs/donations would hopefully generate enough funds to cover the insurance of £700-£800 pa. Bookings to be made via forms on the Parish website. Voluntary drivers have already come forward. A local garage has offered to do any repairs, etc. Councillor Ian Croucher will contact South Petherton Parish Council who run a similar scheme. Agenda – next meeting
62/2022 FINANCE
The following payments were approved and will be paid via Internet Banking/Cheque
£45.97 Mrs A. Hunt (computer ink/broadband. costs)
£293.20 Mrs A. Hunt (salary Oct. 2022 less tax)
£18.00 Village Hall (October meeting)
£100.00 Royal British Legion (Poppy Appeal)
£5,400.00 Elan City (Speed Indicator Devices)
£21.98 Ian Croucher (repay cost of clips, fixings, etc. for SIDs)
£280.68 AED Locator (EU) Ltd. (defibrillator pads)
£400.00 Luke Spencer (Beech tree trimming works)
63/2022 GENERAL MATTERS –
- Boundary Hedge of site of Three Corners on Church Path needs trimming
- Speed Watch Volunteers possibly forming a new group in Wadeford.
- First Responders (volunteer help group to Ambulance service) have to pay own petrol costs, etc– Quiz night on 20th Nov at The Haymaker to raise funds to help cover these.