Minutes
Monday 9th September 2024 7:30 pm in Othery Village Hall
1 – Apologies:
Cllr P Atherton, J Swayne
2 – Present:
Cllrs Tizzard: Jennings: Jones: Selway: Betty: Wright: M Martin
3 – Declarations of Interest:
These will always be declared at the agenda item when appropriate.
4 – Certifying the minutes of the meeting held on Monday 8th July 2024:
Agreed as a true record of the meeting.
5 – Public question time and Neighbourhood Watch/Crime report and an update from Cllr Matthew Martin:
Mr Miller from Pathe Farm Cottage attended the meeting to give an update on the current situation regarding the fallen wall and the road closure. Mr Miller is waiting for a Conservation Officer to advise on the rebuilding but Somerset Council do not have any officers currently. Cllr Tizzard offered to assist and contact Historic England SW case worker in Bristol. Mr Miller would like to thank all the members of the community for their assistance and support to remove the bricks of the road.
6 – Matters Arising:
- Emergency Plan – Cllr Jones has made a request through MOMSS but unfortunately had no replies or offers for inclusion in the EP. It was decided to give it another month to allow people to come forward before confirmation of the final EP.
- Village Signage and planting – With Cllr Atherton unable to attend the subject is deferred until October meeting.
7 – Playing Field:
The Playing field has won an award for “small playing fields” in Somerset Cllr Selway will be attending the presentation evening on 4th October. The PC thanked Cllr Selway for all her hard work and attention to detail to keep the playing field in such great condition and safe for all users. It was mentioned that the area on the ground around the small ride on equipment has broken up and needs attention for repair or re new asap. Cllr Selway will come up with suggestions at the next meeting.
8 – Cemetery:
Cemetery wall is still not repaired. Cllr Betty is in discussion with Towens to start the repair. They did not turn up to a meeting which had been planned. Cllr Betty will chase Towens again for a meeting to discuss when the repair will be carried out. Cllr Betty and Tizzard will look at the cemetery to mark out the new access points with local contractor next week.
9 – Highways:
No Updates on 20mph zone or repairs works starting. Cllr Martin did highlight that it was discussed at the last LCN meeting how poor the local main A roads condition had become as a direct result of excessive use when the M5 is closed or diversions are in place. It was proposed that there be a cross party comms to champion the repair of the roads through the village as local highways are being seriously disadvantaged.
10 – Community Speedwatch:
Defer until Cllr Atherton returns to meeting next month
11 – Planning notice:
38/24/00010/LNE: Proposal: Variation of Condition 25 on Planning Permission 38/24/00001 (Outline planning permission with some matters reserved for erection of 5 self-build dwellings and 2 open market dwellings along with associated works.) to amend the wording of the condition: Location: Land (2) To the North Of, Load Pool, Othery, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA7.
The Cllrs unanimously did “not” support the proposal. It was noted that the PC supported the original proposal due to the site being located in a T4 settlement and that Othery is within the Sedgemoor Local Plan which is valid until 2032. It was felt that the developer had not proved they had made any effort to promote the self-build potential to villagers which was an important part of their planning application.
Questions were raised as to whether there were enough people on the Self Build register for the planning to be successful.
Cllrs discussed that the removal of the “local” aspect from the conditions would completely change the concept of the development site. Cllr did not support the proposed change.
12 – Financial Matters:
Expenditure:
- Salary £ 268.24
- Sumitup £ 14.40
- SPFA Subscription £ 15.00
- SPFA Inspection £ 85.00
- Motor Neurons £ 25.00
Income
All financial matters were agreed.
13 – Correspondence:
The Clerk reported that the audit had been accepted by the auditor.
14 – Correspondence for Circulation:
Already circulated by email:
15 – Urgent Matters at the discretion of the Chairman:
Charity Donations – August Alzheimer’s September Marie Curie
Cllr Wright – proposed to reduce the meetings to Bi-monthly, this will be added to the agenda in October.
Cllr Tizzard – Proposed we formalised that August meetings will be removed from the calendar each year due to the lack of Cllrs available over the school holidays.
Cllr Betty – Advised there is a LVN meeting being held in Westonzoyland next week, 18/09/2024 and that he was approached to be chairman of the Highways Sub group but politely declined.
CLOSE
Date and time of the next meeting: Monday 14th October 2024 7:30 Parish Council Meeting.