Minutes
Monday 12th January 2026 7:30 pm in Othery Village Hall
1 – Apologies:
Cllrs Atherton and Tizzard
2 – Present:
Cllrs Jenning: Selway: Betty: Graham: Wright: Cllr Matt 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 13th October 2025:
Agreed as a true record of the meeting.
5 – Public question time and Neighbourhood Watch/Crime report and an update from Cllr Matthew Martin:
Cllr Martin had nothing new to report and a police report is included in matters arising. Several planning breaches were brought to the attention of the meeting and once collated they will be sent to planning north for their attention.
6 – Matters Arising:
Parking updates The PCSO’s report that parking has improved and that their role will be educating motorists where their parking restricts visibility and also work with the school and parents when picking up and dropping off students at the school. Cllr Graham said that it would be useful if someone could attend the next meeting as it is likely that there will be a number of residents who wish to put over their views on the problem. The Clerk will make that request.
Highways issues. The clerk has had no contact from Somerset highways to report number 858692 which Cllr Martin was disappointed to learn about and asked the clerk to forward the information to him to follow up on behalf of the Parish Council.
7 – Playing Field:
Update and a decision on the work required on the play surface: The quotes are felt to be too great for the Parish Council to afford so the Clerk was asked to find out from SPFA if there were any grants as we do not have any uncommitted CIL money at the moment.
8 – Cemetery:
Update: Still waiting for a quote to gain access to the new part of the Cemetery.
9 – Highways:
Update: All covered in matters arising.
10 – Media report:
Update: the documents w need tidying up and updating which the Clerk will have a look at and Cllr Graham will make contact with Ed to get a lesson on using the Website.
11 – Community Speedwatch:
Cllr Atherton is unable to undertake any Community Speed Watch sessions this month.
12 – Planning notice:
NA
13 – Financial Matters:
Set The precept for 2026-27
Expenditure:
- Salary £ 268.24
- Salary administration £ 15.00
- British Legion £ 25.00
- Crisis for Christmas $ 30,00
- Village Hall £ 12.00
- G Wagen James £ 238.14
- Lease Field £ 74.08
- Waste Bins £ 202.80
Income
- All financial matters agreed and the precept set at £11,800 and increase of 4.15%.
Charity this month Cancer Research.
14 – Correspondence:
- Nothing new.
15 – Correspondence for Circulation:
Already circulated by email:
16 – Urgent Matters at the discretion of the Chairman:
Short private update regarding Cllr Atherton: It was agreed that due to the circumstances Cllr Atherton should be given a discretionary absence from meetings for six months as his value to the Parish Council is recognised by the members.
It was noted that the Slinky Bus is available and the Clerk agreed to investigate. All available by clicking on www.somerset.gov.uk/roads-travel-and-parking/slinky-services/
CLOSE
Date and time of the next meeting: Monday 9th February 2026 7:30 Parish Council Meeting.