Minutes of Yeovilton Parish Council held on Tuesday July 13th 2021 at St. Bartholomew’s Church, Yeovilton at 7.30pm.
The meeting was held with strict Covid regulations, social distancing & masks being worn.
Present:, Chairman, Mr. A. Elliott, Mr. P. Browncey, Mr. D. Board, Mrs. R. S. Jones, Mr. B. Barlow, Mr. A. Hickman, Mr. M. Lewis, County Councillor, Mr. A. Capozzoli, District Councillor, Rev. B. Faulkner, Mrs. M. Murray,
Mrs. C. Hickman, Mr. S. Prew, Mr. R. Crang, Mr. P. Crang and Mr. P. Horsington, Clerk.
29. Apologies
Apologies were received from Mr. R. Luck, Mr. C. Hull, District Councillor, Mr. P. Rowsell, District Councillor, Mr. R. Graydon, CRO, RNAS, PC. Stefan Edwards and PCSO Tim Russell.
The Council noted that due to Covid isolation issues, Gulliford Try had cancelled coming to this meeting to give their presentation on the A.303 dualling & this has now been rescheduled for September 14th.
30. Minutes
The Minutes of the previous meeting held on June 8th 2021, having been circulated, were signed as correct.
31. Declarations of Interest
There were no Declarations of Interest, as application 21/01534/FUL at Podiwood Farm, Costello Hill had already been granted.
32. Open Session & County & District Councillors’ reports
Mr. Capozzoli, District Councillor reported that the planning application 20/03406/S73 Stockwich Court, has now been withdrawn. The Phosphate issues are still unresolved. Mrs. Jones commented that builders are laying off staff as a result of planning applications not being determined.
Mr. Capozzoli reported that the full SSDC Council had met last week, holding their first face to face meeting at the Westland’s Centre, however it had been decided that Area Committee meetings would continue to be held via Zoom.
Mr. Lewis, County Councillor, informed the meeting that there was no decision on the Unitary proposals, but the Secretary of State is due to a make a decision shortly.
Mr. Lewis drew attention to the spike in the Delta Covid cases. This was noted.
Mr. Browncey asked the County Councillor how had West Camel been able to secure their speed restrictions. Mr. Lewis stated that it had been via Small Improvement Schemes, most of which had been funded by Highways England. Mr. Lewis stated that each County Councillor has options to bid for, up to two schemes. At present the list is full and there would be some delay in any future delivery, even when approved.
Mrs. Hickman again highlighted that the two closed bridges on the Rights of Way were still causing problems, as these are well used and the closures not always being observed. It was agreed to again contact Rights of Way for an update on these works. It was agreed to approve this action under Rights of Way.
Mrs. Hickman highlighted the need for a Dog bin at the Weir area in Yeovilton village. It was agreed to ask SSDC Street Scene if one could be put in that area & it would be emptied. It was noted that the Parish Council would have to pay for the Bin & its installation.
From the last meeting, it was noted that concerns had been raised over the issue of young persons using the river Yeo for swimming in an area upstream from Hainbury Mill, particularly in hot weather, with the resident suggesting lifebelt provision and or warning signs would be a useful safety remedy.
Mr. R. Crang spoke as representing the family, who owned the fields on the south side of the river Yeo.
Mr. Crang stated that the Trustees of the land farmed by Mr. Ken Crang on the south side of the river Yeo opposite Hainbury Mill have not and will not give permission to be on the side of the bank or swim in the river. The bank is steep and not safe. The public must stay on the Footpath. As Trustees, we accept no responsibility.
Mr. Elliott stated that he would contact Mr. A. Myers, Hainbury Mill, owner of the opposite riverbank for his comments on these issues.
Mrs. Jones stated that RNAS via Robert Graydon, could assist reference RNAS personnel use.
It was stated that subject to the E.A. assessing the area and approval, the E.A. could provide signage, but the riparian owners would need to be contacted and give their consent.
Mr. S. Prew, Podimore stated that the VAS speed data had confirmed that there is speeding in Podimore, and asked if a SIS could be considered to slow traffic and would the closure of the slip road improve the situation for better or worse.
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Mr. Board stated that the Council had supported the closure of the slip road from the A.303 into Podimore, especially as there will be a major impact on everyone in the area, once the dualling scheme works’ commence.
It was confirmed that all the data taken from the three VAS placings, Podimore, Bridgehampton & the B.3151 had shown there were vehicles in excess of the relevant speed limits. All this information had been forwarded to the Police.
Mrs. Jones stated that the VAS device has definitely an impact on driver behaviour, for the better.
It was agreed that members of the public and Councillors will put forward ideas to the Parish Council for consideration and agreement, these to be sent to County Highways, for evaluation and hopefully put onto the SIS list for action.
Mr. Lewis stated that it could be possible to have a temporary Road Traffic Order put in place which could impact on ‘SatNav’ information. Mr. R. Crang stated that the recent increased amount of traffic through Bridgehampton is dreadful.
33. RNAS matters, Police, Community & Church matters
In the absence of Mr. Graydon, RNAS, Mr. Elliott reported that an F.35 aircraft had flown into RNAS Yeovilton, which is a very noisy, but Mr. Graydon had assured him that these will not be based at RNAS Yeovilton.
The Council noted the Newsletter received from the Police.
Rev. Faulkner informed the meeting that a Fete sale will be taking place at Podimore on Saturday July 17th . Rev. Faulkner expressed his sympathies to the Board family in their recent barn fire, this was endorsed by all present.
34. Planning matters
The Council noted that there was no decision for application 20/02512/OUT on Land adjoining Pilgrims, Weir Lane Outline application with all matters reserved apart from access for the erection of 2 No. detached dwellings.
The Council noted that application 20/03406/S73 at Stockwitch Court, Stockwich Cross to remove planning condition No. 6 (residential annexe tie) of approval 06/04038/COU to enable annexe to be used as a separate dwelling has now been withdrawn.
The Council noted that despite no consideration or comment had been sent from the Parish Council, application 21/01534/FUL at PodiwoodFarm, Costello Hill, for the erection of an Agricultural Storage building had been granted.
35. Financial matters
The Council noted that the balances as at 30/06/21 were in the Current A/c £2,974.55p and £5,006.81p in the B/P Account.
Payments received – £0.12 Bank interest
Payments made –
13/07/21 100446 £69 13/07/21 100447 £75
HMRC paye tax
Ilchester Parish Council VAS hire
The cheques were approved and signed.
The Clerk reported that the Audit (exemption as under £25 K income) is expected to be closed shortly.
36. Highway matters
In the absence of Mr. Luck, the Council discussed and agreed that the next installation of the VAS device should be in Podimore. It was noted that all the Speed data gained so far, has been posted on the Council’s website and forwarded to the Police.
The Council endorsed the principle of using SIS funding proposal and the issues discussed earlier. The Clerk was instructed to contact the SCC Senior Traffic Engineer.
The Council noted that the massive pothole at Bridgehampton between Bridge House and the bridge over the river Cam reported by Mr. Browncey, still had not been repaired and there is a water leak in the same area.
Mr. Barlow highlighted that the verge by ‘Fairview’ Yeovilton village is very overgrown & needs clearing to allow use of the footpath, still has not been sorted.
It was agreed to contact SCC Highways again on both issues. Also to highlight blocked drains in Bineham Lane opposite the property ‘Pennygate’.
Mrs. Jones stated that verge trimming carried out by County Highways in the Parish had been of a very poor standard. It was reported that there is an issue with lack of signage as vehicles leave the Podimore Services, as some vehicle drivers assume that there is no traffic coming from the Podimore village direction.
There are also damaged 30 MPH speed limit signs at Podimore. It was agreed to forward these issues to County Highways.
37. Flooding issues
There were no issues raised.
38. Tree matters
There were no issues reported.
39. Rights of Way.
The Council noted the issues raised earlier, reference the two closed bridges on Rights of Way within the Parish, and it was agreed to ask the Rights of Way Officer again, for an update as to when these repairs are to be carried out.
40. Correspondence
The Council noted the Somerset Waste Partnership newsletter.
41. Items for report, or for the agenda of the next meeting
There were none raised.
The date of the next meeting was agreed to be held on Tuesday September 14th 2021 at 7.00pm,
at St. Bartholomew’s Church, Yeovilton, to enable Gulliford Try to give their presentation on the A.303 dualling proposals.
There being no further business, the Chairman thanked all present for attending and declared the meeting closed at 8.25pm.