Minutes of Yeovilton & District Parish Council held on Tuesday July 12th 2022 at St. Peter’s Church, Podimore at 7.30pm.
Present: Chairman, Mr. A. Elliott, Mr. P. Crang, Mr. S. Hodgson, Mr. R. Moffatt, Mr. M. Lewis, Somerset Councillor, Mr. H. Hobhouse, Somerset Councillor, Mr. A. Capozzoli, District Councillor, Rev. B. Faulkner, Mr. Patrick Young, Miss Rebecca Whittington and Mr. P. Horsington, Clerk.
No members of the public attended.
32. Apologies
Apologies were received from Mr. A. Hickman, Mr. James Scott, Mrs. S. Thomas – Webb, Mr. C. Hull, District Councillor, Mr. P. Rowsell, District Councillor, Mr. R. Graydon, CRO RNAS and PCSO Beata Marcelino.
33. Minutes
The Minutes of the previous meeting held on June 14th 2022, having been circulated, were signed as correct.
34. The Chairman welcomed Mr. P. Young, who updated the meeting with his proposals for further development at Hainbury Farm. Mr. Young stated that the tenant is retiring in March 2023, which gives an opportunity for further development north of Taranto Hill, Ilchester across to the B.3151, which would be within Yeovilton & District Parish Council. At present the Phosphate issue is holding up any proposals for determination.
The proposals under consideration is for 60/70 acres to be a Nature reserve with an avenue of trees in partnership with the National Trust to create a corridor linking with Lytes Cary. The vision is to have a Green Bridge over the A. 303 to establish this link. The principle being to allow access to the natural environment and promoting bio-diversity.
Mr. Young stated that he is sponsoring a poly tunnel at the Primary School to encourage growing skills.
Mr. Elliott stated that there is an issue of also crossing the A.372, but agreed that once over these two Highways there is ample scope for Cycling and Footpaths for walkers.
In answer to a query, Mr. Young stated that the intention is to develop up to a further 250 dwellings. Mr. Young was thanked for attending the meeting.
35. Declarations of Interest
There were no Declarations of Interest.
36. New Clerk
Mr. Elliott reported that Rebecca Whittington, who was present, has expressed an interest in becoming Clerk to the Council. It was agreed that the members would discuss matters with her after the meeting, with the view of offering her the post, beginning in September. Details of contract & salary to be agreed. The present Clerk will attend the September meeting.
37. Open Session, with Somerset Councillors & District Councillors’ reports
Mr. H. Hobhouse, Somerset Councillor, reported that there are serious shortfall of £28 million, in funding, both in Adult and Child Social Care, which will have a serious impact. Mr. Lewis stated that the shortfall in finances are £14 million within the County Council and £14 million between the five District Councils.
Mr. M. Lewis, Somerset Councillor, reported that Andrew Barron is now the contact for Highways.
In answer to the query reference the salaries for the new Executive Officers, Mr. Lewis stated that the salary has been agreed to be between £190 – £197K per annum.
Mr. Capozzoli, District Councillor, stated that he nothing to report.
38. RNAS matters, Police, Community & Church matters
In the absence of Mr. Graydon, CRO, RNAS, there were no RNAS matters discussed.
In the absence of the Police, the Crime figures were noted.
Rev. Faulkner reported that there had been a theft of candles and other items from St. Peter’s, Podimore.
39. Planning matters
In the absence of Mr. Scott, the Council agreed to leave the issue of either a Local plan or Neighbourhood plan until the next meeting.
The Council noted that there was no decision for application 22/00962/REM on Land adjoining Pilgrims, Weir Lane Reserved Matters for appearance, landscaping, layout and scale, following outline approval 19/01996/OUT for the erection of a dwelling.
The Council noted that there was no decision on application 22/01413/S73A on the Solar site at Southfield, Smithy Lane, Yeovilton to vary Condition03 (timescale) of planning consent 18/01593/S73 to allow for a time extension of the development to 2056.
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The Council noted that there was no decision for application 22/00830/FUL at Tremaynes, Limington Road, Limington for the erection of one dwelling and garage with formation of access.
The Council discussed and supported application 22/01633/PAMB on land at Limington Road, Limington for permission to convert an agricultural building to a no. 1 dwelling, with concerns at the proposed access.
The Council discussed and supported application 22/01691/HOU at Lynne Cottage, Church Street, Limington for the erection of a single storey side entrance and rear kitchen extension.
The Council discussed and supported application 22/01544/FUL on Land off Elborough Lane, Limington for the erection of dual agricultural and equestrian storage building to replace existing building.
40. Financial matters
The Council noted that the balances as at 30/06/22 were in the Current A/c £162.52p and £9,007.59p in the B/P Account.
Payments received – 0.42p Bank interest & £7,640.48p to be received from the Limington Parish meeting. Payments made –
12/07/22 100492 £73.42p BHIB added insurance The cheque was approved & signed.
The Clerk reported that the Bank, Barclays PLC had sent the cheque & pay in books in the name of Yeovilton & District Parish Church – not Council. These have been returned.
The Council discussed the issue of the lands transferred to the Council from the Limington Parish meeting and agreed that there needs to be a new Tenancy agreement with the existing tenants. Mr. Scott has all the relevant papers, and it was agreed to see what existing arrangements are in place. It was reported that one area was once allotments.
41. Highway matters
It was agreed to ask Ilchester Parish Council when would the VAS be available for hire, with Mr. Hodgson to liaise with Mr. Hall, Ilchester and Mr. R. Luck in Yeovilton.
The Council noted that the request for an extra Dog bin at the Weir area in Yeovilton village, is still under review by SSDC Street Scene, as to whether they can add this to their list of collections.
The Council noted that the request for a Grit bin in Yeovilton village is still to be agreed.
It was reported that the road from Stockwitch Cross to Podimore, ‘Little Yeovilton’ had been resurfaced.
It was agreed to leave Dog litter bins on the agenda, to compile a list of where these need to be put. It was noted that these will have to be funded by the Parish Council, and to have SSDC consent to empty them.
The Council agreed that County Highways are requested to trim the roadside hedges in Bineham & Weir Lanes, Yeovilton village, as these are well overgrown. It was noted that the same issue in Duck Lane, Limington had been reported.
42. Flooding issues
There were no issues raised.
43. Tree matters
There were no tree matters raised.
44. Rights of Way.
Mr. Crang informed the meeting that he understood that the Contractors should be on site within the next two weeks to repair the two bridges on Rights of Way within the Parish.
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45. Correspondence
The Council noted the Somerset Waste Partnership newsletter, which had been circulated and Clerks Direct.
46. Items for report, or for the agenda of the next meeting
There were no issues raised.
It was agreed to discuss at the next meeting, whether the Council should hold bi – monthly meetings and discuss
where these would best be held. This will be an agenda item.
The date of the next meeting of the Council was confirmed to be held on Tuesday September 13th 2022 at St. Bartholomew’s Church, Yeovilton at 7.30pm.
There being no further business, the Chairman thanked all present for attending and declared the meeting closed at 8.25 pm.