Minutes of the Yeovilton Annual Parish Meeting, Tuesday 06 June 2023 at St Mary’s Church, Limington
Present: Mr J Scott (JS) (Chairman), Mr S Hodgson (SH) (Vice Chairman), Mr P Crang (PC), Mrs S Thomas-Webb (STW), Mr H Hobhouse (HH) (Somerset Councillor), Rev B Faulkner ( BF), Lt Col D Sutton (DS), Mr P Jones (PJ), Mr A Elliot (AE), Mr P Horsington (PH) (out going Clerk), Mrs N Moore (NM), Parish Clerk.
- Apologies: Mr R Moffatt.
- Minutes of the Previous Meeting:
The minutes of the previous meeting held on 12 April 2022 were signed as an accurate record.
3. Chairman and Councillors Reports:
JS welcomed everyone to the meeting and gave his thanks to PH, the former Parish Clerk for all of his hard work.
He also introduced NM who has been appointed as the new Parish Clerk.
4. Somerset Councillor’s Report:
HH gave a report on the recent flooding of the villages in the district. 140 houses were affected by floodwater. HH had gone onto the Environmental Agency’s (EA) website which advised phoning 111. The fire brigade’s silver control was outside the area and he spent 45 minutes on the telephone as there was no duty manager to transfer the call.
The floods caused sewage to be discharged and all bridge buttresses were damaged. No sluices were closed and the automated warning system went off at 2am. The second warning was 5am and the flood water hit at 6am. It is hoped that a warning system will be set up for the river Cam.
PC said that although Bridgehampton had been flooded previously, this time the water was higher and also affected houses which had not experienced flooding before.
Attendees at the meeting asked further questions regarding insurance premiums, if there was a way that a system could be set up to ensure that the villages were more prepared e.g. having a ready supply of sandbags? The attendees also asked for reassurance that the Parish Council would support finding out the reason why the flooding occurred and how we will move forward. JS replied that the evidence will be collected and a report will follow. The meeting was told that these and any further questions would be raised at the special meeting regarding the flooding to be held on Thursday 08 June, 4pm – 7pm at the Podimore Inn.
HH voiced his appreciation of the work that had been done by his colleague Mr Mike Lewis who has sadly passed away.
HH reported on the bus scheme and stated that all bus fares are now £2.
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A discussion ensued on the deterioration of the surface of some local roads. This had been reported and the council had come out, filled in small holes but not dealt with the larger damage. Action: HH will contact the highways.
The speed on country lanes was discussed. The new council have agreed that if any village wants a 20 mph restriction, the parish council will have to pay.
AE reported that he found the lack and availability of funds very frustrating, this was agreed by all attendees.
5. RNAS and Church report:
DS, Commander of airside business, gave an update with regard to what the frontline units are currently undertaking. He then spoke on why we are seeing an increase in traffic over
Limington. The A400 approach was discussed and DS, explained this was an instrument approach to runway 04 that would not go below 200’ but that perceptions may cause it to appear lower. The issue of Merlins passing directly over the village and an apparent increase in traffic was raised. DS explained there are changes in where the aircraft are supporting training, with more happening to the South West now and not on the Salisbury Plain Training area. He also explained about the Ashington turning point and informed the meeting that he had written to all the Squadron Commanding Officers asking them to ensure crews did not ‘cut the corner’.
Unfortunately a couple of other key (ex pilots) were not able to attend the meeting. JS asked DS to attend the next meeting on 12 July 2023 for a more detailed discussion.
Afternote: Unfortunately DS is unable to attend the next meeting but will attend the following meeting on 11 September 2023.
It was asked if the fire engines at Yeovilton could have been used during the flooding but the meeting was told that this was not allowed.
BF reported that there were no church matters to discuss.
6. Presentation on A303 Development:
Mr Sam Landrigan from Galliford Try, gave an update of the continuing work on the A303. A copy of this presentation is attached to the Minutes.
7. Any Other Business: No further matters for this meeting.