Minutes of the Yeovilton Annual Parish Meeting held on Wednesday May 11th 2021 at St. Bartholomew’s Church, Yeovilton at 7.30pm.
The meeting was held with strict Covid regulations, social distancing & masks being worn.
Present: Mrs. R. S. Jones, Chairman, Mr. P. Browncey, Mr. D. Board, Mr. B. Barlow, Mr. A. Elliott, Mr. A. Hickman, Mr. R. Luck, Mr. M. Lewis, County Councillor, Mr. A. Capozzoli, District Councillor, Mr. R. Graydon, CRO, RNAS, Rev. B. Faulkner, Mrs. C. Hickman, Mrs. M. Murray, Mr. S. Prendiville and Mr. P. Horsington, Clerk.
Apologies
Apologies were received from Mr. C. Hull, District Councillor, Mr. P. Rowsell, District Councillor,, PC. Stefan Edwards and PCSO Tim Russell.
The Minutes of the previous meeting held on May 14th 2019 were signed as correct.
Chairman’s & Councillors’ reports
Mrs. Jones gave her report, which included the following –
This has been a year like no other due to the Covid 19 pandemic, and subsequent lock downs. The Council has managed to meet either under strict conditions, with thanks to the Rev. B. Faulkner allowing the use of St. Peter’s Church, Podimore and Zoom meetings, with thanks to Mr. Luck & Mr. R. Graydon.
Speeding remain a constant issue and the use of the VAS hired from Ilchester PC has only confirmed the issue. There has been more Police monitoring, and the Council hope that the closure of the slip road from the A.303 will soon be closed off, as has been agreed.
Planning is continuing to be a problem with lack of decisions being made by SSDC due to Phosphate issues on the Somerset levels. There are several long outstanding applications in the Parish, which have yet to be determined.
The Council discussed with the Young family & their agent their proposals for further major development of some more 200 housing over and above the current 150 dwellings being constructed. As some of this is within Yeovilton Parish and extra access & exit onto the B.3151, the Council were not in favour of their proposals certainly not until the impact of the ongoing development has been assessed.
Finally, thanks to all my fellow Councillors, the County Councillor, Mr. M. Lewis, the three District Councillors, Mr. A. Capozzoli, Mr. C. Hull, and Mr. P. Rowsell. Thanks to Mr. Graydon, CRO RNAS and the Clerk for their support during my six years as Chairman.
Mr. Browncey reported that the works done at Bridgehampton appear at last to have improved the flooding issues in that area.
Mr. Luck was thanked for all his work with hiring the VAS device from Ilchester PC. This has proved that both in Podimore & Bridghampton a vast majority of drivers were travelling well over the 30 MPH limit. These figures have been forwarded to the Police.
County & District Councillors’ reports
Mr. Capozzoli, District Councillor reported the following –
June 2019 Councils noted three Councillors elected to represent new Ward of St. Michaels.
July reported that there had been a meeting at the Half Way Inn with all Parish Councillors from the newly created Ward.
August & September- issues were discussed reference the 150 housing development at Hainbury. November- reported that the three members had signed off the Hainbury development.
February 2020 reported modification of 106 agreement between Yarlington Home, SSDC & executors of PCH Young deceased removing liability of affordable obligation.
March discussions with Limington Parish to create new Council with Yeovilton PC & reported on the Electrical Charging point in the Limington Road car park & Covid lock down from March 24th 2020.
July highlighted SCC proposals for Unitary authority for Somerset, with SSDC being opposed to this & proposing two Authorities.
August reported that SSDC Lead Planning Officer had left & Planning is in a mess.
January 2021 – meetings held via Zoom and reported that all SSDC Committees suspended for two months & SSDC have bought the Yeovil Town football site.
March reported that Planning decisions were being held up due to the need for a Phosphate impact report on each application, and in April reported that £25 million is to be spent on refurbishing the Octagon Theatre, with a grant / loan being provided by SSDC. No SSDC Area East Committee meeting had been held. Mr. Capozzoli was thanked for his report.
Mr. M. Lewis, County Councillor stated that May 11th was Somerset Day. SCC has made representation to have a single Unitary authority for Somerset. Also there has been a good Community effort in dealing with the Covid pandemic. Mr. Lewis was thanked for his report.
Church report.
Rev. B. Faulkner reported that despite the Churches being closed, services have continued by use of Zoom and the occasional face to face service, no singing being permitted. Both Parishes have been brilliant with their Community support. Rev. Faulkner was thanked for all he has done in the past difficult year.
RNAS report.
Mr. R. Graydon reported that last summer there had been a greater number of flying complaints, with there being 25 complaints per week in July.
The Council were informed that Air Days in 2020 and 2021 have been cancelled due to the Covid pandemic over safety fears with large gatherings.
Mr. Graydon informed the meeting that the works to the perimeter fence of RNAS have been completed and RNAS is a Quarantine Centre for personnel. Covid testing also is taking place on the Base.
Mr. Graydon was thanked for his report.
There being no other issues raised, Mrs. Jones, Chairman thanked everyone for attending, and closed the meeting at 7.50pm.